Today, I shall bake a cake and clean my house. Or bake a cake and watch a movie. Or bake a cake and then bake something else. Tomorrow, Mavis comes over and we start putting together the Christmas meal. I’m looking forward to several stress-free days, when I will not touch a piano (so maybe my tendinitis will start to heal, oweeee) or think about upcoming rehearsals.

Well, I’ll probably think about them…

We also plan to enjoy the fabulous dinner-and-a-movie gift that BoomR and BV sent (B — the Thriller wants to see Sherlock Holmes). Bando came for a visit yesterday and gave me some delicious treats (I’m having a shortbread cookie with coffee this morning) which I plan to share with the family tomorrow. Thank you to both of you!

So, is all your shopping done? Are you ready to enjoy the most important parts of the holidays, whatever they are  to you? That’s the best part, isn’t it.

Happy Finkday! Time to get busy — or not.

Then, Black Friday fell upon us, and it was all men, women and shopping carts for themselves. It was the first time I’d done the early-morning shopping excursion, and it was fine. We didn’t see anyone throwing punches or acting stupid. In fact, daughter-in-law Hannah and her mom Jane and I had a fantastic time.

Look at what all I got done yesterday. Even with the insanity of huge lines and what looked like Saturday night traffic (when it was 3:30 a.m on Friday), I discovered that one can really get some good deals by schlepping it out long before the butt crack of dawn.

And yes, that’s a tiny little artificial tree. The Thriller and I decided to take the plunge yesterday, and as a result, going out to get a real tree, hauling it into the house, trimming its  trunk and branches, feeding and watering it, lighting and decorating it, then disassembling and dismembering it are now a thing of the past. We’ve moved on, as it were; too old to mess with it anymore.

At first I was very sad. Now I’m just half sad. But it’s not fair of me to expect the Thriller to do the lion’s share of the physical work (which he would do if I asked him to) when it’s just not wise for his increasingly creaky bones anymore than it would be for mine, so…it’s the Martha Stewart 4-footer from now on, and I’m OK with that.

But hey, I’m still in the Christmas spirit, so fear not! I’m ahead of the game on wrapping gifts (until the online orders start arriving, that is), and I’m pretty much done shopping, so now I can enjoy the upcoming season — which starts, delightfully enough, tonight, with a Js sleepover, when we’ll decorate the tree, play some games, and maybe make some gingerbread cookies.

Hope you had a great weekend. What was your favorite food experience?

The very first post at RtB, back in February of 2008, was about a sleepy little 6-month-old (6? 7 months? I don’t even know) who’d just awakened from his nap. Look at that round little face! Such a sweet baby. Well, that baby is four years old today. What a great kid. I’d tell you how incredibly perceptive, funny and intelligent he is, but you’d just say that was Grammie being biased. Well, I am, but — he is. And much of that is due to his parents providing him with lots of conversation, opportunities for discovery, books, loving discipline, and tons of hugs and kisses. That’s a good recipe, if you ask me.

So, whether he’s piloting a whirlybird,

or riding the open range,

or simply having a heart-to-heart with a sheep,

…he’s still just an all-around fantastic boy, and I’m proud to be his Grammie.

Oh, and I had to include this photo just because it’s ten kinds of cute. Justin and Dad getting the goat’s goat:

So I’m off to wrap presents, hit the grocery, and pick up Mavis for the party. (Poor Thriller is flat on his back with the flu and will miss the fete.)

Happy Saturnday! Glad to hear from NASA that you avoided being flattened by a solid rocket booster.

I’d take a picture of her reaction this morning when I tell her that her son is flying up from Florida on Friday, but I fear she’d jump out of the bed and pound me. Can’t take that risk. But I’m sure her expression will be priceless.

Have a good Tunesday, luvs. I’m off.

The Thriller’s 60th celebration was a blast. Fifteen family and friends came for dinner and laughs. And dessert — the most important part, of course. In fact, I’m fond of saying that I go to weddings just for the cake. Or that the lovely meal is just a formality; I’m here for the chocolate, dudes.

