We hit a cold snap this week and saw lots of flurries as we crept ever closer to Christmas break. Unlike our northern neighbors, we did not get of that white stuff to stick. My view on it – if it’s going to be this darn cold, it we might as well have some snow to make it look more like Christmastime…and not just feel like it. We spent much of our time in basketball gyms this week, watching lots of roundball. Luke had two junior high games this week. Despite being under the weather for much of the week, Abby still managed to get to most of her dances – including a couple performances at the high school. Matt spent his time preparing for final exams. Ann continued to struggle with her knees while I adjusted to walking in much colder weather and wished I still had my treadmill. Hello again and welcome back to the Scheu Family Blog.
It was back to work and school on Monday. It would be our warmest day of the week and only got up to the mid-forties. I was able to get in about 3 miles of walking after work. Luke had basketball practice after school. We got home and headed out to the high school where the boys’ basketball team was facing the Hauser Jets. Our good friend Bob Nobbe is their coach, but he was still out after having eye surgery back in October. Abby and the Pirateers performed with the cheerleaders before the game in their really cool pre-game routine. They presented the colors for the National Anthem and then performed at halftime. They danced to a routine that Abby & Mary choreographed and I did the music for. Gma & Gigi joined us as did Randall & Shay. Thanks to Gigi for all the great pictures!! We are hoping that she decides to upgrade her camera rig soon so that we can buy hers! :0)
I was able to get another couple miles of walking in after work on Tuesday. It was around 40 degrees but I was plenty warm. We ended up leaving work a little early to drive back to town and head over to the junior high school to watch Luke and the 7th grade-A basketball team host Columbus Central. The boys jumped on them early and pulled away quickly, winning again 48-22 to raise their record to 7-1 on the year. Luke started at center again. His stats: no shots taken with a turnover. He had 9 rebounds, forced a pair of turnovers, 5 blocks and only 1 foul this game. Mom & Sandy were able to come (thx for the pix, Gigi!) support Lukey as well as Abby and her friend Molly. Ann finished up the house decorations, though we might put something outside if we get motivated this weekend. When we got home, I helped Abby “cut??? music. We made a soundtrack CD for her next dance routine that she is working on – All I Want for Christmas. I can’t wait to see the dance! Afterwards I uploaded the game tape to Hudl for the kids and coaches.
Wednesday was cold and breezy. I walked about two miles in it after work. The temp was right around freezing but I managed ok. I do miss my beard! Abby puked early this morning and missed school. Randall came over to be with her during the day then stayed for dinner. Ann made a big pot of homemade chicken noodle soup, which we enjoyed for a few days this week. It absolutely hit the spot during this cold week.
We had a bitter cold start to our Thursday. Black Betty had a hard frost on her and had to warm up about 10 minutes. Brrr. We had a fast day but I was able to walk about two miles from my office to Ann’s in the snow flurries. It was about 20 degrees and the wind chill was near zero. I was warm enough, except for my lips and cheeks. It was hard to talk due to them being numb. Abby was still not feeling well that morning and ended up sleeping in and then going in for the second half of the day. She somehow struggled through Pirateers practice but missed tap and came home and went right back to bed. Meanwhile, Ann & I left work a little early to drive to Shelbyville where Luke was playing basketball. The boys were a little flat on that cold night and were up only one point at the end of the 1st quarter. Luke started at center but picked up a pair of early fouls and had to sit most of the first half. He returned in the 2nd half and the boys blew the game wide open, allowing the second-stringers to get in some valuable playing time. The boys won going away despite some “home cooking??? by the referees. The final score was 56-27 and their record now stands at 8-1. Luke’s stats: 2 points on 1-3 shooting with 8 rebounds, two steals and a pair of blocks. It snowed all night but didn’t have much to show for it. I had hoped to go watch football with Bryan and have a coaches meeting to discuss our role in the upcoming 8th grade football season, but he wasn’t feeling well. We spoke to Coach Harris yesterday, regarding taking a more active role on the team next season. It’s a lot to ponder but we have plenty of time to discuss it. I uploaded the game tape to Hudl and fell asleep by halftime of the TNF game. We were saddened to hear that several celebrities had passed away recently: Greg Lake (bassist for King Crimson & ELP), John Glenn (test pilot, astronaut and senator), Dave “Fuzzy??? Edwards (Cowboys LB on the “Doomsday Defense??? of the 70s) and Rashaan Salaam (Bears RB and Heisman winner).
