My Family........

Well, after viewing many blogs and trying to get the hang of the blog world I noticed I needed to introduce my family to you all. For me, at times, it is difficult living in Hawaii so far away from family. My parents, 42 years and counting, still reside in my home town of Warren OH. Warren is half-way between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Over the years I have come to change the spelling of the city to Worn OH. Warren is an old steel manufacturing city that is rusting away and in dire need of a new industry to revitalize the area. In the mid 1970's the population was around 63,000, today around 50,000 and continuing to shrink. Mostly young adults leave the area for larger cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus & Pittsburgh. My parents are both retired and enjoying their time together. They visit me in Hawaii for about one month per year and occasionally will visit a second time. It's their favorite get-a-way!

I'm the oldest of four children. My sister Bridget (BAM) resides on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in a small town called Avon. This place is perfect for windsurfing, kite surfing and sailing. It has the most unbelievable beach in the world. One of my top 3 beaches to visit. You can run on the packed beach forever. The beach houses are steps from the Atlantic and a few minutes walk to the Pimlico Sound. If you enjoy water sports and dolphins then Pimlico Sound is the place to be. BAM is never home. She's on the water with her Hobie Cat or windsurfing when she can.

My brother Brian lives a spectacular place tucked away in the Rocky Mountains of CO. Crested Butte CO is about 4 hour drive in good weather from Denver. It is a winter ski bums heaven. Not too crowded and miles away from everything. In the summer bring your mountain bike. Unforgettable trails and wildlife everywhere you turn. The scenery is out of this world amazing. Highly recommend this place. Very expensive to get to in the winter. But when I drove cross country a few years back I made sure it was August and 80 degrees outside. Never visited in the winter but someday I may. Brian is a true character with a flare for the arts and expression. He is the town jester. Ask any local where McLain is and they will point you in the right direction. Brian is always on stage entertaining the winter crowd with his stand up gigs, plays, skits and improv acts. Highly sought after with the Apre ski crowd. He had is 15-minutes of fame on the TV show E! Wild On. Walking down "main street" at end of winter parade in just a fig leaf!

The youngest is Megan. Yes, these are all Irish names. Both sides of the family from Ireland. And our Irish heritage is strong. Megan lives in the biggest city out of all of us Philadelphia PA. more specific in town of Bryn Mawr PA. My moms side of the family resides in Philly area. Megan landed in the city of brotherly love while receiving her masters degree from Villanova. And is often found on the campuses of Drexel U. and 'Nova teaching Women's studies as professor. Unfortunately I have not visited Megan in Philly just yet. She often reminds me that I need to make the trip to the city. I will. Megan can often be found rock climbing the Philly Rock Gym as well as excursions to West VA mountains with school groups. If not she's hiking or kayaking somewhere in the east! Megan lives the closest to our parents about 6 hour drive by car.

My grandfather is 92 years young on Sat May 10. He is a life-long resident of Ohio. He served with our US Navy during WWII and was on the USS Savannah. His ship was hit by a torpedo and sank off the coast of Italy. He was trapped along with 3 other sailors in the water tight radio room below deck for 3 days. His ingenious ideas for fresh air and food survival saved them all and later was award with the Navy Silver Cross. "Poppy" as he is know by his 11 grandchildren resides in Warren OH near my parents. Poppy is a true character and ladies man. He IS the nicest and dearest person you will ever meet. Most of his life was dedicated with the steel industry where he was design engineer with Republic Steel and later Superintendent and President. He still loves to tell his grandchildren about his Navy days and places he visited and people he encountered.

Well, that is my dear family. Yes, we are all still single. Some taken and some almost taken. Some still searching! All four of us are highly active and love sports. Both mom and dad played basketball with their high schools. All four of us come from a background of swimming. We love the water!! I miss my family and see only my parents on a yearly basis. I haven't seen Bridget or Brian since 2006. They all want to come and visit but we all have our crazy schedules to attend to. My parents have four wonderful children and four fabulous places to visit. I miss them all and their individual quirkiness!!