HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to "BABY UIBLE" today........Roberta the poster (who keeps looking for new posts)

Another from Famous American's Day

The auspicious Crowson Children...or is that really Walt Disney as a 10 year old?

Here I thought I would be #1, but now I am #3

I was going to be the first to post in February, to make sure the blog was still in business......but I am happy to be #3 in line! It appears the Arizona computers are the first to post......

We are enjoying the new-found warm weather, having been for a bike ride the last few days! We want to be ready for the 12 mile bike ride in Glendale in April!

Let's plan a trip to Whole Foods, as Sid says he is never found a grocery yet that he didn't like! He does have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, which after that I plan to start planning some trips for us. The first week in March (or is it the second?) I am off to a Tops retreat in Prescott. I plan to take plenty of warm clothes with me, as well as some extra food too!

More later, the bicycle is calling me........Roberta the poster

Whole Foods

Next get-together - I've been thinking it would be great to make a field trip to a restaurant near Whole Foods. I'm not sure what is near there to eat - 10810 N Tatum Blvd or 3933 E. Camelback Rd - both are about 24 miles from here. It does seem a bit far just for a meal, but on the other hand, it seems even further just to go there to go grocery shopping.

On the other hand, I know Sid has a doctor's appointment in Scottsdale - or Scottsburg as Roberta likes to refer to it - tomorrow. Maybe? 8688 East Raintree Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

Busy? Winter doldrums?

Among the myriad (trying to keep up our college reading level) of reasons for no posts in the last twelve days, I'd claim the first over the doldrums. However, it has been below normally cold here and in response to the shivery weather I have spent less time at the computer. Besides, I'm sure my level of "busyness" is way below most other younger readers of this blog, and Mom and Dad keep busy out in SCW also.
Wendy and I are going to the VNSA (Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association) booksale today, an annual Saturday/Sunday affair held at the fairgrounds, where over 600,000+ used books are up for sale, mostly cheap -- and Sunday is half price day making them even more of a bargain. My hope is to find maps, post cards, and other overlooked treasures that may still remain.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CATHERINE

Best of Birthdays to you......sorry I (we) can't join you but know you will have a grand time! Next year is the big one.........I can't wait to hear Serena's celebrating ideas! Roberta who is writing in the dark since I can't find the small light switches.....

Patent

CECIL J. UIBLE, OF OHIO., UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE GRANTED PATENT, Aug 1907
patent number:US863047
To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, CECIL J. UIBLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Westboro, in the county of Clinton and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Molds for Making Cisterns, etc.

The above is copied from the web page that is linked in the title of this post. I did make a few changes of the text to clean it up a bit. (I would guess that it was originally just scanned in and not much cleaning up was done.) Anyway, vaguely interesting tidbit.

Stripping...

Wallpaper, that is! The kitchen looks totally different...I stripped the wallpaper on the main walls and painted them a light beige/string color. I haven't decided what to do about the walls around the counters, but some type of back splash. Whatever I do, more stripping will be necessary. Whoever invented of wallpaper should be shot.

Eating Out

We (Kings, Sara, Parks and I) are going to Morton's Steak tonight - in large part to celebrate Cynthia's birthday (January 7) and, of course, Sid's. There is a link to Morton's website here and a review here.

Then on Tuesday for Catherine's big day - we are having a slight change of pace - at the Persian Garden Cafe.

I'm really looking forward to the food and company, of course, at both.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Serena!

And if we change all the "1" decorations to "53" we could use the left over decorations from KC's party for Serena. Happy Day--Week--Year--Life, Serena!

Oregon map quilt

There was a link to the Oregon map in the comment field of the post to which Catherine linked below. I can't imagine putting the work in that this quilt obviously required.

Roasted Pecans

Mary, we have been enjoying the roasted pecans you gave us while you were here. They make a great snack! We think of you all and your visit here when we eat them -- thanks!

Getting Moving

Have painted the laundry room this morning with Christian's help and thought you folks might be interested in this clipping from the Courier Herald, the local newspaper that appeared while we were gone to SCW:

Mom and Dad (and even RUK/HSK) may remember our friend, Mark Boles, pictured in the foreground. Promise of Hope is where Don is part-time Chaplain and Mom/Dad have been there on Sunday morning with him I believe.

The Day the Internet Stood Still

Cute piece on the New York Times website about what happens in homes when the Internet goes down. The link is in the title or here.

By the way, MV, your parents are talking about going to see Steel Magnolias this evening. I'm not too convinced they will like it, but who knows. What part did Ginny play?

Ohio Quilt Map

In honor of our home state, here's a picture of a quilt that is on display in a store called Sew In Style: School of Sewing in Beavercreek OH. I found it on a blog called

Cartophilia: Maps and Map Memorabilia

where it was seen by someone who belongs to a boardgame playing group that meets at the Sew in Style. Monopoly anyone?

Granddad's belated birthday

July 1941. Cadillac parked on a Chicago street.

When did Granddad start driving black Cadillacs? I can imagine him driving around in this one.

Happy 115th Birthday, Granddad!

Celebrating 2008 in Phoenix

First NBA Game for Crowsons

Phoenix Suns 104

Seattle Sonics 96

Thanks to Ken and Wendy for

accompanying the Crowsons to the

thriller game!

Flight Status

Did you know that if you enter the flight number and airline in the Google search box it will give you the flight status.

For example if you enter "Delta 1508" it will tell you that today's flight, at least at this point, it is on time. In Firefox you can also enter it in the address box and get the same results.

