Home Again

Well, once again, we went to Cleveland early in December to see the grandchildren, family and go to our Financial Planner's Christmas party.  The weather cooperated for once and we enjoyed brisk but mild weather.

We stayed with Rose and Joe in Macedonia and were glad to see that Joe is almost finished with his medical treatments and is doing well.    Rose made everything perfect.  Like Donna and Bob, they are fantastic hosts. 

We tried not to cram a bunch of activities in this time, as we were going to stay with Tony, Marie and family on the way back and I had to work the very next day. 

 

I just couldn't wait to see Ben, Sam, Ellie and Zach.  We took Lynn with us to see them and their new house and we had a nice visit.  We bought some games and played them after we got a tour of the house from Ben and Sam and then  looked at the ornaments on the Christmas tree.  Ben is getting so tall, I couldn't believe it.  Sam is the same--a short, loud, little bullet.  Ellie opened up to us a bit more than she did last year and I felt like I made some progress with Zach.  He talked to me about the game we were playing (Operation) and said the noise the game made scared him.   We worked on it for awhile and he got used to the noise enough to laugh when it happened.   As always, Jon was a great host.  He played a word game with Tony, Lynn, Ben and Sam and they did really well.  It was a fill in the blank kind of game and they really got into it.   As always, the kids were very into Papa and he took turns playing the games with them. 

 

All too soon it was time to leave until next year and head to TGI Fridays to see our niece, Sarah and her significant other, Steven.  It seems like we spent a lot of time in Cleveland just eating--and all of the food was great!!

 

We went to a new restaurant that Rose and Joe recommended, Jekyl's Kitchen in Chagrin Falls.  We got a great table overlooking the falls and met some people from Oklahoma at the next table.  We watched a young couple get engaged and checked out the ring as they left the restaurant.  What a fun time we had. 

 

And the next day was Sunday--football day, so we watched the Browns.  I was going to say that we watched the Browns play, but that's not exactly how to describe what they did.  It was one of those games where I wished we had a cheerleading team because I was sure if we put them in instead of the Browns, we may have had a chance to win.  Or, maybe the announcers, maybe even the old people in the front row--I think anyone could have out played the Browns that day.   Tony always says that being a true Browns fan isn't easy, but you have to stick with your team.   I guess we're true Browns fans!  Oddly enough, when we went back home, we went to the Front Street Brewery to see the game with San Fransisco at the Browns Backer Club.  Geez, what a difference--the Browns actually played like a football team.   AND THEY WON.  Go figure, they won.   

We saw Coleton and Anthony....oh, Tony and Marie, too, on the way back to Leland.  Coleton sang, "Rudolph the Red Nose Raindeer," to us and Anthony is walking.  All we have to do is blink and so much time has gone by. 

We are getting ready for Christmas and, of course, work.  I work Christmas Day from 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Christmas Eve too.    I had oral surgery on Tuesday and am glad it's over.

Here are some Cleveland highlights:

Ben

Ellie

Zach

Sam

 

Lynn and Ben

 

Ellie plays the turnover game with Ben while Jon looks on

Sam and Zach play Operation

 

 

Zach tosses the bean bags and wins!!

Zach, Sam, Papa, Ellie, Ben and me

Lynn, Sam, me Papa and Ellie

 

The three Tony's

 

Anthony says, "Why is walking so difficult????"

And, 5 minutes later...."This walking thing is a piece of cake!!"

 

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night

 

 

 

 

Tis The Season

 

 

What a terrific season this is.  It's starts with goofy Halloween costumes, morphs into a turkey dinner with sides and stuffing and finishes with lights, stars and songs.  The weather steps away from swim suits and flip flops and all of a sudden, we're not playing in the water, we're raising umbrellas to hide from it.  And, just as we get used to wet shoes and windshield wipers, we start looking for scarves and mittens and a "do over" with a new year. 

