LINDA’s PAGE:

November 15, 2008 - Things that make me happy!  That our many friends with whom we spend so much time almost everyday, want to share their victories with us because they know how much we share their happiness.  That more and more of you are choosing the Ace of Clubs because of the atmosphere, and what it has to offer.  The games at the Ace of Clubs are alway festive and fun...and having those special games in one location would make them even more so. . .  The Ace of Clubs is a gift. a labor of love, to Tempe and the other east valley communities.   I have tried to think of everything you could ever possibly want in a bridge club, including the most recent purchase of a freezerless refrigerator, just because some of you prefer bottled water to the water that is delivered each week.  I pronounce, that I believe this is done!  The Ace of Clubs has everything.  We don't even boot you out for a craft show or another organization's party :)  It serves not only experienced bridge players, but the intermediate players and the many beginners that have never played bridge before who are taking the lessons we offer, and the other people in the community who like to play other games.  It is a place to meet people and make new friends and enjoy friendly conversations on the patio.  Saturday games night is such fun and we are meeting people from all over the valley.  The Ace of Clubs is a beautiful, comfortable, full service bridge and games club right in your neighborhood. 

November 14, 2008 - Not particularly fun!  The Regional was not that much fun!  We did get a section 2nd on Wednesday, but that's all.  So we are back and ready for our game today.  Jason leaves for the tournament this morning.  The games have been smaller this week, especially Wednesday.  I am sure that it is because so many of our regular players are in Tucson.  We have been running 4 and 5 tables though, so at least some of you are still here.   Come tonight!  (Friday)  Let's have some fun playing bridge. 

November 10, 2008 - This week!   Tucson Regional.  Many of us are heading off on varying days to the tournament in Tucson this week.  Sam and I are going to take care of Jason's game tomorrow night, Tuesday, because he has a friend in from out of town.  Then we are leaving for Tucson ourselves after the game.  We are going to play Wednesday and Thursday in the OPEN pairs, then head back early Friday morning for the game at 12:30.  Jason will be the substitute Director-in-Charge while we are gone.  It is so nice that we have plenty of competent people to help run our Club. Jason is then leaving for Tucson on Friday morning and coming back after the SWISS on Sunday.  

I am looking forward to our pot luck Thanksgiving dinner at the Club on Thanksgiving Day.   Is there just one or two of you? By all means, don't spend Thanksgiving Day alone.   Like you, my family lives elsewhere so I want to have a party of friends to share with at the Club.  I am making the turkey(s), dressing and giblet gravy.  We will need other dishes as well.  Traditional family favorites would be great.  Surprise us!  What comes to mind right now is:  mashed potatoes, yams, green beans, cranberries, pie, and a relish dish.  If you are planning to come and want to know what we need the day of Thanksgiving, call the club or sign up at the Club and you will be able to see what is missing.  After we eat at 1:30, we are planning to play games and continue to munch on all the food.  The cost will be $7.00 per person if you bring a dish and $12 if you do not.  All family members are welcome to join us, of course.  I think it will be a fun day.  If you don't want to stay and play games, that's ok too.  But, they are going to be available for those that do.   It is a game playing day.  Should I put up and decorate the Holiday Tree before Thanksgiving?  That is the question!  I think it will make Thanksgiving Day even more festive.   Please let us know if you are planning to come to the Club for Thanksgiving so I will know how many turkeys and how much dressing to make. 



