Vinyl Heaven

That's what Robert is in ever since we received Mike and Angela's Christmas gift, a functional turn table. This is no ordinary turntable, but one that is a replica of an old time radio/turntable complete with a record stand. It is perfect for the living room decor and has already accumlulated its' share of Beatles albums - as they are timeless.

Thanks Mike and Angela for the perfect gift!

Merry Christmas!

Robert and I would like to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. It is at this time of year we all should take a moment to pause, contemplate and celebrate the richness in friends, family and memories over the past year.

Doing so brings many wonderful thoughts to mind, such as the reunion of Robert (Kenui) and his son Kawika, Nathan's first birthday, Chris's graduation from UF and subsequent employment with IBM, the announcement of two more grandchildren on the way; Noelani and Dan, Michael and Angela, helping friends from NOLA, and the list goes on and on.

Cheers to all!

Where to begin....

I am reminded each time I speak with one of our 'one time' readers how dilinguent we have been about updating this blog. One and a half months is a long time, I know. My dog ate my homework? Oops!!!! We don't have a dog - does it count if Nathan has two? (Yes, I know they don't live anywhere around us...)

Sooooo..... what have we been doing since October?

• Halloween Partys
  
• Private Shopping Event on the Marietta Square
• Birthday Concert
• North Jawja Queen Party
  
• Wine Tasting
• Thanksgiving with the family
• Visit to the Georgia Aquarium
• Bowling at US Play
• Dinner with friends
• and yes, there's that thing called work!

Let's start at the beginning, Halloween is a time for bad costumes, and trust me I didn't let y'all down. I'm actually getting quite used to being mistaken for Peg Bundy, but you'll know it's me by the tiara. One should never leave home without one. Now just in case you're wondering, I couldn't talk Robert into wearing a 60's /70's Fro wig, much to my dismay........

I am sure that these events are held in many locations, but this was my first time attending a private shopping event at Marietta Square. It goes something like this, Lots of women, hor'duerves and wine at each shop, door prizes, scavenger hunt, discounts and someone to tote all of your packages! Let's stop and think about this.... Tipsy women with credit cards in tow..... this could turn into a seriously dangerous situation. The last shop with the chocolate martinis was the best! I even won a couple of door prizes....... Whew! What a time!

Ah, the birthday concert, now that was truly a funny night. My team at work took me to lunch for my birthday and gave Robert and I tickets to the concert of our choice. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful team that also rocks at their job, in addition to being considerate. No really, when I was interviewing them, I asked if they would be willing to bring me gifts..... (Just joking!!!!!) The concert was Dan Bromberg, an accomplished acoustical guitarist who plays a mix of blues and blue grass. After the concert, we went to our favorite haunt Crystal's on the Square, where Robert was promptly 'flashed' by one of the ladies (using the term loosely here!) as we walked in the door. Wow! Come to find out it was a case of mistaken bald man identity! The guy who this was meant for was sitting across the room laughing at Robert! What a night!

On to the North Jawja Queen Party. I have been trying for a long time to convince my friends that The Larry Griffith Band is the best thing since sliced bread. Finally they believe! The NJQ joined Robert and I at an eating and drinking establishment named Doc's to see The Larry Griffith Band. An interesting combination of women with tiaras and boas dancing to Motown. The guitarist is King George, so I am thinkin' we have a ready made royal court!

On to the Wine Tasting with Dave and Judi. Dave just completed his schooling and received his certification as a sommelier. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a fancy name for a wine expert who makes recommendations when you are at one of them there fancy restaurants. This was a first for both Robert and I and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Now, there's Thanksgiving..... this has to be the best one I can remember in a long, long time. There are many moments that are deserving of their very own post with pix. Let me just give you an idea of how much time we spent at the Atlanta airport, in addition to other arrivals and departures.

• Tuesday - pick up Kawika at 10:30am, Jessie and Sky at 12:30
• Wednesday 4am - Mike (my son), Angela and Nathan get in
  
• Wednesday - pick up Mary (my sister) at 7pm
  
• Thursday - no new arrivals, but my friend Linda joins us for dinner
• Friday - Mary departs at 7pm
• Saturday morning - Mike, Angela and Nathan depart for Florida
• Saturday noon - Linda (step mother), Jenny and Jake arrive
  
• Sunday noon - Chris arrives
• Sunday evening - Linda, Jenny and Jake leave
• Monday - Kawika leaves for Kansas City
• Tuesday - Jessie and Sky leave for Wisconsin

........ wait! is anyone still here? Oh yeah , Chris left this past Saturday going back to Chicago.
Lot's of fun was had by all during this time. Everyone had a place in this apartment of ours and managed to keep the place pretty darn clean. I am guilty of taking approximately 1500 pix during this short time frame, but I think I got a few good ones!

