Cole's Baptism

Cole passed another milestone in his tiny life yesterday as he was baptized.   He is a very content baby--he never cried or fussed during the ceremony or at the reception, where people were passing him around and loving on him.

 

Father Tim did a wonderful ceremony.  It was very intimate--just the Swegle and Phillips families.  We watched Tony and Marie travel further down the road of parenthood as they pledged to teach Cole about God and faith.   His Godparents, David and Marie's sister-in-law, Brenda, promised to guide him down God's path and help Tony and Marie raise him up to be a good Christian person.  

 

After the church ceremony, we went to Dressler's restaurant, where Tony and Marie hosted a terrific dinner.

 

I only took 221 pictures during the ceremony, so here is the story of Cole's baptism....from his perspective (absolutely no disrespect intended)!

 

Getting ready to go to church with my Godfather, Uncle David...hey look, I have more hair than he does!

I love to pull long hair, especially on pretty women like my Aunt Joanna.

We always knew Aunt Rose was a Saint

 

Here is Daddy spiffing me up before my big gig.  Isn't Mommy pretty?

 

Here I am fixing Mommy's makeup before the photo shoot starts

Father Tim and Daddy

What is he reading?   I prefer Runaway Bunny

Oh, we're praying now, hang on....I wasn't ready.  Can somebody give me a cue?

Is this guy going to give me a bath?  How's the water?  I like it warm?

 

Dude, my hair gets washed AFTER my bath, ask Mommy....did I get a new tub for Christmas?

Mommy, check out the lady behind Aunt Brenda...that's the tallest woman I have ever seen!

This guy is pretty good with me.....he must have kids of his own

Everyone is smiling...I wonder what cute thing I did to get all of this attention?

 

Look, my Daddy spent all of that time brushing my hair and you got it wet.  It's still wet.  Can I use that scarf you have around your neck to dry off?

This guy is pretty comfortable, I think I'll stretch out and relax...opps, I just tooted in his hand, I wonder if he felt it?

A bunch of Swegles--that's me with Daddy

4 Swegle Men....hey, Daddy, shouldn't we all have cigars?

I love my Grand-Pops!

Mommy, I'm pulling hair again.....blonde hair pulls good just like dark hair.

Just a few of my relatives

My "God Bless" Me Cake

Don't cry, Mommy, I love you

Psst, Daddy....don't say anything, just keep smiling.....I just wanted to let you know  I pooped....alot....are you going to give me to Mommy now?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When All The Laughter Died in Newtown

I have been watching the news since the children in Newtown, Connecticut were killed and with every news broadcast I cry like the nation and wonder why this happened.    I think of how scared the children must have been during all of this senseless madness and how they must have not understood what was happening or why.   I think of how they must have wanted their parents to be there right now and take care of them.  And, I think of how the parents must feel, knowing that they weren't there.  

 

I see pictures of the slain children and it breaks my heart.  I think of all of the joy and laughter that all of our grandchildren have given us and I know that all of the laughter has died in Newtown, this Christmas season.   I feel lucky to have all of our grandchildren safe and as a mother and grandmother, I grieve for those who lost their children and for the children who lost their innocence.  

New President In The House

 

 

 

As I indicated in a recent blog, Tony has started to paint again.  It's so good to see him up in his studio, listening to music and painting.    He finished a collage of George Washington not too long ago and we hung it today.   We're going to hang the Abe Lincoln painting he did some years ago on the other side of the window, so we will have two presidents framing the windows.   

 

In other news, the weather is beautiful--in the 70's in December!  We have some new flowers coming up out front to add to the beauty of the day.

 

We are gearing up for Coleton's  baptism later this month and having "the boys" and their families over for Christmas.  I wish Jenna, Jon and the kids could be here too, but I'm sure they will enjoy their own Christmas.  Tony and I wanted to get the kids really loud and obnoxious gifts since they wouldn't be here, but  we followed the rules and got "parent friendly" things that don't make noise.

 

We have our tree on the patio again and will decorate it when everyone joins us on Christmas Eve.  It's funny to see Tony, in shorts, washing the cars and then see the Christmas tree.   He will be in Cleveland for a few days in January, I'm betting he won't be wearing shorts!

 

I continue to search for a job, although not as diligently as I have been.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that as we move into 2013, there will be more opportunities.  It seems like everyday we are reading about companies who are laying off  more people.  I've been telling people that by the time I find a job, I'll be ready to retire.   I hope that's not really the case.

 

We are counting down the days till Christmas and hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday.

 

And now the photos:

 

George--the finished work!

 

 

 

Camellias in the front

                                                            Waiting for decorations

Tony admires his work

Me, doing my Vanna White pose!

