Summer Events

Hey everyone! We rarely blog so we thought we would fill you all in on whats going on with us and show off our babies. We went to Chicago for Memorial Day weekend and saw the Harry Potter exhibit and Rod Blagojevich Superstar. Then at the beginning of June, Drew got laid off from his job. They got bought out by a much larger company who then laid off 25/40 employees. But all is well here since Drew owns his own business. We are going to New Smyrna Beach, FL for a few days in mid-July and the following week we will be leaving for our European vacation. We will be gone for 16 days. We can't wait! Well, that is pretty much it for us. Pippa will be 3 in July and Ace is 2. Both are great dogs, very obedient and smart, Ace even puts himself under the seatbelt when he rides in the car!

Hi everyone!! Thought I would catch you all up on a few things. We've been really busy with coaching and working. But things have been going really well!!

Maya - as you can see she has really grown in the past few months. Granny Pat, she loves the blanket you made her so much that she somehow ripped it straight down the middle to make two blankets! LOL! She's a lot of fun to be around..I can't wait till she becomes fully potty trained though!

We just got back from Orlando last weekend after coaching in Nationals! It was a lot of fun the first two days...Ryan and I went to Disney World (the pic is from Animal Kingdom). Then we had to coach..and man I have never been so ready for a season to end. We coach a 15 year old team and it seems they would rather text then compete in a National tournament. I am too competitive for the way they play, just going through the motions. Next year we should get a #1 team so hopefully it will be better!

So everyone was wondering about pictures from our house..well here are the ones I have they are from this winter:

Feel free to stop by anytime! We are usually either playing or coaching or sitting at home! Speaking of coaching, I dont know how its going to be coaching at Providence this year without Ryan! It was a lot of fun traveling and being at all the practices. He is starting at UofL coaching in August so I am excited for him!! He is also still doing real estate so if anyone knows of anyone that is looking for a house, let him know he would be happy to help!! Work has been going well for me..I got to stay on day shift which is really nice.. I wasnt looking forward to working at nights!

Well we have to coach today at 4pm...just have to get to Tuesday and the club season is over! Hope everyone is doing well!! Love you all!!

FINALLY BLOGGING

I don't feel too bad - I only had to go back 2 pages to catch up on the blogs I've missed since Memorial Day. Apparently I'm not the only one who hasn't been doing this. It was good to see what you're all up to. Summer has been hectic but good so far.

Wyatt's all-star team keeps us busy most weekends with tournaments. He's been enjoying it and doing well - they are fun to watch, though I don't like seeing him pitch. Don't like the pressure myself, but he handles it well - how can a kid who spent First Communion breathing into a paper bag because of his nerves get up there and do that with no problem? Guess he's come a long way.

Conner is currently at his confirmation retreat, left 6:30 am on Thursday and they get back Monday evening and go right to Mass with the Bishop. We won't even see him until he walks up to get confirmed. It's very strange not having him around - don't know how I'll handle college! Even though he's never usually home anyway it still is hard just not knowing what he's up to. At least when he's "gone" here at home I know he's just on the golf course. That's his new home - literally spending all day there - rain or shine. Sometimes he and his buddies will shoot 72 holes (not a golfer myself, but that sounds like a lot even to me!) apparently they play the 9-hole course 4 times - using 2 balls! He's got a funky "golfer" tan going on, but at least it's keeping him out of trouble (and yes, you know suspicious mom that I am I always make sure I see him on the course whenever I drive by! have to make sure they aren't meeting there and then heading off to trouble! ha-ha) I really should cut him some slack - he even made First Honors this last grading period. I think he's finally maturing a bit and I really am proud of him (and crossing my fingers that it "sticks")

Cam is enjoying a relatively easy summer by not doing all-star baseball. Staying busy though with basketball bootcamp 2 days a week and tennis 3 afternoons. And playing on a basketball team - but it's pretty low-key, just one practice and one game a week. And I forgot he's on a tennis team too, he's actually playing in a match up at Ball State tomorrow, so Todd's gonna take him up there and show him our old neck of the woods!

Cole is still energizer bunny. Absolutely non-stop. Nothing new there - he's spending most of his days at the pool (and the snack bar, of course!)

