A Christmas Story

Here is our very first Ironton Christmas tree:

Here is the Christmas Story

Once there was a young pair of newlyweds. They were living a migrant workers' life in Tennessee. It was their first Christmas together, and needless to say, like many newlyweds, they did not have a lot of money for the holiday. So, the smart, resourceful young wife went to the bargain store, and bought Styrofoam balls, wire, glue, and glitter to make homemade ornaments for their first Christmas together.  

I bet it looked a lot like this: 

The young couple is actually my mom and dad. The story is true. My dad played minor league baseball for a number of years; there are many stories about them "just getting by" that my mom has shared with me. Like, they moved 6 times in 4 years all by themselves; or, once, they tried to return to a previously rented place a year later, only to find it condemned. There are many, many stories (most of them are true) about cockroaches and my sister Kelly (she was an infant through all this). I think this is where Kelly developed her irrational fear of insects. There are a lot of stories about being lonely and far from home. There are lots of happy stories, too. Most of them involve draft beer. 

I wish I still had one of the ornaments that my mom made the first Christmas my parents were together. The story reminds me of all the hard work you have to put in to end up--hopefully--safe and secure in your middle ages with happy, healthy children and a secure life to enjoy. It reminds me how their hard work has let me live the fortunate life I have had thus far.

Anyway, thanks mom and dad. :) 

And, truthfully, it wasn't all sad-sack. He's on a baseball card for crying out loud. How cool is that? 

Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving, the Schafer side did something a little different: We got together at a golf course for a catered Thanksgiving brunch! While it was a big reach from what we usually do (go to an auntie's house, eat, clean up, nap/play cards/watch TV) it was great because:                    the WHOLE FAMILY WAS THERE! WOW!

That makes: One Nana Schafer, 4 Schafer men, 3 Schafer wives, 10 Schafer cousins (my sisters and myself included), 10 spouses/significant others and a WHOPPING 11 Schafer great-grandchildren. 

Whew! Here are some highlights:

This is my Nana and my Aunt Kathy! 

This is Lebibel, my cousin Ben's wife. She is holding the soon-to-be newest Schafer Great-grandbaby boy. Love her!

This is my pal Holly and her munchkins, Beau, Clayton, and Andy. 

This is my cousin Tracy and her niece, Olivia.

THIS is the newest Schafer, er Stitsinger, actually! Sweet baby Quinn, the first baby for my cousin Molly and her hubby Ryan. She is sooooo precious. No more silent nights for this couple! Love the argyle, too!

Here is Baby Quinn and her cousin, Regan. Regan looks just like her mommy, Amy, in this picture, don't you think?

For reference, Amy is on the left in this picture with my Dad and Cousin Molly.

Hotties! My aunt, Sandy, and my mom.

I think Olivia is smacking her Grandpa Frank (my uncle) for being so mouthy.

Here is one last picture of the great-grandkids before they all went down for a nap (right):

That's a lot to be thankful for, don't you think?

I Can't Believe I Made This

I am lucky to work with an amazing, intelligent, creative, funny, and beautiful lady, Dr. Megann Smiley. On a regular basis, she is the "smartest guy in the room" as I like to say. 

Dr. Smiley inspired me to make THIS today:

I think I'm going to give it away, with stamps, for one of my family gift exchanges. I did the whole project, and goodies inside it, today on my afternoon off. Its the best I've felt in weeks--thanks, Megann. Unfortunately, my project was frequently interrupted by nursing Peanut back to health. Vomiting + diarrhea + longhair dog = sick, dirty puppy!  Good thing I have understanding roomates! Hope she can perk up and make it to Michigan! 

Tomorrow I'm off to my mom and dad's in Ft. Loramie for Thanksgiving. I can't wait! I could have left for home tonight after work, but I didn't have time this afternoon to pack because I was too busy Stampin' Up.

Sweet Home Chicago

Some weekends are better than others. This weekend, Jeremy and I spent a long weekend in lovely Chicago. We did a bazillion cool things and were sad to have to come home. Friday we arrived early, took the train into town, and experienced our first of many "stupid tourist" moments. After a brief  5 minutes at the wrong Four Seasons (though the doorman was very nice as he helped us back to our bags a second time) we arrived at our actual hotel, the Ritz-Carlton, A Four Seasons Hotel, at Water Tower Place.  I was aware there were two Four Seasons hotels, and I TOLD the cab driver to go to the one at Water Tower Place, but he must have missed that. And we, being tourists, did not even know we were not at Water Tower Place when we exited the cab. At the reception desk they informed us we had no reservation, and probably needed the "other" Four Seasons. I'm still confused. I felt so stupid. Not only do I hate feeling like a tourist, the hotel was so fancy that I was uneasy in the first place! They told me that this happens "all the time." I'm sure. But, anyway, after all the confusion, we settled in to our AMAZING room and our AMAZING hotel. Yes, this picture is the view from our room. WOW! Thanks for the tip on the ADA discount, Meredith! That's right, all my dentist friends, you get a FANTASTIC discount as an ADA member at this hotel. 

