Wallace Family News Archive
Summer Comes Early to Glen Ellyn
(posted 4/5/2012) - Well there's no doubting that we've had an early spring. The Magnolias have already bloomed and dropped their flowers and are greening up nicely. I've already mowed the lawn and will have to again today.
Warmest season on record -- but so far very pleasant (80's in March can feel pretty nice as long a they are not followed by 100's in June-July-August).
Payton Blair Wallace Makes Her Movie Debut
(posted 1/12/2012) - I flew down to Round Rock to visit my new grand-daughter last week. Also got to visit with Rudy (the dog) and the kids. They were pretty busy being new parents; but I think it suits them. Payton is well loved.
Welcome Baby Wallace!
(posted 12/18/2011) - Matt and Holly had a beautiful baby girl at 2:14AM this morning. They have not finalized on a name (there are several in the running) at this point, so we'll just call her baby for now.
A Pleasant Thanks Giving Day at Home
(posted 11/25/2011) - My mom came over yesterday afternoon to celebrate Thanks Giving with us. We had a tastey meal with all the traditional turkey fixen's. Then we retired to the living room, lit a fire and spent the next 5 hours reminiscing about years gone bye. All in all a very satisfyfing day.
Visiting Susan Bodett's Home
(Posted 9/11/2011) - We shared a wonderful afternoon and a great dinner with Susan Bodett, her sister Sharon, their mother Fran, and Susan's close friend Jane (and husband Rich).
We took Tom along for the afternoon, and were delighted to find that Susan's 8 year old golden retriever Mocha and Jane's 9-month old english retreiver Denali were quite happy to entertain him, as the accompanying photos attest.
If You Are a Conservative, This Is Probably News to You
(Posted 7/29/2011) - Normally this post would be an entry into my Soapbox, but I feel this is pertinent Wallace family news. I keep hearing from folks who are conservative minded (not a bad thing, as I'm fiscally conservative, and socially centrist in my views) that the Obama administration needs to be reined in because it has increased federal government spending to a point that we risk the equivalent of national bankruptcy. I'm here to say to all that harbor this sentiment -- you're dead wrong on the facts!
Kathy Wallace Web Journalist for Seattle's Dlist Magazine
(Posted 6/17/2011) - For the last 4 years daughter Kathy has been a regular feature writer for Seattle based DlistMagazine. Her column is called "Details" with topics running the gamut, from tips on dating etiquette to a survey of current artificial intelligence projects.
Recently her magazine employers have approached her with the suggestion that she also do a web journal linked from the magazine's website dlistmagazine.com .
Jon, Pat, and Tommy Drive to Round Rock Texas
(Posted 5/1/2011) - We just got back from a 10-day sojourn in Texas. Matt and Holly moved to their new home in Round Rock in late February. Since Matt's birthday is April 28th, we thought we'd visit and celebrate his 33rd.
We Celebrate Tom the Dog's 2nd Birthday!
(Posted 4/17/2011) - Today was Tommy's 2nd birthday. He has lived with us since he was just under 6 weeks old.
We invited the Pantaleons to bring Tom's brother Jack over to visit again this year. The two dogs picked up playing where they left off last year -- instantly recognizing one another.
Home Alone -- We Left Tommy and Went to a Restaurant Today!
(Posted 3/20/2011) - First day of spring, and to celebrate we left our 90 lb. Lab Tommy at home by his lonesome for the very first time while we went out for a nice meal at Danby's Station in Glen Ellyn.
We Got Snow Smacked!
(Posted 2/3/2011) - Tuesday afternoon the blizzard started and kept up all night long. By Wednesday morning when the snow stopped we had an additional 20" of the white stuff on top of the four inches already on the ground.
The weather persons are saying this is the third largest storm in 50 years. We even had lightning and thunder during the blizzard (so called thunder-snow) which produced extra accumulation. Welcome to Chicago lake effects!
Matt, Holly, and Rudy Move to Austin
(Posted 1/9/2011) - Matt accepted a new position with Dell Computers based in Austin, TX over the holidays. He starts work Monday the 10th. After enjoying a last Christmas celebration and New Years revel, they packed up their belongings (well actually the movers did) and said adios to their home of 2+ years in Roscoe Village.
