Major Mike's Musings » Family

Bulbed

Mike — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:57:35 +0000

Some People Get TP'd, We Get Bulbed

After a fun visit with our son, David (aka the Fig), our adopted daughter Shannon (aka #2 Daughter), and two of our three granddudes, Lane and Jackson, Mrs. Major and I left about 6pm for a Christmas pitch-in with the Villages Homebrew Club. We had a great time gabbing with the club members and spouses, eating yummy food, and sampling several brews. When we opened our garage door a couple of hours later, we were greeted by an array of Christmas lights, strung from every conceivable protuberance and the blaring sound of Christmas music coming from my garage radio.

Of course we took several photos and texted this one to the Fig and #2 (also to #1 who is still in Indiana). Turns out they were all waiting at a nearby restaurant waiting to hear from us. As #2 and the dudes had a 2.5 hour drive home, we were surprised they waited. But glad.

I finally got all the strings down and tied up back in the big box. No way was I going to try to put the strings in their original boxes.

Birthday Girl

Mike — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:15:02 +0000

Hardly a girl any more our sweet daughter, Stacey, turns 40 today. You’ve given us 40 years of joy. We love you.

Scorcher

Mike — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:36:55 +0000

I see by the forecast that my family and friends out on the west coast will be roasting today. Keep cool, my friends.

Ahhhhhh, Mother’s

Mike — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:14:36 +0000

Mother's Taffy Cremes

Chowing Down

One of Old Dad’s favorite (and mine, too) cookies is Mother’s Taffy Cremes. Unfortunately, earlier this year, Mothers went out of business and the Taffy Cremes are not to be found in any store. A few months ago, Old Dad sent out a photo of the very last Taffy Crème he had lamenting their demise before he scarfed it down.

However, my brilliant, talented, and sweet Daughter, found some in the Internet and bought me a package for Christmas.

They didn’t last long. Here we are (Sweet Dau, Dau’s Man Friend, and Mrs. Major) stuffing our faces with them. I don’t think they lasted more than two hours. They were so yummy!

Sorry, Old Dad, I didn’t save you any. They sure were good, though.

Happy Birthday Sweet Dau

Mike — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:51:29 +0000

My little girl is 39 today. I’m really not old. Really.

Happy Birthday. Thanks for bringing us so much joy and so much life.

You make me smile just thinking of you.

Getting Ready For The U.S. Open

Mike — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:58:17 +0000

On Sunday at around 3:30pm, Son Major and The Major will depart for the Tampa airport to make the trek to San Diego and the 2008 U.S. Open Championship. We signed up to be volunteers almost a year and a half ago. We will be working the Thru and Leaderboards during the competition. We have passes for the three practice rounds on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and for the Championship on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If there’s a playoff on Monday, we’ll get to see that too.

The photo is of some of the gear we have. You can see the hat, shirt, parking passes, lunch vouchers (yellow), and of course the volunteer pass that gets us in for all the activities.¹

Much to my surprise, cameras will be allowed on the three practice days, so we’ll be snapping lots of photos. I might even get another card for my camera. No cell phones are allowed on any day, and not cameras are allowed on the Championship days.

We will arrive in San Diego at around 11 pm and transfer to the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center on North Hotel Circle Drive. On our off days we’ll take the trolley to Qualcomm Stadium for shuttle to Torrey Pines Golf Course main gate. On working days, we’ll try to bum a ride from someone and park in the volunteer parking lot and shuttle to the volunteer gate.

Here’s our working schedule in case you want to catch us on TV:²

Thursday, 6:45 am – 12:15 pm, Hole 11 Leaderboard and Thru Board.
Saturday, 2:00 pm – 6:15 pm, Hole 14 Thru Board
Sunday, 10:15 am – 2:15 pm, Hole 17 Leaderboard and Thru Board

As you can see, we’ll have plenty of time to watch the competition. And as an added bonus, on Tuesday, we’ll be heading up to Seal Beach to visit with Old Dad and Pretty Betty. We hope to spend the day and part of the evening with them³. I haven’t seen them since the big wedding and Son Major hasn’t seen them since Old Dad’s 80th birthday party in Vegas in 2003. We’re looking forward to the visit.

I think I might take my laptop with me and post some updates while we’re there. I think I can avoid checking a second bag which is now $25 extra when you fly Delta.

- - - - - footnotes - - - - -

We also received another shirt, water bottle, and jacket
Times are Pacific Daylight Time
And, I suppose, whoever else can intercept us while we’re there

Ready For Thursday

Mike — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:39:35 +0000

Mrs. Major passed all her tests today and is ready for her bilateral knee replacement on Thursday.

Today she did all her pre-op stuff: Checked in at West Marion Community Hospital, had blood drawn, repeatedly answered the same health questions, got her chest x-rayed, and had several people wish her a Happy Birthday when she had to repeat her date of birth to everyone whom she met. Anyway, she passed with flying colors.

We check her into the hospital at 11:00 am on Thursday. Surgery is supposed to be at about 12:30. She will spend three days in the hospital. We’re not sure if that means she will be released on Saturday or Sunday. We’ll keep you posted.

Right now we’re enjoying a moderation in the hot weather we’ve been having. It’s in the high 70′s just now and we’re sitting on the patio, Mrs. Major playing solitaire and I typing away on this blog.

Knee Surgery Update

Mike — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:59:07 +0000

Mrs. Major gave her final pint of blood yesterday. It wasn’t the ordeal that the first one was. The phlebotomist closed her eyes, said a silent prayer, opened here eyes, and stuck Mrs. Major’s vein on the first try. No bruising, even today. Now we have the pre-op visit on the 12th and the surgery on the 15th.

Mrs. Major is really looking forward to the day when her knees don’t hurt constantly. She’s even looking forward to the hard work involved in the recovery process. Three cheers for Mrs. Major.

Good To Go

Mike — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:50:50 +0000

Mrs. Major had her family doctor’s appointment to ensure she’s in good enough health for her knee surgery. She passed. Now all she has left is giving more blood on Thursday, a pre-op meeting at the hospital on Monday, May 12 (her birthday) and the surgery on the 15th. Counting the days.

Step One Accomplished

Mike — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:09:56 +0000

Mrs. Major gave blood for the very first time in her life today. In preparation for the bilateral knee replacement she’s scheduled for next month, she needed to donate two pints of her own blood in case they’re needed during the surgery. She has awful veins for the vampires. In fact, when she gives samples for blood tests, they have to use butterfly needles and get the blood from her hand. Today, the expert from Ocala was in town at the blood center and she drew Mrs. Major’s blood. She had to fish around a little to find the vein in her arm, but she found it. One pint down. One to go.