My Kind of Town Chicago

Well, I survived a trip to Chicago and LaPorte with Dad. We flew there and met up with bro Andy and his wife and some of the relatives for a Cubs game and dinner at Morton's. Then, I drove Dad to LaPorte, Indiana to visit Grandma. Grandma turned 99 in March and is still going strong. She is a little confused sometimes....but heck, so am I. The Cubs even did us a rare treat and won the game...they were playing the Nationals, so no big victory. Here are some pictures:

Dad doesn't travel well, so it was good to get him out there to visit his mom, allbeit for a short visit. I even got to meet the first living fourth generation of Grandma's family, my third cousin. He is pictured here. His dad is my second cousin Steven (Pam's son). The local paper did a story on the four generations living in LaPorte starting with the aforementioned greatest grandma in the world (Bess Reeder). I also got to see Richie, my second cousin. I hadn't seen him since he was a baby. I got to see my cousins too...but they aren't cute kids so their pictures don't get posted. Not pictured are my cousin Lisa's girls (2nd cuz's katelin and Danielle). I will post thier pics later.

I have contractors working at the house, making room for Dad. I still want to buy a bigger house, but now is not the time to sell or rent. I'll let things settle for a while. Meantime, we are all trying to get along...everyone knows how patient I am. Dad is his usual grouchy self, but he has a lot to deal with so Susan and I cut him some slack. With his health issues and him missing mom so much, he has had a rough time. My parents really loved each other all 48 years of their marriage. That is rare these days. They used to joke that nobody would have either one of them and that they were stuck with each other....but the truth is, they really loved one another. Dad seems a bit lost without her.

Hokie Day Friday April 20th

"We will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears and through all our sadness...We are the Hokies..."

--Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor, poet, activist

O.K, the news is full of this unfathomable, shocking, horrendous act by the fuck-nut from Centreville. Pardon my language, but it just tragic that a cowardly, low-life, cruel, insane piece of shit has sadly effected so many lives. There are many insane people in this world who unfortunately kill them selves, end up homeless wandering the streets and truly struggle to live day to day, and I have the utmost sympathy for them. But most of them, 99.9% I bet, don't harm others before they take their own lives. This punk loser was a coward and just down right evil. The hollow point bullets, the fact that most victims had no less than two bullet wounds, and the self promoting "media package" he sent to NBC illustrates the deep seeded meanness this pile of horse shit had in his soul....trouble or not.

That said, tomorrow is Hokie day. I received several multi forwarded e-mails from family and friends who are alums of VT urging people to wear the school colors of burgundy and burnt orange. Anyone that knows me knows that I am a Virginian and a huge Hokie fan (just review my archived posts). I didn't attend VT (George Mason), but have family and friends that attended. My school doesn't have a football team so most of us were either Wahoos or Hokie fans....I chose the ladder early on. Anyway, I will be sporting one of my many hats tomorrow just like the people in these pictures have/will do.

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http://web.mlsnet.com/t200/

Good show of support.

Play Ball and a Picture worth $5000

Well, as if to add to the drama in my life, my beloved Cindy had to have a serious operation. For those who don't know, after returning from Mom's funeral in Fairfax I gave Cindy a bath. I noticed a huge orange size lump on her hind quarter. Turns out she had a tumor and it was the size of a football after the surgeon removed it. It appears to be fatty but the biopsy isn't in yet. They were able to save her leg (for now), they were worried they would have to amputate it even if it was benign due to blood circulation. She is doing well but is wondering why her mommy is torturing her so. Total so far is 5 grand in medical bills, but look at this mug...can you blame me! I think the morphine patch makes her 'happy'.

Susan took my tickets and took Dad to the Nats game today, their spring training opener. They got creamed and their "ace pitcher" (the only sure spot in the five man rotation), Patterson got clobbered in the first two innings. They played the Orioles....so on a happier note, the O's look good! I got Dodger town and Nats tickets for this upcoming weekend.

Too choked up still to write about mom and what happened. It was all so quick. I loved her so much and she really was the woman I looked up to the most. I don't know what I'm going to do without her....I'm looking for a bigger house to buy so Dad can live with me and Susan. Dad and I will buy the house. Can't say anymore yet about Mom....my heart aches every day. And Dad is having a hard time. It was the toughest thing I've ever had to go through.

More later....

The Best Mom Ever

Mary Esther Freese Reeder

June 7th, 1929 to February 10, 2007

Funeral - Friday, February 23rd 11:30 A.M., St. Leo's Catholic Church, Fairfax, VA

Arrangements and Burial - Fairfax Memorial Park, Braddock Rd., Fairfax, VA

MERRY Xmas....I need a Vacation!!!

