Wednesday, January 30, 2008

sarah j a b d

So my buddy Sarah J came to town yesterday, she had to take her qualifying exam for her Civil Engineering PhD from UIUC today, so she was up from Mississippi. She braved the nasty weather last night and came with me to Small Group. She passed her oral exam today... yippee... do now she is officially ABD (All But Dissertation... just has to write the really big paper and the PhD is hers :)), and that is exciting. I just got home from Murphy's Pub, I had joined Sarah J, Nikki, and Sarah's fellow engineering buddies in celebrating Sarah J's big accomplishment.

Anyway, congratulations Sarah J, ABD... I am very proud of you! You get todays Kudos!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Movin' on Up: I have sat at the same desk since 1997

So today at work our department made a temporary move, before we move to our permanent new office space in Champaign later this spring. As far as moves go this one was pretty simple, we just moved to different office space/cube farm on the same floor. My new space is more than adequate, especially on a temporary basis but it is kind of weird to be at a new desk and well frankly I am exhausted from the uprooting. Again, this move isn't that big of a deal but it is just slightly overwhelming for me because I had been sitting at my previous desk since 1997! Yep that is right, I had been sitting at the same desk for more than 10 years!

Ah 1997... can you remember what you were doing back then? I am going to be completely-1997 lazy and cut and paste from "I Love the 1990's-1997" to remind you all what was going on back then.

I smell sex and candy...oh wait that's just 1997! What other year can boast about a talking chihuahua, Dolly the first cloned sheep, the first septuplets were born (that's 7 children at once) Ellen came OUT! And as if we didn't know already, Fiona Apple told us that the world was "bulls**t"...nice. Iron Mike Tyson went on a biting frenzy and we were introduced to Matt & Ben...thank GOD. And in case that line up doesn't impress you , 1997 gave birth to true girl power - the Spice Girls told us what we really really wanted, Ally McBeal showed us the you really could be a better lawyer if you wore a mini skirt, talked to a dancing baby and not eat EVER. Buffy kicked eveyone's ass in a sassy pair of Manolo Blahniks. I'm flying, oh wait I'm sinking! Titanic ruled the box office and millions went home with the theme song stuck in their head FOREVER...thanks Celine. Tamagotchi helped us figure out it was easier to take care of an electronic pet than a real one. "How Bizaare"..."How Bizaare".MMMM Bop your way into 1997 "I Get Knocked Down, but I get up again"... been sitting at my previous desk since 1997!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Dan the Man




So I just got home from Bloomington. Nik and I took a little road trip to the other twin cities to check out the other Cards Caravan at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington. We saw Aaron Miles, Brian Barden, Joe Mather, Scott Cooper, Kerry Robinison, and the event was emceed by Cards broadcaster, Dan McLaughlin.

Here are a few highlights. Nik and I got to check out the competing arena in the area. It is pretty nice, but much smaller than the Assembly Hall. Very intimate, we may have to check out some concerts there. The event was actually down on the ice (obviously they had some flooring material over the ice so there was no slipping and sliding) but is was a little chilly. Unlike Champaign there was an admission charged, but it included a ticket for the prize drawings... once again I didn't win.
Aaron Miles was sporting some very trendy and attractive glasses. He looks way cuter in person, and the glasses really work for him. Brian Barden came up at the end of last season briefly and WOW he is very attractive. Joe Mather is adorable, and very tall. Kerry Robinson recently retired from baseball, and is now working at developing a financial planning business. Tyler Johnson was supposed to be there, but evidently he was feeling a little under the weather.

There was not a huge crowd probably somewhere 300 and 400 people, so once the kids got through the autograph line, they had time to let the adults get autographs as well. First in line was broadcaster, Dan McLaughlin, and he was being very generous and letting folks actually try on his 2006 World Series Championship ring. KUDOS DAN! The ring was fabulous, very large and full of bling. It was definitely a little overwhelming to actually get to wear a championship ring, definitely a highlight. You can tell from the pictures that Nik and I were both VERY excited.

