February 2009

This month has gone by quickly, but in normal fashion we haven’t slowed down a bit and had some good/bad events from this month. To cover the basics, Deb is still studying in anticipation for her March 12th exam and keeping busy with work and heading to the gym. I have had a tough month at work as we have gone through a round of lay-offs (due to the economy) and a good friend of mine at work was let go. Work was just more fun when you had a buddy to talk a little football with and complain about small things. I hope that is the end of the lay-offs, but everyone received a 5% pay-cut and there is word about another round of lay-offs in March.

Early in the month, Dad, Beth, Laura and I were off to LA to see visit Hollywood and see The Price is Right! We arrived on Sunday afternoon and after Dad went to bed, we went to a comedy club for some stand-up comedy. Monday, we went to a wax museum and then to The Tonight Show and we got a picture with Jay Leno! We got a chance to shake his hand and talk with him for a few moments before the show. On Tuesday, we hung out outside around the pool and played some euchre. After a few beers, I jumped in the pool…it was really cold and I think I had some “liquid courage.” We arrived at The Price is Right and had great seats in the 3rd row. Man, I haven’t cheered that much since the Colts Superbowl run! We yelled and screamed to our hearts desire and then went out to a nice sushi dinner. We flew home on Wednesday and got home around midnight after a little trouble with our flight from Detroit. It was a great trip and one we will always remember.
During that same week, we left for Davis to go skiing for President’s Day weekend (3rd straight year). We brought along Tom, Tracy, Brandon and Diane again this year and even though we didn’t have very much snow, we made for up for it with skiing, partying and eating! We were still able to ski the entire weekend, just a little icy on the slopes. We played Banana-Grams (and by “we” I mean Tom beat everyone), Jenga (with a different set of rules), and had to play a customary round of Catchphrase.

With so many inside jokes, it is hard to write much, so here are a few pictures to help out!

Deb playing Jenga and having to wear the hat of Guiness!

The guys breaking out into a version of "Build me up Buttercup."

Girls having fun drinking wine and playing games.

The Group at the top of the mountain before another run!

During the last weekend of the month, Jeremy came to visit for Bleill’s bachelor party. It was a good time and fun to play the Wii, have a few nights at the bars, and basically blow off a little steam with everything going on for the both of us. The bachelor party was at Bleill’s house and around midnight, Jeremy, Foulke and I got a ride to Broad Ripple and hung out for a few more beers before heading home to eat Totinos and corn-dogs!

Also this spring, I am training again for the Mini here in Indy (May 2nd). I’ve been doing well with training and looking forward to possibly hitting my goal of under 2 hours, but without Beth as my running partner (and stopwatch!) that may be difficult. It wouldn’t be right to not mention the CLIG (Can’t Let it Go League – a.k.a. Chatard Alumni League) sometime this winter. We are currently 4-3 and have had a good time this year. Pete has started playing this year as relatives are allowed to play in the league. We have 2 more games and then the playoffs!

Dad’s new chemo has been working better than expected and there is hope of a bone marrow transplant coming in possibly May or June. Keep him in your prayers as we approach this time, it will be a difficult time for him but key in his efforts to fight this disease.