We celebrated my sister Maggie's Birthday this afternoon with a lunch at Gracie's Grill on Pleasant Valley (near Broadview Road) Road in Parma, OH. The participants were Kathleen, Mike Schabel, Bob, myself, and of course, the birthday girl. Maggie discussed the Christmas celebrations that she and Mike attended for those who weren't in attendance. Kathleen discussed her post Christmas shopping. Bob, Mike, and I contributed to the conversation while looking at the Browns game that was being shown above our table. It was a nice meal.
After lunch, we went back to Mike and Maggie's house for cake. It was a nice white almond cake. When halftime approached, the three guests left. On the way home, we stopped off at Marc's (http://www.marcs.com) for some supplies. We then came home and watched the Browns win. (Kathleen went home before the game ended.)
About half an hour after the game ended, I went to Taco Bell and had dinner. I picked up food for Bob's dinner at Taco Bell and food for his dinners at work from Arby's. I then picked up supplies from Dollar General. I then came home and watched the Eagles beat the Broncos. It was an interesting fun-filled day.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas
The day started at St. Leo's Church on Broadview Road in Cleveland, OH for 10:00 Mass. The attendance was very light, but those in attendance enjoyed an interesting homily about Christmas traditions. Father O'Donnell mentioned some classic movies such as It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, and Christmas Vacation. He said no matter how you celebrate Christmas is okay, but don't forget Jesus. (It's a paraphrase, but it is true. Father O'Donnell also didn't mention illegalities.) A short time later, Bob, Kathleen, and I brought up the gifts. Bob handled the money. Kathleen had the water and wine. I had the bread (Host). Father O'Donnell accepted the gifts and wished us a Merry Christmas. (There was a slight delay since he had no server to help him.) The Mass went on as usual with no major changes. Father O' Donnell ended the Mass with an amusing followup on the Homily. His amusement continued even after he was in the back of the church. I wish I could remember all the things that he said, but the point is memorable.
Shortly after Mass, Kathleen and I left for Maggie and Mike's house in Parma. (Bob was drafted to work.) We enjoyed ham, cheesy potatoes, corn, baked beans and sausage, salad, and various other accompaniments/appetizers. We also enjoyed desserts such as cheesecake, key lime pie, nut roll, and a few other desserts that I skipped. They're not my favorites, but I was full anyways.
Between courses, we opened gifts (At least, some of us). Most of the gifts were for Kendal and Hayden. Unlike most young kids, opening presents did not excite them. Tomorrow, they will open up more gifts at Mandy and Paul's. (They were both "present" for today's celebration.) Maybe, there will be more enthusiasm. Also, I hope that there is an entertaining report on the Kendal-Hayden blog about Christmas (All celebrations).
It was a nice event. Besides the people whom I have already mentioned, Tim, Lois, Mike Schmidt, and Marnie were also in attendance. Christmas dinner will be relatively boring. I'll let you know what I ate after I ate it.
In closing, the Gift Exchange names will only be available to the regular participants this year. They can e-mail me if they are interested. After about a week, I will send it in a small (or large) group e-mail. I'm sorry for the change in procedure.
Shortly after Mass, Kathleen and I left for Maggie and Mike's house in Parma. (Bob was drafted to work.) We enjoyed ham, cheesy potatoes, corn, baked beans and sausage, salad, and various other accompaniments/appetizers. We also enjoyed desserts such as cheesecake, key lime pie, nut roll, and a few other desserts that I skipped. They're not my favorites, but I was full anyways.
Between courses, we opened gifts (At least, some of us). Most of the gifts were for Kendal and Hayden. Unlike most young kids, opening presents did not excite them. Tomorrow, they will open up more gifts at Mandy and Paul's. (They were both "present" for today's celebration.) Maybe, there will be more enthusiasm. Also, I hope that there is an entertaining report on the Kendal-Hayden blog about Christmas (All celebrations).
It was a nice event. Besides the people whom I have already mentioned, Tim, Lois, Mike Schmidt, and Marnie were also in attendance. Christmas dinner will be relatively boring. I'll let you know what I ate after I ate it.
