Good morning, friends -
Just got some good news. My brother & his new wife will be moving to Phx from PA in a few months. It'll be so good to see him more than once a year or so. I have not met his wife, Ann yet.
They will be arriving around the end of May & will stay with us until they can find a place of their own to buy. We have enough room for them. Something I'm not so sure about though, is that they are bringing their dog. It's some kind of mutt, but he's a big dog, which means I'm not sure where he'll run around since our yard isn't that big & how he'll get along with my sweet little Sparky. I'm afraid she may not like another dog in her domain. If they have a problem, Nick may have to put his dog at the doggie resort near us. But if they get along, that will be fine. Sparky will have someone to play with.
Looks like they'll be with me for most of the time that Lewis & Alex are gone. Even though they'll be at the house, I'm going to still try to finish my novel. They don't have any kids so it should be peaceful enough.
Anyway, just thought I'd share that good news with you. I'm so excited about seeing him!
Hugs,
Candace
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
March at the Kowals'
No new pictures this time. I haven't taken any in a while.
Just celebrated Lewis's mom's 80th birthday last wk. We visited them in Sun City West on Saturday for the day & took them to lunch & then again on Sun morning for breakfast. Then we went over to my mom's house to be with the family. My nephew Adam was there. Looking better.
Adam went to Cancun a wk & a half ago for spring break & became violently ill. Hotel doctor put him on an IV for 3 days & suggested to his 2 friends that they get him home. As soon as he got home, Cath & Dennis took him to the hospital, eventually found he had a bleeding ulcer. Poor kid's just 19. Doctor put him on medication. He's starting to look better & gaining some weight back. He missed some college & work, but he's anxious to get back to his life. He's a go-getter.
While all of that was happening, his 12-yr old sister, Natalie was riding around the neighborhood with her friend in her friend's parents' golf cart. They backed out of a driveway & smashed into someone's truck. Cath & Dennis & the parents of the other girl are splitting the cost of the repairs & sweet little Natalie is forbidden from riding in the golf cart again. She's not happy about that.
Alex has decided to go out for track. He's normally basketball & baseball, but the coach called him one night & asked if he would give it a try. Seems to like it. He did the long jump but said it hurt his back, so now he's doing the running. He's got those long legs! Lewis or I pick him up at school every night at 5:00 now.
"Arsenic & Old Lace" was a wonderful show - - just like the movie. We went with our friends, Rick & Gail after going to Appian Way Italian Restaurant for dinner. Very good food. Very nice place. The theatre is less than 1 minute from the restaurant.
My friend Robin had a little get-together last night at a place called Dream Dinners. You can go there & make up your own dinners, put in as much of whatever spices you like, buy them & take them home & freeze them. Pull one packet out of the freezer each night for dinner the next night. We made pecan crusted chicken last night. The one pack has 3 chicken breasts in it. Perfect for our family of 3. There are about 25 different selections for each month. I brought the menus home for Lewis to check out since he's the cook in the family. What a great idea this is! We will be eating pecan crusted chicken tonight.
The photographer is ready with the album from Alex's bar mitzvah, but we were told the album we selected has a different cover now, so I have to go in & check it out to see if I want that one or another type of album. Is nothing easy?
If anyone cares, Fleetwood Mac will be touring in early 2009. Just read it in "USA Today" this morning. Once again, don't miss the pictures of Mick & me at the very very end of this blog. I know you've seen those pictures a thousand times, but I still can't believe I was actually with him! I'm such an autograph hound.
(Recently received an autographed picture of Jose Feliciano. Lewis doesn't know why I'd want it, but I love him. It will make a nice addition to my autograph albums.)
I'm still looking for an autographed pictured of Bon Jovi & Journey with Steve Perry. That will be difficult since Steve Perry hasn't been with the band for a while. I would settle just for an autograph of Steve Perry alone, without the band. Another legendary band I'd like to have is Van Halen. And the Doobie Brothers. And Bruce Springsteen. Oh, it really goes on & on. It's a great little hobby. Just have to keep me off of eBay. I've been writing to them now instead of buying the autographs/photos on eBay like I used to. That got to be expensive. And my husband wasn't too happy about it.
