Christmas Eve

Today we celebrated Christmas at my Dad's home in Martinsville. I picked up Doug and Great Grandma Bruce while Todd and TJ drove seperately loaded with presents and the sleds! We started the day with brunch, then we opened gifts, ate an early dinner followed by sledding as the snow began to fall. Although the snow did not cover the tall grass on the hill, it was fast none the less! It was a great day that went by too quickly.

2010 Holiday Family Outing

Last night, TJ, Todd and I attended Wicked, the untold story of the Witches of Oz at the Murat. It was wickedly fabulous.

BFFB Holiday Tradition

We do not exchange gifts instead opting for an evening out for good food, great company and usually many laughs. The five BFFBs treated ourselves to dinner Wednesday night. Melissa was craving red meat so a local steakhouse was our destination - conveniently located near DSW.

O' Christmas Trees

Field Trip

Today, I chaperoned my first field trip. It is honestly the first one that I have been able to attend since TJ started school. One of TJ's classmates, Noah, is performing at the IRT in The Christmas Carol. Therefore, the entire 5th grade was able to attend the show today. Noah did a fabulous job! The performance was great and the kids seemed to really enjoy it - of course they did - they were not in class!

13 MPH

TJ ran 13 mph tonight during his training session at Acceleration Indiana! He is officially no longer "the turtle". Way to go TJ!

Wish You Enough

By Bob Perk a Professional Speaker, Author, and Vocalist

Recently I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her departure and standing near the security gate, they hugged and he said, "I love you. I wish you enough." She in turn said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy." They kissed and she left. He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?" "Yes, I have," I replied. Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he meant to me. So I knew what this man experiencing. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?" I asked. "I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead, and the reality is, the next trip back will be for my funeral," he said. "When you were saying goodbye I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?" He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." He paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them," he continued and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory: "I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye." He then began to sob and walked away. I wish you enough.

Coach Mann is Undefeated

The fifth grade basketball team played their first CYO game this morning. Their opponent was St. Susanna. Tigers won 34-25.

House is Decorated!

Arrived home from Florida to find a naked Christmas Tree in the family room. So, I spent most of Friday decorating the house and tree. Then I tormented TJ with a photo session to try for a holiday card photo worthy of thirty-five cents each. Here are the rejected photos:

Thanksgiving 2010

TJ and I spent Thanksgiving in sunny Florida. Thanks to the generousity of the Early family and some last minute cheap(er) flights to Ft. Myers, TJ and I were able to soak up some sun, enjoy the pool, and play several hours of minature golf.

We even did a road trip across the state to Miami for the Heat vs. Pacers game and the Miami Zoo. The hotel was directly across from the arena and bayside mall.

All in all, we had a great trip. Todd opted to stay behind to work and hunt. He joined his family in Columbus for Thanksgiving dinner while TJ and I dined on steak (we prefer cow over turkey!). We have much to be thankful for............we are blessed.

Wednesday's Mass

Each week a different class is responsible for assisting Father Steve with Mass. This past Wednesday, TJ's class had the honors. TJ's opening reading was as follows:

"Good Morning. Welcome to Christ the King school Mass. Today we celebrate the feast of St. Eleizabeth of Hungary. Elizabeth was the daughter of teh king of Hungary. At the age of 14 she was married to Louis of Thuringia, a German prince and bore three children. Under the guidance of a Franciscan friar, whe led a life of prayer, sacrafice, and service of the poor and sick. Seeking to become one with the poor, she wore simple clothing. Daily she would take break to hundreds of the poor in the land. They loved her and called her 'Dear St. Elizabeth'. One day Elizabeth was carrying bread for the poor. Her husband met her, and looking under her loose cloak saw 0nly roses. After her husband's death Elizabeth was left with three children. Giving her money to teh poor, she worked to support her family because she was mistreated by her husband's family. She joined the Third Order of St. Francis, spending the remaining few years of her life caring for the poor in a hospital. She died at the age of 24. She is the patron of hospitals. As we celebrate Mass today adn near our American holiday of Thanksgiving, let's remind ourselves how much we have to be thankful for. Because we are thankful for what we have, let us reflect on instances where we can be more like St. Elizabeth by assisting others less fortunate than us."

TJ pronuciated and projected the words wonderfully. He did a great job as did the rest of his classmates!