After enjoying the view, we skipped off to Giordano's for some Chicago-style pizza. We were starved, but the lady would not let us order two pizzas, despite our hunger. She was right! The pizza was so good, but we still had a piece left over! Maybe it was the pitcher of beer that caused the trouble...NOTE: Jeremy did not endorse the posting of this picture. Whiney voice: "I look funny." 

After our late lunch, we skipped off to the Shedd Aquarium. I really wanted to go here--partly because I love animal exhibits of all kinds, but also because my mother and sister Kelly went there many years ago. When they went, they brought back a souvenir book about the  

aquarium and I just loved it--even the picture of the scary moray eel. I looked through that book until it started to fall apart at the spine.Jeremy and I had a great time. There weren't many crowds (read: screaming kids on field trips) because it was late in the day. Cool fish, huh? Too bad I can't remember his name, er, taxonomy. Jeremy like the shark tank the best. I liked the sea horses and tree frogs. 

After the aquarium, I officially boarded my first train to blogger Crazytown, and took a picture of this lovely Peppermint Hot Chocolate from the Ghirardelli store on Michigan Avenue. Jeremy was thrilled. Another "stupid tourist" moment. The cocoa was OUTSTANDING! They also handed out free peppermint bark. Delish! 

On Saturday, we had to watch the OSU-Michigan. Non-negotiable per Jeremy, but I wanted to watch, too. We found this cute pub and watched the Buckeyes win! They had Fat Tire on draft! And a Bloody Mary bar! Heaven!

We did a lil' more shopping and then met my friend from residency, Meredith, and her husband, David, for more fun city hijinx! We ate at the most AMAZING restaurant, Japonais, and did a lot of catching up. I miss Meredith sooo much! She is quite the big city girl, and their apartment is to die for. Do you see that huge window in their living room? Yeah, okay, huge skyline view. STUNNING. Plus, you can see Vince Vaughn's house right around the corner! 

Posing for a Christmas photo!

Self portrait a few hours--and drinks--later!

Hotties!

On Sunday we had buffet brunch on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building with Meredith and David. Oh. My. Goodness. I don't know what was better--the view or the crab claws. 

 Seriously, I don't think I'm going to ever eat again. Except for my Happy Dragon chinese right in front of me. :)

Practice What You Preach

Jeremy and I have done a LOT of home improvements in the last 6 months. Remember the cabinet remodel? WE DO.  Anyway, Jeremy's mom blessed us with an early wedding gift--new carpet! Since then we did blinds, wall art, lamps, and landscaping. Here are some pictures for your viewing enjoyment! 

I also got some new Uppercase Living decals that we put up last night!

 

And, my awesome sister Kelly gave us her old baker's rack for a STEAL!

Poor Rachel Ray is lonely by herself on the top shelf...guess I will have to start moving more stuff from Columbus to Ironton just to fill out our new shelving!

PS: Rindler girls--can you find Peanut hiding in these pictures?

Lastly, some good advice as Jeremy and I walk out the door. You don't know how hard I had to convince him to put this inspiration up instead of his choice, "Play Like a Champion Today" of Notre Dame locker room fame...ahh boys.

    

So Excited!

  This weekend I am spending some QT with my two bff's from Ft. Loramie, Holly and Kaye. I made these fun favors for them. Yes, that's Asti! (Its a special occasion, right?) Its been a loooong time since I did any serious Stampin'! Gosh I miss club! My gal pals and I and planning on a great weekend in Columbus...lots of dress trying-on! Unfortunately,  I am still on my quest to find the "right"wedding  dress....running out of time. Anyway, I have been friends with Kaye and Holly since, like, forever. Conveniently, Holly is married to my cousin and Kaye actually used to live down the street from me. I used to walk to Kaye's house and we would play a game called "Food." "Food" was Iron Chef way before Iron Chef was cool. Holly and I were on the same cheerleading squad all they way through our years at Ft. Loramie. Cheering at Ft. Loramie gives me some of my favorite memories, ever--much more than ANY of the competitive sports I played (and I did lots of that stuff too.)  

On the agenda: Dress-up fun at Wendy's Bridal and David's Bridal...dinner at Marcella's with our other pal, Amy (more on Amy later...). Pillow fights and ghost stories at the Drury Inn! :) 

Can't wait!

Homemade cinnamon rolls...

...are totally worth the effort.