#33 in San Francisco

So, Dan reminded me that we have celebrated 33 years of marriage! He took us to the restaurant (Scoma's) where we had our first date...I think I was 16 at the time...SO long ago! Great food, great atmosphere, great company! Seano ran into Damen Huard, the "back up quarterback" from the KC Chiefs...Attached are photos of Fisherman's Wharf and G square (where they lit their Christmas Tree). Last stop of the night, of course, the cigar store. Sat outside on Mimi's porch with Seano, Dad, and Deedy as they passed the cigar to finish a lovely day. I am so grateful for my family and friends...:-)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Morning post...photos of our a.m. walk to visit Poppy up in the cemetary behind the old seminary. Dad and Deedy have the turkey basting in the oven, Seano and I need to start on the mashed potatoes. (Thank you, Shay for teaching me! Before I arrived in KC, I had NEVER done a thanksgiving dinner on my own, being the baby of this tribe... finally @ age 55, a little less intimidated by it all now :-)

Tom is bringing appetizers, cranberries and Margi will save the day with PIES :-) Will post a sweet video for you with the whole gang later today or tonight. Mimi just woke up...More shots with MIMI later. We are making Kevin do the gravy, since none of us know how to do that!

We did good. A family of strong willed leaders, and we all did our part.

Dinner was on time, and great. HOORAY for TEAMWORK!

Tomorrow we are heading up to the city to celebrate #32. Such a great time of year...and we are so very thankful for our family, friends, HEALTH and the love we share. Miss you Patrick and Nell more than you know. Much love, MOM/Robin

I couldn't have planned a BUSIER week before Thanksgiving. Our CASA board met last night and graciously approved our growing budget and the Slater Chief of Police as a fellow board member. Great guy, great addition to our service for children. We are graduating CASA volunteers today. Lunch first then the swearing in ceremony. Press present for the whole shabang. The Marshall Democrat and Lexington News have truly been friends to our program. A full afternoon of court, and THEN I NEED to pack for San Fran.

We are giving JW and Kim a ride to the airport, in that they are "giving thanks" in Dallas with her family. Peter is going to move in here for a month of two. He will stay in Mimi's room, as Seano will be in Patrick's room over Christmas. More details as to that adventure as they develop.

Really looking forward to seeing MIMI and Deedy et al. Seano will join us from Chicago, as will Sharon from LA. Margi is making pies, Tom is creating a cranberry surprise. Go figure, I am the MASHED POTATO lady :-) Will think of you while creating this heart attack in a dish (with love of course, cuz I know you love them!) Friday is our 32nd wedding anniversary so we are dining in San Francisco. Seano wants to go to 22nd and Irvin for Chinese walnut shrimp... KC Steak bbq on Saturday around Poppy's fireplace.

You will be missed. I will post photos... How is your progress with skype? My laptop has skype and a headphone. To find my address, after dowloading skype, search under casarobin@yahoo.com. I do realize having an internet connection long enough to download is the issue. Miss you so very much, especially as we near the holidays. How was the trip to Berlin? Much love...MOM/Robin

Do you remember visiting FAO Schwartz in NY?

Dad woke up with an allergic RED eye, so his video to you has been post poned.Some photos to remind you of home. Nell, the stockings were made by Aunt Margi (who did the reading @ your wedding...). I don't know how to crochet, thus YOUR stocking is the snow man.

Missing you lots. Love, MOM/Robin

Who has been sipping in our basement?

When bounding down the stairs to continue the Halloween to Christmas decor transition,
I ran into some visitors celebrating Happy Hour in our basement bar :-) Know our hearts and home are open to family and friends always....

Photos of Presidential Children

Presidential Children - Yahoo! News Photoshttp://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Presidential-Children-White-House-Archibald-Roosevelt-White-House-Quentin-President-Theodore-Roosevelt/ss/events/pl/111108presidentskids/im:/ydownload_ap/20081107/photos_net_ap_yn/1226101606/

Equally romantic is this beautiful photo of Patrick and Nell celebrating their wedding in Rhode Island this past summer.

Twilight...Book 1 of Stephanie Meyers series is unbelievably romantic!

Dad and I hope to catch this movie tonight.

Barb and I knew a guy in high school who could have been "Edward Cullen". I guess all these middle aged (or post menapausal women!) have memories they are associating with this series of books. I have read Twilight and New Moon. A lady in the Lexington Chamber heard I finished book 2 and brought me Eclipse. Hope to transition Halloween decor to Christmas, before cuddling up near a fire and getting lost in this book.

Obama picks Clinton as secretary of state

If you have not already done so, Doris Kearns Goodwin has written a great book on the politics and life of Abe Lincoln. It seems president elect Obama has read this book, too. Smart leader. I keep him and the safety of his family in my prayers.

Attached, a very funny poster of Obama. I still stick to my guns; I voted for the most competent person, who will HELP the most amount of people.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081121/ts_nm/us_usa_obama_clinton_5

My brother, John's rose

When my brother, John died Nov. 18th, several years ago, I came home to find a lovely rose blooming on my back porch. Attached, the original... Today I noticed this small, sweet red rose blowing in our cold, November wind.

