New Flat Panel

As previously mentioned, the process of restoring our living room after the water damage got us to thinking about some changes we had been contemplating for awhile. We have already changed to a darker wall color, and picked a somewhat richer carpet color to go along with the new walls. Over the weekend and with some serious help from son Rob, we removed our old entertainment center. Part of the motivation for this, in addition to wanting to remove its dominance in the room, was my wanting to move to a flat panel TV. Here is that new TV, a 52" beauty, sitting in roughly the same spot it will ultimately occupy. We have a new low profile console on order, which will house the electronics and raise the base of the set up to about a 24" level above the floor. So, although you can get some idea about how this might look eventually, the clutter of electronics and the temporary table and support will all go away. We are going to put in a pair of new couches in an L-shape to create a cozier viewing area and may do a few additional things.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

My father would have been 90 years old today. I'm not convinced that all children think their fathers are or were wonderful, but I think, and I know my sister thinks, that ours was. He taught us much, especially about the really important things in life--promises, integrity, responsibility, hard work, family, and much, much more. I think of him often, and sometimes I find myself saying something about a particular notion or with a particular tone of voice and will immediately think, "Oh my gosh! I just heard Dad's voice!" So, I guess he is still here, in a way, though he has been gone for nearly seven years now.

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Grandkids Update

I recently spent a weekend visiting the Illinois grandkids and their parents--hadn't been able to get over there again since Clara was born. Here are a couple of shots of the little cutie and her proud Grandpa. They sure can change a lot in just two months.




Henry and his mother had been planning a Sunday afternoon "beach party" to rid everyone of cabin fever. Unfortunately, a recurrence of Henry's recent cold, cough, and earaches required postponement. Henry and his mother had made all kinds of decorations and games in preparation. So, here is Henry trying out the "fishing equipment."



While I was there, I discovered that his Uncle Will had introduced him to the old Warner Brothers Roadrunner cartoons, many of which you can find at YouTube. So, we spent a number of minutes watching them together and listening to Henry laugh at poor old Wile E. Coyote's plight.

Rob's 35th

One of my boys just had his 35th birthday. This is what he looked like grabbing for his cake 34 years ago.


And here is what he looks like after 34 years of training in blowing out candles, with beer at the ready! Cake and beer! Yum! Looks like he finally mastered getting them out in one puff, although Carrie might have helped by reducing the actual required number of candles.


Here he is again at one year old. He was standing and walking and talking, and he hasn't stopped since.


Here he is as a proud husband and father. We were honored to host him for a birthday dinner.



Here's Carrie "arming" the cake while admiring her daughter (or maybe she was admiring her husband or maybe both, how am I to know!!).


And here is one of the ways in which Rob blesses me in return!