IKON Lunch

Last Friday I went out to lunch with a few of my old friends from IKON. We all met at the Clubhouse in Oak Brook for a meal, but we got a lot of good old conversation. Sure we ate, but seeing these guys again was better than the food (and the food was good).

Tom put it all together. It was great seeing all of them; Tom, Dan, Roger and Steve - we missed Roger K., hopefully he'll be able to make the next one. It appears that everyone is doing great, IKON/Chicago was made up of a really great group of people. We worked hard and played hard - and we all survived. I think Jenny would be proud of me, reconnecting with friends from my past.

It's been a few years since we all worked together. But, it felt like just another lunch with buddies from work. I think we all had a great time and have committed to do it again in a few months (next time I'll bring a camera). Hopefully, our numbers will be a little larger. Maybe some of the people we talked about will be there ;-) Stay tuned...

Max & Mason

Brush With Famous

Well, famous in Chicago and to those who follow Major League Baseball.



Mason and I went to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum on Monday to see the Butterfly Exhibit and the new Robot Exhibit. We ran into the Chicago Cubs first baseman, Derrek Lee, and his family. Mason wanted a picture with him to give to her grandpa (who has been following the Cubs for over 90% of his 90 years). Derrek was very nice and we snapped a photo very quickly so we wouldn't interrupt his day with his wife and daughter.

In September 2006 Derrek Lee's daughter, Jada, 3 was diagnosed with Leber's congenital amaurosis, a rare genetic disease resulting in loss of vision. Lee and Boston Celtics co-owner and CEO Wyc Grousbeck began Project 3000 in an effort to eradicate the disease affecting both their families.

Besides this picture, we got a lot of good butterfly photos.

Max & Mason

Cubs Win!

Our 1st Game in 2007
Originally uploaded by max_rose

Mason and I went to our first Cubs game of the season yesterday. The Cubbies beat the evil Brewers to take a 2 game lead in the NL Central over the surging St. Louis Cardinals.

We had a great time watching the game and watching the fans. It was "Free Hat Day" sponsored by Arby's, so hey, we each got new hats! We ate hot dogs, but no Cracker Jacks. There was also a very cool orange full moon. Did I mention that the Cubs won? There were a few signs around Wrigleyville that said, "99th Time is a Charm" - that's pretty funny.

Unfortunately, we had to leave at the 7th inning stretch (sung by Bob Uecker, you remember him...Wacky World of Sports guy, Miller Lite commercials, Major League movies. Cubs fans booed him because he's also the Brewers radio announcer, lol) because the woman behind me had too much to drink - too much that some of it came up over the top, if you know what I mean, onto my back. Needless to say, Mason and I were a little upset. Mason was shocked that it happened, I was shocked that it wasn't some 20 something idiot - this woman was easily 40. Actually, this would be very funny if it happened to somebody else, I even have a little grin right now just thinking about it - I hope she had to get to work early today ;-)

Overall though, we had a great time. Thanks Mike; for the tickets!

Max & Mason

New Manicure / Pedicure

New Manicure / Pedicure
Originally uploaded by max_rose

Before the Berwyn Block Party, Mason and I went downtown so that she could get her nails done. School starts on Tuesday, and she wants to look her best for that first day. We went to Digits on Southport, which is right across the street from aunt Elizabeth's old store. The ladies there are all very nice and treat her like she's special (which of course, she is!).

She is very excited to get back to school, and so am I.

Max & Mason

Berwyn Block Party

On Saturday we went over to Mike's house in Berwyn for their annual block party. What a great time! The food was awesome, even a roasted pig (sorry Isabel :( ). Mike has a lot of great neighbors who all made us feel welcome.

Mike put together a Bagz tournament with 20 teams competing for the prize. Tony and I were partners and were dispatched in the first round by a couple of guys who claimed to have never played before. Mike and Jim won the whole thing, which helped Mike forget about the stress and pressure of being commissioner and referee. They beat Joe (the block party organizer) and Jose in the final match. I think everyone had a great time.