A beautiful sunset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Cleveland

The year is coming to an end.  Tony and I agree that 2012 was filled with a few challenges, but mostly good things.   In the almost 24 years since we've been married, this is  the most time we have spent with each other.   Tony has mentioned on occasion that we get on each others nerves from time to time, which makes me ponder....I can see him getting on my nerves, but me get on his nerves?  Really? 

 

Anyway, we went back to Cleveland last week to attend our financial planer's Christmas party.  We had hoped to see the kids and have Christmas with them, but from a scheduling perspective, it just didn't work out.  We were bummed, but we did drop their gifts off at Jenna and Jon's and we are hoping for a Skype visit soon. 

 

During our stay we decided to visit the "Christmas Story" house in the Tremont area.  That was fun.  It was like stepping back in time.  They do a great job of managing the details of the era.  I saw kitchen and bathroom products that aren't available anymore and old pictures on the walls in frames like my grandmother used to have.    

 

While we were out, we stopped at the place where Bob works.  It was fascinating.  I always knew that Bob's job had to do with selling food, but it's so much  more.  The building was cold--only 45 degrees to keep the fruit and veggies cool.  It was very neat and had a clean, grocery store smell.  Bob told us about bananas having 8 cycles in their growth and development and where various fruits/veggies were originally from.  It was a really interesting tour.

 

Tony and I did a detour to Charlotte after we left Cleveland.  It was one of those rare times that Tony and Marie were both travelling for work, so we watched Cole for a day.   He is getting so big, and is so alert.  It was nice to hold a baby again.  We are going back to Charlotte for his baptism on December 22. 

 

Here is a summary of our trip in pictures, of course:

 

Rose, Moe and Joe at the Christmas Party

Audrey and Donna, her "date!"

Tony and his biggest fans!

 

The Christmas Story House

The Leg Lamp

Me in the kitchen....just like my Grandmother's house

 

Donna with the disgusting Christmas turkey (plastic and ugly)

What every woman wants in her living room....the leg lamp

 

 

Checking out downtown  (see all of the birds?)

Bob explaining origins of fruit and packaging

I told Donna to get fresh with the fruit!

 

Visiting Lynn

Lynn and her sparkling grape juice!

Part of her emergency kit that we put together after Sandy

A quick lunch with my friend, Joyce

 

On to Charlotte....

Look-a-likes

Getting dry after a great bath

 

"Mommy, that lotion is cold!"

"OK, one more picture and then that's it."

 

We stayed at a great place...check out the shower!

Room with a view

Papa reads while Cole looks on

Tyson, reminding us that he is a person, too

 

 

Back home.....passing Pilot Mountain

 

 

 

Now That Was Football

Week after week, Tony and I have watched the Carolina Panthers and have really tried to be supportive fans.  We have learned the names of some of the players and cheer for each touchdown....but it's not the same.  In North Carolina, football is football, in Cleveland, it's a religion. 

 

Cleveland has a history with the Browns--you love them or you hate them, but if you live in Cleveland, they are your team,no matter what.   You watch them year after year hoping that this year--this year will be the one...where we go to the playoffs and win the big prize. Did you know that the year before the first Super Bowl, the Browns were on top?   When we were in Cleveland, we watched game after game, where they blew the lead, got buried under penalties, or just didn't show up...but we watched them.  They used to be the team that came from behind and won...they had you on the edge of your chair and you just knew they were going to win.  But, that was years ago.  Now, we are happy with a 500 season and no major injuries. 

 

We used to build a fire, eat football food and pinch the "party Pug" on his foot whenever the Browns scored.  What great Sundays they were.  We don't get the Browns down here and I miss them...but, every once in a while, when the Carolina Panthers aren't playing--and the Browns are playing a big team, the game will be televised.  It was last Sunday and what a good time we had.  The Browns against the Pittsburgh Steelers--now that was football. 

 

The Browns and Steelers have had a friendly rivalry for years.  When Art Model took the Browns to Baltimore, the Steelers stood up for us and said, "how can you take the Browns from Cleveland?"  It was emotional and personal, but it happened.  It left many of us stunned that Cleveland would not have a home team for several years, but that's how it turned out. 

 

But, on Sunday, we played.  We played like the old days--getting first downs and making key tackles...it was a sight to see.  The Browns won--OK, maybe it was their first victory over the Steelers in 18 encounters, but they won.  We had wonderful "game" food and for 4 quarters, it was like being at home.   Put away your terrible towels, Steelers fans, we won the day....and what fun it was.

 

 

Tony, practicing his touchdown "pre-pose"

Tony, showing off the Browns strength!

Intercepted!!!!

And the field goal is GOOD!!!

Check out the look of defeat on the Steelers player!!!!  He's toast and so is the team!!!!