H A P P Y N E W Y E A R 2 0 0 9

As 2008 quickly fades into the past..

My wish for all of us in this New Year is

"May we all Celebrate and Share Our Love, Health, Peace and Happiness"

I have posted a picture of Times Square because 95% of us started out there and then moved on.....but at this time of the year we all have memories of New York. Some Happy some Unhappy but in this New Year let us all create only New Wonderful and Happy Memories to fill

2 0 0 9

"We Wish you a Merry Christmas"

(CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE)

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.....

(This is a picture my largest tree ....guess that is how I compensate for my story below)

"Tis the Season to be Jolly? "

This is not your traditional Christmas Tale, but I felt like telling it anyway.

I was talking to Janet the other day and I asked her if she remembered ever being told about Santa Claus or getting presents for Christmas. She also has no recollection of ever knowing about Santa......I must say from birth to the age of at least 4 or 5, we had no idea that a Jolly man in a red suit would come to our house and leave toys for all the good little girls and boys.....She did remember getting a doll but we think it was when she was older. Several memories came to mind about what I remember about Christmas.

This was when I was in kindergarten, I was about 5, my class was taken down to the school basement for a Christmas party. The school basement was a dark, musty, dirty place but we did not know any better at that time....I remember we were told to sit at long tables on benches, and on the table each place setting had a plate containing a cookie and a few pieces of can and a small toy..when I sat down, there was no place setting in front of me, the kids on my left and right had them but I had nothing....remembering my mother always telling me never to ask for anything unless it was offered, I just sat there and watched all the other kids eating their cookie and candy......

another memory comes to mind...I think it was the same year and Christmas Eve was spent in my Aunt Millie's apartment on the 1st floor of the house on 8th Street...All the furniture was taken out and long tables were set up running from the kitchen through the cold water flat to a 2nd bedroom....Everyone in the family who lived in 521 was there...it was fun....at one point my mother took me upstairs to our apartment and I went to bed.......a Christmas tree which my father picked up off the street late that afternoon (it was discarded by the person selling them on Vernon Blvd) was in the room right next to my bed...it had no lights but it did have some ornaments and tinsel...I guess I had heard about hanging stockings for Christmas....I took off a sock and I hung on the tree and fell asleep....when I awoke the next morning I looked over and saw that it was still hanging there and still empty...I started to cry and when my mother asked why, I told her and she said that it was too dark and Santa did not see it....I did find a coloring book and crayons under the tree...not wrapped but just placed on the floor....Times were very tough in those days and when you expect nothing and received nothing, you are never disappointed......I am not complaining, just explaining... but all these years later I think that is why I find Christmas a very sad time of the year......Today we all have much more then we need but I guess the old memories over shadow that at this time of the year.

"Happy Birthday Guys"

With CHRISTMAS only days away, I wanted to post the two birthday guys coming up....Kelly's son Joey will be 19 on the 21st and Johnpaul will be 26 on the 25th.....have a wonderful Birthday guys, everyone wishes you the best,

"Happy Birthday Carrie"

Sunday November 30th would have been Carries 67th Birthday.

I know that my mother and Aunt Kate will be having a Cocktail Hour (that lasts up to 5 hours) planned. Knowing Carrie she will go shopping for a Birthday outfit. I better not get the credit card bill for it.

The funny thing is after 20 years, I still receive Credit Cards in Carrie's name. Guess old habits die hard.....

Happy Birthday Carrie from all of us

"Happy Birdday to You"

....as the song goes...."We're Off" to see the Wizard....

Since almost everyone in this family group is, well, a bit Off.....

I thought this would be an appropriate picture too share this Thanksgiving.....

Only Kidding Guys...

"Wishing you All a day of Peace, Happiness and Love"

"Happy Birthday Angela"

Tuesday November 25th will be my baby sisters Birthday.

I won't tell you how old she is, but I know that she was born in '46

Now you figure it out....

and yes I did verify this on Snopes

"We all wish you a Great Birthday Sis"

" Wii the People "

(click on pic to enlarge)

Not sure how many of you know the game "Wii" by Nontendo...........(pronounced "WE )

..the son of Ron's friend Lou showed me his game and we played music games and then bowling....I had so much fun I deceided to buy my own....

Ron has since bought one and in talking to my son Michael I found out that he is a Wii junkie.....

There are 100's of games, sports etc etc that are availabe with Wii.....

