December 15 . . . . BUTLER  BULLDOGS UPSET # 1 IU HOOSIERS
88-86 in OT . . . . Mike and family had just arrived at the house,. We turned the TV on to see if any bowl games were on . . . and there it was on ESPN . . the Bulldogs had a 7 point lead with 3:30 to go.  The game did have it's tense moments as IU came back to send it into overtime. However, Butler prevailed on the final shot by Alex Barlow, a sophomore walk-on from Springboro, OH. 

December 8 . . . "Celebrate the Season" . . . the Columbus Chorus of the Sweet Adelines and our Singing Buckeyes of the Barbershop Harmony Society collaborated for two Christmas shows to near capacity crowds at the Northland Performing Arts Center.  Both groups showcased Christmas selections featuring choruses and chapter quartets. The two  choruses combined for a closing set of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and "Ave Maria".  "It's great to be a barbershopper".  "Merry Christmas!" Visit our new Singing Buckeye website: www.singingbuckeyes.com.

December 7 . . . "The winers get together" Helen & Randy, Suzie & Rick, Donna & Steve, Marsha & Bob, joined us for a Wine tasting provided by Julie & Mike Ellifritz. However, the Ellifritz didn't know the wine tasting was a "front" for a baby shower for "Baby Ellifritz"  A good time was had and we each selected a projected date of deliver.  Bob recalls that the prize for the winner selecting the right or closest date was $100.00 & a case of wine provided by the Hinkles!

December 2 . . . "Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas to all in Westerville." Rose Anne and I completed our 3rd Rudolph Run 5K preceding the Sertoma Club of Westerville's annual Christmas Parade. 60 runner ran through the streets of downtown Westerville urged on by a captive audience awaiting Santa! It was truly a record day with good weather, little sprinkle and 54 degree temp. as Rosie and I finished together at an 11:19 pace. Rose Anne's fastest pace . . . ever!  She's certain that Santa is trying to kill her . . and right before Christmas!  "Ho, Ho, Ho!" Congratulations on a great run!

November 25 . . . Rose Anne and I finished the outside 2012 Christmas decorations at 2818 Big Sur!

Cathedral H.S. and Notre Dame . . . BOTH # 1

November 24 . . . . "Great Day for the Irish" . . . Cathedral and Notre Dame.

Joe, Rose Anne and I went to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy and watched Bishop Chatard High School defeat Hamilton Heights for the IHSAA Division AAA State Football Championship. Peter Treesh is a freshman on the Bishop Chatard squad and was on the sidelines for the championship game. Follow Bishop Chatard: http://www.bishopchatard.org/   Proud parents Carolyn & Walker were in the stands cheering the Trojans to victory. The Cathedral Irish followed by defeating Mishawaka 56-29 to claim their third consecutive State Class AAAA Championship. Follow http://www.cathedralirishfootball.com/ for more info on the Irish. Later that evening the ND Fightin' Irish completed a 12-0 season by defeating USC 22-13 (at Southern Cal) for a 5-0 away record and undisputed #1 BCS ranking to lock up a birth in the BCS Championship (They will play Alabama for the National Championship on January 7)       Follow them on http://www.und.com/ . . . . . "GO IRISH" 

November 22 . . . "Over the river and through the woods, to Nana's house we go!"

Riley, Cara and Jim joined us late Thanksgiving evening for snacks in preparation for "Black Friday" shopping  . . a tradition for Rose Anne and Cara. Ted found the safe confines of Barnes and Noble a welcome relief to the shopping madness, even if he was on the selling side of the counter!

"Nana, you have to take time out for Ping Pong . . . cause I'm a pro-nessional!"

November 22 . . . . "Happy Thanksgiving" . . 3545 runners and walkers began Thanksgiving Day with the "Flying Feather 4 miler" in Dublin OH. The course winds through the Glacier Ridge Metro Park. It was our second time participating in this particular event, having started all our Thanksgiving Day sin Ohio with a run. Both of us ran well. Rose Anne finished in 46:59 (11:45 pace) and 104 of 261 in her age group (50-59). Ted had a time of 40:53 (10:14 pace) finishing 1733 of 3545; and 39 0f 110 in his age group (60+).  Each participant received a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau to begin the celebration.  It's been a long time since I was asked if I was old enough to get a bottle!

November 18 . . . Hot Chocolate, anyone? You only have to run 9.3 miles to get some! Rose Anne and I participated in the Hot Chocolate Columbus 15K on Sunday morning, November 18 with 3021 runners. Another 4641 runners participated in the 5K event . . a total of 7662 competing. Weather conditions perfect: 36 degrees at start with a slight breeze. Good event, however not one we would register for again. It was organized but not very "personable" being organized by RAM Racing, not a local organization. Proceeds benefitted the Ronald McDonald House charities.  Rose Anne finished at 2:00:46, an 12:58 pace. I completed the race in 1:45:31 at an 11:20 pace. Mile 8 was a test with a steep incline going into downtown Columbus. The 15K route took us up High Street and through the OSU campus, past the "Shoe" . . probably as close as we will get to the OSU stadium unless the "Fighting Irish" come to town! 

October 30 . . . . "Let it snow!" Mother Nature teased us with a light dusting of snow the morning before Halloween. It was nice to see the "white stuff" and the reality that winter may be on it's way. Unfortunately the snow led to a soggy, rainy Halloween for all the little ghosts and  goblins . . but the snow brought a literal "frost on the pumpkin!"

Fall colors at Alum Creek . . . 

October 28 . . . . "The Clampetts invade Westerville" . . . Granny & Jed made an old-fashioned trek to the "Old Bag (appropriate analogy) of Nails" in Westerville for a fun Halloween party with vittles and white lightnin'. "We even showed the youngin's how to dance, didn't we Jed ?" . . . "Jed, you quit lookin at that naughty nurse . . . she'd hurt you"!!! 

October 27 . . . "Celebrity Ghost 5K" . . . It was a  cold, dark, eerie night . . raindrops soaking the earth; classic Halloween setting. Rose Anne and I were scheduled to participate in the Westerville 5K with the 180 plus runners. As the time approached we decided that for us, this year, would be a . . . . "NON-EVENT". It was the first time we have registered for an event and not participated.  However, we were not alone . . . only 86 runners participated and both of us would have finished in the top three of our Age group.  We did get the shirt for our NON-EFFORT!

October 13 & 14. . . Nana & Popo visit Henry in Saginaw! Rose Anne and I had a great visit with Henry, Wes and Jennifer taking in Bronner's Christmas Store in Frankenmuth, celebrating Rose Anne's Birthday with family, and following Sunday Mass with a breakfast at "Fuzzy's". No, the fresh loaf of Fuzzy's signature cinnamon bread didn't last long! Henry showed Nana all the fun, new tricks he has learned. He even modeled his new ND outfit for us. 

"Come on Nana,
let's climb the stairs again"

"Can you blow out all those candles, Nana?"

"Go Irish!"

"Playing is fun with Nana"

"I love Fuzzys!"

"Nana, you are funny"

Hey Dad, pass the spinach!

"Happy Henry"

"I'll wear my monkey costume
at Halloween, but not that monkey hat!

Michigan fall colors

You can get lost in Bronners!