Christmas 2005

With the Klopfenstein Christmas fast approaching, I thought I'd post another picture. This one is of the grandkids and great-grandkids on the basement steps at Uncle Perry's house. I have it marked as December 2005. There are 12 children in the picture and unless my math is clear off, I believe we have added 12 more babies to the Klop family since that time (7-Ralph's, 4-Perry's, and 1-Ada's).

I'd love to see more photos of family Christmas celebrations if anyone has them!

Worth Watching

"Amazing Grace" is the gripping story of William Wilberforce, the man most responsible for getting a law through the House of Commons to end transporting Africans for slavery in the last half of the 1700's and early 1800's. He was born in well-to-do circumstances and became a Christian while attending the church John Newton pastored. Newton, the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace", has a prominent role in the DVD as he continues to be haunted by his cruelties to slaves being transported under unbelievably inhumane conditions--this in the days before he repented for his wicked lifestyle. We rented the DVD as a holiday extra only to learn that the Medlens already owned it! This is a thought provoker and soberer (new word!) well worth your time.

Home Place Christmas

Just a Christmas picture to share. Any guesses about what year this might have been? I figure Ann and Cathy look about 6 years old.

Judy

Bulletin from the Homeplace

Uncle Perry wants it reported today of a new low gas price -- In Gridley, IL.
$1.53.9 per gallon!!! (Don't forget the .9). Hew was clear surprised to see this and we were clear surprised to hear it as Peoria is still at 1.63.
Cleve and Kathleen

FAMILY COLLOQUIALISM PUZZLE

Jerry and I both had to chuckle at the intentional use of "family colloquialism" in Drake's "Turkey Run" post last night. And there might have been a couple unintentional "hints" of it in the responses. Did anyone else catch it?!?!?

Turkey Trotters

From EJK Family Blog

Greetings from Vernon Hills! All of Ada's were here today for Thanksgiving and we're clear stuffed with turkey, sweet potatoes, and pie. Good thing a bunch of us ran a 5K this morning - second year in a row and a new family tradition. Mom & Dad left a bit ago and the rest of us are contemplating leftovers while the kids play together.

Hope you had a great day!

Christmas Dinner @ Perry's

We're hoping you all received a post card about the upcoming family Christmas dinner we're planning for Saturday, December 13th @ noon. You are all invited!! Let us know when you know what your plans are. We are glad for those of you who have already let us know and especially for those of you who are planning to come. Perry & Carol

A Thanksgiving Thought

I've been thinking this Thanksgiving not only about how blessed I have been throughout life, but also wondering. . .why? To have come of age, not only in America with the freedoms we have here, but to have grown up in stability, to have been taught the basics of how to live, how to manage, how to be successful in trying to provide something of value for the world instead of taking from it. So many in this world are struggling, without those benefits and advantages in life.

Some of it is due, of course, just to the the wondrous fact of the grace of God. But some of it is not due just to fate. Family plays a big part also. We have been blessed to have been born into a family that valued working hard, providing for family, being successful at what the mind sets forth to do, and being people of character. Not only that, but this is an extended family of Christian beliefs that recognizes that character is based on Bible-centered values.

And this heritage goes back a number of generations.

Family, stability, and Christian heritage are wonderful blessings for which to be thankful for during this holiday season.

I will now retreat from my soapbox to get busy in the kitchen! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Autographed cast

..can't help but comment on Aunt Mim's interesting post which sparked a memory for us... We saved Crystal's short-arm cast from her broken arm when she was in the
2nd grade and now our grandsons have fun "wearing it" and pretending. It is fun to read the autographs... Grandma Catherine, Aunt Cathy, and Shelley are among those names still legible but many have faded!
Cleve & Kathleen

Bad Economy??

We had our family Christmas on Saturday. There are 25 of us when we are all together. We had a chance to take a family photo, ate a great meal, and opened all the presents. Dave's comment was, "Too bad it's a bad economy, or we all could have bought MORE presents!" I think everyone left happy, although 3 adults left with a migraine...was it all the food or all the commotion?

