Dallas baby news - new ultrasounds.

Ultrasound #3 yesterday. Our little tiger got an A-PLUS. She is exactly where she should be in everything - size, development, etc. She's currently 2 lbs. Still shooting for the June 5-6 range. Her heartbeat is great, and it's amazing to watch her wiggle around and kick during the ultrasounds. She's kicking a lot these days, and you can REALLY feel it when you put your hand on Alison's tummy. Alison is happy she's active, but often wishes she'd take a nap.

On to the photos!

	Photo #1 shows just how much of a rockstar she is already, with helpful assistance from noted rocker Ronnie James Dio.
	Photo #2 has the money shot at the bottom - she's facing forward with her little arms held up to her face. ADORABLE.

Rick

Where is my brother?  Are you there?

Flowers, Flowers Everywhere

I met up with Justin at his new office on the Plaza this Friday to set up a bank account, and remarked on a gorgeous display of yellow roses that was sitting in the middle of all the administrators' desks. Everyone looked a little suspicious/guilty and when I asked who the roses were for, I didn't get an immediate answer. Now suspicious myself, I finally managed to get the story out of Justin. As it turned out, one of the wealth advisors in his office had devised a brilliant plan to cost-efficiently celebrate Valentine's Day (they work for a bank, after all - times are tough!). He had noticed that Costco offered delivery of 100 roses for the same price that most poor schmucks shell out for a mere dozen on Feb. 14th. His proposal, to Justin and two other guys in the office: order the roses to be delivered to the office on the 13th, split the cost, and each take home a cool 25 a piece, with no wife or girlfriend the wiser!

But Costco got the dates wrong and the roses showed up on the 3rd, not the 13th. Not wanting to "spoil the surprise" (or, as I suspected, get caught red-handed in their very unromantic of schemes), all 4 decided to keep the roses in the office - 25 were arranged in the aforementioned display, and the remaining 75 ended up being placed uncerimoniously in garbage cans filled with water. Costco apologized profusely for the mistake and promised to deliver another order on the correct date. So it would have gone off without a hitch had I not showed up at the office on Friday, but, I figured, why waste 75 perfectly good roses? 25 are now sitting on my dining room table where they will remain until the next batch arrives on the 14th.

You may wonder why the roses are yellow - the color of "friendship" and not the traditional Valentine's Day red. The same colleague who came up with the plan is the only unmarried one of the four co-conspirators, and, having only been dating his current girlfriend for a few months, insisted on yellow so as not to inadvertently send the "wrong message." Since no one else felt like dealing with the customer service department at Costco - yellow won out!

Laser Surgery

Yesterday (Monday) Ralph had touch up laser surgery on one of his eyes. A film had formed behind the implanted lens that affected his vision. This is not uncommon after cataract surgery, although it usually occurs sooner. This morning he woke up with perfectly clear vision and no lingering after effects. As usual with Carolina Eye, we spent 3.5 hours in the clinic for a procedure that took less than 5 minutes.

Miami University

This morning at 12AM I found out that I got into Miami of Ohio! I am very excited to potentially join Gracie at college.  

Wintry Mix - Sounds Delightful Doesn't It?

The mind might conjure any sort of delightful romantic concoction:

- One might think of a bouquet of white roses, holly, Snowy white alstroemeria, red hypericum berries, with magnolia leafs – lovely.
- Some delightful music, in anticipation of the post-holiday dip into the winter doldrums: Winter Mix - pop-savvy and indie-riffic enough to melt the icicles straight off your stereo – delightful.
- Or possibly, some lovely crunchy nutty sort of thing covered in white chocolate with silvery snowflake embellishments – delish.

One would NOT think of crappy, cold, icy, miserable, snowy, wet weather.

Sadly, the wintry mix in Dallas is the latter:
- Roads are slippery.
- Businesses (that we don’t work for) are closed
- People are stuck in ditches (not anyone we know)
- Bagels stay in bed.

I have some chicken in Barbeque sauce simmering in the crock-pot at home for dinner, which will be eaten by the fire with the whole Thursday night gang and at least two small bagels in attendance.

How are you surviving the cold?

