Gingerbread House Contest

One of the highlights of the holidays was the gingerbread house contest. The team of Anne and Mary barely nosed out the team of Justin, Jenna and Grace with their Hawaiian theme. Team Justin had a more traditional manger scene. 

Marley and Me

JoAne and Ralph went to see Marley and Me on Saturday. Despite the fact that it didn't get great reviews, they thoroughly enjoyed it.

And to All a Good Year . . .

Christmas 2008 is winding down, but it is doing so gradually and with continuous activity.  Jenna and Doris left NC on the 26th and Anne and Justin are on their way back to Kansas today.  Grace dropped them off at the airport as she picks Jamie up.  Mary will be returning to New York tomorrow, and Grace and Jamie are going back to Ohio in time for New Year's Eve.  Last night we invited all the young pros from the club over for chili, anxious for them to meet our kids.  We had a great time, but are definitely going to need a vacation from all the food and wine!!  Celebrated in true Grinter style, for sure.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Christmas on New Year's

The Dallas contingent was spread to the winds for Christmas this year. Alison is in Denver with Mike's family, Chris is in Midland with Amy's family, Kelly and Preston are in San Angelo with Kelly's family, and Wes is in Houston with Jenny's. Rick and Wendy (and Wally and Bob Dog) drove down to Houston to have Christmas with Wes, but only stayed for about 24 hours. Time for some fancy dinner, The Night Before Christmas, and morning presents, but little else.

Our big celebration will be on New Year's Day when all the prodigal children (with the exception of Wes) will be home. All are pleased that this year's diaspora means that next year will be a BIG family Christmas in Dallas.

Santa & Elf

Santa and his Elf ready to go visiting at the Health Center. Last Thursday, they visited the Elementary School.

It's snowing in the city!! Not exactly a white winter wonderland (more like gray with ice traps) but beautiful nonetheless. I have pretty much wrapped up my Christmas shopping unusually early this year and have been getting pumped up for North Carolina!

Our new offices have walls, and the painting will start on Monday, flooring shortly thereafter, and we will start moving in when I get back after Christmas--very exciting! We took some fun holiday pictures to send out as e-cards to our clients and editors and with Mom's creative genius and Anne's technical savviness they ended up looking great and we have been getting the nicest feedback!!!

Hope everyone is staying warm and dry!

Like New Again

As many of you know, on the first day of our recent 15 day trip, someone rammed the front of our car in a parking garage as we were eating dinner with Ann Pearce. Naturally, they left no note. So the Avalon spent all last week in the body shop[ where it got a new fender, a new headlight assembly and a new front bumper. The Finegolds were kind enough to loan us one of their cars for the duration. This marks the second time in about two months we've been hit while in a parking lot. 

It's Time

OK, so maybe it's time for another Grinter Winter Olympics.  Complete with gong, saltines, rules, uniforms and alcohol.  It has to be in Southern Pines because that is where the torch is.  Our teams will be larger next year and the more the merrier!  Remember, Ali and Mike weren't even there in 2001(?), and  Ali and Mike will be three in 2009!  Justin was not even a twinkle in Anne's eye way back when, and who knows about the rest of the kids.  Just throwing it out, well in advance.  Christmas 2009 anyone?

Where the Vampires Roam

Last Sunday, immediately following the departure of the folks from our Thanksgiving holiday, I began to feel a bit under the weather. Mind you, I have not missed a day of work due to illness in more than five years, so i figured that I would just rest on Sunday and be ready for work on Monday. Most of the day Sunday was spent sleeping, driving the porcelain bus, and drinking vast quantities of water. I finally heaved the last of my stomach contents at about 4pm and went to sleep for the night. Unfortunately my sleep was interrupted at about 6am with a bout of dry heaves. Wendy decided I was not going to work. I didn't decide anything, I just slept.

Wendy returned home for lunch and, despite my protestation, took me into the ER. Surprisingly the let me right in. I was immediately plugged into drips, poked with stickers and needles, and generally abused. The doctor said my body had sustained a major insult -- so what else is new. They moved me into an ICU room and began the week long process of waking me back up.

As a bit of back story here, my insulin pump apparently sustained damage while I was running back an interception during our Thanksgiving day football game. For several days, unbeknownst to me, insulin had been delivered into my pants but not my body. By the time I caught on, my blood sugar was in the stratosphere and the insults began.

But that is not the story. This story is about the vampires who roam the corridors of the ICU late at night. These creatures in their flowing white lab coats and porcelain faces keep a close eye on anyone in ICU lest they miss an opportunity to feed. They will float into your room with their tool kit at their side to extract a morsel every two to three hours. After a couple of days you barely awaken as they take their little snack. "Big stick" some will say before they jab you with their equipment. The kinder ones will attempt to use an existing hole from previous feedings. I returned from the ICU on Thursday last with the telltale bite marks and bruises that evidence a short stay.

Thanksgiving Pictures

Climb Aboard

I know I have been MIA for awhile but as you can see from the picture it is because I decided to launch out and start my own business. It is still a single person, single bus operation, but I plan on taking NYC by the ground, air, and sea.

But in between my route, I have been very busy with other things too! There have been a ton of events going on with work, we are moving our office into a huge new loft one floor up, spending time with my girlfriends and all that good stuff. NYC is crazy with tourists and shoppers, the Christmas tree is being lit tonight, and the ice skating rink in Bryant Park is open!

Brooklyn is a breath of fresh air at the end of the day, I love my apartment! One question for all you cat owners--Peekay is scratching the side of my couch and I don't know what to do to keep her from tearing it up. I already have to fight tooth and nail against being perceived as a cat lady, and the number one tell tale sign of a cat lady is a ripped couch. Any suggestions?? I cut her nails all the time so it's not like she is clawing because they are too long. heelllpp!!!!

Weymouth Christmas Tour

My friend Tracy and I unwittingly found ourselves in charge of decorating the "children's tree" for  Southern Pines Annual "Christmas at Weymouth" charity event.  The entire home is decorated by local garden clubs and we participated on behalf of National Golf Club.  (They don't know me well enough to appreciate my embarrassing lack of "green" knowledge).  Anyway, the tree is adorable and we are just keeping our fingers crossed that the cranberries don't attract local mice!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Tho we missed our "girls plus one" desperately, we had a great time with the Atlanta bunch!  Norman and I were thoroughly entertained at Carol and Jim's by two unforgettable little ones.  Jackson and Emmie are as charming as they are smart and adorable.  Then, at Barb and Denis's, they were blown away by how their four had grown and matured.  We are so proud to claim them all!

We finished off the weekend in Charlotte witnessing the Celtics beat a great Bobcats team, spending the night in a downtown hotel and shopping at the South Park Mall before heading back to Buttonwood.  Now, we turn our attention to Christmas and 12Twelve deadlines.

Celebrity Encounter at LGA!!!

There we were - bored, frustrated, and half-asleep at an ungodly hour on Saturday morning - when who should appear at the Midwest check-in counter...Uno!!!...the cute little beagle who famously won last year's Westminster dog show.

Uno and his travel companion were returning to his home in Austin after a jaunt to New York to make an appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Uno is part of Midwest Airlines' "Celebrity Pet Program"; an exclusive club that, apparently, entitles him to preferential treatment in the Midwest lounge and a full seat for himself (at full-fare, of course) in the front of the plane.