Joe Mather was very nice and chatty and asked me if I was planning on going to some games this season. I said yes, and that we were planning a trip to Spring Training in about six weeks too. Nik added that it was going to be 4 girls in a mini-van and quite the road trip. Joe was amazed that we were driving and asked us how long the trip would be. Brian was amazed that it was four girls and actually asked "Are you sure you won't end up pulling each other's hair out?". We got to check out Aaron Miles' championship ring as well, but he wasn't letting others wear it... I don't blame him, I would definitely share his "you can look, but don't touch" philosphy if I had one myself.

It was a good day, totally worth the trip. Once again, Kudos Dan... you da man!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

The Winner Is...


Yesterday I went to the Cardinals Caravan stop in Champaigin with my Mom. I took the afternoon off so we could go check out the Caravan at 12:30, then go to lunch, and do a little shopping. It was great to spend some time with my Mom, and the Cardinals. For those of you who care the Cardinals on our Caravan included Josh Kinney, Ryan Ludwick, PJ Walters, and Colby Rasmus, Jay Randolph, Rick Horton, Tom Lawless and Kenny Reitz. It was great to get in baseball mode again, it took my mind off of the ridiculously cold weather we are having.

Mom and I sat with a couple from church, Chuck and Donna (Allison's parents) at the Caravan. After the question and answer session it was time to draw the raffle prizes and were were all anxiously awaiting a big win, especially when they were giving away free tix, but alas no winners in our group. My Mom made the funniest comment ever though... they announced that the next raffle prize would be an autographed photo of Cardinal manager, Tony LaRussa. The guy at the microphone started to say "And the winner is..." when my Mom piped up and said "... Scott Rolen!" For those of you not in the know this is incredibly funny because Scott Rolen is the Cardinals former third baseman that was recently traded to the Blue Jays largely because he has been having an ongoing feud with Tony LaRussa for the past year+. This comment was just plain funny in its own right, but add the fact that it came from my Mom and well it is just 10x funnier.

Tomorrow Nik and are going to go to the Caravan in Bloomington as it involves a different group of players. Actually Nik and I just got home from seeing the movie "27 Dresses" which was pretty good... what if every bride made all of her friends wear the bridesmaid dresses that they made her buy and wear that their weddings to her wedding... interesting, huh?

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Kudos Bro!

I saw my brother tonight at the Illini game. I asked him if he could help me re-hook up my garage door, after I had to unhook it a couple of weeks ago to get out of my garage when the power was out. It is probably easy to do, but I don't know how. God bless Phil, he stopped at my house after the game and took care of it. When I drove home I didn't have to pull in the driveway, park the car, get out, open the garage door, pull into the garage, get out and shut the door... which had been my routine for the last two weeks... kind of a pain. Anywho... Kudos Phil... it is nice to have a handy older brother around sometimes.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Happy Birthday Janner Bananner


Another birthday blog. Today, January 14th is my sister Jan's birthday. Yep, Jan and Jane isn't that just too cute. Jan Ellen (Tjardes) Pfeiffer turns 47 today. From January to May each year, my sister is 10 years older than me... I like that it makes for easy math.

Happy Birthday Jan!

The title of this post refers to the name our Uncle Harry called Jan growing up. It hasn't been used in years, and I don't know if anyone really remembers it, but I just always thought it sounded cool for some reason, and hate to admit that I didn't have a fun little nickname like that. Not that Jano isn't a great nickname, but let's face it I did have to add the "Fabulous" myself to make it POP!

Jan lives in Carlinville, Illinois (between Springfield and St. Louis for those of you lacking Captain Map skills) with her husband, Larry and their two boys, Lane (19) and Eric (16) and their THREE labs! She shares the house with three boys and three dogs... sometimes it can get a little crazy there... but Jan remains relatively sane.

