Photos of Barkley taken today. He is about the size Bailey was when full grown — about 60 pounds and still growing.
Today Barkley joined the Pooch Park. It is on 3 1/2 acres divided into a small fenced section for small dogs and a large section for big dogs. Access is for members only through a gate with a combination lock. Membership is only $35 per year. Poop stations are scattered around with plastic bags and hand sanitizer. Since it was a Saturday, there were about 20 large dogs there who greeted Barkley enthusiastically. We have just returned and Barkley is conked out under my desk. My camera batteries died after taking the one picture on the right. Next time I will get pictures of the dogs, etc.
Here is a picture of me and Justin at the annual "Dining in the Dark" benefit sponsored by Alphapointe Association for the Blind, a Kansas City-based not-for-profit and one of Justin's new clients.
Or at least, that's all that we were able to see. This fundraiser seeks to create awareness of the challenges that blind and visually-impaired people experience every day by serving a full dinner in complete darkness. It was quite an experience - imagine being surrounded on every side by the blackness you see to the right and trying to reach for a wine glass, butter your roll with a knife, cut food that you can't see and try to get it to your mouth - all while attempting to make conversation with people who you cannot see nor make eye contact with and who you can barely hear in a large, crowded ballroom. The entire ballroom had been COMPLETELY blacked out with dark curtains...no shadows, no hints of any light whatsoever. All the servers, who had the most difficult job of all, were either fully blind or had extremely limited vision - and none of them were trained waitstaff. In just 2 short days, they were all able to master the layout of the tables, the placement of all the food, drinks and carts, and did everything from clear our plates to pour our wine without a hitch. It makes you more aware of how much one can rely on their other senses (touching everything to get a feel for your surroundings, listening more carefully to what someone is actually saying...) to compensate for loss of vision. And it certainly gives you a greater appreciation for how well blind individuals can get along and adapt to everyday tasks that the rest of us take for granted. Despite this, unemployment among blind people in the United States is 70%...while the rest of us bemoan the 10% figure that came out the other day. Fortunately, adaptive technologies are only getting better - so today, a blind person can browse the internet, cook a gourmet meal, or pick a song on their iPod. Alphapointe makes these and other resources available to the blind community, in addition to providing financial support, training, and job placement assistance. A wonderful organization and definitely a memorable event.
I still don't have a Halloween costume!! Any ideas?
And apparently, working from home does not protect you from the nasty germs that are creeping around town this time of year. I've been stuck with the flu (although not of the swine variety) for the past week. Bad news...it's turned me into a zombie (maybe I can go as myself for Halloween??)...Good news...it's enabled me to catch up on the last 3 episodes of Mad Men!
Justin, luckily, has been able to avoid both my germs and my Don Draper fanaticism. He is studying diligently for a final exam he will take on November 20-21 to get his CFP designation. Good luck!
This ought to fix that problem. Behold: Seven minutes of Jumping Catherine.
Catherine very much enjoyed watching the Denver Broncos beat the Dallas Cowboys. Also, she would like you to know that she is a Big Girl, and can sit up in her Big Girl Chair.
Here are some videos of Ms. Catherine Grinter Krankota showing off her newest skills!
In the last three rounds Ralph has played he has scored in the 80's. On Friday 8/21 he shot an 87, on Wednesday 8/29 he shot an 89 and today, 8/28 he shot an 84!! For today's round he had one 6 and everything else was a 5 or less.
Ralph decided that Barkley needed a set of wheels to supplement his exercise program. They were delivered today and we just had our first trial run. Barkley is thrilled. He trots along on his leash and really seems to enjoy it. Right now he is exhausted.
Wow! What a weekend. On Saturday, July 4, Chris Davis and Amy Ward got married in Las Vegas. Wendy and I attended and Wes served as Best Man. Saddly Ali and Mike were unable to attend -- they had other responsibilities -- but were able to send a toast for the wedding dinner. You can actually see the entire ceremony on the Internet. Go to http://gracevid.bannerview.com/weddings/ and enter the names of Bride and Groom where prompted, then sit back.
I don't have any adorable baby pictures to post (I'll spare you all the doggie pics) but thought I'd share a couple from this summer so far. Gracie and her boyfriend Jamie have been living with us for the past several weeks (Gracie is once again interning at UMB Bank) and we've had a blast...it will be boring and quiet again once they're gone!
Justin with his catch of the Summer (Mahi Mahi in Mexico - Swine-flu free)
On our way to Kansas City Jazzoo fundraiser (Like Justin's interpretation of creative black tie?)
