She is such a "GulliBULL"

Snapshot of a boring sunday and Casa de Cathy.....

Cathy is busy killing Nazi's on her PSP with headphones on while Susan is sitting next to her on the couch. The cubs game is on. Dad is watching from his customary arm chair.

Susan is putting her finger in Cathy's face "I'm not touching you...I'm not touching you". Cathy, while still looking down to her PSP grabs Susan's arm with one hand then punches her hard in the shoulder with her other arm.

Fast forward 10 minutes. Susan, "Cathy... you bruised me you hit me so hard!" Cathy, "Come here let me see." Susan walks over and pulls up her sleeve to show Cathy her bruise. Cathy looks concerned then in a flash winds up and punches Susan RIGHT on her bruise LO!L.....Life is great! Susan is currently in her bedroom not speaking to me.....sigh. Dad wants to know if we will ever grow up...nah, I doubt it.

In relevant news: Manchester United won the EPL title today. A matchup of one and two takes  place next week in the Champions League Final. I may have to take the day off for that one.

In the "I really could give a shit" news: One of the Bush twins got married.

Wedding Bells, Barf and LAX

I made it back from my quick jaunt home to DC for my friend Randy's wedding. It was very elegant and quite the affair. From the sushi to champagne, everything was perfect. Randy looked as happy as I have ever seen him and his bride Kim looked beautiful and equally as enamored. 

I went to my nephew Mitchell's Lacrosse game and his DARE graduation of his fifth grade class (anti-drug program at school). I don't recall ever having that when I was in elementary school...then again....I didn't exactly stay away from drugs...hmmmm...back when I went to school you had to learn on your own that doing bong hits before soccer practice really wouldn't improve you game. Or, you had to get kicked out of basketball practice by the coach because she thought you were high....kids today have it soooooo easy. 

Anyway, Mitchell got sick during their performance while he was up on the risers in front of the whole school. He puked right on the kids in front of him...it was classic. The poor kid was so embarrassed. I'm sure at the time he thought it was the end of the world, but after a trip to the ice cream parlor and a new Liverpool soccer jersey....he was fine. He is becoming quite the Lacrosse player too. Matthew turns 10 today!!! Little Matty is in double digits! Sigh. Happy Birthday to him! He missed his soccer game when I was there because he was a little ill. He is better now though.

Been a Long Time....

Reader's Digest Version:

1. Grandma's birthday celebration was a blast! She had a beer and we all played poker that night at my cousins house. Great times! The girls were chasing Mitchell around and one of my cousin's daughters beautiful Dannielle (above in between Mitchell and Matthew) we suspect gave Mitchell an extra 'special' goodbye (kiss)....LOL. Hey, they are third cousins and my dad says that is legal in Indiana....hahaha

2. Traveling with dad is difficult and airlines and airports suck for the disabled!

3. Mason was one and done!

4. Been traveling a lot for work and am going back home (DC) this weekend for my friend Randy's wedding. I don't do weddings, but for him I made an exception as he is a dear friend and I am truly happy for him.

5. My favorite line from my dad while we were in Laporte: (we had ajoining hotel rooms)...dad peeks in Sat. moring, "Catherine, what time are you getting up?!". Me, "I guess now, Dad"

Sunday, he peeks in "Catherine, are you getting up yet?!""...ugh, I guess so".

100 Years and Counting

Happy 100th Birthday Grandma!

...and happy birthday to my sister Pat in Minneapolis!

Knock out the IRISH!!

OK, Mason's mascot "Gunston", sucks!! When I went to GMU we had  a Patriot looking dude...then they switched to this Cookie Monster looking thingy....I mean look how cool the Notre Dame mascot looks.  

Dad said Mom is rooting for the Irish up in Heaven, but I don't believe him...she did love her Irish. Coincidently, I'm flying to Southbend in a week...should I wear a GMU t-shirt? 

Tune in this Thursday!! GOOOOooooo Mason!

