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Remembering Howard Landis 1928 – 2014
Howard Landis is the father to Bill and Mary, Husband to Judith, and Grandfather to James.
Howard spent several years in the military (Navy) during the Korean War and was an honorably discharged Veteran. Howard was very good mechanically and used to repair televisions for a living. He was a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and worked for RCA Victor in sales for over 25 years.
He also enjoyed working with cars and likes the Detroit auto industry, unlike certain politicians. Mom said he was thrilled to hear she had married someone from Detroit (even though the person she married knew nothing about cars).
He loved the Three Stooges and Felix the Cat was his favorite cartoon. He loved seafood and his favorite vacation spot was Sarasota Florida. He exercised his choice to vote every election, even while living at West Meade.
Howard past away peacefully at West Meade (which is a nursing home in Tennessee).
New Years 2014
James brought in the New Year several different ways this year. First he had a countdown on the living room wall during the Holiday season. Next, he had a countdown on his Ipad. Simultaneously he had the countdown on the television going along with his Ipad countdown. Finally, he had fireworks saved from the 4th of July that we lit in the back yard.
We stayed up late listening the the music and the bands on the television station while watching the firework show outside. James got to bed around 1am and slept well into the Rose Bowl parade the next day. Watching the Rosebowl game we were glad to see a team from Michigan (MSU Spartans) win the game over Stanford with their great defense.
All in all, a great start to 2014
Christmas 2013
This was a different but wonderful holiday season for us. Everything from hospital visits to humane society adoptions went on this year. During Christmas Day James kept busy playing with his gifts while Mom and Dad watched one of her gifts, the first season of “Nashville”. Dad pointed out that one of the stars (the character called Juliet Barnes) was in one of his favorite sports movies, “Remember the Titans” as a child.
Couple notes of interest. James had time (and enough snow) to build a pretty decent pirate snowman. The weather has been wonderful for Christmas, but I hope the snow stops soon as it is starting to pile up. Its very very cold as well. Looks like this might be a rough winter but who knows. We are only a week or so into the winter season.
Thanks to all the family for the gifts, cards, candy, kind thoughts, and well wishes. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Christmas Kittens 2013
The big gift this year was two kittens coming into the Kleiber family. They arrived on Christmas Eve and in the pictures you can see the traveling box that we brought them home in. They were born on Oct 26 of this year (Halloween time) and the Humane Society people named them Charm and Luna. Mary and James renamed them Karmin (James pick for Charm) and Thelma (Mom’s pick for Luna).
We left most of the indoor Christmas lights off because the new kittens had a tendency to climb in the tree and we did not want them to get a shock. Both kittens were spaded but one (Karmin) kept scratching and licking her stitches so the vet prescribe one of those cones to stop her. Problem was the kitten was too small for even their smallest cone so they made one out of a paper plate.
Thanks to all the family for the gifts, cards, candy, kind thoughts, and well wishes.
Dads Birthday 2013
It was a busy day today for everyone with work, school, and Santa’s Magic Forest so its no wonder that we got a late start on Dads birthday.
As usual, Dad got a special chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and everyone enjoyed a late birthday snack on this cold December day. 53 years ago Dad was born, kind of amazing how the time flies when you are having fun.
Dad gets most of his gifts the day after Halloween, when Mom goes to the after Halloween sales and picks up whatever Dad needs for the next Halloween party. Still, plenty of gifts to open today for Dad.
Santa’s Magical Forest 2013
James and his family visited Santa’s Magic Forest at Taylor’s Heritage park and he caught up with several of his friends from summer VIP camp. Talking to the people who put this on they explained some of the decorations are from the old Hudson’s Christmas display that many adults remember fondly. It is all volunteer work (20 some setup days, 20 some people and 486 man hours) and the money raised helps several local food pantries.
James had a blast not only seeing friends he had not seen since summer but also with the elaborate animatronic displays and even a visit to ol St Nick. Big thanks to our friends at VIP camp for putting this event together. For more information about this event you can see the flyer, they are open till Dec 22nd this year.
Pearl Harbor Remembered in Original Christmas Poem
Mom tells the tale of “One Magical Christmas” which tells how a small town in Michigan reacted to the 1941 attack. Based of facts that she researched from that time period.
Thanksgiving Visit to Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital 2013
Aunt Peg was at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit over the holidays and James and his Dad made a visit to see her and were surprised at all the magnificent Christmas decorations that were on display there.
Dad was born at Henry Ford Hospital (and so was his Dad James Grandpa and both Aunt Peg and Aunt Criss – the place has been around since 1915 or so) so it has a special meaning to him (although he does not remember his last visit here, it might have been when he was born).
Aunt Peg was doing ok but was very tired and not interested in taking pictures, however she would recover and a few weeks later we picked her up here and took her back to her apartment in Oakwood.
The one thing that is frustrating about this hospital is paid parking, I never liked that at a hospital but in Detroit or any major city I guess its necessary due to the high population vs park spots.
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After Halloween Sale 2013
As I am sure it has been pointed out before on this blog, Dad get his Christmas and Birthday gift from Mom each year Nov 1, a shopping spree consisting of Kmart, Walmart, Joanns, and Spirit Halloween. This year was no exception, best deals we found were 70% off, but the rest was 50% off. However I think the best deal was the T-shirts, which were only a couple dollars each.
It may take a little longer to get decorations this way, but if you pack them away then open them a year later, its no different than if you bought them just then, this way you save a ton.
This year James got to join in on the fun as he was off from school for scheduled school admin stuff, so he picked out a few things as well including an Angry Bird Pig pumpkin carving set (you stick the parts into the pumpkin and you are done, no muss, no fuss).
After shopping Mom took the family out to Big Boy for the breakfast bar, a great day with lots of great values.
Hoover Elementary Halloween Parade 2013
Not the best conditions for a parade as it rained all day on Halloween. The parade was originally planned to go around the block but because of the poor conditions they only had the kids march around the school. Lots of great costumes despite the weather conditions. Speaking of weather, James decided on his costume a couple days before the event, he wanted to go not as a monster or politician or celebrity, but as a weather man. We made up a thunderstorm weatherman outfit for him with raindrops falling from the umbrella (as if we needed them today) and a thunderstorm cloud as well. Due to the weather it worked out well as he was dressed head to toe in wet weather gear, simulating a weatherman broadcasting from a hurricane area.
