Good times with the Wrobels in Chicago

  Fun times a the Kane County Cougars game-where even the moms are happy
These blurs are Maddie and David running the bases.  Jay and Ben did this too.
How cute-a father and son moment.  Luv ya cutey pies!!!

Reflections

It is the end of summer.  It was a hectic, busy, challenging and an emotional one.  Here are some of the best and worst moments of this summer:

Best:

1.  Our trip to California-It was a needed much earned vacation.

2.  The Adventures of Benihana and the Z-Man.  Putting them in camp together has solidified a friendship.  May it continue to grow!

3.  Visits from aunts, cousins and old friends.  I loved seeing everyone and catching up and we really enjoyed our special time with the Wrobel girls.

4. The return of the Phillips family-This year may be a challenge with Brent continent-hopping but they will persevere.

5.  Finishing my class for continuing ed and sending that 68 page sucker off

6.  Spending quality time with my son Ben.  He's such a great child and I cherish our moments together.

7.  Any outdoor summer activity-swimming, going to the farm, evenings outside.

8.  Monthly book clubs-the rest of the year we meet every other month.

Worst:

1.  Saying goodbye to my first canine love, Maxi-your pawprints will remain in my heart always.

2.  Two weeks of living and breathing in the man-cave trying to complete my class

3.  Summer projects and knowing that I bit off more then I can chew for yet another summer

4.  My minor car accident that cost us $350.00

5.  The week after we returned from California and all the expenses that we incurred which were house-related-oh, the joy of home ownership.

Overall, this summer was a pretty decent one.  As I am preparing for yet another busy year, I will wistfully think of these wonderful times.  

Summer NIghts

It was a perfect summer night.   Jay started up the coal-burning grill of our earlier years of home ownership and grilled steaks and a vegetable medley. I made a nice summer salad including some home-grown tomatoes.  Our dinner conversation was lively and we all enjoyed the comfortable feeling of being together.

As I was cleaning up, the doorbell rang and one of Ben's neighborhood friends came over with her sisters.  Pretty soon the lawn was filled with other children and Dads as well.  A game of kickball had been organized by someone and everyone was involved.  I quickly got out there and took pictures.  As I was enjoying the scene, some other neighbors walked by and asked me where all the kids had come from-good question!  

This moment for me is one that gets me thru the long, cold, hectic winter.  We are always hustling and bustling everywhere.  Sometimes its fine to just go outside and have fun, laugh, kick the ball and enjoy.

nose bleeding

This was our view from the seats we had-section 333 Row 19.  These were great seats for watching plays but not so great if you were interested in who was involved in each play..

more picts from the Ben's big moment

While waiting for the choir to take the field, we had the distinct privilege of  hanging out at home plate seating.  Paws spends a lot of time where we were and he was very attentive to our growing list of requests.  He took pics with us and signed Michelle and Ashley's signs. He also signed Ben's hat.  Luv ya, kitty cat

..and the home of the brave

After a year of suffering thru Temple Israel's choir, Ben was rewarded by participating in singing the national anthem at Comerica Park.  It was the experience of a lifetime and he will remember it always.

Mouse-e-ness

The above is my special nickname for our dog, Mickey.   Mickey has matured into a fun-loving very important member of our family.  He is very loving; he is a great guard dog, protecting us from all outside evils; he is a best friend to all.  However, Mickey does have a quality that dates back to his very young puppy days, fear of anything different. That would include blankets, pillows, dog houses, and all types of dog beds.  

This week, Mickey developed the runs.  He had several accidents in his crate and I had to do a couple of emergency loads of doggy laundry.  I ended up throwing some his old blankets away and I gave him an old comforter of Ben's.  

As it turns out, he loves it.  I have even found him cuddling in it when visiting his room wasn't a necessity.   My little mouse has found some creature comforts that he didn't know existed before

an evening out

Last night we had a absolutely lovely night out together for our anniversary.  Jay made reservations at The Whitney.  This elegant restaurant is located in downtown Detroit and is a favorite of ours.  My dinner was the following:  line-caught Michigan white fish served with asian stirfry and  asparagus salad.  

After dinner we decided to check out the MGM Grand.  Our plan was to do a little gambling and then have dessert.  I was so impressed with this casino.  First of all, it was massive.  We walked in and immediately I was drawn in by the sounds and sights of this very active place.  We starting walking around and found two slot machines together-they were nickel ones.  We put our $20 in and started playing.  

Now, understand that I am not a gambler.  I work too hard for my money and hate to see it blown away.  Within five minutes my wad was blown.  I discovered that I had made maximum bets of 10 lines totaling $5.00 a bet.  Four spins and I was done.  Jay, however, was doing great.  He kept earning free games-at one time he was at 30!    He finally totaled out and we went on.

I reluctantly decided to try winning one more time so in went $20 more in a machine called Luckymon.  And that it was...I played and ended up winning $61.43 on ten minutes of play. So I was up $21.43.  I was done.  

We ended up at Wolfgang Puk for dessert.  We split two desserts-blueberry crumble with homemade ice cream and banana/praline cream pie.  

It was an awesome evening.  Let's do it again next year, hon. 

8-8-08

Happy 15th anniversary to us today.  

How did that happen.  Fifteen years married and 18 years together. We have been through so much together.  I can't believe that time has flown this fast!  We have created a wonderful life together and it is my hope to blog anniversary celebrations from now to until we are so old that our grandchildren have to do it for us.  Love ya, you eternal romantic.

Life Cycles

A year can go by so fast.  July 5, 2007-My parent's anniversary among other things.  It was the day of two emotional events for my family.  Our very close family friends left for their two year stint in Germany.  We shared a final meal with them and left their Milford house with tears in our eyes.  It was also the day that I deem as the beginning of the end for Maxi-she had a vestibular attack that changed her forever.

Time goes by...My parents celebrate another anniversary; Maxi's suffering is no more; friends are made, remade, and lost; my girlfriend Renea becomes a mother for the first time at 41-Max welcome to the world-; and best of all the Phillips are, as I write, on their voyage home.

It has been a year.  Have I changed?  I am sure of it.  But all of us have.  It is part of life!