The alarm goes off at 0559 and I head downstairs to get Nancy her coffee. The thermometer says it is 57⁰. Eventually we are going to pay. I got on my AT with the new super duper snow tires. Kentwood Cycle did not put my 5 speed back together right and I had only one speed. Being Thursday I performed my tri today. I usually feel pretty good on Thursday because on Wednesday I take it easy. I read my papers at Breton Village today. The WSJ is really worried about the banks in Europe. For some reason European banks are not high on my worry list.
I got home at 1230. This afternoon we are expecting the Maytag repair man. Remember those commercials. He has my cell number and called about 1300 and said he was on his way. Nancy and I were surprised but he was able to fix our 24 year old washer. He said that our washer was very well made and if we bought a new one we would be lucky if it lasted 10 years. After the repair man left I went outside and tried to fix the 5 speed on the bike. I could not do it so I loaded it up and headed back to Kentwood Cycle. They fiddled with it for about 30 minutes and said it was fixed. It was raining to hard for me to test it so I headed home. When I got home the rain had stopped so I took a spin. Guess what! It still does not work. I am stuck in 3rd.
The temperature is suppose to drop to below freezing this evening. It might snow this weekend. Tonight Nancy and I are heading to Great Lakes Shipping for dinner. Tonight we will watch a "Person of Interest" and then head to bed. I wanted to take a nap this afternoon but got sidetracked by the washing machine and my bike.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday December 14, 2011
The alarm goes off at 0559 and I get right up because I have to make the 0700 Breakfast Club. First I have to get Nancy her morning coffee. It was raining and pitch black when I headed to BC. The food was especially good this morning. The speaker today was the publisher of the GRP. He explained why the GRP is only going to have home delivery on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. The electronic age is impacting print media in a major way. The majority of folks now get their news via TV or the internet. The impact of smart phones is immense. The GRP is not going away they are offering a complete newspaper online. This includes the funnies. I was very impressed with the presentation. They seem to have a handle on how to survive in the electronic age.
The average age of the BC is probably around 80 so when they were asked how many had smart phones, electronic readers or ipads, not many hands were raised. I think most of the BC did not like the new changes. I think the GRP is getting ahead of the curve. Change is inevitable. Live with it old people.
After BC I headed to the Kava House to read the WSJ and DFP on my Kindle. I did not finish the papers because I only had an hour on the parking meter. When I got home I finished my Christmas cards. I worked on the computer until about 1330 when I headed downtown to attend the GRBA monthly meeting. The GRBA is winding down. We do not have any new projects. An announcement was made at today's meeting about the big downsizing of the city's engineering department. They are going down from 34 people to 23. It was a kind of grim.
When I got home I had a message that my bike was ready. I got in the C2 and headed to Kentwood Cycle. I had the shop put on a chain guard and studded snow tires. I am ready for winter.
Tonight we will have cereal and maybe if I am nice Nancy will let me have a Christmas cookie. We have been receiving fruit and chocolate Christmas packages from relatives and friends. Nancy said she will limit my intake. However, I did sneak an apple while she was working at the Gardens. It was very good. Tonight we will read today's GRP. After the first of the year we will not get a paper copy on Wednesdays. I will have to read the paper online. No big deal.
It has rained all day. So far I have not been able to get my 30' in. I think I will try and take a walk around1900.
The average age of the BC is probably around 80 so when they were asked how many had smart phones, electronic readers or ipads, not many hands were raised. I think most of the BC did not like the new changes. I think the GRP is getting ahead of the curve. Change is inevitable. Live with it old people.
After BC I headed to the Kava House to read the WSJ and DFP on my Kindle. I did not finish the papers because I only had an hour on the parking meter. When I got home I finished my Christmas cards. I worked on the computer until about 1330 when I headed downtown to attend the GRBA monthly meeting. The GRBA is winding down. We do not have any new projects. An announcement was made at today's meeting about the big downsizing of the city's engineering department. They are going down from 34 people to 23. It was a kind of grim.