It was great seeing everyone, and a big shout-out goes to Helen and Simone, who were such great help to me before and after dinner, and to Hannah for picking up items on the way over. To say that I have beautiful, thoughtful daughters-in-law and step-daughter is an understatement.

The birthday boy had a blast. He ate his favorite foods, and loved all of his gifts. He enjoyed having help opening them, too — such fine, able-bodied assistants, don’t you agree? And cute.

He’s wearing his new Ray-Bans to Columbus today, even if the sun isn’t out.

I should have tried to get a group photo, but I didn’t think of it. My sons will tell you I was never much of a shutterbug; I didn’t follow them around with a camera. Perhaps I should have. But thinking back, I wouldn’t have had the money to get film developed anyhow. It was all I could do to see what I could throw together for dinner in the early days. But they were still fun times, full of love and laughter, in spite of having waffles and pancakes five times a week.

Anyway, the party was fantastic, and he doesn’t feel a day over ninety this morning. Pretty good for a Monkday. Hope you can enjoy yours!

<3

Today, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the hatching of the awesome Thriller. Much love to him this day!

But honestly — is this personality or what? We had Justin last night while Jake went to the movies with his mama. After eating dinner at McDonald’s, having ice cream for dessert, and hearing a lengthy treatise about something really important in the car (we were completely entertained, though mostly confused — we’re still learning Justinese), we came home to bath time.

And there, the real artist revealed himself. Gerber, Huggies, Johnson’s…you need this kid in your next ad campaign. Behold, The Natural:

This was just before he put the bubbles in his hair.

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Bath time is for silly kids.

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I scare ye wit me bubblebeard, yarrr

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Peeeeeeeek-a...

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BOO!

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If only we could all approach life with this much joy…and two-year-olds could stay two for a little while longer.

Daddy is the wonderful man Mavis and I found in 2010.

I mean really — who gets to experience this in a lifetime? How fortunate are we to have these two men in our hearts? All my sister and I can say is there is absolutely no feeling like it in the world. After decades of secrecy perpetuated by our mother (she obviously had her reasons, and we’re totally fine with that; we will always honor and love her), we’ve found our birth father through Ancestry.com, and as some of you already know, we can hardly explain — or contain — our joy. We’ve just waited for the right time to announce it to the world, and the day after Daddy’s birthday is as good as any. That, and it’s Ground Hog Day.

I’m sure you’ve read stories about long-lost relationships: children finding siblings, or parents finding children. You would think that finding a family member would be the best experience ever. Yet, I’ve read many accounts of awkward meetings, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, old resentments, and gradual partings because things just didn’t pan out the way either party envisioned. That’s what makes our tale even happier to tell. From our initial meeting back in August to this very morning, it’s been amazing. Mavis and I love him and his lovely wife more every day. How often does that happen in real life?

OK, on to the fotos. Sis wins in the lookalike department. She looks just like him. Their noses and coloring are identical. He’s funny, articulate (and heavy on the smart aleck, which explains where Mavis gets it, of course) and has a huge heart. And he adores us. Did I mention we felt he loved us from the minute he saw us?

Of course, I have to mention Daddy the musician. To tell you who all he’s played with over the years would be to drop quite a few names. He wrote a song that Ringo Starr recorded. He’s played with Opry people, blues people, had his own band, recorded albums, and played solo gigs. I like this picture:

And here’s one of his albums (not sure of the exact year — I’ll have to ask — but I’m going to guess somewhere between ’65 and ’68):

And talk about tight playing, in-tune singing, and a gorgeous, effortless tone…I’m not biased, really. Listen for yourself:

Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife

He wears leather, drives trucks, builds motorcycles, details cars. And in his spare time, he writes and plays music. The music…we get it from him. (Mavis is a talented musician; she just chose not to be a slave to it the rest of her life.) I think that out of all the amazing revelations of the past five months, the music thing blows me away the most.

