Monday, December 31, 2007

A visit to Pittsburgh?

I would like to suggest a "family reunion" in Pittsburgh this summer from approximately July 24th (Thurs-arrival) to July 28th (Mon-departure).

There are several reasons for this proposed location-

1. it's about equal driving for everyone;
2. we can visit the amusement park at Kennywood;
3. the Pirates are in town over that weekend (yes Dad there has to be baseball);
4. we can do some other sightseeing;
5. it's a chance to get the whole family (and their significant others) together;
6. IT WILL BE FUN!!

I am posting this now to give everyone a chance to check their schedules and decide whether these dates are convenient. I am willing to make all the arrangements. I have already scouted out a Hampton Inn near Kennywood which is reasonably priced-the only drawback is there is no swimming pool. (Bob-it's the same one that we stayed at before.) By your responding posts let me know if a pool is required/neeeded/a necessity.

Have a great New Year and I'll look forward to hearing from everyone soon.

Uncle Steve got what he hoped for!

Ravens are gettin' a new head coach!

Sunday, December 30, 2007

"Land of Milk and Honey" aka Paulding

We arrived home around 4:30. The Paulding Express stopped in Cols. to deliver gifts.
'Twas good to see all of you! We had a good time. THANK YOU for all of your hospitality!

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Scrabble

Well, GEEZ....on Thurs. Aunt Cindy spelled 'quiz' on a triple word (66 pts.) and this morning she spelled 'steering' using all 7 letters on a double word (68 pts.)

The big Exchange

Here are some scenes from the big exchange. Erin, Sean & Liz we missed you and were thinking of you. Have a great new year!!!





































Where are the Photos?

Mom and Dad have been out east since late Tuesday and no one has posted any photos yet? What's the big hold-up?

Thursday, December 27, 2007

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Steve and Cindy!!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

The Jackets didn't win either...

Sorry about the Ravens everybody.

If it is any consolation, I just wore my new BlueJackets jersey to the game tonight for the first time and they lost on a reviewed goal with 36 seconds to go.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

This Looks Like a a Job For...

TROY SMITH!

The Baltimore Sun reported that Smith "has taken every snap with the starting offense this week in preparation for Sunday. Smith said he brings intensity every week, but he understands this week of practice is different."

I thought I'd post this highlight reel to ensure you that the Ravens WILL beat the Seahawks this weekend. And since Smith is from Cleveland, and the Steelers are the long-time rival of the Browns, I bet he'll beat them next week too if he gets the start.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

An Invitation

The Becker Family would like to invite everyone to our house on Saturday, December 29th for lunch, around 1:00. This includes everyone - Kim, bring Dave; Matt bring Emily; Cindy, your parents are welcome to join us also.

Let us know if you can come. And if you're reading this and your parents aren't regular blog visitors, please tell them about the invitation too.

We'll see you all soon!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Happy Birthday, Linda!

I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing birthday!
Love, Aunt Donna

Monday, December 17, 2007

#5

We're closed - imagine that! #5 - our last.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

The Pathetic Ravens

Hello Brian, This is Steve Biscotti speaking .

You're Fired!!!



I can hope can't I.

Announcement


I would just like to announce that in the last 2 days I wrote 27 pages worth of papers. And, as soon as I edit them, my class obligations will be done for the semester. Was there a point to writing these papers? Probably not, but they are done. Now I can focus on more important things like my therapy clients. :)

From here on out, I only have 4 more classes to take. Ever.

It feels really good to say that.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Winter Wonderland

So I know everyone will think I'm crazy, but I am absolutely loving this snow!!!!!!

There's something so peaceful about watching the flakes come down (at least for me). I was driving home from Things Remembered, doing about 20 mph, & I just sat in traffic watching it snow. It's so beautiful outside, all I want to do is just stare out the window.

So I'm going to change into my comfort clothes, put on some warm socks, put on some music, read a book & open the blinds & enjoy this day!

The only thing that would make it perfect would be if I had a fireplace.....

Hope everyone is safe! :-)

Love,
Erin

Friday, December 14, 2007

Scrabble Time?