November 5, 2008 - YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT!!  I went to Simon Imaging this morning to get my chest x-ray to take with me to my appointment with Dr. Rothman this afternoon. Sam and I were on our way to get the news and the next steps in resolving this chick-pea size "thing" on my larynx.  We had lunch at MiMi's before because we got there so early.  I was scared and worried.  We had to wait about 20 minutes in the waiting room.   We were called into the patient's room, and waited a little more.  In walks Dr. Rothman, with my x-rays in hand.  He sat down and said "The x-rays are "unremarkable."  I don't see anything other than a polyp and it is relatively small.  He was surprised that the throat specialist didn't just remove it in his office.  He also said that his office will call me within the next couple of days to schedule the five minute, in the office, under mild anesthetic, procedure to remove it.  It will not even be bloody.  I will feel like I have a sore throat for a few days, but it will heal, and then I will not be hoarse, and I will not need to have anything else done.  It will be gone.  He further explained to me that cancer does not stick out like this, cancer is flat.  Polyps stick out and have mucous around it, just like mine.  I opened my mouth very wide, he pushed down on my tongue, had me say ahhhhh, and could see that it is a red polyp.  I have never known the magnificance of the power of prayer as I do now.  I know there was quite a large ring of prayer today comprising of, to name a few Carol Gerlach, Carol Katra, Suzette, Adele, JoAnn Rankin, Joanne Lowe, Elle, Gloria, Trudy, Priscilla, Sameera, Alice, Sue, Ann, Joy Balser, Clark, Sylvia, Marianne Spanier, and my precious wonderful daughters, . . . well, all of you.  It worked and I am going to be fine.  I feel like a 20 ton weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. 

November 5, 2008 - Unfortunately!  As we played in our one and only day of the tournament on Sunday, we were matched up against Louis Quiggle.  As I picked up the first hand to begin bidding, I received questions about our Dealing Machine and how it works.  As those of you that have seen it at the Club know, it is really not easy to explain how it works because it would take a technical engineer, we push the button and it just works!  I told him that it is always on display at the Ace of Clubs and he is welcome anytime to come by and see it in action.  As I reached for the bidding box, further questions ensued, and I, a little annoyed by now, said that it generates hands randomly just like is done at Sun Lakes from the Dealer Pro program, but ours are completely random, meaning that what is generated from the randomly dealt hands in that program are the hands that we play, without any review.  Mr. Quiggle took it upon himself to report to Roman that I said something derogatory toward him in this regard and as a result, Roman made his decision to "put me in my place by sending me an angry email."   Make no mistake about it:  I LOVE THE SUN LAKES CLUB and have played there quite a few times on Saturday mornings with Norma, Martin, Paul and Dave coming all the way from North Scottsdale, and have enjoyed the people and the atmosphere every time I have played.  I also love the many players from Sun Lakes that come to the Ace of Clubs.  I believe in "live and let live", and always endeavor to generate good feelings, not bad.  What I am writing here is my response to Roman's email to me about "commenting" as a result of Mr. Quiggle's report to him.  We must always consider the source, the circumstance and the intent of reports we hear before jumping to conclusions.  I write this publicly so that any "rumors are laid to rest" and to address negative "vibes" publicly to set the record straight as I become informed, which is so often the case.  Sun Lakes is beautiful, very well run and a very pleasant place to play.  If I lived closer and did not own my own bridge club, it would be my club of choice.  As many of you know, I am always proud to display and demonstrate our state of the art toys and techniques to anyone and everyone that wants to see.  Barbara Rosenthal in Tucson and the unit in Prescott, Arizona have written to me to inquire about our Bridgemate scorers and I am always so happy to inform and report to them how great they are.  One day, maybe all of Arizona will have them.  Arizona Bridgeworks is already enjoying them just as we are.  DotyBridge Club in north Scottsdale has "Dealing Wally" so no one has to shuffle.  New and good things are happening in our Arizona bridge communities and I am proud to be right on top of them.

November 3, 2008 - Sam and I played with Adele and JoAnn yesterday in the SWISS and... we placed 3rd in Flight A.  We were playing for first place the last round and were leading but...GOT BEAT BY STEVE SCOTT AND SUZETTE WYNN, Mark Jones and Ben Blacik.  We were all laughing about the fact that we find ourselves competing with each other in almost every tournament.  For this, we got 10.22 masterpoints.  It was great fun. 