When I got home I had a message that my bike was ready. I got in the C2 and headed to Kentwood Cycle. I had the shop put on a chain guard and studded snow tires. I am ready for winter.
Tonight we will have cereal and maybe if I am nice Nancy will let me have a Christmas cookie. We have been receiving fruit and chocolate Christmas packages from relatives and friends. Nancy said she will limit my intake. However, I did sneak an apple while she was working at the Gardens. It was very good. Tonight we will read today's GRP. After the first of the year we will not get a paper copy on Wednesdays. I will have to read the paper online. No big deal.
It has rained all day. So far I have not been able to get my 30' in. I think I will try and take a walk around1900.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Tuesday December 13, 2011
I got up with the 0600 alarm. No rain is forecast for today so I rode my retro bike to the MAC. The temperature was in the mid 30s so I had a pleasant ride. I did the T/TH tri today. I really had a slow swim phase. After the MAC I headed to the Kava House. The WSJ had several stories on the European debt. Will they ever get the mess cleaned up? I think the USA's debt problem is as serious as Europe.
Nancy had a brunch this morning at the Cascade Country Club. I got home at 1230 and Nancy walked in right after me. Nancy needed to go to Costco so I gave her some money to buy me a wool long sleeve tee shirt. I already have two but they are so light and warm that I wanted another. Costco from time to time has some great clothing items at a bargain basement prices.
I spent the early part of the afternoon reading the agenda and data for tomorrow's GRBA meeting. Kentwood Cycle called this afternoon and said the chain guard I ordered had arrived. I loaded up the AT and headed to the store. I told them to install the guard and also to put two new snow tires on the bike. I am getting ready for winter.
I am now starting to write my Christmas Cards. This year I am going to type them because my handwriting has really deteriorated. We decided to bite the bullet and call the Maytag repair man to look at the washer. He is coming Thursday.
Tonight we are having turkey sandwiches and soup. We will read the GRP and watch NCIS. I have to get to bed early because I have Breakfast Club and a GRBA meeting tomorrow. Must be fresh for these meetings. I got my 30' in today did you?
Nancy had a brunch this morning at the Cascade Country Club. I got home at 1230 and Nancy walked in right after me. Nancy needed to go to Costco so I gave her some money to buy me a wool long sleeve tee shirt. I already have two but they are so light and warm that I wanted another. Costco from time to time has some great clothing items at a bargain basement prices.
I spent the early part of the afternoon reading the agenda and data for tomorrow's GRBA meeting. Kentwood Cycle called this afternoon and said the chain guard I ordered had arrived. I loaded up the AT and headed to the store. I told them to install the guard and also to put two new snow tires on the bike. I am getting ready for winter.
I am now starting to write my Christmas Cards. This year I am going to type them because my handwriting has really deteriorated. We decided to bite the bullet and call the Maytag repair man to look at the washer. He is coming Thursday.
Tonight we are having turkey sandwiches and soup. We will read the GRP and watch NCIS. I have to get to bed early because I have Breakfast Club and a GRBA meeting tomorrow. Must be fresh for these meetings. I got my 30' in today did you?
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday December 12, 2011
Monday morning and the alarm goes off at 0559. I get right up because today is a busy day. After my normal at-home routine I get in the C2 and head to the Ford dealer. Nancy is taking her car in to get some work done. The driver side seat warmer does not work, the Taurus needs its 4,000 mile oil change and we are getting the clock fixed. Not real big items but going without a seat warmer can be a hardship.
I drove Nancy to the MAC and gave her the keys to the C2. She will go to the hospital after the MAC. I will walk home. I was done with my Monday routine before 1000, a record for me. I walked over to Breton Village and bought a coffee and read the papers in the Mall. The grandparents keep bringing the grandkids to see the model train display. It took me over 1.5 hours to read the papers. Why do I read so slow? I got home at 1300.
