Range Bucket

I have a cute little Christmas tree in our family room that has everything Golf on it.
Golf light, Golf garland, Golf ornaments.

I even have a few Santas playing golf, who sit by and under the tree.

I thought it would look really cute to have a range bucket under the tree full of Christmas bulbs. I text Jon to see if I could borrow a small one.
 "Sorry, Aunt Karen, we only have large ones."

Now the range buckets that I'm used too are the ones from driving ranges or public golf courses. I'm thinking a large one might just fit under there, so I text him back and ask if I could try one to see if it would fit. No Problem!

Now remember I am picturing a large bucket from a driving range.

Well this is what I got from Jon. This to me is a Jumbo, Country Club, It'll take all day for me to hit all those balls, bucket.
To Jon it's just a large one.

Yeah, That's not gonna work.

Christmas Cookies 2014

This started out 5 years ago with just Sharen and I helping Mom, who was getting tired of baking Christmas cookies every year.

Mom is gone, but her cookies are still present. Sharen made 2 of Mom's favorites - Thumb print and Whiskey balls. Carrie represented her too with peanut butter brownies and 7 layer. Me - I tried to make her snicker doodles, not the first time either, but for some reason they were a big failure. Ok, that was hard for me to admit. I deiced to give everybody just cut outs this year. Stacy tried a new recipe. Chocolate peanut clusters, made in the crock pot. She filled 2 crock pots!! Yeah, you can imagine the amount of those we had. Erica contributed her double chocolate goodness and Mary brought a cashew cookie that I'm sure was made in heaven and not her kitchen.

Each year it gets crazier and crazier. We had 3 new faces this year. 2 little boys, Ben and Owen, who I am sure will be pulling up a chair next year to help decorate the cutouts. They are too young this year. Papa Dup, who now is retired, showed up to help with Papa Daycare.

Luke wasn't interested in the decorating last year. Not the case this year. He had an assembly line going.

 Roger wanted to try his hand at frosting too.

 Kaylyn, the old pro, did both - Frosting and sprinkles. I had to make her a new apron this year. She out grew her "baby" one.

 The Zierk children - supervised by Mommy and Grandma.

 Kendell tried to put sprinkles on a cookie without frosting. She soon learned it wouldn't stay.

 Matthew liked to spread the frosting. Kallie liked to eat it.

 

 Here is the group. My house was full of daughters and grand children and LOTS OF LOVE.

Fruit Cake

I love fruit cake.
My Mother loved fruit cake. We were the only 2 people I know of that do.
Every year, for almost 25 yrs, my husband would order 2 cakes at the neighborhood bakery and give them to us for Christmas.

My friend Steve - Who's having a milestone birthday today and yes I could write some funny and heart warming things about him, but he know I much I love him and this is about the fruit cake he made me.
Happy Birthday, Steve!

Steve makes cakes. https://www.facebook.com/cakemondaysnyc Every weekend he is baking a cake and every Monday he is schlepping said cake to work for his co workers.
I joked to him that the only cake I like is fruit cake. So He made me one!  It came in the mail yesterday.

Now folks, Steve just didn't make me a canned green and red cherries, walnut fruit cake. He made me the Cadillac of fruit cakes.
This baby has cranberries, blueberries, Mango, pineapple, strawberries, nuts and I don't know what else. Oh Yeah and lots of brandy. It weighs about 10lbs. I don't even want to think about the weight gain that I will have to contend with after eating this thing.

Minus my tasting piece

 This is what's left for me to enjoy this Christmas season. I cut it into pieces and froze it so I can enjoy it all year. I gave Sharen a small taste and she liked it! Really liked it!

So Thanks Steve, I know what you put into this. The time and money and worry will not go to waste. I am going to savor and enjoy it all year. This thing is delicious.

I am going to cut 2 pieces and head on over to visit Mom and tell her how much I miss her and think about her while I eat a piece. I'm gonna leave a small taste for her too. Maybe a cardinal will find it.

Santa Breakfast

Mary tells us that the Santa Breakfast with the boys daycare is for immediate family only. Grandparens were not included!?