I was overwhelmed with the love and concern coming my way.  Thank you, everyone, for caring and making me feel so loved.  I feel great!  In fact, I feel better than I have felt in a long time.  I will find out on Wednesday afternoon what my next step is regarding this saga of the chick-pea sized thing on my voice box and will let you know immediately what I learn.  I am wondering if Dr. Rothman will set the surgery date.  I am ready.  I don't like knowing that it's there, but it does not hurt me in any way.  It is large enough to restrict completely normal swallowing occasionally, but not too much.  I still eat everything I ate before (too bad) and do just fine.   Just keep on praying and we will all get through this together.  A message to all my beloved "smoking" friends.   PLEASE TRY YOUR BEST TO QUIT!  At all cost and frustration, just do it.  Maybe we should hold quit smoking seminars at the Club and all do it together as a support group.  What do you think?  We can suffer through it together.  It is all a state of mind we must reach and we need help with it.  We could have relaxation exercises with breathing and meditation.  I know a little bit about that!  Mike gave me a great book to read and it is helping me.  He even underscored and highlighted the parts in the book that he could especially relate to and I am benefiting from his notes.

November 1, 2008 - What we did yesterday!  We took another day off, sort of.  At 11:30 a.m., we took the laser printer and a desk that we had to put together to the Club.  Then we went back to Carol Katra's in Scottsdale to tote a beautiful table I purchased from her daughter that matches our rich decor to display our flyers on at the Club.  And we returned to the Club.  Sam put the desk together and set up the "classroom" while I organized the director's area, the storage closet, the tables and chairs, put up some pictures and our two remaining banners, wiped off all of the tables and vacuumed.  It looks great there.  We were at the Club until about 7:30.  Then we went out to eat Chinese food.  We got home and crashed.  Sam and I always have such a good time when we have projects that we do side by side.   We have shared many exciting projects in our lifetime together (going on 13 mostly great years now), not just the Club.  There was the renovation of the yard and spreading of rocks in the front, the law office, planting trees and plants, shopping for them, planning a waterfall and learning how to do it ourselves just because it interested us, cleaning and organizing the garage, planning a vegetable garden, which we never actually did, but we liked knowing how we would do it, bridge systems, not all ones we have on our card, but experiments to see if we liked them, and bridge treatments we made up ourselves.  Some we have kept but most of them we scrapped.  But it is always fun learning, creating and sharing.   I am hoping to get him to the tournament today.  It is already 8:52, so it will probably be this afternoon.

October 30, 2008 - DAY OFF!!  We are having a nice day at home.  We decided that we need this day and maybe tomorrow off.  So, we slept in, went shopping, had lunch, and came back home.  He retired to his computer room and I, to mine.  I am catching up on laundry and he is going to make the kitchen 'shine' again.  We thought about going to the movie to see "W" but decided that we preferred to spend the day relaxing.  We have worked 15 to 16 hours per day for one year now.  That's alot.  I hope you are enjoying the tournament.  We will be there either tomorrow or Saturday, but definitely on Sunday.  We are playing with Adele and JoAnn in the Swiss teams.

October 29, 2008 - The Second of the Best Things That Has Ever Happened To Me!  On October 29, 1979, at about 9:30 a.m., I was in Memorial Hospital in Houston, Texas, sharing a glorious day!  Marianne Michelle Green was born.  Great Big brown eyes, a head full of brown hair, and since it was Halloween, she was wrapped in an orange blanket and had an orange bow in her hair when they brought her to me for the very first time.  She was delicate and tiny, a little princess, and as Dr. Freedman said, "She is beautiful.!!  And that she was and is to this day.  My little genius child.  She started learning to read and add before she even went to kindergarten.  We practiced long A sounds, and short a sounds, the sounds of the alphabet, and she would become a little flustered when she would try to read and didn't know a sound.   She started reading books by the first grade and by the time she was in the 6th grade, she was post high school level in reading aptitude.  She needed braces, and glasses, and had light brown curly hair all over her head.  She was so creative that her teachers knew very early on just how smart she was.  She was a performer!  An artist!  And absolutely brilliant little girl.  When the contacts came and the braces came off, wow, what a pretty girl.  She and I had lots of fun discussions through her growing up years and still do to this day.  She was born knowing what was right with the world and not so right with the world it seemed.  To this day, she is a mother, a wife and a practicing attorney and manages all of this to near perfection.  Her warmth toward me, her family, and her friends is astounding.  She is on top of things, always a step ahead, and laughs alot and has fun.  She has always been a great speaker and as such, in moot court competitions in law school, won many competitions with other law schools throughout the country.  She loved debate and it has always been very challenging trying to win your position.  She can switch between your and her position, and effectively prove her point either way.  An intriguing, exciting person in every way.  I am so proud to be her mother.  Here is the most recent picture I have of her, sent just the other day, and that little guy in her arms is my grandson, JOE.  He looks alot like she did as a baby.  Aren't they pretty?  I love you Marianne and Joe!  HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