Grandmother's prerogative

Mark told me last night that the doctor authorized seven year old Jeffrey to shed the binding or whatever it is that immobilized his arm following a greenstick collar bone fracture. Molly told him he could get rid of the binding, which was filled with autographs. His reply: "I think I'll put it in my closet so that in thirty years, I'll remember who my friends were."

Economics anyone?

Well - some ancient sage somewhere said it's best to stay away from religion and politics with family members, but how about an economics discussion?

What do you think about all these government bailouts? Where will it all stop? It appears that these big companies are going down like dominoes. I'd like to know what some of you Klop businessmen and women, economists, teachers, and wise users of money over the years, think about all this.

Klop Sleeping Pattern

Well, earlier this week, I fell into the sleeping (or should I say non-sleeping) pattern many of you have described on here. I couldn't sleep, so I just got up and surfed the net from 1-2. It felt so silly to be doing, and the next day I was so tired. As the week wore on, I got even less sleep. Nathan's never been a good sleeper, and he's been sick on top of that. Then I started feeling like I was getting sick myself. Last night I knew I would toss and turn, listening to Nathan and being uncomfortable over my own aches and pains, when I remembered Advil PM. I recently got the stuff for next-to-nothing due to a new hobby of mine called "couponing," but that's a whole 'nother post. I took 2 Advil PM's at 9:45, went to bed at 10, and didn't notice anything until 6:15. Unfortunately, Jerry had to deal with Nathan all night! He's a great guy...

Nathan's back at daycare today, and they haven't called me yet, so I guess he's totally better. This has been his second full week of daycare. Previously, he had been staying with a woman in her home, and he was the only kid. He never got sick there, but otherwise, it's gone pretty well so far at the new place.

Is it Cold???

Just logged onto the blog for the first time all week and saw the post from Lynn and Mim. We really enjoyed meeting with them and Jake & Connie for dinner last Saturday. Thanks for the invite Uncle Lynn!

We are heading north tonight for Thanksgiving/Christmas activities. Should pull into Retta's folks around 3:00am. Been busy at work all week trying to clear the path for a successful vacation. Even so, I still have two conference calls I will be leading during the week. Couldn't succeed in getting them postponed nor passed off to another person.

We are really looking forward to the week back home. Everybody here in the Bhm area is complaining that it's too cold. It's a cool 40 degrees out right now. Hopefully, it will be warmer when we come back in a week. Pray we have a safe trip tonight as the last couple have been somewhat "eventful". We will have the dog with us this trip as well (he's grounded right now) and that usually makes the trip more interesting.

EDK

CROSSWORD PUZZLES

Is anybody good with crossword puzzles? I had a book of SIMPLE Crosswords and thought I would do some while waiting for my embroidery machine to make some snowflakes. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the snowflake, and I don't like to get too far away from the machine. So, I began the puzzle - got about half-way finished (and that was with cheating and looking up the correct words!) - and gave up. Started another one and again gave up. Oh well, I will just go back to Sudoku as I'm good at those!

Think I might make a good dinner tonight. Got some chicken out of the freezer. How does Chicken Parmesan sound? baked potato, broccoli/cheese, and a graham-cracker crust chocolate pie (sugar-free pudding). You're welcome to join us.

Gas Prices

We were in Oklahoma City three weeks ago and I paid $2.07 for gas. I thought to myself of the possibility to move there, ha! However, this evening I filled up for $1.85 at nearby Chevron store. Seems to me that if ever there was a rigged market it has been in fuel. Good ole "John Q. Public" always gets the pleasure of paying the bill and can't seem to do much about it except DON'T DRIVE AS MUCH. I still like the economic law of supply and demand. It has helped in this instance.

Another Great Weekend

LadyK and I have done pretty much traveling this summer and fall. Most of the miles have been such that we were home during the week. So the weekend traveling has become a neat mode--it is very nice to go, yet always nice to get home. Sometimes extended stays can get laborious and lose enjoyment.

The past weekend we were overnight in Bessemer, AL, a suburb of Birmingham. Our friends, Jake and Connie Dutton were with us (they were at our home when Jerry and Ada passed through Decatur en route to Florida and Jake entertained us with some neat singing and piano playing.) Jake is a good ole country boy and sings southern gospel!

