Day in Erie

It's been almost two years since I've been to Erie.  I've had a feeling deep in my soul that I needed to get back there. 

I've been trying to work up the oomph to make the trip and when I finally talked myself into doing it THIS weekend, the weather turned to crap.  I sincerely felt though that I really NEEDED to be in Erie.  So, weather be darned, we were heading out.

Ron was gracious enough to play my reindeer games with me and go as my copilot on this excursion.  We headed out in the morning to light snow here in Lorain and I hoped for the best.  Perhaps I should have my head examined because we should never have been traveling through that weather.  Two words should have rung loud in my head:  SNOW BELT.  Really?  Ever hear of it?  When they are calling for a winter weather advisory in the snow belt, listen to them and DON'T drive through it.

We were ok heading east until we got to Painesville.  There the weather started turning to crap with heavier snow but the roads were basically ok.  Then we got to Madison and the plows hadn't caught up with the snow.  I-90 was down to one lane and I think that one lane was just made from the traffic, not by a snow plow.  The farther east we went the worse it got.  I white knuckled it the rest of the way into Erie but we made it and met up with Jim for a great lunch.

After lunch, we went to Aunt Mary's, the real reason for my trip home.  Aunt Mary is my second mother.  We lived upstairs from Aunt Mary all the time I was growing up and so she was always a huge part of my life.  I haven't seen her in too long and I missed her.

It was a surprise visit and wow, was she surprised!  But a good surprise!  There were hugs, there were tears and then there was just love.  We sat and caught up with Aunt Mary and just got to have a great visit with her.

Unfortunately, she snow had NOT let up the entire time we were there, so I cut the visit short and we headed for home.  If I thought the trip out there was bad, the trip home was worse!  We hit a very small band of no snow right at the state line.  I actually was thinking that we were getting lucky and would have an easy trip home.   Man was I wrong.

Like I said, it was just a small band of clear weather.  We hit snow again just into Ohio that just kept getting worse and worse and worse.  I had been behind a semi and thought I was doing well picking a large target to follow down the road.  We hit a white out that had me crapping my pants!  I could barely see the hood of my car.  I had NO idea where the side of the road was and for sure, that huge semi just disappeared in the snow.  And to think I missed this crap when I lived in Texas!

Oh well, face to face time with Aunt Mary was so worth the trip!

Once again, the magic Painesville was the dividing line between good weather and bad weather.  Once we hit that mile marker 200, the weather just cleared up.  Suddenly, barely any snow falling and DRY pavement.  Unbelievable. 

Since I finally felt like we might live through this trip, we talked about stopping for dinner somewhere on the east side, since we never get over there any more with my back.  I even let Ron pick where he wanted to go!  One of his favorite restaurants, Phil the Fire, reopened just off of I-271.  It's "Comfort Food for the Soul."  And it sure was!

Their signature dishes are the chicken and waffles selections.  Ron chose the dark meat fried chicken and I chose the grilled chicken breast, both over waffles.  That's Ron's friend chicken in the foreground.

We also chose a couple of side dishes, just because we wanted to taste more of what was on the menu.  We split an order of some buttered grits and some red beans and rice.  Ok, we both ate too much but MAN, was it good!

So that was our day.  The trip did me in.  I am sore, it's hard to sit up, but again, it was worth it.  I miss my Aunt Mary!  And even though I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to, I at least got to visit with Aunt Mary and my brother Jim. 

Who needs to sit up today?  I did enough of that yesterday.  I think today will be spent holding the couch down, maybe with a heating pad to help.  A good day for watching football!  I think that's just what the doctor ordered.

No Longer A 3-D Virgin!

Saturday, Phil had gone out for the day so Ron and I were tossing around a few ideas of what to do ourselves.  I voted for laundry, but Ron wanted something more fun!  Luckily, I was talked out of laundry pretty easily!

We haven't been to a movie in awhile, so that was our pick for the day.  We went online to see what was playing, and out of everything we chose Hugo.  It looked cute.

I guess we should have looked closer at the write up on the movie!  Neither one of us had any idea that it was a 3-D movie!  Yikes!  Hey, we're cheap.  When we do go to a movie, we hit the matinee.  It's still expensive but better than paying full price.  Do you have ANY idea how much a freakin' 3-D movie is?  Even at matinee prices?  It was $21 for TWO of us.  For real! 

Now we're in line, just told it will be $21 and at the last minute we decided what the heck.  We're there, we wanted to see a movie, we'll (Ron will!) cough up the extra cash and we'll splurge.  Hence, my first 3-D movie in probably 25 years.  Actually, now that I think of it, my last 3-D movie was Friday the 13th part III in 3-D!!  That came out in 1982 so that means . . . damn, I'm old.  But, I digress.

