Birthday Lunch Bunch

Yes, yes, yes, today is the birthday year PAST the age of 50 - dreaded as it may be, I am officially in my early 50's. As I reflected this morning, I can walk, talk, drive and feed myself so life is good. I had a wonderful birthday lunch with my favorite daughter Suzanne and two very good friends Rose and Tammy at Flat Bread in Bown Crossing. At work we enjoyed carrot cake breakfast made by Carol, and lots of e-mail greetings and cards from many friends. Talked with sisters Ann, Debbie and Darlene and will chat with Gloria tonight hopefully. I heard a Pampers commercial this morning where a baby was singing "Happy Birthday" and when I watched the screen, I thought of my own mother and how she must have felt on the day I was born in 1958. Hope it was a happy day for both her and my dad...and I wish she was around so I could ask her just a few questions about my birth. Ask your mom about your birthday if you have the opportunity...someday you will wish you had.

Snyder Park - Springfield Ohio

Snyder Park has a pond that freezes over each winter...this is where I learned to ice skate on cold winter nights, big crackling bon fires to keep us warm, and lots of 6th and 7th graders cutting figure 8's with their blades. I have great memories of this stone bridge and the fun times with my young friends.

Johnny Bench at the Montgomery Inn

The best catcher of all time, #5 Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds, I wanted to marry him when I was 10 years old.

Dinner at the Montgomery Inn - Montgomery OH

Every famous sports player, actor and even Presidents have dined at the Montgomery Inn. Famous for ribs and barbeque sauce...it's an experience and so so delicious. Couldn't resist going there for dinner even knowing I had to get up in a few hours to catch my plane out of Columbus back to Boise.

Geez, there are a lot of females in my family!

Debbie, Vicky, Teresa and Jeanette (back)
Ann, Darlene and Abby (front)

We traveled to Cincinnati from Springfield in a snow storm on Jan 18 to see the Bowman's. (Jeanette is my niece, daughter of sister Debbie, mother of Abby and Tanner, wife of Bob). Hadn't seen the kids in almost 3 years so it was a special day for all of us. Abby had a STARRING role in the "High School Musical" - bravo to a star!

The Cincinnati Kids

Wasn't there a Paul Newman movie, "The Cincinnati Kid" ? Well, Abby and Tanner are MY favorite Cincinnati kids! This was taken just before Abby's starring role in 'The High School Musical' at the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. She played Kelsey, the piano player and brains of the school. So fitting - Abby is brilliant and moved us all with her outstanding performance! Tanner was at the performance too, running around with the other cast members brothers and did I mention he managed to leave the van door open during the entire performance with our shopping finds from IKEA? So many things to do and so little time to shut the car door! (wink, wink)

Frisch's Big Boy in Springfield OH

Frisch's is the place where my dad would take me in the 60's to get a plate of chili and spaghetti. I thought Chili and Spaghetti went together like peanut butter and jelly until I moved away from Springfield and found out this combo was unique in Ohio. Frisch's also had the first car hops and speakers used to place your order. Ahh, the fun of the 60's!

John Legend - love his music!

John Legend performing at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania on December 5, 2008. Went to Springfield North High School, in Springfield Ohio Background information
Birth name John Stephens
Born December 28, 1978 (1978-12-28) (age 30)
Origin Springfield, Ohio, United States
Instrument(s) Vocals, piano, keyboards

John Legend, and I, both claim Springfield, Ohio as our hometowns. My sister knows his dad....I got part of the story she was telling me but everyone is connected to each other in Springfield, just like they are in Mountain Home, and every other town in the USA.

Jonathan Winters, the comedian, is also from Springfield. His mother and my dad knew each other way back when...early 1930's I think.

Visiting Gloria

The reason I went to Ohio in January was to see my oldest sister Gloria. Gloria has always been there for me, forever, since the day I was born (she was 16). Wiped my nose, changed my diapers, taught me how to cook, and took care of me when I needed taken care of.

Gloria has had a few set backs with her health and I pray she regains her strength and feels better every day. I love you sis.

Me and My Sisters Having Fun

Ann, Darlene and I visited Debbie at her job at the Local Machinists Club on Jan 16 in Springfield. It is housed in a historic fire station built in the mid 1800's.