We enjoyed a fast week as the kids and us had a nice, long holiday weekend. We were excited to see family, watch some football, get in some shopping and of course enjoy all that scrumptious food! Luke had one basketball game. Abby did not have any dances. Matt finally came home. Things finally calmed down at work for both Ann and I. Ann’s knees and headaches permeated her daily routines though she tried not to let them slow her down. I missed my walking goal for the first time in a few months, only getting in about 8 miles this week. We enjoyed New Thanxmas this weekend as we celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years with Keith & Rosie, since we won’t see them again until 2018. Mom O battled some health issues, which was our only downer this week and Ms. Phyllis continued to battle back to some normalcy. Rob & Sharon stayed in the northeastern part of the country, going where the good jobs are…and Dad & Lynn took time to breathe this week before they head back out on the road real soon. Hello again and welcome back to the Scheu Family Blog.
We had a chilly start to week with a hard frost in the 20s on Monday. Abby had Pirateers after school and left there to work at Dixon Dance Studio. Later, she stayed to have dance class with Kuyhlia. Ann & I had fast but productive days at work. I got in three miles on a day where I didn’t have my best energy level – something was off and my pace was slow by about two minutes. Not sure if my body was trying to fight off something or what. We left Columbus early to travel to Connersville where Luke & the 8th grade Pirates A basketball team faced the Spartans in a tough matchup. This team has historically given us great games – and today was no different. The boys came out a little flat but managed to stay with the home team. Luke came off the bench and the team made a nice run to go up 8 at the half. He played a little over half of the game, which is just not enough for him to get into a steady rhythm. Still; he managed to contribute on both sides of the ball despite not attempting a shot again this game. We were up a couple baskets when they took him out of the game and didn’t return down the stretch. That is what is most disappointing so far this year – when it counts…when the game is on the line and things get a little hectic and you need a big rebound or a key pick or a big stop on defense…he’s not in the game. We got lucky this game that we didn’t blow the lead at the end of the game. It was nip and tuck until the last second. We were up 1 with 25 seconds to play and the front ends of back to back 1-and-1’s that could’ve sealed the victory. Instead that gave the Spartans a shot at the end to win the game but thankfully the shot was just off and the ball rimmed-out to preserve the victory, 33-32. Luke’s stats: he had 5 rebounds, a tip-out, 2 steals, 2 blocks, forced 3 turnovers, had 2 fouls and a turnover. On top of Malcolm Young passing away over the weekend, we had other celebrity deaths – Mel Tillis (country & western HoF legend), Della Reese (actress & singer) and Charles Manson (psychopathic cult leader). Here are pictures of Abby’s dance from last weekend.
Tuesday was a little warmer as it got up to the mid-50s by the time I walked a 5K around the airport property. While my day was an easy one, Ann had a long day and as I was waiting for her to get done, I ended up walking to her place, bringing my total to 5 miles of walking that evening. Like I said, it was a good day at work, in fact since last Wednesday it’s been much calmer out there. Luke had basketball practice and Abby worked at Wings & Rings that night. Ann’s Taco Tuesday for dinner sure hit the spot that night… Luke ran around the neighborhood with his buddies after dark on a cold, rainy night. And we had more celebrity deaths that came to light that day – Terry Glenn (former Cowboy’s WR) passed away from a car crash and David Cassidy (Partridge Family & singer) died of organ failure.
The kids enjoyed their first day off for the Thanksgiving holiday on Wednesday. Abby got called in to work at BWR. Ann & I had workitis bad that morning and left after a half day, going to lunch at 450 N Brewery at Simmons Winery. We enjoyed a cold, local brew (Prescription Pills), a yummy appetizer (totchos – think fully-loaded nachos but with tater tots instead of chips!) and an amazing, brick-oven-baked pizza (half Mexican Fiesta and half Stinger [spicy chicken]). It was our first experience there and we were thoroughly impressed. I felt kind of crappy that afternoon as my ear ached, my nose was running, and my throat was sore; so, the doctor called in a z-pack for me and by the end of the long weekend, I felt much better. Matt came home from school and attended wrestling practice. I think that’s so cool that he does this. Purdue was in the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis tourney vs. a very good, un-ranked Tennessee team. They should’ve won at the end of regulation but ended up losing in OT (their 1st loss of the season). We took naps while Luke hung with his friends, eventually having Wyatt over for dinner so we ordered pizza from Papa Johns. Matt came home from wrestling practice and played Xbox with Luke in the family room. Abby came home and took a nap before going to dance classes at Dixon. Ann joined her to get her dance mom groove on. And Keith, Rosie & Megan got into town that evening and will stay at Mom & Sandy’s house through the weekend.