Back in my day, it was the paper glasses that never seemed to sit over your glasses right.  Everything was still a little blurry, or at least as far as I was concerned.  Gone are the crappy paper glasses with one red lens and one blue lens.  Now we have Blues Brothers

kind of black plastic glasses!  There at least were recyclable, which I'm hoping means that they clean and then rebag for the next person.  At least the germ-o-phobe in me is hoping that!  Stylish, huh?!

So, we saw our first 3-D movie in a lot of years.  And man, have things changed!  I don't think the point any more of a 3-D film is to scare the crap out of you with spears coming at your head.  Now I think the point is taking you INTO the movie.  When it snowed on screen, Ron and I both were reaching out to touch the snow.  I swear, we were waiting for it to fall on us.  That was pretty cool.

Did I like the movie?  To be honest, I don't remember.  I think I was concentrating so much on the 3-D effects, I really don't know if I liked the actual movie or not.  It had Sir Ben Kingsley in it so that is a huge plus in my book.  I have always loved his work, even when he played himself in The Sopranos!  I'm a big fan. The movie didn't really end up being what I thought it was going to be, but I guess it was good.  I really was too busy looking at the gear works of the clocks, the falling snow and of course, a charging doberman pinscher in 3-D to really pay that a lot of attention to much else!

Cool effects aside, was it worth the extra cash?  I don't think so.  But, you know me, I'm going kicking and screaming into the new technology age, so I'm probably the last one to ask about this.  I can say now that I've been there, done that.  It will be a long time I imagine before I'm willing to spend that kind of money on a movie again. 

I told you, I'm old.

At least I'm not a 3-D virgin any longer!

Caturday

Ok, I am sure I nicked this title from somewhere else.  But, it's been awhile since I blogged about the cats and I have some good pics I wanted to share.  So, it's "Caturday" or "Cat Update".  See?  I think I picked the winner.

Let's start with Benny.  Benny isn't a cat that will curl up in my lap for some love for very long.  I may get a little pounce by now and again, and he interacts with me in other places in the house, but when I'm sitting down relaxing, Benny isn't usually in my lap.  He's all around my legs when I'm in the basement doing laundry.  In the kitchen, he's my shadow.  But heaven help me if I sit at the dining room table to read a book or work on the laptop.

Last weekend, I picked up a new book from library.  Here I am, trying to enjoy page ONE!  Please note that he needs to lay on TOP of the book.

The other night, I was trying to play some Pogo while I was cooking dinner.  He finally laid down between me and the laptop.  Made it kind of difficult to play this way.

The best was tonight as I was trying to blog on the Lorain 365 blog.  Luckily, I was able to hit "publish" before Benny had enough of me blogging.

I love this little boy!  Ok, I could take a hint.  I shut down the laptop and played with Benny while the dinner finished in the oven.

Then there is Penelope.  My friend Linda gave both of the cats little catnip toys for Christmas.  (Thanks, Linda!)  Penelope protected that little catnip pillow with her life!  Benny's goal was to get that away from Penelope and for once, he failed.  She was NOT giving it up!

Then there was the aftermath of that catnip.  My Penelope was one happy little kitty!

Tonight, as almost every night when I come upstairs, here is what I find.  Penelope, keeping my office chair warm for me.  Ok, I have to push her out of it so I could sit down, but it's the thought that counts, right?

I know, I've said it before, but who would have EVER guessed I'd have pets.  And, something beyond fish!  Two cats.  They own the house, and I work my life around their needs.  Who needs another cat to be that "crazy cat lady"?  I think I'm there already.

Lastly, a picture of each of them that I really like.  Benny, napping in the sunlight, and Penelope reflected in the window.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I love these cats!

New Toy

You know, it doesn't take much to amuse me!

I have an alarm clock on the bedside table on my side of the bed.  It's just used as a clock since I use my cell phone as an alarm clock.  I can't seem to spend an entire night in bed, so the cell phone alarm just made it easier than remembering to turn off the bedroom alarm clock and turn on an alarm clock in the living room.

Just recently I found out that Ron isn't happy with the clock situation since he said he can never SEE it.  On my bedside table is usually at least one book so that alone will obscure his view of the clock.  I never thought about it as I can see the clock ok from my side of the bed, if I need to.

A few years ago when we were visiting my sister in California, my brother-in-law had this clock in our bedroom that actually projected the time up on the ceiling so you could see it from anywhere in the room.  I know when we were there, Ron LOVED that clock.  I guess he's been thinking of it ever since!  He finally picked one up for us!

This is the view as I was laying on my side of the bed.  The size of the numbers is somewhere between 3" and 6" tall.  It depends on if you ask Ron or me!  I guess we both measure differently!  ;-)  Anyway, it's a very cool little toy.

I was afraid this would give off too much light in the room but honestly, unless your eyes are open, you don't realize there is a light source in the room.  The only bad news is that my eyes are so freakin' bad that without my glasses on, I still can't read it!

