Weekend Update

Here we are again, and its been awhile. I look at this all the time, and while I post to Facebook alot, I don't to this...so I am going to take the time to do it today. Stephanie and I have been really busy with wedding things. We have since gotten our DJ and then we recently (last weekend) had our tasting for the reception. Stephanie is working on the hotel arrangements for pretty much 95% of our guests.

We also purchased a new car, as you can see on the top right of the page, or on Flickr. We looked everywhere for a 2009 VW Jetta TDI. It was hard to do, and they all basically said we would have to order one, and wait till Feb of 09'. We were ok with that but they told us that if they got one in, as long as we put down a deposit, we could get first choice on ANY TDi that came in. Well, we didnt wait long. We went to another dealer and they actually had the EXACT car we wanted, colors and options and all, on the lot. It had come in just a few hours before. So we drove it, all taped up still, then decided on it. That was Thursday...on Friday, we drove it home. On Saturday, we drove it to North Carolina, getting around 40mpg on a car that was not broken in yet. It had only 20 miles on it when we took delivery.

This weekend, we have to get hand controls added to it, so Stephanie can finally drive it, and then we are off to camp for the weekend up on the lake! Today, Stephanie went shopping with her mom, while I sat around with the dogs and watched Nascar. Everyone wins here at our house!

more soon....

Mommy, we miss you!

I wasn't the only one catching a nap Sunday. We here at the house keep close because we miss mommy. Jasmine and Etta, are now at the Gliebe house, while Hunter is off to boarding tommorrow in the morning. I am off to Philly to meet up with Steph, and I cant wait.

You know I am obessed!

Ok, for those of you who know I am obsessed with cars. Well, we all know in the car world that the Sultan of Brunei's collection is second to none. Apparently he has some 3,000 cars, worth well over 4 BILLION dollars...Jay Leno's is famous, but this guys collection simply jaw dropping (if not a bit overdone). Follow the links and read up!

http://www.germancarzone.com/pit-general-discussion/5703-list-sultan-bruneis-complete-car-collection.html

and here are some pictures (sneeky ones) including not just ONE, but FOUR Ferrari F40s. http://www.v6performance.net/forums/showthread.php?t=40059.

Atlanta, to Philly....and back....(or something like that)

Its been awhile since I have posted. Sorry, been busy as hell. Been about a month since Stephanie and I were in Michigan. Since then, Stephanie has been off in Philly working very, very hard, and I have been holding down the fort with the puppies, and learning more about work, and getting more comfortable.

Presently, Stephanie is with her mom, and sister, on their way to central PA for a wedding and a reunion. On Wednesday, I will be joining them for the reunion part. I look forward to that, I dont think I have ever been to PA. I'll be back from that next sunday....and Stephanie will unfortunately return to work in downtown Philly.

So what is on the schedule now? Ugh...lots going on here in Atlanta. I still need to see Batman, and Wall-E....I am waiting to see them with Stephanie. I heard Terminator 4 is in the works.....shawwwwing! and also....awaiting Transformers 2 (but that ones not coming till just before Stephanie and I exchange vows.

Another big trip on the radar, is Christmas plans. Stephanie and I talked about it, and instead of another cruise (like we did last year just after Christmas) we settled on Las Vegas! Oh hell yeah!
I cannot wait. I have been there several times, Stephanie hasn't. We also invited along her parents, and my parents so we could all just get away and have a great time. We will nail down those plans in the next two weeks or so.

WEDDING UPDATE - we have a photographer, and aren't we lucky. I was able to secure my cousin to do the weekend. We are going to get her in town from Portland...and we are pumped, she is a great photographer, and a great person, so we are looking forward to seeing her here in just over a year.

Then to finish off this summer, I am looking forward to AMA Superbike and the Petite LeMans Races at Road Atlanta. I am also looking onto going to the Atlanta Nascar Race in October. We'll see if I can make it to that one.