So when Mike and I picked the boys from daycare -  I went to all the teachers and thanked them for watching over our grand boys and making it a safe and happy place for them to go to everyday. I was sorry that we weren't invited to the breakfast this year.
That night Mary got a phone call. Was I in trouble? It was the daycare telling her that Grandparens WERE included and we were welcome to come. (Turns out some were bringing their cousins and neighbors and their neighbors cousins, etc.).

Well I was glad I opened my big mouth, because we went and had a great time.
The food was really good and they had chocolate milk! Yay!

 Luke was all about the fruit. He still is not happy to have his sausage cut in stripes. As soon as you learns not to stuff so much in your mouth you can have it whole.

 The Flory family with Santa.

 Roger was not afraid of Santa and had a whole list to tell him. Ummmm... Oh Yeah, and an Excavator.
Santa: "You want a toy excavator?"
Roger: No a real, big one."
I was laughing so hard - I thought he said escalator to get to his new upstairs bedroom. The top floor is almost done!!!!!!

 Luke was ok with Santa as long as Daddy was holding him. Yeah, I'll take the toy, but don't touch me.

 Both boys wanted their Papas to carry them out. Mary explained to Roger that Papa Murphey couldn't carry him because of his cane. So Roger asked him if it was Ok to just hold his hand. Now what Papa would say no to that?

Yup, I am glad that I opened my big mouth.

Into the City

Sharen and I looked at the weather forecast and picked a day that would be good for a train trip into the city. The Dups have never done it, always wanted to, they now have the time, so - Why Not?

So Mike took the reigns and mapped out our trip.
We got on the train at Big Timber station.  When we got off the train, we hurried and bought tickets for our return trip so we wouldn't have to deal with that later. We walked and walked and walked all around Chicago.
I wanted to see where Mary goes everyday so we walked by her beautiful building. I texted Andy to get his address so we could check it out too. He was in Ga. for training.

We made our way over to the plaza and had our picture taken with the tree from Elgin. Sharen runs into Carrie's old softball coach (Pat Wilson) from Larkin and stops to chat. Small World.

The Dupplers at the tree

Me and Mike posing at the tree

 After a quick stop to see the tree at Macy's and all their beautiful window displays, we head on over to Millennium Park and watch the ice skaters.

Sharen and Dup with the tree at the Walnut Room

 What would the visit be without a photo in front of the Bean. You can see the blue of the sky in the reflection. Perfect winter day with no snow anywhere.

The Dupplers at Cloud Gate

Us at Cloud Gate

 We wanted to have lunch at someplace famous. Mike made that happen. What better place for a cub fan than the Billy Goat.
We all had the double Cheezeborgers, washed down with a couple beers.

We decided to stroll up Michigan to Water Tower Place.
Walked by TV stations, theaters, known restaurants, Trump tower, all the places you here on the TV.
 We must have seemed like tourist, because one guy is following us, trying to tell us how to get back to union station. Yeah, we know our way and no you are not getting any money from us. Thank You!

So Mike planned out a pretty full, fun, relaxing day.
Dup has been to the city without going to a sporting event.
And Sharen and I are planning our next trip - maybe to include Navy Pier.

Double Header

This day had been circled on our calendar in red ever since the schedules came out.
Logan had a home game at the middle school and Dylan (who is playing his first year of basketball) at the high school. One right after the other.

We both were excited to get to see 2 games in 1 trip to Genoa. Something came up for Mike so I was going solo.
At Logan's games they know me by now and I just walk right in. Grandparents are free!

He is turning into a rebound machine, even thought as you can see the guy he is guarding is taller. He can box out with the best of them. They won 43-29, I think.

When I get to Dylan's game it said Seniors - 65 and older free.

I pretend that I didn't see the sign and asked her if Grandparents were free, like at the middle school. She stuttered and says yes. So I walked right in. Don't get me wrong if she had said no, I would of gladly pd. the $4. Doesn't hurt to ask.

I sit down and then it occurred to me "65" I don't look 65! Does she think I am 65? Next game I am paying.

I tell you it made my heart happy to watch Dylan play. He is on a team with many of his close friends and they looked like they were having fun. He didn't score any points, but be played some great defense and took down some rebounds.
Warm ups.

