A Great Man

Many of you know that the owner of my company has been sick with pancreatic cancer for 2+ years. (I'm not saying the name of my company because our Adv. Man. has G. set so that anytime our company is mentioned on the internet, he gets an alert - I think most of you know it anyway.)

Anyway, Mr. C went to be with Jesus early this morning. He was in the office daily until about 6 weeks ago and has been going steadily downhill. Through his leadership, the company grew from a few accounts to the 230,000 plus that we have today, from 1 employee to 1,200. I've been privileged to be in the office daily with him and his wife for nearly 14 years.

My favorite quote of his from the book we wrote about him is this: "I was never in it to make money; money was never my objective. Adding another route meant giving another person a job and putting food on the table for his family." Joey and I have discussed it a lot, and we feel like this is what business ownership is about - using commerce to provide for others and to "rule and reign" on this earth.

Several months ago, when they had said they had done all they could for him, I said to him, "Well, you've ruled your sphere of influence so well on this earth. The Bible says that our rule in heaven will be according to how we've ruled on earth . . . so I can only imagine what you'll be doing in heaven." His wit was always quick: "Well, one thing's for sure - I won't be killing bugs!"

I don't want to put a damper on Shelley's great birthday post - we're very happy that he ran his race well and that his faith has become sight. But we'll miss him. He was a great man.

Birthday Parties

We've been celebrating birthdays this month! Our little Joe had his 1st birthday on the 14th. When he was born I wasn't very excited about him having his birthday on Valentine's Day. But I've decided to embrace it (hence the heart covered cake) because he is just such a sweetheart. Now I think it suits him to have his b-day on V-day. Here he is enjoying his birthday cake.

My dad celebrated the big 6-0 this month as well. We had a little surprise party for him and he was genuinely surprised. Here he is wearing the goofy hat someone gave him.

Now we're all recovering from colds and strep throat. That's the problem with a bigger family... when 1 kid gets sick you might as well cross the next 2 weeks off your calendar because everyone else is going to get it too! I have easy access to strep tests and antibiotics though, so that is helpful. Hope everyone else is staying healthy!

JUST PLAYING AROUND

It's raining "cats and dogs" tonight!

Or I could say "outside it's a fright!"

It's pounding on my windowpane

until I think I'll go insane!

adsfkjfes;ljhe' oops

Now I know you all think for sure I'm losing it! But I'm just playing around what I can do with the fonts, etc. This is the smallest and this is the largest.

goodnight!

I NEVER KNEW!!

Today, Jerry volunteered at the hospital as he does every Thursday morning. When he came home, he was carrying three 16-oz bottles of diet cherry pepsi. I had never seen him drink this before so thought he accidentally got the wrong bottles. He smilingly said he always treats himself to a bottle of diet cherry pepsi when he's working there and has been collecting the "free" bottle caps and today cashed them in for the three free bottles.

I said, "why did you get the cherry kind? and he said "I love it - it's just like the cherry cokes I used to drink at Tronce's when I was in high school." We have been married for nearly 44 years and I never knew he liked cherry cokes! Wonder what other secrets he has??

Labor Day, 2005

This was in our backyard after we enjoyed lunch in our garage. We'd like to do this again sometime. Perry & Carol

CORRECTION

This was supposed to be the fourth picture - sorry.

PICTURES

You probably won't have any trouble recognizing most of these pictures. BUT I'm not sure about the one with Mother. Alice, is that me or you and where is it?

A FEW BITS OF NOTHING MUCH

I have this problem most nights that my ankles burn while my feet freeze. So I'm take my socks off, then put them back on again and again. I was complained to Jerry and he said "just wear one sock and it will average out" -- just thought I'd share with you what I have put up with (both my feet and my husband).

It's been a rather dull day today. Dinner -- the "biggie" for the day finally arrived. I made one of my favorite things from Mother -- noodles with bread crumbs -- I love it! Also fried some pecan-crusted chicken breasts to go with it and green beans and "slaw" for sides. My kids love "slaw" (hm hm) and I want to let them know that I bought a new grater a while back as they about gagged one day when they were here and I pulled out this old rusty thing and began grating cheese or something. I think they thought I was trying to poison them.

Ann, we're wondering if you fixed the sweater the correct way?!? See, we do read your blog.

