Jay and Kelly host Dad and Colleen

This week, Dad and Colleen visited us here in Springfield, MO. The visit was initiated when I asked Dad to do a guest visit to my public speaking class this semester. I am focusing on training skills for the students, so of course I have been consulting with dad all semester on it. He agreed to visit the class and so we made a week of it with he and Colleen. They arrived Tuesday night and we've been chatting, eating, and sightseeing all week. It's been a big time, as Dad would say.

Dad joined my class Wednesday and Friday this week. Here is a pix of them at the end of Friday's session. I initially told the class he was a friend of the family so as not to influence their opinion of him if I said he was my dad. No one seemed to pick up on our similar styles and characteristics. Wednesday was a meet and greet day, with dad talking about his training background and giving much appreciated tricks of the trade. By Friday, students were already incorporating those tips into their training practice. Dad beamed as they referred to him by name. After a good feedback session with the students who made a presentation, we revealed he was my dad and took a pix with the class. They were all so appreciative of his input and tips. So much so that one particularly reticent study approached him after class and asked what he could improve upon. Dad was totally in his element.

Besides spending time on campus, we took a couple of tours around the area. Thursday we drove to Branson and walked around the new Branson Landing development. It's a riverwalk outdoor shopping "experience" with fountains and outdoor restaurants. Colleen and I found our way into Black and White store and I left with a new two-piece skirt and top (black and white of course). Yesterday we drove up to Fair Grove to tour Jay's dad cabin. This is the house we'll eventually move into once his dad completes new house on the property.

Friday night we went to the Brewing Co for drinks and jazz--it's what we do every Friday night. Then we had a really nice dinner at Flame, a local steakhouse. We laughed and told stories all night. We said our goodbyes Saturday morning and took them to the airport. All the Cronley kids know that it was a teary goodbye and promises to see each other soon. What a great visit and a wonderful gift to spend so much time together.

T&P's FL Road Trip

Hi all, here are the Watkins!

Waving to Kelly and Jay via Steamboat Mtn Cameras

Happy Friday. I just got off the phone with Kelly and Jay on their last day skiing at Steamboat Springs. Kelly directed me to the mountain cameras on the Steamboat Springs web site. Once I got the controls of the camera I was able to direct the cameras to spotlight Jay and Kelly on the porch after their pizza and red bulls drinks. It was wonderful and we giggled and giggled on the phone. When Kelly waved on camera, I waved back to the computer!!! I wish I could have got a closer shot, but you only get 30 seconds with the controls on the camera and it goes quick!

Kelly and Jay are at the corner of the porch in the picture. Kelly is wearing a light blue ski coat. Jay is wearing the red and black ski coat! SOOO COOOLLL!!!!

Pictures/Hairdo

Here's the long and the short of it.

St Paddy's Day Cheesecake

Hello there family! Here is my latest picture, a goofy picture, of course. I made my very first cheesecake for the Sumner Cousin dinner last weekend on Saint Patrick's day. Can you see the shamrock on the cheesecake? The dessert was a hit, but I think I cooked it a little too long... The dinner was Irish themed with Irish beef stew, cabbage and asparagus.

Love all the pictures on the blog. Miss and love you guys.

Pictures

Just another look.

Pictures,pictures,pictures

Okay, I've included some pictures but as I type I don't see them. So I'll add text. Life around the spigiel/Blackledge house has been a flurry of activites. About mid Feb I bought paint for Brady's big room UPSTAIRs Go BUCKS...it's scarlet and gray with big OSU decals. Well, we had to replace dry wall, (Brian says.."why didn't you wait to buy the paint til after I fixed the dry wall") silly man, I bought the paint sooo you would fix the dry wall. Brian did a great job taping and painting the helmet stripes on the ceiling. Last week we moved Brady upstairs, his 3 pieces of furniture and STUFF looks great, but leftover is 13 years of other stuff was left behind...better to sell in the next garage sale. Okay, figured out to accept new picture terms before uploading pixs. Whew! He is doing great upstairs and I make the climb to kiss him good night.

We are still working on the family room and have finished the wainscoteing and window trim. Last week Brian painting the wall with a paint treament, color wash in purple, it really sets off the trim. We are going to replace the pocket door with a 9light glass door with the lower panel cut out for DAK to go to the laundry room and his kitty bathroom. Brady's old room will become the guest room, just in time for Momma and Tomma May visit. Hope to get it all done!!

Yes I got my hair cut... NOT as short as CCS but short for me. Luff to ewe all, sooo sorry it took so long to post.

Raymond and Lily

Raymond is seen here with Lily and his Plankton cake for the Scouts auction. It fetched $20 and took third prize in the nature category. Lily is seen sporting three pony tails.