We had a wonderful time with Eric, Retta and family with supper Saturday night at a good Chinese restaurant. The food was abundant and delicious. It was really good to see Eric's family, who live closeby in the vicinity where we went to hear Dr. John Whitcomb, lecturer and leader in the Biblical Creation movement. He's been into this ministry for 55 years and really knows the subject matter. He started out as an evolutionist at Princeton University; he made a complete change when he turned his life over to the Lord and ever since then he has had joy and peace in the Lord. He's co-author with the late Dr. Henry Morris in writing "The Genesis Flood," the book that ushered in the present Creationist Movement. The first edition came out in 1961 and is still selling. Both of these men are informed and knowledgeable Biblically and scientifically, yet very humble. Dr. Whitcomb also had two messages Sunday morning and then we returned home. We missed his first and last messages but look forward to the CDs of all five messages that he presented.

Good ole home fires for a few days. Who knows what and/or next?

UL and AM

SNOW AND SLEET

When I was in Bloomington Saturday, waiting in line at the Taco Bell drive-thru, we had a sudden short, heavy sleet storm. It lasted about two minutes then quit and the sun came out. Jerry won't eat tacos and I just had a sudden craving for a crunchy taco!

Today, we had snow flurries on and off most of the day. It was actually rather pretty even though it did not stick to the ground at all. Looks like winter is just around the corner.

Speaking of snow, I've been making lots of snowflakes on my embroidery machine. I have friends who ordered several at my sale, and I'm making a bunch for myself also. Keeps me busy and out of trouble.

Catherine wants to say that the mystery woman in the photo is Aunt Leora. Since it was her company, we will give her the last word! She guessed everybody else correctly, also. Enjoy this video of Jake and Malissa's boys:

Grandchild #12

Matthew, Sarah, Laura and Andrew are delighted to have a baby sister, Julia Ruth. She was born November 12th, 7 lbs, 9 oz, 18 inches. Mother and baby are doing fine. Bruce & Elizabeth are blessed and we are thankful!

THIS N THAT

This afternoon I have an eye doctor appointment. I remember as a child watching a lot of old people stumbling around Gailey's after getting their eyes dilated. Sadly I am now one of them! However I feel rather classy when I walk out of there with those huge plastic glasses that cover my regular glasses and go halfway around my head!

It was so nice to have our bedroom spotless after an all-day cleaning session last Friday. Today, it again dusty and the floor needs vacuuming.

I plan to make Christmas cards this weekend with my embroidery machine. You just might receive one in a month or so . . . then again I'm not really sure if it will work.

Had a great time babysitting Nathan yesterday. He was very hungry and ate a total of 5 pieces of toast with cinnamon sugar - two for breakfast, two for lunch, and one for a snack! Seems that was all he wanted yesterday, but I did manage to slip in some banana and grapes to help balance out his diet.

I looked at the grocery flier this morning - it was enough to make me want to back to bed! I noticed the rice krispies's were pretty cheap at Kroger - oh wait a minute, it's just 8 oz in a big box!

WHOOPS!
That was supposed to be posted on my mom's group site -- sorry everyone!!
Happy Tuesday,
Jodie

request to help community family and doll for raffle!

Hello!
A friend of mine sent the follwing two emails tonight --

...I had someone who works with the toy and gift program ask me if I had any clothes to donate for a 7 month girl. Unfortunately, I’ve gotten rid of almost everything. I thought I would ask a few of you ladies who had younger girls to see if you had anything left that you would like to donate.

They only have $40 to spend which will probably buy 2-3 toys and unfortunately she needs clothes for both summer and winter also. If you have anything you would like to donate, please contact me or Candy Woodrum at Kirby hospital (cwoodrum@kirbyhospital.org). Candy is buying for this family.

Also, they are doing the distribution next week so she’ll need items by this weekend if possible. Gently used toys are okay too.

She also works with Kirby Auxiliary sent this message today that some of you may be interested in...
I wanted to let you know about a raffle that the Hospital Auxiliary is doing for Christmas. I was hoping you could pass this information on to your Mom’s Group.