Goin' dancin'

George Mason won the CAA tourney which gives them an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. They played a great tournament and needed to win the tourney to make it to the big dance, as they played too inconsistently during the season to get an at large bid....could it happen again??? Sunday night will reveal their first round opponent. I figure Mason will be a 13 seed. Keep your fingers crossed!! Video of them cutting down the net is to the left.

Took dad to the Nationals vs. Indians today. I think he had a good time...I know he like the hot dogs, nachos and peanuts...hope I don't have to call 911.

PLLLLLAAAAYYYYY BALL!!

Anyone who remotely knows me knows how much I love baseball and look forward to Spring Training. I took Monday off and enjoyed Albert Pujlos and the Cardinals take on our hometown Nats. I dropped Pop off at the poker parlor and enjoyed my beer and sunshine and baseball...it was a great day. In an interesting and unique way, the Brevard Sheriff's helicopter flew into the stadium, hovered in centerfield and threw out the first pitch....clever. 

Dodgertown (last year for Dodger's there), more Nats and the Astros are upcoming.

The Florida Tech men's basketball season ended on a sour note as they lost in double OT in the conference tournament. Dad is really getting into the team and enjoys the games. The bleachers are hard for him to get in and out of so we may do season handicap seats next year. He enjoys the closeness of the action, and being an Indiana alum, loves his basketball. They are a good team now, with a great coach and we enjoyed watching them to the end. 

Getting ready for our trip to LaPorte for Grandma's big bash.

I have jury duty next week....ugh. I'm going to tell them I am a leftist/socialist/marxist/revolutionary...think that will get me out of duty???

I got sucked into the Texas and Ohio primary results last night and as a result didn't go to bed until well after midnight. Hillary is making a comeback and I am glad. I like and respect McCain (election  reforms is a hot button of mine and he supports my opinion) but have a hard time with his tax breaks to corporations and, more importantly, his stance on increasing the troops in Iraq. I think Hillary has a better chance to beat him than Obama, who I also like, I could be wrong...most of the 'crackers' where I live wouldn't vote for a woman or a black man so my county is lost anyway...bunch of rednecks as far as I'm concerned.

You know my stance; I respect who you vote for and your opinion(hell, I fell in love with a staunch Republican). As long as it is a self decided vote and you have a reasonably valid reason. Not, "I ain't votin for no chick!" or, and I swear to God I personally heard this one, "I voted for him because my husband told me to!"... sigh...

OK, I ranted enough....PLAY BALL!!

Bess Reeder 100 Years

Project Complete! You may not notice the edits, but I finally finished my tribute to the greatest Grandma in the world, Bessie Belle Vermilyer Reeder. Happy 100th.

!

Work in Progress

I have to post an update. In the meantime, I am working on a project for my Grandmother's 100th birthday in March. I will be traveling to LaPorte, IN for a party in March with my Dad to celebrate and am planning on showing a video...see how it is going so far and let me know...

Catchin Up

Reader's Digest version:

1. Xmas up in Twin Lakes State Park, Va. We rented a mini-van and drove up. It was fun, but a bit much for Dad...and Cindy. Probably won't be doing that again anytime soon.

2. Dad almost died....but, 911 and Susan being home helped save his life. Sudden congestive heart failure. He is fine now, back to his usual charming self. Last spotted wrestling a frozen chicken in the kitchen...the chicken lost.

3. My trainer is still kicking my ass. She is obsessed with the treadmill these days...gonna have to sneak in there one night and sabotage them...or hire an al-queda operative to go all suicide bomber on them....

4. Met Aunt Carol and her husband for lunch at Wolfgang Puck's last weekend in downtown Disney....went to the Virgin record store. Susan bought two seasons of the Mary Tyler Moore show...I bought her the third season if she promised I wouldn't have to watch them with her. I acquired the first season of that TV classic "the white shadow"...one of my all time favorites. Dig those short shorts baby!

5. Took Dad to the Florida Tech basketball game last Saturday. It went into OT and they won (beat Eckerd). Dad was getting into the game and had fun. The tall dude from England (7'7" didn't play thought, he was injured. We can't wait to see him in action

.

