This is Gabie and his good friends Ari and Jonathan on their tour of Bulls Stadium in March. I don't know why he's pretending to lick the picture!March 18, 2009
We had this wonderful lunch last week, with Matt and Sevonne both there, but I didn’t go right home so I didn’t remember much about what was said. Grandpa was disappointed that I didn’t write about it, and Grandma said today that it was my fault I created a monster (the expectation of having every lunch described). All I remember from last week is the lively discussion about cars, with Matt promising to look for a good used car for Becky, to replace the aging Avalon that doesn’t always start. And I also remember that we laughed a lot; we were at Bravo in the Glen. After Grandma left, the kids talked about buying a place somewhere warm, and tried to get Grandpa to commit to buying something for all the grandkids to go visit, somewhere in Florida. We all voted for the west coast…and I told the story of David’s manager Deb, who just spent 87,000 on a house that was worth 400,000. We gave Sevonne instructions to look for that kind of bargain.
Today’s lunch was at Eggshell….Janet and Sevonne came, also Marty, and both Grandma and Grandpa. Marty asked Janet about Northbrook elections; they’re voting for Frum, who used to be a neighbor. The current guy Marks, is nebach, and the previous guy Damosch is running again, but he’s the one that refused Costco a space and tried hard to maintain Northbrook’s pristine character at the expense of building, convenience, increased tax base, and interesting character. Janet said they think Frum won’t allow more organized crime nonsense. All good, and I don’t like the other two men.
Janet told us that Gadi is speaking at Friday night services at Solel, from the perspective of the Israeli right….there will be a leftist speaker as well. Sounds interesting, but as I told Sevonne, I’m not sure I want to go to a reform service since I find them so irritating with all that English and choreography. It’s sort of Jewish light. Janet also told us about hosting a bunch of Anat’s med school friends last Friday night, and one brought a girlfriend who turned out to be a Schechter girl from Sevonne’s grade. Sevonne ran up to her room, said Janet, and immediately located the middle school t-shirt that had pictures of everyone in the grade!
We talked about Natasha Richardson falling on the bunny slope while learning to ski, and now being (if what’s reported is true) brain-dead. What an awful thing…but totally a crazy situation, and not having anything to do with the sport of skiing. Mom was worried since Milt and family are going skiing next week. Janet reminded us that the actress’s mother, Vanessa Redgrave, was pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel, back before it became so fashionable.
Marty shared a couple of stories; one about a skunk whose scent burdened them in the middle of the night. Cindy sent Marty out of the house in his pajamas, on that freezing night, to check if there was a skunk in the garage or anywhere around the house. Of course, had either of them been thinking clearly, they would have realized that it wasn’t really necessary to go searching for the skunk.
Marty also shared his thoughts about raising a teenage daughter, and told us that it was nothing specific, but Sarah is being all the things we would expect, including disrespectful and obnoxious. We discussed who would win the worse teenager award, between Sevonne and Dani….tough call. We’re all grateful that they are now lovely and thoughtful young ladies.
We had this wonderful lunch last week, with Matt and Sevonne both there, but I didn’t go right home so I didn’t remember much about what was said. Grandpa was disappointed that I didn’t write about it, and Grandma said today that it was my fault I created a monster (the expectation of having every lunch described). All I remember from last week is the lively discussion about cars, with Matt promising to look for a good used car for Becky, to replace the aging Avalon that doesn’t always start. And I also remember that we laughed a lot; we were at Bravo in the Glen. After Grandma left, the kids talked about buying a place somewhere warm, and tried to get Grandpa to commit to buying something for all the grandkids to go visit, somewhere in Florida. We all voted for the west coast…and I told the story of David’s manager Deb, who just spent 87,000 on a house that was worth 400,000. We gave Sevonne instructions to look for that kind of bargain.
Today’s lunch was at Eggshell….Janet and Sevonne came, also Marty, and both Grandma and Grandpa. Marty asked Janet about Northbrook elections; they’re voting for Frum, who used to be a neighbor. The current guy Marks, is nebach, and the previous guy Damosch is running again, but he’s the one that refused Costco a space and tried hard to maintain Northbrook’s pristine character at the expense of building, convenience, increased tax base, and interesting character. Janet said they think Frum won’t allow more organized crime nonsense. All good, and I don’t like the other two men.