The above picture was taken by Ron from his screen...he sent it to me laughing because he said that my mother and myself are in the left background watching him bowl.....

In Wii, you are able to make up your own Wii people to resemble family and friends....in addition to playing solo and with friends you are also able to play on line with any other users...

This is a game that is played on your TV set not your computer...

Ron and Michael were in a "Mario Cart" race last night with lots of other people from around the world....

It is truly amazing.

Just thought I would let you guys know that Wii is a hell of lot of fun..

"I have not Fallen Asleep on the Job"

So Far November has been a slow month for our BLOG...I have several items coming up soon...Hint: a new Conlon memeber, a few birthdays and well, we will see......

"Happy Birthday Mike"

Tuesday, November 4th will be Mikes 67th Birthday

Have a Great Day Mike. Will all wish you the best.

"Halloween - Redneck Style"

Wishing you all a

"Happy Halloween"

but don't Treat too much you may get Tricked....

Have fun and don't take any wooden snickers....

"The Marathon Man"

This past weekend Steve Conlon ran in the Chicago Marathon.....His sister (my cub reporter) sent me these pics....as you can see his two sons, Andrew and James were there to cheer their dad at the finish line....Way to go Steve...."We are all very proud of you".

I think you are the first person in our family that was actually running with no one chasing him.....

"Conlon Cloning Unmasked"

Kelly sent me the above pics, as you can see, her son John and her Uncle Joe have the same face. Actually in person John is all his Uncle Joe.....The first time I saw John as an adult was at the family reunion in 2006...when I opened the door and saw him, I had to catch my breath...for a moment I thought it was Joe. The Conlon's had Dolly the Sheep beat my about 20 years....Thanks again Kel.

"Ole Man River"

Last week Ron took these phone pics of the river on my corner. It is part of the St. John's River and is called Doctors Inlet. The piers in the pics are all privately owned and are part of the property when you buy a home....I told Ron when I win Lotto, I want one.....There is one public pier ( where Ron took these) where you can fish, lounge or just enjoy the view. Just wanted to show where I live...

"Happy Birthday Michael"

Saturday, October 11th will be Michael's 48th Birthday....

I took Carrie to the hospital that afternoon, they told me to go home, saying it would be many hours before delivery....About 10 PM that night they called to say she had the baby. My mother wanted to come with me, she put on her coat ( the style then was something called a Box Coat, very boxy) we took a cab and when we got to the hospital, I was helping her out of the cab, when two nurses standing outside saw us, came running over, took my mother, one on each side and rushed her into the hospital....she did not know what was happening....they thought she was having a baby ( remember the box coat ?)....when we told them no....we all laughed....I was taken to Carries room, the nurse said say hello to your wife and I will bring the baby...She pointed to the bed and opened the curtain, I looked down and was shocked...I had no idea, that a woman would change so much after having a baby.....the nurse shook the woman and said your husband is here..she opened her eyes and looked at me and fell asleep....then the nurse said, oh wait your wife is in the other bed...I finally got to see Carrie and was happy that she did not change at all....Then she brought Michael in and I saw him for the first time..I was so excited, he opened his eyes and actually smiled...the nurse said...your son his happy to see you....ah what a wonderful day for all of us....

Have a Great Birthday Michael..Luv Ya

"Carrie and Don on Janets Wedding Day"

Found this pic after I posted Janet and Mells Anniversary Blog....It's amazing that I have not changed in 50 years. Well, maybe only one thing, my eyesight is not what it use to be......lol

"Happy 50th Anniversary Janet and Mell"

( click on pic to enlarge )

Saturday, October 4th will be Janet and Mell's 50th Wedding Anniversary..

It seems like only yesterday that we posed for this picture. We all made such a good looking bunch....Janet was beautiful, Mell was so happy...and we were all looking forward to the cocktail hour at Bellaire Castle....and a wonderful time was had by all.

"Much Love and Happiness to you both"

"Happy Birthday Steve"

Friday October 3rd is Steve's 41st Birthday......

We all wish you a Great Day..

and be sure to brush after you have a piece of your birthday cake.

"Johnpaul amd Melissa's Wedding Pics"

I had literally 100's of pics to choose from.....I did not even put the Honeymoon pics up yet.....Will save for a later time....

Great Pics Guys...

"Happy Birthday Mell"

Sunday, September 28th will be Mell's 71st Birthday.....

