9th Street Houligans

Just to let you know that us goombahs on the East Coast are making ravioli today. We made a trip to 9th Street to get the cheese. Lots of interesting characters in the neighborhood. Just like the movies - trashcans on fire and no place to park!

Good memories of the college set being here last year - wish you were here.

Peace.

Coffeebean

Hello people!

we're cold and windy here in NJ and snow has been forcast. Hope everyone is doing well in school and at work. Trying to get into the Christmas spirit. Maybe we'll have a White Christmas! Matt started his basketball game schedule last Saturday and Bridget starts soon too. Time to start the shopping!

Take care and much love to all

Congratulations!

WTG, JerseyGirl94!Glad you made the team

LoveU

MVP award

Well done, good job, kudos and congrats to you, nephew.

We are very proud of you!

update!

hey everybody. I haven't chatted in a while. Halloween was good. I went with my friends, and my brother got twice as much candy as me. huh, figures. I didn't care all that much though, I know it sounds weird, (my grandparents probably know) that I am an addict of candy, but lately i'm alright without it . haha. And I've got to give some props to the grammy. She told me I'd see results with the braces, which at first I didn't but I actually am now! It's really getting me excited because when I get them off it will look good, hopefully. I got these things called chains, that are supposed to bring my front teeth together, and it's actually working! I can see a huge difference even though these chains hurt more than ever. Basketball tryouts are Monday.

YEA! Finally my sport arrives. Last week, I went with my friend to an all state traveling team called the Philly Belles practice. I scared me like never before. Probably because I had to practice with 14-15 year olds, and then this guy Mike Flinn that works for Nike gave me a motivational speech for 20 minutes out of the practice. After talking to that guy, truthfully, I was about to pass out . For some reason this guy was very intimidating. Ughh..well Thursday and Friday I'm off and Tuesday I was too. Good break right before bball. Tomorrow I'm going to this thing called Next Level Sports Academy to have an hour of basketball and an hour of strength training. Well, it's all good for me anyway I guess. I happy I'm finally getting into shape. Gotta Go, mom is saying something.... Good Luck Alex in school , and Carmen ofcourse .
LOve you all sooo mucho - bye

here's a kiss for everyone. hope the relatives in SoCal are safe and that everyone else is doing well.

Hi everyone, I miss you all very much!

I wish we all lived near each other. I would love to see you guys more often. Getting used to blogging is the hardest thing in my life right now. I never blog or write to people on the computer. Communicating through language and rhetoric do not do justice for family talk. When family sits at the dinner table or in a living room and just chats, so much information can be learned (or knowledge gained for the other people). To hear what people have to say in any setting is all what people need in order to survive. Communication was the first thing established during the creation of man. But this world can't function like that anymore. So all you have is your family. I haven't blogged in awhile, so I wanted to stop by and write something for you guys to read. It isn't much just something I was in the mood to write.

Cold! This is how I describe Iowa. I definitely enjoyed baseball with this summer weather we had. It was awesome playing at night in Boise under the lights...and the bugs, or after fall ball when it was still warm outside and the sun would set over the hills...this is what I enjoy about the game. I must admit I love the fans too! But now that enjoyment is over, at least for now it is. But it is the off season. This isn't the time for enjoyment, its for detail. To better understand the precision and art of the game. Hitting is the hardest part of the game, let alone the biggest. Years of practice and dedication are required to master this skill. And only until you can reach perfection will you succeed at this game. Your swing and approach define who you are as an individual in the game. Each player has a very distinct character about them that tells a lot about a person. If the swing is slow, they might be lazy. If it looks nice but is slow, they might be noncompetitive. Or, if its hard, they might be too strong. If it is hard and nice, they might be assured. There is no measurement that can tell the truth, that is why it is up to the individual to determine this. For me, I can't tell you. Art is in the eyes of the beholder. I am just excited to put in some work and raise the curtain for next year. I want to start this next season right where I left off from in Boise, and climb another step up in my level of competition. In order to conquer a fear of heights, you must look up and climb away.