At least now Ron can finally see the clock and we have a new toy.  Win-win as far as I'm concerned!

And Poof It Was Gone

This one went too easy, therefore I don't think that the City of Lorain had anything to do with it.

This was one of the neighborhood houses.  Granted, it's been empty for a couple of years and it's been showing the signs of neglect and thieving neighbors.  By thieving neighbors I mean the neighbors that raided this house and took everything they could out of it.  There haven't been any doors on this house in at least a year.  I'm assuming the night the doors got lifted, the wiring and plumbing had also been whisked away.

Back on December 26th, they brought the back hoe in and we watched them drive it to the back of the house and park it.  I know the guys that brought this in were obviously professionals, but MAN!  It was awesome to watch them do their job!  It was a two man crew.  The first guy off of the truck did a walk through down the driveway.  He held his arms out like mentally measuring the space.  The back hoe had to be driving down the driveway that was a little less wide than the back hoe, and the turn at the top of the driveway was between a fence on the left, a garage straight ahead and the house on the right.  The first guy had a conference with the second guy and the second guy drove it in nice and slow.  Second guy made a lot of small moves but it was a beautiful thing to watch.  He had to raise the boom up all of the way to make that turn, but he got that puppy behind the house and snuggled in until demolition day.  That was today.

Thanks to my brother Phil, who happened to come home as they started the tear down on this house, I have picture goodness to go along with this blog.  Thanks, Phil!!

If you look at the front left corner of the house, this corner has been crumbling.  The damage you see wasn't from the tear down of the house.  If you follow that basement wall towards the back of the house, that wall had caved in well over a year ago leaving an opening into the house.  I've watched Hemingway go in and out of that wall a few times.  When I heard that the house was coming down, I was having a bit of a panic attack at work worrying about Hemingway.  I haven't seen him in a few days and I was assuming the worst.  Luckily, he came by for dinner tonight.  He was looking a little ragged, but he is still doing ok.  He's not ready to come into my house yet, but after this, I may have to up my efforts to get him to change his mind!

The front screen door is in place, but the inside door had been stolen a long time ago.  You see that note pasted on the door?  That's a note telling the homeowner (whoever that is) that the grass is too long and if it's not corrected, they will be receiving a fine.  Hmm.  That sign has been on there for at least six months and the grass there has been kept up MUCH better than some of the houses in the neighborhood that ARE occupied.  Go figure.  Another good indicator that the City of Lorain does NOT own this house.

Take a look at these pics.  Phil really did a good job getting the work in progress.  This house came down fast!  This series of photos took up a seven minute span!  Unbelievable!

These shots are my favorites.  This first one here with the claw in the second story I love!

And just like that, poof it was gone.

I know this needed done, just from the damage I could see to the house.  It's just sad watching this neighborhood fall down one house at a time. It's hard to love or support a city as you watch it being torn down around you.

Lorain 365, 2 chix 2 pix every day

I've been kinda missing our PhotoPhun challenges.  I brought the subject up to my friend Lisa from Buster's House about resurrecting some form of our old project.  Little did I know, but she was working on a photo project already that she wanted to do in 2012.

Lisa came across the 365 Project.  This is taking one picture a day to document your life for one year.  She put a twist on it and decided a picture a day, of Lorain.  Lorain is her birthplace, my adopted city.  This sounded like a GREAT project and definitely a way to make me get out there and take some pictures!  I was thrilled to be invited to join her in this project.

And that is how Lorain 365 was born.  You will see Lorain through our eyes.  While 365 pictures is daunting, together coming up with 730 pictures in one year will be amazing!

Please go check us out.  Stop in, look around, come back often!  It's going to be an amazing year!

Lorain 365, 2 chix 2 pix, EVERY day!

Christmas Part 3

Finally, the conclusion of Christmas for one more year!  And we sent this season out with a bang.

Once more, Mike and Mary Jane hosted us all for a Christmas feast.  People came from near and far to celebrate as a family.

Before dinner, everyone was just catching up, the kids were all playing and the adults were snitching pieces of ham as fast as it was cut.  That's family time.

Of course, no candid photos would be complete without a good photobomb.  This is me and Mary Jane, with my favorite niece and nephew providing the photobombing!

Lots of family, lots of noise, lots of food.  And not necessarily in that order.

We had most of the family together.  I'm proud that our family, while dysfunctional at times, can come together as a family.  So many families that I know that want nothing to do with each other.  I don't know what I'd do without the craziness and love of these people!

 

Yes, I know I'm in a lot of shots!  When you write the blog, you get to be in as many shots as you like.  So there!

