Finally have a little time to just sit down and check out the blog. Looks like I'm not the only one who has been busy this last month! Time just seems to get away from all of us, especially this time of year.
As most of you know, we went to Rochester, NY to be with Jason and Anne over Christmas. We stayed at their new home, a beautiful, older 2-story house. If I can figure out how to do it I will download some of the pics to this site. The 4 of us had time alone together but we were also included in Anne's family festivities and we had a great time. We left NY in a "food fog" after sampling all their wonderful foods and pastries!
Yesterday we had a small gathering at our house since we didn't have time before Christmas. Jason, Cyndee, Cody, Grandma Knack, and Ryan came over to open their gifts and have dinner. It was like Christmas Day all over -- wrapping paper and boxes all over the place, and I loved it!
Only one more day off and then it's back to work, at least this is a short work week.
A little bit of optimistic trivia to end this blog........as of Dec. 21, the days are starting to get longer by 30 seconds a day!!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Pooped (Beth)
I am in my annual holiday connendrum... early in the season I vow to keep it simple, skip the tree, put up the lights if there is time, and opt for the electronic U-tube holiday greeting vs. the traditional card in the mail because you only have to send it out the day of the holiday for it to "be there on time" with email. My theory up front is: remove the fuss that makes the holiday stressful.
It's always all good, until now... 10 days before Christmas and I begin thinking how we "should" have a tree, lights, decorations, cards, etc. We should entertain, which requires cleaning and cooking. Trying to figure out how to squeeze everything left to do and not done into one more week- while trying to maintain "low grade stress" living the rest of life. It's the annual stress struggle of the holidays. To do or not to do, that is the question...
I might try to pack too much in, in too short of time, either way, at this point I am not a happy campers with my options (hurry and catch up, or accept the state of affairs and let it go).
And then there is the missing of family. Nothing says holiday spirit like going to the post office to send all your gifts 2000 miles across the country... not that coming back to Michigan would be the solution either- then it I would be wondering why I left AZ for freeze ass Michigan, and took on the extra hassle of travelling, boarding the dogs, etc.
So maybe this is just the way its meant to be, and however it is, is what we got...
Off to listen to the holiday tunes (on soma.fm- check them out) and finish packing boxes to ship.'Tis the season.
It's always all good, until now... 10 days before Christmas and I begin thinking how we "should" have a tree, lights, decorations, cards, etc. We should entertain, which requires cleaning and cooking. Trying to figure out how to squeeze everything left to do and not done into one more week- while trying to maintain "low grade stress" living the rest of life. It's the annual stress struggle of the holidays. To do or not to do, that is the question...
I might try to pack too much in, in too short of time, either way, at this point I am not a happy campers with my options (hurry and catch up, or accept the state of affairs and let it go).
And then there is the missing of family. Nothing says holiday spirit like going to the post office to send all your gifts 2000 miles across the country... not that coming back to Michigan would be the solution either- then it I would be wondering why I left AZ for freeze ass Michigan, and took on the extra hassle of travelling, boarding the dogs, etc.
So maybe this is just the way its meant to be, and however it is, is what we got...
Off to listen to the holiday tunes (on soma.fm- check them out) and finish packing boxes to ship.'Tis the season.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Basketball??? Birthday!!!!!!! (Carolyn;Aunt Carolyn;Mom)
Thank you for the warm and amazing birthday wishes it so touched my heart I almost cried - well teared up anyway. That was so nice and the Beatles!
Well to set your basketball quest to rest I played basketball and was on the first female team to play at St. John's! Actually we won the national championship that year. If I can remember correctly I played either in 8th and 9th grade or just 9th grade. I wonder if our picture is on the wall? I was the one who could go on both sides of the court. So there you have it!!! I was always somewhat of a tomboy anyway and almost became one of the first women Firefighters in the 80's. I aced the verbal test, ran up and down a burning building with a breathing apparatus on my back, but flunked the pull ups. Curses to the upper body stregnth in some women.
Well to set your basketball quest to rest I played basketball and was on the first female team to play at St. John's! Actually we won the national championship that year. If I can remember correctly I played either in 8th and 9th grade or just 9th grade. I wonder if our picture is on the wall? I was the one who could go on both sides of the court. So there you have it!!! I was always somewhat of a tomboy anyway and almost became one of the first women Firefighters in the 80's. I aced the verbal test, ran up and down a burning building with a breathing apparatus on my back, but flunked the pull ups. Curses to the upper body stregnth in some women.
Happy Birthday Aunt Carolyn! (The Gortat Family!)
Click on play; 32 seconds, with sound.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Hmm, a Gorat basketball player? (Aaron)
Well mom, I am no genealogy expert, but no Gortat I have ever known can play basketball worth a lick! Now, Jeff might be able to hoop it up a bit, but that's only because of his "Woody genes"; nothing Gortat about his stunning stature!
By the way, where are Jeff and Liz - haven't seen the Liz-meister, Mistress of Communication, poke her little blog head in for a while and I don't think Jeff has even accepted the invite!
But I digress...back to my main point. That is, I do not believe someone with any natural basketball talent could be a Gortat. I know Grandpa was a sports-minded type fellow, but I think he was more on the football side of things. You know, what Gortats are really known for, brute force.