Being 10 years her junior, I think one of Jan's greatest joys in life was teaching me to do something as a small child, being all excited for me and cheering my accomplishments and such. Now before you get all "Aw, what a great sister" on me, it doesn't sound quite as charitable when you realize that most of the things she taught me were things that she wanted me to do FOR her. For instance, we grew up int the 70's before TV's had remote controls, from the age of 4 on I was pretty much the human remote control/channel changer at our house. Alas, the joys of being the older sister. Oh well, I am glad to give her that joy because poor Jan did have to share a room with me the entire time we both lived at our parents house... that could not have been fun at all.

Jan and I don't have all that much in common as far as daily lifestyle and routine go... but we do share two things. The love of Cardinals baseball, and peas! I am not really sure how it happened but our father passed on his love of baseball to his two daughters, not his only son. Jan even keeps a scorecard at the baseball games... very impressive. I do upon occasion, but I have to think too much about it so if I keep score I feel like I am missing all of the people watching opportunities. Oh, and the other thing... my sister and I both love peas! Jan prefers hers creamed, while I prefer my plain. (As a side note, one of the ways my mom completely spoiled me is that when making peas for dinner she would often set aside a bowl of plain peas for me before creaming the rest for Jan and and casual pea lovers dining with us at the time).

One of my favorite Jan stories actually took place before me (or at least before I had memory of it), but it has been told many a time. One day our cousin, Link (about 3 years Jan's junior) was at our house playing with our brother. Evidently Link was just driving Jan insane, bothering her pestering her and she finally snapped. So, she got a couple of jump ropes and tied Link to the door and then went into the other room. I think Link pleaded with Phil to save him, but he was afraid Jan had some more jump ropes and there was still an available door. I love that kind of take charge, woman in control attitude... you go sister-friend!

Given the whole Jan/Jane thing, I was often referred to as "Jan" growing up... teachers, people at church, occasionally our parents. When I was younger it drove me nuts, now that I am older and wiser and realize that my sister is pretty fabulous in her own right... I don't really mind.

Happy Birthday Jane... ooopps I mean Jan!

Editors Note: All of the truly embarrassing pictures of Jan are at my parents house. I will be nice and post this one instead. I hate to admit but I don't think I was that cute as a toddler.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

"I am gonna have to have a talk with that boy!" and other random stuff

So there have been a few little things that have come up, or that I remembered I wanted to share, so here is a random assortment of things... not big enough for their own post perhaps, but definitely worth sharing.

#1 As our small group leaders meeting was wrapping up earlier today the topic turned to NFL football. Donna (she would be my friend Allison's mom) piped up with a couple of comments about the Dallas Cowboys one being about Dallas QB Tony Romo, "What is up with him hanging out with that Jessica girl? I am going to have to have a talk with that boy!" Donna and Tony are fellow EIU alums, and evidently those Panthers look out for one another. For whatever reason hearing Donna say that just made me laugh out loud... I just wasn't expecting that from her. I know Donna is a big Cardinals fan, but the "Romo Love" was a new discovery. Anyway, Donna is one of my more loyal readers, and she made me laugh today so Kudos to Donna.

#2 So this was a discovery I made several months ago, but I have forgotten to share. At the beginning of basketball season I learned that "Tootsie Roll Guy" passed away this spring. To give you just a little background, at the Assembly Hall we have ushers that work the top and bottom of the A section aisles at basketball games on on a permanent basis, they check to make sure each patron has a ticket for that section. Some of the ushers have had those permanent spots for many years, so they are very well known by their patrons in their section. Sue works at the bottom of A2, near the Illini bench. For years there was an older gentleman who sat in Row 4 of Section A2 and at every game he would take a tootsie roll out of his pocket and toss one to Sue, and if I was working the floor that night and standing near Sue he would toss me one too. It was just really sweet, and I always made a point to hang out near Sue when I was working that section, especially before the game because the "tootsie toss" was just enjoyable... I never dropped a tootsie roll, and it just so happens they are one of my favorite candies. Anyway earlier this season I was talking to Sue at a women's game and the topic of Tootsie Roll Guy came up, and I asked if he was back this season (his season tickets were for men's games only). Anyway, Sue told me that he had passed away last spring/summer. I was really sad for a few minutes. It was kind of crazy to be so sad about the death of a virtual stranger, but he was a stranger who always brightened my day when I saw him. Rest in peace Tootsie Roll Guy, I remember you fondly every time I have a tootsie roll.

