Miller Family Christmas Blog--MFCB 2018
Miller
Family Christmas Blog--MFCB 2018
Your Miller Family Christmas Blogger and former Athletic Supporter Jack Strap has learned through clandestine efforts inspired by the Mitch Rapp character in the Vince Flynn Novels https://www.goodreads.com/series/40589-mitch-rapp (click on the hyper-link which will open in a new window and after you're done with that webpage--you can go back to the MFCB Tab) that Harry Wong operating from his new secret underground lair in Florida has completed his Christmas Newsletter. Jack Strap is a mostly retired “sports and entertainment journalist” who has written about Hills Hoops Inc (HHI), the TCFL, and events like the 3P (Poletti Pool Party) and Penn State Road Trips (until they decreed “What Happens in Happy Valley, Stays in Happy Valley”). His only remaining contractual obligation is to be the MFCB’s Scribe for as long as the Harry Wong Christmas Newsletter (HWCN) is in existence, so having the above intel that the HWCN is in the snail mail--the Good News is you get the high tech MFCB electronically delivered to the warmth of your own home complete with hyper-links transporting you around the World Wide Web.
Jack Strap being the enlightened man that he is has educated Glenn Miller on the Benefits of Gratitude which you can learn about too at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-gratitude. So in the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas, the MFCB brings you Glenn's 12 Days of Gratitude:
{Sing-Along} On the First Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
HER TRUE LOVE - I am grateful for My Wife Karen and don't know anyone who is more giving than her. She gives to me, our Children, our Pets, her Friends, and Strangers too. Examples of the latter are giving baked goods to the folks working at our gym, donating craft items for door prizes at PSU York Alumni Group Game Watch Parties, as well as sending baked goods with all of us into our workplaces. Over the years many co-workers luved my Wife without ever having met her and one described her "World Famous" Oooooooey-Goooooooey Bars as a "Little Taste of Heaven". My Wife also gives to her Customers in her Ruby Heart Crafts business https://www.etsy.com/shop/RubyHeartCrafts as on a couple of occasions between jobs I've seen how hard she works to turn around orders quickly. She also was published in Home Magazine (see Pictures below) with a big assist from Britty. Most importantly she has been a great Mother to our Kids who have grown up to be high quality young people and I attribute most of that to her.
On the Second Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
BRITTY - Regarding the aforementioned Kiddos--we are very proud of our Daughter Brittany who has been "adulting" (as she calls it) for many years on her own primarily in Lancaster. Speaking of Lancaster--they are #1 in the Nation https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2018/10/10/best-places-retire-us-retirement-planning-lancaster-pennsylvania/1575935002/. Britty is a hard worker with a day job as a Therapist at WellSpan Philhaven helping children and adolescents, and also makes very good tips at Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant. She also somehow finds time for the gym, bike rides, going out with friends, and visiting her "Parentals" (as she says) on Sundays.
On the Third Day of Gratitude My True Loves Gave to Me:
ANDREW - He lives with us, but is often out with friends doing a variety of activities and also hosts parties here in the finished basement. A few months ago Andrew announced "it's time to rip off the band-aid and go out on my own" so has an apartment lined up to move in January. The apartment is in Camp Hill within walking distance of his Applications Developer job at Geo-Decisions, a division of Gannett Fleming. We will really miss him not only personally, but also because he's a real asset to the household. Andrew also has been donating blood for quite some time and recently switched to platelets http://www.futureofpersonalhealth.com/prevention-and-treatment/the-far-reaching-benefits-of-donating-platelets.
On the Fourth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
BRITTY AND ANDREW - It's very special that these 2 have a very close relationship. They have dubbed themselves the "Adventure Siblings"and in recent years have gone on Disney Cruises together and this past year a Disneyland and California Adventure Trip celebrating their milestone birthdays of 30 and 25. They also attend shows (e.g. Nutcracker) and activities (e.g Climbnasium, Inflatable 5K) together.