We are raffling off an American Girl Doll with accessories. (Retail value $118)

Tickets are $2 or 3 for $5

Tickets available in Gift Shop M-F 9am-3pm

Drawing December 8, 2008

An Open Door for "Kid Talent"

Okay, since Aunt Ada has opened the door to "kid talent" (see comment three posts below), I'll feel freer to brag a little. Today at the soccer/volleyball sports assembly at school, Mary Lee received both an all-conference certificate and the trophy for MVP of the varsity girls' volleyball team. This picture of her is with her coach, who received coach of the year for our division of the conference, and who is an Illinois girl - she's from London Mills, a little west of Peoria on I-74.

It was very exciting!

Steffen Update

Not much new to report in the Steffen Household,

thank goodness! Other than keeping bus and car-pool schedules our lives have been pretty uneventful lately. On week-ends we have been keeping busy with fall activities.

Courage

From Rock Climbing

We joined a new health club a couple of months ago and tried the rock climbing wall for the first time today. Owen easily took the family-best climb. We talked afterwards whether it was worn-out muscles or frayed nerves that prevented us from going higher. For Michelle, Grace, and me it was a combination. For Owen? Neither. The hand holds got to be too far apart. If he could reach them he would have gone higher.

Another view

I used Picassa, which Michelle turned me on to last year, to crop and lighten the photo. At first I thought the lady in the back was Aunt Minerva, but now that I see it closer, I don't think so. I don't know Aunt Ann, so will have to leave up to others to decide who it is.

Here's another great picture - I believe from a visit from Uncle Lynn's family when we were living in La Grange. Ann - why are you holding your ears??

Here's a zoomed picture of "the woman in the back" of the Gramm picture. Terrible quality, but maybe we can identify her. I don't think it's Grandma, maybe Aunt Ann?

Gramm Picture

I found this picture...who can identify everyone? I myself am not sure of everyone, but have a pretty good guess.

Herman Hack

I had forgotten all about Herman Hack and Grandma talking about him many years ago. I googled his name and came up with this very interesting website with a lot of pictures. http://www.b-westerns.com/henchie8.htm

THE POLLS IN GRIDLEY

Jerry and I went down to the "hard road" for breakfast before he left to volunteer at the hospital this morning. On the way home, I drove past Gridley's polling place. Both Center Street and Third Street were lined with cars and as I peeked in the door, I could see there was actually a line waiting to vote. I'll vote later today.

It will be an interesting night tonight.

VACATION 1962

I found this picture yesterday and it brought memories of a long-ago vacation. In the summer of 1962, Mother and I set out for California - I was 19 and she was 59. We traveled in her new blue Buick LeSabre with a specially installed air-conditioner that sat under the dashboard. We were traveling first-class!

We spent several days in Colorado Springs visiting Perry who was stationed there at a military base (can't recall the name) and the Stevigs who timed their annual Colorado vacation to meet us. From there we went on to LA. I remember driving through Gunnison - which is a whole 'nother story for another time. Shortly after that, Mother was driving through the mountains (two-lane highway) on the curves and hills, when over a hill the traffic was backed up and she ran into the back of a car. Not bad - just a little dent - but I did all the driving for the rest of the month-long trip.

The picture is of her "movie-star" cousin, Herman Hack, his wife Signe, and me. We stayed at their house for about a week. They were "extras" in the movies and waited every morning for a call for an assignment - none came while we were there. He was upset because "now that the Communists and Jews were running the industry, they couldn't get jobs anymore"!!

From there we stayed with Uncle Frank and Aunt Alice. Alice and I went to a movie one day and stopped at a bar for a smoke and drink (I was underage but nobody asked). She had a martini and I had a screwdriver. Another day Frank and I went to the beach - laid in the sun and got VERY sunburned - peeled like crazy the next few days.

Jerry and I had one date (coke at the ISU's Cage) just before we left on this trip. He called the night before we left and asked me out. I had to tell him we were going to be gone for a month and asked him to call later that summer. I worried the entire trip that he might not call. But, obviously, he did!!

