A TIME FOR GIVING THANKS

It is at this time of year that we reflect on the graces that are in our life and we thank GOD for bestowing them on us. The greatest of my graces is Eileen (Mom) who has been my wife for 58 years. She is the driving force in our family. Then there is the eleven children we have had together. You all know the joy that each of your chilren have brought into your life. Well multiply that joy by eleven and then you know how blessed Mom and I are. Add to that our 24 grandchildren and our three great grandchildren. WOW!! They each occupy a special place in our hearts. On the material side, We live in a nice house in a good neighborhood. We have air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. There is a good car in our garage. We support one healthfood store, one supermarket, two pharmacies and lots of Doctors. We have never been hungry or out of work for a long period or homeless. My closet is full and my bureau is overflowing.
All of this brings me to thinking about the people who are poor and need our help.
Three years ago Matt started this by giving me a check which he said I could give to my favorite charity. I gave it to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in our parish. I chose them because they use all the funds that they recieve to help the poor. There is no large overhead and everyone who works there is a volunteer.
For the past two years we have set up a fund to give to St. Vincent de Paul. It is funded by you. I would like to continue that this year. Instead of shopping for me and mailing me presents, I would like it if you would send me a check for the amount you would have spent and I will give it to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the Meehan name. Think of all the time you would save by not going to the Mall and standing in line at the post office. You can alo make the check out to St. Vincent de Paul Society so you can take the tax deduction. WOW. WHAT A DEAL... We also would all heve the satisfaction of knowing we helped someone.
Love you all.

CONGRADULATIONS TO ME.

Who says 81 is too old to learn anything. After trying all of my life I have finally achieved my lifelong goal. Move over scholers of the world. As I was sitting on my back porch watching the squirrels in the trees, a couple of bees flying around a bush, the bluebirds flying between the trees and a lizard sunning himself on the screen, I realized I had achieved my lifelong goal. I have finally reached a list of 10 (TEN) projects I had either started, meant to start or thought about it more than once. I am so proud of myself that I wanted to share this achievement with you. I have awarded myself a Masters in Procrastination. When my list reaches 20 (TWENTY), I will humbly accept a Doctorate in Procrastionation. With the speed my list has grown in the last year, I hope to achieve this honor soon.
No I don't think this is Alzheimers because I still remember my Doctors appointments, my medications (when to take them and when to reorder them). This takes up a considerable amount of my time.
This also ensures that I will be remembered, particulaly by those who have to finish those projects.

IT HAS BEEN A BUSY TIME

It has been a while since my last entry. I have too much time on my hands. It goes to prove tht if you want something done, ask a busy man. Since I am not working this year, I should be able to do all the things I said I wanted to do, going to Tampa Bay Downs and some Lightning games. But between Doctors and my limping around,I am accomplishing nothing.
We had a very nice Christmas. On Christmas Eve we had a nice dinner here with Dan, Dawn, Kevin, Sean, Matt and Bonnie. Chris and Denise (Matts friends) were also here.
We decorated the tree but we forgot to sing our Carols. On Christmas Day we had a very nice dinner at Dan and Dawns.
Then we celebrated Mom's birthday. She finally turned 21 plus and she doesn't look a day older. We all went out and had a very nice dinner. I wanted to go to Flanigans but since it was a week night, I was voted down.
Then we all were following the trip to China. Bren and Jana adopted their third child, Suzy. Bren, Mary, Christie, Matt and Bonnie were off on a 17 day trip. Their first stop was Beijing were they saw all of the ancient sights of China. Beijing turn out to be very cold with a blizzard on the last day they were there. After a 19 hour delay at the airport, they were finally able to leave on a train to where they picked up Suzy. They are finally home and happy to be here. They are almost recovered from the trip.
Florida has had some unusually cold weather but nothing compared to the weather up north. Mom and I have both turned into Southern Crackers. We wouldn't be able to take the weather up north

HOLIDAYS ARE COMING

Here it is November and Thanksgiving and Christmas are zooming up on us. I hope Margie is getting ready for the annual gathering. It sure looks like a lot of fun. We wish we could be joining you but it is just impossible for us to travel. Saves a lot of fighting to see which team I would be on. I am not sure if they would want me on their team or the other team.
Christmas will zoom up on us after Thanksgiving. Mom has already done most of our shopping and is already wrapping the presents. We have Christmas paper all over. We have such memories of Christmas with all of you. It was a time of such great happiness and fun. These memories are what keep us old folks going.
I would like to continue our gift to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. It is a time of great need for some and I know that all of the money will go to help the less fortunate. It saves shopping time and you can take the tax deduction.
Speaking of taxes. I have decided to retire from H&R Block. It would have been my 20th year. There are a lot of reasons but mainly that it is not the same company I started with. They are more interested in selling their add-on products than doing a tax return. The company is being run by people in KC who do not know how to do a return.
Bren and Jana have gotten most of the approvals to go get their little girl in China. There is just one more step. They expect it to be in about 6 weeks. Mary, Christi, Matt and Bonnie are all going with Bren to pick her up.
Remember, Mom's Birthday is just 8 weeeks away. I wish we could do something special for her. She always did and is still doing so much for all of us.