After a quick lunch I drive Nancy back to the Ford dealer so she can pick up her car. It only cost $31 because most of the work was under warranty. I drove over to Dunham Sports because they had a picture of a UM sweat shirt in yesterday's paper. The sweat shirt only had a small M and this is what I wanted. I do not want a shirt that has MICHIGAN on it I want only a M. Dunham's did not have any. I accused them of false advertising.
After my disappointing trip to Dunham's I headed to the Comcast store on 36th Street. Our remote is not working. They took the old one and gave me a new one. My next stop was the eye doctor. I picked up a year's supply of contacts. He changed my prescription and so I needed new ones. I really like the new prescription.
My final stop was at my favorite hardware store, Rylee's. I returned a string of outdoor Christmas lights. I did not need the lights because I only had to change a fuse in the existing string to get them to work. With my refund I bought two mouse traps. Nancy wants to set one in the garage. She has not seen a mouse this year but she is sure they will invade the garage when it gets colder. When I got home I took my road bike to the basement and brought up the fat tired retro. I hung up my AT bike and will use my retro during the winter. I expect a call from the bike store telling me that the chain guard for my AT has arrived. I am getting a chain guard because I don't like wearing a sissy pant protector.
Tonight we are having cereal. We will watch some TV and read the GRP. I hope to be in bed before 2130.
I drove Nancy to the MAC and gave her the keys to the C2. She will go to the hospital after the MAC. I will walk home. I was done with my Monday routine before 1000, a record for me. I walked over to Breton Village and bought a coffee and read the papers in the Mall. The grandparents keep bringing the grandkids to see the model train display. It took me over 1.5 hours to read the papers. Why do I read so slow? I got home at 1300.
After a quick lunch I drive Nancy back to the Ford dealer so she can pick up her car. It only cost $31 because most of the work was under warranty. I drove over to Dunham Sports because they had a picture of a UM sweat shirt in yesterday's paper. The sweat shirt only had a small M and this is what I wanted. I do not want a shirt that has MICHIGAN on it I want only a M. Dunham's did not have any. I accused them of false advertising.
After my disappointing trip to Dunham's I headed to the Comcast store on 36th Street. Our remote is not working. They took the old one and gave me a new one. My next stop was the eye doctor. I picked up a year's supply of contacts. He changed my prescription and so I needed new ones. I really like the new prescription.
My final stop was at my favorite hardware store, Rylee's. I returned a string of outdoor Christmas lights. I did not need the lights because I only had to change a fuse in the existing string to get them to work. With my refund I bought two mouse traps. Nancy wants to set one in the garage. She has not seen a mouse this year but she is sure they will invade the garage when it gets colder. When I got home I took my road bike to the basement and brought up the fat tired retro. I hung up my AT bike and will use my retro during the winter. I expect a call from the bike store telling me that the chain guard for my AT has arrived. I am getting a chain guard because I don't like wearing a sissy pant protector.
Tonight we are having cereal. We will watch some TV and read the GRP. I hope to be in bed before 2130.
Sunday December 11, 2011
Sunday morning and we kept to our normal routine by going swimming at the MAC. After the MAC we headed to Meijer's for our weekly supplies. I filled the Taurus up and gas was $3.33. Nancy fixed her world famous scrambled eggs for breakfast this morning. I had mine on a waffle. I did take my afternoon nap.
At 1530 Nancy and I headed to the Moleski's for the Book Club's Annual Christmas get together. Husbands were invited and 3 attended making a total of 8. We had plenty to drink and the main menu consisted of Nancy's Waldorf Salad, grilled potatoes and vegetables and kielbasa. For dessert we had candy cane ice cream pie and chocolate candy. It was very good. Everyone was in a festive mood and the conversation was about family and old times. No politics.
We got home at 2000 and I had time to finish the Sunday paper before going to bed. I did watch part of the football game.