#3 On the topic of Candy Men, there is also "Mint Guy" at the Assembly Hall. He is acquaintances with a couple of our staff, and he has season tickets to both men's and women's basketball games. When he gets to the games always takes a lap around the arena and hands out mints to our staff. And they are good mints too, the Bob's Sweet Stripe mints, my favorites. One time one of our student ushers who didn't work many games told me "Yeah, some guy just handed me a mint, what is that about? I am not sure I should eat it, you know candy from a stranger and all." I told her, "He's not a stranger, he is the Mint Guy", if you don't want it I will take it. I have chatted with the Mint Guy, and I think his name is Jim, but I just like to call him Mint Guy. Oddly enough, Mint Guy has added tootsie rolls to his mint stash this season. Normally I opt for the mint if given a choice, the Mint Guy's tootsie rolls just are quite as sweet and the ones from Tootsie Roll Guy.

#4 The other night at the woman's game I filled in at A32 aisle for Larry. Larry rarely misses a game, and boy were his patrons quick to tell me about it. This was a women's game so there were no more than 20 people in his section, but let me tell you I had 20+ "Where's Larry?" inquiries. There was definitely some separation anxiety. The Illini won that game that night, a game they were not favored to win. A couple of Larry's patrons told me that while they certainly missed Larry, I was evidently pretty good luck and that I was welcome to fill in for him any time. That made me smile.

#5 While that made me smile, what made me fall over laughing that night before the game was my pal, Hank, who works security at the Hall. During the pre-game the sound system was playing The Pussycat Dolls song "Don you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me", and Hank was standing in the doorway of the tunnel "shaking his groove-thang" for me and Nikki who was work the A11 aisle. The fully appreciate this you have to know that Hank is a very tall and broad man, with a bald head and a beard... well he can look really scary sometimes... not your typical "shake your groove-thang" kind of guy. Besides the dance itself, it was extra funny because last season Hank took to asking Nik and I "Don't ya wish your boyfriend was a freak like me?" and well you just can't help but giggle.

Well that is it. I warned y'all it was random :)

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Jake, Jerry & The King


Yet another birthday blog, and this one is a double, okay a triple if you count Elvis, but I don't really count him since he is A.) dead and B.) I did not know him personally.

Today is Jacob "Jake" Hendee's 20th birthday. Happy Birthday Jake!

Most of you probably already know that Jake was the freshman Illini football player I mentored last season. He was a kicker, but decided to leave the team at the beginning of his sophomore year to give himself time and opportunity to pursue more academic pursuits. Jake has definitely taken advantage of the extra time because he is pretty much involved in almost everything on campus. Leaving the team has worked out well for Jake, other than missing a free trip to the Rose Bowl… but he went on his own dime with buddies from school and had a great time as a fan. Leaving the team has worked out even better for me. We are no longer subject to NCAA rules and I can now legally feed him!!! I pretty much live to be the “hostess with the mostess”, and not being able to fix that boy dinner last year or bake him cookies pretty much killed me. Jake frequented out tailgates this fall, and came over to my house to watch the OSU game… food was involved on all occasions.