Symphony in the Flint Hills with Gracie and Jamie
Yesterday night, Catherine came to the discovery that the frog that hangs down in her play gym will play a song if you pull on it. So all last night she was pulling on the frog, and making it play the song. This may not be the most exciting news you've read all month, but Mike and I couldn't possibly be happier! She is using her limbs to accomplish her purposes! This is just the cherry on the top of a long list of early accomplishments (head supporting, turning herself over, sleeping four hours in a stretch) that lead us to believe that Catherine will be not only the most beautiful, but also the strongest, and smartest little girl the world has ever known!
I could tell you about my breakdown when Layla didn't get off the conveyor belt at LGA, or how I got a post it on my door about a dog barking non-stop, or how I officially live in a warzone between a cat and a dog, or how I came home to find cat pee in Layla's food dish, but I think a picture is worth a thousand words in this case... So check them out!!!!
Mary, Ben and Jenna arrived at RDU on the same flight Saturday afternoon. Mary, Ben and Karen went directly to the breeder from whom R & J got Barkley and adopted an 18 month old female Golden whose parents had returned her when they were transferred to Hong Kong where she would have had to be quarantined for six months. After a few false starts they named her Layla. Despite the name, you can see from her picture that she is not black. Sunday evening Barkley took JoAnne and Ralph to the Finegold's for dinner and a chance to romp with his new buddies.
She changes EVERY day - and yet remains perfect. Mike is updating the photos every day so that doting Great Grandparents and all lesser relatives can see her progress. You should check it out.
Yesterday afternoon a moderately high but blood pressures (178/103) turned
a scheduled Dr's appointment into an earlier than expected C-section
arrival - Alison is fine, Catherine is perfect, Mike is over the moon.
Ali and Mike welcomed Catherine at 8:41 PM on May 28th. Catherine is tall
at 21.5" and not as heavy as they said she would be at 7 lb 13 oz, peaches
and cream complexion, bright interested eyes, strong grip, nursed like a
champ, curly hair, not much of a screamer, ... altogether perfect.
Rick and I, Chris and Amy, and Kelly and Preston all waited till about
10:00 when we got to hold her. She's beautiful. Wes and Jenny arrived at
around 11:00 (a little fast for the Houston to Dallas trip) and were
equally impressed with her. We are a smitten family.
Mike has put together an awsome slideshow. Just follow the link.
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=87823641988&h=7YNm3&u=OztLa&ref=nf
A Pontii Update. Being compute r inferior and somewh at lazy has
been an
excuse for a long time. However, that could only last so long.
For those that haven't visited, this is a picture of our home at the Orchards of East Cherokee in Woodstock, GA. We moved in last May, having moved from Charlotte with our home there still on the market. Within 10 after our move, the Charlotte house sold.
We quickly got all of our doctors in line and utilities hooked up. Mary had her second knee replaced the end of July and recovered very well. Mary soon joined a PEO chapter and Jerry found two nearby clubs that played duplicate bridge. We've done a lot of entertaining as northern friends find this a good stop over going and coming from Florida. We have found it great for seeing both of our families, which, afterall, is why we are here. Seeing David run cross country and track and watching Jackson play baseball and basketball have been bonuses. Theater and dinner with Barb and Denis and an occasional dinner with the Taylors have been great. We had a golf retreat with DePauw Delta Chis in Florida in
As of yesterday, I have officially accepted a position with a new company called AmeriFlex, headquartered in Mt. Laurel, NJ. It's a wonderful organization where several of my friends already work. AmeriFlex is a TPA (third party administrator) specializing in technology-based, consumer-driven benefits programs and I will be managing their marketing and communication efforts.
A highlight of the Mother's Day celebration was a surprise visit from that wandering Texan! We had a group of friends and mom's gathered for brunch at National, when Rick just sauntered in and took the empty seat next to JoAnne. We definitely got the desired reaction!
Cards, flowers, and phone calls! My daughters are scattered all over, but the "I love you mommy's" were perfect. I celebrate the day feeling like the luckiest woman in the world. Anne was here for a special 0ne-on-one visit a couple of weeks ago and treated me to a fabulous facial at the Pinehurst Spa, complete with jacuzzi and strawberry smoothies poolside. Mary will be visiting in early June, and Grace and I will have a good part of August to catch up before she takes off for Luxembourg for the semester.
JoAnn, I am so happy that you decided to become a mother - and a mother in-law for that matter.
I have had a SUPERB Mothers Day. While Rick and Wally were rushing to North Carolina for the big surprise - I have been having my nails done, shopping (Rick you are a VERY generous fella), watching chick flicks, and generally having a marvelous time.
I asked the kids to send me e-mailed pictures for Mothers Day - I wanted to share the ones I got:
Wes and Jenny
Ali, Mike, and Henry
Ali, Cathrine, and Henry (doesn't Henry look pleased to be an almost brother dog)
Mike and Ali are joining me for dinner and will spend the evening.
Hope Mothers Day is a smashing success at your house as well!
