Oct 1, 2012

Carol had 2 Dr appointments in KC, so I decided to look at rental near KUMed.  Lawn was HIGH and weeds were higher.  The dogwood almost looks like it is ready to bloom, but it might be dead.  We will wait til spring before we take any action on it.

After breaking into the garage to get to the lawn mower, the tall grass got much shorter.  I still need to weed the flower garden to the upper right and will try to get that done this Friday when we return to KC for a 50th reunion party for Carol.

The side garden by the driveway was REALLy overgrown.  All the white "flowers" are WEEDS!!  The peony at lower right has a black walnut tree growing in the upper middle.

After some grunting, pulling and a few choice words, the side garden is better, but not great.  The garage door in the back would not open, so I had to break out a fibreglass "window" on the side and have a "skinny" renter crawl thru and release the latch.  Still don't know why it won't work but will leave that til Friday.  Went to nearest hardware store and paid $22 for a 1/16x12 x25 piece of plexiglass!!!  Ace ain't the place for me no more!!!  Will go to Strasser.

Bob, Ron, Gail, Carol, Marlene

The fun part of the day was meeting Bob, Gail and Marlene for early dinner at Oklahoma Joe's BBQ.  The best BBQ in KC and it is located in a gas station!!  Bob and Gail were in town for Park College Reunion.  They stay with Marlene who lives in Mission, KS.  We always enjoy a visit with them and have enjoyed their hospitality in Orange, TX.

Happy Birthday, Pat on Oct 1.  We won't mention the year!!

The Schroeders visit

It was a rollicking visit with gray skies and drizzle!!  Most of the action was moving lips while talking, carbon transfer activities with crossword puzzles, peering eyeballs while reading and of course the bouncing of adam's apples while eating and drinking!!

Yep, we "birthday challenged persons" really know how to liven up a room!!

Thanks to Jay, we did get a pontoon ride to Millionaire's cove and back with only one large wave to cross when a sea going vessel crossed in front of us.

The ribs from Oklahoma Joes were delicious, the muffins nutritious and the chocolate dessert cake yumdillyicious.  Thanks Bob and Pat for also bringing the 0.35 inches of slow rain -- it came so slow that none was runoff!!

More Wedding Prep

Ritchie is in the large trailer that Eric B had borrowed from tall Eric B.  It had been loaded with stuff.  We are removing the gazebo and lawn furniture prior to assembly.

A vineyard to the north of the area was using an air cannon to scare birds from the grapes.  About every 3 minutes we were "treated" to a LOUD boom!  They did stop this by afternoon and evening.

Eric is staging the gazebo supports.  The rooms for the winery/event setting/inn overlook some vineyards to the left of this screen.  It was interesting to look at the vines, as the grapes on the upper vines (that had been harvested leaving the stems???) were purple, but at the base of the vine were some white grapes that had not been harvested.

The event building and the beginning of the "smoking" gazebo.  Eric in black, Ritchie in green.

Sorry about the color change, I forgot to correct before condensing photo.  Gazebo is now up and some lawn furniture is visible.  The main "event" took place on the second level with the railing.  Yep, those steps can wear old people down quickly!!

As with most items -- SOME assembly required!!  Go Eric.

While we were setting up outside, Vickie, Kelly and Danielle were covering chairs, tables, setting up a candy table and all the other activities that preceeded the main event.  I visited the candy table in mid evening and obtained a "stash" to keep me awake while driving the next two days.  Yummmmmm

Corning Museum of Glass

Carol on the walk to the museum.  We learned to park under the trees on the south side of the lot and not take the shuttle bus at the entrance to the site.  The use of grasses to soften the grounds was evident at the entrance and below in the cafeteria.

Ron at the entrance where the fees are paid to enter and enjoy.  This glass sculpture was done by the artist who made the MONSTER glass sculpture in the Joslyn Art gallery in Omaha.  If you haven't seen it I can provide a photo or you can visit the museum.

The glass dress was done by the artist who provided another in the Crystal Bridges Museum in NW Arkansas.

"Floating boats" of glass.  They gently moved as doors opened and the air movement entered the room.

Yes, it is RED

A light chandelier using the form of an inverted octopus.

One of the most photographed objects in the US.  It is a Tiffany.  Note the lady hiding to the right!!

Some fishes for Sara and the boys.

Form and color.

A clear glass sculpture which Carol liked as much for the form as the title.

Anthem of JOY!!

Mundane metal forms with molten glass draped on them.  A chain hook and a compound pulley.

A hoe, a bent wood bit and another hook.

If you get anywhere near Corning, NY we highly recommend you stop and enjoy.  The lunches are fantastic and huge in portion.  We recommend sharing.  Oh, Yes, DON'T forget the gift shop.  Hard to do, as you go thru it to get to the main food!

If you can think of a form or function, It probably exists in this museum.

The demonstrations on working glass objects and industrial uses of glass were excellent.

The Batchelor Party

Kelly, Vicky & Grandma Mary (hidden behind Vicky) in the kitchen at the Seneca Lake home that was rented for the wedding week.  It was 5 miles south of Seneca on the west side of the lake.

Carol and Eric at the kitchen table which had a full view of Seneca Lake.  The living area is behind Eric.

Uncle Dennis preparing the chicken, hot dogs, and burgers on the deck with Seneca Lake and some of the water toys in the background.

Eric lighting some of the candles before the guests started arriving for the Batchelor Party.  Carol and Ron had brought 11 large pizzas (Lalli's favorite) from Corning NY pizza place that was "famous" in the area.  Eddies friends brought Maryland crabs (his favorite) when they came to the party.

The inside serving table.

The outside crab cracking table.  Eric and Justin are setting it for the party.

The crab table in full use.  I can hear the wooden hammers fracturing the skeletons of those crabs. 

The 5 bedroom house which could sleep 10 easily and many more if you used the floor.

The deck loaded with some of the wedding party.  With 6 attendants for bride and groom and their families, the place was hopping.

Eddie is in the white shirt, helping with some of the guests.

Carol, ?, ? and Anna (spelling) who is Lalli's sister.  She was scheduled to donate a kidney to her mom the week after the wedding.

Wedding Take "Two"

An example of a tall floral display on a long table setting.  This is the large room of the Glenora winery party facility, near Watkins Glen, New York.

A round table floral display with a seating assignment on the "charger".  Each person picked one up in the lobby and found their assigned location.  The card on the plate had the meal selection in code.

The wedding cake.  After the bride and groom cut it, it was taken to the kitchen, cut and brought back to each place setting.

The young ring bearer who "pulled a Max"!!  Yep, he saw all the people and was carried crying from the church sanctuary by his dad.

The outside venue of the winery.  Eric and Kelly's family are standing near the lemon water stand and the VERY delicious sangria table.  There was a cheese and cracker table and a beer/wine serving area on this outer balcony.  Most of the dancing took place out here, as the dance floor was much bigger and the disc jockey was present with his laser lighting.  By this time of the evening the temperatures had dropped and it was very pleasant.

Wedding Take "One"

Eric, Carol and Sammi at the church, waiting for the bridal party.

Reception:  Setting and flowers.  Michelle and Kelly to middle right.  The sit down dinner was for approximately 140 people.  Kelly's family had ironed all the chair covers and table cloths during the week at the lake before the wedding.

The bride and groom take the first dance with lots of onlookers!!

Kelly and Eric dancing at the reception.  I hope to have more wedding ceremony pictures.  Eric asked me to use his camera and I don't have access to it just yet!!