Janet told us that Gadi is speaking at Friday night services at Solel, from the perspective of the Israeli right….there will be a leftist speaker as well. Sounds interesting, but as I told Sevonne, I’m not sure I want to go to a reform service since I find them so irritating with all that English and choreography. It’s sort of Jewish light. Janet also told us about hosting a bunch of Anat’s med school friends last Friday night, and one brought a girlfriend who turned out to be a Schechter girl from Sevonne’s grade. Sevonne ran up to her room, said Janet, and immediately located the middle school t-shirt that had pictures of everyone in the grade!
We talked about Natasha Richardson falling on the bunny slope while learning to ski, and now being (if what’s reported is true) brain-dead. What an awful thing…but totally a crazy situation, and not having anything to do with the sport of skiing. Mom was worried since Milt and family are going skiing next week. Janet reminded us that the actress’s mother, Vanessa Redgrave, was pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel, back before it became so fashionable.
Marty shared a couple of stories; one about a skunk whose scent burdened them in the middle of the night. Cindy sent Marty out of the house in his pajamas, on that freezing night, to check if there was a skunk in the garage or anywhere around the house. Of course, had either of them been thinking clearly, they would have realized that it wasn’t really necessary to go searching for the skunk.
Marty also shared his thoughts about raising a teenage daughter, and told us that it was nothing specific, but Sarah is being all the things we would expect, including disrespectful and obnoxious. We discussed who would win the worse teenager award, between Sevonne and Dani….tough call. We’re all grateful that they are now lovely and thoughtful young ladies.
March 25, 2009
What a lovely afternoon! Anat invited us to witness her getting 10 inches of her long hair cut off to donate to Locks of Love. I picked up Grandma, Grandpa, and Sevonne, and we drove up to Chicago Medical College where Anat was waiting her turn, surrounded by some of her good med school friends. It was nice meeting them, all these fresh-faced young women. Grandpa immediately asked Anna something about all the young girls wanting to be doctors instead of rushing to bag husbands.
We had to wait for about half an hour because Janet came late, with her childhood friend Edie. They’d both just gotten their hair done and looked as glamorous as middle aged ladies can look wearing jeans and sweaters. There was one little Asian friend of Anat’s, named Teresa, who looked like she was still in high school, and we speculated on the tough time she’s going to have proving her competence. Anat later told us that she has seen guys actually pick up Teresa in a bar, and the poor girl can hardly do anything because she’s so tiny. Marty, who met us for lunch after the haircut, suggested that she hand out a business card that shows a $20 charge for being picked up.
Finally it was Anat’s turn to get her hair trimmed, and her girlfriends reminded her not to let anyone push her into more than 10 inches, and NO BANGS. Anat joked the entire time her hair was getting cut off, and then we took pictures of the momentous occasion. Her friends were a little surprised I think, to see that 7 extra people came up to North Chicago to witness this momentous occasion. I told one of them that I expected we would all return for future major events in Anat’s life.
Anat had made a reservation at Francesca’s in Lake Forest, about 10 minutes south of the school, but it was almost empty and we didn’t really need a reservation. Sevonne and Marty ordered Chianti, but it turned out to be vinegary, so Marty had the enjoyment of returning it. They got a bottle of Pinot instead, and several others enjoyed a glass. We joked about it, Marty said it makes him a better person. Grandpa talked about how gin helps calm his tremor Anat remembered the line from Golden Girls, “You know what goes well with champagne?” and the answer it “me.”
We told some children stories; Marty shared an evening of Sarah and Cindy sparring, and Cindy bearing down on Sarah because her schoolwork was faltering. Sevonne told me that Gabie sent her a picture of himself in an empty stadium, and I told about Gabie’s Monday evening of going with his friend Ari for a tour that his father had bought. Gabie’s favorite part was stopping afterwards at Marc’s office and getting little pieces of scrap metal which are now sitting on the kitchen table. When he got home at about 9, he remembered the big project that was due the next day. By about 11 I told him that he just had to go to bed whether or not the project was finished. He said he was almost done, and just needed one thing. Do we have posterboard?
We laughed about all those projects the kids have to do; Sevonne remembered something with popsicle sticks, and Anat remembered the 4th grade Chicago building. They both recalled that Gadi basically made Maya’s. Marty said they didn’t make the buildings; instead they created a board game each time. I admitted that Gabie destroyed his version of the Merchandise Mart by shooting at it with his bb gun.
I told Janet that someone had asked me the other day if she was anorexic! What? I suggested setting a chocolate cake, or that cake from Leonard’s we fondly refer to as JEW cake, in front of my sister, and watch what happens. The girls laughed about it too; Sevonne told about a cheesecake and 4 forks…and about 20 minutes with the four Cohen girls. She doesn’t look skinny, just healthy and trim, especially for her age when all the other women seem to be spreading out. I even feel pudgy next to Janet!