Chess Champion

TJ went undefeated this season for his Chess Team. AJ, Zach, Sam and TJ (pictured above)competed in the CYO City Tourney today in the 6th grade and under division (they are all 5th graders!). TJ's team finished first against 6 other schools. The scoring was very close and was determined in their final match against St. Pius X who finished in second place! Congratulations!

CCH Conference

I have spent the past 3 days with two co-workers filling our brains with great ideas, best practices and knowledge regarding firm practice managment! The CCH Conference is 1200 Accounting Firm Partners, Administrators and IT Professionals networking and sharing knowledge based around the CCH software solutions. All of my sessions were good and the key note speakers were great beginning with Lou Holtz on Monday morning. The contant flow of food and beverage make it difficult to wear anything home but sweats and the entertainment each evening gets better every year. The party Monday night was a private gathering at Universal Studios. The Rip Ride Rocket Roller Coaster was super fun. I am very lucky to be able to attend this conference for my firm! Now tomorrow I will take the day poolside to decompress before flying to Indiana. Did I mention the conference is in Orlando!? Yep Yep Yep.
While I have been gone, Todd has been juggling TJ's social calendar. Not an easy task for one person to do. But opening weekend of shotgun season is Saturday so he will get his day to decompress soon enough. I prefer the southern sunshine over the cold dark woods!

P.S. TJ just texted me - He won both his chess matches today!

Basketball Season

Todd is coaching the 5th grade Tigers. They have started practing but games will not begin until after the Thanksgiving holiday. In the meantime, TJ joined the FBA All Star Travel Team. Their first game was last night and despite only having one official practice the team only lost by a few points. They rallied today with a win of 37 to 15.

IU

Todd and I joined friends, Beth and Tom today for some tailgating and Hoosier football in Bloomington. IU lost to Iowa but not until the final minutes of the game. Yesterday there were snow flurries and wind chill in the teens. However today was cool but very sunny for the game. We had a great time!

Officially the Year of the Shoes

TJ now wears a size 7 in youth boys which is the equivilent to a woman's size 8 (my shoe size). Therefore, we will be shopping for really nice winter snow boots, crocs, birkenstocks and any other shoe that I like that I can trick him into wearing for a couple weeks until his feet sprout again.

(I think these tennis shoes will look great with pink socks!)

Happy 40th Birthday Doug

Pumpkin Creation by TJ Mann

Trick-R-Treat 2010

Again this year, we invited ourselves to trick-r-treat with the Eckstein family. They reside just off Meridian Street near the Governor's Mansion and the homes in their area give out full size candy bars!

Top to Bottom and Left to Right:

Alex, Will, Griffin, TJ, Ann Marie, Amanda, Jack, Abby, Annie and Elise!

Fall Break

Fall Break started with the installation of a new furnace and a/c unit. The furnace decided it worked too hard last winter and called it quits. Since the a/c unit is just as old as the furnace and the tax benefits will probably expire January 1st, we decided to take advantage of a bundle discount and will have 95% efficient temperature control year round. I sure hope we save a lot in energy bills.

Following a successful install, TJ, his friend, Jacob, my dad and I headed south to Cave City to visit Mammoth Cave. We did the New Entrance Tour. Nothing really new about it as it was discovered in 1921. But none-the-less we descended 280 steps down 14 shafts to enter the cave. Our Tour Guide was very funny and informative. We were relieved to learn we did not have to climb 280 steps to exit the cave. It was a fun day trip and we had a great time.

Honor Roll

We are very proud to announce that TJ earned all As first quarter! Out of 1,623 points available in his core classes, he only missed 42 points with an overall average of 97%

I think the parent/teacher conference will be very boring tomorrow :)

Amazing Costume Race 2010

Top Left toRight: Sanju; Julie; Traci & Scott;

Larry & Ginger; Mark & Susan;

Amanda; Lauren; Sandy & John;

Jeremy & Beth; Laura & Jen; Kirstine & Pat

Jim & Melissa; George & Vicki;

Heather & Dave; and Todd

It was a fabulous Fall evening for a Costume Party! The Amazing Costume Scavenger Hunt/Race was a success. After nine races, Todd and his team of Julie, Sanju, Aaron & Tricia won. Teams raced up and down Keystone Ave. decifiering clues and seeking tokens/tickets worth varying points. Everyone had a great time and arrived at the pit stop (our house) to enjoy food, beverage and laughs.