Sweating in NJ

The Eagles stink! Colts will win tonight. Anxiously awaiting COLD WEATHER. It was 80 degrees today - this is ridiculous. Here's a view of our newest addition. He's cute in an ugly sort of way.

HELLO EVERYONE

Hope you all are well,

classes and work are going good.

Just wanted to say hello & love to all.

The Kids Are Alright

Hi Babies,

how is everyone. glad to see Alex back on the board. hope all is well with all concerned. We are okay here in NJ. love to all.

hello to all!

hey everyone! it has been so long. school is great and ball is over. now that ball is over my main focus is lifting and homework. i love it. i want to be in school for a long time...my only concern is being over qualified for a job...kidding! i miss you all! i also wanted to let everyone know that i invited my girlfriend to the family blog. Now stepping to the plate....Yasmin Rioux! i must say that i give her a lot of the credit to my well being here in dubuque. how about the postseason this year. its exciting. sorry to see the phillies though. i was rooting for them to win the national league. next year! they will be there next year i know it. but in the mean time, we can all share the sox. hehe gotta go back up to school now, so i wish all is well and talk to you guys soon.

YO! The Phillies are done. So are the Eagles, a real double play. Seeya.

Hey kids,

haven't seen anybody on here since school started. How are the classes going, hmm?

Have a safe weekend.

Love to all

How is Everyone?

Hi Babies!
had to wait to go online. how is everyone? getting enough sleep and not too much partying,huh? K
We are all well in Jersey.
Love t o all XXOO

Friday Night Dance Party!

DJ Kitteh is in the house (for your spinnin pleasure!)

Hey everybody have a nice weekend and take care!

problems with your laptop?

My assistant will take care of you

Oh hai,

i hope this gets your attention. how is everyone doing?

we're okay in Jersey; love to all concerned

Anybody Out There?

Deja Vu All Over Again!

Hi Babies!

I think this is Stewie's distant cousin (and maybe Rikki's nephew twice removed) Anyway I'm on a roll here today. Dearest Sister, have sent you some books to pour over and
enjoy. We're are still in mourning for Pavarotti but I can't watch Nessun Dorma anymore on youtube. Makes me tear up!

Fall

Hello everyone! back to working out.Gotta get off all the ice cream and cheesesteaks from last summer.

love to all concerned.

God Bless everyone who lost their lives on 9/11

Smellavision

well they did it again ( the iggles ). they found a way to beat themselves again. they ruined our brand new HDTV. it's twice as big as our old one so "the iggles " made it stink two times as much.
I hope everybody understands why I have a 2nd team( the Titans won-thank you very much ).
And I see that dem Raiders didn't do so good either ( sign that russell kid and fast ).
Double header tonight so all you students out there can only watch one game. GO niners.
Also, I went to the dentist today to get my crown put in and they did not make it correctly. my dentist ( TED ) tried to custom fit it. he used a little hammer to try and hit it onto my tooth. it didn't work: he broke it ( the crown not my tooth-thank GOD ) gotta go back in a week for a new one. I need a shot and a beer now, so until next time, hittem straight . ( GO TIGER )

School Today!

Hey everyone it's Bridget, well today was my first day of school! It was ok I guess but we have a new principal with all new rules. We also have this new schedule with block scheduling with 84 minute classes, every chance they get to make this more like a college, they do. Also we got back from Virginia yesterday. The race was fun, but they people were really mean to us, I'm guessing because we're from the North, and they could tell. The cops kinda told us to get out of a lot of places we parked so we wound up walking two miles. Then when the race ended at midnight, we had to wait two and a half hours in the parking lot, and then got lost in Virginia. Ha. I mean it stunk, but overall we had a good time. What's the climate out there? Today it was so unbelieveably hot and everyone at school had jeans on. With no air-conditioning may I add. Well school is actually really and I'm really happy I'm back! Oh and I have a message for the Boss Lady, some already know this(and if I've told ya this already forget it), but I got braces! Finally I have someone to relate to about it! Haha