Sevonne and Anat told us about a speaker they want to see, who is performing at DePaul (they’ve asked me to procure tickets which are only available to people connected with DePaul). I think the guy’s name is Frank Warren, and he’s published several books of secrets. It’s a cool idea; apparently he gave out a hundred postcards at some dead end point in his life asking people to share a secret, and it has spread like a fire. He now has several books of these anonymous secrets, which according to the girls are fascinating glimpses into other people’s lives. Anat said that at the lectures, a guy will come on stage and share secrets like that he loves so and so and is asking right then for her hand in marriage.
I finally had to run. Long lunch, fun day.
What a lovely afternoon! Anat invited us to witness her getting 10 inches of her long hair cut off to donate to Locks of Love. I picked up Grandma, Grandpa, and Sevonne, and we drove up to Chicago Medical College where Anat was waiting her turn, surrounded by some of her good med school friends. It was nice meeting them, all these fresh-faced young women. Grandpa immediately asked Anna something about all the young girls wanting to be doctors instead of rushing to bag husbands.
We had to wait for about half an hour because Janet came late, with her childhood friend Edie. They’d both just gotten their hair done and looked as glamorous as middle aged ladies can look wearing jeans and sweaters. There was one little Asian friend of Anat’s, named Teresa, who looked like she was still in high school, and we speculated on the tough time she’s going to have proving her competence. Anat later told us that she has seen guys actually pick up Teresa in a bar, and the poor girl can hardly do anything because she’s so tiny. Marty, who met us for lunch after the haircut, suggested that she hand out a business card that shows a $20 charge for being picked up.
Finally it was Anat’s turn to get her hair trimmed, and her girlfriends reminded her not to let anyone push her into more than 10 inches, and NO BANGS. Anat joked the entire time her hair was getting cut off, and then we took pictures of the momentous occasion. Her friends were a little surprised I think, to see that 7 extra people came up to North Chicago to witness this momentous occasion. I told one of them that I expected we would all return for future major events in Anat’s life.
Anat had made a reservation at Francesca’s in Lake Forest, about 10 minutes south of the school, but it was almost empty and we didn’t really need a reservation. Sevonne and Marty ordered Chianti, but it turned out to be vinegary, so Marty had the enjoyment of returning it. They got a bottle of Pinot instead, and several others enjoyed a glass. We joked about it, Marty said it makes him a better person. Grandpa talked about how gin helps calm his tremor Anat remembered the line from Golden Girls, “You know what goes well with champagne?” and the answer it “me.”
We told some children stories; Marty shared an evening of Sarah and Cindy sparring, and Cindy bearing down on Sarah because her schoolwork was faltering. Sevonne told me that Gabie sent her a picture of himself in an empty stadium, and I told about Gabie’s Monday evening of going with his friend Ari for a tour that his father had bought. Gabie’s favorite part was stopping afterwards at Marc’s office and getting little pieces of scrap metal which are now sitting on the kitchen table. When he got home at about 9, he remembered the big project that was due the next day. By about 11 I told him that he just had to go to bed whether or not the project was finished. He said he was almost done, and just needed one thing. Do we have posterboard?
We laughed about all those projects the kids have to do; Sevonne remembered something with popsicle sticks, and Anat remembered the 4th grade Chicago building. They both recalled that Gadi basically made Maya’s. Marty said they didn’t make the buildings; instead they created a board game each time. I admitted that Gabie destroyed his version of the Merchandise Mart by shooting at it with his bb gun.
I told Janet that someone had asked me the other day if she was anorexic! What? I suggested setting a chocolate cake, or that cake from Leonard’s we fondly refer to as JEW cake, in front of my sister, and watch what happens. The girls laughed about it too; Sevonne told about a cheesecake and 4 forks…and about 20 minutes with the four Cohen girls. She doesn’t look skinny, just healthy and trim, especially for her age when all the other women seem to be spreading out. I even feel pudgy next to Janet!
Sevonne and Anat told us about a speaker they want to see, who is performing at DePaul (they’ve asked me to procure tickets which are only available to people connected with DePaul). I think the guy’s name is Frank Warren, and he’s published several books of secrets. It’s a cool idea; apparently he gave out a hundred postcards at some dead end point in his life asking people to share a secret, and it has spread like a fire. He now has several books of these anonymous secrets, which according to the girls are fascinating glimpses into other people’s lives. Anat said that at the lectures, a guy will come on stage and share secrets like that he loves so and so and is asking right then for her hand in marriage.
I finally had to run. Long lunch, fun day.