Some of the most memorable moments were the first time Robert and Kenui saw each other, playing baseball, basketball, video games, cards, cooking dinner, going to US Play and finally the Georgia Aquarium. I am sure I missed something, because it was sooooo much fun. Kawika played basketball with Nathan until he was dizzy. More to come on this visit!

Finally this past weekend was pretty quiet, but we still managed to get together with our friend Linda and her daughter Tammy for dinner. Chris, still in town, joined us and got Linda's version of wine tasting and etiquette in the professional world. Chris and I spent some time shopping before he was off to Chicago to face the cold, cold world. (really the world isn't cold, but Chicago is!)

Now, the excitement has died down. Jessie and Sky are back in Wisconsin, the fronzen tundra. Chris is back in Chicago, the windy city. Kawika is back in Kansas, kicking some soccer balls and anxiously awaiting Christmas. Mike, Angela and Nathan are back in Orlando waitin' for Santa to catch the surf in. Jenny, Linda and Jake are back in Nashville, while Mary is in Peru, South America teaching English. Robert and I - well we are back at work, crazy hours yes, but we have a motto by which we live.

Work hard, play hard!

Pumpkin Carving at its' best

Take a look at the pumpkins of 2005!!!! In Orlando, Nathan chooses his pumpkin, then Aunt Roxanna carves it in his likeness....















Then on up to Hotlanta, where Tutu Kane (aka Robert) is carving the pumpkin for the annual contest at work.

Announcing the very first official....

GOAL by Kawika in the Premier League! This news just in from Kansas City, hold the press, he put the ball right over the keepers head and into the net! It was great!

Congratulations Son!

Happy Birthday to........

Robert!!! This is it folks, the BIG 50!!!!

We celebrated in a quiet sort of way at one of our favorite Italian restaurants, Scallini's. The wait staff even sang their very own version of Happy Birthday to Robert and gave him spumoni icecream with a candle!

Last week Chris took us out to Tavern on the Bridge for Robert's birthday. (another milestone - Chris paid for our dinner thanks to IBM!)

He received calls from Noe, Jessie, Michelle, Becca and Kawika! Whew!!!! Couldn't get through on the phone if I tried! ;-)

Reunited and it feels so good......

Does anyone remember this song? Well, we just have to tell it has so much meaning this week for Robert and I. After receiving Kawika's latest pictures and making plans for Thanksgiving we are just beside ourselves!

Kawika is Robert's son who lives in Kansas City. He plays Left Forward for the KC Comets, aPremier Soccer team (the elite of the elite.) He auditioned with 60 other kids for two positions and made it! Congratulations Kawika! I think soccer must be in the blood.

Can't wait to see you Kawika!!!!

Adventurous Mary -

That's what she should be nick named......

Most only dream about packing up, going to places strange (no pun intended!) and unfamiliar, but this is what Mary does every day!
(scrapbook page by Jen Strange)

My Dad and I were talking the other day about various assundry topics of which Mary was one. He said she had plans to visit South America soon, but hadn't heard from her in awhile. The next day, completely out of the blue, Mary called me! I thought she had been talking with Dad, but no - that wasn't it!

Mary is headed on her next adventure to none other than Peru and will be stopping by Atlanta! Yeah!!!! I think the last time I saw her was in 1999 or 2000 and it will be so good to see her again. I will be sure to post some pix to keep you all up to date!

Can't wait to see you Mary!

"Yup, there's work to be done.........

in the fields, ahem I mean yard!" says young Nathan as he surveys the landscape.

October is.......

Cashier Appreciation Month!!!

and it just so happens that I know one of the best there is in the home improvement industry!

My Mom, ten year veteran of said warehouse, can help you get in and out FAST! Need some advice on what tool to use, or what the latest gadget is? Come on over and see Joan. And while she is out to take your money (afterall that IS what her job is) she is very accurate! And talk about friendly, whew - she has customers who will wait in line just to have Joan check them out. When Joan Thanks you for shopping at her establishment, you know it is genuine.

Cashiers thank us every day for shopping at their store, let's take an opportunity this October to say, " Thanks for all you do!"

Thanks Mom!!!

We have wonderful news to share.....

with everyone. Noe, Robert's oldest daughter is expecting this coming spring! The look on her face in the picture to the left tells the story about how happy she and Dan are, not to mention Robert and I.

In the past year, Noe has landed her dream job (Flight Attendant with Northwest,) met her dream man and now - well this is just the beginning of a fairy tale come true!

Congratulations Noe and Dan! We love you!

(Ahem.... please let our new grandbaby know that Tutu Pink and Tutu Kane are very anxious for the special day!)