6. I got a MacBook. Going all Mac at home.

7. Randy, that is "christmas randy" to those up north announced he is getting married. I'm happy for him, he deserves it....or doesn't deserve it...depending on how you view marriage...don't get me started.

8. Clinton took Florida, however, the brilliant minds that collectively make up the FL Democratic party managed to get themselves suspended from the Nat'l party so no delegate votes count...so far. Why is Florida always fu**ing things up when it comes to elections...McCain won the other primary. I'm a registered independent so didn't vote for any of the aforementioned.

9. Saw Collective Soul at the House of Blues and stayed at the Celebration Hotel and spa. Susan and I pampered ourselves with Massages and manicures/pedicures....then saw a great show....hang-over the next day, but worth it.

10. The housing market sucks and I still live in the hood....but I have Cindy and my piece so we're all good.

Added new content (check to the right...er ...my other right) and updated this blog....videos and polls will change periodically and/or whenever I feel like it.

Xmas Pictures:

Long time no see

I know...I will post, lots to talk about....in the mean time, watch the video my sister susan did back in 1988 using video machines and videos made from old super and regular 8 movies.

more later....don't laugh too hard at the eighties mullet...LOL

Basketball Season is Here...and Turkey Day is Near

I haven't posted in a while...been busy. Truthfully, things have been relatively quiet at the Reeder household. Dad isn't sick, Susan is still jammin on Guitar Hero and Cindy is pooping like a well oiled machine.

The college basketball season has started which is awesome. I view George Mason games via the Internet, they are 2-0 so far but have not looked real impressive. The local college here has a 7'7" dude from England so I will go to some of their (Fl Tech) games as well to see that! FYI, he looks nothing like this:

I have gotten strangely obsessed with the new Simpsons game for Xbox. Normally, if you can't shoot, throw grenades, car jack or beat the crap out of someone in a game...I'm not for it. But, I am into this 'quest' game for some reason....maybe it is because it allows me to put off doing something actually productive. the new Medal of Honor game (Airborne) is fun and I ALWAYS enjoy killing Nazis...who doesn't!

Pat is coming down for Turkey day. She will be in Jerusalem for Xmas so she is coming to visit dad...and Susan and I too. She had to put her beloved T-Rex (kitty cat) down recently so we will do what we can to chear her up. I'm sure she will entertain us for the weekend. I already scheduled an extra training session with my trainer (a.ka. the wicked witch of the west) for the Friday after Thanksgiving....ugh.

Rocco (a.k.a. "wig snature") rules:

sigh....all three Susan's cats are still alive.....maybe Pat will take one or two home with her??? Pat?? the weather is cool for down here, around 60 degrees. People have heavy sweaters and turtle necks on LOL!! I'm still wearing shorts.

More later....go Patriots!

Core THIS Bit@*

I started seeing a personal trainer. I met with her last friday and discussed my goals and we started my workouts today. Now, let me tell you...this trainer (her name is Christie) is a petite pretty blond who is all muscle and a real good motivator. She isn't intimidating and really quite sweet.

However, 15 minutes into my workout SHE LOOKED LIKE THIS!!

Christie (a.k.a. Witch Hazel) is smiling because she gets some sort of demented pleasure watching someone do squats until they are about to pass out and leg lifts until your shaking so much you look like a parkinson's patient. Allthewhile, she is repeating "we must work on your core.....we must work on your core..." WTF! I got your core....Arrgghh

Susan finally got a new (used) car. I think she got tired of the duck tape holding up her fender (I thought I applied it quite well, actually). She got a Nissan Altima 3.2 V6. It is neat AND practical. It even has tiptronic shifting, if you so desire. Of course she was getting nervous when I drove it and was fooling around with the shifter, the Bose stereo and the Sun roof all at once....she has no sense of adventure!

If I don't die tomorrow after my workout with Christie...I'll write more. If you don't hear from me, please call the police...I think she is trying to kill me.

Just Wait Until Next Year

99 years and counting.....sigh. Truth be told, I really wasn't expecting much from the Cubs in the post season. They just weren't good enough, I knew, to win the pennant. But...I certainly didn't expect them to get SWEPT! Their division was just so week, winning it wasn't an impressive accomplishment. As Susan said, "Yay, we're the best of the worst!"