It surprised me to see the huge difference in height on both freshman teams. Dylan most definitely had the advantage there.
Dylan playing some defense.

His team got whopped.
Still fun to watch for this grandmother.

I've Got Plenty to be Thankful For

It all starts with family.

Mary left Owen with me and took  Roger and Luke over to the Turkey bowl to watch Daddy play. Another few years and they will have 2 more players.

These guys are still at it.
There's talk every year of someone not playing or getting too old, but they still layer up and have some fun. Mike is still layering up, but now is the timekeeper/ball spotter and he loves being a part of it all.

White team - looks like all my boys are on the same team. My 2 grandsons and my 2 Bryan/Brians.

 Black Team

I am so thankful that the kids still do this. Yes, you are all kids to me - even you boys in your 40's.

Sharen and I were going to try and get out early Friday for some shopping. I have no idea why, because I hate to shop. Oh Yeah - GRANDKIDS.
We really had only one store to visit. Meijer's. The parking lot was filling up fast, but they were all headed to the Menards next door. What did they have on sale that so many people were running to the store? At 6:30am. That was crazy!!!

So, I had all my flyer laid out.

I handed the Toys r us flyer to Roger. "Pick out something you want for Christmas" He then asked me "Where are the tools?" We need to get that boy to a Bears or Bulls game.

 Luke was just having a good time looking at everything, including the car advertising. He did slow down to look at the toys.

Aunt Stacy got to read Luke and Roger stories. I got out the books I read to Bryan and the older grandkids way back when..

 Kaylyn got to hold 6 weeks old Owen. She was hoping for a girl, big time. She has all boy cousins (5) and 2 older brothers. I can understand why, but she gave some love to him anyway. Owen wearing big boy clothes!

 Uncle Brian was also introduced to his new nephew.

 Kaylyn takes the camera for a few sniper shots. Mike carving the turkey and me making the gravy.

 Stopping the madness for a selfie!

Even though the preparation can be exhausting, It was a great day. The food was good. Everyone was on their best behavior and my family was all together.
Yes, I have plenty to be thankful for!

Sisters

Thanksgiving was always a big get together time for our family.
Probably because we have a large family. We all loved being together.
Our families are even larger now and all of my sisters, and me, each go our separate ways on Thanksgiving Day.

I emailed my sisters (the ones nearby - love you and miss you, sister Mary) and suggested we get together for lunch before the holiday and connect with each other.
We do not do it enough.

We met at Applebee's.
Linda and Deanna were waiting when Sharen and I showed up. The hostess asked us if we wanted to be seated and all of us said "No, we still have one more" at the same time. We all said a few huhs, and ughs and a few whaaaat's and the hostess looked very confused and then we all said at the same time "It's a sister thing". Then we all laughed.

Man, did that feel good.
We sat around the table enjoyed our lunch and caught up.
I ordered a meal that Sharen said that it would be the last thing that she would eat. If EVER! Now I love it because we had it a lot growing up - she on the other hand hates it, because we had it a lot growing up. Grilled cheese and Tomato soup.

Vicki gets a free lunch when she find a large screw in her soup. She found it before she swallowed it or broke a tooth.
No more "soup of the day" for the rest of the customers.

Here we are!

People who I am very Thankful for.

Silly Turkey Hat

Grandkids make you do silly things.
When they ask you to put on a silly hat....
That is exactly what you do - and you secretly like it, because they wanted you to put on that silly hat and be silly.

Mike holding Owen wearing Roger's silly turkey hat.

Great Excuse

She can't walk around the neighborhood.
She can't go over to LA and get in the water with me.
She can't take a trip to Joannes. (We have coupons to use! damn it)

Why?

She has Ben for the day.
Ben's babysitter was busy so Sharen got to watch her little grandson.

I decided that I needed a visit with Ben too, so I took a walk down the street. LOVE  that we live so close together.

Hey Ben, I am your GREAT Aunt Karen!

I held him while he watch his Grandma make up his bottle.

PhotoBombed

Logan's football team "Orange Crush" played in Cedar Rapids last weekend.