Christmas Day Celebration at Jon and Pat's Home
(Posted 12/26/2010) - We had a very nice Christmas Day. Matt and Holly got back from Austin, TX Christmas Eve around 5:30PM and stayed at our place overnight. Kathy flew in from Seattle Christmas Eve morning and also stayed overnight.
Christmas morning around 10AM I drove over to my mom's place and brought her to our home. We all sat around the fireplace and enjoyed good conversation before opening our gifts. Then we sat down and had a very nice Christmas Dinner, with more good conversation.
Dinner at Jan's - We Put a Log in the Fireplace!
(Posted 12/6/2010) - Yesterday Pat, Tom the Labrador, and I had a nice mid-day meal at my mom's place. I took over some logs and tried out her fireplace for the first time.
Matt and Holly are Married!
(Posted 8/28/2010) - On Friday, August 27th, Matt Wallace and Holly Blair were married at the Ravenswood Event Center in Chicago.
It was a perfect early Fall evening and as the sun neared the horizon the minister led the couple in their vows. The ceremony was immediately followed by a great meal and much merriment. We had the hall till midnight; and everyone danced and talked the evening away!
Jan Wallace Moves to Wheaton, Casey Home Sold
(Posted 8/9/2010) - This April my 90 year old mother decided she wanted to simplify her life by moving out of her home and into an apartment. The obvious choice was to move to a place near us (in Glen Ellyn, Il). Pat and I looked at several upscale apartment complexes within a few miles of our home and made a recommendation to my mom in early May.
We moved her into The Willows of Wheaton end of May (renting a truck and moving her just before Memorial Day).
Kathy Wallace Graduates from University of Washington
(Posted 6/14/2010) - Kathy graduated with honors from the University of Washington last Saturday. She received a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Psychology.
We flew in for her graduation and enjoyed celebrating with her and Nate. The graduation was in the Huskies Stadium outdoors -- hosting 5000 graduates and approximately 25,000 family and friends!
Democrats Pass Health-Care Bill
(Posted 3/22/2010) - Normally I don't put political events into my news postings, but today's news will be an exception to the rule. The passing of a Health Care Reform Bill by the Democrat controlled congress is a political event of special importance, for reasons that go beyond the obvious health care impacts and industry regulation changes.
I found a brief opinion editorial Here that I think sums up my viewpoint better than I could elucidate it. I've pasted the entire op-ed into my news item for posterity...
Rudy and Tom Enjoy our Backyard
(Posted 2/28/2010) - Two weekends ago Matt, Holly, and Rudy came to visit. It was such a pleasure watching Tom and Rudy run around the backyard; kickin' up snow as they raced around like 4-legged offroad vehicles.
Of course as soon as I walked out onto the porch with my camera both dogs stopped running around like dervishes and came to greet me. The only way to get them moving again was for Pat and Holly to throw a Frisbee ... here's a flash video of the result.
First Christmas in our New Home
(Posted 12/27/2009) - We are celebrating our first Christmas in the new house (we moved in late January of this year). Holly, Matt, and Rudy came over Christmas Eve and we all enjoyed home-baked Sugar Cookies and Gingerbread Cookies (along with pizza and pasta).
Two Birthdays in Casey
(Posted 11/11/2009) - Pat and I drove down to Casey last week to celebrate her 61st and my mom's 90th birthdays (Nov 5th and 7th respectively). It was a lovely bright, warm weekend. We got my cousin Lisa (once removed) to sit Tom while we all went out to a nice restaurant in Paris, IL Friday night.
Jack Goes to His New Family
(Posted 07/27/09) - Jack the 14 week old Labrador has now moved to his permanent family. We fostered Jack (Hoover) with our Tom Bombadil until his 'pack' was ready to receive him.
Sean, Anju, and Aanya Visit Us in Glen Ellyn
(Posted 7/2/2009) - Last Sunday Sean and his family were in town visiting his dad. They stopped by for a few hours to see our new home and meet the puppies. Jon got to meet Aanya, Sean and Anju's 10-month old daughter. She got to meet the pups who fell in love and wanted nothing more than to lick her all over (though they were constrained from this endeavor to some degree by Jon). Aanya loved the dogs and was very calm with them, while obviously enjoying their attentions.