LINDA PRESENTS MARIANNE MICHELLE GREEN ROBAK AND JOSEPH TATE ROBAK!

October 26, 2008 - Hypnosis.  I am thinking about going to a hypnotist to assist me with the anxiety in this task of stopping smoking.  Have any of you been to one or know someone who has?  I know a couple who went to a hypnosis seminar 15 years ago, and walked out non-smokers and have never smoked again.  I would be interested in your input if you have any knowledge or experience with hypnosis for stress, smoking or weight loss. 

October 22, 2008 - Prognosis!   It has been suggested to me by a couple of my dear friends that I tell you on my page what is going on with me.  I have been hoarse!  I went to my regular doctor a few times and he said "quit smoking."  And I let it go at that...knowing that ofcourse, I needed to quit.  Although I wish I could have been successful, it had not been the case.  As I grew more concerned, I went to the dentist to see if everything was ok with my teeth looking for some other reason that I had a swollen gland and was hoarse.  Everything was fine with my teeth.  So, I decided to go to the ear, nose and throat specialist who immediately did a biopsy of the gland and looked down into my throat and there it was, a chick-pea sized growth right there on my larynx.   He ordered for me a cat scan of my neck and throat.  I did this on October 11.  I was able to walk out with the films in hand to take back to my doctor.  When I went back to my doctor, he showed me on the film where it was and what it looked like.  There is nothing around it, just a contained growth.  I have now been referred to Dr. Rothman with whom I have an appointment on November 5 at 1:30.  Dr. Rothman is a certified surgeon and the best in his field for the removal of this type of growth on the voice box.  I feel extremely confident that he will know exactly what to do about this while preserving my voice box and my voice.  This is not life threatening, even in the cancer scenario.  The growth will be removed orally through my mouth, biopsied, and if it turns out to be cancer, I will probably have to have some radiation treatments that can completely remove any abnormal cells so that it will not return.  Although I am of course concerned, I do not in any way feel ill, fatigued or depressed.  It is just a matter of getting it taken care of which I intend to do as quickly as possible.   Thank you for your support and your prayers as I take this side step in my life's journey.   I will keep you posted.

October 13, 2008 - One of the highlights of my day!  There are many great and wonderful things that happen at the Club everyday.  Today was no exception.  I was so happy to have the opportunity to sit down and talk with Patti Landwehr.  We had a warm, and very friendly, conversation and know that we are both on the same page when it comes to how we feel about the bridge community in which we both serve.  We have your best interests and enjoyment at heart and will always work together toward that end.   

October 8, 2008 - I miss my children (Chrystie, Marianne & Susan, my three "Little Women") today.  They are all grown up now but this is my favorite time of the year.  Memories of the excitement of Fall, when everything was fresh and new to them at school.  school projects and homework, them honing in on their social skills, their many activities.  The hardest part of being a MOM for me is that they do grow up, and you are left with all of these warm, fuzzy memories.  I have thoughts of things I could have done better as a Mom and the things I believe I was successful at being a Mom.  My own mother once said, "Enjoy these years, they go by quickly, and before you know it, this phase of your life is over."  My message to my children would now be the same as hers was to me.  Enjoy these years.  Yes, you are always their Mother, but mothering will take on a different role when your children grow up, and this phase of your life passes quickly.  Like you are already doing now, take lots of time to enjoy.  My mother would remind me of this most often when she thought I was playing bridge too much and she was absolutely right.  I did play too much, and I wish I could re-do this part, but... I cannot now... and life goes on....  If I had it to do all over again, I would make this change.  Sometimes, I can't help but still try to be their "guiding" MOM, and this I recognize, can sometimes be a mistake.  It is their turn and I watch them from the sidelines and just "bust at the seams" and stand in awe at the great job they are doing managing their homes, their jobs and their small children, now...whether I deserve to feel this pride in them?  hmmmm.... I dunno, but I do feel it.