Well, there is always next year. And hey, it will be the 100 year anniversary of the Cubs world series win, so maybe they'll get lucky....already can't wait for spring training '08.

On a brighter note, college basketball season is starting up. I do have high hopes for my GMU patriots. They return all five starters and have a good recruiting class that includes a 6'10" Romanian. They play my friend Alison's K-State Wildcats on Thanksgiving...everyone knows I'm a betting person so we may have a friendly wager.

Andy told me a funny story the other day. Uncle Kenny and Aunt Vesta paid him an Anne a visit at Twin Lakes State Park. Apparently when Aunt Vesta took her wig off and laid in on the couch, Rocco mistook it for some sort on hairy invading creature and proceeded to attack it! OK, you have to know both Rocco (Andy and Anne's hyperactive mutt) and Aunt Vesta to get the visual....but trust me, it is funny stuff.

Things are busy at the Reeder abode. The hot water heater broke last Friday. Susan had to take a cold shower....I staid stinky all day until "Paul the Plummer" came to install a new one. Thankfully, he is a nice guy and installed it first thing Saturday morning....Cindy was complaining about my stink and we don't want Cindy upset. Speaking of Cindy, dad has got her so spoiled that he even cooks her own lunch with his. I told him to stop and have to monitor what he gives her. The other day I caught him giving her Chili...CHILI! I can't even begin to explain to you the odors and sounds coming from her later that night. I told him if he did that again, I was going to make her sleep with him!! She has him wrapped around her little paw...and sits there innocently gazing up at him when he is eating a sandwich, giving him the ol' "mommy never feeds me, look at my cute floppy ears and puppy dog eyes." routine. I think I at least have him trained (yes, that is right....HIM trained...Cindy, as you know, is un-trainable) not to give her anything spicy and to limit it somewhat. But whothehell knows what really goes on when I'm at work. Those two are trouble.

HOOSIER....daddy?

My mother was from Bloomington, Indiana...home of Indiana University. My dad and several aunts, uncles and other relatives attended IU. But, other than a great uncles and aunts and second cousins....I have no more living relatives in Bloomington, IN. All of my extended family that read this blog are from nothern Indiana...outside Chicago...just saying....I know.

Back to more important things. My Cubbies are frustating the Casa de Florida de Reeder these days. Rich Hill goes tonight at 6PM in a must win for the boys in blue at Wrigley Field. Forget the damn curses and the scape"goats"....just win the damn game! The big three need to start hitting (Soriano, Lee and Ramirez) or the Cubbies are doomed and us fans will have to fall into the all too familiar "wait until next year" mode. Speaking of Cubs. Everyone knows what a big Steve Stone fan I am. I was extremely disappointed when he "left" WGN in the Dusty Baker era. I read his blog which he updates weekly. You can see it at http://www.stevestone.com/ . But, lately....I gotta tell ya, he sounds more like a bitter old man that a critical analyst. Read for yourself and let me know what you think. I usually agree with most of what he says...

Hokies against the Clemson Tigers at the same time today...what is a girl to do!

GGGGGRRRRRRRrrrrrrrr...Go CUBS!!

Goddamnit! You would think that as long as some people have known me, they know not to engage me in their perky, joyous chatter early in the morning before I have had my coffee! Don't you hate it when you just got back from the cafeteria with your coffee and some cheerleader saunters into your office (uninvited) and plops down in a chair (also uninvited) and proceeds to go on a 10 minute ramble about something you could give a shit about??!!....OK, I'm calm now.

I am officially Mitchell's favorite Aunt. I gave him mom's old cell phone. I had a family account with three numbers for me, mom and dad. And, since the Stalinist cell phone company won't let me cancel one of the numbers for the next year....I figured Champ could use the phone. Man, was he happy....of course my "most favored status", I'm sure, will be replaced by something Pat or Susan cooks up....but I'm enjoying the title while I have it. Now...what can I do to buy....er...um...I mean deserve Matthew’s gratification.....all part of my evil plan to become the coolest most awesomest Aunt in the world!