Have a great day Mell and remember 71 is only 17 backwards....

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y M E L L

"Thanks Kelly for the John Update"

Today John visited the State Department and was the ONLY college intern invited to sit with the US Delegates in the United States and the European Union talks about aircraft and aviation. He said it was exciting and an honor to be invited to these talks. He was given special clearance for this visit, however, a guard was posted at his side the entire time … just in case he decided to run off and doing something stupid while in the State Department … like throw a Pope Party or something! Anyway, he said it was very exciting and it was very educational and learned a lot about the inner dealings of politics within international aviation.

"Happy Birthday Uncle Mike"

Today, September 23rd would have been Uncle Mikes 103rd Birthday...Wow....I am sure the Keg will be tapped tonight and Liz and Kate will be mixing an extra batch of sours for the occasion. I know Carrie likes sours, I wonder what Joe and Susan will be having ?...I am sure the "Girls" will have plenty of supplies on hand...My father will get the Bar B Que fired up and a Great Time will be had by all....

Have a wonderful time guys.

"Neither Rain nor......"

It rained all day yesterday, but the club did not cancel the event...Ron, Lou and Lou' son Johnnie set up all the equipment, it took well over an hour..at 6:00 PM the starting time there were about 5 people there..but the BB's began playing....slowly more and more people began to arrive by 7:00pm there were about 50-60 people....more coming as the night progressed...On a good night, weather wise, there would have been 100's of people ....by 7:30 little kids were dancing, big kids were dancing...and then the adults joined it...It turned out great, much fewer people then would have been there if the weather was better....but The B B 's received another booking from the club for a future affair and they were approached to play a large party in November for 200 people.....It was a great night and we all enjoyed it....Way to go B B 's

"September 20th 1936"

Friday September 20th...
72 years ago today Liz and Mike were married in St Mary's Church in Long Island City...
Following the ceremony a lavish reception was held. attended by the elite of Long Island City..
Later that night, counting the gifts a total of $299.00 was received which was immediately impounded by my grandmother to cover the cost of the furniture purchased for their apartment located at ...well where else...521

My Aunt Kate was not in the wedding party

as she was still recuperating from the birth of Joey, born in August.

"The BB's Play in Orange Park""

Eagle Harbor has booked Ron's Band, The BB's to play Saturday September 20th....The party is being advertised as "The Party of the Decades" will be at the Eagle Harbor Swim Park from 6pm to 9pm.

Ron, Lou and Lou's son Johnny will be performing songs from the 60's 70' and 80's. Johnny, joining the band for the 1st time will be playing (among other instruments) the Bass Guitar. He is an fantastic musician at the tender age of 13. Everyone is looking forward to it, and Kelly Conlon is driving up from Orlando for the event.....We all wish the BB's a much success.....

"Wedding Bells for Melissa and Johnpaul"

Angela and Brian's son, Johnpaul will wed Melissa Rossi on Sunday September 7th.

A Sunset Ceremony will take place at the Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, California. A beautiful outdoor reception will immediately follow the ceremony and a fantastic Honeymoon in Italy is planned.

Both Melissa and Johnpaul live in California and both work in the film industry, so I am sure I will have lots of great photos to post.

"Our Warmest Wishes to you Both"

"Happy Birthday Lauren"

Michael's daughter Lauren will celebrate her 20th Birthday this Saturday, September 6th.

Wishing you a Special and Wonderful day Sweetie and save me a slice of cake or better yet a gal of Ice Cream....( I wish )....

Wow look at Dad and his Little Girl..(Yes you are in that blanket somewhere )

We are all singing Happy Birthday, if you are real quiet you will hear us....Oh wait...guess I can't fool my cockroach anymore...Love you...

"Happy Birthday Kasey"

Kelly's beautiful daughter, Kasey will be 14 on Tuesday the 2nd....I don't remember being 14, I think due to finances I jumped from 13 to 15..Oh well..

All kidding aside, have a great day Kasey and best wishes from all of us.

"Congratulations Ladies"

To all the women in our family, I would like to applaude you, a female has been nominated on the GOP presidential ticket...it has taken a long time to get here but as the old "Virginia Slim" commercials said many years ago..

"You Have Come a Long Way Baby"

"School Daze"

Kelly's son John has received a security clearance and will be Interning at the Pentagon for the Department of Defence, begining next week...He is also studying for his LSAT's as he is scheduled to graduate next August and is hoping to go to George Town Law. Way to go John, all our best wishes are with you. (We just pray the Pope does not plan any visits to the Pentagon.)

