Mike with Kids
The 3 Amigos! Mike with Sophia & Michael
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Lets go to Mugsy's!!!
Well first of all...I want to say happy 4-0..and i was 4-0 on sept.29th along with Rob Miller..but I did not have a suprise birthday and all the things that Jana did for you....You have a special gal there and you deserve it..I remembering you calling me years ago ( around 2003) and you were really pissed about the shitty things that have been done to you and I tried to make you feel better as best as I could....and then you tried to be the good guy that you are and gave love a second chance and then it failed....But that shit was such bad odds and may I tell you how bad I felt.?..I remember you helping me out with these things at JCU and I clearly remember how you told me to move on...well you made a great move...on....isnt it crazy how life treats us? Mike, I clearly think you were all out for helping me and all of us in great ways.as a friend and as someone who I could laugh with and we could make fun of each other...I can bring up all the fun incidents we went through and all the memories..but we know all that...I think the best for you and miss you..Happy Times.....Lew
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Jana said "toast and roast", not just "Roast"
Man, after reading through the blog posts, I come away with two thoughts. 1) I am a lucky guy to have such great friends and family and 2) I have a long history of drinking. Does every story have to involve a bar? I suppose I earned the reputation. Of course, I have found that is where the fun is, and I like to have a good time after all. As we say in one my adopted hometown(s) of New Orleans, Let the Good Times Roll!
I will get to my reverse roast in a minute, but my buddy Chad made a statement that I can roll into any part of the country and fit right in. I have always thought that every place is what you make of it, and I have had a lot of fun in the 7 states I have lived in. That is more due to the people I have come across than anything I did. Buffalo is home and always will be home to me, it made me who I am and I am lucky to have grown up there. Our sports teams usually suck, it's cold, nasty, gray, down trodden, economically backwards, and all in all a tough place to live. Despite this, we all love it and wouldn't change a thing (although a Stanley Cup or Superbowl win would be pretty sweet). Ohio, brought me the JCU boys and the memories of college. These guys are my friends for life and are the source of endless stories and belly laughs. Florida represents the glory days of Jacksonville Rugby and our magical season of 1995. I am sort of glad that these guys didn't chime in since it may have made this a little less family friendly. Alabama...who would have thought I would have such a great group there? My friends from Michelin rank up there with the JCU crew for the same reasons, endless stories. Louisiana, my 2nd favorite place in the world after Buffalo for the city of New Orleans and how my life changed in those 18 months. Minnesota...Awesome group of friends, road trips to the Dakotas, hockey, and a whole different lifestyle than anything I have ever experienced. Finally, Massachusetts represents a tamer lifestyle and having my own family. The common thread is that I have had great people surrounding me, and I have needed it through the years as most of you know.
Now...Jeff, I love you like a brother too despite your poor choice of sports teams. Steven Peretti, the actual term is "face to waist" and it includes a shit mustache. Rob, you forgot the Slamabama Hammers, serenading Napkins Atkins and Bob Gannon on your guitar, and the apple pies after the Viking meal at Kenyon. Claire, the other Yankee was Danny Tartabull. Jennie, I needed to be there when Joe Steen hit on you, drunk, not knowing who you were. Russ, you have been around 15 years?? Wow! Steve, have you ever beaten me at basketball in 32 years? EVN, take ya shirts to the dry cleanahs, and that's an owdah! Eric, the cigs were yours and a rather curious choice since 2 hours earlier you were "training" for the marathon. Todd, I remember you pissing on a coffee table at Kent State in the midst of a drunken search for a toilet at some house we all crashed at, the problem was that I was sleeping downspout and got my first and last golden shower circa 1990. Guy, the bar was not Club Paradise but "Fascinations" and you left out the part of ratting me out to the cops so you could avoid a DWI (at least that time). Chadwick, thanks for the lead at Rain Bird, I appreciate you getting me in before you quit. Mom, I sincerely apologize for ruining your furniture, but it was fun anyway. Scotty, I bet if we "blog" for your birthday, you are one of the few that can out do me on the boozy stories. Matt, if you could fight for yourself I wouldn't have a criminal record and would not be a garbage man today. Andy, never happened, WTF are you talking about? Bailey, the last MX man standing at the Bird, you will soon get your CLIA to go with your MBA so you can sell 5004PLPCSS. Scott next door, you are indeed Wilson. Barker, I can't believe you were such a bad influence on Freddie in NYC, he used to be a shy, introverted nerd.
