This morning, we drove Carole's sisters, Dee Ann and Janey, to the Kansas City International airport. Their visit came to an end and they returned to their home in California.
We enjoyed having them here for a week. It's just too bad we live so far apart that they only have an opportunity to see each other infrequently.
Have a safe journey home, girls.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Madison's Birthday
Today is the 15th birthday of my granddaughter, Madison Crowl . . . John and Becky's youngest daughter.
I'm sorry to say I was involved with dinner for Carole and her sisters from California on their last night in town and I missed Madison's party of pizza and cake.
I apologize, Maddie, but Happy Birthday!
I'm sorry to say I was involved with dinner for Carole and her sisters from California on their last night in town and I missed Madison's party of pizza and cake.
I apologize, Maddie, but Happy Birthday!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Church Basement Ladies 2
After church service in Hillsdale this morning, we drove in to Overland Park to The New Theatre Restaurant, where the musical comedy, Church Basement Ladies 2, was playing. Carole and I had seen Church Basement Ladies 1, and thought it was a wonderfully funny performance. We just had to take her sisters to see the sequel.
Although we attended the Sunday afternoon matinee, the buffet was great, as usual. We have previously attended evening performances, so this was our first matinee experience. I expected the matinee buffet to be lighter than at an evening performance, but they laid out the usual big spread and variety of really outstanding dishes including beef, pork, chicken, and seafood with numerous side dishes. The desserts were outstanding too.
That's Dee Ann, Janey, me, and Carole finishing dinner before the show. At The New Theatre Restaurant, you stay seated at your table during the performance so you can continue with drinks or finish up your dinner. Desserts and any additional drinks are served at your table during the intermission.
The play starred Barry Williams, of The Brady Bunch fame. Four actresses accompanied him in this very humorous musical comedy. All of us enjoyed the show very much . . . and the food and drinks were awesome.
I recommend The New Theatre Restaurant in Overland Park, Kansas, to everyone who may have an opportunity to take in one of their performances . . . and enjoy wonderful food.
Although we attended the Sunday afternoon matinee, the buffet was great, as usual. We have previously attended evening performances, so this was our first matinee experience. I expected the matinee buffet to be lighter than at an evening performance, but they laid out the usual big spread and variety of really outstanding dishes including beef, pork, chicken, and seafood with numerous side dishes. The desserts were outstanding too.
That's Dee Ann, Janey, me, and Carole finishing dinner before the show. At The New Theatre Restaurant, you stay seated at your table during the performance so you can continue with drinks or finish up your dinner. Desserts and any additional drinks are served at your table during the intermission.The play starred Barry Williams, of The Brady Bunch fame. Four actresses accompanied him in this very humorous musical comedy. All of us enjoyed the show very much . . . and the food and drinks were awesome.
I recommend The New Theatre Restaurant in Overland Park, Kansas, to everyone who may have an opportunity to take in one of their performances . . . and enjoy wonderful food.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Dancin' in the Livin' Room
Carole, her two sisters from California (Janey and Dee Ann), and I were sitting in the living room talking and watching Carole's Saturday night favorite, PBS programs on TV, when PBS suddenly started playing "Big Band" music from the '50's.
It must have stirred some memories as Janey jumped to her feet and started "Dancin' in the Livin' Room".
It wasn't long before Carole couldn't stand sitting still and she had to join Janey, then the two of them were "Dancin' in the Livin' Room" . . . and giggling like a couple of school girls.
Soon Dee Ann joined the fray and they were all "Dancin' in the Livin' Room".
. . . it sure brought back a whole lot of memories!
It must have stirred some memories as Janey jumped to her feet and started "Dancin' in the Livin' Room".
It wasn't long before Carole couldn't stand sitting still and she had to join Janey, then the two of them were "Dancin' in the Livin' Room" . . . and giggling like a couple of school girls.
Soon Dee Ann joined the fray and they were all "Dancin' in the Livin' Room".
. . . it sure brought back a whole lot of memories!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Carole's Birthday
There's more to 9/11 than remembering the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. That's also Carole's birthday.
