Erin Races at Milan Dragway, 6-19-11

On Father's Day, 6/19/11, Ashley was in Chicago for a New Kids On The Block concert with Callie and Brittney and Dustin and Carol were in "The Hamptons" for an epic wedding. Ron and I hadn't seen Erin race her dragster yet, so we headed over to Milan Dragway where Mike had camped out overnight in Battle Star Galactica (his beloved motor home). Ron and I arrived early, followed by Erin and Chuck and then Kerri arrived.



It was great seeing what goes on "behind the scenes" at these races. Lots of dragster pampering, i.e. checking the air in the tires, topping off the gas tank, wiping it down so it's nice and shiny, etc. Then there's chatting amongst ourselves as well as chatting with other racers who stop by to check out the engine and a good luck hand shake for the driver. If you stay long enough, Mike will even grill up some lunch!

When it's time for the race, everyone except Erin piles in the golf cart and heads to the track. Erin sits in the dragster and steers while being towed behind the golf cart. At the track, the pitt crew (Mike, Kerri and Chuck) help prep the driver get strapped in and then guides her over to the start line.


It was pretty awesome seeing Erin in the driver's seat of that dragster and watching her speed down the track. The noise is an adrenalin rush in itself, but seeing your neice handle her dragster is heart pumping! It's pretty darn cool!!

Lauren and Firefly at Waterloo Hunt Club, 6-18-11

I headed over to Grass Lake to the Waterloo Hunt Club to watch Lauren show Firefly. It's been a long time since I've seen her ride and I have to say it was really nice to watch her again. I know nothing about showing horses. So canter, balance, cadence, collection or any other riding terms mean nothing to me. I would have given her 1st place just because she looked so spiffy all dressed up in her English riding gear and Firefly all braided up and looking fine!

They showed twice yesterday receiving 1st and 2nd place ribbons, and then received a 3rd place ribbon today. Nicely done! Next show is in Traverse City in two weeks. Good Luck Lauren and Firefly!

Dustin and Carol Make the Move! 5/1/11

We headed to Chicago right after arriving in Detroit from DC on April 30th to help Dustin and Carol combine all their belongings into one residence - 1164 N. Milwaukee, a large loft space on the top floor of a building with a rather odd little bookstore on the street level. The Occult Bookstore and all of its witchcraft and voodoo dolls aside, the apartment was a great find in Noble Square! Tons of space and terrific views of downtown Chicago!


Although we arrived on Saturday, the landlord wasn't ready for them to move in until 1:30 on Sunday, May 1st. So, we had a nice evening having Korean food and enjoying a restful night's sleep before the move began. We spent the first part of Sunday running errands and loading up the truck and car. The Ikea delivery guys arrived early and Ron and Dustin helped them haul numerous heavy large boxes up the eight flights of stairs. Once we were able to begin moving in, it was decided that Ron would put the furniture together; Carol, Dustin and Chris Carrow would haul boxes from the old apartments; and I would work on unpacking and putting things away.


I believe the aches and pains of the initial move are gone and the two have settled into living together. They have set up a very nice and comfortable space for themselves. I believe I heard them say that visitors are welcome at any time!

Denni's Melanoma Scare, March 2011

I am late in posting this very important event. It should have been posted as it happened, but sometimes the writer is busy with life, and doesn't have enough time to write (or it could be because the writer is menopausal and her mind isn't always engaged)! Reasons aside, let's talk about our CANCER-FREE DIVA - DENISE STORK!


Denni had quite a scare from a small mole she had her doctor check while in the office for a skin rash. A biopsy was done and three days later she was directed to M D Anderson Hospital with a diagnosis of Melanoma. Here's an excert from what Denni wrote describing what she went through before her surgery:


"I had 4 injections around the mole area and it felt like ACID being injected into my skin!! But Greg enjoyed the 4th of July "sparkler" show that was on the computer screen as the radiation traveled to 2 of my lymph nodes under the arm! They tested the arm pit, neck & groin area & those were the only 2 (possibly 3 that showed up as a "likely" area that the cancer could/would travel to. They will cut out a HUGE area of skin (for such a tiny mole)! They will inject 4 more radiation injections around the mole again, cut into my armpit & test each lymph node with a Geiger counter to double check which lymph nodes need to be removed at this time. They will also remove my second toe nail on right foot to remove the mole from there and send the lymph nodes & biopsy from toe nail off. If the tests come back & show that any cancer was in the lymph nodes; I'll have to go back and have them all removed."


Denni became cancer FREE April 8, 2011. The pathology reports came in negative. Nothing in the lymph nodes and the shoulder is clean. She wears her scar PROUDLY because she has her LIFE! The scar is only 4 inches long even though the doctor thought it would be 6-8 inches & very jagged. Denni was hoping for a very flashy lightning bolt look, but is pretty happy with the scar she ended up with. Congratulations to you Denise Stork! Don't scare us like that again!


(Guess who is the Sunblock Nazi now? And don't ever ever tell her you go to a tanning bed!)

