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!)