Uno looked just as tired and grumpy as we were but obligingly posed for a few photos (after his human travel buddy perked up his eyes and fluffed his tail into picture-perfect position). On the plane, we were seated right across the aisle from Uno, who immediately curled up in a ball on his seat and fell asleep (he rarely wakes up before noon, we were told). But when a flight attendant asked for another photo op, Uno was roused out of his slumber and made to pose once again by his handler, who also handles all of Uno's TV appearances.

"Oh, you don't have to wake him up!" the flight attendant said.

"That's okay, he knows it's his job...it's what he does," replied the handler. He took three pictures before finally getting one that he was satisfied with. Uno yawned and went back to sleep.

What a rough life!

Dallas Thursday Roundup (Thanksgiving Saturday Edition)

This Thursday, the Dallas crowd were joined by the Southern Pines Grinters! We were eleven for dinner, and there was much discussion of the fact that the advertised Turducken was switched at the last minute with a mere Turken, a turkey stuffed with a chicken, stuffed with crawfish jambalaya.

The meal was fantastic, and all were positively stuffed with food. Highlights included Mike's stuffing, Grandma JoAnne's cranberry relish, and Kelly's yams. Hardly any pie was eaten until the next day, when we could all concentrate on Alison's four pies.The football game was won by Team Kelly (Kelly, Mike, and Preston), defeating Team Amy (Amy, Rick, and Chris) by a resounding 28-7. Check this post later for updates including pictures of the titanic gridiron battle.

Rick - having never won a Thanksgiving football game, was thrilled to have given Team Kelly a "challenge" in his team's respectable 7 points.

Ralph - went to see the most recent James Bond movie and strongly recommends against Gazette readers wasting time and money on it. Ralph is happy that his trip is ending on a high note, and enjoyed himself generally.

JoAnne - is thrilled to have gotten to see fine old friends in Savannah and Springfield, as well as Cousin Carol Jo.
Alison - was really happy to be able to take Grandma and Grandpa to Kalachandji's (a vegetarian restaurant at the local Hare Krishna temple) Grandpa especially was skeptical at first, but everyone left having had a good meal and a fine time spent together.

Mike - has finally had the 2009 ad campaign approved at work, and is busy constructing/photographing/laying out ads. Happy to take some time off for the holiday. We very much enjoyed taking some time to have lunch with Ralph and JoAnne, and would like it duly noted that my team positively DESTROYED Rick's team in Thanksgiving football this year, as per usual. It should also be noted that Alison's first foray into pecan pie made me even more confident than usual that I married well.

Wendy - After the build-up and what-if planning, Chris and Amy got electricity on Wednesday and only needed to come by for showers (gas won't be on till Monday) ... Whew. Tomorrow the Granparental Units (GPUs ) leave for Atlanta and Emmy's birthday party I find myself thinking that the visit was far too short - we hope to make plans for a trip to North Carolina soon. The time we all spent together was very enjoyable.

An Immaculate Home is a Sure Sign Of the Impending Visit of a Female Relative

I've heard that adage a few times and find it generally true . I am experiencing a twist on the concept that may amuse my sweet sister-in-law.

Yesterday morning the house was totally clean, the final lists of things to do and get were made, all was peaceful and ready for the visit of the Matriarch. I had a very nice lunch out with Alison so as not to mus things up by eating lunch at home as usual - we were ready.

All was well as I headed off to my meeting that evening. When I got in the car at around 6:30 and headed to the store for last minute shopping I got a call from my house, it was Alison.

Ali - Umm Hi Mom, look Dad called and he's going to be late so I'm not going to wait to walk the dogs with him.

WJ - Why will he be late?

Ali - Ya I don't really know, something about a new law, I don't know something - and uuummm have you talked to Chris?

WJ - No , why?

Ali - Not really sure, umummm something about electricity, you probably will hear from him soon uuummm gotta go.

Time to worry! uuummmm means I don't want to tell you and you aren't going to like it when you know so I "gotta go".

The short of this long tale is that Chris and Amy and two dogs had to spend the night in our carefully prepared guest room because the new apartment (which is right in the neighborhood - we are very excited about having them so close) has no electricity or gas. Tonight if necessary they will sleep in the new office. Sometimes the best laid plans are just targets.

Now rather than a clean house we have a redecorated holiday featuring a new pack to run with and more overnight guests than we were originally planning - not to worry there's always room.

The much anticipated visit is still impending -- this is where the adage goes wonky on us -- Rather than an immaculate house, ours has the patina of family ... but, it truly was immaculate, yesterday!

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving with unexpected blessings!

Ethan Stere

Am in the process of re-learning to blog! Our retired Gazette editor is sitting here with me!

Administrative Update

Posting to the Gazette by email has been disabled due to the recent rash of spam posts. I don't think this will be a problem since the only people posting via email are spammers. If you want to post to the gazette and you're more comfortable with email than the web form, by all means, email your post to our editor, Ralph, and he will certainly post it for you.
This decision was made unilaterally by Alison, and as such, does not have the editorial force of law, so if you'd rather we enable the email posting again, just leave a comment and we'll figure something out.

A bit of exciting news from Dallas

12 weeks along. Moving, wiggling, etc. Alison and I are pretty excited.

Trip to Florida

Norman and I visited Doris in Coconut Creek last week, then drove a short way and spent the weekend with friends, Michael and Kathy Weiss at their amazing home in Port St. Lucie.  One of the highlights of their stay was witnessing the shuttle launch from the elegant terrace at Tesaro (their resort-like Golf Club).  We were about 2 miles from Cape Canaveral and the view was amazing.

Kansas Update

If there haven't been as many posts from Kansas City lately, it's because there hasn't been much exciting news to report. Anne and Justin have been working, raking leaves, watching the Chiefs lose, and recovering from some nasty head colds.

We are both looking forward to a visit from Grandma and Grandpa on Sunday, as they make the trek down to Texas! We just hope they don't mind the affections of two attention-needy dogs - rest assured, wine and gin will be provided to help cope with the menagerie!

Next week, we are headed to New Canaan for Thanksgiving with dad and sisters - the first time I think all of us have been in the same house for a while! Justin is hoping wine and gin will be provided to help cope with all the girls.

Who's Spider Is That??

Alright guys, this is hilarious. I know how we feel about links and forwards but this really will make your day (and give you a great idea on how to handle pestering customer service people!!)

http://www.geekologie.com/2008/11/good_idea_man_submits_drawing.php

Make sure you scroll alllll the way down to read the full conversation!!!

Dilbeck Cottage - Thanksgiving Menu

We are so excited about the coming visit of the Sr Grinters! The menu planning is well underway but subject to change. There will be about 12 of us for dinner. Here's what we have so far:

*Turducken (see below)

Kalachandji's Butternut Squash

Mike's Stuffing

Kelly's Yams

Wendy's Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Mustard Greens

Cranberries

Ali's Pie

What 's on your menu?

* Turducken is a dish consisting of a partially de-boned turkey stuffed with a de-boned duck, which itself is stuffed with a small de-boned chicken. The thoracic cavity of the chicken and the rest of the gaps are filled with, at the very least, a highly seasoned breadcrumb mixture or sausage meat, although some versions have a different stuffing for each bird.

The result is a relatively solid, albeit layered, piece of poultry, suitable for cooking by braising, roasting, grilling, or barbecuing. We will be roasting ours.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

The Dallas contingent would like to send out massive congratulations to friends Saedra and Ben in their newest arrival of twins!