Barkley is SOO cute! (Pictures speak louder than words) Just a little white, fuzzy chunk of a guy with black eyes and an adorable black nose! Do R&J know what they are getting into? Norman and I have already decided that we will take on the roles of doting grandparents and we anxiously await having Dylan meet his new baby brother (?)
We got a phone call today (Wednesday) from the breeder saying Barkley would like to move in with us this Friday. So Norman, Karen, JoAnne and Ralph will all make the journey to Oak Ridge, NC (north of the Greensboro airport) to bring him home. Watch for pictures on a regular basis.
The engagement of their daughter Amy Ward to Christopher E. Davis of Dallas, Texas. Amy is the only child of Jack and Patsy Ward from Odessa Texas.
The engagement was formally announced at a garden party given by the prospective grooms family at 5110 Milam Street in Dallas, Texas, on April 24th, 2009. 
It was a lovely evening - thankfully the weather cooperated.
There were just over 30 guests, a keg of beer, and casual menu were thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Champagne toasts given by the respective fathers of the Bride and Groom, Best Man Wes Grinter, and many of the grooms friends.
The party went well into the night and continued on at the Bride and Grooms home in Dallas. 
A small July 4th wedding is planned in Las Vegas, Nevada. A reception will be given by the Bride's family in Odessa Texas on the first or second weekend in August.
Karen and I have two very busy weekends upcoming. This weekend we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of National Golf Club. The festivities begin tomorrow evening (Friday the 24th) with a special social; Saturday with a barbeque and Sunday with a golf tournament and dinner. The following weekend our friends Peter and Terry will be spending Friday evening with us as they drive from their winter home in Florida back to New York. They leave Saturday and then Karen and I are playing in the Kentucky Derby golf tournament on Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning, bright and early, I leave for Greensboro with about 7 or so of my golf buddies for a round of golf and an afternoon minor league baseball game beginning at 4PM. The Greensboro Grasshoppers is the name of the team. After the game, it's dinner and then home. Looking forward to both weekends, for sure.
I'm sure that she will be here on her due date because she knows how excited her Grandmother is to meet her.
Ali and Mike are busily getting the nursery ready for her arrival and Kelly is having a shower this weekend for them. The Goff basket is ready to fulfill the role of centerpiece that it has played so many times in the past. Check back next week for pictures.
I know I've kept it a secret from all of you but - I really like kids.
I'm so excited!!
JoAnne and Ralph visited the breeder from whom they got Sandy and Bailey to pick out a new puppy. They chose one of the six boy puppies that were available (see picture.) It was a difficult choice since all were adorable. The pups are 5 weeks old, so they won't be able to bring him home for another couple of weeks. Any name ideas?
It pours. This was the case both literally and figuratively this weekend in Kansas City, as temperatures dropped into the 40s with freezing rain, and it seemed like nothing would go quite right! First Anne's car broke down (in all fairness, this is probably more attributable to 6 months of no oil changes than to bad luck). It is still in the shop. Then, Friday night, Izzy got very sick - unable to eat for two days and vomiting constantly Friday and Saturday night. Finally, at about 3 am on Easter morning, we decided she needed to go to the Emergency Vet. It was there that we spent the next 3 hours, on zero sleep, waiting for her to get prodded and X-Rayed. She spent the latter part of Easter looking like the hunchback of Notre Dame from the fluids they injected into her shoulder, and we're still not sure what caused the sickness, but she seems to be feeling somewhat better now.
Meanwhile, the rain was pouring steadily in Prairie Village as we cooked an early Easter dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, and tomato casserole. Somewhere in the middle of dinner, a curtain rod managed to pull itself out from the wall in our bedroom, bringing down a nice chunk of plaster with it. Izzy was drugged and grumpy and Dylan, no doubt feeling left out from all the attention he was NOT getting, decided to throw up on the carpet in a show of brotherly solidarity. We crashed at 9, exhausted from 2 days of no sleep and the events of the weekend. No sooner had I closed my eyes than....drip, drip....just the skylight leaking water directly over my head!
Look who the Easter Bunny brought us!
Her foster mother called her Mattie because she was covered with mats and over 100 ticks. 
Now she lives with Walter and needs a name befitting a princess. She is at least four years old and a Schnauzer mix of some kind (Maybe a Schnoodle -- Schnauzer + Poodle )
The following choices have been put forward:
Madison nickname Maddie
Madeline nickname Maddie
Margaret nickname Maggy
Things to consider:
She's pretty, smart, energetic, and very sweet. She will have a rhinestone collar and sleep on a pink fluffy bed. She already has a cute sweater that her foster mom sent with her - there will be more.
We are currently test driving Maggy and she seems pretty OK with it -- So what do you think?
Better pictures to follow.