Pups at 10 Weeks - Going Strong
(Posted 6/24/09) - Pat and I have been babysitting 24/7 for over 4 weeks now. The puppies have more than doubled in size and are able to run almost as fast as us. I've been taking them walking every morning at Lambert Lake, a shaded, tree encircled 3-acre pond less than a mile from our home. I take them off leash and walk around the pond. They have also learned to walk behind us on their leashes -- so it is actually fun to take them out around the neighborhood when it isn't too hot.
New Pups in the Wallace House
(Posted 5/26/09) - We visited the Whistling Winds Farm in Russellville Indiana on Sunday to look at some 5+ week old black Lab puppies. We found two we really liked and bought them both! We are fostering one of the puppies until the end of July, when he will move in with his permanent family (friends of Pat's who asked us to find them a dog).
So, we now have the equivalent of two babies in the house. We have been tag-teaming the night shift, since really young pups operate on 2-3 hour cycles of sleeping, waking, pooping, drinking and eating, then running around.
The Passing of Strider the Wonder Dog
Posted 4/13/2009 - Our beloved faithful companion and friend Strider died on Easter Sunday at Village Green Park after an afternoon session of 3-way Frisbee with Pat and I. We had just completed our activity and were leaving the park when Strider stumbled and could not rise. I cradled his head as he closed his eyes and took several last breaths before he lost consciousness, dying of an apparant stroke in about 2 minutes. He showed no signs of pain or fear and was with his family when he passed.
Rudy the Dog Moves in with Matt and Holly
(Posted 3/22/2009) - Matt and Holly have adopted a one year old Lab-Beagle mix named Rudy and the new pack seems to be doing very well.
On their way back from picking up Rudy at a kennel in Kankakee Matt and Holly stopped by to introduce us to their new family member. Rudy met his 'uncle' Strider and enjoyed his first visit to Glen Ellyn's Village Green Park. He possess some strong retriever genes because he likes playing Frisbee and catches a ball quite well (though the release part still needs a little work).
Living in Our New Home
(Posted 01/31/09) - We began living in our new home January 16th, 2009. We completed moving out of our apartment Tuesday the 27th. At this point we have only a storage bin (10x15') in Naperville to clean out and we will have all our belongings under one roof again!
It's great to be home again -- if you'd like to read about our saga (7 months from tear-down of our old home to moving into our new home) click here. Our project journal documents every phase of our new home's creation -- along with lots of in-progress photos.
Thanksgiving at Matt and Holly's Home
(Posted 12/05/08) - Matt and Holly hosted this year's Thanksgiving celebration at their new home in Roscoe Village. Holly's folks (Jeral and Betty) drove up early in the week and were integral in helping prepare the delicious meal we all enjoyed.
Matt and Holly Buy a Condo in Chicago!
(Posted 10/16/08) - Matt and Holly moved into their new home Wednesday, the 8th. The 3-bedroom, 2-bath unit is new construction in Roscoe Village(on Belmont).
Matt and Holly (along with help from Pat Wallace and Jeral Blair) managed to drive 2 cars and a 24-foot moving van from Dallas to Chicago. They left Monday night and got in to Chicago Tuesday evening.
After Matt closed on the Condo Wednesday morning, Jon, Pat, Jeral, and four helpers from the Leslie Car Wash moved them into their new digs.
Kathy Visits Us in Glen Ellyn
(Posted 03/17/2008) - Kathy flew in Monday the 10th from Seattle for a short visit. We drove down to visit my mother in Casey that afternoon, returning to Glen Ellyn Wednesday afternoon.
Christmas Tidings from the Wallaces - 2007
(Posted 12/28/2007) - Matt flew in the Friday before Christmas and stayed through the 27th. Kathy and Nate flew in on the 26th after visiting Nate's family in Connecticut. We all had a nice Boxing Day Christmas Dinner at Outback SteakHouse, then did a near Midnight gift opening.