Are you ladies getting pumped for this winter's match-up? Everyone leafing through their American Heritage dictionaries, checking the words you can spell with Q but not U, studying those anagrams and blocking triple-word scores? Get your pencils sharpened, and for heaven's sakes hide those scissors!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Ali's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Ali!

Do you have any fun plans?

Monday, December 10, 2007

#4

No school due to ice, sleet, freezing rain. Started on a 2 hr delay.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Yea Team

GO Blue Hens!

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

New cast update

Cindy will be happy, I now have a red and white striped cast, replacing John Deere green. It looks like a candy cane. Had to go to the doctor's yesterday because I was having so much pain. The doctor said everything is healing well, but swelling is causing my pain. I need to keep my foot elevated above my heart, which is hard to do without laying flat on my back, which makes work very difficult. We did find out something interesting - I have a 2" screw in my heel holding the bone together where they took the wedge of bone out. We didn't know this until we saw the x-rays yesterday.

Niagara Falls


Thanks for the info, Linda. Works on spelling, too.

Snow

Funny you should mention snow, Robin. 2 hr delay here for 3+" of snow.

Monday, December 3, 2007

The Young Woman and the Lighthouse


Yesterday, before the storm hit, it wasn't as cold and Liz kept her hood down most of the day. Today is a little different though. Behind Liz is the Spring Point Ledge Light House.



And this is me facing into the wind down at the harbor. Consider this photo "candid." That's the Bug Light Lighthouse behind me. Mom, I promise I have a stocking cap, but I left it back at the Inn. Oops.

We fly home tomorrow morning.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

BCS

GO Buckeyes!

Ceramic Christmas Tree


I knew I should have posted a picture of the ceramic tree as well! The ceramic tree is in the living room and the artificial tree is in the dining room. :)

Christmas time!!!!







Well since Linda did it.... I guess I should too!






Here are pics of my Christmas tree & front door!



Enjoy!

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Christmas Trees!

Nick and I put up our first Christmas tree today.
Unfortunately it's not real, but since we'll be out of
town for a while we figured it would be best to get an
artificial tree. As you can see, we've decorated it with
some ornaments from family members. Mom and
Dad brought back the blue glass one from their
Bermuda cruise and the cross-stitch is one of several
made by Aunt Donna. We're thinking of everyone!







The Young Man and the Sea



There was a young woman and the Sea too, but she's holding the camera.

Cape Elizabeth, Maine. November 30th, 2007 A.D.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

pocket flags



Thanks to all of you that contributed to my Eagle project. I'm just about finished; just have to send out the flags when I get enough addresses. This picture has 1500 flags, each as big as the one in my hand.

Cast update

I am now sporting a new cast on my foot - in John Deere Green! I went to the doctor's today and they removed the bandages and took out the stitches - that did not feel good. There were about 20 stitches, with the longest incision being 6-7 inches long. The doctor said everything looked good. About the surgery, the surgeon said, "We kept finding new surprises everywhere we looked."
The cast will stay on for 3 weeks, then I go back for x-rays and possibly a removable cast. There's lots of pain right now from all the moving around they did to put on the cast, but the Vicodin is helping, keeping me in a nice fog. Sorry we can't send a picture of the foot, but right now it's not working from our camera to the computer. Hope everyone's having a good week.

To the Ohio Joneses...

Do you know if/when you will be in town this year for Christmas? (Erin, I know you said you will be unable to visit. :( ). Nick and I will be in North Carolina with his family for Christmas and returning to Maryland on Wed., 12/26 so I am curious whether or not I'll get to see you...

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Ravens Jokes

This is really Robin writing on Bob's blog site. Please, Sean, send an invitation to me at rmj429@yahoo.com. Thanks! Now for some funny jokes about our fearless football team.

