Saturday Night with the Boys

Spent last Saturday night with my family and friends in downtown Cleveland. We started off at the Rockbottom Brewery where The Boy and I both tried the beer sampler. Pretty interesting trying each one and seeing how the flavors change.

From lightest to darkest we have Cleveland American Light, Walleye Wheat, Powerhouse Pale Ale, Riverbend Red, Dawg Pound Brown, and Terminal Stout. To my surprise, I enjoyed the stout quite a bit.

Now if I could just get someone to provide me with a sampler of fine whiskeys... a bourbon, scotch, single malt, double malt, Kentucky, Irish - I am serious - what does it all mean?

Then it was off to see the show on the Nautica Stage. A very excellent place to see a concert. An outdoor venue with the river backing the stage and the city just beyond.

The opening bands were actually very easy to listen to. Often the bands are of the "growler" type with too much bass, poser guitars, and singers who don't sing. This time we were treated to Icarus Witch and Coheed & Cambria. The latter broke out into a bit of Iron Maden's the Trooper which was well recieved, and they also did a tune with a theremin. I spent most of the evening trying to remember the name of that instrument I kept thinking "therm, therm, what!?!?" Remembered it driving down the expressway the next day. Just popped into my head.

And then came: Heaven and Hell

Here we have Tony Iommi, otherwise known as The Master... ruler of the guitar.

and the whole gang: Geezer Butler on bass, Ronnie James Dio vocals, and Vinne Appice on drums.

Dio singing the penultimate "Heaven and Hell" watch out for those flames!

It was a good night. The Indians won and so did the Browns. Some might even consider it a miracle.

I love this city at night... someday I'm going to take a thousand pictures of the lights and the energy.

I love my boy too.

Life is just a carousel, spinning fast you've got to ride it well, it's heaven and hell...

Weekend in the Country

A scrapbooking weekend in Holmes County, Berlin, Ohio at Zinck's Inn: We awake to a beautiful, hazy sunrise.

Many sites to see around the Inn and at the nearby shops.

color moved by the wind...

nature, prickly and perfect...

reflections to catch your gaze...

a view of the neighboring farm...

corn - up close and personal...

restful respite...

handmade baskets...

fences can be lovely...

and oh yes... we found the scrapbooking store!

All my crafty friends: Rachel, Christina, Deb, Patti, Terri, and me. These girls are the best - always willing to share their toys, embellishments, and stories...

We really did get a lot accomplished, especially the hard work of having a blast and enriching friendships(What ketchup bottle? I have no idea what you're talking about!!)

Can't wait until we do it again!

Flowers from a Boy!

Yes ladies and gentlemen, The Husband is getting quite the reputation as a "flower sender."

These arrived just in time for my birthday!

(if you look closely at the background, you can also see my famed Superball collection which contains many other prized gifts from the husband. Had to move it recently to a more spacious container to accommodate new additions...)

Also scheduled for this evening's festivities are dinner and a movie - at my request.

Finally going to see Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince.

Yea me!

Vairy Exciting

I am a vairy lucky girl!

Look what I bought myself last week:

Yes! It is a 1963 Corvair Monza Convertible and her name is ROXY!

She is fully restored and ready to roll. Fiona (her sister the PTCruiser) is a wee bit jealous, but she'll be okay.

She is quite the dish - look at her lovely interior!

A few details... like the delightful AM/FM converter? Spiffy!

And where is the gear shifter you say? Right there in the middle - see the little knob? Just to the right and down from the ignition? Just RNDL... no park!

This is all The Husband's fault... if we hadn't taken the Cougar to a car show recently I never would have seen her. Once I did - it was all over - the obsession began and she had to join the family.

For the other car enthusiasts out there - she's air cooled and her aluminum flat six rear engine will indeed take me up over 65 mph (not that I've tried - that would be illegal in my state). The Corvair also boasts Chevrolet's first mass produced unibody construction and fully independent suspension design.

