News
December 2006
2006.12.31–Alfred, Ohio. This past year was a doozy for me and the past week remarkable. The following is written for my own memories. Don’t feel obliged to read it and please don't feel offended if I missed your story.
Vacations
Steve and Mary Ellen vacation in Europe.
Dennis and Kim vacation in California.
Doug was shipwrecked and lost at sea.
We went whitewater rafting again. Joe, Laurie, Angie, and Kate went for the first time. Joe had gone once before and Nick twice.
Jeanie and I enjoyed our second cruise through the Caribbean. We also had visits in Boston, Morehead, and made numerous trips to Cincinnati.
Obits
Dad passed away on Christmas. The following days were full of making arrangements and taking care of the details of his visitation and funeral. I was honored to meet for the first time some of Dad’s old P&G buddies. When Uncle Ron and Debbie came in to the visitation, I lost it. It meant more to me than words can express to see them again. Why on earth people don’t keep in touch more in beyond me. There were many others who stopped in that obviously thought highly of Dad and I felt proud to be a part of his family.
When Mom passed away, I recall feeling a little awkward leaving. The sense of closure was not present in my mind. We had a small private ceremony six months after she died and that helped somewhat. Burial or cremation doesn't matter, the celebration of a life with family and friends, does matter. I feel much more at ease with Dad’s parting.
“Grammie”, Jeanie’s grandmother, passed away.
- Steve and Mary Ellen lost Mariam just before Christmas.
Good stuff
The Frogtails forum for family and friends was created. It has been truly enjoyable for all those actively involved with it.
- Angie got a job as a teacher at Eastern.
Jeanie bought her car.
We sold the Coolville Mill.
We were able to pull a couple of good pranks on our children.
I’ve become comfortable with the people I work with.
Humorous stuff
I was left home alone with the remote controls one day.
Nick and I had fun telling stories about an incident that happened down at the old well.
“Not Great” stuff
I’d just as soon forget all of this so will not write about it. Suffice it to say that is was an unusually distressing year.
2006.12.25–Alfred, Ohio. Merry Christmas!
This may be my last posting to Frogtails for the year. I may come back next year and add a few entries but may leave it and start a new year when I return. If I'm unable to post again before the new year, let me first say happy birthday to my son Joe. Second, I'd like to thank each of my readers for bearing with me. This has been a most unusual year for me personally. The forum has taken much of my time and energy that is normally devoted to this site. I'm hoping to improve or combine my posts for next year.
Photo should
arrive soon.
Check back
again tomorrow!
2006.12.19–Alfred, Ohio. Here is a photo of Mary Ellen and the beautiful necklace that Steve gave to her yesterday. Wow!
Jeanie and I both feel terrible this morning. There is simply nothing that can be said or done to undo yesterday. When I think back over my life there are few things that I would change even if I were able to. However, yesterday would be fairly high on my list.
2006.12.18–Alfred, Ohio. UPDATE: I need to apologize to both Steve and Mary Ellen.
December 18, 2006
Steve and Mary Ellen,
Today is your 2nd wedding anniversary and I managed to completely forget about it.
Something like this was bound to happen sooner or later. I always imagined that it would be you, Joe, or Nick that would forget about about Jeanie or I having a birthday or our anniversary. Never could I imagine that it would be me that would forget any of yours.
I’m sure this is going to hurt for a while and hope that you will take into consideration many of the other good moments we have had and overlook this one. From the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry.
Dave
Back by popular demand.
Much has happened since my last post. It would be a bit much to recap everything. Rather than looking back, I’d rather focus on the future. First, you will notice that the crate is back. Odd, but it has become a fixture to this years site. It is not at all what I intended but it is here for posterity.
Notice also the links on the left. I’ve dropped Misti. Her site has become unreliable so it had to go. I’ve added Lisa from the forum to fill the void. If you notice, I’ve got a little marker besides the sites that have updated since the last time I’ve looked at them. I also place them in most recent posting date first. You can get top billing by merely updating your web site.
Anyone who has followed this site for a while knows that each year I create a new site and freeze or archive the old stuff. Whoever has the most recent post when I roll over to the new year will be locked in the top spot for so long as this site exists. If you have a site that is not listed and would like it to be, now would be a great time to bring it to my attention.
