the ultimate cooking throw down

For Will's birthday, the request was funfetti cake. No problem. Aaron? Homemade caramel cake, just like Grans. Oh boy. Gran makes the world's greatest caramel cake. I whipped up three layers (included buttermilk in the recipe) and then yesterday while making the caramel frosting, in walks Gran. She says, and I quote, "If you put yours next to mine, nobody could tell the difference." Now folks, we've all had people compliment us over the years. This one will go down as one of the goodies. Caramel frosting, in case you don't know, takes forever to make. It has too cook until softball, then you have to whip it (which takes forever) then spread it before it becomes hard. Gran's caramel cake. It's like hearing, "Oh, your dumplings are as fluffy as Rose's!" I've never attempted Mom's dumplings. Never.

Charles Chips

I have a recurring and pleasant memory. In the summer of what I think was 1979, Dad worked at the Tonys Pizza, Charles Chips place. He worked at night. He would sometimes arrange for Barry Murray, Tom and myself to drive down there around 9-10 o'clock at night to hold up large structural truck parts he was repairing or creating so he could weld or bolt them together. He would then remind us what knuckleheads we were, make a Joe Neubert joke about "get a short piece", pay us off with ice cream or pizza or something and send us on our way. I remember hot summer nights without a care in the world, all of us with some money in hand because we worked jobs and had no bills. I don't remember who drove or what was driven, but these are pleasant, pleasant memories.

my love is endless

Announcing the arrival of Jaeden in WebNursery(R)
Monday, March 23, 2009 7:05 PM
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Introducing... Your Baby
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I feel like such a jerk. I just signed on to Rofosh and saw all of the postings for my birthday. Thanks everybody. Sorry I have been so late in responding. I must admit that the pictures of me are way too realistic and are deeply, deeply disturbing. It scares me to think that I will soon resemble the Unibomber. Thanks for your eloquent and gracious words Tom. Right back at you. I do not feel like I have always been a good brother as you so kindly describe, but we have all somehow done more than simply stay in touch over the years and that means a lot. Kate is driving pretty well, and of course, Joe feels that the whole thing is totally unfair - he should be driving not his nerdy sister. Anyway, thanks again and hopefully see you all the last week of July.

BABY ALERT

Vanessa is dialated 2, and the baby is no longer breech. She is being admitted into the hospital at 8 pm tonight to begin the Patocin (?) so Jaeden should be here by lunch tomorrow Im thinking. So pray for them as they begin this journey. I'll post or call tomorrow.
Shes going into Summa, Akron City. Same place Marti and Fig arrived!

Happy Birthday

All the fun pictures have been posted - I like both versions. I will say what needs to be said, pre-50 any way. As a brother I know how hard it can be to be one. I also know how much a brother wants to be a really good one. Brothers want to be heros to their siblings. They want to be leaders, and to inspire. They want to be right because they are, not because they say they are. They want to be admired and loved. Mostly, a brother wants to have his life speak love and peace to his siblings. I have a brother like that and couldn't be prouder. Happy birthday Tim.

Tim's future

Frau. What you have posted is the Tim of Christmases past. Here is what Tim will look like next year, when he's FIFTY!

Oh happiest of birthdays Tim!

In honor of Tim's 49th birthday I cheerfully submit this caricature I found online, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!! Its like someone drew our dear Timber! Isnt this kind of what you looked like back when you worked with Dick Carver Tim? This is most likely what he looks like (minus all the hair, grayer and add chin whiskers) after Kathleens driving sessions. Dont curbs just take on a whole new life when your on the passenger side Dad? Oh yeah, you learn a whole new respect for curbage.

Happy Birthday Tim! Next year we have to all come and see you on your 50th! Try not to loose too much hair over it. At least not on your head. The backs ok.

