The first weekend of December had Deb off to Orlando for a physical therapy conference. She told me she attended some of the classes but I think found some time for the pool at her hotel! On that same weekend, Beth celebrated her birthday in Indy with about 20 people. We were out and about going out to dinner at Benihana’s and then out to have some drinks at Brother’s in Broad Ripple.
Once again this year, Deb and I sponsored a family through the United Christmas Service. We adopted a mother with 2 children who had just been robbed. We got the kids some comforters, WWF and Hanna Montana toys, and some clothes. I delivered the gifts this year because Deb had another conference (this time in Indy) the 2nd weekend in December. We were truly blessed this year to have such a deserving family this year. It really helped Deb and I remember what Christmas is about and it reminds us how thankful we should be!
Anna and Randy came to visit the weekend before Christmas. We went to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse on Friday night. On Saturday morning we had Tom, Tracy, Brandon and Diane over for breakfast to discuss the ski trip coming up in Feb 2009! Later that afternoon, the ladies went out shopping and the guys walked down to Chumley’s to have a few “frosty mugs” (as Randy would say) and shoot some pool. Few memorable moments was Randy ordering a beer based only on the name (Arrogant Bastard) and a good battle at playing pool. We opened some of our gifts later that evening and enjoyed a wonderful lasagna dinner.
Deb and I were both fortunate enough to not have to work the week of Christmas. On Monday, I hung out with Claire during the day and then went to see Purdue vs. IPFW game with Pete. We enjoyed a few beers at Harry’s and watched the game. It is always nice when you run into Uncle Tom and he takes you down from your nose-bleed seats to sit courtside, but that is only possible during Christmas Break at Purdue! The following evening, all 7 of us went to Conseco Fieldhouse to watch the Pacers play the Nets. It was great to get everyone together to watch the Pacers, but it was tough to lose on last second shot!
Christmas Eve was fun with everyone heading to the evening mass and then a few hands of euchre along with some home videos (still wondering if Deb will come to her senses and leave me!). We were joined on Christmas day by Emma Jean, Mark, and the Wahmans at my parent’s house. As part of a tradition, everyone has to shoot free throws and we as a group must hit 50% before we can eat dinner! In the past we have gotten this on our first try and sometimes we have taken a bit longer. The big story this year was that Deb, for the first time, didn’t make one! We will be having a shooting camp before next Thanksgiving! We rang in the New Year with friends at a house party on the northeast side of Indy. It was nice to be with some good friends (Bleill, Ferrands, Bassetts, Posts, Steffeys, just to mention a few).My dad has been doing OK around the house since his hospital stays in November. He has received blood twice in December and his chemo has been reduced to an oral pill that is taken daily. Other than that, he just goes once a week to the hospital to get his blood checked. We are hoping this new chemo medication will help and he can get some positive results over the next few months.