SUMMER IS OVER.

Only one and a half months of heat. But then we do not have to worry about the cold weather. We have had a good summer. We had a viit from Fritz, Jean and Colin. I wish it was longer but Colin had to get back to VT. Only two more years to go and then out to the harsh reality of the world. I remember those carefree college days. (just barely). We have been following everyone on FaceBook. It is a good way to stay in touch. Mom and I enjoy the pictures.
At times though we look like we live in a hospital. I have been religated to using a cane to get around. I am using an Irish thorn stick that Ed C. gave to me. But I never thought I would last this long. Mom is still on her medicines frrom her breast cancer. Between us, our kitchen looks like a pharmacy.
Lisa is recovering from her auto accident. She is still very sore and goes to therapy three times a week but she still keeps on the move. Dan is having arthritis problems. He is going to start a new treatment this week. Matt and Bonnie are very busy with work and the volleyball club.
The grandchildren are all doing well. Nicole has her hands full with the three kids.
Ben is in serious training as a triathlete and is doing well. Chris likes New York. Justin is settled in Tampa. Colin, Scott, Joey and Pat are back in college. Brian is in the Air Force Acadamy. Ryan, Ed, Sean and Nate are in their last year of high school and are looking at schools for next year. Adam, Lucas, James, Peter and Kevin are still in grammer school. Colleen and Conner are starting kindergarten. Amy and Matt are still at home. Whew.
Bren will be goiing to China in November to pick up another Daughter. I think Mary and Chris are going with him. Mickey and Becky just came back from Parents weekend at the AFA. Hank retired from the USMC. Eileen is back in the Coast Guard as a LCDR.
Eileen, Marge and Jean and families have been going to Virginia Beach for weekends. JoAnn has her hands full with her grandkids. Fritz and Colin went to the VT game in Atlanta. (Too bad the lost). Mom and I wish we could see you all more but we know it is impossible with schools and jobs. Moms 80th is coming up. Maybe we could do something then.

Summer is here !!!

We just had a nice visit from Kate, Chad and the boys. They were here for a week. They took advantage of all the things that Dunedin has to offer. They went down to Honeymoon Island State Park to the beach several days and basked in the warm waters of the Gulf. They spent a day at Busch Gardens riding all the rides. They went to Snafu volleyball one evening and saw Matt and Bonnie and even got a chance to play. They had nice visits with Dan/Dawn and Joe/ Lisa and their boys and got to go in their pools. We all got together at our house one evening and they stayed with us for a couple of nights. The weather could have been better but it wasn't too bad.
Their boys have gotten so tall. We relly enjoyed their visit.
Heard from Brian at the Air Force Acadamy on Sunday. He has survived the first two weeks and this was the first break that they recieved. He sounded very good.
Mom and I are doing well. I went to another orthopedic doctor yesterday. He was recommended by my first ortho Doctor. He basically told me the same as the first Doctor. That as long as I am able to get along, that I shouldn't think about an operation. They put a cortisone shot in my left knee that they said would help for 3 months. Mom is doing very well although she gets tired during the afternoons. We went to her oncologist about a week ago. It was a very quick visit as the doctor was running behind and said she had a meeting to go to. ( I think it was lunch.) I wonder what all this debate in D.C. will bring. They seem to be out of control.

80 YEARS YOUNG

Well I did it. Against all odds. I reached this milestone but they tell me that age only counts in cheese. Lisa and Joe threw a big party for me and we all had a very good time. Mickey, Becky and the boys were there, Also Dan, Dawn, Matt, Bonnie and all the boys were there. Wish all of you could have made it but I understand how difficult it is to get away. When the party was over I went to Flanagans Irish Pub in Dunedin with Eddie as my driver. Matt, Dan and Mickey followed us there. Brian, Eric and Kevin, Dawn and Bonnie came with them. We had a good time singing Irish and other songs. For my birthday they made me go up and sing a song. I sang "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" and dedicated it to Mom. Kevin {9 years old} went up and sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" and was the hit of the night.
As I look back I see these years would not be possible without Mom's love and care.
And the major achievement in life has been my 11 children who have all grown to be responsible and productive adults with their own families. When I see them I know I did something right. They make me very proud.
I didn't become rich or famous but I have had a good life.