September 21, 2010

A Lot Happening Lately

Just two weeks ago our friends Patrick and Tyler were cut from the Steelers roster. Good news! Tyler is signed on the practice squad with the Steelers and Patrick is on the active roster for the Tennessee Titans. Also on the good news list is that Patrick and Kutsch Kutsch (Maggie) are getting married!


Tuff took some more pictures of our new place he wanted to share with everyone.

The entrance


The patio


Tuff's grill


Dining room


Living room


Kitchen


View from living room looking south


View from living room looking southwest


For Labor Day we went to two barbecues. It was a really nice day so we were able to play outside games.


I golfed last week for the first time in a while. Tuff rode the cart since he is not allowed to golf for a year. He still hunted for golf balls though.


This weekend through today Tuff and I traveled south to Nashville. We started with Friday evening at Mike and Leslie's. By now they should be familiar to most of you. They travel up to Wheeling, West Virginia a few times a year to visit Mike's dad.


The next day we dropped by Centennial Park for music corner and to visit Gabe, my high school classmate who lives in Nashville now.



That night we reunited for a fiesta with our young couples group we so dearly love.


The injured showed off


The girls (Thanks Leslie for the photos)


The next morning we met up with some friends the Garrett family at Athens Family Restaurant. We also met up with our friend Amber but she left before this picture. Little Sawyer was wearing his Tuff Harris Titans jersey.


After breakfast we were off to pick up Cheryl and head to the Titans vs. Steelers game.


Here we are walking to the game. Turns out game day kick-off temp was 87 degrees, the hottest temp played at LP field. An unofficial field temperature during the game was 100 degrees.


Kutsch Kutsch made it down to Nashville to watch her fiance Patrick play in blue. Even though the day was hot, the game was quite exciting, ending in a Steelers victory.


Afterwards we tailgated with the Amatos. That is Kenny Amato below waiving. His wife Sandi is from Montana and they both met at school at Montana State. Most of the tailgaters that day were Montana State Alumni.


That evening we met up with the Pleasant family. Reggie is the Chaplain for the Titans. Their family is really special to us and always energizes us just being around them.


The next day we met up for lunch with Charles and Siouxsan Robinson. We met them Christmas Eve at church in 2009. They have an organization called The Red Road, in which they serve to educate and empower.
Siouxsan beaded a beautiful choker for their five year old daughter.


After lunch Charles and Sioux met us at Arrington Vineyards. It was founded in 2005 by country music artist Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn.


Below is one of their 14 wines.


We sat on the patio to enjoy the panoramic views of the vineyards, some apple cinnamon cheddar and the hills of Tennessee.


For our last evening in town we met up with Casey and met his wife Kelsey. They are wonderful together. We made a trip to Sweet Cece's for some frozen yogurt. Our friend Libby works there. Below is a picture of all of us including Libby's dog Bodie. Libby hosted us for two nights of our Nashville visit.


On our way home the vehicle in the picture below passed us. The sign on the back says, "Prisoner Transport. Stay Back 50 Feet." Eek.


Tuff is currently rehabilitating for about two hours a day and has the rest of the day to do whatever he wants. We are making up a schedule so we both stay active and not idle.

Fall is approaching and some of the leaves are already changing colors. On a side note I start a job in October at the YMCA downtown Pittsburgh. Its located in the tallest building in Pittsburgh. Pretty cool. Also Tuff and I are helping lead groups for a high school ministry called Blitz.

September 4, 2010

The New Place

Our new apartment is in one word, Pittsburgh. The tall three or four story, skinny houses are all crammed in one after another. There are stairs and more stairs to reach each door. There is a very narrow street to park on and, of course, no driveways. It is Pittsburgh.

We decided to take a risk and rent typical Pittsburgh for the first time. We are away from our first rental, The Waterfront, which was an oasis in the middle of Pittsburgh, and nothing like the city. So far the 'Pittsburgh' apartment is challenging and delightful at the same time.

Our truck parked on the sidewalk in true Pittsburgh style.


Enlisted for moving day was a small group of our friends, Kevin, Megan and Sky. Tuff was our official supervisor.


I made them pose like this.

The morning of the move, we were checking out of our hotel and found a wonderful flat tire.


Tuff did not let his left arm woes get the best of him and got right in there to help change the tire.


Also on the woes list is Tuff's Genuine Rattler scooter. We tried a lot of different things to resurrect it but no go. Helping us via phone and email is my Uncle Dave, Uncle Joe and Dad. Apparently winterizing your scooter is important. Also I guess eight months of not driving the scooter does not help either. We learned our lesson.


Friday night we had dinner with our dear friends, the Maggies and Tyler and Patrick at Legends on the north shore. Today Tyler and Patrick were released from the roster:( The final cuts are always a hard time of year.
http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-release-11--get-to-53/2f50ed4a-edff-461f-a600-1d2acf845dc4


Today Tuff and I strolled down to the Strip District, just outside of downtown Pittsburgh. Its a historical market district where you will find a variety of local and national businesses, restaurants, shops and markets, many of which are Pittsburgh landmarks.


In the Strip is the original Primanti Bros, which Dana, Tuff and I visited back in December. Fortunately for us there was not a line when we went.


Wholey's Fish Market


Tuff continues to rehabilitate and is getting used to sleeping with a sling. He is thinking about a possible trip to Montana to watch a Griz game!

Lastly Happy Birthday to my little sister Cydney, who today turns 20.