Recent News


    Unfortunately,I did not keep my promise to continually update the website. I do not know where the time goes.  Seems like I get up in the morning and before I know it, it is bedtime.  The past year was busy and that is probably why the time flies by. 

        You will notice a change in the format of the website this time around.  Instead of a section devoted to each of the grandchildren, I have focused on events.  Since most of the events involved our children and grandchildren, there are lots of photographs of all of them in most sections.

        Fortunately, as I write this in the first week of January, 2011, we are warm and well.  Thus far, the winter has been acceptable with only one snowstorm early in December while Dave, Millie and Alex were here.  We celebrated Christmas early because Dave could not get vacation days any later than December 18. 

        Alex decided to help shovel the snow off of the deck.  He managed to move a fair amount of snow.  One thing about him, he is perseverant.  Otherwise, we managed quite well and the weather was fine for their drive home.

We went to Philadelphia for a visit in early May.  We had not been there for a while and decided to make the trip.  It was uneventful, though long.  Ten hours in a car these days seems like a hundred.  However, it was well worth it and being with our Philadelphia family was very enjoyable.  We took Alex to the Smith house which is a great children's play area.  We enjoyed it as much as Alex did. 

        It is hard to believe that Mira began first grade this fall.  She learned to read quickly and easily and now is inseparable from her books.  We try to take care of Jessa one day per week and usually make it.  Here she is enjoying a "dip" in the pool on a warm August day.

        There are sections devoted to our annual trip to the Chidester cottage and Christmas.  2010 was the sixth successive year that we have gone to the cottage.  It is always a fun time for the whole family.  The kids enjoy the beach and this year, the trip to the African Safari was a particularly great time.  The kids still talk about the animals sticking their heads into the car to get the treats. 

        A park was part of the African Safari and the three grandchildren had a ball on the swings and sliding board.  It led to one of our favorite photos of the year.  Three very happy kids.  They get along well and seem to enjoy each other's company.

        Dave, Millie and Alex came out for the October birthdays.  Mira, Al, and Millie all have birthdays in October.  Alex had seen the "Toy Story" movies and  became enamored with Mira and Jessa's "Buzz Lightyear" figures.  He wanted to be "Buzz" for Halloween and Millie bought a basic costume and worked hard to create the wings.  We still hear "to infinity and beyond."

        Most of our activities involved our kids and grandkids this year, though we found time to be involved in some other things.  Al continued his work with Habitat for Humanity, though we only did six projects this year.  As you can imagine, money is very tight and the affiliate is having to rely more and more on government money.  Al worked as a site supervisor as well as being involved in the ordering of materials.  The days on the job do seem a bit longer than they used to.  The situation for 2011 is unclear at this time, but hopefully, we will put in another year, our fifteenth. 

        While we are both in generally good health, the year brought some concerns.  Al had some problems with ankle swelling and a little shortness of breath in May.  The doctor ran heart and other tests and finally pointed out, after all of the tests came back normal, the steady increase in weight.  Phyl had been trying to diet for some time and so it was time for a concentrated change in what and how we ate.  Gone was the junk food and in its place new tasty and healthy recipes.  We are eating better and have each lost a significant amount of weight.  The result is that we are healthier, but have to buy new clothes.

        Phyl continues to try to find relief from the pain that has never gone away after the hip replacement.  Some of the medicine that has been tried led to new problems resulting from drug interactions.  Each treatment seems to have caused more problems without really solving the primary problem.  In spite of all of the pain, Phyl goes to the Y two days a week for a variety of exercise programs in the pool.  She also keeps up with her various church groups and continues to bombard the local paper with letters to the editor complaining about the sorry state of our country and government.  We do not share any ideology with the "tea party" but do share their passion and concern about the way things seem to be going. 

        Both of us remain involved in Sylvania United Church of Christ.  It is an exciting congregation with a number of people involved in social action projects.  The adult education program has focused on studying theology which promotes such projects.  Most of our closest friends are there. 

        Through it all, Havala does what she does best.  Perched on the arm of the kid's couch, she surveys the living room and street, barking at all who dare intrude on her domain.

        Thank you for taking the time to look at our site.  We would love to hear from you.  Most have our e-mail address.  Let us know about your life.