Snowfall

Yesterday we got about 5" of snow. Grand Rapids now has had 104.5" of snow for the year. Another few inches--which shouldn't be a problem getting this week--will make it the second snowiest on record. Last year with 107" was the second snowiest ever in Grand Rapids. However, GR is about 20 miles inland. Holland and Muskegon right on the lake have received 20-30 more inches than Grand Rapids. I live about halfway between Holland and Grand Rapids so I figure my town has received about 115" of snow so far this year.

How much snow have you received? Of course, there will be quite a few O's I'm sure.

Good Times

I found this picture from the EJK reunion in Decatur awhile back and have been holding onto it. You'll probably have to double-click it to see all the people clearly. What do you remember about it?

countdown

Eating Breakfast at the hotel Sunday morning. Food was limited as some guests brought a box, tin foil and wiped out the food. They wanted to take the food to their event they were in town for and feed everyone there too!

As for the house, Retta has started the countdown to going home. It appears we will be able to vacate the hotel and move home on Thursday. Last night they got the wood floor back in the office, carpet in laundry room, vinyl in bathroom, finished ceiling drywall. This morning they painted, and to answer Shelley's question, we kept the Yellow in the kitchen. This afternoon they layed the tile in the kitchen and hallway and will grout tomorrow. That's the only big change from the "preflood" condition. We have opted not to put the wood floor back into the kitchen and hallway. We are replacing it with 12" tiles. Hope it looks good. I've attached a couple of pictures from mid-reconstruction. I'll post the finished product later this week. After were home we still have to get the furniture figured out. The insurance has agreed to replace a couch we had in the office and two wood cabinets that Retta used to store her Mary Kay inventory. Can't wait to get home and cook some Huntington Chicken. Retta's been craving that for a week now. EDK

Updates from L.A.

Well, mom said I should post an update on what's going on here in L.A. (Lower Alabama). If you recall, Retta awoke to water pouring into the kitchen from the attic a week ago this past Thursday. By Thursday night we were settled into the Fairfield Inn and the contractor was making plans to repair our home.

Well, a little over a week later, we checked out of the Fairfield Inn. However, we checked into the Holiday Inn Express the same day. We changed hotels because of a few issues and yesterday the manager was caught telling us a flat out lie. We could work through the issues, but at the point he became dishonest, he lost our business.

I talked to the contractor this afternoon and his estimate for our return home is this upcoming Thursday. That's based on them finishing the drywall repair (thought it was done once, but subcontractor didn't remove enough of the wet and now the new doesn't align to it), laying tile/grout in kitchen, carpet in laundry room, vinyl in bathroom, laminate flooring in the office and painting the kitchen and bathrooms. If all goes well we will be home by the weekend.

Retta has always given me a hard time that I'm lucky to get to eat out with my job a lot. She's starting to believe me that eating out all the time isn't really that fun. We are all ready for a home cooked meal again.

Other updates, our van is back from the shop with the dent in the door repaired, $38,000 was raised at the annual Walk For Life for the crisis women's center Retta volunteer's at each week, we are all healthy again, and God is Good!

Below are a couple of pictures from when the house was wet. Chris said he took a few pictures, but these were the only two on the camera when I checked to day. I'll post a couple of the reconstuction pictures tomorrow when I get them off of Adrian's camera. Well, off to pick up the kids from Sunday Night Afterglow! EDK

SATURDAY NIGHT--LIVE

Check this website:
www.thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/
I went to bed at 11 PM and it was too early! Simply did not have sleep in me. So I got up and began searching the internet for a couple of songs. Well, when you scratch around in the chicken yard you will likely find all kinds of stuff. The above website suddenly popped up on the screen. I thught you'd like to know how my night ramblings are an influence on me. Along with potato soup, this site will not only stretch your belt, it will require a new one!!!

Klop Brothers

Here I am playing around with my computer when I have other things on my list...but I was trying to figure out the panarama option, and here is what I created. Just sharing. Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Potato Soup!

Thank you, Ada, for the rundown of your family menu escapades. Really interesting! And the good news is that Mim picked up on the potato soup as being my favorite. She's exactly right and you're exactly right. Upon reading your blog entry, she immediately proceeded to "fix it up". Out came your recipe and with her personal adjustments, she had it ready to consume shortly. Talk about delicious!!!--any human descript doesn't reach the pinnacle of the delight that bowl of soup brought this displaced yankee.

