Springtime Duties

A Saturday Afternoon Blob

by

JT



 I'd taken down the kids' swing set the night before that had serviced them for the last 10 years all that remained was a pile of sand.  Lately, Jeter had claimed the sandbox as his personal dig zone and he wasn't  quite ready to give it up yet.

 There was some prep work to do before the heavy duty stuff.  Which means I had to bring out my ol' reliable jeans to get the job done.

 The kids seem excited to just have grass in the backyard so they can play.  I also promised them an ice rink for next winter.

 I had to roto-til the whole area.  Thank goodness Sandra's dad has one so I didn't have to rent one.  Started up on the 32nd pull (yeah, I was counting).

 Jeter just stood back and took the whole thing in as...
Bambi napped.

Minor League Opening Day 4-5-2012

An Opening Day

Blog

By JT

 Zach, Mr. Fixxit and I ventured out to Syracuse to see the AAA debut of Bryce Harper.  Harper ("Hopper" , love that commercial).   The forecast called for low 40's and partly sunny.  It would have been nice if it was "partly sunny", it may have warmed up a bit.  I had a 25 minute conversation with my father explaining the $16 all -you- can eat deal at the stadium on the ride up, ironically they didn't start it that day.  We arrived at the ballpark and noticed the enthusiastic tailgating in the $5 parking area in front of the stadium... we figured we were in for a rockin' time.  

 The sparse crowd inside sugggested otherwise.

 Obviously, everyone in Syracuse drinks outside and just listens to the game.

 Two Chiefs were throwing the ball around pre-game and tossed Zach the ball.

 The stadium was really nice and definitely had that minor league baseball "feel" to it. 

 Bryce Harper came out to warm up, he's obviously a "southern boy". 

 We had good seats, section 116, 5th row, $14 is a bit much though and the food was very plain and expensive too.  It does not compare to the Bisons food and prices.

 The introductions of the opening day teams was nice and enthusiastic.  It was cute seeing Tex Simone (he's been with the Chiefs for over 50 years) walk over to the Red Wing manager and give him a hug.  It was wierd too when he put his hands in Gene Glynn's pockets and pull out his wallet.

 The ceremonial picture of the first pitch.

 Bryce harper played centerfield and batted fifth.  In his first AAA at bat he stroked a double over the head of the 1B and down first base line.

 Here he is standing on second after his double.

 Former MLB Mark Teahan flied out to center and Harper tagged up and slid into third.

 Here's a random shot showing that indeed the sun would show it's head during the day.  Red Wings SS Brian Dozier and (overpaid) 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka. Uncle Chuck, is he on your fantasy team?

 Red Wings LF Rene Tosoni.    Needless to say, the chants of "Girl Power" echoed throughout the stadium whenever he came to bat.

 In Bryce's second at bat he slapped a single into right center.

 He struck out in his third at bat and finished the day 2-4 with a stolen base.

 It got a little cold and we headed out early.  We had a great day and a wonderful time together.  The perfect beginning to the 2012 baseball season.

Happy Birthday Betsy!

First Ever 95th Birthday Bash, a Tribute to 1917 - recap

" To my Beloved Family"  02/23

As I sit here this AM, tears in my eyes-thinking- at the ripe old age of 95 and look back on my life, I keep thinking, have I made a differences, any impressions, any dent, or any good, in the life that was given to me?

Then I look back at yesterday and say, Here I am among all these good people, very good people who took a day out of their life to come from near and far to show their love and friendship for me!  I am blessed, I am the king of the mountain, I am on top of the world! 

Thanks to you!

Missedmas 2011

MissedMas eve morning dawned clear and bright. " Hmmm", said Chuck. "I think I'll golf." Off he went  but was soon to discover there were only 3 balls in the bag he borrowed from Kristen. Two of these were still damp and moldy from spending considerable time at the bottom of a pond. Chuck managed to arrive home after a quick stop at Cowtippers, his favorite gay bar, where he had a daquerri and watched a quick rerun of  Bewitched.

Missedmas eve dinner was a feast indeed. No fatted goose for us. We went straight for the epicurean delights of Bangladeshi take out. The flies were delicious and the spices, a mix that kept on giving..and giving..and giving.

Fed Ex managed to round up a sleigh and a very tired Santa and deliver all our gifts just in the 'nick' of time.

 Missedmas morning finally arrived after spending a restless night which we attributed, not to anticipation, but rather to the feast from the night before-still giving and giving. The crystal moose glasses were quickly located and we toasted in a sunny happy morning

 Santa's helpers were quick to RIP open the box and place everything under our carefully constructed Missedmas tree.

 Now? Now?? What do you mean ??? Breakfast first? How cruel!!

 After a bachanallia of presents, paper and shrieks of delight it was time for a breather so off we went to the park. Caroline declared loudly for all to hear, several times, "I no have poops in my pants, Nonna!" (She is taking this potty training thing very seriously. )
Bowling was our next order of business and has become something of a tradition for Missedmas. Unfortunately there are no action shots because Chuck, Eric, Kristen and Jefferson were very busy bowling and Nonna was very busy taking Caroline to the potty. Many, many times.
 After a long and busy day it was time for our Missedmas Dinner. Finding no Chinese place to accommodate us and still recovering from the Bangladeshi "episode", we opted for a lovely Italian restaurant. The food was excellent but more importantly, recognizable. The waiters, after a bit of coaxing sang a rousing chorus of 'Deck the Halls' with a STRONG Italian accent.

 Elizabeth and Charlotte remained cool and collected throughout the entire celebration. Charlotte only looked worried once or twice and Elizabeth only covered her eyes 2 or 3 times!

MERRY MISSEDMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!!

Jenna's Surprise!!! Birthday Party

Part II

Sandra's still shot contribution

Everyone had a wonderful time, the food and company were great.  Thanks Jill and Gary for hosting this wonderful evening.  Happy Birthday Jenna, we love you.

Jenna's Surprise Party!!!

Jenna's Surprise Biirthday Party

A Video Blob to remember

Good fellowship, good food and I think our special guest was genuinely surprised.