Originally, I planned to write this post for much later in the day, but since my last post was written after midnight, I decided to write this post now. Besides, I forgot to mention that at last night's party, Emily did some walking. By the way, Hayden was not seen walking at her First Birthday Party last year. We had a maze situation at that party as well, although maneuverability was a little harder. In their defense, Kendal and Hayden's paternal grandparents' house is quite nice. Also, the weather was nicer last year, so we spent most of our time outside. Hopefully, there will be more details about future parties in future reports.
Until next time, Go Cavs!
Also, Happy Birthday, Emily!!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Emily's Birthday Party
We celebrated my great-niece Emily's birthday this evening. Since it was a rainy afternoon, it was mostly an indoor affair at Dan and Laura's in Howland Township. There were a lot of kids for Amy Marie and Emily to amuse. There were also a lot of relatives and friends as well. In addition, with all the tables and the island serving area in the kitchen, maneuvering was reminiscent of going through a maze.
We had "herb crusted" chicken, rigatoni in tomato/spaghetti sauce, meatballs, spicy sausage, rolls, homemade macaroni and cheese (which I didn't have because I missed it since it wasn't on the island, but I did see the rolls, though), and salad for dinner. It was quite tasty.
After a while, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Emily with accompaniment on guitar and harmonica from my brother-in-law Dan Sr. (Emily's paternal grandfather). Before opening the presents, there was a wardrobe change for Emily (She had a smash cake before this. Either there was too much of a mess from the cake or a diaper change was needed, I do not know since I missed the disappearing act!). Eventually the presents were opened by Laura, Amy Marie, and some other kids who were there. Amy, my niece, wrote down the gift information. Emily was busy playing with other toys and the kids who weren't helping with the gifts to appreciate the gifts. There's always next year.
We eventually ate dessert. We had white (?) cake, vanilla ice cream, and pumpkin cheesecake. Like dinner, it was also tasty.
The party was a nice event. Dan and Laura and all the people who organized the party should be applauded. It's too bad that it rained on their parade.
We had "herb crusted" chicken, rigatoni in tomato/spaghetti sauce, meatballs, spicy sausage, rolls, homemade macaroni and cheese (which I didn't have because I missed it since it wasn't on the island, but I did see the rolls, though), and salad for dinner. It was quite tasty.
After a while, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Emily with accompaniment on guitar and harmonica from my brother-in-law Dan Sr. (Emily's paternal grandfather). Before opening the presents, there was a wardrobe change for Emily (She had a smash cake before this. Either there was too much of a mess from the cake or a diaper change was needed, I do not know since I missed the disappearing act!). Eventually the presents were opened by Laura, Amy Marie, and some other kids who were there. Amy, my niece, wrote down the gift information. Emily was busy playing with other toys and the kids who weren't helping with the gifts to appreciate the gifts. There's always next year.
We eventually ate dessert. We had white (?) cake, vanilla ice cream, and pumpkin cheesecake. Like dinner, it was also tasty.
The party was a nice event. Dan and Laura and all the people who organized the party should be applauded. It's too bad that it rained on their parade.
Friday, April 23, 2010
News Update
The original post for tonight was to wish Maggie and Mike a belated Happy Anniversary. (It was yesterday.)
However, there is some more interesting news to mention. My Census Training was transferred to the Brooklyn Heights United Church of Christ on Schaaf Road (near Broadview) in Cleveland (See my April 2nd post for more insight.). It was scheduled to be at the Old Brooklyn Building at Broadview and Pearl Roads in Cleveland. As a result, my commute next week will be equivalent to walking to one of the bus stops that I use to take Northbound trips on the #35 bus. (It would have been a short bus ride on the #35 or a twenty minute walk.) I will discuss my adventures in future posts.
Before I tell my Census tales, there will be two posts dealing with Emily's First Birthday Party in Howland Township, OH (Near Warren) tomorrow. It should be an event to remember. Until then, enjoy your weekend.
However, there is some more interesting news to mention. My Census Training was transferred to the Brooklyn Heights United Church of Christ on Schaaf Road (near Broadview) in Cleveland (See my April 2nd post for more insight.). It was scheduled to be at the Old Brooklyn Building at Broadview and Pearl Roads in Cleveland. As a result, my commute next week will be equivalent to walking to one of the bus stops that I use to take Northbound trips on the #35 bus. (It would have been a short bus ride on the #35 or a twenty minute walk.) I will discuss my adventures in future posts.
Before I tell my Census tales, there will be two posts dealing with Emily's First Birthday Party in Howland Township, OH (Near Warren) tomorrow. It should be an event to remember. Until then, enjoy your weekend.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Happy Birthday, Hayden
Today is Hayden's Second Birthday. Her Ohio party is a question mark as Mike had a business trip to Europe scheduled for this month. The trip has been postponed. Hopefully, there will be more details on the Kendal-Hayden blog soon. For now, I hope that she had a nice birthday in Howell, MI with her family.