Before I sign off, if you have been reading my blog, you are probably wondering how Mark is doing post acciendent. He is much better, back to work (pretty much right away) and has returned to a few tracks since....(as a spectator). The car, was wasted, so he has to build another one before he gets back on the track.

P.S. - And I have been watching the Tour de France the last few weeks, and congradulations to Carlos Sastre from CSC for winning Yellow!

later peeps!

Michigan Weekend! (with family, with friends!)

Hey its me, I thought I would stop for a minute and tell all of you out there about all the stuff Stephanie and I have been upto. This is a picture of myself with my Best friends in the world. All in one place. Brandon and I have been friends since the 3rd grade, we go waaaay back.

He and his wife came by while Stephanie and I were in town for a reunion. It was so good to see him, and be able to catch up on all things historical, as well as presently in life.

This is Avery. Their "new" baby. New to me anyways. What a beautiful little girl. She was amazing, and loved hanging out with Uncle Andy. I haven't seen Brandon in about a year, I think the last time I came into town, I was only able to see Brandon for a Beer. I am usually swamped when I get to town, because I am usually there for a reason...and it isn't to relax.

So, this was the first day in town, and after all this, we went to a cousin of mine's wedding reception (the wedding was a small, private ceremony for the immediate family only). Stephanie hadn't met any of those aunts and uncles, so I was able to introduce the woman that EVERYONE knows about, but hadn't meet. It was certainly nice to see all my aunts and uncles (well most of them) and a few cousins I hadn't seen in a long time. We had fun talking about all the things going on in everyones lives, and told stories, just like any reunion goes.

I am sitting here, watching Deadliest Catch, and playing with my dog Hunter (the other two are with Grandpa and Grandma Gliebe. Stephanie is back in Philly, but only until tommorrow because after she gets back here tommorrow, she and I pack and get on the road for Chicago Thursday! We have a few weddings to attend before ours, and this coming weekend is the first one up.

This last picture is a group shot with the four of us. I cant tell you how great it is to have friends like that. It has been a wild ride, and Brandon has been with me a huge part of it. Stephanie has been introducing me to new people in Atlanta, and we are having great times with them as well. If they become anything like Brandon has to me, I will be a lucky man. In more than one way...I already am.

...A week off.

Hey everyone. This is Stephanie and I from a dinner date we had last weekend with Amy and Mark @Goldfish. We are having a great week this week. Stephanie is in Philly working her ass off on her project, and I went to work for my last week of work before I go to my new office.

Upon arriving at the office, the guys pulled me into the office and let me take the week off. How awesome is that! So I am at the house this week, hanging out with the dogs and working on my "To-do" list. Today I painted some doors, and have some trim work to do a well.

I am also looking forward to Stephanie's birthday coming up on the 24th, and a trip up to Michigan for a reunion with my parents that same weekend. I am hoping that my sister and Brother-in-law are there as well, but to date, aren't sure they are coming.

Stay tuned for lots of pictures in my Flickr albums....and updates on here from all our travels coming up. thanks...

Life is all sorts of things at the moment.....

Emily and Birton (above) Mark and Amy (below)

Stephanie and I (Below)

I haven't posted in awhile, but wanted to tell you all that we had a blast in Charleston, SC with Stephanie and our friends. We had 3 couples go with us, so that was so much fun. We even had an engagement! congrats Amy and Mark. We wish you the best, and cannot wait to see you two again soon! Also, Emily and Birton, your on the list of people we need to get back together with and go out on the town. We have to get back to our dinner dates. 

This past weekend, Stephanie met me from Philly in Houston Texas, so we could celebrate lil' Mathew's birthday. It was hot as crap out there, but of course, it is here as well. Summer is upon us, hells yeah! Lots of things coming up, so no rest for the weary. We will be home for two weekends, before flying north to Michigan for a wedding reception and a visit with my parents. 

After that, we have a trip to Chicago, for a wedding, and then Pennsylvania for a family reunion! So, we are going to be logging some miles...(I'm not even close to what Stephanie is logging these days). 