Two days ago, while Lewis was at a gas station he was approached by a guy who asked him if he wanted to buy a home theatre system. We already have a home theatre system. A good one. But this one was $3,500.00 & the guy was offering to sell it to Lewis for $150.00 Yes, that says one hundred fifty dollars. Reduced from three thousand something. Lewis, who doesn't trust anyone - - bought it ! The guy followed him to the bank so he could give him cash. Cash ! Came home, took it out of the boxes, realized it was plastic junk, looked it up on the internet & found the word "scam" all over the place. Needless to say, he was very distressed. Now what? He took it in our bedroom & tried to hook it up to the tv in there. Came out a few minutes later only to tell me it wasn't working. I said, "Did you honestly expect more than that?" Again, he was more distressed. Not one to give up, he went back into the bedroom with more tools & more wire things & was gone for a very long time. Eventually, he came out to announce he had gotten it to work. But now what? It's sitting on the floor in our bedroom, looking very ugly. He said he might put it in the playroom to use when Alex & his friends watch a movie when Alex has a friend spend the night. I guess it could have been worse. It could have been $250.
My friends Deb Wilson & Nancy Black & I are looking forward to April 12. Our twice a year adventure into McDowell Mountain Ranch yard sales. Usually in April & October. From 7am to 11am. Then at 11:00 we go someplace for lunch. It's just a fun day of hanging out, buying stuff we don't need & eating food we shouldn't eat with friends we love to see. At 7am, Nancy & I are out the door, coffee in hand & a small ice chest filled with bottled water. Deb meets us about an hr later. I usually get books -- 25 cent paperbacks & 50 cent hardbacks. Reading as much as I do, this is heaven to me. Everyone has books to sell! Deb gets cookbooks & Nancy gets clothes & shoes. And somehow along the way we end up with a van filled with stuff we didn't need & don't know why we bought it. But it's the most fun day ! I always take the van because we never know how much stuff we'll find. It always ends up being a lot.
Lately, instead of being lazy & sitting on the couch reading when I come home from work, I sit at the computer & play Boggle. Now I'm hooked. It's a great word game. I've played all the free demos I can find until they ran out. Looks like I'm actually going to have to buy it now.
Alex & Lewis are still doing their fantasy basketball thing - or whatever it's called. They print out these brackets with team names on them, then they watch the games on tv & get all excited or upset because "that's not the team I picked" or "I should have picked that team." My nephews, brother-in-law, & some of their friends are in on this too. Little boys & big boys. There's really no difference, is there? Last season Alex was the big winner. He won $200.00 from his cousins, dad & uncle.
Alex was recently at the back specialist again. Once every 6 months. His kyphosis has not progressed. It hadn't progressed as of the last appointment either. The one doctor said, based on his age, height, & rate of growth, he fully expects that it will not get worse. It will never get better (without surgery), but it will not get worse either. But we still take him every 6 months with new x-rays. We were told it's a good idea to keep doing this until he's stopped growing. Based on that, we will probably continue taking him until he's 30. Everytime I look at him, he seems a foot taller. Size 13 shoe. He's bigger than his dad. We don't know how this happened because there are no tall people on either side of our families. I can't even give him a kiss without making him bend down. That's pure torture for the kid - having to kiss his mom.
That's all for now. Lewis, Alex & Sparky send their love.
Hugs,
Candace
Just celebrated Lewis's mom's 80th birthday last wk. We visited them in Sun City West on Saturday for the day & took them to lunch & then again on Sun morning for breakfast. Then we went over to my mom's house to be with the family. My nephew Adam was there. Looking better.
Adam went to Cancun a wk & a half ago for spring break & became violently ill. Hotel doctor put him on an IV for 3 days & suggested to his 2 friends that they get him home. As soon as he got home, Cath & Dennis took him to the hospital, eventually found he had a bleeding ulcer. Poor kid's just 19. Doctor put him on medication. He's starting to look better & gaining some weight back. He missed some college & work, but he's anxious to get back to his life. He's a go-getter.