So that was Christmas dinner # 3.  While we were able to come together as a family, we are now scattered to the winds.  Cathie is still in California.  JoBeth and her family are back in New York.  Jim is back in Pennsylvania (as is Phil right now) and tomorrow Michael heads back to China.  We are scattered, but we're still family, like it or not.

And we have an addition to our family!  Mike and Mary Jane have recently added a couple of finches to their home.  The finches have gotten busy and added three babies to the family!!  Here are mom and dad finch as well as two of the babies!  The third baby was staying in the nest, away from all of the noise and my picture taking.

Gotta love babies, even bird babies.

Another Christmas season is in the books.  Here's looking forward to a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous New Year for us all.

Keep watching!  Exciting new news is coming tomorrow!

Christmas Part 2

I know, it's been awhile.  I told you the cats made it better, but that doesn't mean that the holidays are still no longer unbearably bad.  But, it was better.

So let's get back to blogging!

The last you heard from me, we had Ron's family Christmas party.  Last night, it was the three of us, Ron, Phil and I, for dinner.   I figured since I'm so totally off of my diet this week, I'm trying to eat everything I usually try to watch.  While I knew I was making chicken for yesterday, I really wanted stuffing to go with it.

When we had Thanksgiving at Mike and Mary Jane's, I learned something new.  Mary Jane made the extra stuffing in muffin tins rather than in a regular 9x13 pan or whatever.  Individual stuffing muffins, or "stuffins" as I have been calling them.  They actually turned out great!  Some times, only the tops get nice and cooked while the insides stay kinda raw and mushy.  Putting them in the muffin tins makes more of the crunchy part and so much left of the soft part inside.

Here is what I'm talking about.

  

Stuffins!

This was a fabulous idea.  Not only did they taste better since they were all cooked all the way through, it would be much easier for portion control (for if I ever go back on my diet!) plus, the little muffins just went right into a container after dinner and I can reheat just one at a time.  Freakin' awesome!  Here is the bowl full of Stuffins.

This was just the perfect compliment to a great chicken dinner.   We had chicken done on my George Foreman grill (I LOVE that grill!), some Stuffins and some baked beans.  That's just the way we roll on Christmas at this house.

Keep watching!  I have Christmas part 3 coming up on Wednesday which should finally be the end of this year's Christmas season.  I also have some surprises coming up in January!  Exciting, huh?  In the mean time, from our house to yours . . . Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas Part 1

Yesterday, we celebrated Christmas with Ron's family at the Sand Run Metro Park.  The family rented this cabin for the party.

This was the third year in this cabin and it seems to really work well for everyone.  The cabin is beautiful with the wood burning stove it's also pretty warm.  The cabin also comes with bathrooms and a full kitchen plus all of the tables and chairs we need.  You can't ask for more than that!

Phil even puts on the suit and comes as Santa for the party.  Here is Santa showing up, brought of course, by his eight reindeer.  (see them on the dash??!)

The kids are always thrilled when Santa shows up!  He handed out the Christmas stockings which means that the party had begun.

This year, Bev and her daughter Amy and her daughter-in-law Amy cooked all of the food.  That was a crazy amount of work but the food was absolutely fantastic.  From the lasagna to the rigatoni and meatballs, I don't think there was much left.  We won't even talk about the dessert table!  That's what holidays are for - no diets and way too much great food.

The other thing holidays are good for is visiting with family. 

Then, there was Georgia, trying to convince Santa that she really WAS good all year!

And more family.

The day couldn't have gone better.  HUGE thanks go out to Bev, Amy and Amy for all the hard work they put in making this party such a success.  They showed up at the cabin early to get it decorated and get to work on the feast we enjoyed.

The weather was milder than it had been other years so that made the travel time a bit easier.  Everyone made it to the cabin and there was time for catching up and hugs and stories.  Like any good party, the place got pretty quiet once the food was set out!  Hey, we were too busy stuffing ourselves to make much noise!

A big hit of the party is always the white elephant gift.  This is where you regift something that you have that you don't want, or something that you have around the house, or something inexpensive.  We draw numbers and then in turn, you go to the table to choose a gift.  The next person in line then has the option to take a gift that has already been opened, or they go to the table to choose their own gift.  Some gifts show up year after year for the white elephant gift!

One yearly favorite is the butt/face towel.  One side is brown with "butt" written on it and the other side is white with "face" written on it.  For those people that get confused when they get out of the shower!  

You can receive a board like Tom did.  Here he is, taking it around to a few people trying to get ideas on what in the heck he's supposed to do with THIS!  I have a feeling it will be rewrapped and will show up at next year's white elephant gift exchange!

To Amy, who was lucky enough to get these crazy glasses!

It was a good day all around.  Too much fun and too much food.  No diets on Christmas, for sure!  We came home with a huge bounty of homemade goods and I plan on enjoying as much of it as I can. 

So, from our house to yours, Merry Christmas to all, and to all . . .  a good night.