Alison and Mike went to visit the new family of four this past weekend. Lilly and Nolan are big, happy, and healthy.

Congratulations!!

Dallas Thursday Roundup

On the Menu:

Tortellini cooked in chicken stock with fennel seed

Big Salad

Bread from Jimmy's

Kelly is absent today because she is comforting a friend who just broke up with her boyfriend. "Comforting" is a euphamism for "getting drunk with".

Rick: It's been a busy week at work, 2 major projects. I have to be at work at 6AM on Saturday for the November deployment (I'm going to ride my Vespa!) I've started walking with Alison and the Bagles in the evenings for health and recreation.

Wendy: We had a wedding party this weekend for the next-door couple Michael and Lara who were married in Austin two weeks ago. The party was attended by about 30, and it was a very enjoyable evening. We are very excited to see Ralph and JoAnne for Thanksgiving. Menu planning is underway!

Alison: I am having a very busy week. Two child sexual assault cases are resolving this week (one dismissal, and one probation and deportation). I plead the case of one of my most recalcitrant clients today, and I'm picking up a couple of new felonies (aggravated robbery, and a couple of drug possessions).  I am also feeling about 30% better, and have stretched bedtime to a howling 9:30!

Mike: I have taken on a project at work to figure out how the marketing department can simultaneously save money, go green, and stay cutting-edge. We're going to start shooting our own stock in-house, repurposing old materials in cool sort of "found art" kind of ways, and really using all the interactive Flash stuff I've learned to higher degrees. First project: for our top producers, I'm designing and hand-binding a photo book. Super-fun.

Also, tomorrow I am headed out to Texas Stadium with management to take the company holiday card photo on the 50 yardline right on the big Cowboys star. They will all be dressed as Cowboys players, Tom Landry and/or referees. I will be taking a tripod to avoid laughter-shake in the image.

3 Clubs and a Quiche

The National Golf Club's WGA had their final event of the season.  On a cold November morning they asked only nine holes from us.  The catch was, we could use only three clubs from our bag.  So, which clubs would you choose?  The power club?  No, you can't play it (easily) in the fairway. The putter, or can one putt with a low iron?  The wedge (how else to get out of the sand?)  Well, after much deliberation, I chose my rescue 4 hybrid, my 9 iron, and my putter.  Interestingly, all four in my group shot almost exactly what they normally shoot, and in record breaking time!  Afterward we had quiche in the clubhouse.

Please comment - which clubs would you have chosen?

Dylan Gets a Bath

So, not much is going on in Southern Pines.  I will share the most exciting, latest event, however.  Dylan got a bath at Petsmart.  They have a really nice facility at the back of the store.  No doggies behind closed doors and loving handlers.  I promised Dylan that when I picked him up he could pick out any toy he wanted.  He perused the toy aisle, all the while not believing his good fortune, when he spotted it!  The biggest, brightest, squeekiest toy of all.  We just call it toy.

Big Birthday Celebration

Ralph's 78th birthday was celebrated in style. On Thursday, R & J went to Finegold's for a dinner of baby back ribs, twice baked potatoes and white cake with chocolate frosting and cookies and cream ice cream.

Friday the Finegolds came over and we all had dinner in the formal Henley dining room.

Then on Saturday, JoAnne and Ralph went to Raleigh to see the play Rain, the story about the Beatles. It was quite good.

For me, it's the generational issue

I for one am so happy with our new President that I am even thankful (in retrospect) that John Kerry lost in 2004. I welcome a new generation of American politics, unmarred by the baggage of Vietnam and the tumult of the 1960s, a specter which has been haunting our every public dialogue and which has hardened our positions and our hearts toward our fellow countreymen for as long as I have been alive.

I look forward to a healing nation, one that can debate the great issues we face with respect for each person's patriotism, honor, and dignity.

November 4, 2008

Deleted at Norman's request.

Election

Without getting political, The Gazette cannot let this day pass without recognizing the significance of the Election of 2008.  I was a young, 11 year old innocent back in 1968 when Martin Luther King was assassinated. I say innocent, because racism was something that did not exist in my world. When at school the next day, one of my friends said, "my dad said we are better off without him", for the first time I felt shame. I owe (among many things) my open-minded and accepting nature to my parents who taught Rick and I that we are citizens of a world made up of so many different cultures, all of which have a legitimate and rightful place. This bigotry, I didn't understand. 

History was made last night and we as a nation should be proud no matter how we voted.  Some questioned his race, some questioned his religion, some wondered just where he came from.  Is he white, black, Christian, or Muslim?  Is he from Kenya, Indonesia, Hawaii, or Kansas? It seems to me that Senator Obama embodies the heart, soul and melting pot that is America.  His policies will be tested and criticized, the media will love him, and hate him.  There will be milestones and mistakes, protests, pageantry, and politics.  Somethings will never change.  But, the whole world is watching and last night we sent a message. Now hopefully, we will all step up. 

Dallas weekend

We're right smack in the middle of Indian Summer - just when I broke out all the sweaters, no dice: in the 80s today. BAH.

Henry the bagel turned a ripe old seven years old this week. He received treats, special dog food, and Rick and Wendy bought him a brand new dog bed. He's deeply thrilled by all of this, and is approaching middle age with quiet dignity.

The Denver Broncos continue to annoy me. Miami? REALLY?

Nonetheless, good times all around. Nothing major to report, but we're all happy and healthy, now that Wendy is over the plague.

Happy Birthday, Dylan!!!

Dylan Richter turned 3 this weekend (based on our best estimates) - and he celebrated in style. Saturday morning started with a trip to the dog park, followed by ice cream and tater tots at Sonic, some bacon for lunch, and finally, cupcakes for the official b-day celebration.

Where have all the kids gone?

Only two trick-or-treaters came by the Richter household on Halloween, despite an enticing assortment of sweet treats that is now unfortunately left for Justin and I to pick at through Thanksgiving.

It was a nice weekend though, with a late-night Halloween party downtown on Friday and a benefit for one of Justin's clients last night. Today, we will try to make a dent in the tons of leaves that have fallen in the past few days and watch the Chiefs break Justin's heart yet again.

Sick, Sick, SICK

My Thursday night article will be short. I am suffering the plague quietly - except at night when the sneezing, coughing and hacking keeps even Wally awake. Rick is well and looking for a quieter place to live ... I'll miss him.

Here's to a healthy tomorrow and a wonderful Halloween to all!

Dallas Thursday Roundup

Thursday Night Dinner was cancelled this week due to an illness. Wendy has what she termed "the plague" so our hearts go out to her and we hope that she does not develop corpuscles or whatever else happens with the plague.
Since we were not gathered together, each Thursday Dinner Regular will have to update for him or herself.
I for one have had a big week of trials. On Monday, I argued a trial where the defendant was charged with engaging in a riot, a first for me, and also for the prosecutor, who had to run for her books to see what the crime actually entails (curious? see my article on riot here). The "riot" was actually a very large fight after school right across the street from a high school campus. My kid was found not guilty, largely based on the fact that no one observed him actually participating in the fight, just walking to and away from it (though sweaty and breathing hard after).
Then this morning, I argued another trial, this time for disorderly conduct: tampering with power lines. My defendant was a homeless woman who went to visit a friend who was squatting in a condemned house which had illegally diverted power from the power line outside. She was the only one present when the police raided on suspected prostitution activity, so she was arrested for the tampering and illegal diversion of the power. We lost this one based on the legal presumption that if someone is found enjoying the economic benefit of diverted power, she can be presumed to have accomplished the tampering. Still, we beat the prosecutor's initial offer of 180 days in jail, and she was sentenced to only 60 days, and will be released tonight for time served. So not too bad.

