Cheers and Thanks for the Memories !

So Mom and Kathleen visited this weekend ! We had Cody's Steakhouse for Dinner one night and Chinese Crazy Buffet the next. I busted a water pipe, in the backyard,that threw off our whole Saturday and we also had alot of fun. I showed Kathleen how to do crosswords and Mom learned alot about Pokemon.



The highlight of the visit was Mom and Kathleen delivering and presenting me with Grandpa's official burial flag. I gave the kids a class on the importance of the flag especially when presented to a fallen Veteran. We folded it ceremoniously and have it in a beautiful display case for all to see.



We closed out our tribute to the Old Fella with a nice toast of rasperry cider in fancy sugar rimmed glasses. Cheers Grandpa, see you on the flipside :)

Goodbye Long Island , HIYA Heaven !

Raymond A Maddock
August 30, 1920 - January 25, 2009

Eternal rest grant unto Ray Maddock, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the soul of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Allison said that Great Grandpa is "Probably having breakfast with Great Grandma Katherine right now" and then Jimmy said that then "He could go watch Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig play baseball at heavens Yankees Stadium" I'm sure they're both right, I'm sure you'll be squeezing in a round of golf and afterwards joining some friends for some laughs, more than a few sing-a-longs and most certainly a shot and a beer.

I hope it was worth the wait and You deserve the rest you're sure to get.

I will miss you Old Fella, I'll miss our talks and your thoughtful cards and letters. I will certainly make sure no one around here forgets you and learns everything you taught me. You said that you would always be with us and I have no doubt that you've already arrived.

As a bonus, I'm sure one more Angel helping the Bronx Bombers this year couldn't hurt our World Series chances.

I love you, we all do, you big old softy. Now stop crying and go say hi to Grandma for us. Tell her we miss her and love always too.

Brian

My Old Pal

Well, as everyone surely knows, me and the Old Fella are very close and it makes me happy and sad to hear that he's been moved into the nursing home. Happy that he'll be looked after and get the care that he needs. Happy that everyone can take a breath and know that he's better off at Broadlawn. Sad because I know he's not happy about it. Sad because I see his light is starting to dim. If he's gonna live to see his 100th birthday he better start getting better right away :) This sick guy stuff is for the birds. Luckily, the Bombers have made alot of offseason trades and they are poised to make a World Series run. I know he won't miss that, kidneys or no kidneys. Hang in there.

I'll see you soon Grandpa.



a grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart.

You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather is.

Grandfathers are just antique little boys.

Almost forgot the Christmas Post....

Christmas was Awesome ! Grandma Diane came down from St A with some homemade, Mama Arnold Chocolate Chip Cookies, Old School style ! (Santa loves them) Cathi came over from Tampa bearing Dunkin Donuts (good move). The kids were showered in gifts from the whole family and St Nick ! Big Daddy served up his now World Famous Bacon Wrapped, Gran Marnier Basted, Secret Stuffed Turkey and all the fixins. Good Times had by all. All of our far flung family was well represented but sorely missed this Christmastime :(

They (the smart people) say that a picture says 1,000 words...well, Uncle Chris and Aunt Kelly, thanks to you here's the result of your Christmas generosity. Merry Christmas indeed !

I like to change the look of the blog every now and again, but this time its to celebrate something else. My brother, Chris, has apparently made blogging more often his New Years resolution, I say Hooray to that ! That means more pictures and stories of his adventures available to us all.

Here's a screenshot of his blog, you can check it out at www.chrisandkellyontheroad.blogspot.com



Wait a second, you recognize the format of that blog ? Why YES ! It looks just like my blog did !



It's no problem, as the old saying goes, Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.



Jack and Jimmy say "Be sure to check out our old blog posts in our Jedi Archives"



...or as Uncle Chris calls his "The Jedi Archives" ? That's Odd

2009 !

So 2009 is here ! I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve ! The kids and I watched 4+ hours of Disney's Totally New Year. We ate cake, cookies, popcorn, soda and a sparkling cider toast at Midnight. 2008 ended with hours of Hannah Montana, The Suite life of Zack and Cody and The Wizards of Waverly Place. Needless to say, I'm glad 2009 is here. :) The kids had fun watching fireworks on our block and running around, fueled by sugar, chasing each other with lit sparklers.
I know what you're all thinking. Oh snap Brian, I wish I could have seen all that quality Disney programming ! Well, you're in luck !

http://disneychannel.com/newyear

Don't say I never gave you anything.

One More Time...

No more procrastinating ! This Blog is officially up and running as of January 1st 2009. Check back often for updates on happenings with me and the kids in Madeira Beach, Florida.