So! Ada! Keep up your menu offerings--it means more pounds for my already stretched belt.

And it's only 8:30

So far today, me and Nathan have prepared valentine's day gifts for the 3 girls, frosted 14 cupcakes, loaded the PEZ twice, searched for and found the Cars PEZ since he didn't like the one I got him, loaded the other PEZ three times, ate two cupcakes and one marshmallow pop, started laundry, sent Kelsie on her way to an all-day wrestling match (she's a stat girl), watched Tiger and Pooh, and mowed the carpet with the toy mower. And it's only 8:30. It's going to be a long day...

Nathan doesn't like when I don't pay attention to him, like when I'm on the computer. He just came to me and said, "I was going pee and poop and I heard the tiger and the buffalo and dad was taking me to bed and I heard them knocking on two doors one and two they were on both doors mom whoa (fell off mower) and they were not coming in dad was looking like this way and this way then I was going pee and poop."

See what I have to put up with! :)

Corrected

Guess I better quit before I get farther behind. First, I see that there is no title to the Randy Cross history account. Second, I somehow (oh to be as sharp as most of you with computer skills) got the title 'Corpus Christi' on the blog but lost the blog which is repeated below:

Again an e-mail hoax has come my way from one of the two friends that send out anything scary. I counted fifty addresses to which this hoax has been sent! The hoax begs you to send the message to all that you know. Thanks, Drake, and our three girls, who have intercepted such messages for me too many times. If you want to know the truth about "Corpus Christi" see http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/g/gayjesusmovie.htm or just believe me and don't waste your time.

And with that, I promise to stop dominating the EJK blog.

Confederates in Brazil

Last night Lynn and I went to the library to hear Dr. Randy Cross, a Calhoun College historian, speak on a subject that would perhaps interest you history buffs. Did you know that during and after the Civil War thousands of Confederates left the U.S. and emigrated to many countries to get away from the humiliation of the debasing Reconstruction? Thousands moved to three colonies in Brazil, which finally became one colony named Americana, near Sao Paulo. The colony is alive and thriving today. Those Civil War descendants in Americana are known as Confederados. Dr. Cross has visited there several times.
We studied the Civil War only briefly in our Illinois growing up days. But when we moved South, the Civil War was still being fought to our surprise. I still recall at a school meeting, the principal saying, "We will resurrect Robert E. Lee". However, that has changed with the influx of folks from all over.

SHE'S 18!

Well, another granddaughter is now an adult! Kelsie turned 18 yesterday. I fixed dinner and we took it to their house.

Kelsie requested a Rueben casserole (??? never heard of that), but, of course, as the ever-accommodating Grandma, I made three different versions! One with crescent rolls as crust, one with rye bread as crust, and one with cabbage instead of saurkraut - to accommodate my dear husband who won't eat saurkraut! They all had layers of thousand island dressing, corned beef, saurkraut, and shredded swiss cheese.

I also made baked-potato soup (always think of Lynn when I make that) and brownie sundaes with home-made hotfudge sauce. As I was making it, I told Jerry, "this must be the weirdest meal I've ever made" -- but it was delicious!

Ada

Speaking of Running...

Congrats to Uncle Perry who's running again! And speaking of running, Angela and I are training to run a half marathon in April. There, I've said it in public, Angela, no backing out for either of us now. Actually, Ang has run a full marathon before so this should be cake for her. It will definitely be the farthest I've ever run. The training plan I'm following (and I think Ang, too) has me running 3-5 miles several times a week right now and that ramps up so we're ready for 13.1 miles on the day of the race.

Sommebody else here (Jen? Staci? I forget) ran one of these a few months ago I think...any tips appreciated!

Today is the anniversary of Perry's fall when he broke his ankle and fibula. He jogged a mile this morning to celebrate. Tonight we plan to have a "party" here with cake and ice cream. We are very thankful to God for the blessing of healing.