October 7, 2008 -  First Tuesday 10:30 Game:  I woke up early this morning!  Very early.  I answered my emails and then I went to the grocery store as soon as it opened to get our bagels, doughnuts & juice.  I wanted to make sure they were the freshest I could get.  I got to the Club at 8:15 and started getting ready for the virgin Tuesday morning game.  I walked into the Club, opened all the doors to feel the cool air of fall flowing through and noticed the beautiful morning light filtering in through the windows.  There were birds chirping amongst a quiet calm an... a feeling of tranquility came over me, and I smiled.  I diligently prepared the orange juice, the toaster, bagels and cream cheese, butter and jelly, bread and doughnuts, as I sipped my morning coffee.  I listened to the messages on the phone and went outside seeking that peace I had felt before.  Jason got there an hour and a half early to get his very first open game ready.  All was done and ready by the time everyone started coming with time to spare.  Just the way I like it.   Virginia was there early too.  She plugged in her laptop and did some work at one of the tables by the fireplace and the open front door.   I was sitting outside talking (me?) when suddenly appeared DON ELLIOTT, back from Colorado after his summer away.   I believe today was the most fun I have ever had at the Club and there have been many, many great times.   Everyone seemed so happy to be there and so congenial, and this made my day.  Sam and I have had better bridge games in our life and 3 pairs beat us.  I was pleased that they won free plays for the rest of the week.   Thank you to all of you.  I hope you enjoyed this beautiful day as much as I did.   And, JASON, what a great job, once again.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 3, 2008 - The first day of the Horn O'Plenty Tournament in Scottsdale.  Sam and I are exhausted today and have decided to take this day off from the tournament.  I have been working on trying to link a monthly results calendar to my site.  Still no success.  I am a little flustered so I will quit trying for awhile.  It is a beautiful, slightly overcast day and a little cooler outside so I have my door open with fresh air streaming in.  The game last night was smaller because of the debate on t.v. and the beginning of the tournament today.  We expected that it would be.  I am really looking forward to next week.  We have 3 new games starting up.  The Tuesday morning game at 10:30 will be first.  Sam and I need to practice because we don't get to play together too often and some of the players that are coming might be able to beat us and get a free play for the rest of the week.  We shall see what happens.  It should be a fun morning.   I am planning to bring bagels and cream cheese, toast and jelly, doughnuts and juice to go along with our usual coffee and tea.  The first game will be free for everyone who will be trying to beat us.  Then there is the new Tuesday night game already in progress and growing leaps and bounds.  There are so many people who want to learn to play bridge in this category of 0-49 players in a comfortable environment.  The Friday night game will start back up this coming Friday, October 10 at 7:00.  And of course, on Saturday morning at 9:00, the 0-199 game.  I hope that this schedule is something you all want.  I am striving to meet all of your expectations from a full-service club.  Let me know what you think!  Have you checked out the Saturday Games Night page on the site?  If you haven't you are missing something exciting that is coming up this coming Saturday, October 11 at 6:00 (pot luck), then games.  A games night. featuring other games, like hearts, spades and scrabble.  I believe there is even a canasta group coming.  Carol Gerlach and I are going to play Scrabble.  Jim Hughes likes Chess.  Allan is a master Scrabble player.  The Coles like Mahjong.  We have Hearts and Spades groups playing, and even some bridge for those interested in that.  It is a fun night at the Ace of Clubs.