On the Fifth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
BRITTANY AND JAMES - James/Jimi Hendricks-Glazier proposed to Brittany on a very special day at Longwood Gardens that we were all able to attend with his Parents Mary and Penn. He wanted to make it a surprise but she figured it out it was going to be that day, although she didn't know he would "pop the question" one-on-one in the beautiful Otherworldly Grotto https://longwoodgardens.org/blog/2017-08-25t000000/our-otherworldly-grotto. A few months later Penn and Mary hosted an Engagement Party at their Lancaster Farmhouse which was very nice. Note a wedding date hasn't been set as of yet.
On the Sixth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
DOUBLE THANKSGIVING - Since our Nephew Garrett was going into the Marines--he requested that his Parents Doug and Amy host an early October Thanksgiving Dinner. Garrett is currently in Boot Camp in Parris Island SC and this will give you some idea about how hard it is https://www.mcrdpi.marines.mil/Recruit-Training/Training-Summary-By-Week/. Then we had our 2nd Thanksgiving Feast at the Glazier's Farmhouse where James cooked the Tasty Turkey.
On the Seventh Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
VACATIONS - Karen, Britty, and Glenn went on a Disney World/Universal Studios trip in April. Then in June Karen and Glenn had a nice little getaway to the South Carolina Lowcountry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina_Lowcountry--visiting Hilton Head while staying in a cute cottage in Bluffton. Also want to recognize Karen for her Vacation Planning efforts on those trips. In addition the whole family took a Family Fun Day trip to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. Britty also went on a Maine Vacation with the Glaziers, as well as the aforementioned CA Trip with Andrew.
On the Eighth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
HEALTH/WELLNESS - So how do we work off Double Thanksgivings and Vacations? Glenn and Karen joined and have become regulars (almost every day) at Planet Fitness https://www.planetfitness.com/gyms/york-west-pa, and Britty and Andrew also stay active too. In the category of appreciating the small things--West York PF Members consistently hold doors for each other and offer Thanks in return. There was a health scare when Glenn had middle of night chest pains resulting in a trip to the ER, but after a battery of tests it was determined it was GERD--Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
On the Ninth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave To Me:
OUR PETS - Ellie the Cat (aka El Bell) has the most seniority having been with us when we moved from Sinking Spring to West York 7-1/2 years ago. She is independent like most cats, but also has her dog-like times of wanting to sit on our laps and El also likes to Yell. Bradley (aka Beany, Wormy, Bubba, Skinny) is our delightful little golden-cocker spaniel mix who likes being a lap dog, going for rides in the car, and walks at Lowes (safer than a neighborhood filled with unleashed dogs). Cassie is our beautiful Golden who can smile, but is a little Cray-Cray (as Britty says) when she "forgets" how to navigate her way around the house and is left by herself barking.
On the Tenth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
SPORTS/ENTERTAINMENT - Foremost Thankful for Our World Champion Philadelphia Eagles! That's worth repeating (and Eagles could repeat with a QB St. Nick Miracle)--Our World Champion Philadelphia Eagles! Who will ever forget the Philly-Philly Special https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XmhBaUdges! We also were able to attend exciting games featuring Penn State Football and Basketball, Villanova (National Champions!), Flyers (with Reitzy and Gritty) https://www.adweek.com/creativity/how-the-flyers-created-gritty-the-internets-most-beloved-mascot/, Hershey Bears, Bulldogs (West York and Wilson) Football, West York and York College Basketball. In addition there were Sounds of Summer Concerts we regularly attended, the Cirque du Soleil Crystal Show, and STOMP.
On the 11th Day of Gratitude:
NEW FRIENDS - Glenn really enjoys attending Penn State York Alumni Group Happy Hours, Events (including one with PSU's Steve Jones) https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/sports/college/psu/football/2018/08/07/penn-states-longtime-radio-voice-stops-york-talk-lions/930415002/ and Game Watches (including Primanti's off menu Meatball Sub) with the likes of Mike "We Are!" Orberg, John Brozoskie, Eric "The Organizer" Kensington, Duck/Lynn, Jim/Sherry, Greg "Engineer of the Year", Coach, Iona, (2) other Glenn's who both spell it right, etc, etc. In addition every year Glenn is grateful for the New Friends he meets through CPENG https://cpengroup.wildapricot.org/ where he serves on the Board and as a Chapter Leader at PSU Harrisburg. Also speaking of PSU--Glenn is very grateful for his Mentoring relationships with students including Jahanavi https://news.psu.edu/story/533059/2018/08/23/academics/smeal-summer-student-marshal-credits-mentorship-program-building.