Early Vote

JoAnne and Ralph voted Thursday at one of three early voting locations in Moore County. The one they went to was set up to handle a very large number of people and as a result, they didn't have to wait at all. Predictions are that 1/3 of the votes cast nationwide will be voted early.

Star of the Show

Bailey got an enthusiastic reception at both the Health Center and the Elementary School in his witch's outfit. He had trouble keeping his hat on but his admirers didn't seem to mind.

Celtics and Election Day

Tonight starts the new NBA season for the World Champion Boston Celtics. They will be receiving their champion rings prior to the game. Looking forward to it. Also looking forward to is next week's election, both nationally and here in North Carolina. The local races are intriguing and I am determined to vote with the mindset that we need big-time change.

Glory Days

It was Homecoming Weekend at Miami University.  This, of course meant a lot of alumni and a run on hotel rooms.  I had booked our room some time ago, as had Anne.  She and Justin were to be there thursday and friday, and Norman and I were staying friday and saturday.  At the last minute, the Richter's decided they wanted to stay the extra night, but the hotel was booked.  Grace offered them her room, but, well ... let's just say, Anne does not miss college living and was bound and determined to get herself a hotel room.  

The hotel was crowded with alumni "reliving their glory days", as one of Grace's roommates put it, and were getting a bit too rowdy for the staff and some of the other guests.  We happened to be in the hallway saturday morning and overheard housekeeping complaining.  One said to her partner, "if they get one more complaint, they are being kicked out!"  Without skipping a beat, Anne walked into my room, picked up the phone and I heard her say, "I'd like to register a complaint . . ."

Needless to say, Anne got her room.

Bearing Gifts

Norman and I drove from NC to Ohio this weekend to see Grace at Miami.  As a bonus, Anne and Justin were there also!  Everyone brought Grace a little something from home - A & J had a bag of salmon filets and specialty hummus (two of Gracie's favorite things). I made her Martha's chocolate chip cookies and my nutty trail mix, and Norman brought her doritos, potato chips, double stuff oreos, cheez-its, and a bottle of vodka.  Pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?

Have Broom, Will Travel

The attached photo shows Bailey ready to go to the Health Center for Trick or Treating. Later he will go to the Elementary School.

The Back Porch

While it is not completely finished (I dare say nothing in the Dilbeck will ever be completely finished), the back porch is really taking shape. We have added music and a Franklin Stove for warmth and atmosphere, and some great tongue and groove paneling (see Wes, I know how to spell tongue). Later this weekend I will post some "after" pictures, but this morning I am posting some "before" pictures.

These are pictures that show the back porch as we found it before buying the house. Given some of these "before" pictures you may wonder why we even considered the purchase.

On the Menu:
Meatloaf, baked potatoes, curried squash, and spinach

Rick: Spent last weekend finishing up the tounge and groove cedar wrapping on the porch, I plan to spend this weekend painting the new French door and patching some cracks in the walls. Pretty good week, nothing much more to report.

Wendy: Came back to a boatlaod of work and co-workers who are delighted with the apples I brought to share. Alison and I are getting ready to work the polls on election day. We need clerks, and all readers are invited to apply. Please RSVP. Lodging provided.

Alison: Swamped under a mountain of work (my apologies for the mixed metaphor) from my week's vacation. Eating a lot of toast.

Mike: The pitch for the annual ad campaign went off fantastically! It's a project I'm really proud of, and can't wait to unveil the finished product to Gazette readers. Mike is absent from Thursday festivities this week because he is waiting for the cable guy, but he eagerly awaits his box dinner of meatloaf!

Kelly: Went to the Dallas Museum of Art and the Kimball this past very cultured weekend. This Saturday is Kelly and Preston's ghoulish halloween party for which decorating preparations have already started.

Some Minor Humor

1. The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.He acquired his size from too much pi.

2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

3. She was only a whisky maker, but he loved her still.

4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption.

5. The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.

6. No matter how much you push the envelope, it will still be stationery.

7. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

8. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

9. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

10. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

Always a Bridesmaid . . .

Well, finally - the bride!  After winning numerous door prizes at various golfing events, I finally won something legit. Norman and I played in the Couples Championship yesterday, and though we didn't take home the whole "guntsa magilla", I did win a $15 Pro Shop credit for being "Closest to the Pin" on #17.  I have broken the curse perhaps!

W.

Justin and I went to see Oliver Stone's new movie "W." last night. Our consensus, over wine and pizza following the movie: love Bush or hate him, the movie is worth a trip to the theater.

The all-star cast did a spectacular job of portraying (often comically) W's family and the inner circle of his administration. Particularly impressive were Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney and James Cromwell as George Bush Senior. The movie focuses on two important times in W's life: his younger days and the events leading up to his decision to run for president, and his early presidency and the events leading up to his decision to go to war with Iraq.

To be honest, both Justin and I expected the portrayal of W and his entourage to be pretty negative - but this wasn't really the case (although Condi Rice played by Thandi Newton came off hilariously bad). That's not to say that Stone's Dubya doesn't have his moments in the film: remember the infamous pretzel choking incident? Misunderestimated? But these are more of a side-bar to the movie's central theme: W's mostly well-intentioned attempts to live up to the expectations of his family and emerge from behind his father's shadow. Most of W's actions throughout his presidency, according to Stone, were the result of this desperate desire to make his father proud. All he really wanted to do, it would seem, was to stay in Texas and "be in baseball"...but it was clear that this wouldn't be enough to satisfy George Bush Senior: hence his unlikely journey to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

In one scene, Laura Bush (played by Elizabeth Banks) says "I don't think people should be defined by their politics." And maybe that's really the point this movie tries to make.

Thursday Night Dallas Update

Alison has been out of town since Friday. I ceased to be entertained with my temporary bachelorhood right around Sunday evening. As it turns out, I am TERRIBLE at living alone. Henry the bagel and I spent Monday night watching football and eating Doritos directly from the bag, thus fulfilling the terms of 'dude time,' but now we're just ready for Ali to return.

Pitching our ad campaign next week, and a complete rebrand of another thing tomorrow. Very busy, but in a good way. Looking forward to a nice work-free weekend, though.

Have spent a fair amount of time hanging out on the remodeled porch at Rick and Wendy's (see Rick's post). The weather's perfect and the new Franklin stove/flooring/etc (qv) look awesome. I'm totally jealous of the setup.

That is all.

Thursday Night

It's Thursday night. Alison and Wendy are on the way home from NY and Mike and Kelly are here for Thursday night dinner. We sat outside on the newly refinished back porch for happy hour and are preparing a fabulous meal for dinner before watching the Texas Senatorial debate.

Oh, did I mention... the back porch is really coming around. Last week we had a Franklin stove installed, Saltillo tiles laid on the floor and I wrapped the back walls with tongue and groove cedar. When the weather turns cold we will have a nice fire and sit on the screened in porch and sip wine. When it is closer to being completely finished I will post pictures.

Thursday Roundup In Exile (backdated for your convenience)

On the Menu:
Domino's Pizza in the hotel room, because we're TIRED of driving!!