Carole wanted to be pampered a little on her birthday, so DeeAnn and Janey took her to the beauty parlor in Spring Hill, Kansas, to get her hair done and also get a manicure and a pedicure. Carole came back "all smiles". While they were gone, I put a couple of chickens on the rotisserie, then mowed the front yard between basting the chicken with Caribbean Jerk.
When the chicken was nearly done, we put on corn-on-the-cob and prepared a salad. We all then enjoyed a nice Birthday Dinner. After dinner, as I was getting ready to light the candles on Carole's birthday cake, several neighbors rode up on their golf cart carrying bouquets of flowers for Carole.
Charlie Choate and Ed and Bev Dingus joined us in singing Happy Birthday to Carole before she blew out the candles. We all then had a piece of birthday cake.
Carole then opened her birthday cards and her present, diamond earrings to match her bracelet.
Following that, we all adjourned to the back deck where we talked and laughed ("The Girls" giggled) for a couple of hours. Carole had a very nice birthday.
Happy Birthday, Carole . . . and may you have many more!
Carole wanted to be pampered a little on her birthday, so DeeAnn and Janey took her to the beauty parlor in Spring Hill, Kansas, to get her hair done and also get a manicure and a pedicure. Carole came back "all smiles". While they were gone, I put a couple of chickens on the rotisserie, then mowed the front yard between basting the chicken with Caribbean Jerk.
When the chicken was nearly done, we put on corn-on-the-cob and prepared a salad. We all then enjoyed a nice Birthday Dinner. After dinner, as I was getting ready to light the candles on Carole's birthday cake, several neighbors rode up on their golf cart carrying bouquets of flowers for Carole.
Charlie Choate and Ed and Bev Dingus joined us in singing Happy Birthday to Carole before she blew out the candles. We all then had a piece of birthday cake.
Carole then opened her birthday cards and her present, diamond earrings to match her bracelet.Following that, we all adjourned to the back deck where we talked and laughed ("The Girls" giggled) for a couple of hours. Carole had a very nice birthday.
Happy Birthday, Carole . . . and may you have many more!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
No More Dogs?
Last year when Carole and I had to put down our dogs, her 17 year old Lhasa Apso Kissyfur and my 13 year old Lab Maggie, we agreed we would have "No More Dogs". However, Carole has found that commitment to be difficult to endure. She loves every dog she sees.
So, to ease the commitment, I got her a new "dog", Colby. Meet the newest member of our family shown here.
Colby will be easy to care for, but I don't think Carole will accept Colby as a replacement for either Kissyfur or Maggie for very long. I don't know how long we can keep the commitment of "No More Dogs" . . . but time will tell!
So, to ease the commitment, I got her a new "dog", Colby. Meet the newest member of our family shown here.Colby will be easy to care for, but I don't think Carole will accept Colby as a replacement for either Kissyfur or Maggie for very long. I don't know how long we can keep the commitment of "No More Dogs" . . . but time will tell!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Three Sisters
Carole's two sisters, Mary Jane (Janey) Jones and DeeAnn Graham, arrived from California this afternoon. The sisters don't have an opportunity to get together very often, so Janey and DeeAnn flew into town to help us celebrate Carole's birthday on Friday.
Carole and I picked them up at the Kansas City International Airport where I had them pose for a quick picture of the "Three Sisters". Left to right: Janey, Carole, and DeeAnn.
As might be expected, the subject of food came up immediately. I guess the "Jones Girls" are as bad as the Davis Family. Every time someone gets together, they have to eat. So, on the way home from the airport, we stopped at Panera Bread for soup, salad, and a sandwich.
I know the "Three Sisters" will have a good time while they're here . . . and it started as soon as we got in the car. The three of them started giggling like a bunch of school girls.
Welcome to Kansas City, Janey and DeeAnn.
Carole and I picked them up at the Kansas City International Airport where I had them pose for a quick picture of the "Three Sisters". Left to right: Janey, Carole, and DeeAnn.As might be expected, the subject of food came up immediately. I guess the "Jones Girls" are as bad as the Davis Family. Every time someone gets together, they have to eat. So, on the way home from the airport, we stopped at Panera Bread for soup, salad, and a sandwich.
I know the "Three Sisters" will have a good time while they're here . . . and it started as soon as we got in the car. The three of them started giggling like a bunch of school girls.