At 1530 Nancy and I headed to the Moleski's for the Book Club's Annual Christmas get together. Husbands were invited and 3 attended making a total of 8. We had plenty to drink and the main menu consisted of Nancy's Waldorf Salad, grilled potatoes and vegetables and kielbasa. For dessert we had candy cane ice cream pie and chocolate candy. It was very good. Everyone was in a festive mood and the conversation was about family and old times. No politics.
We got home at 2000 and I had time to finish the Sunday paper before going to bed. I did watch part of the football game.
Saturday December 10, 2011
Saturday morning and it was 22⁰ at 0700. This morning the roads are too icy to ride my bike so I decided to take a walk. I walked around Reeds Lake and on my way home stopped at the Kava House. I bought my coffee and then a scone. They have great scones. I read the WSJ and DFP. I get so mad at both political parties. I really think the President is very divisive. The proposed extension of the holiday on paying the SS tax is really bad. If SS is suppose to be in bad shape, why deprive it of needed funds.
There are better ways to get the economy moving. I see some Senators in both parties are beginning to say : is this smart? Speaking of money the hubris of the ex Governor of NJ who drove MF Global into the ground is deplorable. After getting worked up reading the papers I took a relaxing walk home. My walk covered 7 miles.
Our washing machine has been acting up. At first we thought that it got out of level and we have re-leveled the machine. Today I moved the machine out and spent some time getting the level just right. It worked ok for several loads but I think we must call the Maytag repair man. Nancy found the original bill for the washer. We bought the machine in 1987. I think at 24 years the machine might have reached the end of its useful life. I called the store where we bought the machine and they said that they still can get parts for the machine. Stay tuned.
I spent several hour going through some family records that I keep downstairs. I found that my great grandparents on the Hughes side were born in Wexford, Ireland. My great grandmother Scott whose maiden name was Rayborn had roots in Edinburgh, Scotland. My great grandfather McTavish was born in Campbeltown, Scotland came to Canada, Wallaceburg, Ont, in 1840. He attended the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Institute and graduated in 1866. After graduation he moved to Alpena.
At 1730 Nancy and I got in the Taurus and headed to Marco's. We met the Namey's for dinner. The place was jammed. Even though we had reservations we had to sit in the bar area. After dinner we drove to the Namey's for dessert. We had a very enjoyable evening.
December 10, 1944, Lawson YMCA, Chicago: My Dad was drafted as a civilian to work for the Army in the Chicago area. The military needed civil engineers to maintain all the bases. My dad was too old for the military but he could work as a civilian. It was a Sunday and dad said he was sorry he did not write yesterday because before he could start a letter he fell asleep and did not wake up until 0430 Sunday. Dad was working six days a week. He got off work Saturday and walked around downtown Chicago. The stores were all closed but the window displays were all filled with Christmas stuff. Dad wanted to come home between Christmas and New Years but could only get Christmas and the week before off. He said that his boss was being difficult but he thinks it is because his son, a pilot, was shot down over Germany. They do not know if a got his chute open in time.
Apparently the phone system is very limited. Dad has his reservation in to make a call to Alpena on Wednesday evening. Dad mentioned that he will try to fix the furnace when he gets home. He thinks it is a damper problem. He signed off saying he could not wait for next Sunday when he would be home. Dad wrote every day and my mother saved all his letters.
There are better ways to get the economy moving. I see some Senators in both parties are beginning to say : is this smart? Speaking of money the hubris of the ex Governor of NJ who drove MF Global into the ground is deplorable. After getting worked up reading the papers I took a relaxing walk home. My walk covered 7 miles.
Our washing machine has been acting up. At first we thought that it got out of level and we have re-leveled the machine. Today I moved the machine out and spent some time getting the level just right. It worked ok for several loads but I think we must call the Maytag repair man. Nancy found the original bill for the washer. We bought the machine in 1987. I think at 24 years the machine might have reached the end of its useful life. I called the store where we bought the machine and they said that they still can get parts for the machine. Stay tuned.