This week Mom and I have been back East to see the gorgeous leaves (which are at their absolute peak this week - a trip well timed!) as well as to see my crazy aunts on Mom's side.

Highlights have included a trip through Amish Country, which is chock full of quiet dignity, A stop in Little York at the farmstand to buy cheese, Macoun apples, maple syrup, and other excellent veggies, an afternoon Skaneateles, and the world's crappiest hotel room in Endicott, NY (neither the TV, nor the fan, nor positively anything else worked). All tolled, it's been a fabulous trip and we can't wait to get home!!

Wachovia

Well, last week the bankrupt firm treated their top 80 execs to a weekend golf outing in Pinehurst.  The lucky employees played several rounds of golf on the famed #2, enjoyed the spa and otherwise had a fine time to the tune of $4000 per person.  Boy, this economy sure sucks.

The Dallas Thursday Roundup (Tuesday Edition)

In an effort to bolster our Gazette footprint, the Dallas crowd has agreed to post a weekly supplemental roundup posting to coincide withour weekly Thursday gathering. This week, however, Thursday is being held on Tuesday because Alison and Wendy will be leaving for their big road trip super early on Friday morning.

On the Menu:

Tandoori Chicken, Curried Butternut Squash, Spinach and Mushrooms, Brown Rice

• Rick: I'll be batching it next week while Wendy and Alison are on their road trip. This weekend will be spent painting doors, trimming the porch with cedar, and patching cracks in the walls where old house settlement occurs.
  
• Wendy: Getting ready for the big road trip to New York, looking forward to seeing my sisters Carol and Cindy, and I'll be coming back with McGowan apples and River Rat Cheese!! Oh, and I'm also looking forward to spending quality time with my dearest daughter:)
  
• Alison: Taking time off as a solo practitioner is not too difficult when you have a month's notice. I'm just finishing up my motions for continuance for those settings that were made before travel plans, but I'm thrilled to say it hasn't been as difficult as I anticipated. In other news, I have been a sophisticated and mature for two full weeks now, and I am really loving it!!
  
• Mike: I am working on our 2009 ad campaign. We're pushing the general accepted financial industry envelope this year with some more fun conceptual stuff, so I'm  putting together a massive presentation - research data, multimedia presentation, etc. I make Don Draper look like clown shoes, and fully plan to win some sort of award with this campaign.
  
• Kelly: I have been busy spearheading the winter fundraiser for Grace Unlimited, the nonprofit of which Alison and I have recently joined the board of directors. It's a Christmas theater fundraiser, and as a first project, it's going really well!!
  

Dear Mary

Dear Mary,

I have a big problem. A big, loud, scary, noisey, banging, scary problem. Please help, I don't know what to do. Every day when my parents leave I stay home and take care of the house. Most days, my uncle Henry comes over to keep me company, but it's my house, you know, I am the beast of the manor. Anyway, lately, these big smelly invaders, maybe visigoths, maybe just barbarians have been breaking into the house and banging on the walls and taking apart the things. I must admit, Mary, I'm not pleased. Henry seems to be just fine with it. He sniffs them, wags his tail, all in all, he has no problem with the whole ordeal. I just don't trust it. I stay upstairs in the bed. Shivering. My problem is twofold. First, I have to find a way to shore up our defenses and keep these cretins out. But second, what do I do if my folks find out that I've just let these banging invaders work their mayhem in my castle?? They'll know I'm a cowardly dog! They'll make me get a real job! Help!!!

Sincerely, 

Mr. Wally T. Bagle

School Days

Last Thursday Bailey had his first reading session at Pinehurst Elementary School. We worked with six different students from Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. We will be going every Thursday morning. This is part of the Canine Assisted Reading Education program (C.A.R.E.) Bailey took it all in stride laying between the student and me while the student read to him. They say that students reading skills improve dramatically because reading to a dog is less stressful than reading to all of their classmates. So from now on it's Monday with the old folks at the Health Center and Thursday with the kids.

Travels

Norman and I will be heading north on thursday for a long weekend with family.  Norman's cousin Marilyn's daughter is getting married in Massachusetts on saturday.  We will stay with good friends, Peter and Terry Armour during the wedding weekend (they live close by), then Sunday morning head into Manhattan to see Mary and Jenna.  Can't wait to see Mary's new apartment (I will take my camera!)  And, it's hard to imagine that next year at this time, Jenna will be who knows where!

We don't take vacations to exotic places anymore, but the places we go are definitely the best.  In a couple of weeks, we are off to Ohio to see Grace!

Chaos at Dilbeck Cottage

Construction Up-Date

We are having a lot of work done on the house as we prepare for the impending visit of the Grand Parental Units (GPUs).

It was all arraigned to begin on the Monday after the Double Q (Mike will go into detail about the Double Q in his own post). We had purchased a French door for the kitchen, a Franklin Stove, and all of the tile for the porch. I talked to the contractor “we are all ready to go” he assured me… Oh Boy!

Monday I went home for lunch to find a workman on my Juliet Balcony, which is on the front of the house. He was taking the trim off the existing door. “Whatcha doin” I asked – “I’m installing the new door” he replied casually. “It doesn’t go there” I said – “You sure” he replied – “Pretty sure” I said.

We got the door all straightened out. Not only was he installing it in the wrong place – turns out it was the wrong door too. I must say that my confidence was somewhat weakened by the situation. We have used this team before and been really pleased with them. My confidence returned as I went on and inspected the other work – it’s going to be so totally cool.

Rick will post before and after pictures latter. Prepare to be amazed and please plan a visit soon!

PS, Wally is currently looking for a new, quieter home with less terrifying visitors. Henry couldn’t be happier with all the commotion and goings on. Wally thinks Henry should be a little more realistic about the risk these loud blundering behemoth present. Henry thinks Wally is a scaredy dog, and that Wally is quite possibly confused as to his canine orientation, possibly a little light in the toenails (wink, wink, nod, nod – if you know what I mean).

Palin

Did you see that interview Sarah Palin had with Katie Couric? This woman needs to remain in Alaska and protect our country from the flying Putin's.

I'm Alive!!!

Hey Everyone... Sorry for the MIA-ness lately but I am alive and I guess to reintroduce myself, I'll start out by doing this quiz...

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED: Mare Bear, Legs (everyone knows Mary Sunshine)

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN: Geography, Sports Trivia (for crosswords)

TWO FOODS I LOVE: Annies Mac&Cheese, Taco Salad

TWO FOODS I HATE: Okra, mushy tomatoes

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS: The Power of One, Time Traveler's Wife

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME: Scary noises at night, planes

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS: knitting, making fortune tellers

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER: Frisbee, making play lists

TWO PET PEEVES: people who put little stuffed animals on their back dashboards of their cars
and arrange them so that they are hugging or some BS like that, people who talk with their cell phones on speaker... No one wants to hear your conversation. Oh and everything and one on the subway

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW: a Brushware computer key cleaner/post it holder, 3 purses that I haven't brought home from work yet.

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NEXT: Jenna and Gracie??

College

Hi everyone!

So the college process stinks! I was enjoying it at the beginning;  looking at schools, going on interviews and reading Fiske the Best Colleges in the Country. But times have changed and now I am working on my personal essay, activity essay, supplements and Common App. I am applying to five schools EA (early action) and one school ED (early decision) and don't forget seven schools regular decision. My deadline is November 1st for early action and early decision, which seems so soon! I am sure you all remember this process so please any type of encouragement would be great. Also, does anyone want to take a look at my personal essay and make some corrections, I know one of you do. 

