Day #9 - from Mom

I'm really trying to be interesting - hahaha! I am so not a writer...

We have Caty again this weekend - Dee and Matt decided to go to the UP for Matt's birthday alone. It's good for everyone involved!! Aiden will be here tomorrow for awhile - Katie has to work and Linda has a meeting. I think Dad is going to take them fishing - he loves to do that. Of course, I'm not sure who enjoys it more!!

Some of my friends have joked that I'd get tired of having Dad around now that he's retired but I'm really loving it! We have been doing a lot together and he is much more relaxed. We have been going for about an hour walk everyday. Today was the 1st-ish day that we ate vegetarian - I made a big pot of vegetable stew - supposedly it was some 'Irish Cabbage Stew' recipe and it was really, really good. Dad liked it too - even little Caty tasted the broth and said it was good! She wouldn't eat any of the 'stuff' - but she at least tasted it. She is really growing up because last year she would have thrown a fit if I had mentioned she try it - tonight it was her idea!!

Heading to bed - love you lots!!

Day #6 - from Mom

Tomorrow is Aiden's birthday - Dad and I are going to get one of those big Mylar balloons and take it to school for him. I haven't heard anything about a party but if he has one we'll take lots of pictures! Thanks for the phone call today!! I loved hearing from you!!

Day #5 - from Mom

Just a reminder - we love you!!

Dad is watching this guy on TV by the name of Dr. Joel Fuhrman. He is talking about vitamins and a healthy diet...the reason I'm sharing this is because of what I made for dinner - let me explain...

I made Hungarian Goulash and langos - so it consisted of beef, potatoes, onions, a bit of water, and lots of spicy, spicy paprika and langos - which are basically deep fat fried yeast dough (made with mashed-potatoes) and then covered in garlic -- oh, so healthy!!! LOL!!! I will admit it did taste fantastic - sorry if I made you home-sick.

Dad put an application in at Lakeview Manor - I'm really glad because he needs something more productive to do - he thought he might enjoy doing that work part-time and I think it would be great for him. I have been encouraging him to do something - even if it is just volunteer work and at least he's heading in that direction. I think the way he is acting happens quite often at the start of retirement and once he gets out there doing something he will get in the habit of doing something besides TV.

Love you!!

Day #4 - from Mom

Hey Chris - Spent the afternoon with Katie and Aiden along with Caty. Katie and Aiden were doing pretty good but really missing you - if you can and are reading this - call or text them - just let them know you're thinking of them.

It really feels weird not having Caty much - we only got her 24 hours this weekend! It will be at least 2 weeks until we get to see her again because they are going to the UP this next weekend for Matt's birthday. He'll be 24 next Sunday - I think - and then on the 29th is Drake's birthday. The 22nd of this month is also Nana's 81st birthday and by the way - she moved into Aunt Susie's house last week.

Love You!!

Day #3 - from Mom

We've been spending the day - on and off - watching 9-11 news footage. Tomorrow is the 10 year anniversary.

Caty is here - we went today to get her. She spent last night with Matt's mom - there was some festival in Blair Township with 'hoppy/jumping thing-y's' and water slides today. It really feels strange not seeing her everyday and Dee hasn't given us her new schedule so I don't know when we will have her again...

Also in the news today - a federal judge overturned Michigan's law preventing groups from protesting at funerals - it's sad but if they (non-protestors) ask for help, if I can, I'll be there. Maybe it is unconstitutional to prevent peaceful protesting but in this situation it's just not right.

Fall is coming - it was dark by 8:30 pm, leaves are changing, and the garden is just about dead. The garden really suffered this year because I was in Indiana when I should have put it in - even the zucchini didn't grow very well!!

I love you Chris and I'm looking forward to seeing you once more at the end of the month - love, Mom

Day #2 - from Mom

I have to tell you - this is going to be hard! You know, I'm just not much of a writer...LOL!!

I do want to tell you that I'm doing pretty good today. I'm drinking a home-made 'pumpkin spice latte' - made by Bev and it's really good!

Did I tell you Dad is toying with the idea of becoming a vegan - oh yes, I am so going to work this one - lol!! Found a recipe for seitan (fake meat made from nutritional yeast and wheat gluten) that people say (and I want to emphasize SAY) tastes like pepperoni and I am so going to make him eat it too - maybe I'll take a picture of him eating it for you. I did tell him that I would incorporate some vegetarian recipes into the family rotation but that I know he could not give up his half and half in his coffee.

I love you Chris!!

Day 1 - from Mom

You have reported for duty - ok, like 15 minutes ago...I was tempted to walk down the street to see if I could catch one more glimpse of you but I didn't. I was just a tad bit afraid I would embarrass you like the way you wouldn't let me kiss you on your first day of kindergarten. You were so afraid someone would see me kiss you - lol!

Let me explain the title of this blog - 14 months is about 425 days and that's how long you are to be gone. I know it is not an exact number but if I can 'count down' the days until you return I think it will be easier for me. I'm not promising to write here everyday but I want to share what is going on at home while you are protecting our freedom. This, at least my plans for this, is to open this blog to anyone who wants to share with you while you are away. Hopefully this will portray a story of our love for you.