We are heading to Myrtle Beach from July 12-17 and are really looking forward to it. The boys just found out that the cousins weren't all going, too! Guess they figured it was like all the years past - I never really thought about it, since we kind of decided to do it against better judgement (not the best time for most people financially) I think we just realized that it won't be long before Conner won't be wanting to vacation with us anymore! Anyway, we will miss not having everyone's company (so, if any of you get a wild hair and want to join us we are staying at the Dunes Village Resort)

So that's our summer in a nutshell. Keep posting - I do love to read up on you all!

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY TWINS

Well, its that time again. We now have Barbie and Debbie celebrating their 50th birthday Sunday. So to both of you, have a very wonderful day. I know you both would like to be together to celebrate, but its not always possible. So again, happy birthday and love (luv) to both of you. Mom and Paul

Normal Life.....if possible.

Still working on getting back to a normal life after the project from Hell that I received a clay/stone artistic tray that you can't serve food on. I have three releases of the web site that I have to get done. Most of the development is done, it is up to me to get the test scripts written so they can test but I'm so busy researching "incidents" which half the time is the same issue or just that the Service Reps don't know it all yet, can't blame them. Call Center Reps have the worst job. The next release is July 15th with Outage status and reporting, budget billing, Landlord agreements, Move In/Out, Low Income Agency Pledges. Then have an August 27th release for all of the Energy Efficiency programs, message/alerts, and payment plan history. the September release is to do it all in Spanish.

I've been working with a great personal trainer. lost 6 pounds in 8 weeks while weight training so I am happy. Wasn't sure of the total need for weight training but am really enjoying it and understanding it now. still have a way to go but have no doubt that I will get there. hoping my nephew will keep me motivated occassionally. Pam is supposed to start training. I'm so happy, she contacted me so that is a good sign, I hope having to get a doctors approval won't slow her down.


Runners need to start blogging, I think we need to plan an October mini. Heather is talking about the Seaside mini-marathon in late Feb early March in Florida. It sounds awesome, would probably be a great trip for everyone and a way to see mom and Paul during the winter also. http://www.seasidehalfmarathon.com/ they also have a 5k for those who don't want to do the mini. Need to see if Gary and Rachelle planned the wedding around a mini in Cincy. I forgot whent he Pigs Fly mini is. I'll go look. Okay it is on May 2nd. That would be a good one also. Should we all plan on doing the half mini's in every state. The http://www.half2run.com/ is only half mini's in half the states, which could be a start. Alpha is doing half-mini's in all 50 states. a little aggravating as he won't repeat a mini. Debbie Shelton from work completed this. She and her sister had begun it then her sister died of breast cancer so she completed it and her sister's husband completed it in her memory.

So after cleaning out the Murphy's poison ivy, I now have poison Sumac. at least that is what the doctor said it looked more like. it took 4 days to get two blisters, but 8 days after the first blister I know have about 12 or 13. I already went to the doctor and got a shot unlike a sister who waits until her whole body is covered and infected and then only went because she was leaving on vacation the next day. However, I only went becaue a girl at work said it was shingles and I didn't want her to spred it around that I had shingles when I knew it wasn't. nothing like it except a blister that you don't always get with shingles.

That is the update for the last day of being 49. actually about 17 hours left then we jump to the next age bracket for the races.

Okay, I know Chip has some news coming up and so does Anna. They may want to wait a little while until they know something more definite. Drew and Jess could post some pictures of the kids, I haven't seen Pippa since she was a pup. Didn't you all get a second dog. Or was that just Heather. We should have a picnic and everything bring their dogs. I know some of you aren't crazy about dogs, but we can all learn from Cole that they aren't too bad. I especially love it that I have one that will come and visit and then I can give it back. I think animal sitting may not be too bad and is smarter then getting one that I don't have time to take care of.

I conned Laura into playing sand volley ball on Tuesday nights. The contractors joined a league and then the project ended and they have all left except Norge so E.ON folks are filling in and there aren't enough girls. Which reminds me, next Tuesday, June 30th, Laura and I are the only girls, so Charly or Eryn, if either or both of you could play would be great. We may need a guy too. Laura we lost last week without you. Only two more weeks of it I think. I enjoy it, but Norge and Ron are taking it too seriously. It's a D league, I don't plan on getting any better I just enjoy the game and the activity.