Her son Joey has started college at Charleston University and has entered as a sophomore.....Good Luck Joey..I skipped a grade once..(I walked right past the classroom)

My son Michael's daughter Lauren has returned to St.Joseph College in Connecticut to begin her Junior year....her goal is to become a teacher, working with the disabled. Very proud of my cockroach.

Ron's son Vinny started his Freshman year at Baruch University yesterday and will be majoring in Accounting. (Ah a numbers man in the family and the law has no problem with it.)

His brother Paul begins his senior year at Queens College, mastering in Business Media and will graduate in May....I am very proud of them both..

"To all the brains in our family...we wish you good luck and may you all have a wonderful and productive year."

"Tufu Junkie Exposed"

Found this picture online, I swear it is Angela....this is when it all started, a baby spoon here, a mouthful there....and before you know it, we had to force her to join "TEA"....Tofu Eaters Anonymous"..She took the 12 Step Program but after she walked 12 steps she found a Tofu Store and it was all down hill from there. Today she tries to disguise her addiction by giving Tofu an acceptable name...."Boca Burgers", "Tofukey" "Soy Sausage" but who is she fooling ?.....She even has poor Brian hooked now. Hollywood has even bought the rights to a movie about her life, It will be called "The Days Of Soy and Roses".....and sequel is already in the works, it is called "SOY-lent Green".....Lets all wish her a quick recovery...please send donations to "S ave O ur Y oung" in care of "get-the-wok-out-of-here.com

"I put my two cents in and lost $1.98"

One morning I was sitting on the kitchen table and my mother was dressing me when my father came home from work. He worked nights in a dry cleaning plant. He took money from his pocket and told my mother he had found it in some ones clothes. (He found tons of stuff over the years, it was part of his job to go threw the pockets before the clothes were put into the large dry cleaning machines. )....I think it was the first time that either of them ever saw a Two Dollar Bill....and by the way, that was a full days pay at that time..he was making less that $10.00 a week...I was about 3 years old and of course I wanted the money. My father said, if you can tell me the name of the president on this bill you can have it, and both he and my mother laughed...I looked at him and said Thomas Jessefin, he said what ?...Thomas Jessifin, I repeated. They looked at each other and one of them asked me, how do you know that....I shrugged my shoulders and I really did not know how I knew it, it just popped into my head. I asked if I was correct and laughing my father said no...it was Jefferson and you said Jessifin....so needless to say I did not get the money, but that two dollars bought some meat for dinner.......my father was unemployed for two years prior to that so that money came in handy.....I remember that event as clear as a bell, but I really do not know how I knew the answer....I have experienced ESP many many times in my life, so I guess it may have started way back then. I try it now with Lotto numbers but ..no luck.

"Radio City Memories"

For some reason this came to mind today and I thought I would share it.

It was about 1943 and I was about 4 years old. My mother took me to Radio City Music Hall in New York City.It was the largest building I was ever in at that time. It was like being in a palace. I remember we sat on the left side of the theatre by the aisle, the lights were still on and the movie had not started yet. A few feet from us, drapes opened and a huge organ with a lady sitting at it appeared. I can still remember her, she was short, very thin and had on the first pair of high heeled platform shoes I ever saw..I was use to Noana shoes, that is I ever knew....as she started to play I saw her feet moving back and forth over all the petals on the floor, being short I guess she needed the heels to reach the petals ( only guessing about that part ) anyway she played some songs and it was amazing, I had never heard an organ before and it was so loud and I liked it. at some point I remember clapping when she had stopped, she turned and looked at me and smiled. I gave her my best (better be nice to people or else ) smiles and she waved me over to her, my mother walked me the few feet to the lady and she asked if I wanted to sit next to her when she played the next song...I said yes and she lifted me on to the bench she was sitting at....I was in awe all I could see were rows and rows of keys and watching her hands move so so quickly from one row to another....was something I still recall to this day. For some reason I think her name was Helen but I can not find anything about her on the web....I see that Radio City had a staff of organists but no other information. I know this story means something only to me but I wanted to pass it on anyway.....and before my sister says how we complained of being poor etc...the carfare was one nickle and the movie about 20 cents and I was let in free on both counts....sorry Sis....lol