I spent several hour going through some family records that I keep downstairs. I found that my great grandparents on the Hughes side were born in Wexford, Ireland. My great grandmother Scott whose maiden name was Rayborn had roots in Edinburgh, Scotland. My great grandfather McTavish was born in Campbeltown, Scotland came to Canada, Wallaceburg, Ont, in 1840. He attended the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Institute and graduated in 1866. After graduation he moved to Alpena.
At 1730 Nancy and I got in the Taurus and headed to Marco's. We met the Namey's for dinner. The place was jammed. Even though we had reservations we had to sit in the bar area. After dinner we drove to the Namey's for dessert. We had a very enjoyable evening.
December 10, 1944, Lawson YMCA, Chicago: My Dad was drafted as a civilian to work for the Army in the Chicago area. The military needed civil engineers to maintain all the bases. My dad was too old for the military but he could work as a civilian. It was a Sunday and dad said he was sorry he did not write yesterday because before he could start a letter he fell asleep and did not wake up until 0430 Sunday. Dad was working six days a week. He got off work Saturday and walked around downtown Chicago. The stores were all closed but the window displays were all filled with Christmas stuff. Dad wanted to come home between Christmas and New Years but could only get Christmas and the week before off. He said that his boss was being difficult but he thinks it is because his son, a pilot, was shot down over Germany. They do not know if a got his chute open in time.
Apparently the phone system is very limited. Dad has his reservation in to make a call to Alpena on Wednesday evening. Dad mentioned that he will try to fix the furnace when he gets home. He thinks it is a damper problem. He signed off saying he could not wait for next Sunday when he would be home. Dad wrote every day and my mother saved all his letters.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Friday December 9, 2011
The weatherman was right we had about 1/2" of snow last night. I shoveled the drive and walk using my new super wide shovel. We got in the Taurus and headed to the MAC. I started rowing at 0800. After the MAC I walked over to Breton Village Mall, bought a coffee at the Omelet Shop and sat in the Mall and read the WSJ and DFP. I sat by the model RR display that is set up in the MALL. I was amazed at how many grandparents bring the grandkids to see the train. The place was crowded. The Mall also has a Santa. After reading the papers I walked home.
After a quick lunch Nancy and I got in the Taurus and headed to Costco. I bought some eye drops and Nancy bought lotion. Costco was crowded and they had a lot of free samples. After Costco we headed to Staples. I bought a color printer cartridge for Nancy's printer. While I was in Staples Nancy walked next door to Aldi's to buy cooking apples. Our final stop was the Ford dealership. A warning light went off telling us the tire pressure was low. We got this checked and also make an appointment for Monday morning. We have to get the car serviced and also the driver's seat warmer must be fixed.
Tonight we are going to the OHNA's monthly TGIF. The TGIF was well attended. Everyone must bring a dish. The neighbors went out of their way and prepared some very good holiday treats. When we visited Nancy's sister in the Finger Lakes area of NY we went wine shopping at the many wineries that surround the lake. We brought a bottle of Lameroux Creek wine to the party. It was very good. I wrote the name down to see if we can purchase it locally.
After a quick lunch Nancy and I got in the Taurus and headed to Costco. I bought some eye drops and Nancy bought lotion. Costco was crowded and they had a lot of free samples. After Costco we headed to Staples. I bought a color printer cartridge for Nancy's printer. While I was in Staples Nancy walked next door to Aldi's to buy cooking apples. Our final stop was the Ford dealership. A warning light went off telling us the tire pressure was low. We got this checked and also make an appointment for Monday morning. We have to get the car serviced and also the driver's seat warmer must be fixed.
Tonight we are going to the OHNA's monthly TGIF. The TGIF was well attended. Everyone must bring a dish. The neighbors went out of their way and prepared some very good holiday treats. When we visited Nancy's sister in the Finger Lakes area of NY we went wine shopping at the many wineries that surround the lake. We brought a bottle of Lameroux Creek wine to the party. It was very good. I wrote the name down to see if we can purchase it locally.
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