Somewhere in there I start a new Job at AT&T as a graphic designer in that department. So my hour commute, gets cut in half, and the mileage is down from 90/daily, to about 35. Can I get a Thank you Jesus! Gas prices are running about $4.04 right about now in town, with no signs of letting up. So, thankfully, I will be pocketing some extra greenbacks for not driving so far.

UPDATE: My Brother-in-Law Mark is home, and doing well. He has no long term external injuries, but he still has some soreness and headaches from the incredible crash. It is just a miracle he is still alive! (his car however is not) 

More later, and be sure to check out my pictures on Flickr. (you can click the slideshow at the top of this site and it will take you to my albums. thanks! - Andy

Mark racing at Putnam Raceway...

This is Mark, racing at Putnam Raceway this past weekend. As mentioned in previous blogs, he also crashed badly Sunday.

Today, he is headed home after being released from the hospital yesterday. He is going to check out the car before he leaves. NASA has the car and is going over it in technical according to blogs I have read. 

I want to thank all the drivers, corner workers, and officials that posted responses here. Mark and Sara are part of a much larger family of racers, and it shows what camaraderie there is in the sport. Thank you to all who sent me pictures of Mark driving, there are few because Sara is responsible for timing and scoring, and never has time while he is on track to take pictures. Luckily, some of you have taken pictures of him. 

-Andy

Interesting Quote....

"I knew how much he wanted the championship, but it wasn't until today that I realized he was prepared to die for it." - Alain Prost, speaking of Ayrton Senna his teamate at Mclaren in 1988.

It is a very interesting story.

The best investment ever!

Ok, so you all saw the last blog. Here is the update, Mark is going to make a full recovery. he has no broken bones. He suffered a compression from the accident, of his head down onto his shoulders, which knocked him out and closed off his breathing. You ask what one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you can wear is......

Yes, a HANS Device. (Head and Neck Restraint System) its a $2000 safety net that you can't afford to skimp on. The doctors said if Mark hadn't had one on, he would not be with us today.

So we are glad he had one on, and wish him a speedy recovery.

What is it with the weekends around here?

This is Mark. He is my Brother-in-Law (Seen here in the back of his Toyota) Gotta love the props to MadBrew on the truck..and also his car! This is how happy he is that his car is complete and he was cleared to race it.

This was taken awhile back...fast forward to this weekend, and the news isn't so good. Mark was participating in his first race of the year, and something went very wrong. He was rounding a curve and didn't break, or turn, and drove off the course and into the trees.

He was pinned in the car, but remained in his racing seat via racing harnesses, a HANS (head and neck restraint system) device and roll bar, but was knocked out. As the EMTs reached him, he was turning blue. Apparently the HANS ended up choking him so they intibated him immediately, and he took a huge breath through the bag. He remained unconcious throughout the rest of saturday and into saturday night. My mom flew out to Indianapolis to be with Sara and Mark sunday afternoon. By the time she arrived, Mark had turned a corner, and was actually waking up.
He knew who everyone there was, and knew what was going on.

He asked Sara, and one of the track people (who took pictures and was with Sara when the crash happened) which corner he crashed on....and how the car was! Spoken like a true car guy. The racing friend, said that the car is "fixable".... I haven't seen the pictures yet.

I am so glad he is doing much better. I have to admit, I am a huge race fan, of all types, and you would be hard pressed to find someone more hooked than me, so I prayed for the best and wished away the worst. I have seen too many serious crashes, and could see his in my mind. I took this really hard Sunday, and in a short time, was able to relax knowing that he was showing big signs of improvement. I will update this as time and imformation comes.

-Andy

This weekend!

Ok, so this picture was three weeks ago at our engagement party but lots has been going on in our lives lately. Stephanie has been back and fourth to Philly for work alot, but is holding up well. I have been working hard, and commuting a ton. I am currently looking for a career closer to home. More on that as things come together...

We have decided on a wedding date: September 12, 2009. And a place: the Carlyl House here in Atlanta.