"I Blew It"

I run the sound/video system during church service 2 ~3 Sunday's a month. One of the challenges is getting the wireless microphones that the Senior Pastor and Worship Pastor wear turned on and off at the right times. Yesterday, during morning service, I was NOT running the sound. We were seated in the second row, directly behind the Pastor. At the end of the service, while the Pianist was playing the offering, there was a screaching noise heard from the speakers. Most of the folks heard it, but it, but moved on to enjoying the music. Those of us who work with the sound started looking around to identify what had made the sound. I looked forward and saw the Pastor removing his hankerchief from his nose and noticed his neck had turned bright red. He had used the piano solo as an opportunity to blow his nose and the sound man had left his mic on. I patted Pastor Darrell on the shoulder and started laughing, which got Pastor Darrell laughing. Then Pastor Clay who was up on the stage started laughing when he made eye contact with me. Because we were all up front, P. Darrell felt he needed to address it. He stood up for the closing announcements as said: "As some of you might have noticed, I really blew it a few minutes ago!"

I'm sure glad I wasn't on the sound board yesterday morning. What are your "funny" church or meeting stories and reactions to those events? EDK

Formal Event

Keith and I attended a Formal Event at Bloomington Church last night. It was sponsored by the Bible Class of which Lauren is a member.

This was the program:

Menu

Salad
Mixed greens with fresh berries and sugared pecans

Entree
Herb roasted Pork Loin
Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary
Green Beans and
Home Baked Rolls

Dessert
Assorted Cheescakes

Drinks
Peach Iced Tea, Decaf Coffee and Water


Evening Program

Mixed Ensemble
We sing the Greatness of Our God
Be Thou my Vision

Girls Ensemble
Arms of Love
Before the Throne of God

Bible Class Choir
The Solid Rock
How deep the Fathers Love
Greater is He
He Bore it All
Unbounded Grace
Mighty to Save

The Bible Class is planning a mission trip to Cosby, Tennessee this summer and this was a benefit for that cause.

Lauren sang in all the groups so we were very proud grandparents.

All the food was delicious!!!!!

Alice and Keith

Visitors at 1905 Azalea Circle

Cleve and Kathleen arrived on Wednesday afternoon, spent the night with us, and headed for Florida the next morning. Our weather was very cold (in the 20s) but when they arrived they thought they were already in warmer climes. Interestingly we haven't heard much about global warming the last several weeks!
Their stopover was our joy and we invite any of you EJKs headed south to spend the night here and stay as long as you wish. Y'all come.

A few pictures

On Wednesday I will be sitting at an office in a different building so this past week has had a lot of cleaning going on. Our facilities team's motto for moving is "Weading not reading" which makes sense for any move, I guess. I came across a CD of pictures I had made from slides for Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary slide show. I don't think these pictures were on the slide show, but thought you may enjoy them.

March 24, 1957




I'm guessing Christmas of 1964 based on Mark must be about 6?


Spring of 1964

Mary and I used to love the Barbie case and the purple velvet purse. Notice who is carrying both!

FUN WITH NATHAN

We had Nathan overnight last night. I just got a new camera and took some practice pictures to share with you. (Well, actually, Jason and Janice got a new camera and we inherited their old camera which is much better than the one we had, so thanks J&J.)

Nathan kept us both busy - going for a walk with Grandpa, playing with the marble thing, puzzles, reading books, hide & seek, snacking, bathing, playing with a boat in the sink, etc., etc. Great fun. We were at his "beck and call", and as you can see, the house gets a little messy while he's here.

Cold and Wet

Well, today's been an interesting day for sure. Last night we had hard freeze warnings, and I always have to chuckle at the "precautions" I sometimes see others take. Well, mid-morning today Retta called and we had a water pipe in our attic freeze and when it thawed, water came pouring into the house. Even though the pipe was insulated by the attic batting, it wasn't enough being on the outside wall by the roof eve.

Now, we have to have a new kitchen and bathroom ceiling put in, new floors (laminate) in the kitchen, office and hallway. New carpet in the laundry room and who knows what else yet. They are not sure if they need to replace the insulation and drywall on the outside kitchen wall yet.

So tonight we are at a Fairfield Inn & Suites (very nice BTW) while our house is dried out by the "Restoration" experts. Retta's getting to know our insurance agent very well. She's in a rental car because our van is in the shop getting body work done because somebody backed into us in the parking lot of our favorite Chinese Restaurant.

Two lessons learned: It does pay to have insurance & Don't make fun of those who worry about the cold weather.

EDK

Danger!

