Shopping, chocolate, an unfortunate football outcome, and a euchre lesson capped off a wonderful visit with Wes and Jennifer . . great they could make the trip!

"ZELEBRIEREN!" . . . Oktoberfest in Columbus with crafts, food, music and dancing! The Meiler Vier . . or Brat Trot . . . kicked off the Festival with a parade of athletes, singing & playing of the United States and German National Anthems and an Alp Horn fanfare start. The runners stayed on the Expo grounds, ran through the festival and were saluted by the spectators hoisting 32 oz. steins of Bier. 83 degrees at the 6:15 PM start . . as advertised, a fun race . .we still competed well with Rosie finishing 8 of 15 in her age group and I was 3rd of 6. "PROST"-ein toast (beer) . . . "ZUM WOHL"-to your health (wine)

"Are you sleeping, Brother John?" . . . . no, as usual, he's on the road and came to see his "Sis"!

Brother John . . . "Meiler Vier" . . . Wes & Jennifer . . the First Fall weekend was filled with fun, family, and activity. Rose Anne attended the Ohio Farm Science Exhibit on Wednesday. During the day she realized that her brother, John, also attended as an exhibitor for Waite Implements in Westfield. We enjoyed a good visit with him Thursday evening. Friday evening brought the opening of the Columbus Oktoberfest at the Ohio Expo Center. Alp Horns, the traditional tapping of the keg, and 485 participants running the Meiler Vier kicked off the 3 day festival complete with beer, brats, Bavarian folk music & dance . . and Cream Puffs. It's a good thing we ran 4 miles prior to indulging in the Germany cuisine! Wes and Jennifer drove from Saginaw late Friday evening and spent the weekend. Shopping, lunch at Molly Woos, Euchre, and unloading a new 185 lb. Liquor Cabinet were a few of the highlights. What a great autumn weekend!

Paul and Betsy . . . the North's honored us with a visit yesterday on their way home to Tipton, returning from a genealogy trip to Maryland. Paul was delighted with his findings which trace his family back to 1560. The four of us had a nice meal at the Polaris Grill in spite of the heavy storms that rolled through central Ohio. Rosie & I had a chance to catch up on the Tipton news and share our experiences in our new environment. The North's looked great and expressed sentiments that our church families and golf buddies missed us! We look forward to their return visit!

"Celebrate Summer" was the slogan for the Emerald City Quarter/Half Marathon run-walk through Glacier Ridge Metro Park, Dublin (OH) Labor Day weekend. 1214 participants began a beautiful Sunday morning event with a 49 degree temperature start and finished approximately an hour later in bright sunshine, 57 degree temp with a slight breeze! Rose Anne finished 9 of 20 in her age group w/ an 11:59 pace (1:17:52) for the 6.55 mile walk/run. I completed the distance in 1:01:32 (9:28 pace) and finished 2 of 4 in the 65-69 age group and 230 of the 729 Quarter Marathon competitors. Checking the Age Group results, I noticed that in my second event in a more mature age group :), I would have won my previous age group in this event! Does that give merit to the saying: "You don't get older, you just get better"? Rose Anne and I are both Blessed to be able to maintain this activity and enjoy it! Labor Day Monday we took advantage of the weather to make our second visit to the Columbus Zoo . . lots of attractions, species of all sizes and shapes with interesting markings on their skin, emanating wild noises, constant feeding frenzies . . oh, and the animals were visible and active also!

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" - Matthew 11:28 Rose Anne is celebrating a successful year (July 2009-September 2010) in her new position as SEM for the Northeast Business Unit of Pioneer Hibred International by enjoying a relaxing Labor Day Weekend . . Maddie has had a tough transition too! Congratulations, Rosie, for your accomplishments and successes this year!

"Notre Dame, All Down the Field" . . . . Saturday kicked off a new season with a "W" over Purdue 23-12 . . new ND flags were flown proudly at 2818 Big Sur Drive!

Now you see it . . now you don't! Don Olenick and I made quick work of removing the rails of the existing deck in preparation for an upcoming project! Hope to begin new paver patio and deck renovation soon! Three pictures show the back of the house October 3 (with Maddie), April with the new paint job, and Friday, Sept.3 deck minus rails!