Well, we had most of the Reeder brood in Florida for Xmas, since Mom and Dad reside down here folks deciding to travel to the parents for a change. Things were fun. Most people drove down from Virginia, with the exception of Mike, Carol and Brandon who flew (who, unfortunately, had to make a hasty retreat on Xmas day....missed you at dinner!). The kids enjoyed it the most, of course. We had Xmas Eve at my house and Xmas dinner at the Hilton on the beach, which was surprisingly good! My sister Lynda, her husband Mike, and her two adorable sons (my number one nephews!) Matthew and Mitchell stayed with me and Susan....oh, did I mention their dog Boomer too?! Actually, we kept him and Cindy separated, except for the back yard in which they miraculously got along fine. The boys are growing like sprouts and my house looked like a game parlor with the Xbox, Gamecube, gameboy, matchbox racetrack, stuffed animals, pokemon, yugio and figurines all around the place. But, IT WAS WORTH it...they are growing into such great young dudes. Mitchell is now into skateboarding and way to cool to give his Aunt Cathy a kiss on the cheek good bye....pretty soon he'll be talking on the phone to girls and wanting the car keys....ugh!

Andy and Anne (and Rocco of course) stayed with Mom and Dad. Mom said she loved having them because she didn't have to do anything. Anne organized the garage and Andy cooked...I think I'll have to have them down sometime...my garage needs organizing.....teehee.....just kidding guys.

It was great to see everyone lest Jeff, Won Ok and Elizabeth who didn't make the trip.

Best Present: not the $60 basketball jersey for Mitchell, the $50 Game Stop gift card for matthew or the Doodle Pro for Brandon NOPE.....it was the $4 Socker Boppers! Those boys, including little Brandon, just beat the crap out of each other.....ahh.....give little boys inflated boxing gloves and they are amused for hours!

Best Quote: eight year old Matthew, "Aunt Cathy, what does 'alcoholic' mean??".....Aunt Cathy, "Why....what did your Mom and Dad say about me!!!!!".....Matthew, "Huh?...someone just called Homer one on the Simpsons....". Aunt Cathy, "Oh...o.k. then....it is verrrrrryyyyy BBBBBBaaaaddd..."...that is true folks, you can't make stuff like that up.

Best moment: Aunt Cathy teaching a new basketball player, nephew Mitchell, a crossover dribble.... I fell right on my ass...that is right, RIGHT ON MY ASS!!!!! My sister's Lynda and Susan didn't hesitate to laugh their butts off....Mitchell is so polite he hid his face and tried not to laugh. THAT is why I'm going to list MITCHELL as my beneficiary on my health insurance and NOT my mean sisters!!!

I posted some pics from my stinky camera below...gonna have to replace that darn camera...or learn how to use it! More to come!

Double digits and almost eight decades...my GOD!

Happy birthday to two of the best "men" in my life. Today my father, Donald Lewis Reeder turns 78 years old...and my beloved nephew Mitchell Brian Hoag turns the big 1-0!!! They are both important people in my life and I'm just so proud that they both are such cool guys. Mitch had a big sleep over of ten of his closest friends and Susan and I took Dad and Mom out to Meg O'Malley's in Melbourne for his b-day. Here's to many more...pics of Mitch's b-day sleep over to be posted....when his mother (Gwinder) sends them to me...

Lean Mean Wrestling Machine...and Pokemon Trader!?

Had to post these pics of my number one dude, my nephew Matthew. He had his first wrestling match last weekend. He got all hyped up for his three matches and was ripped and ready to go...of course, that didn't stop him from showing off his Pokemon cards to his opponents after the match....aaaahhhhh the sweet innocence of youth....the Knicks and the Nuggets could take some lessons from these boys (read the papers if you don't get it).

Hello!...Hello!...Mickey R U There??

It was great to hear from my good ol' friend Mickey, one of my dearest friends ever. Of course, some things haven't changed since the 4th grade at Westmore or college at George Mason. Mickey's gonna call, so he says...Mickey?
Mickey, I know you read this...so call your ol' pal..wink, wink. I miss you.

Cathertizations, Cardiologists and a Cadillac

Well, most of you know of my medical scare this past month. After complaining to the Doctor during a routine visit of mild chest pain, my life got turned tipsey turvey for a while. I had abnormal EKGs and flunked the nuclear portion of my stress test which indicated a 90% chance of a blockage. I had to go to a Cardiologist and have a cardiac catheterization for a stint to be put in. Turns out, he couldn't find it (OK, stop laughing smart asses, he found my HEART...it was the blockage he couldn't find...I now have definitive proof that I do, indeed, have a heart. No Mom, it didn't have a big crack in it!) and suggested that the other two tests gave false positives....I'm glad about that but wish I didn't have to have a tube stuck up my groin into my heart. They put me on a blood thinner and patted my on the back. I'm left with an unbelievable bruise where they put a clamp on my leg...ugh.