Here is what Chevrolet had to say about Corvairs when they introduced them back in 1960.... (Just forget every thing Ralph Nader said - he was just a bit confused about things and they debunked his "unsafe at any speed" theory long ago when the US Government's National Highway Safety Administration actually certified it safe - the only car ever to receive that honor...). Of course there were a few modifications by '63, the convertible top for one, but you get the idea and seriously, who can resist a vintage video!

No seat belts though. All you people who didn't believe me when I said seat belts used to be an option? I now own a car without them - so there! The Husband is insisting that change. We'll see.

Can you say "Mid-life Crisis?"

I'm vairy excited!

Happy trails!

Great Strides 2009

It was time again for the Great Strides Walk to Support Cystic Fibrosis research back on May 2, 2009.

Went to Toledo again to walk with Breanna and her sister Mandi pictured above, and many friends shown below! Thanks to Mandi's Alpha Phi sisters and other friends from BGSU who came to support her as well as Bre's gang from Sylvania.

Mom and Dad were there too.

I did not send out any emails asking for donations this year... But I believe you can still support the cause of you're interested. Follow this link.

NEED A LITTLE INSPIRATION? CHECK OUT THESE FAST FACTS ABOUT CYSTIC FIBROSIS FROM THE DETROIT CHAPTER WEBSITE AND REMEMBER YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

About 1000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year.

Of the 30,000 Americans with cystic fibrosis over 900 live in the state of Michigan.

Currently, there are more than 30 potential CF therapies in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s drug discovery and development pipeline; 50 years ago there were none.

Today, more than 45 percent of all people with CF in this country are 18 years or older.

In the 1950’s, few children with CF lived to attend elementary school. Now, due to advances in research, many people with CF expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

Everyone is important - So support your own causes however you can!

For an Alpha Phi Girl!

My Niece Mandi went off to Bowling Green State University last fall and I was so excited that she decided to participate in Sorority Recruitment!

Now I've mostly talked your ear off about Chi Omega around here - but I am all about the Panhellenic Sisterhood in every way.

Although her mother, who is my sister Diana, and I both pledged Chi Omega, everyone finds her own place in the Greek system.

And Amanda pledged Alpha Phi!

I wanted to show her how excited I was not to have to share any of my owl beads (just kidding!) so I whipped up this bracelet with some of the Alpha Phi symbols. Can you see the ivy leaves, forget-me-nots, and lily of the valley? Their colors are silver and bordeax, so they are in there too!

I'm very proud of you Miss Mandi and all you are doing to contribute to your chapter and Greek Life on Campus!

Graduation

So yes! The Boy did graduate - cum laude as a matter of fact! With praise indeed.

He earned a bachelor of fine art in the fine arts, with a minor in art history.

Do you suppose we have to stop calling him The Boy now?

Two hundred forty nine students received their diplomas.

For those who could not attend - here are some images of the day...

The official announcements (yes I bought them - no they're not mailed yet! any other silly questions?)

The marquee at the beautiful Ohio Theater in downtown Columbus, Ohio

These next three are lifted from the CCAD web site...

Inside the theater, an amazingly beautiful place

Commencement speaker Ed Razek, president and chief marketing officer, brand & creative services for Limited Brands - Gloria gave him an "A", John an "F" so that's about right for our family!

It's art school - you should have seen the "amendments" to the regalia!

Walking across the stage to accept his diploma (the out of focus shot should lead you back to where I'm taking the photos!)

The students are ready to be presented

Proud Mommy and The Boy

Gramma Gloria and Grampa Bill are here. So are John, Aunt Diana, Mandi, Aunt Debbie, Megan, and Morgan - but we did not take nearly enough pictures!

A quick stop at The Show where Ian's "In Her Blue Chair Rocking" was one of the senior pieces selected for display.

Then we're off to Buca di Beppo for a grand luncheon

A wonderful, happy day!