Speaking of Pat, She is going back to graduate school. She is attending U of Minnesota and is working towards an MS in International Relations...or somethingorother. She is joining us down here next month for Thanksgiving. WOHOO!
Could this be the year the Cubs break the curses of the Billy goat and Bartman? I sure as hell hope so. I am so excited that their overspending summer resulted in a division title. As Susan puts it, "we are the best of the worst" in the post season! Despite the worst record in the post season, I have high hopes. Other than the Diamondbacks starting pitcher tonight, I think the Cubs outmatch the Backs on paper...keep your fingers crossed. With the 10PM ET start though, I doubt I will see much of this series. I can't stay up that late....I am forty ya know!

Toys, Transformers and Trips to the Hospital

I got a new toy and it totaly ROCKS! I got the IPhone after they came down in price and what fun it is. Even my simple little brain can figure this thing out. Couple it with WiFi and simple touch screen technology and I have to say I give it a 9 out of 10 rating. The only fault being with Itunes not the phone itself. I find difficulty searching for TV and video downloads, plus they don't have any compatible games for the Iphone yet. And lets face it...what in the hell am I supposed to do during meetings if I can't play Texas Hold'em or Solitaire....sigh.

Heard a loud BANG this morning and since I know a space shuttle isn't landing...ok, that and the fact that all the lights went out in the house (honestly, I had a delayed reaction) told me that the transformer behind my house blew. So, no power at Casa de Reeder this morning. I called Florida Power and Light but of course you can't talk to a real person anymore these days, just an automated attendant. Now, I know, normally the less I have to deal with people the better. I mean lets face it....90% of the population are idiots or Republican (ha...redundant, I know). But, when calling in a power outage, inquiring about a bill or some technical problem, why can't we talk to HUMAN BEINGS goddamnit! I know I pay enough for electricity so they could afford the help. Anyway, the computer said it would be fixed by noon....but I suppose the computer isn't flying out there on a magic carpet to fix it so who the hell knows when it will be fixed. Meanwhile, Cindy lays firmly implanted with head under bed and her butt sticking out....ferocious guard dog that she is.


Dad had to go to the hospital on Monday but all is better now. The procedure that he had the previous week resulted in some difficulties. Those details remain somewhat private and those with a need to know have been e-mailed. If you didn't get an e-mail and want to know, give dad a call.

All is good, football is in the air, OJ is back on TV and the Cubs are in first place. Life just keeps getting better and better!!

HOGAAAAAAANNNN!

Dad had his first eye surgery last week on his right eye. Things have gone well and, although he will never gain the eyesight that he lost in his stroke, the sight he does have will be clear. He may only need reading glasses when this all is through. Everytime I tape his eye protector on or untape it to put drops in his eyes, he says "Hogggannnn" ...and I say, "I know nutzing...nutzing!!"...we Reeder's crack ourselves up.

Other good news, after his "procedure" today, it is confirmed that he does not have prostrate cancer. He still has to go back to get another treatment but he should be fine...well, at least not as bad as he was. We are getting the house in order after moving all and I mean ALL of mom and dad's stuff to either storage or here. This last week I spent resting and watching soccer. Something I haven't been able to do since the EPL started a couple weeks ago. Susan is back to her ol' comments about it being "zero to zero...shocker" but now I can lock the TV room's door and ignore her.

Back to normalcy, or what passes for such in my life.

DAMN!

Done and Done!