Thursday was Thanksgiving Day. Everyone had the day off…except Matt who had to work at Aspen Place. Ann was up early and out shopping with Sandy to do their traditional trip to Rural King and then stopped in to see Mom and taste-test the dressing. Abby & Grace went to volunteer at the Methodist church to bag up lunches for the less-fortunate. Ann came home and baked her green bean casserole and dinner rolls. Luke & I watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and before we knew it, we were headed over to Memaw & Gigi’s house for our annual feast, family and football This year we had a big crowd: Mom & Sandy; David & Donna; Cinderella & DJ; Keith, Rosie & Megan; Dee, Jamie & Grace; and Ann, I with Luke and Abby. We also brought Trevin along this year. Lunch was amazing as always – turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, Memaw’s mac & cheese, pasta salad, dressing, Jamie’s baked beans, Gigi’s corn casserole, candied yams, cranberries, cookies, cupcakes, pumpkin roll, pumpkin pie, pecan pie (yum!), banana nut bread, dirt pudding…and I’m sure I’m forgetting something… We ate and ate and ate and then watched football as the Lions lost a close one to the Vikings. We went home and took naps before the Cowboys game started. We watched the 1st half then went back to Gma & Gigi’s house. I ran to Walmart to get a lime really quick for snakebites, but I was aghast to find that Black Friday was just starting as I was trying to grocery shop (they were the only store in town that were open at that time and carried fresh limes). I eventually got over to Maryann & Sandy’s house just as Bingo and the 2nd half of the Cowboys game was starting. After several games and watching Dallas blow another game (this time they were blown out by the Chargers), it was time to eat so we again. I love Thanksgiving leftovers (which were plentiful, as you might imagine). I had been waiting all year for a cold turkey sandwich and it did not disappoint! ???? Matt, Jamie & I did a couple shots of Patron snakebites and then it was time to open Thanxmas presents. First up were the kids and then the adults did a White Elephant gift exchange. This year’s theme was “hard.??? I pulled the #1 ticket this year, so I had the first and last pick. I originally had a great gift from Gigi of dill pickles & money (dill-dough) – very cleaver, Gigi…but I ended up swapping for the present with all the alcohol! We watched a little of the Giants / Redskins game then the boys and I played football outside for a while until it was time to leave. Mom wasn’t feeling very well due to her stomach again, so she’s supposed to call the doctor on Monday to see what’s going on. We came home and watched A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. We tried to watch our first Christmas movie too, but we fell asleep with our tummies full.
Black Friday started early for us again this year. First up was actually Abby, who went out shopping again with Kuyhlia this year at about 4 am! Next up was Ann who again went out shopping all day with Amy in their hideous headgear at about 7. Meanwhile, the boys and I got up early for our eye doctor appointments at 8. So much for sleeping in on your day off, huh? Matt went to wrestling practice afterward while Luke & I went to Frisch’s for breakfast. We met up with Matt and went to Columbus to shop for Ann and do some HW hunting and shoes shopping. We ate lunch at Joe Willy’s Burger Bar then went on to Edinburg to do more shopping. That was a bold move, as we aren’t that experienced with BF shopping. It was crazy busy at the outlet mall. I’ve never seen so many people! We didn’t stay long, and we decided this would be the last time we’d attempt this action. Instead, we’ll look forward to Cyber Monday. ???? Hell, it took us about 45 minutes just to get out of the damn parking lot! Purdue was still in Nassau, playing in the Battle for Atlantis tourney – facing the #2 AZ Wildcats. After dropping the last two games (their first two losses of the young season), they looked great this game and obliterated Arizona by 26! Once home, the boys and I dug out all the new Christmas bins and the tree, bringing them in the house for tomorrow’s big decorating day. I ran Luke to an early evening basketball practice then went shopping at Walmart again. We raided the fridge at Memaw’s house and brought home the motherlode for dinner! Matt went to Buffalo Wings & Rings with his buddies (where Bu had been called in to work) to watch the big game and have some fun before he heads back up to school. He was a good boy, getting back fairly early and getting to bed due to having to work in the AM. Abby got off pretty early from work since it was dead after the Boiler game. She came home to rest her aching body and go to bed. Ann eventually drug her wary rump home, after about 14 hours of shopping. Her knees and Amy’s back were both completely spent. We watched our first Christmas movie finally – this year it was How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Here are pictures of Mom O’s birthday party last weekend as well as random pictures from our recent adventures.