Meeting every week during his freshman year, Jake and I got to be pretty tight. Jake is an all-around "good kid"… a hard worker, respectful and polite, and very responsible so I don't know that I really did much mentoring. Jake is just a pleasant person and easy to like, but there were two things that stood out (even our first meeting) that pretty much had me "sold". First, Jake was just so appreciative of my time and my willingness to volunteer as a mentor. Not to be all "old lady" and start the "kids today…" speech, but so many young people today really don't know how to show gratitude or have an appreciation for other people's time and efforts… maybe it is a product of growing up in the email age, I don't know, but Jake is just special that way. Second, and this something I really admire… Jake LOVES the University of Illinois! He loved this school day 1, and continues love it, and with passion. As former athlete he certainly is a fan of the U of I's sports teams, especially football… but his passion for this place goes deeper than that… he loves the academics and research, the campus as a whole and is just excited to be here. As an alum of this University and a member of this community that it just cool to see. I LOVE the University of Illinois too, but I didn't get what a great place was when I was a freshman… Jake does … he is wise beyond his years that way.

From what I hear from the 20-year old ladies, Jake is pretty hott too… not that think of him in that way. But I know for a fact that a 20-year old female college co-ed commented at a tailgate this fall “Jake is hott, why didn’t you mention this before?”… then during a phone call after the OSU game when it was mentioned that Jake was at my house, said 20-year old female college co-ed responded with “What Jake?, Jane’s Jake? Hott Jake?” Jake if you are reading this I can probably hook you up :)

Although no longer his mentor, Jake and I still keep in touch, and he even called to ask for any advice I had when he camped out in line for Rose Bowl tickets. My response was “I am not sure what to tell you, the last time we went to the Rose Bowl I was in 8th grade!” Jake’s reply, “WOW! That was a long time ago, this really is a big deal isn’t it?!”… thanks buddy… Happy Birthday!

Today is also Jerry Murbarger’s birthday. Happy Birthday Jerry (aka Nikki’s Dad). I didn’t know the exact date of Jerry’s birthday but when I mentioned Jake’s birthday blog coming up, she said “Hey , that is my Dad’s birthday too, and Elvis Presley’s too.” She said that she only knew about Elvis because her mom was a huge Elvis fan, and always joked that the reason she married Jerry was because he and Elvis shared a birthday. In another ironic twist of fate… I just so happen to have a picture of the two birthday boys at a tailgate this fall… Jerry and Jake that is… no Elvis, Elvis has left the tailgate.

Evidently Jerry is relatively loyal reader of the blog… which for some reason just kind of amuses me, but as a general rule my blog is popular among my friend’s parents. Actually this should not surprise me, Jerry has for some reason always been particularly amused by my various adventures.

Nik and I often refer to Jerry as Captain Map. He knows every road in the state from checking the lines all over the state for Ameren. Seriously, he is better than a GPS. I have gone to a fair share of Cardinal games with Captain Map, and also a Sugarland/Joe Nichols concert. Many of the games my Dad has gone with us. George and Jerry are big pals, they chat about all sorts of things, but for some reason cannot remember each others name. I told Nik one time that before every game we go to together my Dad asks me several times before we get to their house “Now what is Nikki’s Dad’s name again?” She laughed because she said Jerry did the same thing.
Happy Birthday Jerry.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

"So What's It Like to Have Your Team Win the World Series?"


Today is another birthday blog... yippee! Happy Birthday Bob Schlehuber! Bob is one of my co-workers at the Hall (I know there are lots of Hall birthday blogs, but we have a staff of over 150, and y'all know I am a friendly person so it can't be helped)

Bob, is actually my boss these days which is just kind of scary. He is the student head usher for the spring semester, taking Nate's place while he studies abroad in Verona, Italy. Bob is a Cub fan and likes to give Nik and I lots of crap about the Cardinals. The title of this post... one of my favorite Bob moments... he got all serious and such and actually asked me that question. My response equally serious was "Well Bob, I have seen it twice in my lifetime, and I have to tell you it is sweet, very sweet, it is as special moment I will never forget!" It was funny Bob actually got a little misty I think.