The results are in and Raymond took the third place trophy for his speedy Hammerhead shark's performance in the Pinewood Derby. He also won a medal for the Judge's choice award. He is so proud of his accomplishment. (so are we!)

March 12 Nooz

Good morning, It's almost 40 degrees already, the snow is melting and I brought in some forsythia branches to force. About the time we get back from Florida, they'll be in leaf and bloom. Also planted my flower seeds in pots.

Went to Curves this morning and it's dark again when I go, thanks to Daylight Savings time.
It was beautiful yesterday, sunny and warming up. We went to the farm and then over to South Haven via all the back roads we could find. The ice is still on the beach about 100 yards out to the open water. Lots of folks walking around downtown and on the pier and beaches. There are 2 huge house on the parking lot next to Filbrandts now at the corner. I almost didn't recognize the corner on Erie. Saw Jake and April, John Pau and Caleb and Chris, John was in Detroit for a bowling tournament. Then we drove down to Deerlick Park where Tom and Kaycee could go out on the ice and play catch - in the water for Kaycee. Didn't bother her a bit. Stopped at DiMaggio's for early pizza and beer. Ummmmm goood.

Tom called Kelly on the way over to So Haven. She and Jay were getting ready to go roller skating again. She had already run 11 miles that morning and taken a rest. She has been thinking about applying to several important administration positions at MSU. Go for it, girl!

Talked to CC while I was waiting to pick up Leo and Devon Swiat at the Kalamazoo train station from their trip to Florida via Chicago. She could hear the train whistle on the cell phone as it came into the station. They stayed home this weekend, Charles did the lawn work(amazing to already need to do lawn work) on Saturday, Ceece didn't have to work all weekend so they partied Saturday night. Sunday, Charles watched the NCAA tourney, sorry about NCState.

Called LeeceMcFleece when I got home, too late for Chaz and Ray although I want to find out about the Pine Wood Derby results. Lisa got her hair cut, yes folks, it's down or up to her neck. So we need pictures!!! like CC's do. The OU comforter came in for Brady's room so it's finished and he's been up there for a week now, loves it. Congratulations to Brady for being selected for Berea's 13 year old travel baseball team, very competitive. He gets a real uniform and everything. Lisa finished painting the trim in the family room and is thinking of replacing the old oak dining table and chairs in there with a new black set and lighting fixture. Some of you have never seen the incredible change in their family room, so differant and a lot of work on Brian's part. Kudos to you, Brian. Pictures please, Brady of the haircut and the room.

This is a busy week before we leave for Florida. Tomma's birthday is Friday the 16th, cards and letters are welcome. He had a touch of stomach trouble over the weekend but is back to work today. I have to hold a deal together, hopefully, attend a couple of board meetings and rehearsals, pack, arrange for the dog and get on the road early enough to make it to Daphne and Bens for dinner Saturday night in Atlanta. So, no nooz next week but luff to you all and lots of pictures when I get back.

Sundae Nooz

Gud morning,
I got to talk to everyone except Kelly last night, what a treat.
Of course, I wrote down all the news and.... left the paper home.
Let's see, Chaz is first with a report on their trip to Las Vegas for Maria's conference. They won enough money at the slots to pay for a couple of dinners. Maria got asked to chair the next year's conference and the following one, too. She will do next year's only. Way to go, Ms Organizier. Sandra did fine babysitting while they were gone. Chaz's company closed on the sale of an old firehouse downtown for their new offices. Very exciting for all the possibilities. Chaz and Ray are working on the Cub Scouts' Pinewood Derby by building their car. It will be a hammerhead shark design and blue. The race is in 2 weeks. Good Luck!
Lisa was finishing up the last minute details for Brady's room upstairs. Last night was the first night he was going to sleep up there. She was sentimental about taking all the furniture out of his room after 13 year, her baby. A OU comforter and sham plus OU valances are all that is left to get. She has Promised pictures!
CC and Charles got to spend the weekend home alone. She went to a Billy Joel concert Sat nitght and called Lisa during the concert. Lisa has been to 9 BJ concerts!!! They are still re-arranging the downstair office/den/sewing room. The weather there is nice with daffodils all in bloom.
I told her Aunt Chrissy Mimms's news about Robbie and Megan's pregnancy.
Momma and Tomma went snowshoeing on Sunday at the farm. We still have lots of snow.
I start play rehearsals tonight.
Did you all read the article forwarded by Brigid Cronley about Joe Cronley? Let me know and I'll forward it to you. Sounds just like Joe. Congrats!
Talked to Suzi Baressi Allen on Sunday after my and her open house. We often call each other during open houses when no one has come. Boring. They have rented a house a So Haven at 130 Michigan Ave since 331 Erie is no longer available.
That's all the nooz I no. Luff ewe