I bought a new (semi used) car to replace the aging Altima. See pics below.



Mom and dad are adjusting slowly, they have found their way to me and Susan's house on there own (both good and bad news....teehee) and are trying to get involved with the Senior Center. We took them gambling on the boat last weekend. I made out like a bandit and couldn't lose...nobody else won, but what do I care.

Cindy is still pooping like crazy!

Theyrrrrreeeeeeee Heeeeeerrrreeeee!

Well, not quite yet. For those who don't know, my parents are relocating to Melbourne, FL from Tucson, AZ Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately, because of health problems, they have to move closer to some of their kids so that we can help them out occasionally. And, when choosing among their sprawling brood....Susan and I got trapped...er lucky, I mean (Just kidding mom and dad). I just got back from a trip to Tucson following my sister Pat's trip. Lynda is going out today, then my brother Mike and me again. I will bring them back with me on Sunday the 3rd of September. The idea is that they don't have to be alone. With dad not being able to drive and mom recovering from another small stroke, they need the help. They will stay with me until their moving van gets out here with their stuff.

So, I'm looking forward to the company....lets face it, Susan is kind of boring. Although, for the record, "yes, mom, I know I'm not getting any younger and I know I have no kids". OK?! Now, you never have to bring the subject up again! See their Florida house below.



Hahhahahaha....he even looks sexy in his mug shot! (I don't know why I'm posting this).

MAMA Mia!!

NINE on Ten...if it weren't for the ref...we may have won!!! I'm so proud of the boys from the U.S. They played like finally expected...and then some. And, the boys in blue didn't look so bad either. Could it have been the "miracle maker" candle I burned in homage to the U.S. team (see below)....???or just plain luck?! All I know.....they played great!!

Alberto, Spiders and Czechs, Oh my!

Well, believe it or not we had our first named storm of the hurricane season so far. Alberto was a wimp as far as storms go...but it did give us some much needed rain to help douse the many wild fires that are harassing Florida.

I got the scare of my life a couple of days ago. I had just taken a shower in my very dimly lit bathroom (no power due to the aforementioned storm)....I was drying off and a Spider fell from the top of my head into the sink. Now, I don't know if I picked it up in the Garage while looking for a flashlight or if was in the Shower, or on my towel. All I know is that it was a SPIDER and it was in my HAIR!!!! I was fearful that it was a Brown Recluse, but didn't have the nerve to go look at it for five minutes. I gathered myself and took a good long look at it as it lay stunned and wounded in the sink. I then squashed it and washed it down. I confirmed, after looking it up on the internet, that it was indeed a Brown Recluse...I'll never forget what it looked like. See picture below and try not to get the shivers thinking about this thing crawling, with its two hinged tri-sectioned legs, in your HAIR!!

I was lucky that it didn't bite me....at least I don't think it did. Even if it did, it would have been on my head and we all know that I have nothing up there to damage.

Even more disturbing was Monday's soccer match between the U.S. and the Czech Republic. I've been waiting four years and endured many qualifying matches waiting for this moment as my beloved U.S. squad took on the world in Germany at the World Cup Finals. They played awful...I think the 1967 Fairfax Scramblers (only family gets this one) could have played the Czech's more competitively. The U.S. lost 3-0 and now must face Italy this Saturday in must win game. See dejected U.S. Captain after the Czech game below:

The good news is....they are playing the Italians! Hey, even if the U.S. gets crushed...we get to see the total hotties from Italy play. Their whole team could be models.....you only have to like sexy men, not soccer to enjoy their games!

"Captain Fabio"

Staring 11 against Ghana

Go USA! World Cup 2006

World Cup started on Friday. I've been waiting impatiently for the US's first game on Monday. I'm going into work this weekend so that I can take of Monday at noon to watch our team take on the Czech Republic.

Went on the gambling cruz boat yesterday with Susan and some friends. I met my future husband...Milan from Serbia-Montenegro (he kept saying Yugoslavia...guess he's living in the past). Funny thing, after he left our table, the new dealer was from Croatia....

More later....
PS-Susan ripped up at the black jack table....I only lost 70 dollars, so a victory for me!

Cool Planes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz5I8o9k6Xg

For those of you who wonder what program I work for at at my company, click on the above link which takes you to a short 2 minute video of the Joint Strike Fighter.....

Happy Birthday to YOU!!

Today is my Aunt Louise's birthday. She is more commonly known as 'Weez' to me, my brothers, sisters and cousins. Today Weez is 80, after all these years of her telling us she is eighty....today, she is actually 80! Growing up, even the neighbors and friends called Margaret Louise Freese, born May 2nd, 1926 in Bloomington, IN, simply 'ant weez'. Seriously though, Weez was/is an inspiration to the modern woman. Before her time, Weez graduated from Indiana University with a teaching degree and Math degree. She would later earn her Master's degree way before it was common for women to do so. She entered the world of business and finished her career with the Federal Government's Federal Highway Institute (Dept. of Transportation). I can remember, as a six year old, going with my mom to take her up to the Mr. Donought's in Fairfax to catch the Metro Bus into DC before the sun came up for her commute to work. She moved and lived with us until I was thirteen, and after that, her house was a fun place to spend a Friday night.

