New Additions to the Cabin

So last weekend Jay and I took off Monday and spent a three day weekend at the cabin. The pics below represent the work we did that weekend.






Jay has a few more days off to burn this year before losing them, so he's taking Mondays off the rest of the month (and few Tuesdays). He's there right now (I'm writing this Sunday, November 30) and is off Monday and Tuesday this week. We just spent a long weekend at Bull Shoal's lake with Jay's family (sans a sister and bro in law who were visiting their daughter in London). Had a nice long weekend away from the remodeling and work.

Next is installing carpet (which is in, needs scheduled), waiting on countertops to arrive, and then the big move (ACK). All this before Christmas. When am I going to get my W Christmas gift for .....I won't tell. I also have a gift in the letter J for Neal (from Jay's family exchange). I hope online shopping will be my friend this year. Luff to you all. Have a great week.

Kelly (and Jay from afar)

Izzy's first class

Izzy had her first "I need some training to be a good girl" class last night. She passed with flying colors. She was very excited at first to see the other dogs but later was more interested in the treats daddy held in his hand. She listened well and completed all her tasks. She was the best-behaved puppy there.... and the cutest. We weighted her while we were there and she is up to 52 lbs. People still ask if she is a Great Dane... hahaha. She is still all legs and ears.

We also saw a 180 lb English Mastiff... the biggest dog I have ever seen!!

Paint the state RED!!

Saturday NC State and UNC clashed on the gridiron for another heated (although gametime tempature was 29 degrees) rivalry game. This year was supposed to be a molly-whoppin by UNC. They came into the game with a record of 7-3, been in and out of the top 25 over the last 4 weeks and fighting for a chance to play for the ACC Championship in Tampa. State on the other hand had early season struggles, dealing with numerous injuries, and had clawed their way to a 4-6 record. The Vegas line (if you are into that) was UNC giving 12!!

The first half was pretty one-sided as NC State forced 2 turnovers but was only able to score 10 points. They went into halftime with as 10-3 lead. The second half was totally dominated by NC State, scored 31 points, creating 4 more turnovers and holding UNC to one touchdown... The photo above says everything else about the game. That photo was taken after NC State had intercepted a pass and ran it down to the 2 yard line of UNC for their SIXTH turnover of the game. State scored two plays later... leaving no doubt who molly-whopped who! State beat UNC, Wake Forest, East Carolina and Duke to go 4-0 in the state of North Carolina an claim the "2008 State Title"

BTW... remember this name- Russell Wilson!!

Monday Nooz

Gud morning,
Got to talk to three of the kiddoes last night.
Cold weekend here and snowy again. Saturday Tom and I went out to the farm early 8:00AM to patrol the boundaries for hunters again, none were there. Then we visited Blueberry Bob in Bangor for awhile - old friend of Tom's from bachelor days. He owns and renovated the grain elevator in Bangor by the railroad tracks and a huge blueberry farm. He and his wife Linda joined us in South Haven for the Mistletoe something, art show at the art center, soup lunch with Chris F at the Scot Club( she was working it) and a craft (read ultimate kitsch) show across the Phoenix street. We also went to the Celtic store(Irish). that was amazing, everything Irish, snacks, soft drinks, lace, sweaters, flags, china, jewelry. I looked for a family crest but we fell between Cronin and Crowley. Saw John F who was browner and tanner than I have ever seen him from their trip to visit Joe F in Trinidad. We ate at 5:00 and were feeling like it was 10:00 at 7:00.
Sunday, I sang at 9:00 Mass and then we went to see Quantum of Solace (James Bond) at 11:00!! Popcorn for lunch.. Quiet afternoon and sunny for awhile.
I mentioned that Paul Todd, George's dad, passed away suddenly last week. Last week was also Aunt Meany Cronley's birthday, I think I told you that last week. Love the Koestner Cousin's
Facebook group.
OK, Charlie's report. They stayed in most of the week and weekend. Chaz took the kids swimming for so long on Sat that Raymond said he had to take 2 showers to get off all the itchy chlorine. They are going to Marion for Thanksgiving, you knew that.
Lisa - Brian got home this weekend and will be there til next Monday, yay. Lisa is prepping for Black Thursday (her shift 3-midnight). Her store did 150k last year in one day, they are hoping to do the same this year. She has 65 employees for the holiday season. Lisa, Brian, Brady and Jake went to the OSU/Michigan game over the weekend, had a blast. It was Brady's first OSU game in the stadium with the marching band (Script OHIO),
Kelly - called me first with all the exciting accomplishments this weekend on their house, appliances in, more electrical work (Jay), gas line in for the stove, island work and more. She will bring photos for thanksgiving, yay. they are spending the weekend there and Monday too.
CC - no report. But I know that she and Charles were hosting a birthday party for Susan's son Luke (1) at their house. there was to be a great cake made by a friend. They were also going to the Carolina/NCS football game. Tell us about it, Charles. I know you check the blog on Monday. Well chickies, that's all for now. Luff ewe and see you soon.