In closing, the Gift Exchange names will only be available to the regular participants this year. They can e-mail me if they are interested. After about a week, I will send it in a small (or large) group e-mail. I'm sorry for the change in procedure.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Paul and Mandy's Anniversary (and One Other Item)
I forgot to do this on their actual anniversary, but in this case, it's better late than never. My niece Mandy and her husband Paul celebrated their first anniversary on December 18. I hope that they enjoyed the present that Bob and I gave them. I expect to see them on Christmas. I did not see them on Thanksgiving or at the Schmidts' visit to Maggie and Mike's house two days later because they were on their belated honeymoon in Florida.
Speaking of Christmas, my gifts have been purchased since December 10. I just have to mail them or directly give them to the recipients. It shouldn't be too complicated.
My next report will be on or after Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas, my gifts have been purchased since December 10. I just have to mail them or directly give them to the recipients. It shouldn't be too complicated.
My next report will be on or after Christmas.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Thanksgiving and the Schmidts' Visit
Thanksgiving went smoothly at Maggie and Mike's house. We had most of the traditional fixings. The food was tasty and plentiful. Bob and I left with a lot of leftovers that are mostly finished now.
We had a nice group of people to enjoy Thanksgiving. Our participants included Kathleen, Joe, Bob, Maggie, Mike (Schabel), Aunt Rita, her son Johnny, and myself. It was nice to see my aunt and cousin again.
After Aunt Rita and my cousin left, I performed the Christmas Gift Exchange. The people who were left (Joe was gone at this time because he was under the weather, but he chose his person before he left.)picked names out of a hat for themselves and for those not present. Each person buys for only one person with a $45-$50 spending cap. In general, submissions are e-mailed to me, and I send them to their person. We have been doing this since 1990. We have gained and lost people over the years, but one thing hasn't changed. The fun in shopping has continued (for most of us).
Another fun event occurred on Saturday. The Schmidts came over to Maggie and Mike's for Beef Rotini, (Some people may call it slumgullion, which is a watery meat stew. Noodles, pasta, or anything else were not specified. I learned all this in the dictionary. Until now, I would have spelled it with an "n" instead of an "m".) corn, rolls (cinnamon and Pillsbury Grands), and various pies. It was good to see Kendal, Hayden, and their parents again. Other participants include the Thanksgiving group (Minus Bob, Rita, and Johnny) plus Tim and Lois. It was a fun experience. I hope Christmas and Maggie's Birthday are as much fun.
Until next time, have fun shopping!
We had a nice group of people to enjoy Thanksgiving. Our participants included Kathleen, Joe, Bob, Maggie, Mike (Schabel), Aunt Rita, her son Johnny, and myself. It was nice to see my aunt and cousin again.
After Aunt Rita and my cousin left, I performed the Christmas Gift Exchange. The people who were left (Joe was gone at this time because he was under the weather, but he chose his person before he left.)picked names out of a hat for themselves and for those not present. Each person buys for only one person with a $45-$50 spending cap. In general, submissions are e-mailed to me, and I send them to their person. We have been doing this since 1990. We have gained and lost people over the years, but one thing hasn't changed. The fun in shopping has continued (for most of us).
Another fun event occurred on Saturday. The Schmidts came over to Maggie and Mike's for Beef Rotini, (Some people may call it slumgullion, which is a watery meat stew. Noodles, pasta, or anything else were not specified. I learned all this in the dictionary. Until now, I would have spelled it with an "n" instead of an "m".) corn, rolls (cinnamon and Pillsbury Grands), and various pies. It was good to see Kendal, Hayden, and their parents again. Other participants include the Thanksgiving group (Minus Bob, Rita, and Johnny) plus Tim and Lois. It was a fun experience. I hope Christmas and Maggie's Birthday are as much fun.