Happy (belated) birthday to Alison Grinter!

In case you didn't know, on Sept. 23, Alison celebrated her 30th birthday. Though she retains the dewy glow of youth, it's now accompanied by the kind of serious gravitas that comes with being a Real Live Adult.

Cease trusting her immediately.

Poor Twinkie!

Anyone who has ever visited the Richter household probably knows how Twinkie will try to escape his life as a domesticated cat the second a door is opened. He succeeded so many times that Justin and I finally gave up...and let him enjoy some time in the wild outdoors. Unfortunately, this led to a pretty rough summer for poor little Twinkie - during which he experienced several run-ins with a mean and puffy stray who gave our little boy a permanently notched ear and, most recently, a nasty bite at the base of his tail.

The tail bite got infected, and Twinkie spent a day at the vet getting his tailbone area shaved and flushed. He returned home drugged up and sporting a humiliating plastic cone. To add insult to injury, Twinkie gets disoriented when he has gear on his head, and can only walk backwards. We discovered this last Christmas when we put him in an elf costume (see attached video) and unfortunately the same holds true for his medical cone!

Kansas and Tornados

We didn't have much wind though tornado warnings kept things interesting!  And, despite heavy rains, nothing could dampen our fun on W 77th Street!  Norman and I had such a fabulous time with Anne, Justin, and the zoo. Anyone who has not visited KC has missed out on a fantastic treasure.  Among many fun activities, we visited The Collegiate  BBall Hall of Fame ("The Basketball Experience"), saw the Chief's home opener from primo UMB seats (3rd row back, 50 yard line), drank lots of good wine, enjoyed Justin's "tailgate experience" and admired recent improvements to the house - including a great painting Grace did for A&J that is now hanging above the new bar (Anne! Take a picture of the painting and post it!)

Black out in Oxford

As some of you may have heard, the midwest was all in shambles this weekend. Early Sunday morning, Oxford, OH started experiencing some very high winds of around 60 mph. This went on all day knocking down several trees and cutting out all power. Apparently we were not the only ones. 580,000 people in Cincinnati were without power along with much of Dayton and even Columbus. Apparently these were winds from the recent hurricane. Now it is Tuesday and the power just came back on this morning! It was quite the adventure these past few days as students have been scrounging for food, drink and cash. The only food place open in town for a while was a brick oven pizza joint that of course could only take cash! Monday the president actually cancelled school. The last time this happened was back in 1970 when students flushed toilets and ran showers at the same time to deplete the towns water supply in some kind of protest. Even though half of the town is still without power, the University's generator is up and running and classes were held today. Students without power were very unhappy with this decision and a huge stand in was held at President Hodge's house last night. (We later found out he was out of town). But anyway, I am happily sitting now in my lit house on my charged computer!

Fish Tacos

JoAnne and Ralph tried Justin's Fish Tacos (with store bought Tilapia) and they were delicious! If you haven't tried them, you should.

Kansas City Here We Come

Karen and I leave for KC this coming Thursday to spend a few days with Anne and Justin and their array of pets. We are going to a Chiefs game on Sunday and I will leave the rest of the scheduling up to our hosts.

The New Poll

Just take out the "cool lady" part.

Alison's Answers to the Quiz

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED

1. Ace
2. Ali

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. How to Pick a Lock
2. PHP

TWO FOODS I LOVE
1. Vegetarian Indian
2. Whole Foods Pizza

TWO FOODS I HATE
1. Steak
2. Peeps

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:
1. Infinite Jest
2. The Corrections

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:
1. Outer Space
2. Prison

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS (It's only a secret if you don't break it out at every party, Wesley)
1. Predicting who will win "fastest finger" on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
2. Talking small children into mischeif-making

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:
1. Driving
2. Intimidating clients into paying their bills

TWO PET PEEVES
1. Quotation marks used for emphasis
2. "Supposably"

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW
1. Henry (snoring)
2. Coffee

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST NEXT:
1.Chris
2. Mary

SO???

Atlanta, where are you?  Have you all dropped off the face of the earth?  Do you not love us anymore?  And what about you, Oklahoma?

Wendy's Answers to the Quiz

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED:
1. Agnes
2. Sweet Cheeks or Sugar Packet

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN:
1. All the secrets of the Universe
2. Kayaking

TWO FOODS I LOVE:
1. Really thin spaghetti with meat sauce
2. Italian bread with cold butter

TWO FOODS I HATE:
1. Liver
2. Sushi - and all other foods I haven’t tried yet but may really enjoy at some time in the future.

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:
1. The Red Tent
2. All things Jane Austin

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:
1. Eight More Years
2. Intolerance

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS:
1. Painting
2. Sewing

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:
1. Gardening
2. Driving

TWO PET PEEVES:
1. Grocery Boys who follow you out to your car or demand to push the cart … RRRRRR makes me mad just thinking about it!
2. Those safety cones they put on the road to redirect traffic but are there for NOTHING – no construction – no holes in the road – no workmen – NOTHING!

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW:
1. A Clock
2. Pencils

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST NEXT:
1. Carol
2. Aunt Mary

Wes' Answers to The Quiz

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED

1. Fred
2. Jimmy

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. How to Jump Really high
2. How to play piano

TWO FOODS I LOVE
1. Grilled Salmon
2. Ham Loaf

TWO FOODS I HATE
1. Overcooked Tuna
2. Bad Mexican Food

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:
1. Siddhartha
2. The Count of Monte Cristo

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:
1. Houston Drivers
2. as of reading Mikes post: impending robot apocalypse

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS
1. Wine Pairings
2. Playing Guitar

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:
1. Public Speaking
2. Play the Guitar

TWO PET PEEVES
1. Taking inventory at work
2. People parking in front of my house

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW
1. Max
2. My next door neighbors dog

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST NEXT:
1. Ali
2. Mary

Mike's Answers to the quiz

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED
1. Krank
2. Kranky

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN
1. French
2. how to fire lasers from my eyes

TWO FOODS I LOVE
1. red curry
2. fresh corn on the cob

TWO FOODS I HATE
1. ham loaf
A second food I hate has not yet been conceived by food scientists.

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:
1. The Secret History
2. A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:
1. oceans
2. impending robot apocalypse

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS
1. I am an encyclopedia of useless trivial knowledge.
2. I play the drums very well

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:
1. sing
2. bake

TWO PET PEEVES
1. wrinkled laundry
2. Internet Explorer

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW
1. Pantone swatchbook
2. Plastic Spider-Man toy

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST NEXT:
1. Wes
2. Austin

Justin's Quiz

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED

1. Mama Richter (thanks to my cooking skills in college)

2. Big Country

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. GOLF

2. How to do crossword puzzles better

TWO FOODS I LOVE

1. Steak

2. Country fried steak

TWO FOODS I HATE

1. Salt and vinegar chips

2. Weedy lettuce that Anne eats

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:

1. Marley & Me

2. Freakonomics

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:

1. Anne with my credit card

2. My receding hairline

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS

1. Parallel parking

2. Massaging

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:

1. Remember people's names

2. Not procrastinate

TWO PET PEEVES

1. When people talk on their cell phone while they're waiting in line or in a waiting room

2. When people don't pick up after their dogs

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW

1. Twinkie

2. Anne

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST NEXT:

1. Alison

2. David

Jennas test

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED

1. Monkey

2. Finey

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. Chinese

2. To write a killer college essay (anybody want to help?)

TWO FOODS I LOVE

1. Sushi

2. Pizza

TWO FOODS I HATE

1. Anything creamy especially mayo

2. Dried fruit

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:

1. The Kite Runner

2. Any junky book especially Gossip Girl

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:

1. Airplane bathrooms

2. Mice/Rats 

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS

1. Beer pong

2. Listening 

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:

1. Math 

2. Sing!!!

TWO PET PEEVES

1. When people don't help clean up board games

2. When someone says that they failed a test and then they get a 90%

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW

1. Karen

2. Leftover cold pasta salad

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST NEXT: 

1. Jerry

2. Barb 

whoooooooops uncle rick already took it! How about mike instead!
see I told you I need to pay attention better!