Sorry, this is too long, but I could write much more about the adventures of that trip.

The "BIG" Elections

With all the hype about the Presidential Election, the promises from both sides, the controversy, trying to figure out who and what to believe and overall which will be the lesser of two evils, we are at risk of forgetting about the other elections we will be casting ballots in on Nov 4th.

In an effort to keep us from forgetting, some have taken to direct contact through the mail to make sure we know the "Facts" regarding their election race. This weekend we received two such pcs. of mail, and felt the "Facts" were worthy of sharing with you.

The first was regarding the race for Bibb County Tax Assessor. The letter was a plea for votes from the challenger against an incumbent family who has "Controlled the County" for 42 years. Below are a few quotes from this two page letter:

• "I have seen over the years how all the power in the county is in Centerville." EDK : No kidding, Centerville is the county seat and where the offices are.
• "Through a technically they have even tried to keep me of the ballot." EDK: Yes, that is word for word from the letter.
• "The only thing that keeps office open is the cheap rent."
• ".....every pig trail is paved in her district."

Then the letter takes an interesting turn.

• "*Tax Assessor*'s best friend was arrested for stealing funds from her church" (Named in letter)
• "*Tax Assessor*'s husband died and family is asking courts for a Warrant to arrest her for Murder"
• "Two weeks after funeral she was shacking up with a married man (Named in letter)."
• "Tax Assessor cheated her daughter out of inheritance"
• "Husband's family is having body exhumed to prove he was murdered"

The letter ends: "To make a long story short, *Tax Assessor*, Bibb County's Tax Assessor let him die or murdered her husband for money and a younger man. Bibb County does not need a person of this character in an elected position. Please vote for me. (side note, the person writing letter is the brother of the dead husband).

The second letter was not nearly as interesting, as murder was not involved. However, it did accuse the head of the local Water Department of: 1. Not having honesty and integrity, 2. Cashing a $2000 check and using it for personnel use, 3. Charging a set of tires and paying his phone bill with a county credit card, 4. Firing two employees for complaining, 5. Improperly sunbathing on company time (Is there a proper way?), 6. Viewing Porn on a company computer, 7. Driving the company truck to town on the weekend. This letter included a copy of the alleged $2000 check that was cashed, and of course stated the challenger would correct these wrongs.

Any hotly contested local elections in your (red) neck of the woods? EDK

JUNK DRAWER(S)

I decided I have too many drawers that are so full I can hardly open them anymore - so it was time to clean them out this morning. I have found things I've been looking all over for - and probably purchased new ones. Lots of scotch tapes, note pads, scissors, emory boards, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, paperclips, junk paper stuff.

Interesting were some of the pens/pencils I found that brought back memories: Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (a trip with Ang), San Francisco Marriott (trip with Jerry), Capitol Tours (to Branson), Plimoth Plantation (trip out East), and best of all a pen from Antiqua WI (great time with Mary). One pen is from nasonex, nasal spray - have no idea where that came from!

I've more drawers to go but won't bore you with all my junk. Just needed a rest before continuing my "job" for the day.

Ada

What a job!

I must be a glutton for punishment.
I just finished a project I have been working on since last Friday. I had a lead (thanks Malissa) about a woman looking for help with writing, typing, etc. I contacted her and it was a legitimate, Christian lady from Peoria who has her own Work at Home clerical business. She assigned me a job right away. It was typing a hand-written manuscript. I have been typing like a maniac for a week! This thing was a full-scale book! She wanted it done by Friday, as she had been sitting on it for awhile, but I just finished it tonight. (My week also included working my regular job, a 2-day trip to Galena with girlfriends, where I took my laptop and typed most of the night, babysitting, etc.) I typed 102,646 words. My hands are tired. The saving grace of the project is that it was an interesting story, and I would recommend the book once it is in print. AND she paid me pretty good. Not as much as my hospital job, but let's face it, it was sitting at my computer...no blood, no other body fluids, no doctors (sorry, Sam)...actually a pretty good deal.

Dave just said, "You've got three jobs and you still have time to blog!" Signing off...Judy