Mason made a few new friends, but seemed to spend most of her time with Boomer - Joe and Jana's boxer. We put the pics up on flickr for everyone to see.

Max & Mason

Aftermath

The lights just came back on.

A storm came through the midwest and knocked out the power. Ummm...that was on Thursday, today is Sunday. Electric service was knocked out for approximately 250,000 homes in and around Chicago, including about 1/2 of River Forest. Some people are still without power.

I took some pictures of the storm and the aftermath. The tree in the picture was uprooted by 60-80 mph winds. Fortunately (or unfortunately - since it would have been fine with me if a tree had fallen on my garage that needs to be replaced, or the kitchen that I need to remodel) none of our trees were damaged.

Max & Mason

Grandma & Grandpa VV

The past few weeks have been trying. I don't know what I'd be doing without Jenny's parents to watch Mason!

You often hear, "nice people", "salt of the earth" used to describe friends and/or family - but it is really true with Bob and Viola Van Vuren. I don't think I've ever heard them say anything bad about anybody. They are always around if Mason needs a place to "hang-out". Grandma and Mason do a lot of baking, puzzles and games. They are even good sports when it comes to things like fashion shows (both the Mason with her friends kind and the kind where Mason will dress up stuffed animals or dolls).

Jenny's mom, Viola, will be 83 next month and her dad, Bob, will be 90 in January, and he manages to call me every morning at 6:30, just to say hi and make sure that I'm awake. I hope that the time they spend with Mason takes away a few years, rather than adds. I know that Mason really enjoys spending time with them and I'm very, very, very grateful that they are close by.

Max & Mason

P.S. Mason took the camera over there the other day and took some nice portraits. They're on flickr.

Block Party 2007

A few raindrops wouldn't keep us from our annual Forest Avenue Block Party. I didn't count, but it looked as though 40+ kids and 30+ adults spent the day in the middle of the street, without fear of getting run over.

Every year we barricade both ends of the street; set up tables, chairs, grills and beer keg and spend the entire day getting to know our neighbors a little better. Some of the more resourceful families brought out their tents to keep everyone dry. It was actually a nice change from the 94 degree weather we had last weekend.

The kids all seemed to have a good time. We started the day with donuts and juice (and sugar packets and soda). Painted faces, played games, decorated bikes, jumped in one of those inflatable castles, played in the swimming pool, used chalk to decorate the asphalt AND got to feed and pet a bunch of farm animals. After eating dinner, the kids all went into the basement and watched a couple of movies and ate popcorn while the parents sat around and talked. I posted a few pictures that Mason took on flickr.

Jenny always liked this get-together. She really liked seeing all of the kids play in the street, throw water balloons and just have a good time. She would have liked to have been here yesterday.

Max & Mason

Robin Hood

Last night we joined a group from Keller Williams to see the play Robin Hood. The Oak Park Festival Theater put on a great production with lots of action, humor and quality performances. This has turned into our annual "cultural" event.

We had a group potluck picnic before the show and some of the proceeds from the ticket sales went to benefit KW Cares. You might recall that last year, Molly put a similar event together for Mason's Education Fund. This is actually the 3rd year that we've done this, it was a lot of fun. We enjoyed the company and the show.

I posted some pictures on flickr. Take a look.

Max & Mason

Grandpa Carved These

Grandpa Tony celebrated his 87th birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday Grandpa.

I'm not sure how long he's been carving pieces of wood and turning them into artistic masterpieces, but he's definitely very good at it. Mason snapped this picture of a few of his projects. I'm pretty sure most everyone in the family has at least one "bird" that Grandpa carved. We have a Mallard Drake, it sits prominently on top of the tv in the living room. Everyone who sees it comments on how lifelike it looks - when I tell them that my Grandpa made it, they don't believe me at first, until I show them the inscription on the bottom that shows it was carved in '92 and given to Jenny and me in '97.