Matt was up early for work at Aspen Place on Saturday morning. Abby returned to BWR for work as well. Luke had basketball practice that morning. Ann cooked jalapeno popper dip and corn dip to take to Mom & Sandy’s house for our “New Year’s??? get together. We decided to have this with Keith & Rosie, since they won’t be here again until next year. Meanwhile, Ann & I started decorating the tree with Luke as we put the lights on…only to find that they didn’t work. Man! …what a rookie move on my part by not plugging in the lights before putting them on! To my defense, we bought them new last year and stored them properly…so I had no reason to think they shouldn’t be good to go; big mistake! We spent an hour getting them on and getting them all tucked-in nice – only to then troubleshoot for another 20 minutes before giving up and going back to the store and buying new ones. This time, I upgraded LED ones. Sure they cost more, but should last a lot longer. I guess we’ll see! They look weird and can be very bright at times. Matt got to put on the first (ugly orange) bulb this year. Congrats, Matthew! He also did homework as he helped us decorate. Luke did a little bit of decorating but was chomping at the bit to go to Drayden’s house for an overnight party with their friends. Eventually, he wore us down enough that Ann took him on over to get him out of our hair. Abby helped a little bit once she got home but before we knew it, it was time to head back over to Memaw & Gigi’s house. With Keith, Rosie & Megan still there one more night, Dee, Jamie & Grace joined us to have a pitch-in meal of finger foods / appetizers of Ann’s jalapeno popper dip and spicy corn dip; Jamie’s buffalo chicken dip, Gigi’s sausage balls and olive dip, Dee’s cheese balls, pickle/ham/cream cheese wraps, Rosie’s bacon-wrapped water chestnuts and various other meats, crackers and chips. We stuffed ourselves yet again. We brought over Cards Against Humanity, which was a big hit and then played a couple games of euchre before calling it an early night. Poor Mom wasn’t feeling well again – this time a possible infection or even a blood clot in her leg – kept her from doing much tonight, which really put a damper on the evening. We have lots of social media pictures to share from this week.
We enjoyed sleeping in on Sunday morning. Ann & I decided we should have four-day weekends each week! Matt had to get up and go work at the old folks’ home again and Abs worked at the restaurant again. Ann & I got up and did our weekly household chores. We also finished up decorating the Christmas tree and she decorated the TV and fire place mantle before going to get Luke back from Drayden’s house. We watched football and took naps, relaxing on our final day of our short break. We saw the Colts blow another one and Luke went out to work on his fort with Alex in the woods. Matt came home to get cleaned up and then headed back up to school to do homework. We finished up our leftovers and cleaned out the fridge as we waited for The Walking Dead to come on and then call it a week.
Next up is our Waybac section which continues to feature our family at the start of the new century in our new home as well as a couple more pictures left that we culled from Mom & Sandy’s move. We lead off with lovely Deanna at her prom in the spring of 1989; then on to the Greensburg 4th of July parade in 2001; up to LaPorte for a fun day on Pine Lake in August 2001; next we head back to Greensburg for our neighbor Ryan’s birthday party (where the GFD came out to meet the kids in the neighborhood!) in September 2001; then up to Lafayette for the Scheu Family Christmas party / reunion at the Parkside Deli in December 2001; Abby’s first haircut in February 2002; Mom & Dad’s visit to see the kids in the spring of 2002; down to Treasure Island for the pirate ship sunset cruise in May 2002; our annual 4th of July party in 2002; Abby’s 3rd birthday party with friends in September 2002 and then Abby’s 3rd birthday party with family in September 2002.
We wrap this entry with our video segment, which includes six new home movies from this week as well as several from around the internet.
…And that’s a wrap on this entry 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 you, Mom…
Later, Scheu