Thanks to Esther...

Thanks to friend and neighbor Esther for sharing the following website. The Ahern family really needs your prayers and support. Little 'Owen' is so darling and such an important part of his family. Thanks folks. www.caringbridge.org/visit/owenahern

jazz festival

This weekend Paul and musician friends played with David Newman, the sax player for Ray Charles' band, for the Jazz Festival at Marian. It was a great concert, and well attended. A few pics...

first snowfall this year

Our 'dusting' turned into 3.5 inches:) Very pretty.

Congrats to Elle:)

Pleasant news today...kudos go out to Elle for being the newest, and youngest member of the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band. She was asked to join yesterday by Prof. Wifler, who has headed the organization for some 30+ years. He was also Paul's music prof freshman year in college. We're so happy for her:) It will mean a lot of hard work. Rehearsals begin in January. A shout out here to friend Debby...we'll have to 'hang out' together for the concerts in the park next summer! Also, a 'hey' to friend Stan who goes a long way back himself with Dr. Wifler.

Henry on the Henry mousepad:)

Had a little help today while checking my e-mails and daily computer stuff. Henry's so funny. When he sees the mouse pad he says "it's a birdy." I drove by the church tonight and it looked like a nice turnout for the blood drive. So glad of that, because we have such a need. I had a very pleasant day at work, and after I picked up Aliyah I did a little shopping. Tomorrow is the first of many holiday concerts at the high school. Elle will sing a few songs, then jog down the hall for jazz band practice, and then back to the concert for the combined chorus numbers. Busy evening.

Help if you can!

Holy Family Blood Drive • 11/19/2008
The Holy Family Blood Drive is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19 Noon to 6pm. Those who donate can savor a hot bowl of Jane's home-made chicken soup and a sandwich. Anyone who donated blood prior to September 24 is eligible to donate at our drive. Blood is very much in need and is used locally. To reserve a time please call Tom or Jane at 922-2034, or just drop in at the Holy Family Hall to donate.

Happy Birthday to Aliyah

Birthday wishes go out to Aliyah as we celebrate her 9th. birthday. We'll have a cake after dance class tonight...it's strawberry with whipped cream frosting:) We had a huge snow squall today, and actually had white out conditions for about 1/2 hour. Even enough to shovel! Fun. I'm also totally enjoying my XM radio channels...I seem to have a new favorite every week. Last week I listened a lot to French radio, and this week I'm into the Doctor Channel. I love to listen to lectures and informational chats on the way to work. Yesterday one of the topics was autism, and tonight a Doc from Princeton was talking about the appendix and the reasons it might be actually necessary to 'good' bacterial health. It was really interesting. When I pick up Elle tonight, we switch to smooth jazz. Another favorite is the opera channel. On long trips to visit Mom, I enjoy audio books. So many wonderful choices...what a great world we live in:)

growing bigger and sassier:)

Little Leo.

wonderful church day

Today at Holy Family, we had over 1000 in the church (per the ushers) at the 10:15 service. This is really great. It's just an 'ordinary' Sunday in the church year, with Advent starting in 2 weeks, so it was wonderful to see so many people. Communion alone took 20 minutes, but this was a good thing, allowing us time to listen to the contemporary choir. The sun peeked out here and there, and I was sitting just where it hit. Our section was 'illuminated' 5 minutes at a time, several times during the service. Afterward, we bought pizzas from Nick and Willy's, (the owner is a church member) and later entertained my mildly autistic client for the afternoon. She is so neat...really enjoyed Eva's kitten, and had a long chat with Elle over junior high situations. Funny. Her parents are just great too...just ordinary folks. We always talk (and talk) when they come over.

Stan's new tenant

Couldn't resist sharing this photo with our cyber friends...the multi-colored beauty is Stan's little calico. Cute. I believe her name is yet to be determined, with the family giving some wonderful suggestions. Elle is off tonight to the cast party and bonfire, and Paul's dance band is playing in a hall in Port Washington for a dance club. I plan to take Steven for a long walk before the snow flies. A quiet, easy night for a change.

Marian fundraiser

Paul and Eva played for a fundraiser at Marian today, which went very well. After school, I picked up Aliyah and Elle, and we headed home for some R and R before Elle's dance class tonight. Rick's brother Nick visited and played with Leo the kitty. Liyah and I plan to relax a little tonight. Paul has cleaned the hot tub, but did not refill it yet, so we'll have to do without:( Included today are some photos from the last performance of Elle's marching band. They did very well this year in competition, and she's really learned a lot from the upperclassmen.

pit people

Kudos to the pit orchestra. Elise, Eva and Paul have served in this capacity for many years, and for many shows...it's hard work. They have a genuine love for music and the theater. The pit crew was great for Modern Millie. Even Paul commented how they sounded much 'older' than high schoolers. Neat. I totally agree.

thanks to Chris

Thanks to Chris for the photos from Thoroughly Modern Millie. Here are a few.

success

Just waiting for some photos (another Mom took them) from the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie which wraps up today. It went really well. Elle was exhausted from the dancing and singing, but she LOVES doing musicals. Jazz band is finishing up also, so Elle will have a lot of free time on her hands in the evenings. Nice. Want to welcome Grandma and friend Patsy who enjoyed the musical, but worried when the secretaries started dancing on the tables:) More to come...

Astrid

Here's a photo of Astrid, another one on Stan's cats. She has the most beautiful coat...almost mink-like. Elise adopted her 4 years ago, but she lives here with us:)

kitty is growing

Have to take the opportunity to share another picture of Leo. He has grown to 21 ounces at (6 weeks) from an incredibly small 7 ounces 3 weeks ago. My goodness how fast kittens grow:)

more birthday wishes

Happy birthday to friend Debby! She was my first real acquaintance in Fond du Lac when I moved here, 25 years ago. She's very much my mentor, having helped me to get my first job after college, after a successful field placement under her guidance. She is a dedicated worker and spokesman for those with disabilities. Stanley will agree with me here...she's also a fine musician, and a long-time member of her church choir. Best wishes, Debby.