While all of that was happening, his 12-yr old sister, Natalie was riding around the neighborhood with her friend in her friend's parents' golf cart. They backed out of a driveway & smashed into someone's truck. Cath & Dennis & the parents of the other girl are splitting the cost of the repairs & sweet little Natalie is forbidden from riding in the golf cart again. She's not happy about that.
Alex has decided to go out for track. He's normally basketball & baseball, but the coach called him one night & asked if he would give it a try. Seems to like it. He did the long jump but said it hurt his back, so now he's doing the running. He's got those long legs! Lewis or I pick him up at school every night at 5:00 now.
"Arsenic & Old Lace" was a wonderful show - - just like the movie. We went with our friends, Rick & Gail after going to Appian Way Italian Restaurant for dinner. Very good food. Very nice place. The theatre is less than 1 minute from the restaurant.
My friend Robin had a little get-together last night at a place called Dream Dinners. You can go there & make up your own dinners, put in as much of whatever spices you like, buy them & take them home & freeze them. Pull one packet out of the freezer each night for dinner the next night. We made pecan crusted chicken last night. The one pack has 3 chicken breasts in it. Perfect for our family of 3. There are about 25 different selections for each month. I brought the menus home for Lewis to check out since he's the cook in the family. What a great idea this is! We will be eating pecan crusted chicken tonight.
The photographer is ready with the album from Alex's bar mitzvah, but we were told the album we selected has a different cover now, so I have to go in & check it out to see if I want that one or another type of album. Is nothing easy?
If anyone cares, Fleetwood Mac will be touring in early 2009. Just read it in "USA Today" this morning. Once again, don't miss the pictures of Mick & me at the very very end of this blog. I know you've seen those pictures a thousand times, but I still can't believe I was actually with him! I'm such an autograph hound.
(Recently received an autographed picture of Jose Feliciano. Lewis doesn't know why I'd want it, but I love him. It will make a nice addition to my autograph albums.)
I'm still looking for an autographed pictured of Bon Jovi & Journey with Steve Perry. That will be difficult since Steve Perry hasn't been with the band for a while. I would settle just for an autograph of Steve Perry alone, without the band. Another legendary band I'd like to have is Van Halen. And the Doobie Brothers. And Bruce Springsteen. Oh, it really goes on & on. It's a great little hobby. Just have to keep me off of eBay. I've been writing to them now instead of buying the autographs/photos on eBay like I used to. That got to be expensive. And my husband wasn't too happy about it.
Two days ago, while Lewis was at a gas station he was approached by a guy who asked him if he wanted to buy a home theatre system. We already have a home theatre system. A good one. But this one was $3,500.00 & the guy was offering to sell it to Lewis for $150.00 Yes, that says one hundred fifty dollars. Reduced from three thousand something. Lewis, who doesn't trust anyone - - bought it ! The guy followed him to the bank so he could give him cash. Cash ! Came home, took it out of the boxes, realized it was plastic junk, looked it up on the internet & found the word "scam" all over the place. Needless to say, he was very distressed. Now what? He took it in our bedroom & tried to hook it up to the tv in there. Came out a few minutes later only to tell me it wasn't working. I said, "Did you honestly expect more than that?" Again, he was more distressed. Not one to give up, he went back into the bedroom with more tools & more wire things & was gone for a very long time. Eventually, he came out to announce he had gotten it to work. But now what? It's sitting on the floor in our bedroom, looking very ugly. He said he might put it in the playroom to use when Alex & his friends watch a movie when Alex has a friend spend the night. I guess it could have been worse. It could have been $250.
My friends Deb Wilson & Nancy Black & I are looking forward to April 12. Our twice a year adventure into McDowell Mountain Ranch yard sales. Usually in April & October. From 7am to 11am. Then at 11:00 we go someplace for lunch. It's just a fun day of hanging out, buying stuff we don't need & eating food we shouldn't eat with friends we love to see. At 7am, Nancy & I are out the door, coffee in hand & a small ice chest filled with bottled water. Deb meets us about an hr later. I usually get books -- 25 cent paperbacks & 50 cent hardbacks. Reading as much as I do, this is heaven to me. Everyone has books to sell! Deb gets cookbooks & Nancy gets clothes & shoes. And somehow along the way we end up with a van filled with stuff we didn't need & don't know why we bought it. But it's the most fun day ! I always take the van because we never know how much stuff we'll find. It always ends up being a lot.