NOTHING MUCH

Went back and checked a few of the blogs and all the comments decided to just start another blog up. First off, Cheryl I really liked the one where her hair was combed out long and believe it was a close up, not sure if she had a jacket on in that one, but will take whatever you choose. They were all great. Also hope your back gets better soon. Physical therapy helps a lot.

Jim, how is the house going now since you had all that help from your Mom & Dad. Just saw Gary & Rachels' new house to be and it looks great too.

Saw Dr. Sligar today and we are going to go ahead and get an MRI on my shoulder Monday to see if there is anything different from the x-rays. Shoulder is feeling great right now, still have a little bit of the bruise along with some back pain from the last fall. But I think everything is o.k. now.

Also went out and got 75 more bricks for the big circle in the side yard (on Terry Rd side) and have them put in place now. I think it looks much better than what we had before.

Well I did my bit for now, some of you non bloggers start blogging. Luv to all, Granny

Hello from Columbus!

Since Gary never posts anything on here, I figured I'd step in and keep you all updated on what we're up to. :)

We've been busy busy lately! We're in the process of purchasing our first house in a Columbus neighborhood called Clintonville. We're both really excited!! Gary is cracking me up because whenever we talk about it he gets this silly/excited/little kid grin on his face. So cute! I digress... anyway, the house is in Clintonville, about 15 minutes north of downtown Columbus for those of you familiar with the area. It will be a little closer to work for me since I'm up north, but a little further for Gary since he is south of the city. 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bathrooms, nice fenced backyard (so we can get a dog!), 2 car garage, and 2 sinks in the master bath (one of my favorite features)! Luckily the house is very liveable right now, so we wont have to do much to it when we first move in. I'd like to do some painting in a couple rooms but other than that, it's in really good shape. We're set to close July 15th, so fingers crossed we'll be moving in around the last week of July.

We've been doing lots of wedding planning lately too. We'll be in Cincinnati this weekend meeting with a couple photographers and a dj. I've been bridesmaid dress shopping a little in Columbus and I think Gary has a pretty good idea of what he'd like to wear and how he'll want to dress the groomsmen. I feel like the time is flying so I'm sure it will be next May before we know it!

I think that's it for now. I'll make Gary post something of his own soon. :) Much love to all! xoxooxox

Great News From A Few

Hey Deb & Beth, it was great reading your news, even if I did already know most of it from talking with both of you. Usually just make comments lately, but thought I'd put down a few things on the blog besides the birthdays. My shoulder is doing a lot better after the 2 falls, almost feel silly going to see Dr. Sligar Thursday, to further checkout the x-rays they took at the Urgent Care Center on the 8th. But I guess I better, although I don't think its anything now. Still bothering me some, think its mostly the arthritis. Still have my big bruise from the last fall that a few of you know where its at.

Also wondering where Charly's pics of the house are at and also how is the puppy doing. Did she like the little afghan.

Also, Grandpaul wanted me to tell Heather and Melissa thanks for the cards and pictures. H e appreciated it very much. Also everyone else that he heard from.

We've been busy going to Loew's, helping them with the economy, buying bricks. I've put them around my little rose bed,etc in the front yard, along the walkway from the porch to driveway, and I think we are going back tomorrow to get some more to put around the big circle where I have the pampas grass etc. Got a few more places in mind for some more.

Jim, glad to see that you are having some help on getting your new place in shape. It will be nice that you can do things that you want to do with it. Don't forget pictures.

Guess I've said enough for now, so lets hear from some of you other ones. Remember, we all don't get on facebook, twitter or whatever its called/

There's More!

After all that I posted earlier, you would think I could just shut up. Alan informed me there was no "Lap Hat Lap Pass" this year due to the rain.

I wanted to inform family members the Honda CRV is really for sale this time ($12,995), after joining us on vacation. We left it at the Nolan Solar Building with info and pricing. It looked so forlorn (yet gorgeous!) I thought I was sufficiently weaned after enjoying the new Lexus for a few months now, but, wow! I did like that vehicle!