Jon and Pat Do Texas
(posted 11/20/07)- We drove to Dallas Texas to visit Matt and Holly last week. The weather was great the whole four days we visited. The Uptown neighborhood where they live is a wonderful area with great stores, restaurants, pubs, and tree-lined streets that make walking a pleasure. We very much enjoyed seeing their city.
Matt Wallace's Sports Blog - SpinMoves.com
(Posted 09/26/07) - After publishing an American sports oriented webzine titled Knuckleballers for 6 months in the fall of 2005 Matt Wallace and his fellow 20's something co-contributers fell prey to the demands of their day jobs. Knuckleballers languished with no new content being submitted. Matt removed the web-content (about 40 articles) in mid-2007.
I'm happy to announce that he and fellow writer Dan Wiederer have decided to enter the web-log scene and have begun offering their views on sports at SpinMoves.com.
Kathy Wallace Feature Article Published in Seattle's Dlist Magazine
(Posted 7/1/2007) - Kathy has found her way into print again as a featured columnist in the June publication of Seattle's Dlist Magazine.
Her two page reflection on the trendy "energy drink" known as Red Bull and its lifestyle implications are worth a read!
Canon Digital Rebel XT DLSR Camera: Why I'm Very Happy With This Camera
(Posted 5/13/2007) - I recently decided it was time to replace my film SLR camera with a Digital SLR. I've owned a digital fixed-lense zoom camera (Kodak DX7590) which has SLR like features for about 4 years and love its photo-quality. But it suffers from shutter-lag, between shot processing delay, and an inability to swap lenses (every lense brings its own personality to a photographic scene).
I researched all the major DSLR brands (Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Minolta-Sony, Olympus, and Pentax-Samsung) and each has feature sets, lense combinations, and pricing that make them viable candidates. In the end it was the collection of SLR lenses that I'd purchased for my Nikon SLR, and the particular characteristics of the Canon lense mount that determined my choice.
Read on for this photographer's take on the joys of reusing your old lenses with a new digital SLR body.
Christmas Holidays Wind Down -- The Wallace Kids Return to Seattle and Dallas
(Posted 12/28/2006) - We all got together and enjoyed a nice 4-day visit this year. Matt flew in from Dallas on Saturday before Christmas and Kathy and her significant other (Nate) flew in from Seattle on Christmas Day.
The kids flew home today after a bustling pleasant reunion.
Kathleen Wallace Story on Finn McCool's Published in Playboy Magazine
(Posted 11/14/2006) - Kathy received her first paycheck as a writer this month, from none other than Playboy Magazine. Her piece about Seattle's Finn McCool's was published in the magazine's College Bar of the Month column.
The Wallaces Fly 3700 Miles to Take in a Play
(Posted 9/25/2006) - Jon and Pat Wallace enjoyed an evening at the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre in Stratford upon the Avon on the 19th of this month.
We watched as the RSC performed The Tempest. The wizard Prospero was played by Patrick Stewart of Star Trek fame.
A Visit to Kat in Seattle
(Posted 6/23/2006) - Installation of a Wireless Router, Photo-Printer, and Webcam were the perfect excuse to visit Kathy in Seattle, Washington this week.
I found Seattle a wonderful city with lots to see and do. The weather was ideal, sunny and in the mid-70's during the daytime, dropping into the high 50's at night.
The Wallaces in Austin Texas
(Posted 05/24/06) - Pat and Jon visited Matt in Austin Texas to celebrate his graduation last Friday. Matt Wallace graduated from University of Texas' McComb's School of Business, receiving an MBA!
Video Chat Comes to the Wallace Family
(Posted 4/18/06) - The Wallaces (Glen Ellyn and Casey) now have Video Chat capability! Over Easter Weekend we installed a Web-Cam and a freeware Video Chat service (CQPhone) on Jan Wallace's Computer.
We are now able to call anytime between the Wallaces in Glen Ellyn, and Jan Wallace in Casey and connect into a full-duplex voice and 30 fps video chat with each other. And it doesn't cost a dime! We both have broadband service that supports TCP/UDP signaling point to point.
Jan Wallace Connects to MediaCom Broadband Data
(Posted 3/8/2006) - After 6 years of dial-up service Jan has moved to broadband. Her cable television provider, MediaCom began offering $43/month broadband data (3.8mb/s) this year.