Abby was still illin’ on Friday and again slept in before eventually going in for a half day of school. Luke went to basketball practice after school. It again snowed all day. Although there was no accumulation, it was pretty. After school, Abby worked at BWR. Ann went up to visit Matt at school and take him out shopping and then out for a late lunch. I met up with her at home only to return to Columbus for her annual office Christmas party. This year, we again had it at Dan & Kasey’s house, which is just gorgeous. It was a good time as always, complete with a delicious big meal, a fun White Elephant gift exchange and lots of spirits and laughs! Ann and I came home with a cool bottle of rum and a picture frame…can you say re-gifting?? :0) We have a ton of social media pictures to share this week: Bu & the Pirateers; Ann & Bu at Donuts with Santa; more Bu and Pirateers; Rosie & Megan; Uncle Timmie had a birthday this week; Ms. Lucy; the kids by the tree; Molly says hi; yet more Bu & Pirateers; Luke & a random girl he met at an away bball game; the Drakes; Aunt Sue; the Smiths; Colts are tied for 1st place somehow, Tony Stewart with Ann’s Santa Claus, some Hot Wheels & Cowboys stuff; congrats to my friend, Louie and the Slicers; and the recent celebrity deaths.
Saturday started off pretty darn cold (in the teens) and didn’t’ get much warmer. Matt stayed at school this weekend to study for finals week. He has four big tests to study for this coming week. We are looking forward to him getting back home next week to stay with us until next year! Abby had to get up early to help facilitate “Shop with a Cop??? at Walmart as part of National Honor Society. We are so proud of her… Luke enjoyed a rare day off from basketball. I’m not sure if they even have a game next week. The girls went out Christmas shopping in Columbus and Luke and I did a little HW hunting. When everybody got home, we all took naps. Later, Bu went in to work again at Wings & Rings and eventually ended up spending the night with Megan at Mallory’s house. Ann made popcorn for dinner and we watched a few movies on the big screen, keeping warm under blankets on the couches and basking in the glow of the Tannenbaum.
We enjoyed sleeping in on Sunday morning. It was another cold, overcast day. It rained pretty much all day. We eventually got up and got going, doing our weekly household chores and watching football all day. I love Red Zone. Abby came home from Megan’s house and she & Ann made cookies for her friend, Baker, who is in the service. They are going to send them to him in TX. After baking, Ann, Abby & Luke took naps, which gave me some peace for a few hours. Abby ended up working again at BWR that night and Maryann came over to visit for a little while. That evening, Ann made one of our favorites – salmon patties and shells & cheese – for dinner and we took it easy the rest of the night and looked forward to the Cowboys playing in prime time. With a win tonight and a Seahawk loss, Dallas will clinch a first-round bye! Now here are some miscellaneous pictures from this week.
Next up is our Waybac section, which continues to feature our young family’s second 6 photo albums from the turn of the century and our time in the big Main St home. We lead off with scenes from Christmas morning on Main St in December 1998; then move on to Matt’s birthday party on Main St in March 1999; then we head south to Treasure Island in May 1999; then back up to G’burg for 4th of July parade and party in July 1999; next we are back on Main St for Matt’s birthday party in March 2000; then up to Rossville to visit Mom & Dad in April 2000; then back to G’burg for the county fair and fair parade in July 2000; next we have the 4th of July parade and then back to our house on Main St for lunch in July 2000; then out to the new YMCA for Halloween fun in October 2000; next we head to Brown County (just outside Nashville) for Christmas with the Drews in December 2000; then back to Main St for Ann’s birthday party in January 2001; and we end on Main St for Matt’s birthday party in March 2001.
And last but not least, we have our video segment. This week we have seven new family home movies to share as well as several from around the internet.
And that does it for this week’s edition of the Scheu Family Blog. Thanks for keeping up with us this time out and we’ll catch up with you again next time. Until then, have a good one. We miss ya, Mom.
Later, Scheu