Lately, instead of being lazy & sitting on the couch reading when I come home from work, I sit at the computer & play Boggle. Now I'm hooked. It's a great word game. I've played all the free demos I can find until they ran out. Looks like I'm actually going to have to buy it now.
Alex & Lewis are still doing their fantasy basketball thing - or whatever it's called. They print out these brackets with team names on them, then they watch the games on tv & get all excited or upset because "that's not the team I picked" or "I should have picked that team." My nephews, brother-in-law, & some of their friends are in on this too. Little boys & big boys. There's really no difference, is there? Last season Alex was the big winner. He won $200.00 from his cousins, dad & uncle.
Alex was recently at the back specialist again. Once every 6 months. His kyphosis has not progressed. It hadn't progressed as of the last appointment either. The one doctor said, based on his age, height, & rate of growth, he fully expects that it will not get worse. It will never get better (without surgery), but it will not get worse either. But we still take him every 6 months with new x-rays. We were told it's a good idea to keep doing this until he's stopped growing. Based on that, we will probably continue taking him until he's 30. Everytime I look at him, he seems a foot taller. Size 13 shoe. He's bigger than his dad. We don't know how this happened because there are no tall people on either side of our families. I can't even give him a kiss without making him bend down. That's pure torture for the kid - having to kiss his mom.
That's all for now. Lewis, Alex & Sparky send their love.
Hugs,
Candace
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Sorry about Halloween
Just noticed I misspelled Halloween in the blog below. I left an " L " out.
Oops.
Oops.
Kowal Update - Nothing much new
Greetings. Hope all our friends are doing well & having fun. Who said, "Life is not a destination, but a journey" ? Whoever it was knew what he was talking about. Life just keeps on coming at you.
Lewis, Alex & I went to a play last night at the Phoenix Theatre. "The Full Monty". It was hilarious. I could watch it again & again. I saw the movie years ago. I knew it was funny, but I'd forgotten how good it is. It was a musical. The songs were all great. I'm going to check iTunes today to see if 3 or 4 of the songs are there in a soundtrack. The lead guy in it was also one of the lead characters in a play we saw at the same theatre last yr, "Dream a Little Dream." The story of the Mamas & the Papas. Even Alex "sort of" liked it. Sometimes teenagers will refuse to admit they like something you "forced" them to do.
Yes, you are going with us.
We're a family.
You will enjoy it.
You know - - all the things our mothers said to us that we swore we'd never say or do to our own children. Yes, I suppose we "torture" the poor kid by taking him to fun events with us. Outdoor jazz concerts in the spring at Scottsdale Civic Center, rock concerts, cruises, out to dinner with us. One time this past school year I took him to the bus stop when it was pouring rain. I don't usually do that, but this one time I was home so I thought it would be a nice gesture. He didn't want anyone to know, so as soon as he saw another kid walking towards the bus stop, he jumped out of the car & ran to the bus stop. Poor kid. I'm surprised someone hasn't called Child Protective Services on us. I suppose now it's okay as long as we pretend we're not his parents if we run into anyone he knows. I talk to other parents, & they all tell the same stories. Welcome to the world of adolescence.
Next wk we're seeing the play "Arsenic & Old Lace." Everyone has seen either the play or movie of this at one time in his life. Alex will not be going with us to this event. He's thrilled to know that. Shortly after that, we're going to The Police concert & then the Bon Jovi concert. Lewis has always wanted to see the Police & I've always wanted to see Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi has been here a few times but we have real trouble going to concerts on week-nights (unless we take the next day off of work. Too old for this.) Both of these concerts happen to be on Friday nights. What are the chances of that !