Welcome to Kansas City, Janey and DeeAnn.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Labor Day
We did nothing all weekend until late Monday afternoon when we went to the Crowl-Moore home (John and Becky's) for a Labor Day get together. As usual we all sat around with a drink in hand solving all of the world's problems . . . interspersed with lots of discussions about the grand kids accomplishments and activities.
John grilled shrimp and salmon. Becky prepared a salad. We baked a corn casserole using a recipe from Cindy, which she said she had obtained from her in-laws, the Moores. I thought everyone would be excited having "Cindy's Corn Casserole", especially her boys. But no one remembered "Cindy's Corn Casserole", claiming her recipe was completely different. I guess she must have had more than one corn casserole recipe.
Oh well! The dinner was good and we all enjoyed a nice relaxing, quiet Labor Day.
John grilled shrimp and salmon. Becky prepared a salad. We baked a corn casserole using a recipe from Cindy, which she said she had obtained from her in-laws, the Moores. I thought everyone would be excited having "Cindy's Corn Casserole", especially her boys. But no one remembered "Cindy's Corn Casserole", claiming her recipe was completely different. I guess she must have had more than one corn casserole recipe.
Oh well! The dinner was good and we all enjoyed a nice relaxing, quiet Labor Day.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Blue Valley Soccer
The Blue Valley Soccer Club in Johnson County, Kansas, conducts a variety of soccer activities for kids. One of these is soccer leagues and tournaments. Many of my grandchildren play in these leagues and their teams frequently participate in some of the tournaments. This weekend, the team of my youngest grandson, 10 year old Alex, played in a Labor Day Weekend Tournament.
They lost their first game, but won their next two. I watched the game they lost, so I guess I'm not their "Good Luck Charm". Alex is in white wearing number 15 in the photos below.
The tournament was played at the newly opened $31 million Overland Park Soccer Complex. I read about this new facility in the newspaper, but this was my first opportunity to see it up close. I was amazed: 12 full-sized soccer fields, which when cut in half for younger players, provides 24 soccer fields. The whole facility is covered with an advanced artificial turf of a type I've never seen.
The blades of "grass" are about an inch long. Then they spread little rubber pieces of ground-up auto tires on top of the turf, settling down between the blades of "grass". Alex scrapped up a handful of those little rubber pieces shown here.
When a soccer ball hits the turf or when a player pivots or makes a quick turn, a little black cloud of these rubber pieces "poof up" like a cloud of dust.
Development of this type of artificial turf is sure an improvement over artificial turf fields I've seen before. It's actually soft and bouncy to walk on. I guess that's what $31 million will buy.
They lost their first game, but won their next two. I watched the game they lost, so I guess I'm not their "Good Luck Charm". Alex is in white wearing number 15 in the photos below.
The tournament was played at the newly opened $31 million Overland Park Soccer Complex. I read about this new facility in the newspaper, but this was my first opportunity to see it up close. I was amazed: 12 full-sized soccer fields, which when cut in half for younger players, provides 24 soccer fields. The whole facility is covered with an advanced artificial turf of a type I've never seen.
The blades of "grass" are about an inch long. Then they spread little rubber pieces of ground-up auto tires on top of the turf, settling down between the blades of "grass". Alex scrapped up a handful of those little rubber pieces shown here.When a soccer ball hits the turf or when a player pivots or makes a quick turn, a little black cloud of these rubber pieces "poof up" like a cloud of dust.
Development of this type of artificial turf is sure an improvement over artificial turf fields I've seen before. It's actually soft and bouncy to walk on. I guess that's what $31 million will buy.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Home from Paris
John and Becky returned home from Paris today. I picked them up at the airport and took them home. The kids were all so excited to see them . . . and, of course, to receive the things they brought from Paris for each of them.
I know I will enjoy the bottle of French Bordeaux wine they brought me from Paris.
Welcome home, John and Becky. The kids all missed you (so did I). I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip, but it's nice to have you back!
I know I will enjoy the bottle of French Bordeaux wine they brought me from Paris.
Welcome home, John and Becky. The kids all missed you (so did I). I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip, but it's nice to have you back!
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