Love Ya All So Much,
jerseygirl94

Saturday 9/8/07

Hi Babies!
Well, the grands went with their parents to the NASCAR race in Richmond, I believe. I'm sure Bridget will tell you all about it. We are splitting dog-sitting chores with Robbie. Today it is @ 94 degrees here in Jersey. How is everyone today? Just wanted to check in. Nothing much is new here. I hope school is going well
lots of love to all

just a hello

hey everyone just here to talk. well my parents took us to the beach yesterday and it was really fun. oh and off to richmond in three days. (a six hour ride..i'm betting my brother (Matt) won't last the second hour). i'm glad to hear that everybody is at school. We don't go 'til the 10th because three schools in our county had to get a roof redone including mine. I loved summer, and all, but I can't wait to get back! As for sports..I'll be waitin a while before basketball rolls around. The beach was great yesterday except for the wind. i'm completly burnt! well i cant think of much else to say but talk to ya soon!

I finally figures out this thing! I hope everyone is having a great weekend. I was reminded today that we do not have school tomorrow...exciting! I would love to for all of us to get together again for a reunion. I think that is a great idea for us all. Maybe we should forget about staying in the U.S. for this one, we should go to Italy. Just throwing that one out there hehe. How about those Phillies...whata game. Did anyone see the no hitter thrown by the Red Sox? Or USC and Cal yesterday? It is a good time to show that the Pac 10 is not a throw away league. We can play too! I am making a prediction this year. That USC and Cal are going to meet again with a bowl game on the line, possibly the national championship. My fingers are crossed. Much love

p.s. Gotta love those Phillies

I wear my Phillies shirts all the time. I even have a Phillies hat I wear occasionally. I did watch the A's beat Detroit last night.... 10 innings and a walk off double to win.

Labor Day Weekend and it's stinkin' hot here...

You can always tell when the California State Fair is going on ~ the temperature reaches triple digits. We are have power alerts and power flexes....yeah, no a/c. Temps are only around 103ish but it's not just No Cal. It's the entire state. So the idea of going to the fair and walking around; eating fried foods and drinking lemonade doesn't sound to appealing at the moment.
We are headed over to visit the girl child on Sunday. She is alone and we want cooler weather. So it works out.
As for a family reunion, I vote we rent a place at the shore. Maybe next summer? Carmen will be ready to transfer to a 4 year and Alex will be graduating. We could celebrate.

YO! to all of our family blogging co-eds, did you hit the ground running or what ? that means you too Bridget. the " NoCal gal " ........ chat us up abit........ " ; not too much cause The Boss Lady watchin. YO!, to the Iowa night owl. How are you making out with the early classes? Gotta get some fake eyeball stickers for the eyelids for when they're closed so the " teach " won't seeya nappin. HAAH ! Gotta go back bed know. Lovya

YO!, just watch the phillies beat the mets 11 to 10 in the bottom of the ninth. they got the broom out and swept the mets( 4 games ). they're only 2 games behind the mets for the div. lead. GO PHILLIES.
now I'm watching the Eagles and jets (pre- season game ) .as usual they're smelling my TV up with they're level of play ( they really stink). i'm glad my other team is better than them( the Titans).(GO VINCE YOUNG).
gotta go, be well everybody.

still getting the hang of this blogging thingie! We just returned from Sea Isle City; visited the inlaws, Aunt Charlotte & Uncle Don. It was a gorgeous 2 days (tues and wed) full moon last night too! Daddy just turned into a frog (michelle will understand that) When are we going to start planning our family reunion? We're not getting any younger. We could rent at the shore or just hang out here at different homes. It worked before for Carmen's 15th birth fete so it can work again; just have to plan way ahead. Think about it, ok? Love to all concerned

Hello to all related bloggers!

incoming message from UD

I spelled the Raiders wrong. Thanks mom. With that said hehe... I am in class write now taking this computer class. I never had to take it when I was going to Cosumnes River, but now I have to take it. It is a simple computer class that shows us how to use certain programs. Its alright I guess. I mean it gives me a chance to get on the computer and check emails. (Right now he is explaining the desktop and how it is so great to have shortcuts...come on!) It has officially become a chat line class. =) Gotta go Miss ya all!