Until next time, have fun shopping!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Costco
On Wednesday, I passed out crab cake samples at Costco in Strongsville, OH through Adecco, an employment agency. After taking two buses to get to Southpark where I had lunch at McDonald's, I walked to the Holiday Inn near I-71 (About a ten minute walk from the mall, it would have been a little bit closer from the bus stop closer to Costco, but I left at 10:00 A.M. because I had good coordination between buses at this time. It also allowed me to have lunch in a "leisurely" manner before my 12:30 start time.) because the coordination and bus (Not RTA) trip to Costco originated from there. At Sign-In, I received my visor, apron, and hairnet. After the brief orientation and short bus trip, I was eventually placed at the Crab cake Sample area. I had two partners. One partner quietly disappeared as her shift was over. The other partner did all the cooking with a convection oven. She also did the sample size cutting and the placement into the baking/serving cups. I passed out most of the samples and refilled the supplies which were replenished by another temp worker, so we didn't have to leave our station. I also offered appreciation for shopping at Costco.
Although I arrived later, I was offered break and dinner first. Since we weren't supposed to wear our watches, we were given a timer for our breaks. The timer distributor was also our relief. Dinner consisted of a complimentary hot dog and soda ($1.50 value as a package deal)
which was ''paid for" with a manager's business card which we were given at sign-in. I also had a large slice of pepperoni pizza (Only $1.99). I added two types of mustard and pickle relish to my hot dog (Foot Long). The food was filling, but a little spicy. Unfortunately, while I was looking for a fork or spoon to eat my relish that fell out of my hot dog, a staff member threw my wrapper with the relish out. At least, I finished the hot dog.
We ran out of boxes for the samples, and they weren't giving us any more since closing was in about an hour. Before leaving the store, we took our carts to the office area near the restrooms to clean them. We were then sent to the snack bar to wait for the bus back to the hotel to sign out. My crab cake partner gave me a lift to the bus stop because it was raining. (The bus stop was past Costco, since RTA didn't add a bus stop to accommodate Best Buy and the rest of the stores in the strip because it would have been a difficult maneuver after a left turn from Howe Road.) The bus arrived shortly after being dropped off. Since I was between buses, I walked home from Broadview and Pearl Roads after departing the bus. The walk home was uneventful except for the rain. From the time I got on the bus on Royalton Road to arriving home, it was just about an hour. It was a fun day at a very popular sample stand. I was very surprised. I didn't know crab cakes were so popular.
On the next day, I was offered a last minute offer to work at Costco again that day, but I wasn't home to receive the call. It would have been difficult to make it on time although I would have had coordination between buses. I could have had more fun (and more money).
My next report should be after Thanksgiving since I will be sending Gift Exchange e-mails to my immediate family. Have a nice Thanksgiving. I'll be in touch.
Although I arrived later, I was offered break and dinner first. Since we weren't supposed to wear our watches, we were given a timer for our breaks. The timer distributor was also our relief. Dinner consisted of a complimentary hot dog and soda ($1.50 value as a package deal)
which was ''paid for" with a manager's business card which we were given at sign-in. I also had a large slice of pepperoni pizza (Only $1.99). I added two types of mustard and pickle relish to my hot dog (Foot Long). The food was filling, but a little spicy. Unfortunately, while I was looking for a fork or spoon to eat my relish that fell out of my hot dog, a staff member threw my wrapper with the relish out. At least, I finished the hot dog.
We ran out of boxes for the samples, and they weren't giving us any more since closing was in about an hour. Before leaving the store, we took our carts to the office area near the restrooms to clean them. We were then sent to the snack bar to wait for the bus back to the hotel to sign out. My crab cake partner gave me a lift to the bus stop because it was raining. (The bus stop was past Costco, since RTA didn't add a bus stop to accommodate Best Buy and the rest of the stores in the strip because it would have been a difficult maneuver after a left turn from Howe Road.) The bus arrived shortly after being dropped off. Since I was between buses, I walked home from Broadview and Pearl Roads after departing the bus. The walk home was uneventful except for the rain. From the time I got on the bus on Royalton Road to arriving home, it was just about an hour. It was a fun day at a very popular sample stand. I was very surprised. I didn't know crab cakes were so popular.
On the next day, I was offered a last minute offer to work at Costco again that day, but I wasn't home to receive the call. It would have been difficult to make it on time although I would have had coordination between buses. I could have had more fun (and more money).
My next report should be after Thanksgiving since I will be sending Gift Exchange e-mails to my immediate family. Have a nice Thanksgiving. I'll be in touch.
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