Chess Match

First Chess Match of the 2010 Season was today at St. Christophers. TJ is Captain of the 6th grade and under team. He won his first game today. The second ended in a stalemate. TJ explained that he moved his Bishop incorrectly or he could have ended the game with a win. In any event, I am proud of him. I can no longer challenge him as he wins every time.

Second Half Better Than First Half

St. Barnabas took control of the football game early today. The Tigers did not give up and scored a couple touchdowns but not enough for the win. TJ caught a pass for an extra point and another pass for a touchdown late in the game.

Date night

Todd and I dined at Harry & Izzys last night before attending the ISO with guest Wayne Brady. Dinner was great, the maritinis were fabulous (Apple) and the show was entertaining.

Basic Training

Justin will be leaving for basic training on Sunday. There is a family/friends dinner for him at the Beaver's home on Saturday. I am taking an entire box of kleenex for his mother & I. Justin was just 18 months old when I met his mom and dad. Now he is 18 years old and leaving the nest. Sniffle!!!!!!!!!!

Tigers Win

TJ #11 helped his team with a Fumble Recovery, an Interception, and a Pass Received in Endzone for a Touchdown for Tigers to Win in OT. Great Game TJ!

Covered Bridge Festival

Yesterday, Melissa, Lauren and I ventured to Mansfield, Indiana to shop til we dropped. It was opening day of the shopping extravaganza and it was a gorgeous Fall day. We elbowed our way through the crowds from one merchant tent to another to find trinkets and holiday gifts at fabulous prices. Tired, sweaty and exhausted we returned to Indy cashless. It was fun!

Tigers Need A Win

However, it did not happen today. Tigers were challenged by a very good St. Michaels team on this beautiful Fall day.

Tigers vs. Cardinals

Despite a low grade fever the night before and extreme congestion TJ joined his football team this afternoon to challenge SLDM. Tigers lost 7-13 but it was a good game.

TJ on the carry!

Needs New Tires

8 a.m. telephone call from IMPD Dispatch:
Is this Mr. Mann?
Yes
Do you own a 2008 Chev Avalanche?
Yes, it is in the driveway.
No sir, I do not believe it is.
What?


And that is how we spent our Saturday morning...completing police report, determining how they towed it from our driveway to a few streets away to swipe the tires and rims, and then get tires/rims put back on to relocate it to the body shop for repairs!

Flag Football

Yesterday we were able to watch our nephew, Ethan play his final flag football game of the season! They won!

The Trumpet

He joined the band. I need not say more. Asking for earplugs for Christmas.

Touchdown by TJ Mann

The Tigers played their first game of the 2010 season against St. Simon. TJ caught a 15 yard pass and ran 40+ yards to score for the Tigers! Unfortunately, the Tigers lost 6 to 21.

Above is a photo of TJ's catch as well as the clothesline play that was flagged for roughing the kicker. TJ took this one for the team to be awarded the first down. Here is a photo of TJ being tripped up on defense! He says this is a super duper push up!TJ played safety, tightend and punter! Despite the loss, we are very proud of #11 and his teammates!!

42 Years and Counting

My birthday celebration just keeps going........

On Sunday, Cindy had baked me a red velvet cake to enjoy while in KY. On Tuesday, I arrived at the office to find "Dense Ass Brownies" from Vicki on my desk. And the Sugar Rush Begins! I received the above flowers from my favorite guys.

Steve, Pat and Brooke spoiled me with gift cards & the Admin Team gave me a basket full of liquor. Either they know my social habits or they plan to drive me to drink (more).

Todd fixed dinner and my brother joined us following TJ's football practice.

Then today, the BFFBs enjoyed lunch at Bennihanas! The food and service was great. Melissa baked a cake from scratch. It was so delicious that I put it in my car following lunch so I did not have to share it with co-workers! I also received many phone calls from family and friends and the facebook wishes are many! I hope my 84th birthday is just as good!

Labor Day Weekend

Again this year, TJ joined Bill, Diana, and Devin for a weekend in Tennessee. His Labor Day Flu kicked in Thursday and we promptly called him in sick to school on Friday. He had a fabulous time and spent many hours being pulled behind the boats on the inner tubes. While he went southeast, Todd and I went southwest and joined 11 others for the weekend at Pat and Kirstine's lakehouse in KY. They have 600 fenced acres which includes a 50 acre private lake. It is a fun weekend with great friends. They have been doing this annual trip for 16 years. Todd and I have been invited to go along the past 6 years. In years past the group went on a houseboat at Dale Hollow but changed things up 3 years ago. Hope we are invited again next year!