Memories that Make a Difference

Oh my good goodness.."time flys when you're having none!" as in I have NO time of late. Since the notorious "dry hurricane," (official weather term) of 9/14/08, I have been on the 40/20 schedule. 40 hours at the paid job, and 20 on the home front.

The space between (sorry DMB) has been filled with a great Tallmadge Football season that carried us on to the regional and at which point we were upset by the Knights of Archbishop Hoban...bladda blah! enough said (-: Steve has now transitioned directly into basketball and @ 225.oo worth of team shoes! And I wonder why Wally-Mart is a Mom's best friend for her own wardrobe needs. Alas, this too shall pass, and I shall be sad when my big ol' fella isn't out there suited up for my Friday night dates with Dad. (I do fear Mac-Daddy will burst with pride one day while watching Big Dog work it on field or court accordingly!)

Sister Jenn is no less busy. All things UA agree with her. She has had such an awesome spiritual growth due to her involvement with Campus Focus that is underwritten by The Chapel at Akron. A few weeks back she did a small group mission trip to Zanesville to help paint for the elderly. Over break the entire campus focus will be heading way south (West Palm Beach FL) for LA'08 (latitude adjustment) for some follow-up post Katrina mission work. One need not ask how this middle-age Mother of all hormones is coping with the launching of my precious firstborn. I smile and hug and pray for her safety and then, when the song is right or the "happy" hormones take flight, very much in private the tears come, or as bratty-boy-brother likes to say..."duck and cover incoming hormones!" Twenty Novembers ago, early and eager to find out what the "at home" test had to say and not even knowing (but God above did) whom our baby would be, I prayed over that positive result and surrendered her life back to the Lord. A dedication that would be affirmed a mere two months into Jenn's life.

During a routine check up at 8 weeks, one of the group of Dr's we were with very casually presents me with a piece of yellow paper that came to him via The Christ Hospital. With zero to no emotion and/or empathy he informs me that the post-partum first diaper check of 6lb 5 oz baby Jennifer had an elevated protein content which could be indicative of Cystic Fibrosis. (even now it crushes my heart at the thought) And then he goes right back to chatting this and that and how they need to test her at Children's hospital and call....of course I just needed to take my little dumpling and run out of there asap. I managed a quivering smile and drove the 2 miles back home.

Just across Anderson Twp., a joyous event had brought Grannie Shook to stay with my sister and her new Baby , cousin Catherine @ 6-8 weeks younger than Jenn. I called over and Aunt Amy asked about Jenn's appointment.."ok I replied, can I talk to Mom? and then the child-like emotional collapse, (think not crying until you see Mom after you would get hurt) began. Always the positive thinker, Grannie tried to eschew my fears, but to no avail I had just retired from 8 years in the medical field and understood exactly what the potential was for Jenn's future if in fact the result was positive for CF.

The test was to be done on 9/28/89. I know and remember the date always as it is the wedding anniversary of a friend I've known since 3rd grade and Jenn wore the little yellow play suit that Debbie gave her to her test that morning. The observable miracle took place the Sunday night prior to her test. Rob and I were attending Mt Carmel Baptist Church in Kenwood OH at the time. We had gone to evening services to see our nephew Brad in a performance. Rob's Mom (Nana) was the cog in the wheel that kept the entire pre-school dept. running smoothly. She also enjoyed having her own grand baby young-uns around her in the nursery as an added bonus. Following the close of the service, Nana brought infant baby Jenn out into the sanctuary and right there, center of the aisle, Brother Joe Crumpler, huddled us around and cradled her perfect little round head in is God blessed hands and prayed a simple and yet so VERY profound prayer over her and her health and God's will to be done, and off we went. Which, is also what I must do for now....chapter two of Memories that Make a Difference will be posted asap.

Blessings one and all, ~B~

When the Lights go OUT in the City

Sorry Journey, but we have just had power restored after 5, count them, 5 days without!!! At 2:20 am this morning.....lights and more lights came on! I will blog a bit more about the week not for the weak later. As of 6:15 this morning, Chez Mc is a bit of a war zone due to the lack of light and electric to do ANYTHING! oops, I promised I would not rant anymore about the whole ordeal. So, moving on. The remainder of this month looks to be fab. Family visits, football, cool ,clear and SUNNY weather! The Lord is so good to us all! And oh yes, I will see my G-baby (great niece baby) Cate next weekend and I miss her chubby cheeks like mad!!!!!! Peace out and about. ~B~

Growing Up Riggs- Finding our way as parents

Growing Up Riggs- Finding our way as parents

Friday Night Lights, Camera, and ACTION

Another season,

another reason,

to Celebrate.......