On the 12th Day of Gratitude:
OLD PSU FRIENDS - Old Friends from the standpoint that Glenn has stayed in close touch with them since their days together at Penn State which I guess also makes them all old in years. Glenn (nor Jack Strap) is no longer involved with Hills Hoops Inc. (HHI) https://www.facebook.com/Hills-Hoops-Inc-HHI-140604299289633/ nor the Tri-County Fantasy Football League (TCFL), but these long-time institutions for which he was a Founding Father continue on with a shout out to Mighty Kerr in that regard. Speaking of Mighty along with Reitzy, Nick Merolli and Glenn they continued the Penn State Football Weekend Tradition this year at Pitt bringing home a decisive 51-6 Victory. They stayed at the hotel with James Franklin and his Team and despite the rain tailgated with Penn Staters, as well as a Florida Gator whose tailgate included an empathy lesson. Speaking of the latter Nick--did you see at the Psychology Today link above that Gratitude Enhances Empathy? Some others from the old PSU Crew are now living in Florida--Swoop Poletti, Craiger, and Kathy Werley-Wong and also there's Scholesy, Vasilios Bill, T-Pott, The Wojos, Chucky Boy, and Ross who raised money for a worthy cause this year leading The Rossome Team https://give.acco.org/team/197884. In addition we all really miss John "The Giant Lipper/Voice of Reason" Liptock who we lost over 7 years ago. I'm Grateful for them all. WE ARE!
There are some things in process now that will play out in 2019 for all of us and I'm sure all of you too, so stay in touch.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Miller Family Christmas Blog! And now to the Gratitude Pictures in the random order they downloaded:
Thanksgiving at The Glaziers
Engagement Day at Longwood Gardens
Family Fun Day at Tobias Wildlife Park
After Team Effort Decorating Our Christmas Tree
Early Thanksgiving with Moore's Before Garrett Left for Marines Boot Camp
Is El Bell Ready for a Bath?
The Big 3
Ellie Loves the Penn State Poncho
Ellie & Bradley have a Special Relationship
Karen was published in Home Magazine
Story was about Karen's Decoupage
Brittany Modeling for Designer in Lancaster
Our Bluffton SC Cottage
Bradley Loves it at Lowes
The Adventure Siblings
Your Miller Family Christmas Blogger and former Athletic Supporter Jack Strap has learned through clandestine efforts inspired by the Mitch Rapp character in the Vince Flynn Novels https://www.goodreads.com/series/40589-mitch-rapp (click on the hyper-link which will open in a new window and after you're done with that webpage--you can go back to the MFCB Tab) that Harry Wong operating from his new secret underground lair in Florida has completed his Christmas Newsletter. Jack Strap is a mostly retired “sports and entertainment journalist” who has written about Hills Hoops Inc (HHI), the TCFL, and events like the 3P (Poletti Pool Party) and Penn State Road Trips (until they decreed “What Happens in Happy Valley, Stays in Happy Valley”). His only remaining contractual obligation is to be the MFCB’s Scribe for as long as the Harry Wong Christmas Newsletter (HWCN) is in existence, so having the above intel that the HWCN is in the snail mail--the Good News is you get the high tech MFCB electronically delivered to the warmth of your own home complete with hyper-links transporting you around the World Wide Web.
Jack Strap being the enlightened man that he is has educated Glenn Miller on the Benefits of Gratitude which you can learn about too at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-gratitude. So in the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas, the MFCB brings you Glenn's 12 Days of Gratitude:
{Sing-Along} On the First Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
HER TRUE LOVE - I am grateful for My Wife Karen and don't know anyone who is more giving than her. She gives to me, our Children, our Pets, her Friends, and Strangers too. Examples of the latter are giving baked goods to the folks working at our gym, donating craft items for door prizes at PSU York Alumni Group Game Watch Parties, as well as sending baked goods with all of us into our workplaces. Over the years many co-workers luved my Wife without ever having met her and one described her "World Famous" Oooooooey-Goooooooey Bars as a "Little Taste of Heaven". My Wife also gives to her Customers in her Ruby Heart Crafts business https://www.etsy.com/shop/RubyHeartCrafts as on a couple of occasions between jobs I've seen how hard she works to turn around orders quickly. She also was published in Home Magazine (see Pictures below) with a big assist from Britty. Most importantly she has been a great Mother to our Kids who have grown up to be high quality young people and I attribute most of that to her.