 

This season, we got to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with David and Brenda.  They came up from Tampa with Bernie (David's English Bulldog) and stayed until early Sunday morning.  We had fun.

 

We packed a lot in during their visit. Tony and David played golf while Brenda and I did lunch at McGrooder's--a Leland favorite.   On Friday, David and Brenda spent the night at the City Club and spent Saturday morning exploring restaurants and shops in  Wilmington.  The four of us had a cornhole tournament, went to dinner, set up the Christmas tree, had some really good wine, sat on the Lanai getting to know each other better and watched Dixie and Bernie frustrate each other. 

 

It was good to spend some one-on-one time with Brenda.  She is a wonderful young lady.  You know that the dreams she shares with you today are going to be her reality in a few short years.  She loves being an attorney and has a passion for helping people and doing the right thing.   She has an eye on the future of our younger generations and wants to help make the world a place where people are valued for who they are, not what they have.  She can passionately state her opinion and her case and not judge anyone in the process.  She holds fast to her values and is proud of her heritage. 

 

Brenda and David are good for each other.  They encourage each other and laugh freely at each other.  What more is there for people who love and care for each other?

 

All too soon, it was time for them to go back to their lives in Tampa and for me to go back to work.  

 

With any luck at all...we will see them again soon.  Next up...Cleveland and the Purdum kids--with a quick visit to Tony, Marie, Coleton and Anthony on our return home.

 

Tis the season....to be with people you love, doing things you enjoy, while remembering the spirit and reason for the season.

 

Happy Holidays to all!

 

Highlights:

 

Thanksgiving Turkey--The Bird is The Word!!

Tony comes home victorious in golf--The Swegle Golf Trophy stays in Leland!!

Not sure what Tony is enjoying more--winning the Swegle Golf Trophy or seeing David's face!!

 

Tree decorating--Brenda starts with a blank canvas

TA DA!!!

Brenda and David sitting in the tree......k-i-s-s-i-n-g

 

Let the games begin....cornhole, that is

To the Victor, goes the spoils....

We draw straws....Brenda draws the "old guy"

 

David took this picture of Brenda and Tony counting the scores....odd angle, but I guess David likes it....

She's armed and ready, but Tony took her down

Yep, David really likes this angle

 

Notice my stellar form against David...

You gotta love the body language....David standing like the King of Siam and me shaking my arms and hands like I'm playing a tambourine!

Well, I lost...no big surprise!

 

The Winner Plays the Winner....

Scoping out the lay of the land and mapping out strategy

David calls Victory....but a bit too soon...

 

It comes down to the rubber match.....

...and Dad wins again!!!

The play ends as a beautiful day turns into a beautiful night...and now, off to Joseph's Italian Restaurant in Southport!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life In The Fast Lane!!

Once again, Christmas is right around the corner.  My parents were right when they said that the older you get, the faster time goes by. 

 

We haven't been doing anything remarkable of late, but hey, the Pecan Festival we went to in October is hard to top!

 

I guess I should say that I haven't been doing anything remarkable, lately.  Tony, on the other hand, has finished another painting--this one of FDR, my favorite President.  It's beautiful.  Tony often down plays his artistic ability, but I think he is a wonderful artist.  He does a variety of subjects and works in different media.  I have always looked forward to a houseful of Swegle paintings and now, I have them.  See what you can accomplish in retirement!

 

We got to see Coleton and Anthony recently.  Tony and Marie used their City Club overnight gift and we babysat the kids.  It was fun.  Anthony is close to walking and is still all smiles.  Coleton is a hoot and often reminds us of Ben with his questions and comments about life in general.  Coleton has started to really express himself--when adults are talking, he will wait for a break and then say, "excuse me, can I talk now?!!"  Or, if someone interrupts him, he will say, "excuse me, I was talking..."  You can't help but laugh!

 

We will be seeing the Purdum kids in a few weeks and I am excited about that.   They all look so grown up on Jenna's blog. 