Read on to get the particulars of one customer's journey to high-speed internet access.
Rose Anderson Passes Away Febuary 6, 2006
(Posted 2/8/2006) - After she was diagnosed with acute kidney failure at age 83, already suffering from a chronic heart congestion condition, Rose chose in home Hospice care and settled in to die.
It took about a week. During that time we saw an amazing thing: Hospice nurses, aides, and administrative staff made the last days of life painless, dignified, and were filled with obvious love for humanity. If you are unfamiliar with Hospice Care, read on to hear one family's viewpoint.
Rose Anderson Chooses Home Hospice Care
(posted 2/4/2006)- Pat's mother, Rose, has recently experienced severe kidney failure. Since she also has a chronic congestive heart condition she chose not to undergo extensive dialysis sessions in an attempt to squeeze a few more months out living in the hospital.
Rose has opted for paliative treatment (for pain only) using Medicare Hospice services at home. We give thanks for the safety-net of services our society currently provides to patients who would die with dignity.
Jon and Pat Drive to Pittsburgh to See the London Globe Theatre Group production of Measure for Measure
(posted 12/20/2005) - The Wallaces enjoyed an evening in Pittsburgh, PA watching the last showing of the London Globe Theatre Group's production of "Measure for Measeure."
We left Sunday morning and drove the 480 miles from Chicago to Pittsburgh with only a stop for a mid-day meal and gas. After checking into the downtown Westin, and eating dinner, we were off to the new O'reilly Theatre in the midst of Pittsburgh's busy Cultural District -- a short walk from the hotel.
Matt Wallace Has Opened an Online Sports Web'Zine
(posted 10/3/2005) - Matt has embarked on a side-career as a sports column editor and writer! He and 7 of his old college friends have opened Knuckleballers.com
a Chicago Sports centric web'zine.
They publish weekly commentary, humor, sports betting lines, and late 20's something angst as it relates to professional and college sports.
Much of the subject matter is Chicago Teams directed, even as the contributing staff have fled to the east coast and beyond.
If you like the site don't forget to add it your favorites (bookmarks for non-IE browser users) and revisit often. Just click on the image to the left to visit.
It is a fast changing, hard-hitting website: never wanting for opinions expressed with passion. Note that there is an "archives" page where you can catch up on all the featured articles or just browse the stories by writer.
Pat Buys a New Ford Focus
(posted 7/18/05) - Jon and Pat visited their local Ford Dealer, Packey Webb, and took advantage of the Ford Family Plan and Factory Rebates to purchase a 2005 Focus SES today.
Jan Wallace Diagnosed with Gastric Ulcer
(posted 06/28/2005) - A Gastroscopy determined that Janice Wallace is suffering from two mild gastric ulcers, which account for the elevated C-reactive protein levels (inflammation indicator) in her blood serum.
Janice Wallace Goes on a High Caloric Diet
(posted 6/15/2005) - My mother has been feeling very poorly since May 16th. She was admitted to hospital for dehydration and severe pain and nausea twice in May. After a number of tests (blood, CT-scans, biopsy of temporal artery, echocardiogram) found no positive indications of disease, she was advised to go on a high protein/carbohydrate diet intended to replace the 15 pounds she lost in the last month.
Matt Takes a Summer Internship in Austin, TX
(posted 6/1/2005) - Matt has taken summer internship with Motive Communications, Inc. in Austin, Texas. Motive provides Internet and LAN management services.
Kathy Wallace Working at CowGirls, Inc. in Seattle, WA
(posted 4/10/2005) - Kathy tried out for an opening as choreographer for the CowGirls, Inc. dancers in Seattle and was offered a job. The position also requires that she train to become a bartender.
Rose Anderson Moves Back Into Beacon Hill Apartment
(posted 3/16/2005) - Rose Anderson completed her post-surgical recovery at the BH Health Center today, and is moving back into her Beacon Hill Apartment.
Kathy Wallace - Living and Working in Seattle Washington
(posted 12/17/2004) - Kathy has taken a job working for an AFL-CIO/PAC in Seattle, doing both clerical and field canvassing work for the organization. She moved to Seattle, with two friends in November; and finds the city very much to her liking.