They played hard on and off the field.
Took home a championship trophy.

These boys don't only play with each other they play FOR each other.
The home team (favorite to win) took out our kicker. He has a sprained knee and a broken ankle. The opposing team wouldn't even take a knee for our guy on the field. They hopped around like a celebration.  Our boys came out fighting mad and showed them what football is all about. So proud to watch.

After all was done - of course, we had to have our picture taken with 24.

24 and Mom. No Smile!

 24 and a proud Papa. Big Smiles!

 24 and Grandma. Big brother in the background.

Nothing but Dust

4 glorious days of perfect weather.
The perfect time to tackle the fall yard work, after sneaking in a Grandson's football game, of course.

 Everyone is outside. All around the neighborhood people are blowing and mowing the leaves.. A few are burning them - Shame on You!

The rest of us are trying to mulch them. It has been so dry out that it's like mulching sand. Dust everywhere.
I spent 2 days blowing leaves out around the house and then  mulching them into a fine powder. Enough work on the leaves! Time to plant my tulips and trim up my hosta.

I need to wait till ALL of the leaves fall. Then the forecast called for rain - Mike got up on the roof and blew the leaves off - raked them out away from the house and decided that he was going to mulch them.
I told him to be my guest - I am still trying to cough away all the dust I inhaled. Not to mention the dirt that got into my eyes. It was bad people.

I strongly suggested that Mike put on a face mask. He just got over a nasty upper respiratory infection.  No arguments from him!

 He had to stop a few times to unclog the build up of leaves under the carriage.

 Nothing but dust!

So, as much as I was hoping that a little rain would wet down the mulched leaves and dust - it did NOT rain and we have another beautiful fall day.
Good thing we didn't put away our lawn furniture yet. I can sit and watch the last of the leaves fall.

Meet Owen

I heard it in his voice when he called at 3:03 am Friday Morning and woke me.
Mary had the baby and  all things pointed to it being healthy, oh yeah, and it's a boy. A big boy!
Owen Murphey Flory finally arrived.
Mary had a very smooth delivery and I have a new grandson.

When Luke was born Mike and I visited the hospital, but when I got home I realized I had pictures of everybody with the baby but me. That was not going to happen with Owen.

Mike was in no condition to make the trip to the hospital (very sick with all kinds of infections) so I was on my own. I have been to this hospital a few other times but I just rode along. Somehow I had to maneuver through traffic and  one way streets of Chicago to get to see Owen.

Traffic was light and I found the parking garage, parked the car and didn't know which way to get out. I was sure I was going to get lost in a parking garage.
I asked two gentlemen which way to go and finally found the elevators. I had it in my mind to just go back down the ramps I came up until I hit the street if I had too.

Made it to room 1387 and finally held grandson #5.
Everyone meet Owen!

 That's "my baby" on the right.

 Owen telling his Daddy " I love you, but I really want my Mommy right now."

Bryans phone beeped. "It was Andy checking in on 4 square. He's at Haymakert."
I thought it would be a hoot to surprise him and just show up there on my way home and have a draft.
Bryan walked me back to where I had to pay for my parking. (I just paid for Rahms kids college education $$$, just saying).

Now the reason I went on and on before about the parking garage was, if I thought I was lost getting from the car, finding the car was a total new adventure.
Yes, I was the crazy old lady wandering around the garage - holding my FOB above my head and trying to listen for the car horn. In my defense the paying for the parking is a different corner from where I left the garage.
I went up one ramp and down the other. I heard the horn then I didn't. OK now I am the laughing crazy lady wandering around the garage holding my FOB above my head. (Like holding it up above my head is  more efficient) I was holding my purse close thinking about what I would do if attacked. Crazy stuff!
I looked up at the ceiling of the garage and saw my lights flash. Found it! The real crazy thing was I was only on the second level. Whew!

So I have to take Michigan north till I get to Roosevelt or was it Randolph. I knew it started with a R and I was sure Bryan said Halsted. Now I am the crazy lady holding up traffic looking for a street that starts with R or Halsted.

The sad ending is I never found it, but I looked hard I really did, Andy.
I went home and had a couple Coors and toasted Owen alone.