Susan and I finished up moving all of mom and dad's stuff out of their Bayside Lakes house this past weekend. What a job. We put more stuff in the storage unit and filled a 14 ft. truck full of stuff for the dump. I am now quite familiar with the Brevard County Landfill since I had been last week as well....I'm sorry to say. Susan and I had a bit of fun unloading the truck. We had competitions on who could toss a chair the farthest out of the truck or who could break one of my mom's gazillion vases more spectacularly...I, of course, think did best. We started to get the hairy eyeball from the guy 'guarding' the landfill....let's call him the 'Garbage Master', so we had to stop having fun or we were going to get kicked out of the dump...how low would that be and then where would I go to find my next date. I saw the man of my dreams there. He was about 300 lbs with mullet and he showed me the biggest, whitest, pimple ridden butt crack I had ever seen. It was love at first sight....alas, I fear I will never see him again. Susan and I found out that no electronics at all are allowed at the land fill. Upon entering, you have to go through two 'Garbage Masters' who want to know what you are dumping. They both repeatedly ask you if you have any electronics. When hearing a negative response they both went further, giving examples of what an electronic device is (uh, thanks for the clarification). I suppose maybe people who frequent the dump aren't smart enough to know this....Susan and I figured we would tell the second guy that "no, we have no electronics in the truck....a couple dead bodies...but no toasters or coffee makers. As long as we didn't have a radio on board....we were given the ok to dump the truck, including the dead bodies...isn't America great.

Everyone knows I'm not the most graceful person. Susan and I had a hard time moving a piece of furniture that I forgot to have the strong guys from the moving company take. It is a huge piece of slate that is part of an outdoor bench my mother had. This thing was still partially crated from the folks move from Tucson and probably weighs around 250. Susan and I could budge it but were able to get a dolly under it and with both of our muscles able to barely get it up the ramp on the truck. When we moved it out of the truck to my backyard we couldn't get the dolly free from it. I bent down to pull from the bottom and the next thing I knew I was flat on my back with a huge headache! My hands were full of sweat and they slipped sending the dolly ricocheting right into my head....the only saving grace (there is always an upside) was that I didn't land in dog poop. A few Tylenols some ice and I was good to go!

I heard from our cousin Kurt who lives in LA. He and his sibs, his wife and kids are doing great. He had a pacemaker put in last May, but now that he is bionic he's feeling great. Lynda sent some pictures of her family, sis Pat, bro Curt and Aunt Louise at the outer banks of NC last week. The link is: (tbd)

Thanks for the photo albums Uncle Kenny!

That's all for now…

My Aching Back!

Packing, moving, packing, lifting, packing….it’s amazing how much stuff two people can collect over a 48 year marriage. I mean, I ask you, does any couple need four full sets of china? And, over 100 serving dishes, 100 pans and dishes and….over 100 decks of playing cards? My mother would say “yes, of course”. But, I can assure you if you are the person who is tasked with the monumental effort to pack all the stuff, you would sternly disagree. Such is my world this week. Susan and I have been moving stuff from Mom and Dad’s over to my house and into storage. I have movers coming to move the heavy stuff like the armoires (everyone needs two, right) and the buffet table….but OH MY GOD did my mom have a lot of stuff.

The fun part is discovering curious items, such as my great-great grandfathers obituary which stated that he delivered mail in the Kansas territory in the mid to late 1800’s using a white horse to draw his carriage…he was from Denmark and his name was Petersen (who knew….my dad did, but he never told any of us about his grandmother’s dad). I came across a whole collection of Dad’s old press passes, from the Senate and Congress to the Department of Justice to the Chicago Press Club to some Rockefeller event….pretty neat collection. ALLLLLLLLL (over 500) of my mother’s recipes, even some I wrote down as a child. Each recipe on an index card and filed in the appropriate section, of course. Anyway, even though it is a seemingly endless task, it has its benefits.

Dad, Susan and I are getting increasingly aggravated over our beloved Cubs playing as of late. The Cubs are doing their late season annual nose dive. We are still hopeful, but if they keep it up, the Cardinals will pass both them and the Brewers. EPL Soccer Season is here!!! Thank God for Fox Soccer Channel!!! Much to Susan’s dismay, I can be found on the couch both Saturday and Sunday morning watching the live broadcasts from England. Look at it this way Susan, you can go back to your old “…Oh look, the score is still zero to zero…SHOCKER!” comments every time you pass by the TV set. (Well, you can do it a few times before I start throwing my coffee cup at you ).

We’ll let you all know how the move goes and hopefully I can post some more pictures soon.

LAH – you still need to tell me about the BIG conversation, I'll call you.

Crazy girl- you reading this? What do you think?