Archive for "Family"
Happy Thanksgiving
Posted on November 23, 2007 by Ching under Family, Flickr.
We had an abundance of food at Thanksgiving today. Per usual, we spent Thanksgiving with Brian’s family. His mom is a wonderful cook who enjoys having everyone over. Bill and Lisa, from across the street, and their kids Mia and Charlie were with us also.
After a hearty meal, Brian fixed a plate for Chad and took the food to him at work. That was a really nice gesture. By the time he returned, we were ready for dessert. We had Cheesecake Factory’s Italian cream cake, the kind you get at Sam’s. I had to keep grandma and Lisa from eating too much of the homemade moose munch mix (Brian and I mixed chocolate covered caramel popcorn, peanut butter M & M’s, and chocolate covered pretzels together so that Brian could feel like he actually made something) so that they would have room for cake. Lisa wasn’t happy about the 400 calories. I quickly pointed out that the calories from the caker were the least of our worries. The meal we had was an easy two to three thousand calories, but who cares? It’s Thanksgiving. You’re supposed to eat your heart out.
After dessert we played several rounds of Catchphrase (many thanks to Cannady Girl for giving it to me for my birthday). I love that game! We had played it at Bill and Lisa’s new year’s eve party over a year ago and I wanted the game ever since. We couldn’t find it at Wal-Mart when we checked, though. Then we figured I could just add it to a birthday or Christmas list and maybe someone would get it for me. 😉
Brian, Lisa, and I teamed up against grandma, David, and Bill. Our team lost every single round. It wasn’t until we traded Brian for grandma that we actually won one. I couldn’t tell if it was losing Brian that helped us win or if it was grandma’s contribution to the team. It was so much fun playing, though.
Before going home, Brian and I went to my parents’ house to drop off some presents. While there, we played some more Catchphrase. It was super fun. Mom found the game a bit of a challenge, but she seemed to genuinely enjoy it. She is actually considering getting their own game so I can practice.
I found out that mom, dad, and Jen all went to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Tejanos in Newton. All of Tita Esper’s kids (except for the eldest) were home for the holidays. Maybe if we can get into our new house by Thanksgiving next year we can bring everyone together, both the Brubakers and the Alonsos, for Thanksgiving. We’ll probably need to get help from Picadilly like we did last year when we did Thanksgiving for the grandparents. David and Donna were in Texas.
Anyway, if we can’t get into our new house until much later that will be okay too. I’m sure that there will be many, many more Thanksgiving holidays to celebrate with family in the years to come. I just wish that the family would reunite (Brian’s brother Kevin has been estranged for some time but we found him accidentally through our fall parade of homes adventures). Lisa had some pretty good ideas this afternoon. Grandma said she didn’t think that Kevin would return until after she passes. Donna said probably not until after she is gone. I think it will happen much, much sooner than that specially if we heed Lisa’s advice. It’s time to get the family back together.
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November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
Posted on November 7, 2007 by Ching under Family, News, Sponsored Post.
Thats right, November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month! The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America initiated National Memory Screening Day as part of its mission to provide “optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families”…and as part of its focus on “Together for Care…in addition to Cure.” National Memory Screening Day is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to promote early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and to encourage appropriate intervention. AFA carries out this event in collaboration with organizations and health care professionals across the U.S. Participating sites offer free confidential memory screenings, as well as follow up resources and educational materials to those concerned about memory loss. I worry about my family having this illness because my grandfather and grandmother are getting to that age where this can afflict them. I remember that my great grandmother had it when I was just a kid and although I don’t remember much from that time, what I do remember makes me sad. Memory screenings make sense for anyone concerned about memory loss or experiencing warning signs of dementia; whose family and friends have noticed changes in them; or who believe they are at risk due to a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or a related illness. Screenings also are appropriate for anyone who does not have a concern right now, but who wants to establish a base line score for comparison in the future. The key to successful aging is a healthy, common sense lifestyle. The goals are to slow or prevent the loss of brain cells, maintain the brain’s capacity to make up for any loss, and let remaining brain cells function well. This requires a healthy body, mind and spirit. I can’t thank of any better holiday gift than the gift of great health to a loved one. Make sure that you provide your loved ones an opportunity to improve there overall mental health and spirit.
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Pictures, Pictures
Posted on November 6, 2007 by Ching under Family, Flickr.
This is the blog where I catch you up on the events of the past weekend. Since pictures speak a thousand words, let’s have the pictures do the talking.
Saturday was spend at mom and dad’s where we had a double birthday celebration for Cannady Girl and me.
Don’t worry. Logan is drinking sparkling apple cider only. We may be corrupting him by teaching him how to play poker but we don’t let him drink alcoholic beverages.
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Logan’s First Poker Home Game
Posted on November 3, 2007 by Ching under Family, Flickr, Poker.
We have the makings of a child poker prodigy. LOL.
We decided that we would have a friendly five-dollar buy-in poker tournament at our family get together today. As Brian was getting the stuff ready, Logan asked if he could play with us. We told him no because we would be playing for real money.
“I have money,” he says.
“How much money do you have?” I asked.
“Four hundred twenty eight dollars,” he declares proudly.
He was so cute that we agreed to let him play for fun. Uncle Jude staked his five-dollar buy-in. Logan had a lot of fun playing cards with the grown ups, especially since he won the whole thing. He was really happy because he was going to add his winnings to his savings account. Just a bit more closer to five hundred dollars. Go, Logan!
Here are some of the pictures we took.
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Jenni’s New Hanging Bookshelves
Posted on October 15, 2007 by Ching under Family, Flickr, Sponsored Post, Web.
My spoiled little sister wrote about her new bookshelves the other day.
“Sunday Dad finished my bookshelves.. There’s another set just right beside it. Almost all my books fit, actually, I was way surprised. Dad says to keep an eye on it for the next couple of days to make sure it doesn’t give. That’s very reassuring, huh?
He also tried to charge me $150 for the materials, and $80 an hour for the labor.
Really, Dad? I don’t think I would have hired a programmer that cost that much to make my bookshelves for me. Especially since you did almost miss the stud.
You have to hand it to him though, the bookshelves look fantabulous. I’m so very excited.”
By the way, I’m really digging this Payperpost thing. So far so, good. I am almost a third of the way to earning $300 toward my new digital camera. I have received $80.25 since I first signed up. Then I have another $95.15 coming my way. Of the the $95.15 that’s pending, four blog entries (about $39.00 worth) have already been approved. So I am just waiting on the payment for those. The rest (about four more blog entries) are still waiting to be reviewed.
You guys should sign up for Payperpost and start blogging for bucks today. I’m not just saying this because I will get $15 out of the referral, either. It really works!
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