Journal

September 7, 2007
June 5th Terry and I went with a bus trip from Quadrangle to the the Original Waterworks in Philadelphia!! That Historic Endeavor was designed by Fredrick Graff and built in 1801. Sue and I were able to Print out the History of that endeavor to hold onto and "grasp"! It was GREAT to see actually the Waterworks Buildings and its water basin in perspective! That Basin was partially infilled for building the Philadelphia Art Museum. It was splendid to "relearn" that Hstory!
Chelle signed me up for NETFLIX a Movie Mailing Company, The Movies are all DVD and now I have a TV the plays both Cassettes and DVDs!! I have a Frank Lloyd Wright DVD which illustrates some of Wright's Best Buildings!
I am signed up for 20 Phillies Games and have seen most of those. My seats are Great!! 22 Rows off the Playing Field on real grass and on the outfield side of Third Base - I see Everything!! If only the Phillies would start Playing Better.
I went to Wildwood with Michelle, Rick, Preslee, RJ and BJ on a week's Vacation and we saw all the rides. Best of all was I got back to see, climb, and Remember LUCY the Elephant that I Restored in Margate!! It was really Wonderful to go back to the New Jersey Shore for a week's Vacation with my evergrowing family. Speaking of which my son Bob was engaged to a Wonderful girl Maddie about two weeks ago. I will be very pleased to Welcome Maddie into the Family - and see the Family Expand!! I hope for their Happiness and Many Years together!!
My new Companion Terry who I am seeing twice a week hs been a welcome addition to my life!! We have done some Wonderful Outings, shopped and lunches with Chelle and Grandchildren. RJ is getting Bigger!!
Last week I went with Terry on the "Philly Duck Tour" taking a "Bus-Boat" into the Schuylkill River and seeing the Original Waterworks and Art Museum from the River - they are a Sight-to-See!! We are off to Seattle this week for my neice Emma's wedding. It will be good to see her and my brothers and sister-in-laws!
All for now. I am looking forward to seeing the Leaves Fall to enjoy that Season and the Winter to Come!!

1/16/2007:
The Big News is the Birth of my Grandson and Second Grandchild November 9th 2006 at 3 pounds10 Ounces.. RJ! Richard Joseph, IV is named after his Dad, his Grandfather and his Great Grandfather. He was considered a "preemie" becuase he was born 7 weeks early and stayed in the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit for 12 days. He came early becuase Chelle was having complications with the pregnancy. He has been eating every three hours and is up to over seven and a half pounds at 9 weeks old. He is Healthy and keeps growing and is a handsome boy. He was even Baby Jesus in the Church Pageant and played the part very well!!! The whole family is thrilled to welcome RJ as a wonderful addition!! Chelle has recovered well and is celebrating!! (There are pictures on Chelle's website)
Christmas was Exciting Again!! I recieved a new Radio Shack Cordless Phone from Bob Jr., some wonderful gifts from Chelle and Rick including Dachshaund PJ bottoms, a watch and Book, Charles and Trudy sent me a great Buckeye Crossing Sign, Rex sent me Dad's former Bicentennial Stamp Album, and I got a fleece blanket from Phil and Rick Gallagher - Rick's parents. A surprise gift was a Scotland Calendar from Alaister Sutherland who was a friend of the last Minister at Church the Rev. Steve Snider. Steve and I stayed with Alaister in his "pad" (apartment) in the 1990s, and we visited and toured much of Scotland which the Calendar depicts. And Janice Duffin my care manager promises a tour to Philadelphia to see two of my former Restoration Projects, the Graff House(now "Declaration" House) and Five Houses at Franklin Court that fronted Benjamin Franklin's House - I cannot wait!!
Ohio State made it (undefeated) to the National Championship game but lost to Florida - Ouch!!! I was looking forward to another Championship T-Shirt. The Eagles made it to the playoffs but lost to New Orleans. This City has not had a Championship since 1980....
Other than that I have been doing the usual: Greta, Walnut Street Theater, Narberth Community Theater, Lower Merion Conservancy, "working out" twice per week and staying in-tune with the news. The best is my new grandson, watching him grow and learn about the world, and Bob Jr. having a new girlfriend.
That is it for now. We might even get some cold weather yet - the paper indicated the temperatures were falling.
Enjoy!!!

5/28/2007:
The big news is that I am offically an "old" person as I turned 65 in April!! Bob and Maddie gave me four DVDs including Rocky Balboa and the original Rocky Collectors Edition, Chelle took me to Men's Warehouse and I got two new suits, 4 dress shirts and ties, a Spring jacket and more - Better in a way, Bob Jr., Maddie, Rick and Chelle took me to the Restaurant I designed in Philadelphia - Joy Tsin Lau. It was like going home!! the food was Great!! But afterwartd even better we celebrated with champagne and decorated cupcakes at Rick and Chelle's House. it was a bIG and productive birthday!! I am officaly old enough to be living at Quadrangle!! Even better though is that I now have two grandchidren - the second actually born before 2006 was up. RJ, who was small at birth (he was premature) is now growing to full size and seemingly enjoying life with everyone!!
This spring, I got to go to the Art Museum to see the actual remanants at the King Tut Exhibit!! And I also got back to annual Philadelphia Flower Show!! It was as impressive as the old Shows we saw with Mom and Dad as kids and then later with Mom!!
I cannot talk about the Phillies though I have 20 game tickets at the New Stadium; my seats are 22 rows off the field and looking at William Penn atop City Hall in the distance. Things suddenly are looking better with the Phillies - and their best Hitter is back, Ryan Howard. They actually are now in the middle of the lineup!!! Maybe..... And this week on Wednesday I have tickets to their game with Chelle and the Arizona Diamondbacks. I am looking forward to seeing that Game!!! And here's hoping they keep up their good playing of late and WIN!!
Next week on June 5th I am going with Quadrangle and Terry to the actual Waterworks!! It will be like seeing a great treasure again!! I am thrilled that ole treasure is still a thrill to see!! I have not seen it up close for many years.
I have been working on redoing Bob Jr.'s kitchen in Upper Darby. Trying to figure out how to make it more useable- It is a small challenge but it an architectural challenge I have been missing.