August 30, 2002
Driving to Belleville for the UofM/Univ of Washington game. We bought steaks here to take down for dinner for Mussers, Sniders, and us to have on Saturday after the game. Friday night Mussers went to spend the evening with friends in Canton, and the rest of us went to Mr. Jim’s (?) (ex-Little Caesar’s). We slept in the basement because Mussers are upstairs. It’s a very comfortable basement.
August 31, 2002
Univ. of Mich. vs Univ of Wash. – Kickoff – noon
We sold our tickets to Luke Guzikowski from Manistee – he came with a friend – and he was very loud. It was extremely hot in the stadium. Right before half time, I went out to sit in the shade. I decided that the thing to do was to walk back to the car and turn on the air-conditioning. I think it saved my life! Anyway, I missed the exciting last minute play that won the game – but it was even exciting to hear it on the radio – plus, I had a horn to honk! After the game, Bill cooked the steaks, Frank made a salad, Jan fixed the rice and we had a feast.
September 6, 2002
We drove to Belleville to stay with Musser’s at Snider’s house. (It’s a long story.) On the way to Belleville, we stopped at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi to go to Sharper Image, where I bought a personal cooling system. (It came with a free miniature fan – such a deal.) Musser’s went to spend the evening with friends in Canton, and we went to Dos Pesos and then spent the night in Snider’s comfortable basement.
Saturday, September 7 (Game Day – Michigan vs. Western Michigan)
Kickoff - noon
We met Peter, Melissa, Adam and Ann at Zeeb Road, just west of Ann Arbor. Picked up a McDonald’s tailgate and headed for Pioneer H.S. parking. It was a hot, hot day, with bright sunlight. I fired up my personal cooling system, and it actually worked! Dick took all the kids on a tour of the stadium, pointing out our bricks, and showing them the Victor’s tailgate area where the *real* tailgaters areJ. Michigan kind of clobbered Western – I think it was 35-14. I think that the kids enjoyed it anyway. I mean really, a Michigan game is a happening, no matter what. Adam and Ann sat with us for the first half, and Peter and Melissa for the rest of the game. After the game, Dick and I just drove home to T.C. because Sniders weren’t home anyway, and tomorrow is Mother’s birthday.
Sunday, September 8, 2002
Today is Mother’s 94th birthday. We picked up dinners at the Outback Steakhouse Curbside Take-Away. We got lemon cake and ice cream and we had a lovely dinner. Mom got lots of cards and phone calls. We gave her a centerpiece of flowers for her table and she got two other arrangements of flowers from friends. Laurie sent chicken cordon bleu . Mother had a very nice birthday.
Monday, September 9, 2002
We went to the hospital at 7 a.m. for Dick’s transurethral resection (TURB). The procedure was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Before the procedure, he went for x-rays and had an EKG. The procedure started at a little after 9, and only lasted about 20 min. We were back home by 11:30. Dick was still very groggy and took good naps. He is not supposed to do any heavy lifting for 7 to 10 days.
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
8:20 a.m. I’m off to see Dr. Kevin to start the process for a new gold crown, bottom left rear. All goes well until the dental tech tries to seat the temporary crown – that was when the whole thing got nerve-wracking. She had a lot of trouble getting the temp to stay in, but finally succeeded. I go get the real crown on the 26th.
Wednesday, September 11, 2002
This is the first anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. We were re-immersed in the horror, the overwhelming sadness, and the unbelievable inhumanity of the entire event. Looking back on it from one year away does not change those feelings.
Thursday, September 12, 2002
I take Mother to see Dr. Auer at 11:00 a.m. The Dr. is mainly interested in why Mother has so many dizzy spells, and why she is short of breath. He recommends wearing a Holter monitor again (she did that in June), and then if her heart looks OK, he wants to do a brain wave test to see if she’s having little strokes. Mother refused both tests. She just doesn’t want to go through all the hassle. She’s seems to be feeling fairly well lately.
Friday, September 13, 2002
I thought this was going to be a free day, but quite early in the morning, my temporary crown fell out. They were able to see me in an hour, so by lunch time, it was back in. There’s no guarantee that it will stay in though. We just got home from town when Ken Block called. He and Bev wanted to come out and go kayaking. Dick went with them – from Brown Bridge dam to home. We had a nice visit with them both before and after. We had fruit and cheese and crackers out on the deck. It was a very pleasant visit.
Saturday, September 14, 2002
Well, the highlight of this day was going to the dump. We watched Michigan lose to Notre Dame 25-23. The game was really not at all enjoyable – it was full of mistakes and flukes.
Sunday, September 15, 2002
This was kind of a lazy day – but fun. We played on the computers, watched a little football (the Lions are hopeless), and went to Mother’s to visit and take out her trash. We introduced the idea of having the upstairs shower improved so she can think about it a bit. A beautiful day. Steaks, salad, and sweet corn. Yummy.
Dick dug out the opening to the septic tank so it can be pumped soon.
Monday, September 16, 2002
It’s a beautiful day – 70 degrees and clear blue sky. Dick went to work at the Agency. I called Belanger’s to come and pump out our septic tank. They’re coming tomorrow morning. I walked to the pond and frightened two dark ducks. Tonight we’re having pot roast with roasted beets and carrots. Another roofing man is here (8:20 p.m.). I think Dick already knows who he wants to have work on the roof for us.
Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Another gorgeous day – a little hot and a little humid, but the house is cool because it gets so cool at night (43). Dick is starting to work again on his stone walkway. Tom Barker came over to see how much he owes on the driveway, and stayed for coffee and conversation for about an hour. The septic pumper came while he was here. I walked to the pond again – scared the dark ducks again. The pond is very still and reflective. It mirrors the trees from across River Road perfectly. The dragonflies are as big as hummingbirds.