1. What do you call 53 people sitting around a TV watching the Super Bowl?
The Baltimore Ravens

2. How do you keep a Baltimore Raven out of your yard?
Put up goal posts

3. Where do you go in Baltimore in case of a tornado?
M&T Stadium - they never touchdown there

4. What do you call a Baltimore Raven with a Super Bowl ring?
An old thief

5. What's the difference between the Baltimore Ravens and a dollar bill?
You can still get four quarters out of a dollar bill

6. What do the Baltimore Ravens and possums have in common?
Both play dead at home and get killed on the road!

7. What do the Baltimore Ravens and Billy Graham have in common?
They both can make 70,000 people stand up and yell "Jesus Christ!"

Hope these give you a few chuckles. Have a good week!

A Christmas Tip

For whose who are shopping online, check out www.retailmenot.com for discount codes and coupons.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Christmas

Certain individuals have not yet posted Christmas ideas....

Friday, November 23, 2007

Black Friday

This morning I officially became a true cashier. My past seven months at Sears have been a mere training for this very day. All the transactions I've rung and all the items I have bagged all were all leading up to this one day. The day of all days. Black Friday. So for everyone who participated in the joys of Black Friday let me just say, I hope you were nice to your cashiers. I got myself out of bed at four o'clock this morning to be at work by 4:45. I didn't even know there was such a time. All in all I have to say the day was not too bad. The morning was busy for the electronics department but the rest of the store didn't get busy until around 7. From then, even with four cashiers, we still had a steady line all day long. The people who bought things bought a lot of stuff but, most of the people were very friendly. I have to say though my favorite part of the day was my last hour. I was sentenced to door greeting. It must have been my charming smile and glowing personality that got me that job.
When I got home from work at one, I turned around and went right back to the mall to do some shopping of my own with friends. I basically accomplished absolutely nothing only buying two dvd's for myself for the grand total of 8 dollars. For those who participated I want to hear all about your own Black Friday experience please!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Surgery update

Hello everyone,
So I've finally joined this blog thing - everyone say Hi to Momma Becker.
Thanks to everyone who has called to check up on me since the surgery. There is still a lot of pain,which the Vicodin doesn't always take care of, but I'm learning to live with it. And sleeping a lot too.
Carl and Julie fixed a great Thanksgiving dinner today, with all the trimmings - it was delicious. And Julie made her first apple pie, which was also delicious.

For the first time in 8 years, I will not be going to Walmart at 5 a.m. tomorrow for Black Friday shopping. I'm worried about what would happen to me and my foot among all those crazy shoppers. Linda thinks they would be nice to me in the wheelchair, but she's obviously never been Black Friday shopping. They would probably push me out of the way or jump over the wheelchair to get what they want. So I'll let Carl and Julie take my place while I sleep.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hopefully I'll see you all soon.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

From all of us in Forest Hill.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Reflect's First Show


Me, Chuck, Matt Ackerman, and Chicago Rob (aka REFLECT) had our first show this past Saturday night. It was a blast. We played with Brainhandle from Pittsburg and Black Dove from Columbus/Cincinnati. Here's one quick photo of me and the other half of the rhythm section, Chuck, the bass player. Chuck is a total equipment genius and we ended up packing his mid-1980s Chevy Suburban with enough amplifiers to perform in stereo through 4 speaker cabinets. Yes mom, I always wear ear-drums at practice. I really do, you can ask Liz.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Beechwold Woodshop 101

So it all started with cookbooks. Two cookbooks in particular: New Art of Japanese Cooking and The French Laundry Cookbook. Trust me, if you're interested in serious books about current American Cuisine these books are a good place to start. Unforunately we didn't have any appropriate place to showcase such handsome tomes....What we needed was a coffee table!

So we went to our favorite antique store, Down Memory Lane, at the corner of High St. and Como Ave. While they didn't have any coffee tables, they did have a fantastic section of windows. As I have discovered is typical in the world of home ownership, when you go looking for something simple to add to the house you usually leave the store with a project. Between Liz, myself and the kind proprietor we settled on this bad boy:



Not bad for $35, eh? The above photo was taken after I had spent an afternoon in the outdoors stripping the paint off with my good friend KWIK:



Some really potent fumes there. Ok, so unless we could find some legs for this window, I might as well just put the French Laundry Cookbook on the floor. This would never do. So, off to Lowe's where we picked up these handy brackets on the cheap:



And once they were attached we just had to find the right size legs. We bought two lengths of the same leg-style. The ones on the left of the photo here were toooo big, but the ones on the right were just right:



Time to roll up the old sleeves for some manual labor:



and that's how the window became the table:



I should mention here that we attached the legs such that the "inside" of the window is the "top" of the table. That way the panes of glass are flush with the wood and not recessed as it would have been the other way around. Finally, we just needed to give it two coats of the Minwax Polyshades Antique Walnut Satin (no photo available at press time), move it into the living room, and get Gus into position for the big picture:



¡VOILA! That is one handsom devil (and Gus looks pretty good too!) You guys can come over to see the table and take copious notes from Morimoto anytime, just keep your feet off the table.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Browns-Ravens

My, my.....that was interesting.........

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Update from the First State


So the semester is almost over. After thanksgiving I have one full week of classes then finals start. I am looking forward to the two months off for winter break but I will be taking a sociology class at Essex. The building pictured is of Old College, it was constructed in 1834 (How old were you then Uncle Mike?). It is the oldest building at UD that still holds classes. Delaware is currently 9th in the country(D1-AA) and plays its last game against Villanova on Saturday. I can't wait to see you all soon.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

my story


Well, since both of my siblings posted I figured I should update everyone on my life as well. As most of you guys know, I just got a car that is "mine". Its a '93 Jeep Cherokee, so its almost as old as me and the gas mileage isn't so great, but I still love it. I'm still working at my internship, Spears/Votta and Associates (www.spearsvotta.com for those of you interested), and even though I've decided I do not want to be an engineer the job is great for the time being. I've been working there almost five months and am now technically an "electrical draftsman". I also just had my five month anniversary for my license, which is a nice little milestone for me. High school is school, I'm sure Ali would agree that I just want it to be over. However, I am looking forward to whatever comes my way for next year, hopefully living away from home at college. This post wasn't as long as some of the others, so I'll add a photo for you guys to enjoy.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

So an update by Kim Jones?

I figured I should give an update on how things are going... all the cool kids seem to be doing it.
First off, four more weeks of school! My classes are going well, I have three As and a really high C [in Anatomy, booooo] Anatomy is really kicking my butt. Who knew there was so much to memorize about the body? My massage class is really fun. I recommend everyone should take it. All you do it massage each other. :]
My goal for school right now is to get an AA in massage then work part time as a massage therapist while continuing classes for accouting. We'll see, we'll see. That would be another 2-3 years of school. :[
Work is good. I'm still at Ruby's serving people their minis. We're finally getting busy again because it's becoming the holiday season. Santa came to the mall this past Saturday. I thought Santa was busy making all those toys?
I'm still making bank babysitting, or as my family calls it, preschool. It can be fun, it can be horrible.
I'm still with Dave [or Fred, Uncle Mike]. It's been about 10 months now? I finally will have a boyfriend for Christmas!! Hah. I got him fabulous Ravens tickets for his birthday and now I need an even better Christmas present for him. Any ideas?
I got new ink on Friday. It was a birthday present I hadn't used yet. I actually got two tattoos, one on my inner ankle and a tiny one on my wrist. They're really awesome. Dad drew the larger one for me. :]
Anyway, that's about all of the exciting stuff. I've been busy busy busy. I can't wait to see everyone for Christmas!!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Let's not forget those Christmas ideas.

Ali Has Her License

That's right I've joined this cool little blogy thing and I finally passed my driver's test. It only took me three times. I believe that ties the record for the most times in the family. Any objections? I've already warned Aunt Donna to protect her mail box so now I thought I would extend that advice to all of you. And even if you're in a state other than Maryland don't think you're safe. You never know when I could come for a surprise visit.

Football

Congratulations, Randi, the Bengals have successfully shut us out of the post-season. That game was like a Comedy of Errors. And to think how excited Baltimore was about McNair last season....

Bob's birthday party at the Herbert home


The happy family....
(and me with massive red eye)
















(This is Ian dressed as a superhero- Linda's halloween costume.)