I am sure this is more fun for me and does not make great reading, so I will wrap it up. I mentioned my life changed in New Orleans, and it did in so many ways. I will always remember standing on the sidewalk outside of The Old Abinsthe House on Bourbon St, when my future turned the corner to meet me for a blind date. I hadn't met her, but knew it was her and somehow knew things were going to be OK in my new city. As most of you know all to well (because I was pretty reliant on you) I was in a pretty bad place and it all started getting better at that moment. I could handle the issues going on at that time and have fun again. I survived a hurricane, two more moves, a scary start to Sophia's life, and the other things life throws at you because I finally met the person who loved me for who I am, like the rest of you reading this. 7 years later, Jana brings you all back in one spot, whether you were at the party or on this blog, and I realize how lucky I am to have each and every one of you in my life. Jana planned the perfect surprise and she is truly the sweetest and most loving wife anyone could ever wish for. She also makes some cute and fun kids ;)
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and I hope I can be half the friend/brother/son/spouse/father that you all are to me.
Love, Mike
I will get to my reverse roast in a minute, but my buddy Chad made a statement that I can roll into any part of the country and fit right in. I have always thought that every place is what you make of it, and I have had a lot of fun in the 7 states I have lived in. That is more due to the people I have come across than anything I did. Buffalo is home and always will be home to me, it made me who I am and I am lucky to have grown up there. Our sports teams usually suck, it's cold, nasty, gray, down trodden, economically backwards, and all in all a tough place to live. Despite this, we all love it and wouldn't change a thing (although a Stanley Cup or Superbowl win would be pretty sweet). Ohio, brought me the JCU boys and the memories of college. These guys are my friends for life and are the source of endless stories and belly laughs. Florida represents the glory days of Jacksonville Rugby and our magical season of 1995. I am sort of glad that these guys didn't chime in since it may have made this a little less family friendly. Alabama...who would have thought I would have such a great group there? My friends from Michelin rank up there with the JCU crew for the same reasons, endless stories. Louisiana, my 2nd favorite place in the world after Buffalo for the city of New Orleans and how my life changed in those 18 months. Minnesota...Awesome group of friends, road trips to the Dakotas, hockey, and a whole different lifestyle than anything I have ever experienced. Finally, Massachusetts represents a tamer lifestyle and having my own family. The common thread is that I have had great people surrounding me, and I have needed it through the years as most of you know.
Now...Jeff, I love you like a brother too despite your poor choice of sports teams. Steven Peretti, the actual term is "face to waist" and it includes a shit mustache. Rob, you forgot the Slamabama Hammers, serenading Napkins Atkins and Bob Gannon on your guitar, and the apple pies after the Viking meal at Kenyon. Claire, the other Yankee was Danny Tartabull. Jennie, I needed to be there when Joe Steen hit on you, drunk, not knowing who you were. Russ, you have been around 15 years?? Wow! Steve, have you ever beaten me at basketball in 32 years? EVN, take ya shirts to the dry cleanahs, and that's an owdah! Eric, the cigs were yours and a rather curious choice since 2 hours earlier you were "training" for the marathon. Todd, I remember you pissing on a coffee table at Kent State in the midst of a drunken search for a toilet at some house we all crashed at, the problem was that I was sleeping downspout and got my first and last golden shower circa 1990. Guy, the bar was not Club Paradise but "Fascinations" and you left out the part of ratting me out to the cops so you could avoid a DWI (at least that time). Chadwick, thanks for the lead at Rain Bird, I appreciate you getting me in before you quit. Mom, I sincerely apologize for ruining your furniture, but it was fun anyway. Scotty, I bet if we "blog" for your birthday, you are one of the few that can out do me on the boozy stories. Matt, if you could fight for yourself I wouldn't have a criminal record and would not be a garbage man today. Andy, never happened, WTF are you talking about? Bailey, the last MX man standing at the Bird, you will soon get your CLIA to go with your MBA so you can sell 5004PLPCSS. Scott next door, you are indeed Wilson. Barker, I can't believe you were such a bad influence on Freddie in NYC, he used to be a shy, introverted nerd.
