1968 - Rolling Meadows House 

We decided that we would need more space than we had in the one-bedroom apartment. So, we found a two-bedroom house in Rolling Meadows that cost $17,400 and had a whopping 900 square feet. Being a veteran, I was able to get a GI Loan, because Georgia’s parents loaned us $500 for the down payment. We were afraid we couldn’t make the $157 per month loan payments!

On October 3, 1968, my world shifted on its axis: Michele Lea Horvath was born. When the nurse first brought her to me, I was in a state of 'Recon' shock. I looked at this baby with her dark skin and dark hair and thought, There must be a mistake. It was the complete reverse of my own blonde-haired, fair-skinned entry into the world.

In that moment of confusion, I’d forgotten my own mother’s dark hair and features. But then Michele opened her eyes—a brilliant, clear blue, just like Georgia’s—and the 'Tony from Sony' persona vanished. She was ours.

Right then and there, a phrase popped into my head that I’ll never be able to explain: 'I love my little Poo Kee Doo.' To this day, I have no idea where it came from or what it means, but it became the secret language of a father and daughter. Even now, decades later, that nickname still finds its way into our conversations—a reminder of the day our lives truly began.

Grandma Rose was very happy, but didn’t want to be called Grandma, so we had Michele call her Rose until Michele was around three.

Pops, Grandpa Ernie, Rose, (My Parents)

Shirley and Ed, (Georgia's Parents)

Michele had wonderful Grandparents

Poo Kee Doo: The Pride & Joy of the Journey

While I was busy traversing Northern Illinois as "Tony from Sony," introducing retailers to the future of electronics, my own future was waiting for me at home. Michele—my "Poo Kee Doo"—was the absolute pride and joy of my life.

At that age, she was more than just adorable; she was a force of nature. Our little 900-square-foot house didn't just feel like a building anymore; she turned it into a home. Michele was a high-speed innovator in her own right—she did everything early, from taking her first steps to talking up a storm. Georgia and I practically had to run just to keep up with her.

No matter how successful a sales trip was, the best part of the day was always the moment I pulled into the driveway to see her. She was the reminder that while technology is great, it’s the people we share our lives with that provide the real "Piston-Power."

Expanding the Foundation: The 900-Foot Challenge

By the time we knew our son Scott was on the way, our 900-square-foot, two-bedroom house started feeling very small, very quickly. I knew we needed more space, but I also knew I had the "intel" to make it happen myself.

I did my homework and tapped back into those "Construction Era" memories from my youth—the long days spent learning to frame walls and finish interiors. With the arrival of a new family member on the horizon, Lenny G. and I went to work. We didn't just add on; we transformed the house by building a new master bedroom, expanding the kitchen for the heart of the home, and adding a family room where we could actually breathe. It was "Sweat Equity" all over again, proving that a solid foundation is something you build with your own hands.

The Lumberpile Playground: A Lesson in Innovation

We faced a common suburban problem: there wasn't a playground nearby where our daughter Michele could play safely. Instead of accepting the lack of options, I decided to do some "Recon" on my own lumber pile.

I had a stash of high-quality wood left over from the major house addition Lenny G. and I had just finished. I realized I didn't need a professional contractor; I just needed my own "Construction Era" knowledge. I took that extra lumber and set to work, designing and building a customized, sturdy swing set right in our own backyard.

Michele called it 🎥  -  "My Swingset" and absolutely loved it. It quickly became the ultimate "Next Shock" for the neighborhood, as she started inviting her little friends over to play. Seeing her eyes light up as she enjoyed her very own playground was the absolute best return on investment I could have asked for. It was a simple solution built on resourcefulness, teamwork, and the singular goal of making life better for someone you love.