Wow it's been a long time

 Well I'm back, it's been such a long time since my last post.  My daughter got married in August of 2015 and my father died the following March. Dad's health  began going downhill  at Christmas he wa unable to leave the nursing home. Jenni and her husband Brian came in for the funeral  it was lovely to see them despite the circumstances they were on able to come in for Christmas. Our Brian has  been busy doing is art-  he continues to work with fellow artist  from Philadelphia, locally at the Pajama Factory, and was involved in a very large show in Michigan.
We discovered the night of dad's  Viewing that tragedy had hit James, my brother,  wife's Lee family member died from a brain aneurysm.  It turned out that many of Lee's  family have been diagnosed with brain aneurysms it turns out that Lee  herself has two aneurysms in her brain.  One aneurysm has been operated on and been resolved unfortunately it was a very dangerous operation with some complications so her doctor is  very conflicted about her having more surgery to take care of the next aneurysm.  Lee is grappling with the question of whether to have surgery Annica and Metta have been tested and do not have any aneurysms seen.  James is planning a trip to the Netherlands  to help distract his wife from such a monumental decision of whether or not to have surgery.

We have two more weddings in the family Ryan  and Kristen are being married in April of this year  and Metta and Elizabeth will be getting married next year along with on Gary side of the family Matt will be getting married  next year.
 On a sad note we found out this week that my sister-in-law Janet was having difficulty with her eyesight so she went to the emergency room where they discovered a brain tumor.  She had surgery earlier this week and received the diagnosis today that she has a  glioblastoma tumor in her brain she will be leaving the hospital I'm going to a rehabilitation center to recuperate. After some time she will be receiving radiation followed by chemotherapy.  Gary's side of the family has some very very rough months to come we are all very concerned for Janet.

 Jenni has had some rough months lately her hormones have been up-and-down and with trying to get pregnant her exercise routine has been greatly disturbed it's difficult to try to get pregnant and plan to run an Iron Man, something  has to give and the massive exercising is on the chopping block. This decision is extremely difficult for Jen because exercise is her key to life and with it greatly reduced  she feels her hands are tied.  She can't get the stress release that planning for an Iron Man or marathon   provides her making list making plans following through doing the exercise regiment and then running the race at the end is her  escape.

 One last thing my husband Gary has finally retired from the job  which caused great internal celebration there were no wild parties are going on vacation he was just glad to be away from a very caustic environment.  He was very happy to have a job after leaving young industries but working for a man  that seem to be his total opposite in philosophy just caused a great deal of stress.  Gary's  coworkers were generally very nice - we ran into his boss today walking through the home show and he completely Ignored us, it looked as if he was afraid of Gary.  Gary is working part time at a water conservancy whatever that means 5 to 10 hours a week and he loves it. It keeps him busy in the morning while I'm  still sleeping then he comes home and we work on things around the house.

So Proud Once Again of Brian

My son Brian will have an exhibit opening at Eastern State Penitentiary on May 6th of this year so if you are in the Philadelphia area please plan on stopping in. The exhibit will be up for at least an entire year.

His bio:
"Having spent time in solitary confinement as a teenager in a juvenile psychiatric facility, the artist relies on his personal experience to create a sound collage of layered vocal tracks on Eastern State’s audio tour player. He replicates the sensation of being alone, consumed by one’s own thoughts in solitary confinement".
"The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (where he was awarded the MFA Faculty Award) in the spring of 2012, Mr. Spies relocated back to his hometown to continue to develop his practice. Brian has been exhibited at spaces ranging from Deitch Projects’ Art Parade and ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan to other venues, large and small, throughout The United States. He maintains a small studio space in Williamsport where he continues to explore the conceptual frameworks of power and exploitation.

"Meet the Artist
Brian James Spies (born 1979 in Williamsport, PA) is a visual artist working in a variety of mediums, with a focus on printmaking and photography, whose work explores contemporary society’s relationship to power. He graduated with honors from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with a Concentration in Photography in the spring of 2002. In May 2010 Brian graduated from The Maryland Institute College of Art with a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate. Upon the completion of his MFA fromThe Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (where he was awarded the MFA Faculty Award) in the spring of 2012, Mr. Spies relocated back to his hometown to continue to develop his practice. Brian has been exhibited at spaces ranging from Deitch Projects’ Art Parade and ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan to other venues, large and small, throughout The United States. He maintains a small studio space in Williamsport where he continues to explore the conceptual frameworks of power and exploitation." (as seen on Eastern State Penitentiary Philadelphia)

http://www.easternstate.org/visit/regular-season/history-artist-installations/brian-james-spies-solitaire

Jenni and Brian's Wedding Announcement

The bride is the daughter of Karen and Gary Spies, of Loyalsock Township. She graduated from Loyalsock Township High School in 1999. She received a bachelor's degree in sports management from Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York, in 2002, and a law degree from Marquette University, Milwaukee, in 2006. She is employed by Milwaukee County, Milwaukee, as assistant district attorney.

Karas is the son of Jill and Greg Karas, of St. Francis, Wisconsin. He graduated from St. Francis High School in 2000 and received a bachelor's degree in psychology from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin, in 2008. He is employed by Wauwatosa East High School, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, as an education assistant, head baseball coach and assistant girls basketball coach.
Matrons of honor were Susie Allen and Jenna Merten.
Bridesmaids were C.J. Bacelis-Bush, Gina Karas and Jennifer Possing.
Flower girl was Mohrin Karas.
Ring bearers were Noah Karas and Drew Possing.
Best man was Joseph Kooping.
Groomsmen were Nick Blanchet, Tim Arndorfer and Robby Dubinski.
Following a trip to Ochos Rios, Jamaica, this month, the couple will reside in Milwaukee.

So Proud of my son Brian

WXPI offers media broadcast training to students

March 10, 2014

Williamsport Sun-Gazette

                         

WXPI Williamsport Community Radio has begun the WXPI Diversity Outreach Project Media Broadcast Training Series mini course at the Williamsport Area Middle School.
Following a successful workshop at the middle school after-school program on Dec. 9, 2013, which was attended by more than 70 students in grades seven and eight, the Media Broadcast Training Series mini course began on Feb. 3.

for the rest of the story go to:

http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/603788/WXPI-offers-media-broadcast-training-to-students.html?nav=5005