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!!!!

Thanksgiving Photos

As I said in the last blog, I've been having trouble posting updates with photos.   As it turns out, I was out of storage space...go figure.

Here is what our Thanksgiving day looked like:

The Master Chef Getting Ready for the Big Meal

 

 

Good Plates, Good Food

Watching the Macy's Day Parade

The Big Guy

Good Friends; Rhoda and Tony

Jim and Tony

Wishing You Were All Here

 

 

What Our Thanksgiving Looked Like

I love Thanksgiving--mostly because I don't have to do the cooking, but also because of the traditions  and memories we have built up over the years.   Tony is always the first one up and by the time the rest of us were up, he had dinner preparations done and ready to pop into the oven. 

We would watch football if the boys were home, or the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  After dinner we would walk to the house near the opening to Chandler Commons and watch the Christmas lighting ceremony.  We usually had at least one "kid" in the house and sometimes more. 

It's days like this when I realize how much I miss not being in Cleveland.  Our holidays were predictable and comfortable--and maybe our routine was scripted, I love the players in the script and I miss not seeing them. 

Today, we had dinner with the Chinni's, our friends who used to live in Parma.  Rhoda had to work at 4:00, so we had an early dinner and away they went. 

The meal was fantastic--Tony did a turkey breast this year instead of a whole turkey, which was a good idea.  He made his sausage stuffing and we laughed about how much Marie loves it.  Rhoda made a pumpkin cheesecake which was light and fluffy.   We lit candles and had music on in the background.  We toasted to every one's good fortune and proceeded to stuff ourselves with great food. 

I took some pictures throughout the day but am having trouble posting them.   I leave you with the words and the pictures will follow.

We love you!

Pajama Day

It's a cold and rainy day here.   It's been raining since early this morning and it's already past 5:30 in the evening.  I had to move the cushions and pillows from the couch on the patio because they were saturated by the rain.  The wind is strong and pushes the flowers and plants over.  This is winter.  This season, we turn on the fireplace alot and enjoy the warmth it brings to us.

We decided because it was such a crummy day, we would honor Hugh Hefner and wear our pajamas all day.  Why  not???   It was cold and dreary and screamed for pajamas.  So, at 12:00 noon, we had our "jammies" on for the rest of the day and it was great.  The next thing on our agenda for the day was for Tony to cook chicken wings and then we were going to watch the Panthers game.

We have discussed how the Panthers and the Browns are similar in their football performance...but today, well, how can you have two "home teams" lead the entire game and then lose in overtime?  Good question, but both the Panters and Browns managed to do just that.

That made the wings the high point of the day--and it always is when Tony cooks, but geez, we thought we had a chance for two wins today and came up short.  

So, here is how the day looked and how pajama day turned out.

Rain and gloom from the patio

Flattened palm leaves and flooding next door

The wind pushes the plants to the left as the rain comes down

Trees and plants surrender to the gale

 

                                                 Notice the flooding in the front yard

Looking straight out from the front door...more rain

Less rain, more wind

 

My own Hugh Hefner!  Yea pajama day

 

No More Candles

Well, I heard from the church...I didn't get the Office Manager job.  I came in second.  The selected candidate comes from the church and I guess that carried alot of weight.  I asked for constructive feedback on where I was lacking (skills, personality, etc.) and was told I had it all.  My response, and maybe it wasn't a good one was, "I have it all, except the  job." 

Needless to say I am stunned and depressed. 

I have no more candles in the wind and I don't look forward to starting over. 

A Thousand Faces, One Sweet Boy

We took a quick trip to Charlotte today to see Tony, Marie and Coleton.  It was 7 hours in the car both ways, but definitely worth it. 

 

Cole is close to being 4 months old now--my favorite baby age.  Big enough to understand what's going on around him, but small enough to sit in your lap and enjoy being there.   Tony always says that he can engage more with kids when they are older and that 4 months is "my time" to enjoy them, but I think that Tony enjoyed his time with Coleton too.   It was wonderful to see the two of them interact.  Cole was curious about Tony and his silly sing-song dialogue.  He laughed, he looked confused, he pouted and he held us captive the whole time we were there. 

 

Marie and Tony cooked a Mexican meal for us, we watched the Carolina Panthers (lose) and took a walk.  It was a nice visit--the best part was being able to spend time with Cole, who is all personality and sweet faces. 

 

Here is our wonderful, smallest grandchild--just as sweet as our other four with a huge personality and a smile that captures your heart. 

 

Coleton says to Papa, "Ben told me you were funny...."

Papa and Cole talking about women

Coleton telling Papa about Sadie, his "girlfriend" in day care!!

Watching the Panthers lose...

 

Three generations of Swegle men

Momo love

Momo and a sweet boy

 

A thorn between two "roses"!!!

Yuck....

Holding on to Momo, checking out Papa

 

Papa bought this hat to go to Cleveland for Thanksgiving...how cute is he???

Playing "Pat-A-Cake" with Mommy

 

Tummy time

Almost bedtime...playing with his hands...

"Geez, I'm cute!"