Not only that, but my favorite holiday of the year, Haloween, is on a Friday this yr. That means I will stay up late watching scarey movies that I love.
Work is going well for both of us. Lewis is one of those lucky people in life who has always loved his job. He's been there since Alex was born - 14 yrs. I remember him being at home with Alex for the first 6 months of his life because the law firm where he worked had down-sized, so he was out of a job for a short time. But he didn't waste a day. He would take Alex to the library in his baby carrier while he researched a company before applying. Before computer days. Now you can do all of that online at home.
I'm still at American Express in the Global Business Travel Division. My office doesn't book travel; We are the home office for all the travel offices in the country. We do the budgeting, staffing, forecasting. I book corporate meetings, do scheduling for 3 directors & arrange their travel. It's a good job. Good benefits. Nice people. No one breathing down my neck trying to micro-manage. Go in, do my work, go home.
Alex starts high school in Aug. at Chaparral. He's actually excited about it. He's signed up for basketball already. He just signed up for the track team at his present school. Then, with this practice under his belt, he intends to try out for track at high school next yr.
My mom is taking her "Thelma & Louise" road trip back east in May with her friend from high school. That woman just can't stay still. Now that she's finished remodeling her kitchen, she has to think up new projects or trips. 73 yrs old, & you'd think she was in her 50's. The friend from high school is the one she used to hitch-hike with when they were in high school. Don't think the dangers of such an activity were prevelant at that time - - late 1940's / early 50's. My sisters & I are just hoping they don't get themselves in any trouble where we have to come bail them out ! Ha ! That would be the day.
Another of my favorite sayings: "A good friend is one who comes & bails you out of jail when you're in trouble. A great friend is one who says, 'Man, that was fun'."
Anyway, that has nothing to do with anything. At least not yet.
But I'm fortunate to have several friends who are in the latter category.
Going to our friends', Jack & Jonella's today for lunch. Well, dinner really but at lunch time.
Lewis just got home from tennis & is starting breakfast, so I'd better finish up here. Sunday mornings: Lewis is at tennis for a few hours, I wake up, Lewis comes home & makes breakfast, we try our best to wake Alex up (if we're going somewhere) listening to him grumble all the time. If we aren't going anywhere, we let him sleep. Sparky tries to wake him up by kissing him. Doesn't always work. He can sleep like his mom!
If I didn't mention this in a previous blog, or even if I did, I will mention it again because I am so proud of it: My little sister Cathy is now vice-mayor of the city of Peoria. She has been on the city council for (I think) 3 yrs now. Just got the vice-mayor gig a few months ago. We are so proud of her. She's perfect for this because she's so focused & detailed. Come to think of it, I probably DID mention this before. I can't imagine I wouldn't. Anyway, it bears repeating.
Well, Lewis just brought my breakfast to me so I could stay at the computer, but it's time to get ready to go to Jack & Jonella's. (And I need to switch purses).
And since I'm into my favorite sayings in this entry, here's my very favorite:
"An honest man's pillow is his peace of mind" John Mellencamp
Until next time - - when I actually have REAL news, (& pictures to share)
Hugs,
Candace
Lewis, Alex & I went to a play last night at the Phoenix Theatre. "The Full Monty". It was hilarious. I could watch it again & again. I saw the movie years ago. I knew it was funny, but I'd forgotten how good it is. It was a musical. The songs were all great. I'm going to check iTunes today to see if 3 or 4 of the songs are there in a soundtrack. The lead guy in it was also one of the lead characters in a play we saw at the same theatre last yr, "Dream a Little Dream." The story of the Mamas & the Papas. Even Alex "sort of" liked it. Sometimes teenagers will refuse to admit they like something you "forced" them to do.
Yes, you are going with us.
We're a family.
You will enjoy it.