Hayden and her big sister Kendal will be enjoying Chuck E Cheese soon. I was looking for a Toys 'R' Us Gift Card at CVS Pharmacy, but they didn't have any there, so I found one of the most appropriate Gift Cards for a young child. I could have gone with Barnes and Noble, Borders, or Build a Bear Workshop, (Local availability was not researched in advance.) but I decided that education can wait, although the check sent to balance the spending quota could buy a book from the Clearance Area. It doesn't matter how the money is spent, as long as it is for a fun purpose.
My next Post is expected in about two weeks when Emily celebrates her first birthday.
Hayden and her big sister Kendal will be enjoying Chuck E Cheese soon. I was looking for a Toys 'R' Us Gift Card at CVS Pharmacy, but they didn't have any there, so I found one of the most appropriate Gift Cards for a young child. I could have gone with Barnes and Noble, Borders, or Build a Bear Workshop, (Local availability was not researched in advance.) but I decided that education can wait, although the check sent to balance the spending quota could buy a book from the Clearance Area. It doesn't matter how the money is spent, as long as it is for a fun purpose.
My next Post is expected in about two weeks when Emily celebrates her first birthday.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Happy Birthday, Patty
Today is my sister Patty's Birthday. I hope that she and her husband Dan enjoyed this day. Perhaps Amy and Dave (Daughter and Son-in-Law) will join them in celebration this weekend. I mailed our present (This includes Bob, too.) on Tuesday at the Tower City Post Office in Downtown Cleveland. I am sure that she'll enjoy it.
My next post will be another birthday post. My niece Marnie was just one birthday off in her comment. In her defense, I do not know all of my aunts' and uncles' birthdays, either.
Until next time, enjoy life.
My next post will be another birthday post. My niece Marnie was just one birthday off in her comment. In her defense, I do not know all of my aunts' and uncles' birthdays, either.
Until next time, enjoy life.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter
Easter started off with Mass at St. Leo Church on Broadview Road in Cleveland. Kathleen drove Bob and me there. Father John Ocilka, who was at St. Leo Church from 1994 to 2000, was the guest priest. He offered some amusing insights. Unfortunately, they have escaped me at this time. Audience participation was involved when he asked for traditional foods for Easter. The funniest reply was "takeout".
After Mass, we went to CVS at Broadview and Brookpark Roads (near St. Leo Church) because Bob and I needed milk for our scalloped potatoes and for our breakfasts. Kathleen picked up some cereal because we ran out of the cereal that she likes. It also happened to be BOGO. We then went home and relaxed before Bob and I made our scalloped potatoes. The preparation went relatively smoothly.
After the potatoes were made, we packed our supplies for our Easter meal which was held at Maggie and Mike's house. In addition to our potatoes, Kathleen made baked beans with Italian sausage and provided chocolate candy, cashews, a trail mix like concoction with cashews, almonds, and raisins, strawberry tomatoes, cucumbers, baby carrots, and milk chocolate covered pretzels. Maggie provided ham, corn, green bean almondine, sweet potato casserole, biscuits, Easter Paska bread, Colby Jack and American Cheeses, pineapple, cheesy pretzel sticks, and a potato dish that I'll let you know about after I talk to her (I did not have this item because I was saving room for dessert.). In addition to all the food that she served, she made a salad that she forgot about until she saw it in the refrigerator as we were putting food away. The food was very appetizing.
After we let our appetizers and our main course settle, and the leftovers were distributed, we had dessert. Mandy (She is my niece who is also Kendal and Hayden's sole aunt.) made cheesecake and provided strawberries. Bob brought a nut roll that was made by a friend of a co-worker's mother. Maggie provided a yellow cake with homemade chocolate mock whip frosting, pina colada flavored Jell-o (tm), and Irish Soda bread (I did not have this because I confused it with the Paska bread from dinner.). Once again, the food was appetizing. The participation was smaller than in most years, but we had a fun celebration.
After more food distribution and relaxation, we all left the party with gratitude for Maggie and Mike's hospitality. When we arrived at our house, Bob, Kathleen, and I relaxed by watching television and reading. We did not have a late dinner (The meal was scheduled for 2:00 p.m., but we spread out our eating throughout the afternoon.) like I did on Christmas. However, I enjoyed a concoction made with maraschino cherries, mandarin oranges, (white) marshmallows, and coconut that we call Heavenly hash (By the way, I ate cookies a few hours after my "Christmas dinner".) which Maggie made it for the dinner portion, but I didn't eat it at dinner because it also would have interfered with my appetite for dessert. (Until a few years ago, I did not eat this dish, but now I love it. I guess that my delayed eating of this dish makes me remember the old days.) Easter 2010 will be remembered as a "quiet" celebration.