Friday, August 22, 2008 marked the kick-off (quite literally) to High School Football Season in Tallmadge. Our Blue Devils travelled north to Nordonia for our first game. Always an exciting event made all the more so by our Steve's inaugural start with VARSITY. I am certain I should be able to quote the positions he played throughout the game...but alas, I am still learning them. Bottom-line, when his "bottom" is on the "line," my concern is that he GET IN, GET IT DONE, AND GET OUT..all in one piece with minimal bumps and bruises. When Coach V. puts our # 45 in the game, my heart is right in there with him.

Saturday's JV game had Steve in on nearly every down. Here we go......

"On with the show......"

Entertainment Section

Page 1:

GODSPELL OVERWHELMING SUCESS!

Byline: Mrs. Mc.

The only thing hotter than the temperatures in the local theatre, were the guitar licks and smokin' performances given by the Frank Chaff Tallmadge Players as they opened a 3 day run of Godspell. The cast, crew, and musicians were flawless as they showcased their talent and meshed in perfection with one another. To say the setting was energized would be an understatement. The audience was drawn in at every turn. The flow of this upbeat and touching circa 1970's production takes one on a journey of emotion based solely and nearly verbatim on the Gospel according to St. Matthew.

The gripping finale' brings tears to the eyes and just as quickly returns to a rising rendition of Prepare Ye the Way. Leaving those fortunate enough to witness this exuberant cast due honor to Stephen Schwartz timeless production enthralled and well entertained. Engaging,enthralling ENTERTAINING....my consolation to anyone that did not make the show. This exact cast in all honesty will not be together as a whole to revive Chaff's Godspell again....a once in a lifetime event and worth every minute of effort. "LONG LIVE GODPSELL!"

Countdown to Godspell

We have begun the countdown to Godspell for Dad and Daughter. Opening night is this Thursday, July 31st. Not to be outdone, Big Dogg Steve starts two-a-days for football that very same morning! Boredom? define?

Summer has been a glorius blessing of relaxation and family enjoyment. One advantage to the petro price insanity, we stay closer to our favorite place to be...home! So much to do in NE OH in the warm season. Really no "need" to look elsewhere for entertainment. This area is steeped in music and the arts on every level and every genre'. We really benefit from the great wealth of local talent. Steve has been fortunate enough to be invited to the onstage presentation of Mama Mia at Playhouse Square...lucky! I am still so looking forward to seeing the big-screen version with my on-screen hottie, Colin Firth! Oh yeah. lol

I must needs get back to h ouse chores to free up the remainder of the week as Princess Cate arrives on Monday! Happy Day! Love and Sun~B~

Hi-Ho Hi-Ho it is back to work I go!!

No doubt about it, a stay-cation is as restful as a vacation anytime. With saddness I return to my 40 hour today after a primo 9 days away. Swimming, sunning even a gals night out to the Harbor Inn and not a tank of gas spent to do so. NE OH is very tolerable in July. The month wraps now with the traditional Summit County Fair. Being so close to the fairgrounds, I can hear the big ol' tractor pull from my patio. Sidenote on the kick-off to my week-off. As strange as it may sound, with my only sister just 10 miles north in Hudson, we very rarely are able to mesh our busy "MOM" schedules and just hang. Well, we did so at the 61st annual Italian Fest in Cuyahoga Falls the first Friday of my vacation. It was warm and crowded and we just walked about people watching and chatting. We heard a great local band, LaFavour play on the riverfront and stood in line for about a year so Amy could get a bite of dinner. It was fun and fulfilling to finally get out and hang out before she retreats south to Atlanta-forever! I know the Whites have enjoyed their time in this area and they will be leaving a bit of themselves behind with their "baby" Catherine enrolled at UA with our Jenn. "Oh how the years go by....." ~B~

23 years ago today

23 years ago we said "I do,I do,"

simple words to utter,

but a meaning that rings true.

I can not start to number the things that we each "do,"

Only to know that everything is done with love for you....

23 down...so many more years of memories to go. Love YPG~B~

Summer is here!