Now probably some of Tom's kids (I think I asked for their emails to include them in on this thing, but ahem I have yet to receive them)...anyway, I think maybe his daughters played basketball, but my guess is there is a giantess somewhere in Carol's family tree. But, that's just a guess.
Really, the best evidence in support of my theory is Jason, Aaron and Ryan. Famous for four hour games of P-I-G (because no one could make a shot in the first place that someone had to miss), these boys have to be the worst of the worst when it comes to trying to hit the broad side of the barn with a basketball.
So, at this point mom, partially out of lack of time and no real skill in genealogy, but mainly out of incredulity that it is even possible a basketball-playing Gortat could be related to me, I am going to pass.
Now, if you wanted me to research my relations to say a world-record-holder-in-couch-napping Gortat, well, then we could talk.
Love you Mom! =)
By the way, where are Jeff and Liz - haven't seen the Liz-meister, Mistress of Communication, poke her little blog head in for a while and I don't think Jeff has even accepted the invite!
But I digress...back to my main point. That is, I do not believe someone with any natural basketball talent could be a Gortat. I know Grandpa was a sports-minded type fellow, but I think he was more on the football side of things. You know, what Gortats are really known for, brute force.
Now probably some of Tom's kids (I think I asked for their emails to include them in on this thing, but ahem I have yet to receive them)...anyway, I think maybe his daughters played basketball, but my guess is there is a giantess somewhere in Carol's family tree. But, that's just a guess.
Really, the best evidence in support of my theory is Jason, Aaron and Ryan. Famous for four hour games of P-I-G (because no one could make a shot in the first place that someone had to miss), these boys have to be the worst of the worst when it comes to trying to hit the broad side of the barn with a basketball.
So, at this point mom, partially out of lack of time and no real skill in genealogy, but mainly out of incredulity that it is even possible a basketball-playing Gortat could be related to me, I am going to pass.
Now, if you wanted me to research my relations to say a world-record-holder-in-couch-napping Gortat, well, then we could talk.
Love you Mom! =)
Sunday, December 2, 2007
(Mom/Lori)An Assignment for Aaron
Since Aaron named this blog after the "Gortat's", I have a quest for him (or for anyone else who is interested). The Orlando Magic basketball team recently signed on a new player from Poland who is 7 ft tall and guess what his name is---Marin Gortat!!! I tried doing some research on him but either ran out of time or leads. I would love to find out if he is related to our family, I'm thinking cousin perhaps? I do know that my grandparents who were both from Warsaw did have some family. My grandpa's name was Anthony and grandma's first name was Mary. So for all those "doubting thomases" out there who always thought Gortat was a shortened name and should have an "zki" after it...........here's your proof!!!
And a great big congratulations to Beth on the new position! There was never any doubt in my mind that it would not be offered to you.
Yesterday, Dec. 1, we had our first significant snowfall, even if it was only about an inch. And true to form, like every other year, I was outside, in the snow and wind, putting up Christmas decorations!!!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful day. Love to all.
And a great big congratulations to Beth on the new position! There was never any doubt in my mind that it would not be offered to you.
Yesterday, Dec. 1, we had our first significant snowfall, even if it was only about an inch. And true to form, like every other year, I was outside, in the snow and wind, putting up Christmas decorations!!!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful day. Love to all.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
What a trip! (Beth)
Joe/Jen- Just had the chance to go through all your photos. What a trip!! I love that you added the captions, which left me with a question. I read a lot of "our favorite..." wine bar, coffee shop, etc. Was there really 1 you loved or you loved them all? Looks like you had great weather, great sights, great food and great shopping. Ahhh... where to next for you two?
It's great to hear from everyone on the blog. Anne, you are hilarious! I look forward to reading your posts. And Lori - way to respond to Aaron's request for what you are thankful for, it makes him happy;)
Well, it's officially December 1. How can that be? I am envious that some you have 90% of your shopping done (did you get it done in Italy? love the boots by the way). We have barely even thought about it. Sigh...
As you may have read in Aaron's blog yesterday, my prediction about the job came true... it was partly sunny ( I got the job) with 30% chance of rain (we got 30% of the years rainfall yesterday alone! A whole INCH!). I had a meeting with the Sr. VP at 1:30 yesterday and received the promotion... Very excited and appreciative of this opportunity, and a bit overwhelmed about stepping into such a big role. Off to grocery shop- having people over tonight for lasagna...
Hope this finds you well. B
It's great to hear from everyone on the blog. Anne, you are hilarious! I look forward to reading your posts. And Lori - way to respond to Aaron's request for what you are thankful for, it makes him happy;)
Well, it's officially December 1. How can that be? I am envious that some you have 90% of your shopping done (did you get it done in Italy? love the boots by the way). We have barely even thought about it. Sigh...
As you may have read in Aaron's blog yesterday, my prediction about the job came true... it was partly sunny ( I got the job) with 30% chance of rain (we got 30% of the years rainfall yesterday alone! A whole INCH!). I had a meeting with the Sr. VP at 1:30 yesterday and received the promotion... Very excited and appreciative of this opportunity, and a bit overwhelmed about stepping into such a big role. Off to grocery shop- having people over tonight for lasagna...
Hope this finds you well. B
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