September 24, 2008 -   A very special day.  On this day, in 1976, the first of three, best things that has ever happened to me occurred.  I was blessed with a beautiful, sweet baby girl.  She was the cutest, most perfect little cherub I had ever seen.  I remember the first time I ever held her in my arms.  She had blond hair, great big blue eyes, big rosy cheeks and a cute pink bow on the very top of her head.  She was laying in my arms, looking into my eyes, then she looked around the room, then looked back at me as we gazed at each other.  She let out the tiniest little peep to communicate with her first time mother that she was a little hungry.  We brought her home and our new life began, the life of being parents.  What a joy!  Chrystie now has two children of her own, William and Ashley.  She has two of my three grandchildren.  Thank you Chrystie for all the perfectly marvelous times you have bestowed upon your father and me.  She was a good tennis player being one of only 10 chosen in all of Houston, to participate in the Billie Jean King Tennis Ranch in Austin at the age of 6, an all-star in softball, a good swimmer, a smart student, a great compassionate friend to her friends, a devoted, loving daughter, well....never a dull moment sums it all up!!  For all the good times.....I love you!  For even those bad times, I love you....you are my first-born child.   Happy Birthday to YOU!  It occurs to me that it was my birthday too.  We were in this together.

September 1, 2008 - evening - a new month, an exciting month ahead.  Tonight I am tucked away in my favorite room in the house, the Arizona room.   In this room, I have a T.V. with surround sound, music, a fireplace, a leather couch with a coffee table, and of course, my computer.  The door to this fabulous room opens right onto the pool.  The lighting is perfect and it is a place where I can read, and be all alone lost in my thoughts.  Tonight, I am thinking about what a wonderful day this was with the Labor Day pot luck festivities, the happy spirit of the game, the food, but most of all, the smiling, happy people gathered together to enjoy the day.  I feel particularly thankful on this day for all the people who participate in every way they can to help us succeed in our #1 mission of making the Ace of Clubs a very comfortable place to be, right in the heart of Tempe.   It makes me happy when people just drop by even when though they can't play that day, just to be around the Club and its warm atmosphere.  It's a place where "everyone knows your name."   Today, we had four members of the Unit 351 Board playing in the game.  Dale Sweetwood, Mayre Meyer, Joyce Breclaw and Adele Verkamp.  Dale had never used our BridgeMate computer scoring from the table but didn't have a single problem with input after his first demonstration at the beginning of the game.  It was like a duck to water.,as it has been for everyone. after inputing their first board.  :}}  I took pictures today and after I have gotten some sleep, will play with getting them on the website for everyone to enjoy.


August 24, 2008 evening - After the closing ceremony in Beijing!  That was undoubtedly the best Olympic closing ceremony I have ever seen.  Talk about inspirational!  I feel like I could fly.  It was colorful, creative, explosive, tremendously exciting and entertaining.  It was just beautiful.  How can anyone outdo that?  Good luck, London.  However, the airplanes flying over Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square with red, white and blue streaming into the sky tonight was pretty impressive also.  I went to London when I was 25 years old.  My parents lived in Hyde Park Crescent for eight years.  I saw the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Big Bend, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace.  We even had dinner at the original Trader Vicks and the "by invitation only" Le Ambassodor Inn.  My parents loved living there.  From there, they moved to Darien, Connecticut, and my dad commuted to New York City every day.  He said he never saw the sun shine.  The train left early in the morning before sunrise and by the time he got through the tunnel in the evening, it was dark.  My mother loved Connecticut.  She even played golf with red golf balls when there was a little snow on the ground. 

Well, the regional tournament is over now and it is back to work as usual tomorrow morning.  I guess it was a pretty good tournament.   I earned 21 plus points.  I lost track.  The best I have ever done was 57 points in a regional in Scottsdale in 1994 or so.  I was the happiest about the fact that I played on all women's teams and had women partners.   

Sam and I got up early this morning and went swimming before we got ready to go to the tournament.  It was very refreshing and I felt ready to play.   We talked about our system a little over our morning coffee on the patio.   Judy Randel and Suzanne Jones joined our team so we had a six man team.  Sam and I sat out the first two.  Judy and Suzanne had to catch a flight back to Albuquerque and would not be able to play the last two matches.  We were average for the day but had a very good time with Adele and JoAnn, Judy and Suzanne.  Sam and I had fun with our system and it worked well for us again.  We almost have it down pat.  Now, if we quit changing it so much, we can just perfect it.