Enjoying the first FULL day of Summer in NE OH. A cool spell has hit and we are loving ope-air windows and no a.c. consumption. (albeit short-lived) Everyone is staying very busy with work, friends, sports of all sorts and Godspell rehearsals. The calendar reminds me how quick these awesome memory-making days go by once summer kicks-in. Though my nature is to fret the inevitable passing of time, I am striving to savor the moment and carpe diem!! Warm wishes to all

Relaxation=Vacation

We've now completed day 6 of McAninch local vacation '08. Yesterday was spent as a Mother-Daughter Day at Munroe Falls Lake. Jenn and I packed pasta salad lunch, beach chairs, books and sunscreen (oh yes, and Jenn's ever-present cell phone in case the world ends) and drove less than two miles from Chez McAninch and set up day-camp. It was gorgeous! The Metro Park is layed out over many acres that was once a grand farm. There is lots of grass and many shade trees and a freshwater lake. So many families with children come and Jenn and I were in girl-heaven. Tan and tired, we retreated to home about 3;30. Rob spent the day doing his driveway and patio power-washing and seal-prep. He really didn't notice we were gone.
I am so glad we went. My Jenn and I rarely have one on one as our adult lives are busy on so many levels. I cherish the time spent to catch up on all things big and little. No beach trip would of been more satisfying.
We saw two little girl babies in ruffle bottomed suits and missed our Cate. I hope she will come up before the summer is over and we will take her to Munroe for a picnic. "In the good ol' summertime...it is certainly good! ~B~

Save the Date

All family and friends:

Save the date!

July 31st, August 1 and August 2nd, 2008

Local Tallmadge talent will take the stage

once again in a revival of last summer's

production of Godspell. We're really excited

as Rob will join the cast on lead guitar and be

accompanying Jenn on her solo as well.

Hope you all can make it! ~B~

Summertime!

Summertime and living is easy,

fish are a-jumpin'

and gas prices are high,

we'll stay at home,

and we'll find lots to do there,

so hush little children

don't you cry!

EJ Grads

4 out of five of Grannie Shook's crew,

have graduated at EJ,

and someday,

Stephen will too!

Way to go Catherine Michelle White

Hudson High "08

Mother of Two

The photo is a little old,

but the memory is as good as gold.

The two that call me "Mom"

Sunshine on My Shoulder

Two images so precious,

26 years they're apart,

but both of them are special.

and each one holds my heart!

Spring Flings

NE OH spring is finally here in all of its' splendor! Tulip trees are falling over with blooms and fragrance. We are so blessed. Jenn took a little trip north of our border with her beau's frat. They had a wonderful time as one should in college life. The time is flying by and Jenn will enter her second year at UA as a mid-year sophomore! Oh be still the hands of time! Peace to all~B~

Huggin' Cousins

Who are these little people?

So innocent and small,

they soon are turning sweet 16,

With driver's license and all:

Emily and Stephen

Baby class of Summer 1992

This baby is sad like baby Cate was you see,

but when babies stay healthy,

we're as happy as can be!

How Time Flys

So little and small,

such fun they could be,

Our Jenn and our Stephen,

and Josie made 3.

Freshmen Champs

The trophy goes to....THS Freshmen Blue Devils!

26 Proud Years Ago

Twenty-six years ago,

we were as proud as we could be

just like we will feel,

at the dedication of

Catherine Riley. 04-06-2008

How NOT to brush your teeth!

Long ago Jenn decided,

to be independent I think,

she decided to brush her teeth then,

by sitting IN the sink! Funny kids!

Chubby Cheek DNA

We now start to see how our family tree "leans,"

Those sweet chubby cheeks,

must run in the genes......

THS Sweetheart Dance 2/08

A beautiful evening for all!

Baby Face

Oh my goodness!

As James Taylor would say......."Whenever I see your smiling face, I have to smile myself, because I love you!"

Like Mommy Like Daughter

A thousand words this picture speaks,

We see where Cate gets her chubby cheeks!

(Mommy Mel when she was a baby)

No More Wait for Cate

The wait for Cate has ended,
her highness is now HERE!,
all of her royal subjects,
let out a hearty cheer!
She arrived on Feburary 5th,
the year two thousand eight!
8 pounds and 5 ounces,
was her princess weight.
Her nose is like a button,
her cheeks are chubby and round,
we know she is the most perfect,
baby EVER found!

Love from GREAT Aunt B

Steve and Kelly

Sweetheart Dance Day

It is that time of year once again. Another day of frantic preparation at Chez McAninch for the THS Sweetheart Dance '08. Must confess however, this getting a son ready to go beats the heck out of the daughter prep. Haircut, new shirt, pick-up corsage...done! Jenn was a week long event. Dress, hair make-up the eternal works not to mention the dollars! Boys are the best around dance time. We are still excited to see them go. Photos with Kelly and the crew here at 4 and dinner at Bravo Belden following. Then laughably, the beautiful gowns go dancing in the school cafeteria....what a venue for such costs! lol...off I go to get the flower and maybe even spring for some new dress socks, size 13! ~B~

The Wait for Cate

I love to rhyme,
and now seems the time:

Cate:
create
gain weight
anticipate
commiserate
dialate
frustrate
wait
wait
WAIT!!!
Your first poem from Great Aunt B!