Need I tell you, I was trying to shoot a still, but accidentally took this poor quality video....Next photo I will wear glasses :-)

Heres to YOU, John. Hope you are dancing in heaven!

Telluride on the cover of Eddie Bauer

Dad and I were at the annual Tiny Tim fundraiser, to help children with disabilities.
He looked great, all cleaned up in his black and white tux. With GREAT excitement, he started telling our table "The Eddie Bauer catalog came out today"...I quietly put my fork down, looked up to listen....All the while thinking, "Where is this going?" Well, apparently the famous view of downtown Telluride is on their cover!

I have attached it for you for old times sake. Wasn't it fun when we went snowmobiling on Christmas Night through the woods? Will never forget the full moon casting its shadows on the trees, snow glistening where no humans walk...Etched in my "beauty shots" memories. Also, walking into our place with the Turkey cooked and waiting (due to high tech ovens) was my kind of cooking :-) Will miss having you home for Christmas but will look forward to the next week.

Hope you are enjoying your site seeing with the Condons. Please give Anne and Creighton hugs from us... Love MOM

Hold onto dear ones in your life...

Sharing a sweet note from someone who was like a "big brother" to me as a child. Miki was my best friend...who died in her 20's. Neal (Now, Judge Cabrina of Santa Clara) married Miki's older sister, Terry. When my eye suddenly detached, somehow Neal heard about it in CA, tracked me down and was incredibly supportive... His experience with eye trauma was not as positive as mine...So nice to cherish friendships that last over decades. When you are blessed with good friends, don't let go of them...and COMMUNICATE :-)

Attached, one of my favorite photos from Patrick and Nell's wedding...Nell with my "sisters" of a life time, Barb (High School), Joannie (KCMO) and Sharon (Law School). I regret not having my other sister, Deedy at the wedding. Hats off to St. Deedy who has given so much of her life to being the best daughter ever to Mimi! Such an example of unconditional love...

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Robin -- Thank you for your message. And a belated Happy 55th Birthday to you. Yes, we are very happy with the election results, and lucky you to be there at Grant Park. Do you have plans to attend the inauguration? I hope so. I thought of you last Friday. We celebrated Adoption Day here with 19 judges handling 61 adoption cases. I had three foster parent adoptions, the first time I had done these. Many smiling faces, but one unforgettable little three year old whose parents had him dressed in a three piece pin striped suit. He looked like a little lawyer, the best dressed person in the room. When the clerk administered the oath to his parents, he raised his hand too. Unfortunately, Terry and I are leaving for Seattle on Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving with Jill and her family. I am sorry we are going to miss you. I hope your eyes are o.k. My bad one stabilized, and I think my brain finally decided what to do with it. Thank you for mentioning Miki. Among favorite memories Terry and I have from high school and college years was watching you and Miki grow up, being silly, doing everything together, such good friends. Terry and I drove by the house on Ben Roe the other day. It looks the same; we were glad. Again, happy birthday. Continue to celebrate. And best wishes to you, Dan, and your family for a terrific Thanksgiving, and hello to Frank, my old debate partner, for me. If you could, please give him this piece I wrote for a memorial service we had for Brother Eamon last February. -- Love to you, Neal

SKYPE TO GO

Hey Patrick ~ Followed your advice and bought a headset. Downloaded skype at home and on laptop. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I can be ready for a call almost any day but Tuesdays (in court and away from computer).

Hope you are enjoying Creighton and Anne's visit. We look forward to seeing you all at the end of December.

Much love...MOM

Obama Chat

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=10686564

Contact Nell and Patrick in Prague

http://www.nellandpatabroad.blogspot.com/

Contact Seano Connelly

http://www.kisergroup.com/our_professionals.htm

Colin Powell & Rudy Guilianni Today

Received a bunch of free ($250) tickets to a Motivational Seminar with Colin Powell, Rudy G of New York, Zig Zieglar and Tony Gonzales for today. What a fun outing for a bunch of CASA staff and friends....Will report later. So happy for you Nell. I was in my mid 30's before I could tune out my "nerves" like an athlete does...Preparation is half the battle. You and Patrick will be great teachers...Enjoy the journey.

Bridgett's Halloween Costume Rehearsal Dinner

Witchy Robin


Cutie Pie Ryan McLaughlin and Scholar Athlete Dan

Cutie Pie Ryan M. and Scholar

Athlete Dan.

Hey Patrick, Nell, Seano and Dan. I have made a couple of skype calls. Patrick, if you download the skype software to your computer, we can talk via our computers!!!! Isn't that too cool?

Here is the site.

http://skype-software.com/new/home/?affebnid=80&gid=&ovid=&yid=&msid=&hop=howgood&OVRAW=skype.com&OVKEY=skype.com&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=5979263522&OVKWID=122278439522

Who would have thought your OLD microphone from college would be a handy tool enabling us to CHAT over the net. Can't wait to connect with you.

Tuesday is a holiday...Might be a great time to test drive this effort.

Love you....MOM

Make a Smilebox scrap pages

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Video Cam Monitor for my 55th Birthday

Hey Patrick and Nell! We miss communicating with you guys. I am working on getting skype up and running and will let you know when I have figured it out. "We all know THAT might take some time :-) Until then, I thought we could use this as a family means to communicate. Let me know what you think.

Much love,

MOM