Erin's Hot New Car! May, 2011

Jonathan's Big Fish, April 2011

Every year, Apartment Insurance Consultants, the insurance company Jonathan's family has become partners with in Texas, holds a fishing trip to Captiva Island in Florida and invites important contacts to join in for some networking and fun.


This year, Jonathan caught a 200lb tarpon. It took 4 hours and 5 guys to reel the big boy in! Jonathan struggled for 2 hours and when he couldn't feel his left arm anymore, he passed the pole on to the next brave fisherman. Although he had help, kudos go to Jonathan because he's the one holding the catch in the photo!! haha You are our Fisher Man of the Year! Nice work!

A&J's Big Move, March 10,11,12,13, 14!

After several days of hauling boxes, furniture, clothes and all those other household necessities, Ashley and Jonathan have finally settled into their new home in East Lansing! Mom and Dad helped Friday night, Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Mom went back on Monday and she and Ashley unpacked the remaining boxes, cleaned and even decorated a little. There's more organizing to be done, but it is now looking very inviting and compfy! The house is so adorable and daylight flows in the windows. Several neighbors have already introduced themselves, so I'm sure they will be very happy in this very charming and friendly neighborhood. They will be building a new 2-car garage this spring and putting new floors in the kitchen and bathroom areas as well as new countertops in the kitchen. They are so excited to have a their own home again! Congratulations you two!

Spring is coming and so is racing season!

Well, it seems racing season is about to begin again and Erin's car is just about done. Mike has been building her new dragster all winter and Erin has been anxiously awaiting her chance to drive it. At one point she had to go for a "butt" fitting for her seat. It is truly custom! Looks like a big engine, wonder what the stats are on it. Mike? How fast can this thing go? When's the first race?? Who chose the color and why? What's the difference between this one and her first dragster? Would love a good photo of the completed car along with Mike and Erin beside that awesome car. Any new details I receive will be published. Congratulations on your new dragster Erin and hope this race season rocks!

Ashley's New Position!!

Ashley applied for the Communications Coordinator position at Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) in Lansing and got the job! CONGRATULATIONS ASH!!! She now works to develop and implement strategies to focus on the goal of being a recognized and respected voice of Michigan's nonprofit sector. She manages the distribution of MNA's messages, manages the promotion and marketing of events as well as directly assisting in marketing and communication strategies both for MNA and affiliate organizations. Prior to her new position, she was Program Assistant for the Michigan NOW! and Recover Michigan programs. You go Ashley!!! We're very proud of you!

Check Ride Please! February 13, 2011

There are no photos for this entry, but it is certainly newsworthy! Congratulations to Ron for FINALLY getting his check ride done!! He tried and tried and tried to get it taken care of weeks ago, but the Michigan weather just wouldn't allow it. You know the old saying "Where there's a will, there's a way". The will was strong and Ron found the way. He flew out to Santa Fe, New Mexico this past weekend and finally got that check ride so he could fly the L39 all by himself! Ron said "I had to do a practice "rapid decent" from 26,000 feet to 16,500 feet simulating a pressurization failure...a very fast nose pointed to the ground maneuver! Then on the final landing, the check pilot hit a switch that kept the landing gear from coming down. At 205 mph and a minute from landing, it made me pucker, hit the switch again; figured it was time to go to the emergency gear extension switch which was the action he was looking for me to take. Whew!!" Well thank goodness! So, if you notice something blue streaking through the skies above, it just very well might be Ron Staley, L39 Pilot.

And by the way, Happy Birthday to Cary Stork who celebrated his birthday the same day Ron got his check ride!

Savannah Getaway, 2010/2011

After much contemplation on what to do with the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, I ended up setting up a little trip to Savannah, Georgia in hopes of having a nice relaxing, much needed getaway for Ron. The weather was perfect and the Ballastone Inn was very nice. The first night, we had a wonderful dinner at the Old Pink House and then an entertaining night out at the Savannah Theatre. 10:00am New Year's Eve morning, we had a private walking tour around Savannah, then went off on our own until 5:30 when we took another tour via carriage ride. After a quick stop for a couple of glasses of wine and a bouquet of roses for me, (neither of us ordered them, but seems we were getting the royal treatment!)we finished the tour and were dropped off at The Sapphire Grille for another delicious dinner. After our dinner we walked around River Street to enjoy the New Year's Eve festivities. It was only around 7:30pm and we both thought for just a moment, that we just might make it to midnight to see the fireworks. Right. We were in bed by 10:00 and passed out by 10:30. Yawn. (The night was foggy so no one saw the fireworks anyway!) Our third day, we took off in our rental and drove over to Bonaventure Cemetary and toured the grounds. What a beautiful cemetary!! We also stopped at the Laurel Grove Cemetary, but it just didn't compare to Bonaventure. Next, on to Tybee Island. Enjoyed a nice lunch, a little stroll and a quick stop to see the Tybee Lighthouse. We got back to the inn around 5:00pm and decided to relax in our room and read. We only left the room briefly for some hors d'ouvres and then back up to read until we both fell asleep. Yawn again. I do believe I succeeded in giving Ron the relaxed and enjoyable trip I set out to. Love you Honey!