Interesting NYT obit

I found this NYT's obit particularly interesting - it is about an obituries writer from the Telegraph of London.

One of the phrases he used was "Relished the cadences of the English language” for "An incorrigible windbag".

KC & Great-grandparents share a book

From Fat Cat and Skinny Cat

Not sure if this will work for long. . .

Corrections

This correction is brought to you courtesy of Fodey.com.

Big News

Chillicothe Courthouse & Buicks

February 1940. Courthouse and auto transport hauling Buicks in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Hate to bump Ginny's picture from the top but this scene finally includes a picture from Chillicothe that I thought Mom & Dad might recognize AND a picture of "new" old cars that date it nicely. This is another picture from the Shorpy's blog I mentioned previously. Dad, I can't quite make out the road sign and haven't looked it up in my Route book -- is it U.S. Rt. 25 or 23?

We're babysitting KC and he's just gone down for his afternoon nap. I was supposed to get off work at noon today but thanks to someone else's stomach flu I get to go back to work tonight. What a privilege! At least I'm healthy!

Knightingale Concert

December 16, 2007

Carolers courtesy of the WPA

Serena here is a picture to go with your caroling post. And in case any of you want to see even more of the WPA posters, they come from a blog called "Shorpy the 100-year-old photo blog" which has lots of neat old pictures -- many recently have been from Chillicothe OH in the 30s and 40s . Here is a link to their WPA poster page.

"The Works Progress Administration in Ohio presents the Federal Theatre for youth in 'A Christmas Carol.'" This poster for the Federal Theatre Project presentation of "A Christmas Carol" was created between 1936 and 1941.

Carolers

Last night about 7:15 I answered the door and it was 6 carolers a-caroling. After they were done, they asked if they were to late for my parents. I told them, "No, you're too early, they're out square dancing." It was about 6 women - I think all from the neighborhood.

I realized later I should have grabbed the camera, but didn't think of it until much too late.

Shopping anyone?

Wendy reports that the stores are crowded today. We're watching KC as she attempts to finish up her Christmas shopping and prepares to leave for Ogden tomorrow for Grandpa Tom's funeral.

This is a Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project poster from 1941 extolling the benefits of retail commerce.

Makes me think of the shopping in downtown New Vienna in the 1950's at the Drug Store or even Streber's Market where one could get some kinds of candy, 2 for a penny -- I'm sure I didn't eat too much of it, as I'd rather keep my pennies, probably gave it all to my favorite younger siblings!

Christmas Decorations

Sorry for the poor photography, but thought I would show the AL house and neighbors. Guess which one is the AL house and which are the neighbors'?

My suggestion was just to stick up a menorah on the garage door and mezzuzah near the door and be done with it, but I was out-voted.

Good-bye, [KC's] Grandpa Tom

We are sad to report that KC's great-grandfather, Tom, passed away yesterday. He was the father of Marsha (Ken's Mom) and Jeff. His wife preceded him in death in 2006. He is survived by his father who lives in Utah, where Tom will be buried. He and KC had a strong resemblance, especially when wearing hats. Unfortunately KC was not looking at the camera in this picture taken about 8 months ago. Serena, you and Pat met Tom at Thanksgiving. Not sure if any of the rest of you had met him or not, although he was at KC's birthday party.

In other news, we took KC to a baby exercise class this morning which he seemed to enjoy greatly. There was a lot of bouncing and jumping on mats, stair climbing backwards and forwards, hanging on to a balance bar, rattling bells, and playing with bubbles. My co-worker, Susan, takes her 8-month old daughter, Addie, every Friday, and we went as their guests.

Photos from the Big 85th Birthday Party

And an extra one that was taken at Morgans' house.

The reason for the problem pictures is more complicated than it is worth explaining.

What do you mean I have to go outside? - It is below 72 degrees.

Possibly the last time Jean Wallace Ballantyne Uible was photographed in the snow.

Time flies

The 53 Places to Go in 2008

Check out #14 - it scored higher than Detroit! Link is in the title and here.

Today's Arizona Republican paper

Roberta, did you see the review of Line Thai? It was an okay review.

There was also an article about today being the 5th anniversary of the NW library branch in Surprise.

New Jeans

I bought some new blue jeans (7 for all Mankind brand) today - they look sorta like the jeans below - except the pockets have a much more intricate design. The below are available at Nordstrom's for $246.

Mine were considerably cheaper and bought at the new Surprise Goodwill. Although I susupect that mine are not this year's style.

Newest links on the right

Please note the newest links on the right - one to Catherine's photo gallery and one that will take you directly to KC's photos.

KC at his birthday party

These are two of my favorite photographs of the ones that Catherine sent, although the sleeping one was cute, too. These two photographs must have been taken after we left. He opened three presents, Wendy put him down to pick something up and the birthday boy fell asleep in the middle of his party.

Weather Forecast in Phoenix for December 11-12

I just checked the weather forecast for Phoenix area for December 11-12 - high around 74 degrees. For the same time period, southern Ohio forecast is for 29 to 40 degrees.

Grapefruit from the backyard

I was talking to the next door neighbor and he mentioned that he hoped that I didn't mind that they had taken some grapefruit. I said, "Oh, they're ripe? You're certainly welcome to them." He said the grapefruit from their tree is not yet ripe, but that we'll be welcome to have some of that.

By the way, MV, it is a pink grapefruit tree and, fortunately, the fruit seems a lot sweeter than I remember - although still not quite as I would like - although now edible out of hand.

The photograph was taken on the back porch on the seat of the exercycle.