Love ya! Mean it!

lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Hello Girlies and Burlies
First of all, Grammie had a nice birthday, and Kathleen told me she got her permit for her birthday...well isnt that just something? Kate driving? Nessa birthing? Whats next in 2009? I agree Fig...where did the days of syrup and searching for lures (?) at the bridge go? We will shortly have around 50 March birthdays to celebrate. Apparently July is a very active month for this crowd.
I was pondering that Dad has been free for 8 years on that day. It seems like such a short time ago. i hope he has a big fluffy cloud and lots of friends.
All is well in the land of impending birth. Appt today and her last one on Thursday, and scheduled delivery for Friday? Sat? One of those days. She is way ready. I dont have the internet at home anymore, so I will have Marti call everyone if I cant. Baby Daddy is doing ok. We were making fun of him Saturday night because he had on his big slippers that look like giant sneakers. He was just strolling around with his sunburned face and giant feet and oh, hey, the man has a giant, and I mean GIANT remote. The biggest I've ever seen. I thought it was a gag gift, nope. Its a huge remote and the really funny part is that morning Vanessa lost it. How could you? Its as big as the couch! Its at least 12' long and probably 6' wide. I wonder if he'll drive a really big truck someday? tee hee haha I crack me up. He's been roofing and working very long hours, so he usually behaves when he's working steady.
I got Jaeden these little pink pants that are so tiny and square I just wanted to hug them. I will put so many pictures of her online I will have to do it on myspace so I dont hog Rofosh. We are very excited and I admit I can hardly wait! Theres a little lady who will be kissed repeatedly by a bushy haired bespectacled grandma who will most certainly buy her her first black leather jacket. Newborn sized! Just kidding Ma. Leather whould chafe her.
Also, might I add, Toot is still fat and sassy, but less fat and more sassy. Edie also looks fabulous and svelte. Manda is anxiously waiting to be an Aunt and has a hard time not spending her entire paycheck on the baby. Christmas will be back to magical now. I better get an early start on that. Nothing better than babies and their eyes full of wonder at the world!
Ok, gotta go. See ya soon!

Yes indeed. Time marches on. Next year will be a milestone year in our house. I will turn 50 OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!, Kate will be 18, and Joe will be 16. Somehow I can't see Joe as sweet 16, but I have it in my head that 16 is a milestone year for some reason. I am planning on getting a tatoo for turning 50. I will create it and draw it on myself ( shoulder just in case you were snickering in some depraved manner ) in permanent magic marker that lasts about a month just to get a feel for it and then decide if I really want to wear it in the nursinig home or not. I am 49 today, Mom is 72 kate is 17 and Dad has been gone a long, long time. Unfortunately he had to leave us many years ago, and I keep the good times close in my heart. Take care.

Grandma?

For those of us not local, Frau, keep us posted on the baby-watch. How is baby-daddy? Is Vanessa waivering at all in her decision to keep the baby, especially with domestic issues? I've been praying for you all.

We are getting old. Kathleen is driving. Joseph is snapping Tim in half like he's a toothpick, Will just went to see the cheerleaders at the Georgia Basketball State Tournament, and you're about to be a grandmother. Yikes. What happened to those days in front of a black and white eating cheerios with syrup and peanut butter?

Westward Ho ye amphibians!

So, last night we stood in the pouring (I mean buckets) rain in the dark with flashlights while spotted salamanders made their annual pilgrimage across the road from pond a to pond b. The good folks at the park service close the road for their protection and we dopey higher evolved beings watch them cross the road. I can't quite put into words the dichotomy of feelings this raised with in me. I can put in to words the massive goosebumps I got from the cold water that gave me the shivers. What the heck - the kids had fun.

baby update and angry musings

has anyone notice VonTootlesburg's new picture? it is snazzy and full of sizzle. (all those years at the Carousel have indeed rubbed off). Anywho...baby Jaeden could arrive any time. They want her to go at least one more week for lung development but after that who knows? Apparently with her blood clotting disorder the farther along she gets the more jeopardy the baby could be in, so she wont go past 39 anyways. Baby Daddy is ...well what can one say that would be positive? Hmm....nibbling lip trying to form positive thought so hold on a short sec.....
The fear of chewing my lip off looms large in my thoughts, so I simply state he's around. He is not large, not in charge and not living life respectfully or carefully. His maternal unit brings out incredible anger in me. I try very, very hard to keep it in check and mostly succeed. I did have a temper lose last weekend and thankfully baby daddy and baby daddy momma stayed away. I of course dont stand around screaming obsenities and all such useless moments of that sort, but I do speak my mind with ruthlessness that really seems to unnerve people. Still, I dont want this for Vanessa or Jaeden. Baby Daddy is either gold or garbage...theres no middle ground with this kid. Lately he's garbage. But he is Jaedens father, so I ask all my family to pray for his sorry useless baby making ass. And of course Vanessa and Jaeden and throw me in for good measure. I would like to not have a ruthless moment because they are damaging in life. Reality is important, but knowing what people think of you (collectively speaking) and your life is not and serves no purpose other than to inflict pain. So as the wonderful moment of Jaedens appearance into the world approaches that joy has the dark cloud over it. Bummer. Time to change the weather.