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED

1. Cici
2. Squeak

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN
1. How to stop biting my nails
2. Yoga

TWO FOODS I LOVE
1. Sushi
2. Buttered noodles with parsley (me too mommy!!!)

TWO FOODS I HATE
1. AVOCADO
2. Brussel Sprouts
TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:
1. Any one of the Harry Potters
2. Pride and Prejudice

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:
1. Moths
2. People that are mean

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS:
1. Painting
2. Cooking

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:
1. Keeping in touch
2. Retain information, pay attention

TWO PET PEEVES
1. Trucks that drive around with only the cab
2. inconsiderate pedestrians

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW
1. Jamie
2. Sawyer

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS TEST NEXT
1. Uncle Rick
2. Mary

The Quiz

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED

1.  Klug 

2. Julie

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. Spanish

2. Gardening

TWO FOODS I LOVE

1. Soft serve ice cream

2. Buttered noodles with parsley 

TWO FOODS I HATE

1. Raisins

2. Mushy fruit

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:

1. The Gospel According to the Son (Norman Mailer)

2. Anything Shel Silverstein

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:

1. I am horribly claustrophobic 

2. Confrontation

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS:

1. I can be charming

2. Drinking games :)

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:

1. Golf

2. Think quicker on my feet

TWO PET PEEVES

1. Intolerance (have to ditto my brother)

2. Waiting in the doctors office

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH MY NOW

1. Pictures of my children

2. Brett (he stinks, btw)

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS TEST NEXT

1. Jenna

2. Justin 

 

Rick's Answers

TWO NICKNAMES I'VE BEEN CALLED
1. The Grinch
2. Ricky
TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN
1. To speak any foreign language
2. To pole vault
TWO FOODS I LOVE
1. Home made roast beef hash
2. traditional English breakfast
TWO FOODS I HATE
1. Turkey tetrazini
2. can't think of anything else
TWO FAVORITE BOOKS
1. The World According to Garp
2. The Fatal Shore
TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME
1. Heights
2. Speaking in public
TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS
1. Public speaking
2. DIY
TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER
1. DIY
2. Golf
TWO PET PEEVES
1. Intollerance
2. McDonalds
TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW
1. Wendy
2. Walter
TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NEXT
1. Wendy
2. Alison

Sad news from Dallas

Susan the cat
Originally uploaded by mikekrankota

Susan Grinter-Krankota passed away unexpectedly last week at age 10. Her sweet Buddha-nature backfired, as we're positive it never occured to her to run from the roaming dog that attacked her. Henry the bagel bravely rushed to the scene and scared the dog away, allowing us to rescue Susan and rush off to the emergency vet in the wee hours.

Unfortunately, her internal injuries were pretty bad, and we elected not to put her through long, complex surgeries with a questionable chance of full recovery. She had really excellent pain meds at the emergency clinic, so spent the day happy and content, sleeping on a big fluffy pillow as we went to our vet to figure everything out. Alison and I were both there to make the decision and snuggle up with her, and she died peacefully and happy, with those that loved her.

Susan was a tremendous cat: happy, lazy, kind to everything but large bugs, and always ready to hop up on your lap and fall asleep. She is very much missed by all, and remembered fondly as the best cat EVER.

JoAnne's Answers

TWO NICKNAMES I'VE BEEN CALLED

1. Jag

2. Goofy

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. To dance

2. To speak French

TWO FOODS I LOVE

1. Steak

2. Mac & cheese

TWO FOODS I HATE

1. Duck

2. Oysters--fried

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS

1. Wuthering Heights

2. Little Women

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME

 1. Driving in traffic

 2. Speaking in public

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS

 1.  Needlepoint

 2.  Listening

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER

 1. Typing

 2. Gardening

TWO PET PEEVES

 1. Doing this test

 2. People who are loud & obnoxious

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW

 1. Bailey

 2. Ralph

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NEXT

 1. Karen

 2. Gracie

Ralph's Answers

TWO NICKNAMES I'VE BEEN CALLED

1. I have never had a nickname (unless you count Roaring Ralph) and always wish I did.

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. Play the piano

2. Adobe Illustrator

(Unfortunately you know what they say about old dogs and new tricks)

TWO FOODS I LOVE

1. Baby back ribs

2. Duck

TWO FOODS I HATE

1. Sweet potatoes

2. Parsnips

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS

1. Tuesdays with Morry

2. Marley and Me

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME 

1. I am fearless

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS

1. If I have a talent, I don't allow it to remain secret

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER

1. Golf

2. Everything else I do extremely well

TWO PET PEEVES

1. Men wearing golf hats in restaurants — especially backwards

2. People who automatically raise their voice when talking on a cell phone

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW

1. Bailey

2. My computer

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NEXT

1. Wendy

2. Carol Taylor

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED:

1) Stormin' Norman

2) Son

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN:

1) To play golf

2) sex

TWO FOOD I LOVE:

1) Corn on the cob

2)Devil Dogs

TWO FOOD I HATE:

1) Cheese

2) Chicken

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:

1) My Sister's Keeper

2) Go up for Glory the story of Bill Russell

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:

1) Snakes

2) My  computer

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS:

1) Making coffee for the wife

2) Picking out birthday cards

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:

1) Sing

2) Be more patient

TWO PET PEEVES:

1) Cracking knuckles 

2) Waiting in line

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW:

1) My two loves (Karen and Jenna)

2) Dylannnnnn!

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NEXT:

1) Rick

2) Ralph

TWO THINGS

You think you know your family? Here's a chance to find out more about your fellow Gazette readers.

It's easy - just cut and paste the quiz below into a new post, and replace the answers that are there with your own. Here's the catch: in the last question, the person taking the quiz gets to pick who has to take the quiz next. But watch out...it just might be you! I'll start:

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED:
1) Bananer
2) Pants

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN:
1) How to surf
2) How to knit (I've tried...but can't seem to get it right)

TWO FOODS I LOVE:
1) Sushi
2) Cheese

TWO FOODS I HATE:
1) Zucchini
2) Canned chicken soup

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:
1) East of Eden
2) The Red Tent

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:
1) Mice
2) Sleeping with the house unlocked

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS:
1) Cooking comfort food (chicken pot pie and chicken fried steak are specialties)
2) Fixing things around the house

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:
1) Grill (I'm too impatient)
2) Throw a football

TWO PET PEEVES:
1) Picky eaters
2) Annoying ringtones

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW:
1) Dylan
2) A Pig figurine

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NEXT:
1) Norman
2) Grandma

Fish Taco Recipe - By Request (By Justin)

You asked, you got it. Here it is, by request, Justin's recipe for fish tacos. 