I am sure this is more fun for me and does not make great reading, so I will wrap it up. I mentioned my life changed in New Orleans, and it did in so many ways. I will always remember standing on the sidewalk outside of The Old Abinsthe House on Bourbon St, when my future turned the corner to meet me for a blind date. I hadn't met her, but knew it was her and somehow knew things were going to be OK in my new city. As most of you know all to well (because I was pretty reliant on you) I was in a pretty bad place and it all started getting better at that moment. I could handle the issues going on at that time and have fun again. I survived a hurricane, two more moves, a scary start to Sophia's life, and the other things life throws at you because I finally met the person who loved me for who I am, like the rest of you reading this. 7 years later, Jana brings you all back in one spot, whether you were at the party or on this blog, and I realize how lucky I am to have each and every one of you in my life. Jana planned the perfect surprise and she is truly the sweetest and most loving wife anyone could ever wish for. She also makes some cute and fun kids ;)
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and I hope I can be half the friend/brother/son/spouse/father that you all are to me.
Love, Mike
THE PARTY PICS
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| The crowd waiting for Mike to arrive! |
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| Joe & Mary who drove from Buffalo |
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| Mike's sister's Jennie & Claire |
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| The siblings Jennie, Matt & Claire |
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| Walking in the door to a living room full of people |
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| Guy smiley |
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| Talking to brother Steve who couldn't make it to Boston |
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| Niece Riley making silly face |
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| Claire with daughter Lorelei (her husband Russ in background) |
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| Big Mike and Little Michael |
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| How cute was Mike as a baby! |
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| For the man who works in the trash industry...mini trash cans filled with candy as party favors! |
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| Brothers enjoying a few Molson Canadians |
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| Mangia everybody! |
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| Mike with college buddy, Freddie and his wife, Margaret |
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Go Sox
Happy Birthday Mike! What can I say, you're a Yankee, Bill and Sabre fan and I still love you like a brother. I admire that you appreciate a fine lager (or whatever is being served), and I also appreciate that you don't rub in the Yankees' 27 World Series championships to the Sox's 7 (admit it, you're hearing the footsteps). You love your wife, you love your kids...what else is there.
Well, there is one more thing...let me know how FORTY feels!
Your younger cousin,
Jeff
Well, there is one more thing...let me know how FORTY feels!
Your younger cousin,
Jeff
The Brother-in-Law from Waist to Face
If you understand what this blog entry title means, then you have been indoctrinated into the Graber inner circle, and I consider myself blessed to have Mike as my brother-in-law and the whole Graber family as part of my life. I should clarify what "waist to face" means... suffice to say that one of Mike's life long family friends coined this phrase once to convey an interesting on the job experience. Perhaps the details of the story aren't as important as the deeper meaning... basically this expression speaks of being completely and fully immersed in your duties in life.
When I see Mike and Jana at their home, raising their kids, working to build careers, improve their home and do the best they can for their family, I proud to admit, they're committed in their life's path from "waist to face".
Mike, it has been a pleasure getting to know your family. I applaud everyone's commitment to family as I witness fantastic personal effort to be together for events like holidays, baptisms and birthday parties. As I get to know the Grabers more and more, I want to let you know how grateful I am that my sister has a great husband and extended Graber family to be part of... it means more to me than you may realize.
I have posted a few pictures taken over the past few years that depict the concept of being part of something from "waist to face". I look forward to the years to come and the times together.
Love,
Stephen, Jana, Tali & Nicholas
PS - I also appreciate the fact that you also take care of our dog, Jack... Perhaps later April he can come over for another visit... remember - waist to face ;-)
Friday, March 25, 2011
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