Yea, I have no idea what to title this.....

Hello everyone.

Okay, so yesterday morning, I got up around 5:45 to let the dog outside, I was still very much asleep and layed down on the couch while she was outside walking the perimiter and depositing yet another doggie land mine, anywho, i heard her bound up the stairs so I got up to let her in. Well, instead of going back to bed for a few more minutes I just decided to lay back down on the couch and curl up with Winnie the Pooh. Next thing I know, Deano comes out and asked me why I was on the couch, and I proceeded to say "I had to let the dog out, plus I'm trying to figure out why my mom is in Indiana." He said "Your mom is in Indiana?" I said, "I guess but I don't know why." He asked me when I found that out and I responded with "this morning." So I got up and was motoring about getting ready for work, etc, and he asked me again when I found out my mom was in Indiana? I looked at him and said "what are you talking about? My mom isn't in Indiana, she's at home and probably still sleeping." He just said "OH MY GOODNESS>" and then proceeded to tell me the events of the morning.

Then this morning, same thing happened, I got up to let the dog and and layed down on the couch only this time, I didn't dream that mom was in indiana, I dreamt that someone was trying to break into the house.....I think the couch has it in for me.....I told Deano we should probably get a new one that doesn't have issues with me.

News Flash!

Marti joined a gym and is torturing her thighs! Ha! Told on ya lil sistern! Also, her giant fat hamster got stuck in his traveling tube and she had to break it to rescue his oversized hammy butt. Hence he had to have an entire new hamster kingdom purchased for his living comfort. Pretty slick move for a hamster huh? She also insists he is now litter trained with some new high tech hamster gizmo she installed. Hmmm.....

juvenile big people

Well, as I said in my comment on Tim's post, the boys' "Grampy" died on Saturday. He had cancer and at 83, it was stronger than he was. He went to the hospice hospital on Thursday evening and died at 8:10 Saturday evening. I know the exact time, because I was with him. Gran was so tired, and felt comfortable going home because she knew he would not be alone. I sang to him for about 30 minutes, then quietly sat in the chair in the corner. In about 30 minutes, he was gone. The part I want to share is this. When the Lannings arrived at the hospice center at about 4:00, we went in his room and all said a sweet word to Grampy, who was by then very quiet with his eyes closed. Aaron had insisted on bringing his new bible, and without hesitation, he knelt down beside Grampy's bed and read (his choice) Psalm 100, the last two verses of Revelation, and a passage in Micah (What does the Lord require of you...?) that we had read earlier. When he was finished, Will stood at his other side and prayed the most amazing prayer, thanking God for Grampy's life and for the comfort in knowing that "You will be right here to receive his spirit." Who needs a preacher? (Tim, this reminds me so much of the recent chapter in Alan Hirsch's book chiding the church for isolating its ministers-in-training in seminaries and away from a congregation. All that book-learning couldn't have improved on the innocent trust and compassion of these two little fellers as they ministered to their Grampy.) The best part of being 8 and 10 year old boys is that as soon as they finished giving their version of "the last rites," they went out into the lobby and giggled at SpongeBob.

Hello chaps. Sitting here, quite happily, amidst the snow flakes. There is still something magical about the sound of a snow plow on a school day. I was thinking this morning how we used to lay in bed ( it was about 58 degrees in the house ) and listen for the plow on 224, hoping that Mom would call up the stairs that school was cancelled. At that point, an Obama-like joy would overwhelm me. Anyway, thats it from Jersey. Expecting 8-10 inches before its all done, but it will be gone by this time next week. Later.