Dave is constantly warning me about what I post on the internet. Yesterday one of my co-workers was immediately fired for something she posted on a blog (privately from her home.) I thought it was blown way out of proportion, and could have warranted a warning or short suspension, but the employer saw it, felt it was a Hippa violation (patient privacy law,) and there was a no tolerance stance taken. It is making me more cautious, for sure!

Olive Garden

Yesterday Jerry and I had lunch at the Olive Garden - thanks to Heather, their #1 employee, who gave us a giftcard for Christmas.

I had trouble getting the plastic wrap off the straw, so finally put it in my mouth and bit it off! Jerry gave me a rather strange look. I smiled and said "was that rather uncouth?"

Seems like that word came up from nowhere - think it is another Klop word from years gone by?

Ada

Do I have a twin out there?

I was recently contacted on Facebook by a gal from Silverton, OR. Her maiden name was Crystal Marie Klopfenstein - my exact name, including middle name! I never thought I would meet someone with my first name, let alone middle name. She was born in 1985 and doesn't appear to have recent Apostolic connections. Does anyone know any other Klopfenstein's in the Oregon area?

Dinner Menu

As I was preparing a somewhat pitiful dinner tonight - just kind of a blah Monday night - I wondered what you all were having for dinner. I made a bowl of oatmeal, toast, and grapes for Jerry while I had a grilled ham/cheese sandwich, cheese curls, and grapes. We both had a glass of milk.

So . . . how about you? Let's hear it from all you regular posters and closet readers and see who had the best dinner tonight. I'm asking for a record number of comments - so humor the old lady!!

Ada

Final Report about Tommy

I thought I'd give one last report about Tommy. We went to his memorial service at Timber Ridge last Thursday afternoon. There were probably 50 or 60 residents in attendance with many aides and/or volunteers caring for them. Some of you know Randy Mogler - he was the speaker and told some stories about Tommy and quotes people had said about him. It was very touching. They ran a slide show of pictures of Tommy on a large screen. They gave us a beautiful floral arrangement and a very nice white Memorial Bible.

Saturday, most of our family came as well as Jerry's nephew Steve and his girlfriend. We met at the cemetery and had a short burial service. Steph and Donna Lou Baner were with us for a few words and prayer. Drake, Jason, and Angela all read either scripture or a poem. It was quite cold and windy. It meant a lot for the family to be together. It is good to know that Tommy now has his new mind and body and is waiting tp see the rest of us.

We came back to our house for a chicken dinner which we got at the Green Garden Restaurant here in Gridley. Jamie Knobloch organized everything - she brought hashbrown potatoes, Charity made a salad, and Joan made a vegetable casserole. Preston made a very large batch of chocolate cookies - they were the biggest hit with the kids. Even Nathan - who couldn't quite see them on the counter, was able to reach them and I saw him run off with quite a few of them! We also had a Dairy Queen cake and homemade brownies from Marcia Campbell (they own a DQ), and some potato soup and pumpkin bars from Clark and Cindy. It was delicious and best of all Jamie and Charity waited on us and cleaned up - I just sat the enjoyed.

I know you have all been thinking of and praying for us - and we thank you so much. Now life moves on.

Ford Museum Exhibit

Friday evening I went with a friend from work to the Gerald R. Ford museum to hear a speaker who is the curator emeritus of the White House. It was the first official event for the White House in Miniature exhibit. Her talk was titled Transitions and Traditions regarding the changes a new family in the White House can make and what are traditions that must be continued. One of her first pictures was of an event that Lady Bird Johnson had and had invited all the children and grandchildren of Presidents who had lived in the White House. We had to laugh when she said that one of the older ladies in the picture was ________ Grant ______, granddaughter of Ulysses S. Grant, and the audience just gasped with amazement.

We didn't realize that the exhibit would be open as well. The miniature White House has been built over 30 years by a couple who have obviously extensively researched and very delicately built the miniature pieces. It was quite interesting to see the exhibit. I've been through the Ford Museum numerous times so we didn't go through that.

There was also a reception. They served White House sugar cookie in the shape of the White House. The width of the cookies was at least 7" and the height was about 3 1/2"--much too big to finish but interesting to bit into.

The Gerald R. Ford Museum is one of the interesting touristy things to do in West Michigan, and the exhibits are always rotating.