Thrilled beyond words....

I am so happy that "youse guys" are typing away. I thought this might make it easier for us to keep in touch. One post and everyone knows what is going on. Good news...I just discovered the spell check button. I am good to go, Houston.


Bridget, can't wait to hear what you have to say. I was told by my kids how wonderful you are and now I get a chance to get to know you. Yeah!! As for my two....Alex mentioned he may be graduating the end of the summer. We thought it might be sometime in 2008. He is petitioning to get some classes admitted to his coursework. He took similar classes here in Cali but Dubuque wouldn't accept them. If these classes can be used than a summer grad date looks good. His degree is in Health and Wellness. As he explained it to me, he can teach K-12 PE or similar classes and coach. I believe he had nutrition classes when he was here, so it's an all around health degree. He is gonna be great at this, it's right up his alley. Even though I know you're reading this Alex, I am serious. It suits you.


Carmen has many, many, many years to go. But don't tell her. :) She is a Biology major this semester, lots of science and math. I got a phone call from her earlier in the month and all she said was, "Momma, I love math!" It was hard to response to that without being a smart ass. That's our girl!!

I am the keeper of Carmen's rat, Stewie. She got him last year and now I have him. He is a blond guy with a sweet personality. She spoiled him when he was little. Well, he has a tumor on his leg and it is continually growing. He looks like he is on steroids but only on one leg. It doesn't seem to bother him yet. Does anyone know anything about this? The vet visit was $80 and not much happened.

Gotta go. love to all. P.S. Barb, I could use a good book.

id

This is the coffee bean. No, I am not a blog hacker. This is Michelle.

We're down to two weeks of summer vacation left. Then off to Richmond for Nascar night race and then back to school (and our normally scheduled programming). Working on the house as usual (when don't you).

Rob was elected VP of his union so now he has a high falootin' (sp?) briefcase and fancy phone. But we're proud despite all the bling.

Boss Lady - I had a run in with some chocolate chip cookies last night - I was hanging my head over the toilet, it got so bad, but I was spared.

Road Warrior's quote about having the highest taxes this side of the Delaware is suspect...

Miss you all
Good luck in school youngins'

Later
cb

P.S. WE'RE GOING TO SEE VAH HALEN ON OCT 1ST

from Hawkeye Nation

La Familia!!! How is everyone doing? Hopefully well...good. I have to say that I am excited about the football season this year. The Radiers are looking stronger on the offence. Rushing downfield and believe it or not, percision passing. I love it! On the flip side, I start school tomorrow. I am not ready for the early morning yet. 10 o'clock is hard enough. I don't know if i'm excited or anxious, but I am ready to tackle something new now that baseball is over. And speaking of baseball. My Red Sox have been in town (Chicago White Sox) enabling me to watch them on tv. Four game series too! And we need one more win for the sweep. They need me right now =) gotta go Much love Alex

my own room

YO! It is Sunday; 6:10 in the am here on the eastside and I'm up (need some java ).You westsiders and mid-westers are" gettin" more of what I need ( sleep ). Man, am I glad I'm done gearjamming.
This bloggie thing is great. It's like having your own room.I can say what I want,when I want and how I want. I can be like the "dancing frog ". If you have not seen the old cartoon, Aunt Barb (grandmom for you Bridget) will be more than glad to tell you about it.
Well, it's time to get the field ready for today's game ( might even be a double header but I'm sittin the second one out ) .
Hey, Boss Lady , ya better tell some of the young players about how important it is to know how strong the catcher"s arm is when you're inthe game.
Gotta go, one of the guest is up. Until next time.