There's no place like....

home! You are looking at the very building that Chris now lives in! He and his friend Tommy, who goes to school in Chicago, have a two bedroom apartment right here in The Baxter on North Broadway. Robert and I can't wait to visit them (in the warm weather of course!)

This past weekend Chris took a trip over to Indiana, just a few short miles away, and came back loaded with all kinds of goodies from Grandma. Towels, coffee maker, hammer, nails, cleaning supplies..... all essential to beginning his future all on his own. And we can't forget that Aunt Sara let him borrow an air mattress until he can actually get a real bed.

Don't forget to visit Chris at chrislugo.com

Hello????

Last week my cell phone rang. Before I picked it up, I looked at the display which indicated that Mike is calling.

Me, "Hey Mike, how's it going?"
Nathan, "la-la-aughhhhh-da-da..."
Me, "Hey there Nathan, this is Tutu Pink, how are you Darling?"
Nathan, "la-la-da-da- hmm?"

The conversation continued in a very similar manner for about 30 seconds, then silence. I am assuming that Nathan left the room to be with Mike and Angela, chase the dog or something to that effect.

I call back later and speak to Mike who is laughing. He said that when the phone rings that Nathan runs for it, but hasn't quite figured how to answer it yet.

Wonder if Sprint offers the Baby Calling Plan?

In the doghouse at such a young age......

That's where Nathan is! Evidently our young man has great manual dexterity and can open and close the door or the kennel. Nathan is now the lucky little boy with not only one, but two doggies in his house. Chaos, also in the dog house and Havoc, new puppy. What a lucky little boy he is!

Dinner Anyone?

While on his latest quest to the Antique Store to purchase a railroad crossing light I told him I had seen, Robert came across this fantastic piece of early 60's furniture. Check out the RCA Victor stereo console on the back wall. What a find! This must have been the Cadillac of stereos, because it still sounds fantastic!

As you can tell, our dining room is near complete with the hutch and Formica table. The record stands are also authentic, complete with albums from the Beatles, Rolling Stones and many others.

So if you're ever in Hotlanta - stop by for dinner and take a step back in time with us.

Hittin' it outta the park in.....

Chicago! That's what Chris is doing as of late.

Within the last week Chris has officially moved to Chicago, interviewed and accepted a position with IBM and also secured an apartment - all this while also visiting relatives and friends in the area. Whew! I'm tired just writing about it.

The funny thing about Chris moving to Chicago is that even though it's not where he grew up, it's like going home. Both sides of the family are based in Hammond, Indiana - right outside of Chicago, so he'll never be alone on holidays. I think the only bittersweet part of this is Mike, Angela and Nathan living in Florida. Nathan is growing up so quick and both Chris and Robert & I are missing out on some really fun times with him.

A job with IBM?! That's a wonderful entry on anyone's resume. Chris will spend the next few months in training and three of those weeks are here in Atlanta.

The apartment sounds wonderful too. He and a friend will be sharing a two bedroom apartment on N. Broadway, four blocks away from Wrigley field. Hardwood floors, fireplace and lots of closet space make this one a real deal. I can't wait to see pictures, how about you?

The latest photo's are here!

Hardly seems as if one year has passed since Nathan made his grand entrance into the world.

I talked to Mike last night, and I have to tell you it always makes me so proud of how his life has turned out. One could not ask for a better Father and Husband. I look at him, Angela, who by the way is beautiful and wonderful herself, and Nathan - and think to myself....this is the all American dream, a hard working, happy family.

Nathan is not only walking, but running. Mike said that he is also talking non-stop. Momma, Daddy, Chaos (the dog), pup pup (Havoc, the new puppy), hello and the list goes on. Here's the only pitfall in all of this.... They are holding pictures hostage until Robert and I actually make it down to Florida to take our own! Yikes! Looks like we better start plannin', huh?

It's official....

Chris is on his way to get his education on Life in the Big City! This year has been, and will be a turning point in his life with graduating from college, aging out from the Cavaliers and now moving to Chicago. He and his car made it just fine (whew!), and now begins the interviews..... Many may think, will Chris be fortunate enough to find a job? But rather I think, who will be the fortunate one to have Chris work for their company? I say that 1) as a proud Mom, but in addition 2) one who has reviewed many resumes and interviewed many applicants for open positions. May I add that speaking on behalf of 2), he is a good catch for any company.

Good Luck Chris!

Basketball anyone?

Robert and I took Chris, who is in town on his way to Chicago, to Sidelines Grill for dinner this evening. After which we decided to play a friendly game of basketball. May I tell y'all that I proceeded to score higher than either of the guys? Now they will tell you that the game is not functioning correctly, but believe me when I tell you they just don't like being beat by a 'girl'!

49 points!

Will you....

read me a book?