MOVIE CRITIC

Over the last few weeks, Karen and I have seen 4 movies. That is probably 4 more than we have seeen in over a year. Marley and Me, Gran Torino, Benjamin Buttons, and Slumdog Millionaire. We enjoyed each of them. The acting of Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino was excellent and the story lines in Benjamin Buttons and Slumdog were a bit off center but both movies are highly recommended. Now if we can get some local theater to get FrostNixon, we both would be happy campers. For some reason or another, our local theaters turn their backs on movies that may be deemed controversial.

Miserable Cold

Ralph is going into his forth week of a nasty winter cold. They've done bloodwork, chest x-rays and they are sending me to an eye-ear-nose and throat specialist next 

Tuesday. I'm pretty much wiped out.

Baby News From Texas

So, we've talked to several of you, either on the phone or in person, but for those who don't know: Alison and I are officially having a girl!

I will post ultrasound pics tomorrow - my good scanner is @ the office.

Ultrasound photos were a bit fuzzy, so I embellished. My unborn child is ROCK AND ROLL.

SO! EXCITING!

Happy 21st Birthday, Grace!!

Besides swearing in a new president, yesterday ushered in Grace Thompson's newfound adulthood.  Congratulations, Grace!  We would all love to hear how you celebrated.  How about a couple pictures and a recap?!

HEY TEXAS!!!!

What gives, Texas?  In scanning the last several weeks of Gazette posts, contributions seem to be coming from the same loyal contributors.  What, do you think you are busier than we are?  Do you think that we aren't interested in what mundane things you might be doing on the weekend? Do you not want to share?  We've already lost Atlanta and Tulsa.  We should at least, be able to keep our little group together.

So, I would like to throw out a bit of praise for Mike and Ali's children's book re-telling the nativity story with a twist.  Great story and fabulous illustrations!!  Mike should be teaching a school on talent, 'cause he's got it. Every time I turned a page, it was like - "how did he do that?!"

Dylan & Me

Justin and I saw the movie "Marley & Me" today. We both enjoyed it, and definitely identified with the trials and tribulations (and fun) of parenting a large, incorrigible lab.

Happy Birthday Anne!

A wonderful thing happened 26 years ago.  Anne was born on a clear, crisp Sunday morning at the Northern Westchester Hospital in Katonah, New York.  Her father and I were (and still are!) in awe at the amazing human being we had created.  She was beautiful!  A perfect swirl of black hair surrounded her porcelain face.  And when she opened her eyes, it was obvious that at less than a hour old, she already knew more than the two of us put together.  Twenty six years later, she is still beautiful, a long, thick mane of black hair surrounding her porcelain face.  

Ruby Sue (the wing queen)

A mysterious package came via UPS yesterday, addressed to Dylan Finegold.  Inside, were two well-sealed, frozen pheasant wings.  No directions, no recipe, nothing.  Just a note from Ruby Sue, the Wing Queen.  One of our Indiana friends (the same clever guy who sent us the "Shalom Y'all" welcome mat), upon meeting Dylan a year ago decided that he was a perfect bird dog.  And, anyone worthy of his camouflage knows there is only one way to train 'em.  The wings are still in the freezer awaiting further instruction.

You never know where you'll see yourself...

...on the internet! I had never even seen this picture before until I stumbled across it courtesy of Facebook. Can anyone find mini Anne? (Hint: Mom thought it would be cool to buy me an all-purple outfit that year)

The Rat Pack is Back

JoAnne and Ralph went to Raleigh on Saturday to see The Rat Pack Is Back. It is a totally different show than the version they saw last year. The cast is the same one playing at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Apparently they periodically take the show on the road for a week. The cast played Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop. They were accompanied by a 12 piece orchestra. The impersonations and music were excellent.

Marley and Me

Well, Norman and I finally saw it.  I am such a wimp when it comes to anything sad that I had been putting off seeing the movie until I knew it would soon be gone from the theater here in Southern Pines.  Though I never had such a rascal of a dog as Marley, the joy and friendship AND heartbreak that my dogs have given me over the years was depicted perfectly in Marley and Me.   But, anyone who has ever met the KC Dylan (and seen the relationship he has with my oldest daughter) would say that this movie was about them. If you are a dog person, see it.  And, bring kleenex.  Even my dad said that at the end, "I had to blow my nose".

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.