One of the craziest things about Bob is that he is pretty much Nathan's twin, and that very much creeps me out. They look a lot a like, not dead ringers, but certainly have similar looks in the bearded/scruffy, dark curly hair sort of way. The looks thing I could handle but sometimes how Bob acts and what he says is so "Nathan" it is just down right spooky. Bob and Nathan know about each other, and Nik and I want them to meet but they are both hesitant to do so, they both just kind of like the idea of having a twin out there, but don't really want to "meet themselves"... if I could meet me I would so be all over it... seriously it would be me, and am fabulous, so why wouldn't I want to meet someone fabulous.

Anyway, Bob is just lots of fun to work with. He actually paid Nik and I a big compliment awhile back. When we were working Hairspray Nik and I did an amazing job finding just enough disabled seating for everyone, we didn't panic, read each others minds and helped one another out. Bob said, "I am so glad the two of you are working, this has been crazy and no offense to the rest of our supervisor staff but they couldn't have handled it, and I would have to do it, so yeah, Thanks!"

When it was Nate's birthday and Nik brought him a birthday card, Bob got all silly jealous and was like "You didn't bring me a card on my birthday, blah, blah, blah..." Nik's response was "Bob, if I knew when your birthday was I would be happy to get you a card!". Needless to say Bob was quick to let her know the date, she shared it with me, thus today's blog. Happy now Bob? Far be it from me to play favorites.

I invited Bob over for lasagna and to watch the OSU football game (I had been talking to him about how I like to cook for people and he responded with a "You can cook for me! I like to eat.") , but he couldn't make it because he was working the Cirque show... I still owe him dinner... maybe I should try to take care of that sometime, perhaps it could be a belated birthday celebration or something of the sort... maybe I will make a cake... maybe, no promises on that one Bob.

Anyway, Happy Birthday Bob Schlehuber!

Editors Note: I don't have a picture of Bob to put with this post, so I went with the next best thing... a picture of me with Bob's twin, Nathan. I am sure Bob can appreciate the humor in that. :)

Thursday, January 3, 2008

I am more special than ESPN's Erin Andrews and here is why


So I just got home from working the Illini game. I was working on the floor tonight, on the west side where most of the media are located. The game was on ESPN (yep, that was a game we wanted the nation to see... not!) and sideline reporter, Erin Andrews was there. When we first went to our locations Erin was sitting at one of the press tables working on some notes. My co-worker Ted came by and he gave Erin a Werthers original candy (side note about Ted, he gives everyone a Werthers candy at every event and must have stock in Werthers, and just happens to have gone to school with my Dad from elementary all the way through high school), then Ted proceeds to open his hand to me where he has both the original Werthers hard candy, and the soft/caramel chewy Werthers, and says "You are special, Jane, you get to choose which kind you want". This is why/how I am more special than Erin Andrews... okay so kind of lame, but it was a slow news day here at janofabulous.com. In case any of you are wondering Erin Andrews is pretty awesome. Not only is she ridiculously beautiful, and and a woman who knows her sports, she is very nice and pleasant. She chatted with our staff a bit, and was very gracious to the random assortment of men/boys who wanted their picture taken with her. Kudos to Erin for being a kind and intelligent sports lovin' girl.


So there is a GRRR in today's blog, and surprisingly enough it isn't the Illini basketball team's performance tonight. No, today's GRRR goes to the four men sitting the second row of A section that completely ogled Erin tonight everytime she passed by, making some very crude comments, and basically just treating her like a piece of meat. The usher sitting right in front of them said it was just rude and disgusting... granted Erin could not hear the comments but plenty of other people could. Why do some men think it is okay to completely objectify women in that way? Lord knows if other men were making those same comments about their wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers or daughters they would be ready to "throw down". It was just completely disrespectful. So here is a challenge for my reading public out there. If you have the opportunity to influence boys or young men in any way (as a parent, teacher, friend, church or community member, whatever) please make sure that they know this kind of behavior is rude, disrespectful, and unacceptable! * steps off soap box *