Fish Tacos (Serves 2)

-Approx. 1 lb. of a light, flaky fish (we've used Wiper, Crappie, Walleye, Tilapia, Orange Roughie)

-Approx. 2 Tbs vegetable oil

-2 limes

-Garlic powder

-Salt and pepper

-2 large tomatoes

-Approx. 1/3 C fresh cilantro, chopped

-1/4 red onion, finely chopped

-1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

-1 avocado, diced

-Sour cream

-Small tortillas (flour or corn)

1) Cut fish into bite-size chunks. Heat oil in saute pan over low to medium heat. Add fish and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt and pepper. 

2) Meanwhile, make pico de gallo (Anne's job): chop tomatoes and combine in bowl with cilantro, red onion, garlic powder to taste, and juice of 1 lime. Set aside. 

3) Cook fish for approximately 8 minutes until flaky. Add juice of the 2nd lime about half-way through cooking. Stir periodically. 

4) Serve fish in tortillas (preferably heated over gas top stove burner, otherwise in microwave),with  sour cream, heated black beans, diced avocados, pico de gallo, and (if you can handle it) Mexican hot sauce (preferably Chulula). 

And finally, don't forget: it tastes better if you catch the fish  yourself! Enjoy!

New (Sort of) Mac

I am now enjoying my first (and thus far awesome) Mac experience, thanks to Grandpa, who was kind enough to give me his old (although it doesn't seem old at all!) iMac G5. As for why he no longer needed his Mac, refer to his post of July 7, "New Toy." 

Anyway, I finally got it set up and running and it is great, so thanks, Grandpa! Izzy is looking forward to ichatting with Sawyer. 

An interesting side note that Gazette readers will surely appreciate: when I first ran the Mac it was set up with an admin profile of Ralph Grinter. You can set up as many user profiles as you want for your computer. Who was set up as the secondary user after Ralph Grinter? Joanne, perhaps? WRONG. It was Bailey, complete with his own dog buddy icon. Who knew he was such a talented dog?!?

Old Timers and Kids

Bailey has now officially been certified as a Therapy Dog by the American Kennel Club and Therapy Dogs International. This past Tuesday he visited the Belle Meade Health Center for both orientation and to visit a number of residents. They loved him. Today, he attended an orientation for Luther & Friends — Canine Assisted Reading Education program (C.A.R.E.) for kids having difficulties learning to read. It has been proven that reading to dogs is much less stressful than reading to a teacher or classmates and significant reading progress results. He will start those visits in September. Monday is his first solo visit to the Belle Meade Health Center. He will wear the pictured neck scarf when he goes to school.

Two Sports

While sitting in the parking lot at the Streets of Southepointe (the mall( R & J's car experienced a hit and run fender bender.  Nothing serious but it did require a trip to the body shop.  While there, they needed a loaner.  Once again, Lucy to the rescue!  For the third time in so many months, our little red wrangler has been there for those in need (a golf pro, a bartender, and now our illustrious editor!)  Ralph, of course, was the only one to complain about the bumpy ride.

Nice Bass (By Justin)

My favorite form of R&R is to take the boat out on the lake for a morning of fishing. Usually I go solo or with my stepdad, but every once and awhile I succeed in guilting Anne into getting up early and joining me. Granted, my 5 am departure time becomes more like 8 am and instead of worrying about a supply of lures and rods I make sure there is plenty of coffee and crossword puzzles, but I do enjoy these rare occasions!

Last Saturday was one of those rare occasions. We headed out to Shawnee Mission Park (home of the dog park) and found a prime spot. The first couple of hours yielded multiple nice fish for me, but Anne had only managed to hook a modest catfish. Although Anne was visibly frustrated, she did not give up her pole in favor of her crossword puzzle, which turned out to be a good decision. Minutes later, after a solid strike, Anne was in a battle with a "whale" of a hybrid bass. A 10-minute fight ended with me netting the 10-lb. monster. At that point, Anne called it a day. Her work was done. My work (of preparing fish tacos the next day) had begun.

Mike's New Portfolio Site

Check out Mike's gorgeous new portfolio site, showcasing some of his latest and greatest projects.
www.mikekrankota.com

Busy, Busy

I feel a bit guilty for not having contributed a posting for a while, but life has been hectic here in big "D". For the past three months I have assumed the position of "build coordinator" at the office. While it is not a technically challenging position, it does involve coordinating the work of over 20 developers, making code merge decisions, creating documentation, automating the build process, and managing the needs of QA people who need to test products before the monthly release to production. By the time I get home, I am not really anxious to get onto a computer -- I'd rather sit down with a Texas martini and watch the Cubs. Since last Saturday was the day of the major release for July, I went to the office to oversee part of the release.

Two weeks ago Wendy and I took Friday off and jumped in the TT convertible bound for Houston. We had dinner at Wes and Jenny's townhome with Jenny's parents and drank some fine wine that Wes had selected. Saturday we walked to the corner for a great Mexican breakfast before Jenny had to leave for her grandmother's funeral. On Saturday evening Wes grilled some steak and we had dinner with his neighbors and several friends. Again with some fine wine. I had hoped to have some pictures of Wes and Jenny's new digs but Wes has as yet to send them (hint, hint).

10 Best Caddy Replies

GOLFER: 'Think I'm going to drown myself in the lake.'
CADDY: 'Think you can keep your head down that long?'

GOLFER: 'I'd move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course.'
CADDY: 'Try heaven, you've already moved the earth.'

GOLFER: 'Do you think my game is improving?'
CADDY: 'Yes sir, you miss the ball much closer now.'

GOLFER: 'Do you think I can get there with a 5 iron?'
CADDY: 'Eventually.'

GOLFER: 'You've got to be the worst caddy in the world.'
CADDY: 'I don't think so sir. That would be too much of a coincidence.'

GOLFER: 'Please stop checking your watch all the time. It's too much of a distraction.'
CADDY: 'It's not a watch – it's a compass.'

GOLFER: 'How do you like my game?'
CADDY: 'Very good sir, but personally, I prefer golf.'

GOLFER: 'Do you think it's a sin to play on Sunday?'
CADDY: 'The way you play, sir, it's a sin on any day.'

GOLFER: 'This is the worst course I've ever played on.'
CADDY: 'This isn't the golf course. We left that an hour ago.'

#1 Best Caddy Comment –

GOLFER: 'That can't be my ball, it's too old.'
CADDY: 'It's been a long time since we teed off, sir.'

Father/Daughter Team

Dad and I played in the Fifth Annual Golf Tournament benefiting the Sandhills Coalition.  It was a captain's choice format and we definitely held our own, finishing 2 under par (is that right, Dad?).  Two other residents from BelleMeade rounded out the foursome.  During the banquet afterward, we got recognized as being the only father/daughter team participating.  Tow highlights - seeing and hearing from Peggy Kirk Bell, the 90 year old "Maven" of women's golf and owner of Pine Needles Country Club (host of last year's Women's Open), AND my surprise win of the fabulous (pictured) UNC Tarheels golfbag and Lynx driver!!  The story I told Norman is my "longest drive" on #15 won me the bag, but it was actually my winning raffle ticket, #253.  Funny thing, he never questioned the fact that I had the longest drive!  Let's take a poll on just how long it takes him to read this blog!