I never knew why I had this burning passion to be a musician. Certainly, my parents never encouraged it (Dad was not musical at all, and Mother was a closet piano player but horribly shy — you’d never get her to perform in public). In fact, Mother was somewhat against it. She didn’t want me going off to Europe to sing in 1976. She did not like the idea of my going to New York in 1979 to audition for Norman Luboff, either (I never did go). Our parents wanted us to do music, but only in church. So why did I rebel and insist? I think it was because it was just “in me,” and it was something I had to do. Now it all makes sense. Like I told Mavis and some close friends: I know who I belong to now — it’s the guy in the ubiquitous leather hat and shades, with the irresistible Mississippi twang:

And of course, our young and beautiful stepmom! (He’s a lucky dog, oui?)

How fantastic is all this?

So if the parent you belong to is still living, call him or her tonight, just to say “I love you.” As my sister and I can tell you, the privilege of just being able to do so rarely presents itself twice in a lifetime.

I hope you derived great joy from giving and receiving gifts this year at Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. A special treat for me this year was watching my grandsons disappear into their own quiet little world on the living room floor, playing with blocks, binoculars, a car and a school bus while the adults talked and laughed and gave and received around them. Yes, Christmas is a time for craziness with shopping and baking and getting everything done, but it’s also a special occasion for remembering and reinforcing the importance of love in a family. We pulled that off in grand style last night. Many thoughtful and fun gifts were shared, and much fun was had.

The only thing missing this morning is our annual Christmas Day trip to Detroit, courtesy of the $700 we forked out for a car repair last week. Delightful. Oh well, no worries. Instead, I am going to play with the new toys the Thriller gave me:

All-Clad Emerilware stainless cookware set

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Italian chicken tonight, with pasta and garlic bread.

What did St. Nick bring you? Anything fun? I hope so. Happy Christmas to all!

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Kids say the darnedest things. I’m just glad I’m there with the Flip Video once in awhile to catch them.

As you know, Sunday was #1 Son’s 30th birthday. Jake and Justin’s other grandma (and good friend) Jane took some great photos at the party, and they’re just too cute not to share. Thanks, Jane!

The birthday boy and his beautiful family

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Uncle Lars relit the candles so each boy could play firefighter

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After everyone was served, Justin helped himself

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Daddy gets help opening presents

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What a fun day. Now go hug your family.

FO

At the lake, 1981

He was three years old when we bought him his first drumset. At 11, he was sitting in with our band. He grew up into a fine young man with sons of his own, and the cycle starts again.

I wonder this day: is there a crucial lesson hidden in the swift passage of time? Should we be learning to savor every moment even more, celebrate each conversation even longer? I think so.

High school graduation, 1999

So, advice to my students and younger readers: Old, tired axioms like “Don’t take anything for granted” and “You’ll be an adult before you know it” are really true. Advice to self: slow down and enjoy it all.

2010

Jake was busier than any three-year-old, ever. Great party on Saturday, then the county fair, followed by craziness at our house until almost noon on Sunday. Grammie is officially worn out. If only I could have the week off now…heh. It was a fantastic time. Only bad part: my pictures of Justin at the fair didn’t come out. (Little wiggle worm won’t hold a pose.)

Behold the festivities…

You can play, but don't think about touching my presents.

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Fire fighting with Mommy & Daddy

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Had to test-drive the gift from Grandma & Grandpa

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Followed by another test drive

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Fun at the fair

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All this in one day. No wonder I can’t move this morning…

Happy Monkday — let’s get going.

FO

Hmmm. I guess I should put the hotel in the GPS, ja? Pictures forthcoming. Looking forward to a fun couple of days, cuz you know, school starts next week. Yippy.

FO

Last Sunday, my family threw a combined birthday party for the Thriller and me (our birthdays are a month apart). The best part, of course, was having everyone at the house at the same time. Mavis cooked a wonderful feast for about 15 family and friends, and the kids wouldn’t let us clean up afterwards.

Thoughtful gifts were given to both of us. From clothing to homemade items to gift cards to household and office needs — they were the greatest. Then the Thriller threw me a curve ball and presented me with the netbook I’d been lusting after. (He is ozzum indeed.)

After the younger generation left for the day, the Old Ones remained around the dinner table. We laughed and goofed off for a good couple of hours. It was a great day.

Now I get to spend the day with Justin and Jake, then the rest of the week at school. It begins…

FO