Tuesday, January 1, 2008

There is no washing your hair in football

So just few post game tidbits. #1 We totally saw my mentee Cole on TV on the sideline, right behind Juice when they put McGee in the game, I definitely yelled "Hi Cole!". #2 Nik and I saw USC QB, John David Booty walking towards the tunnel with about 4 or 5 minutes to go, when he accepted the MVP trophy after the game he was definitely freshly showered, or at the very least went in and washed his face and hair... who does that? John David, there's no washing your hair in football, I thought the Rose Bowl was sponsored by Citi... not Pantene. #3 Illinois needs to work on holding on to the ball, Nik's idea is to have every player who catches/carries the ball carry a ball with a computer chip in it around campus this semester, and everyone else on campus will try to knock it out of their hands. The computer chip records the "hold on vs. drop" stats for the coaching staff so perhaps Coach Zook can call them into his office and say something like "Ok, Jeff, so I can understand why the big guy in your math class knocked the ball out of your hands, but seriously the 5 foot tall sorority girl from Speech Com, boy you have to toughen up!" #4 Matt Leinhart... yep he used to play for USC, but darn it if he isn't completely hott! #5 I am all for sporting the Rose Bowl outfits, but the USC dance squad had the ugliest sweaters known to man... they had very large and obnoxious roses embroidered on them. #6 Okay, so we lost, and maybe we are just a little bitter, but seriously aren't the USC players total punks? Really... 3 unsportsmanlike celebration penalties, class it up Trojans! #7 Why is WICD dragging on the post-game coverage. We lost, by a lot, let's just move on, #8 WICD were also the idiots that sold banner advertising to Good Vibes that scollled at the bottom of the screen during the game, it was so annoying.

Oh well, a disappointing game, but still a great season. And that is your Rose Bowl post game blog, brought to you by Pantene.

Rose Blows!: Taking one for the team

Okay, so Nikki and I were all set to travel to Chatsworth to join our friends John, Marla and Jeremiah at Krista & Trevor's house for a Rose Bowl viewing party. I even had J Lemon (Lehman) bars to take, along with some buffalo chicken dip. Well if we were ever cursing not going into serious debt to go to Pasadena ourselves, we were cursing even louder when we hit a slick spot on Rt. 115 as there was a wicked gust of wind and we slid, Nikki had pretty much turned us out of the slide when we hit another slick spot, and hit the guard rail (in the words of Rose Parade Grand Marshall , Emeril LaGasse)..."BAM!" We pulled into a drive just a bit down the road and checked out the car, and luckily it was basically just a very big scratch, and still driveable. Needless to say we decided it would be best to turn around and head back home. We are now safe and sound, and cheering our guts out.

Todays Kudos go to Nikki, for keeping us on the road and being a good sport. Checky her out viewing the damage, still sporting the rose behind her ear. Go Illini!

The Clock Strikes 50


On Sunday I went to a surprise open house and dinner for my Aunt Mary Kay and Uncle Mervin's 50th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary!!! My Aunt Mary Kay is my Dad's sister... he is the older of four, and she is the second oldest. Kudos to my five cousins (the M's) Mark, Mary Beth, Marcia, Michael and Martin for pulling off the surprise, and throwing a very nice party.

It was great to see everyone, various and assorted relatives that I don't get the opportunity to see very often. My cousins got a grandfather clock for their parents to commemorate the occasion, something that they have always wanted. The clock is beautiful, but the best part was definitely the stories that were told about the phone conversation Michael had that morning with Ben the clock guy when Ben didn't write down the delivery they had scheduled that day and he was in Chicago. Needless to say the clock did end up arriving as originally scheduled, but there were evidently about 20 text messages exchanged between various family members in church that morning. All the while Mary Kay and Mervin were none the wiser, and when Michael was sharing the story and someone asked how they managed to keep it all from their parents he said, "Well it took 50 years, but we have realized... Mom and Dad just aren't that bright!"

Anyway, it was a great celebration. And once again, Happy Anniversary... here is to another 50 years!