sunday morning 12:54 am

YO! I just love this part of the 24 hour day. It is dark, very very quiet and no need to answer any questions, for myself and or anybody else. Got some overnite guests ( Bridget & Matt ) so I have to stop typing or this noise will wake them up. Need some sleep now. there is another game today later on. Good night, the road warrior.

hey to everyone

hey everyone this is Bridget, just so everyone knows. I finally got this thingie to work for me, thanks to my Grandpop (Bob) . So how is everyone? Well now that I finally got this working, I'm sure to be blogging a lot more. I haven't been up to much lately, but today my Mom and I watched this movie Zodiac and it was really good. In two weeks my family is going to Virginia for a couple of days, because my dad is getting over the hill and turning 40. The next day after we get back I'm off to school. Well bye for now, oh and I'm going to make an account for my mom [Michelle] now too, because she wants to get in on the blogging.
Love to all,
Bridget ♥

Hello again from the Garden State! How is everyone today? Hope its nice weather wherever you are.

have not heard from Ralph since @ Memorial Day wkend. I called him and invited them over. (declined)
His birthday is Sept. 29th. Matthew's is Sept 30, and RobParkers is Sept. 12th (I think) Mine is Sept 3rd (lots of Virgos) I am on a roll as far as books go. That was one of my New Yrs. resolutions: to read more and watch less TV.
Since you sent me "Reading Lolita etc", I have read another book about the immigrant experience. It is a challenge to read but really worth your time. The language is beautiful. (The Inheritance of Loss). I'll send it. Also read "The Memory Keepers Daughter" and a biography of Georgia Okkeefe (terrific read, I was surprised, Charlotte gave it to me) Now I'm reading "The Widow of the South", a novel of fiction about about a real character and a real battle in the Civil War era. We haven't been to the shore this year because of the high temps on the east coast. We are going to visit the in laws in Sea Isle this week. I really miss the beach etc.
Miss you all

roadwarrior

YO! to everybody.
new to this game but I hit the first pitch.
we got a new tv ( HDTV ) finally and it is quite a challange to set up.Thank the electronic gods for the" internets" because that's where i learned how to connect, calibrate, cable selection,call for help,cable box (stb), and calls to comcast for instruction. ( i"m taking a breath now).
So far Barb ( grandmom for you Bridget ) and I think that this purchase is worth the expense.
There is a lot of research that needs to be done on this product before you buy one. The picture quality with high definition is astounding ( really great for sports ).
I need to stop on this subject now because I do get carried away. Gotta eat my breakfast now.
Be well everybody.( there is always another "at bat" ).

invitations to blog

I will send Bridget, Bob and Alex another invitation. Maybe what I sent the first time was wrong. who knows...technology scares me sometimes.
Haven't talked to the eldest sister since the big move. But I have been trying to keep the phone bill down. The kids' phone bills so very high over the summer...to the tune of $400. I was thinking of calling her soon though. Hey you have a birthday coming up, don't you?? Our brother has one in September also. Heard from him lately?
Change o'subject: what types of books are you reading these days?

bloggie thingie

Bridget is trying to get on this too. She can't bring up your homepage? She has a lot to say these days; should be a kick. Concerning that book, I did pick it up to look at it a couple times in Target but put it down. The memoir I read, I had no idea it was so heartbreaking but it was well written and I did enjoy it. Have you talked to our sister lately?
hugs to all

fine tuning this blog thingie

Bob's email address was kicked back to me so I think I entered it wrong. Send me an email with it and I will send an invite. Alex had trouble setting up an account but then again he is in Iowa. I need to send Carmen an email to call her brother with instructions. She got in ok.


The last concert Ed and I went to was Def Leppard with Bryan Adams. Go figure.... The funny thing was, we were the average age of people there and we knew all the songs! A few years ago we went to see Paul Simon and Bob Dylan. Dylan sounded worst than in the 60's (if that is possible). There were 60 something Hippies around us wearing tie dye and smoking weed. The ironic thing is now they can afford the weed and the bail money needed.