Home improvements?

Chaz... what new home improvement details can CC and I look forward to seeing this Christmas? I am also bringing my driving gloves for a cruise in the Challenger!

Snow..... in NC????

What, you say??? That is right, this afternoon we are experiencing some winter weather of our own. Now, we won't have any accumulation of the white stuff, but just to see a few flakes fall the light grey sky gets us southerners giddy. Furthermore... our low tonight is going to be in the low 20s and a high of 45 for the next few days. Call me crazy, but I think this may be a weird weather season down yonder.

Ist snow of 2008

Hello and welcome to Michigan as you remember it, a snowy day. Thought you might enjoy at a distance our back yard view earlier this week.


I got to talk to 3 of the 4 Cronley sibs last night. This report is for Charles Sumner who wanted to know if I was giving up the blog for weekly reports on Facebook. Nay, Nay I say.

Chaz and fam spent the weekend inside as they had wintery weather also. Saturday was a TV and computer LESS for the Cronley family due to bad behavior issues. It turned out to be great fun and may be a monthly exercise in togesserness. Sandra has a new boyfriend and is doing well in her sophmore year. Chaz was fighting off a crud thing in his chest. Raymond is sight-reading trumpet music and can play 2 songs now. I feel a family Christmas concert in the air.

Lisa's store did 42K on Sunday in 8 hours. She reports that the store was on the floor (a mess).
She is exhausted and it's not even Thanksgiving yet. She has terrible hours for the next week and then Brian is home for the entire week. They will go to Marion for Thanksgiving and the boys (Brady included) will go rabbit hunting in the morning - Lisa will sleep in>

Kelly and Jay were party animals this weekend but managed to get up to Fairgrove on Sunday for awhile. They are waiting for materials and a day off work next Monday for a long un-interrupted work weekend.

CC was entertaining company when I called so no nooz.

Tom went out to the farm for the first day of deer hunting to patrol the boundaries with a gun and another armed friend. They chased off 2 folks who didn't know the property had changed hands, talked to another group who was hunting off the property but wanted to know if they could retrieve on our property. He went out on Sunday too but no one was trespassing so he used the back hoe and dug some stumps out of the pond. What a guy!
I, meanwhile, went for some retail therapy at the mall with hundreds of other womens.
I did get 2 Christmas presents, tho. Halleluyah...

Have a good week, all.

More Cabin Remodel Updates

Hey Everyone! Check out the new pix of the cabin remodel. We made big progress last weekend. We received the custom cabinets last week and so Jay installed all of them (new ones and old ones). The wall oven cabinet is gorgeous and will hold our new wall oven and microwave. The corner sink cabinet will require some work this weekend to carve out the space in a lazy susan style cabinet that we are reusing. We ordered carpet last week and it will be delivered this Friday. We'll have it installed a week later. First of next week we'll have the appliances delivered so that plumbers come out and install line for the propane to set up the stove. This will require we rent a new propane tank and it has to be delivered and set up after the plumbers do the line inside the house. It's possible with proper scheduling that by end of next week we could have that done! Very exciting.

papajohn

I finally got set up on the Blog. Charlie, I can't get the movies. I know, I'm not an apple guy, but maybe a version for me? Colleen and I are heading for NC to visit CC, Charles (in spite of the football game score) and sister Chrissie. Yes, she is and always be Chrissie to me. Going for a week this time.

papajohn

Vegas$$ Wedding, Misc.

Here's some pictures of us in Las Vegas. We were dining at a restaurant in the Mirage hotel before the Penn and Teller show, food was wonderful.

We did our normal vegas stuff, hung out at the pool and drink, dance and gamble. Exciting news, next year we will be able to visit my college room mate, Jennifer, as she has moved to Bullhead City, AZ.

Another shot is from Brian's nephew's wedding back in Marion on Oct 18th. Doesn't Brady look great, all dressed up and tall...almost 5'10". Brian changed out of his tux before this pix, he too looked handsome.

Brian has officially been offered and accepted the organizer postion with AFSCME, great pay and benies, with lots of room for growth. Yes, he becomes a traveling husband for now.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Christmas.

Luff ewe, Lisa

Halloweenie at the Farm 08

The weather was coolish for the 5th Halloweenie at the Farm. 15 lucky and brave souls had a great time and enjoyed the biggest bonfire yet.

Cronley Halloween 2008

So here it is, the Cronley Halloween slideshow.

BOO!