I think Laura's tempted to swap, but won't admit it! Alex is planning to sell his Oldsmobile Alero, too. Red, 4-door 2001(?) - Laura couldn't remember what year. She still likes her Accord! Have no idea about details, but can have her find out about that if anyone is interested. I'm thinking it looked pretty snazzy.

Hot Fun in the Summertime

In response to the Day Family Bloggers, yes some of the Nolans went to Black River. Alan and Mammaw and I left early on Sunday, the 7th, and arrived mid-afternoon. Marilyn was there earlier and, as planned, saved (along with the Suellentrops)some fried chicken from the lunch meal - a nice treat to start off the week. Jim joined us Wednesday morning (along with cousin Tom) and Michelle and even Geoff and Al eventually made their way. Although we had some horrendous storms and downpours and tubing was banned for several days, we managed to get plenty of sun and lots of river time. Still the same schedule - movie night, "Lap Hat Lap Pass", bingo, talent show, wienie roast/sing-along (the Noble Duke of York....) "Gotta Go" Party (that sounds funny now...), and trivia night (which the young Cardinals placed 2nd again to get their free ice cream!)

As to plenty of sun - my poison ivy was gone, but I had a staph infection and the antibiotic made me super sun-sensitive and I ended up with toes on fire and sun poisoning? or some other non-itchy (for the most part) rash on my hands (or an allergic reaction to hyrdrocortisone???)but am once again on the mend and pretty much itch-free!!

We stopped in St. Louis Sunday, the 14th, on the way home, to see Jim's new home. No a/c and no beds; we opted to stay at the Zieglers on Sunday night along with Mammaw to head back to NA Monday morning. Although we did spend the day with Jim, assessing what we would work on when we went back this weekend to help move his belongings from the storage facility to his new place. Jim spent his first week camping out in an upstairs bedroom with a window a/c unit and working on repairing plastered walls. He'll probably spend the next few weeks doing trim work and final coats of paint in the two upstairs bedrooms.

We left right after work this past Friday (the 19th) to head back to his place (pretty easy to get to - and a great location)! The first weekend we had walked just about two blocks and had several choices for food. This past weekend we went just a few blocks in the other direction and had even more choices! Some fantastic homes in the area! Jim's is kind of "low man on the totem pole" right now, but has such potential for a real charmer! Amazing what some plaster and paint can do for a room! The guys worked on gutters and toilets, ceilings, walls, smoke detectors, to name a few (I helped!) and I also managed to pull some "plant overhang" off a fence and eliminated some dead branches from a tree in his back yard (just enough to get a little "itchy" again!) He has a family of bunnies who like his backyard - one of his neighbors feeds them...

We plan to join Jim again (4th of July weekend maybe??)for some more painting and maybe ripping out carpet and other flooring and whatever else we can do to help make his house his home! Won't be long, he will have a whole new house!

In a few more weeks, Gary and Rachel will also take ownership of their new home - but I'll let him post pix or whatever (although I already spilled the beans!)and tell about their new home.

It was nice to see pix of Baby Nolan's room. I'm waiting for pix of Geoff's new deck in Connecticut, and maybe the Days need to post some pix too - I haven't seen Charly and Ryan's yet! and I understand Eryn and Mike are looking???

Alan has a few trips planned over the next month or so. Laura leaves Wed morning for an AOA conference in Wash, DC. She's enjoying working at Dr. Black's office again this summer. Alex arrived in Kuwait a few days ago and is possibly on his way or has arrived in Iraq by now. Laura has been able to talk to him almost daily so far. We hope for a safe and peaceful tour of duty!

Thanks to Barbie (and Laura and Alan) for joing my "Walk Through Fairview Cemetery". (Mom I know you would have joined us if you weren't "under the weather".) Which, speaking of the weather, was touch and go up to the last minute with such a rainstorm earlier in the day! We were lucky to have such a turnout and I have received a lot of good feedback! Although I had to change the route due to the flooded conditions, I loved the fact that everyone could accurately picture the lake that used to be!!! The Ohio River Greenway display is currently at the Library, and the Project Coordinator is to give a talk and update on Tuesday, June 30th! (Hint, hint, if anyone wants to join us at the library....This one is also "my baby"...)I went to a ribbon-cutting a few weeks ago, and I'm thinking Alan is worried I might get "involved" - so much happening in New Albany! haha!

The End.