On the Second Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
BRITTY - Regarding the aforementioned Kiddos--we are very proud of our Daughter Brittany who has been "adulting" (as she calls it) for many years on her own primarily in Lancaster. Speaking of Lancaster--they are #1 in the Nation https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2018/10/10/best-places-retire-us-retirement-planning-lancaster-pennsylvania/1575935002/. Britty is a hard worker with a day job as a Therapist at WellSpan Philhaven helping children and adolescents, and also makes very good tips at Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant. She also somehow finds time for the gym, bike rides, going out with friends, and visiting her "Parentals" (as she says) on Sundays.
On the Third Day of Gratitude My True Loves Gave to Me:
ANDREW - He lives with us, but is often out with friends doing a variety of activities and also hosts parties here in the finished basement. A few months ago Andrew announced "it's time to rip off the band-aid and go out on my own" so has an apartment lined up to move in January. The apartment is in Camp Hill within walking distance of his Applications Developer job at Geo-Decisions, a division of Gannett Fleming. We will really miss him not only personally, but also because he's a real asset to the household. Andrew also has been donating blood for quite some time and recently switched to platelets http://www.futureofpersonalhealth.com/prevention-and-treatment/the-far-reaching-benefits-of-donating-platelets.
On the Fourth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
BRITTY AND ANDREW - It's very special that these 2 have a very close relationship. They have dubbed themselves the "Adventure Siblings"and in recent years have gone on Disney Cruises together and this past year a Disneyland and California Adventure Trip celebrating their milestone birthdays of 30 and 25. They also attend shows (e.g. Nutcracker) and activities (e.g Climbnasium, Inflatable 5K) together.
On the Fifth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
BRITTANY AND JAMES - James/Jimi Hendricks-Glazier proposed to Brittany on a very special day at Longwood Gardens that we were all able to attend with his Parents Mary and Penn. He wanted to make it a surprise but she figured it out it was going to be that day, although she didn't know he would "pop the question" one-on-one in the beautiful Otherworldly Grotto https://longwoodgardens.org/blog/2017-08-25t000000/our-otherworldly-grotto. A few months later Penn and Mary hosted an Engagement Party at their Lancaster Farmhouse which was very nice. Note a wedding date hasn't been set as of yet.
On the Sixth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
DOUBLE THANKSGIVING - Since our Nephew Garrett was going into the Marines--he requested that his Parents Doug and Amy host an early October Thanksgiving Dinner. Garrett is currently in Boot Camp in Parris Island SC and this will give you some idea about how hard it is https://www.mcrdpi.marines.mil/Recruit-Training/Training-Summary-By-Week/. Then we had our 2nd Thanksgiving Feast at the Glazier's Farmhouse where James cooked the Tasty Turkey.
On the Seventh Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
VACATIONS - Karen, Britty, and Glenn went on a Disney World/Universal Studios trip in April. Then in June Karen and Glenn had a nice little getaway to the South Carolina Lowcountry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina_Lowcountry--visiting Hilton Head while staying in a cute cottage in Bluffton. Also want to recognize Karen for her Vacation Planning efforts on those trips. In addition the whole family took a Family Fun Day trip to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. Britty also went on a Maine Vacation with the Glaziers, as well as the aforementioned CA Trip with Andrew.