Aunt Toni sent me an article that was recently published in the local Annapolis newspaper. The opening sentence is, "Wood carving saved Tony Cimino's life." Here's the link to the full article.

I've printed the full article into a pdf. So, if the story disappears or the newspaper deletes the article, I have it for anyone who wants it. Just send me an email.

Max & Mason

Ups & Downs

I played golf Sunday with my buddy Mike. We went to Algonquin to play The Golf Club of Illinois. The course wasn't anything like we imagined. Other Dick Nugent designed courses I've played (Harborside International, Heritage Bluffs, Seven Bridges) all seemed much more memorable. They are all courses that I will definitely play again (and have played numerous times) because the experience was enjoyable. Mike and I both thought the "Top 10" state ranking is a stretch. The 11th hole owned the title for "Longest Par 5 in the US" at 678 yards - I actually made par!

Mason and I have been spending a lot of time together. I do wish she had a little more going on in the way of activities, but school will be starting soon and that will "free up" some of my time.

Those are the "Ups".

I think about Jenny a lot. I haven't been sleeping very well and I don't appear to be very motivated. Just when I start to have fun, or right after having fun, I feel guilty for feeling good. I know this is probably "normal", but I don't like it. I know I can't live in the past or the future, I have to stay focused on the present - the "here and now", but my mind always finds a way to wander back to thoughts of what would my life be like now if Jenny were still here? Then I imagine many answers to that question, before you know it, it's 3 o'clock in the morning and I haven't gotten to sleep.

Anyway, maybe this is progress. Last year I couldn't sleep and wasn't motivated because I think I was still in shock and overwhelmed by what lies ahead of us. Now, I think I'm beginning to understand what lies ahead and I'm just freaked out and, honestly, pretty scared.

Everyone says, "it gets better". I'm sure it will. I'll get started on that tomorrow, after I get a good night's sleep.

Max & Mason

Grandpa and Me

Grandpa and Me
Originally uploaded by max_rose

One of the most amazing people I know.

He loved his wife forever, he is conservative and has managed to take care of his kids and grandkids (he's a rock). He is living an amazing life, in Europe, Asia, Guam and the US. He's managed to keep his wits, when all about him have lost theirs.

Grandpa Cimino is a man to be admired, loved and trusted. He is always warm and friendly. I've never heard a disparaging word. He loved Grandma Betty as much as anyone can love anyone ( I miss her so much, I wish Mason could have known her as I've known her, I wish I had known her better ). The time we've spent together so far is too short. I really hope he lives forever, so that we can get to know each other better. He's a pleasure to be around, makes a mean spaghetti and meatballs, carves wood like nobody else and has friends wherever he goes. Granpa Tony is a rolemodel that we should all emulate - what an amazing man.

Love,
Max & Mason

That Last Post

Geez, could I be anymore pathetic? I've got to stop writing in my sleep (or at least only save the posts as drafts).

Things aren't that bad. Sure, business is stressful right now (umm, I'm in the mortgage business - so unless you have been living under a rock, you can imagine things are a little topsy-turvy). Summer School ended and Mason isn't quite old enough to completely entertain herself - and unlike last year, there just aren't as many "volunteers" to help out. But, Mason and I are healthy. We're together. We get along great. So, I shouldn't whine so much.

I'm very grateful to everyone who has stayed in contact. We really appreciate everyone who makes any effort to include us. I thought about listing everyone we should thank, but then, like on the Academy Awards, if I forgot someone - that would be tragic. So, just so you know we are grateful and we don't take the effort you put forth for granted - we do remember you. Believe me, a lot of those sleepless nights are spent thinking of the amazing friends that we have and how impossible this would be without you.

Maybe I'm just bi-polar ;-)

Max & Mason

Where Did They Go?

Last year there were so many friends, so many people that said "we'll be here, we'll be here for whatever you need."