I hope that my readers enjoyed their Easter celebrations or whatever celebration that you observed.
Next time, hopefully my stories will be 'simple". The next post will be in a few days. I know the topic, but my non-family readers are free to guess the topic. (Hint: It involves a yearly celebration.) Have fun guessing.
After Mass, we went to CVS at Broadview and Brookpark Roads (near St. Leo Church) because Bob and I needed milk for our scalloped potatoes and for our breakfasts. Kathleen picked up some cereal because we ran out of the cereal that she likes. It also happened to be BOGO. We then went home and relaxed before Bob and I made our scalloped potatoes. The preparation went relatively smoothly.
After the potatoes were made, we packed our supplies for our Easter meal which was held at Maggie and Mike's house. In addition to our potatoes, Kathleen made baked beans with Italian sausage and provided chocolate candy, cashews, a trail mix like concoction with cashews, almonds, and raisins, strawberry tomatoes, cucumbers, baby carrots, and milk chocolate covered pretzels. Maggie provided ham, corn, green bean almondine, sweet potato casserole, biscuits, Easter Paska bread, Colby Jack and American Cheeses, pineapple, cheesy pretzel sticks, and a potato dish that I'll let you know about after I talk to her (I did not have this item because I was saving room for dessert.). In addition to all the food that she served, she made a salad that she forgot about until she saw it in the refrigerator as we were putting food away. The food was very appetizing.
After we let our appetizers and our main course settle, and the leftovers were distributed, we had dessert. Mandy (She is my niece who is also Kendal and Hayden's sole aunt.) made cheesecake and provided strawberries. Bob brought a nut roll that was made by a friend of a co-worker's mother. Maggie provided a yellow cake with homemade chocolate mock whip frosting, pina colada flavored Jell-o (tm), and Irish Soda bread (I did not have this because I confused it with the Paska bread from dinner.). Once again, the food was appetizing. The participation was smaller than in most years, but we had a fun celebration.
After more food distribution and relaxation, we all left the party with gratitude for Maggie and Mike's hospitality. When we arrived at our house, Bob, Kathleen, and I relaxed by watching television and reading. We did not have a late dinner (The meal was scheduled for 2:00 p.m., but we spread out our eating throughout the afternoon.) like I did on Christmas. However, I enjoyed a concoction made with maraschino cherries, mandarin oranges, (white) marshmallows, and coconut that we call Heavenly hash (By the way, I ate cookies a few hours after my "Christmas dinner".) which Maggie made it for the dinner portion, but I didn't eat it at dinner because it also would have interfered with my appetite for dessert. (Until a few years ago, I did not eat this dish, but now I love it. I guess that my delayed eating of this dish makes me remember the old days.) Easter 2010 will be remembered as a "quiet" celebration.
I hope that my readers enjoyed their Easter celebrations or whatever celebration that you observed.
Next time, hopefully my stories will be 'simple". The next post will be in a few days. I know the topic, but my non-family readers are free to guess the topic. (Hint: It involves a yearly celebration.) Have fun guessing.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
No Jury Duty (and Other News)
I was supposed to have jury duty in Cleveland on Thursday and Friday of last week. However, when I called to get further instructions as stated on the form, the message said that there were no jury seating scheduled for Thursday. I was told to call back on Thursday. Once again, there were no jury seating scheduled. My "commitment" was satisfied. However, you never know if or when I will be summoned again. I was called for jury duty twice in the past (Once as a College Freshman and once at a time that I can't recall, but it's been a number of years.). If it happens again, I'll let you know.
In other news, I will be working for the Census Bureau. My training starts on April 26 at the "Old Brooklyn" building at Broadview and Pearl Roads. It's not too far from my house, but while I was doing research for an "unannounced" fish fry at the Brooklyn Heights United Church of Christ on Schaaf Road (near Broadview) in Cleveland, I discovered that Census training would take place there as well. It's a short walk from my house. The other place is convenient, but the church is closer. Oh well, at least I will be doing something beneficial for our country.
Before I sign off, I would like to wish my readers a Happy Easter (Both "traditional" and Orthodox) and a belated Happy Passover, as well as any other religious holiday that may be coming up in the future.
In other news, I will be working for the Census Bureau. My training starts on April 26 at the "Old Brooklyn" building at Broadview and Pearl Roads. It's not too far from my house, but while I was doing research for an "unannounced" fish fry at the Brooklyn Heights United Church of Christ on Schaaf Road (near Broadview) in Cleveland, I discovered that Census training would take place there as well. It's a short walk from my house. The other place is convenient, but the church is closer. Oh well, at least I will be doing something beneficial for our country.
Before I sign off, I would like to wish my readers a Happy Easter (Both "traditional" and Orthodox) and a belated Happy Passover, as well as any other religious holiday that may be coming up in the future.
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