2 alarm game

Last night we hosted the Twilight Dinner Club.  (I don't know why I call it the Twilight Dinner Club so don't ask.)  At the same time, and without checking with us, KU and K-State decided to have a basketball game.  It was an important game too.  So important that ESPN decided to make it their College Game Day event.  I was pumped.  I wanted to watch it.   So did Glenn.  So while some of the TDC peacefully enjoyed their dinner, Glenn and I withdrew to the TV room to watch the game ... with blind visits by Mary and cameo appearances by John.

The game was exciting.  Really exciting.  Glenn and I got animated.  The game went into overtime.  We jumped, screamed and slapped things.  Did I tell you that Glenn is a competitive hand-ball player?  Did you know that Glenn can slap things really, really hard?  Did I tell you about our glass-break home alarm system? Do you know what it sounds like when Glenn slaps a leather arm chair really, really hard?  Did I tell you that our alarm system works very, very well?  Yep, last night's game was a 2 alarm game.  Helen said that the security company's phone dispatcher was not amused.

Dinner?  Oh yes, it was fine.  But desert was great!  Provided by John and Suzanne, it came from this funky little shop called The European BakeShop in Hartford, Kansas, where the proprietor had previously been a chocolatier in Luxembourg.  Yummy stuff.

Here we are all happy after desert:

It was a fun night full of good conversation, hearty laughter and alarming adventure.

PS.  KU won the game in overtime causing them to return as the #1 ranked team in the nation.  Go KU!

Birthday, Folk Music and Anniversary

For the first time in 11 years, SRC was here to help celebrate my birthday. Isn't she (almost) the cutest thing ever?

Last night we attended our first West Side Folk concert of the 2010 season.  Richard Shindell and Antje Duvekot performed.  Helen and I continue to be amazed at both the caliber of the talent and the intimacy of the setting.

If you're interested, here are You Tube links to Richard Shindell and Antje Duvekot with songs we saw (heard) them perform last night.


I forgot to mention that when SRC was here on her scouting trip, she attended a Bridal Show with Helen and Marilyn, a good friend and neighbor.  Here is a fun photo clip from one of the Photo Booth vendors.

Speaking of weddings, today marks my parents' 62nd wedding anniversary.  Here they are in 1948:

Thanks Dad and Mother for getting married ... and thanks for being such great parents too.

Snow, Samantha and Supper

After more than 3 weeks, we still have snow on the ground.  While it is not uncommon to have intermittent snow, it is uncommon for it to linger more than a few days.  We are now at 25 days and counting.

Thursday night SRC flew in to attend a weekend Bridal Show and to explore wedding venue options.  She and her friends Gus and Alex joined our dinner group for a Linda Polly Supper last night.

 It is now sunny and the snow is melting.

Oma turns 81

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, Oma turned 81.  We celebrated with ice cream and photos.

Happy 81st Oma!

RNK dies

Robert N. Kirk, age 88, died on January 5, 2010.

Not only was he a dear friend but he was also Helen's senior broker when she joined his real estate company in 1973.  He started Kirk Company in 1947 shortly after returning home from WWII.  After a career spanning 60 years, he retired in 2007.  Here is Helen with RNK in 2005 during his Distinguished Service Award Dinner.

I was given the profound honor of delivering his eulogy during the private family service earlier today.  An accomplished yet unassuming man; he will be missed.  

This week Helen also lost Mary Voigt, the dear mother of her childhood friends Bruce, Carol and Craig Voigt.

Being a grown-up is hard.

More snow!!!

According to the National Weather Service, December was the snowiest December on record for Topeka.  Guess what?  It is still snowing.

Might as well have some fun!

33 years ago

At 12:05 AM on January 1, 1977, Helen and I were married in my parents' living room.  The neighbors shot off fireworks.  They still do.

Happy 33rd Anniversary Helen.  I love you.

Christmas Holiday 2009

JRQ and SRC are engaged!

On Christmas Eve (or was it early Christmas morning?) Jake proposed to Samantha.  As you might guess from this photo ... she said yes.

In a manner befitting a gentleman, the Monday before Christmas Jake flew to Kansas (unbeknownst to Samantha) and met me for lunch (unbeknownst to Helen) where he asked for Samantha's hand in marriage.  After he properly responded to serious direct examination, I consented.  Jake then flew back to Colorado in time for dinner.  Wow!  How cool is that?!

Here is a summary of our Holiday: Christmas Caroling on Potwin Circle; JRQ and SRC arrive the 22nd; blizzard the 24th; Christmas Eve dinner and gift exchange with Oma; Christmas Eve engagement and celebration; more snow; Christmas morning with Granny and Granddad; snow and work schedules prevent the Springfield Crows from joining us here; quite Christmas dinner and gift exchange for 4 at home; six of us drive to Smithville for Christmas gift exchange with Nancy and Heidi at Heidi's house on the 26th; we all drive to Springfield that night; Christmas gift exchange with SACII, Cheryl, Andy, Donna, Melissa and Priest Bobby on the 27th; drive home to Topeka on the 28th; JRQ and SRC host a casual dinner party that night; JRQ and SRC pack the car and drive to Boulder on the 29th.  Whew.  Photos follow.

Potwin Christmas Carolers ... before the snow.

To Oma's house for Christmas Eve.

Salmon sandwiches and lentil soup.

Group photo at Oma's on Christmas Eve.

The snow begins.


The engagement party happens at home and Champagne is consumed.  Unfortunately, I fail to get a photo of the newly betrothed.

Aftermath of the party.

Off to the Gs' house for Christmas morning.

Ring shot.

Group shot.

More snow.

Gifts from Beth.

Christmas the 26th with Nancy and Heidi at Heidi's house in Smithville.

Christmas the 27th with Donna, Andy, Priest Bobby, SACII, Cheryl and Melissa at SACII's and Cheryl's house in Springfield.

SACII and Cheryl.

Melissa, Jake, Samantha, Andy and Donna.

Men with electric fly swatters.

The Springfield Group.

After driving home on the 28th, JRQ and SRC load the car on the 29th and drive to Boulder.

Merry Christmas to all.

Happy New Year too.

HRC's office Christmas Party

Tonight we attended HRC's office Christmas Party.  It was memorable because it was the first Holiday Office Party HRC has attended in .... many, many years.  Here are GIRLS IN SCARVES:

And here are GUYS IN TIES:

It was fun.

Law Firm Christmas Party

Last night we attended my law firm's Christmas Party.  The highlight for me was this fabulous Chocolate Bag Dessert.  Yummy chocolate bag with fruit inside and out.  Helen ate the fruit.

For the archives, here are some of the people I work with: 

Oh yes, we were there too.