You know - - all the things our mothers said to us that we swore we'd never say or do to our own children. Yes, I suppose we "torture" the poor kid by taking him to fun events with us. Outdoor jazz concerts in the spring at Scottsdale Civic Center, rock concerts, cruises, out to dinner with us. One time this past school year I took him to the bus stop when it was pouring rain. I don't usually do that, but this one time I was home so I thought it would be a nice gesture. He didn't want anyone to know, so as soon as he saw another kid walking towards the bus stop, he jumped out of the car & ran to the bus stop. Poor kid. I'm surprised someone hasn't called Child Protective Services on us. I suppose now it's okay as long as we pretend we're not his parents if we run into anyone he knows. I talk to other parents, & they all tell the same stories. Welcome to the world of adolescence.
Next wk we're seeing the play "Arsenic & Old Lace." Everyone has seen either the play or movie of this at one time in his life. Alex will not be going with us to this event. He's thrilled to know that. Shortly after that, we're going to The Police concert & then the Bon Jovi concert. Lewis has always wanted to see the Police & I've always wanted to see Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi has been here a few times but we have real trouble going to concerts on week-nights (unless we take the next day off of work. Too old for this.) Both of these concerts happen to be on Friday nights. What are the chances of that !
Not only that, but my favorite holiday of the year, Haloween, is on a Friday this yr. That means I will stay up late watching scarey movies that I love.
Work is going well for both of us. Lewis is one of those lucky people in life who has always loved his job. He's been there since Alex was born - 14 yrs. I remember him being at home with Alex for the first 6 months of his life because the law firm where he worked had down-sized, so he was out of a job for a short time. But he didn't waste a day. He would take Alex to the library in his baby carrier while he researched a company before applying. Before computer days. Now you can do all of that online at home.
I'm still at American Express in the Global Business Travel Division. My office doesn't book travel; We are the home office for all the travel offices in the country. We do the budgeting, staffing, forecasting. I book corporate meetings, do scheduling for 3 directors & arrange their travel. It's a good job. Good benefits. Nice people. No one breathing down my neck trying to micro-manage. Go in, do my work, go home.
Alex starts high school in Aug. at Chaparral. He's actually excited about it. He's signed up for basketball already. He just signed up for the track team at his present school. Then, with this practice under his belt, he intends to try out for track at high school next yr.
My mom is taking her "Thelma & Louise" road trip back east in May with her friend from high school. That woman just can't stay still. Now that she's finished remodeling her kitchen, she has to think up new projects or trips. 73 yrs old, & you'd think she was in her 50's. The friend from high school is the one she used to hitch-hike with when they were in high school. Don't think the dangers of such an activity were prevelant at that time - - late 1940's / early 50's. My sisters & I are just hoping they don't get themselves in any trouble where we have to come bail them out ! Ha ! That would be the day.
Another of my favorite sayings: "A good friend is one who comes & bails you out of jail when you're in trouble. A great friend is one who says, 'Man, that was fun'."
Anyway, that has nothing to do with anything. At least not yet.
But I'm fortunate to have several friends who are in the latter category.
Going to our friends', Jack & Jonella's today for lunch. Well, dinner really but at lunch time.
Lewis just got home from tennis & is starting breakfast, so I'd better finish up here. Sunday mornings: Lewis is at tennis for a few hours, I wake up, Lewis comes home & makes breakfast, we try our best to wake Alex up (if we're going somewhere) listening to him grumble all the time. If we aren't going anywhere, we let him sleep. Sparky tries to wake him up by kissing him. Doesn't always work. He can sleep like his mom!
If I didn't mention this in a previous blog, or even if I did, I will mention it again because I am so proud of it: My little sister Cathy is now vice-mayor of the city of Peoria. She has been on the city council for (I think) 3 yrs now. Just got the vice-mayor gig a few months ago. We are so proud of her. She's perfect for this because she's so focused & detailed. Come to think of it, I probably DID mention this before. I can't imagine I wouldn't. Anyway, it bears repeating.
Well, Lewis just brought my breakfast to me so I could stay at the computer, but it's time to get ready to go to Jack & Jonella's. (And I need to switch purses).
And since I'm into my favorite sayings in this entry, here's my very favorite:
"An honest man's pillow is his peace of mind" John Mellencamp
Until next time - - when I actually have REAL news, (& pictures to share)
Hugs,
Candace
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