Friday, September 20, 2002
Off to Ann Arbor for a birthday weekend with Jana. She arrived in Michigan yesterday, and is staying with Tara and James and baby Lauren in Dundee. Thursday Tara had to work, so Jana planned to go to the Casino in Detroit by herself – and I just said “I’ll bet Mrs. Snider would go with you.” And so Jana called Jan, and they went gambling. No big winners, though.
We checked in at the Hampton Inn in Ann Arbor, called Jana to tell her we were there. Jana, Tara and Lauren had been touring Ann Arbor for old times’ sake. They came to the hotel, and we had a birthday party in the room – baby Lauren was the most fun. She’s a very happy, complacent baby.
For dinner, Jana wanted to go to Raja Rani, the Indian restaurant. We couldn’t find it! We all tried to remember, because we’ve all been there before – but we wound up on Main Street eating at a Cajun restaurant which was very yummy and enjoyable.
Saturday, September 21, 2002
Univ. of Mich v. Utah 12:05 kickoff
We all had continental breakfast at the Hampton, and then got on the shuttle to the stadium. This bus driver was a real sardine-packer. He got more people on that bus than you can shake a stick at. We were really really jammed in. But at least we got on – immediate loading – no waiting.
We found Grandpa’s basketball brick at the Stadium Blvd. entrance, and while we were looking for it a policeman told Dick he couldn’t have his bag. So Dick had to throw away his historic Tom Snyder cloth bag (which he got free at some conference). Jana noticed someone carrying an MDen bag, and suggested we go shopping at MDen and then we would have a bag, too. Such a resourceful daughter. It was a nice day – and Michigan won 10-7. We enjoyed the game and just being there. There was a bit of a wait afterwards for the shuttle bus, but it was no big deal. And of course the bus delivers you right to the doorstep of the hotel. We rested a bit and then went in search of Raja Rani again, and we were successful! We parked in the parking structure behind ex-Jacobson’s, and Raja Rani was just a block and a half away. I had curry chicken and it was delicious.
Thursday, October 24, 2002
The roofers are here scraping off the old shingles. They’re just doing it bit by bit, not the whole roof at once. It will take them 2 or 3 days. They are putting on new shingles, new ice barriers, and building a new saddle between the main house the addition. Shingle-scraping is a very messy job. I hope they clean it all up! Dick and Rick (the roofer from Traverse Home Improvement) are working on stopping the leak in the basement window by the steps. Dick is tearing off siding and ripping up boards on the deck so flashing can be put in. We’re leaving tomorrow for Ann Arbor, so we gave Rick a check for $5000 and a key to the house. We are very trusting.
Friday, October 25, 2002
We got up early and drove to Ann Arbor. Stopped for breakfast at Frosty Cup in Cadillac as usual. We arrived in Ann Arbor around noonish or one-ish – drove through town – stopped at Yost to use the john – it was fun seeing the free skating. We have a great Birthday weekend planned with Tom. Homecoming is tomorrow, on his birthday. We’re picking up Tom at Metro around 4. Stopped at Sniders’ to visit, and then went to check in at the Holiday Inn Express at 3. Our rooms are next to each other – 225 & 227. Picked up Tom with no hassle. The new McNamara terminal is gorgeous – fantastic looking and so huge. We met Sniders at Bamboo Gardens for dinner – buffet. After dinner, Bill went to the BHS game in the rain but Dick opted to stay at the hotel where it was dry. Tom, Jan and I went to Showcase Cinema and saw The Ring. I liked it, Tom thought it was boring, and Jan didn’t look at most of it.
Saturday, October 26, 2002
Homecoming Game – U of M v. Iowa – 12:05 kickoff
We had continental breakfast at the hotel – it’s quite a spread! It had been raining, so we weren’t sure whether the high school parking would be available. We decided to drive over there to check it out. Luckily for us, they had just opened it up and cars were parking along the fence, so we headed over there and got the best parking place we’ve ever had. We didn’t really tailgate – just had beverages and people-watched. The game turned out to be the worst loss for Michigan at home in 35 years. The score was close (10-9) until the 3rd quarter. Then things really began to go downhill. The final score was 34-9, it rained, and it was chilly. That’s enough said. After the game, we walked over to Crisler Arena for the Basketball team Maize and Blue scrimmage. It was nice to be in a warm, dry place where we couldn’t lose. I enjoyed watching the scrimmage – I think we all did – even though we were all pretty quiet. Then we went to the Smoke House Blues Memphis Barbecue on Washtenaw for dinner. The ribs were great, the service was great – I enjoyed that too. Then back to the hotel to watch MSU v. Wisconsin. MSU lost big time. Not a good Saturday for Michigan teams.
Sunday, October 27
We kind of slept in and loafed around – ate the continental breakfast again. Dick went out and got some TimBits from Tim Horton’s for Tom to take back to San Diego. We went for a ride down Haggerty Road to see Mlsna’s house and our house. Drove through the Lower Huron Metropark for old times’ sake. Went to Apple Charlie’s Apple Orchard and bought cider and doughnuts. Went to Sniders to watch Michigan Replay and eat cider and doughnutsJ. Then we loaded Marco with some things Sniders are taking up to Houghton Lake to Hank’s gorgeous new house. Then we dropped Tom off at the airport around 1:30 – two-ish and bade him farewell. I promised we would try to provide a better game with better weather next time.
Drove to Houghton Lake, stopping on the way to have dinner at the Turkey Roost with Bill and Jan. Hank’s new house is just spectacular – not only beautiful, but has lots of storage, great yard, etc. We left there at 6:22 p.m. and arrived home around 8 or 8:15 – approx. 75 miles.