 

We will also be seeing David and Brenda for Thanksgiving.  David is cooking so Tony will have a nice break for one holiday.  They are playing golf on Friday while Brenda and I share some "face time" getting a facial and having lunch.  No Black Friday for us!!  The weather promises to be mild and sunny so we should all enjoy our day out. 

 

Christmas is just around the corner...and so is my retirement year.  I can't wait to have days filled with choices I want to make about time and activity. 

 

We hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving and that it is shared with people you love.

 

 

 

We call this...Dixie Love!

Coleton, performing a song from "Frozen"

Tony and Anthony made it all the way up the steps to the Studio.  I was going to teach he and Coleton to "boom" down the steps like I did Ben, but they have steeper steps at their house and I didn't want them to try it there!

 

 

Three Tony's all in a row

Mr. Coleton Swegle, Mr. Anthony Swegle and Mr. Anthony Swegle

 

And now, featured works by Tony:

FDR....I love it

 

 

The beach and lighthouse from our honeymoon

The Flagpole Sitter

Fish, native to North Carolina

 

Like I said, Tony is a wonderful artist!

Small Town America

 

One of our favorite "mindless" movies to watch is "Doc Hollywood," with Michael J. Fox.  It's the story of a doctor who's personal medical mission is to live in Los Angeles and do plastic surgery on rich women.  He thinks that living in a big city, in a big house on the ocean with lots of money will make him happy. On his road journey to California, he takes a wrong turn and ends up in Grady, South Carolina, the ultimate in small town America. 

 

For awhile, all he can see is the limitations that the location, economy and people who live there represent.  But, as time goes by, he gets involved with the people and their way of life.   

 

One of my favorite scenes in the movie has to do with a yearly celebration the town holds to honor it's most harvested crop, Squash!   Everyone in town comes out to participate.  Local town's people march in a parade--one leading a pet pig, they play music, games and share food.  It's a great time for the town and the doctor comes to see that happiness isn't always measured in dollars.

 

We went to our own version of Grady, South Carolina,  yesterday.  Whiteville, North Carolina hosted a Pecan Festival.  It was quite an event.  Handcrafted merchandise lined both sides of the street, there was a big bandstand with country musicians playing loud songs, classic cars were parked in an array of years and styles, the Festival Queen and her court were there in true "southern" style. 

 

I'm glad we went.    It was a beautiful day--80 degrees with a breeze and a good day for walking around. 

 

I felt like we were part of the movie, walking around like we did.  I could see the faces of people in the crowd, waving to neighbors across the way, the Royal Court was posing for pictures in front of the bandstand and there were even small dogs walking down the center of the parade route, sniffing out fallen food and the private parts of new dog friends. 

 

I talked to a lady who made her own jewelry and one who made soap.   They told me what materials they used and how they got into their respective craft.  I bought some soap because it has oils in it that may help my skin.    

 

We went into an old antique store.  I'm not sure what was older, the store, the carpet, the smell or the merchandise.  They had some beautiful wood furniture and interesting dolls.   And finally, we saw the world's largest shopping cart (and where else could you see that except at the Pecan Festival!!)

 

Figuring there was nothing left to top that, we headed to Highway 55 back in Leland for some burgers. 

 

The Pecan Festival was a great day to see a new part of North Carolina and do something fun.  Whiteville may not have the bright lights of Cleveland, but you sure can't beat them when it comes to putting on a Pecan Festival!!!

 

 

Thanks to the Pecan Sponsors!

The Court looked good, but I bet they were hot in those dresses!

We saw various  branches of the military represented...

 

 

My cute, classic guy, next to a classic car

Here's one from the '30's....still looks great

This is the window sticker from a new, blue and white '63 Ford.....a bit over $3,000...

 

....Not a bad deal 

 

Here's a 1922 Model T

 

I'm not sure what kind of car this is, but I had to show everyone the color!

 

 

Take a good look....the world's largest shopping cart!  Glad you checked the blog, huh??

The end....of a fun day