On the Eighth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
HEALTH/WELLNESS - So how do we work off Double Thanksgivings and Vacations? Glenn and Karen joined and have become regulars (almost every day) at Planet Fitness https://www.planetfitness.com/gyms/york-west-pa, and Britty and Andrew also stay active too. In the category of appreciating the small things--West York PF Members consistently hold doors for each other and offer Thanks in return. There was a health scare when Glenn had middle of night chest pains resulting in a trip to the ER, but after a battery of tests it was determined it was GERD--Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
On the Ninth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave To Me:
OUR PETS - Ellie the Cat (aka El Bell) has the most seniority having been with us when we moved from Sinking Spring to West York 7-1/2 years ago. She is independent like most cats, but also has her dog-like times of wanting to sit on our laps and El also likes to Yell. Bradley (aka Beany, Wormy, Bubba, Skinny) is our delightful little golden-cocker spaniel mix who likes being a lap dog, going for rides in the car, and walks at Lowes (safer than a neighborhood filled with unleashed dogs). Cassie is our beautiful Golden who can smile, but is a little Cray-Cray (as Britty says) when she "forgets" how to navigate her way around the house and is left by herself barking.
On the Tenth Day of Gratitude My True Love Gave to Me:
SPORTS/ENTERTAINMENT - Foremost Thankful for Our World Champion Philadelphia Eagles! That's worth repeating (and Eagles could repeat with a QB St. Nick Miracle)--Our World Champion Philadelphia Eagles! Who will ever forget the Philly-Philly Special https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XmhBaUdges! We also were able to attend exciting games featuring Penn State Football and Basketball, Villanova (National Champions!), Flyers (with Reitzy and Gritty) https://www.adweek.com/creativity/how-the-flyers-created-gritty-the-internets-most-beloved-mascot/, Hershey Bears, Bulldogs (West York and Wilson) Football, West York and York College Basketball. In addition there were Sounds of Summer Concerts we regularly attended, the Cirque du Soleil Crystal Show, and STOMP.
On the 11th Day of Gratitude:
NEW FRIENDS - Glenn really enjoys attending Penn State York Alumni Group Happy Hours, Events (including one with PSU's Steve Jones) https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/sports/college/psu/football/2018/08/07/penn-states-longtime-radio-voice-stops-york-talk-lions/930415002/ and Game Watches (including Primanti's off menu Meatball Sub) with the likes of Mike "We Are!" Orberg, John Brozoskie, Eric "The Organizer" Kensington, Duck/Lynn, Jim/Sherry, Greg "Engineer of the Year", Coach, Iona, (2) other Glenn's who both spell it right, etc, etc. In addition every year Glenn is grateful for the New Friends he meets through CPENG https://cpengroup.wildapricot.org/ where he serves on the Board and as a Chapter Leader at PSU Harrisburg. Also speaking of PSU--Glenn is very grateful for his Mentoring relationships with students including Jahanavi https://news.psu.edu/story/533059/2018/08/23/academics/smeal-summer-student-marshal-credits-mentorship-program-building.
On the 12th Day of Gratitude:
OLD PSU FRIENDS - Old Friends from the standpoint that Glenn has stayed in close touch with them since their days together at Penn State which I guess also makes them all old in years. Glenn (nor Jack Strap) is no longer involved with Hills Hoops Inc. (HHI) https://www.facebook.com/Hills-Hoops-Inc-HHI-140604299289633/ nor the Tri-County Fantasy Football League (TCFL), but these long-time institutions for which he was a Founding Father continue on with a shout out to Mighty Kerr in that regard. Speaking of Mighty along with Reitzy, Nick Merolli and Glenn they continued the Penn State Football Weekend Tradition this year at Pitt bringing home a decisive 51-6 Victory. They stayed at the hotel with James Franklin and his Team and despite the rain tailgated with Penn Staters, as well as a Florida Gator whose tailgate included an empathy lesson. Speaking of the latter Nick--did you see at the Psychology Today link above that Gratitude Enhances Empathy? Some others from the old PSU Crew are now living in Florida--Swoop Poletti, Craiger, and Kathy Werley-Wong and also there's Scholesy, Vasilios Bill, T-Pott, The Wojos, Chucky Boy, and Ross who raised money for a worthy cause this year leading The Rossome Team https://give.acco.org/team/197884. In addition we all really miss John "The Giant Lipper/Voice of Reason" Liptock who we lost over 7 years ago. I'm Grateful for them all. WE ARE!
There are some things in process now that will play out in 2019 for all of us and I'm sure all of you too, so stay in touch.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Miller Family Christmas Blog! And now to the Gratitude Pictures in the random order they downloaded:
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