Kathy Wallace Moving To Seattle, WA
(posted 11/4/2004) - Kathy and two friends have loaded up their belongings in a U-haul and are driving to Seattle, Wa today. They've rented a 3-bedroom house in the outskirts of the city and will be driving there over the next 3 days.
Matt Moves to Austin Texas to Attend UT McCombs Graduate Business School
(Posted 8/8/2004) - Matt Wallace moved from his Chicago Apartment in WrigleyVille to the Savannah Apartments north of downtown Austin Texas this week.
Great Time in the UK -- but Good to Be Home!
(posted 5/30/2004) - Jon and Pat have returned from a 10-day vacation in the UK. They visited London, Edinburgh, Stirling, Inverness, and toured the high-lands around Glencoe.
Matt's 26th Birthday Celebration Held at Chicago's ChinaLite Restaurant
(Posted 5/01/2004) - Matt Wallace turned 26 on April 28th. He and the family got together at ChinaLite (in WrigleyVille) this weekend to celebrate.
Matt Wallace Accepted to University of Texas School of Business
(Posted 4/1/04)-Matt Wallace has been accepted to the University of Texas at Austin's 2-year MBA program. Matt will be attending UT McCombs School of Business starting this fall.
Jon, Pat, and Strider Drive to Show Low Arizona
(Posted 5/29/2003) - Pat, Strider, and I decided we needed some adventure in our lives, so we packed up my mom's Ford Focus and lit out for a little cabin in the White Mountains of Arizona on May 21st.
Shooting the Moon -- with a Digital Camera Connected to a Telescope
(Posted 4/15/2003) - Now that the weather is warm I decided to try out my telescope coupled to my digital camera. Yesterday after dinner I packed up my scope, tripod, and camera and drove over to Lambert Lake (just a few blocks from where we live). Here are some pictures I took which I think bode well for future outings.
Pat Gives Up Smoking After 38 Years of 2-Packs a Day!
(Posted 2/13/2003) - Pat has stopped smoking for the first time in 38 years! She has now passed through 43 days without a ciggie. I think it is worth sharing both her philosopy, and her methodology for smoke cessation.
Used Car Owner Blues - or How I Learned to Live Out of Warrantee
(Posted 1/12/2003) - Here's proof that a pensioner's life isn't all about clipping coupons and smelling roses. The '86 Sprint I inherited when my mom wisely went upscale with a snazzy 2002 Focus ZX3, finally acted its age. The symptom: No go between idle and about 2000 RPM. This kind of a flat-spot puts you at the side of the road if your car has an automatic transmission; but luckily the Sprint is equiped with a manual transmission.
Jon and Pat Celebrate 30th Wedding Anniversary at Greek Isle Restaurant
(posted 7/22/2002)- Pat and Jon celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary one day early (on Sunday 7/21), so that they could get together with Pat's mom, Rose; and their kids (Matt and Kathy). Their children each brought their significant others (Terese and Derek), so there was a very nice group for this special celebration. They ate a leisurely, delicious meal at the Greek Isle restuarant -- where these photos were taken by Kathy.
Pat and Kathy Bond in Britain for Two Weeks!
(Posted 5/30/2002) - Pat and Kathy have just returned from two weeks in the British Isles. They split their time between England and Scotland. I know they were actually there because between them they took over 400 pictures. Kathy loved Edinburgh, and partied mightily (as in all through the night)
Jon and Matt Back from Great Golf Vacation in Florida!
(Posted 4/16/2002) - Matt and I just got back from Ft. Lauderdale. Pat made our flight reservations on Spirit Airlines, whose prices were quite reasonable ($200 round trip each). The other advantage was that Spirit's gates are at the O'hare International terminal, so the delay getting checked in was actually less than at the larger domestic carrier's gates.
Jon and Kathy Climbing the Walls (In Naperville)
(Posted 1-26-2002) -Bought indoor rock-climbing passes at a Naperville health club. Kathy and I have gone 3 times and it is an incredible workout. We use auto-belays so we can't easily tumble (the rope will automatically go taut if you fall, sorta like a seat belt).