So Weez, for the countless comforts and hugs, the rides to soccer practice, the extra cash, the car on friday night, the algebra tutoring, a place to stay, and the fun rides to the beach at Kitty Hawk, NC every summer....thanks, and Happy Birthday!! Love you!

Great Video

O.K., those who really know me and Susan know that we are tilted not so slightly to the left. Although I'm not a big fan of "Pink", I am a fan of the "Indigo Girls" and the message in this video. Just follow the link by clicking on the title above "Great Video".

PATRIOTS, PATRIOTS and Cubs

I just finished a nice long visit in Tucson with my parents. W e went, shopping, gambling and to a couple of ball games. We saw the Rockies, Angels, Diamondbacks and Cubs...Pics to below.

Most memorable line from my dad: When hearing that George Mason beat UNC to go to the sweet 16, "Wouldn't that be great if they went to the final." Cathy, "Right Dad! They would have to beat UConn....ugh!!!! see below

Most memorable line from my Mom: "I keep trying to explain to people, Reeder's aren't alcoholics...we're drunkards, there's a difference!!!"...just an awesome line, no explanation needed.

Wow! that is all I have to say. My own beloved George Mason Patriots are in the Final 4. For those of you who don't know what the "Final 4" is....well, **it on you. Nothing for me to say that the press hasn't already said, so instead, I will leave you with a short biography of the MAN himself...the most famous, yet in-famous Patriot of all time (No, not Jim Larranaga):

George Mason Writings and Biography:

To learn more about George Mason, click on link in the title of this post, "PATRIOTS, PATRIOTS and Cubs".

Adios, Aloha, Alvedisen....

It's a sad week in Melbourne, Heather (a.k.a. crazy girl) is leaving our humble little sea-side town and moving to the hustle and bustle of the big city. O.k., not exactly THE big city, but Orlando is big compared to Melbourne. This small town just isn't hip enough for the young triathlete. She needs to hang with a younger happening crowd that actually goes out after 10 p.m. Now, anyone who knows me...knows that I'm in my REM mode by 10 p.m., so who can blame Heather for splitting. We promise to visit, probably more often than you want, so get the efficiency in Thorton park ready for us ol' foogies....see pic below from our farewell luncheon.

I haven't written in a while, been busy with house stuff. Big thanks to Stu for crawling in my attic and doing some electrical work....I swear when you got soaked after priming my sprinkler pump I DIDN'T laugh as much as Alison did. Of course, you know, if I had my camera handy your drenched likeness would be blessing this very blog. Thanks, you guys rock.

Did some window coverings today, I will post pics of the interior of the house soon....got a party to go to....

Xmas, Family and "My Car's on Fire!!"

Well, I survived Christmas with the Reeder's up north. The drive up went smoothly, made it in fourteen and a half hours...didn't hit traffic until the beltway which immediately reminded me why I moved from there in the first place. Dad and mom looked good, Dad gets around slowly but he looks and sounds better then last September. The nephews and niece are growing like sprouts....see below from left to right, Matthew, Mitchell, Elizabeth and Brandon.

Every time I see mom I'm reminded that I am a "chip off the ol' block". I act more and more like her everyday...which when I was younger used to bother me. As I've matured (o.k. stop laughing I don't mean mentally mature, but you know...older) I've come to take being just like mom as a compliment. I don't think any children could ask for more devoted parents then what we have. See picture of me and the queen mother below.

Now, I'm no mechanic but when my car started smoking from the hood about 40 miles into Georgia on the way back, I figured something was not right. A small fire caused by a broken AC belt melting against the compressor was the culprit. Luckily "Sweet Daddy", complete with mechanics shirt with the aforementioned name patch and missing front teeth, convinced me that that particular belt is uneeded and, as long as I kept the AC off, I could drive the car safely. He was much nicer and honest than the idiots at AAA and we were lucky to run into Sweet Daddy from Georgia. I don't think he appreciated Cindy nipping at him, though..she is such an ingrate!

Graduation with a Hangover

I finally finished my Master's degree and graduated yesterday. Thanks to the Champagne provided by Susan Friday night, I was forced to attend the ceremony with a slight hangover. I made it through and didn't trip on stage. Susan got me some balloons, but we had to put them in her room because they spook Cindy too much.....it's allllllll about Cindy. I'm in there somewhere with the group up front with the red and silver hoods...