I can recall, sitting on the front porch telling Mason that everyone who said they'd be around, wouldn't. I'm really sorry that I was right. But, I'm not surprised. Look, everyone has to get on with their lives, I completely understand that. Mason doesn't quite get that yet. I know she will someday.

While I know that Jenny was important, her influence is diminished now that she's passed away. I knew that everyone who was here for us in the early moments would eventually fall back into their routine. I tried to be prepared for that, but it is difficult not hearing from Jenny's lifelong friends. I know they are thinking of her, but Mason would love note or an email, just to be sure.

A friend of mine asked me today..."Have you found a girlfriend?"

I can't even begin to think about that. Jenny was my one true love. I love her and can't imagine loving anyone else. I can't think of anyone other than Jenny. I still love her so much. I miss her. Without her I am lost. I don't know what to do.

Like tonight, most nights, I can't sleep. I just lie awake and think about what needs to be done. I try to accomplish daily and weekly goals, but I constantly miss Jenny. She should still be here. We were supposed to do this together. I'm not meant to do this alone.

Woke Up Thinking of Jenny

I woke up this morning and the movie Backdraft, starring Kurt Russell, was on tv. That got me thinking about Jenny. Kurt Russell was her favorite. We saw this movie opening weekend back in 1991. We had only been married a few months if I recall, and I remember Jenny really liked this flick.

Here's a list of Jenny's favorite movies:

Escape From New York
Used Cars
The Falcon and The Snowman
Taps
Backdraft
E.T.
Big
Yours, Mine and Ours (the one with Lucille Ball)
Overboard
Starsky & Hutch
The Princess Bride
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Raiders of the Lost Ark
All of the Die Hard movies, she would have loved the most recent one

I didn't really put those in a particular order, just typed them as I remembered them, but the first one, Escape From New York, was her #1 favorite. Do you notice a common thread? She had a crush on Kurt Russell, or maybe she just liked Snake Plisskin.

If you know of another movie that I forgot to list, just add it in the comments.

Visits From Around The World

A little over a year ago Mason and I started this blog. The primary reason was to communicate with friends, family and neighbors - to keep everyone up-to-date. I have had periods where I haven't done a very good job posting on a regular basis, but I think I've gotten better the past couple of months (at least I hope you think so).

About 2 months ago, I started using some tracking software for Max & Mason - similar to what I use for my business blog (which I need to do a better job at updating, but, hey - one thing at a time, right?). It's called Google Analytics. The statistics and reports are very interesting. The software shows us how many visitors our blog gets, where they are in the world, how they got there, how long they stayed on the site, etc. There are many business applications for this, but for Max & Mason, it's just for fun.

Today I looked at the report that shows where all of the visitors to our blog are logging in from - out there in the World Wide Web. Since June 8, 2007 (when I added the tracking) through today, we've had 810 visits from 100 cities! That's pretty cool. I wonder how many visits we've gotten since we first started? If you click on the picture, you can probably find your "dot", unless this is your first time visiting, then it won't be on there. The bigger the orange dot, the more visits from that location.

Thanks for stopping by. This report confirms that we're not alone and that, if even by random clicking from unknown people, we are being thought of and hopefully Jenny (through our tales) is being remembered for the wonderful wife, mother and friend she was.

Love,
Max & Mason

Family

There really isn't anything that compares to "family". Grandpa opened his home to us and Toni made time to entertain Mason. Mason had a great time with Aunt Toni and Sophia. Aunt Toni was very generous with her time, she spent many hours with Mason - shopping, sight-seeing and just "hanging out". Mason really enjoyed the time, and I think they made a very special bond. We even got to spend Erik's birthday with him, Mason even helped make the cake. It was a lot of fun.

Sophia was a treat. Two year olds are great to have around. Sophia is fearless, vivacious and happy. Eric and Lisa have a wonderful little girl.

Of course, Mason made friends with Dooly the new puppy. She took a lot of great photos and we've posted them on flickr.

Love,

Max & Mason