As for your question about whether things like neglect happen. I can answer yes, I see it weekly. But not neglect in the sense that the kids aren't eating or bathing but there is no parental interaction. The young people I deal with really have no clue when it comes to some basic things. When I explain things, the look on their faces is one of disbelief or astonishment. I have asked several "has anyone ever mentioned any of this to you" and inevitably the answer is no. It's scary to think the next generation is essentially raising themselves. Along these lines, have you read the book called "A boy called It" by David Peltzer? To think that that actually happened made my physically ill.

well on this cheery note....good nite :)

40 somethings go to a concert

Michelle and Rob Parker went to see "Velvet Revolver" the other night. It was a outdoor concert; boy, did they get wet. It was kinda cold out too; went down to the 50's. Michelle said " I don't want to do this anymore!" Oh yeah, wait til the next one comes through Philly!
jersey tomato

what I've been reading

dear friends,
today we finally had some sun(very little). This is a wierd post today. I have been reading several memoirs and have a question. How do you know that all this stuff really happened in this person's life? I recently read "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls. It was a good story of her wierd childhood with neglectful parents on the move all the time. It was heartbreaking to think of these children not having the basics but she isn't asking for pity. I wonder if all this really happened. No one has questioned her book yet. Let me know what you think.
jersey tomato

hello from here

new bloggers

boss lady:
I got Bridget to sign up; hope she participates. Bob asked me about this; did you send him an invitation?
love u

Hola from Santa Rosa

Hello everyone. I am excited we can all talk now and not have to individually e-mail everyone. Well school starts tomorrow for me at 8:00 in the morning. Which means I have to be up and moving at 6:30. Soooooooooo early!!!! YIKES!! But the good news is, I think I'm going to like my classes. It's nice to be back in Santa Rosa. Yes mom I do miss you, but it's nice to hang out with the girls and all my friends again. Well I'm going to sleep now. Love you!!!

and then there was two...

So far you and I are the only ones....but I hope the kids join on soon. I always wanted to try my hand at blogging...hehee

Well, let's see, here in Cali it's hot and it got hot just in time for the State Fair. This year the "deep fried favorite" is deep fried avocados. Last year, we had cookies, year before it was a candy bar. You have got to at least try it once in order to say you hate it.

The house hasn't sold which, depending on who you talk to in this family, may or may not be a good thing. The area is high in foreclosures, unfortunately. The construction boom is definitely over. The construction/home improvement ads have tripled in the last three months.

Carmen is back in Santa Rosa, enjoying the beginning of her sophomore year in college. She has decided to become a Biology major and medicine looks like a career path for her. Alex is in his senior year in Dubuque. He decided on coaching as a career choice, actually coaching baseball is where his heart is at.

See if Bridget wants to hop on this train, Sis. I would love to hear what she has to say. Hopefully, you and I will get the hang of the "hi tech" stuff... :)

My First Post!!

Hello from Haddon Heights, NJ---home of the highest taxes this side of the Delaware River.

Today, Saturday, Bob & I attended a double christening & luncheon for two new members of the family: David Nettleton and Madeline Garvey. Are we great aunt and uncle? We don't know! The weather here today was much like fall: very cool but beautiful. School is just around the corner! We have finished our "Extreme Makeover" in our dining room and living room. Just have some last minute things left so next time y'all visit us, you won't recognize the place! We actually have furniture now and a new TV that doesn't have to warm up first. So, are we blogging yet? Love to all involved and hang loose!!!

Greetings from Rio Linda California

I wanted to start this blog as a way for friends and family to keep in touch. I seem to have the time to write, the kids seem to have the time to read so this was a perfect match.

If we include all family members, at least we can stay united as a family even though everyone is out and about the country.

Tell me what you think about the idea. The postings will probably get boring and strange but hey that's our life in a nutshell..... boring and strange.