We decided on well over a year out because of our schedules and all the travel (trips) we have planned in the meantime. We also wanted to have time enough to plan the perfect wedding and have it our way. We realized having a venue date early was a priority because we live in Atlanta and all the great places book fast.

Two weekends ago I went upto Road Atlanta with Joe (future father-law) to the Historic Races. The pictures for that are on Flickr (the feed is in the upper corner of this page) So check em out! Coming up this summer is the Suzuki Superbike weekend, the Petit Lemans Race, and a few others including a Nascar race in October. I cant wait.

Travel plans for the next 3 months, include: Charleston NC, Fenton MI, Chicago IL, and Harrisburg PA...pretty much every other weekend. UGH! going to wear me out but I cannot wait to see everyone.

This weekend is going ot be busy, and awesome! My parents are coming to town because we have two weddings going on this weekend. It has been awhile since I have seen my parents, so I cant wait. I miss them. My parents are also going to meet my soon-to-be in-laws for the first time on friday night when we all go to dinner together. Fun Fun!

ok, done enough talking...see ya next time.

Stephanie's engagement ring...

Here is Stephanie's Engagement ring...

We are engaged!

Quick note everyone, I asked Stephanie to be my wife tonight. She of course said yes. We are so excited! More details as they come.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

It's been a few long weeks but all is well in Atlanta. Three weeks ago I was In Indianapolis for work doing a Motorcycle show...and actually ran into an old friend from Highschool in Michigan. I have added a few pics from that here, but most are on Flickr.

The following weekend I flew out to Houston to meet Stephanie at her sisters' house. We spent a good, long weekend there and had a great time. That was the first time I have been in Texas ever, and It was pretty cool. Now was a great time to go, as the weather was perfect...not outrageous.

So for those of you who know me, that means I have been out of the loop on the first three NASCAR races. Yeah, I suffered huge withdawls, but was able to actually watch the race on my laptop while at work in Indy, and alittle while we were in Houston before my flight home.

As for the current week, it was spent getting a few projects almost complete, and getting ready to get the office moved to a new complex. Its a nicer place, but its going to just add to my commute which sucks. I already spend about 10 hours a week in Atlanta traffic but am hoping to work from the house from 2-3 days a week to help that problem.

Topping off the weekend's start was taking Jasmine (the smallest of our dogs (children) to the vet for her checkup....prognosis is a torn ACL. She will have surgery on Tuesday. Lets hope the little one recovers well over the next 8 weeks.

Comming up in the next few months for the family is a 2nd wedding for my cousin Ryan, and a second "renewal" for my Aunt and Uncle.

Stephanie and I are keeping very busy...her more so than me, i like my down time. So in between keeping busy, we have been discussing our own wedding, and where, when, how, we would do it. We dont have the time this year, and next year is not exactly wide open, but we are going to look at a late 09-2010 wedding here in Atlanta.

At least we know we want to do 2-3 weeks in Europe for the honeymoon. hehe. Sometime after that, we are looking to build a house up this way on the north side so that we have a yard for the dogs to run around in, and we have room to grow. Should be exciting.

Thats all for now, Nascar is on....

Andy

The Cruise!

We are back! It was so amazing. I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked, but, we were just too busy having fun! check it out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaderwasframed/

I am too tired to talk, more later. happy Birthday to me tommorrow!!!

Vacation Time!

On Friday, Stephanie and I are leaving for our Cruise! It's a first cruise for both of us, but we cannot wait, we are so excited. It has been a busy holiday season, and eventhough we traveled much of the Holiday season, we need some time for ourselves. Stephanie is still on project for "Comcast" in Philly, so she is currently flying out from Atlanta on Monday and returning to Atlanta each and every Thursday night. This will be an ongoing project for her until June or so.

We just had her office party last night at the Georgia Aquarium.. it was awesome! Nothing like having the place to yourselves. Anyways, be sure to check out my Flickr page (link above) for Holiday pics, and cruise pics, there will be a million pics coming up after the cruise. Stay tuned.....

Andy