Klops who eBay

I know that Ada, Cleve, and Rhoda have bought and sold on eBay. Do any of the rest of you?

I like to sell books online, especially when I can get good deals on vintage children's books or curriculum. I don't make much, just enough to have some in my Paypal account to do my own fun bidding on books or other things I want.

My best experience: A lady who obviously didn't know what she had sold two Sue Barton books (nurse stories from the 1940s), not ex-library, with dust jackets in excellent condition, for $7 for the pair as a buy-it-now. I could easily flip each of those now for probably $100 apiece. That is totally atypical of most book buys. Most deals are more like - buy it for $1, sell it for $3. So that deal was good for my ego.

What have been your best, worst, and/or weirdest experiences with eBay?

Lemonade Violin

We could use more sun today but that hasn't stopped the kids from setting up a lemonade stand during our annual neighborhood garage sale this morning. Grace is providing one of their planned "attractions" while Owen and neighbors Lanie and Ava are hawking traffic. Video taken through the screen door because I wanted to capture them naturally rather than performing for the camera.

Happy Birthday, Nogblog

I hope you are having a wonderful day, Judy. We sure appreciate you and all the help you've given Perry proofing materials, setting up the Remembering Ralph book,etc. I remember when we were engaged and Perry first told me about his special neice, Judy. I was so eager to meet you. Your many talents and kindness to all is an inspiration to us! May God bless you.

Is this #57? Love, Carol

PS Hopefully I have the right day. Today is also my Dad's birthday.

SUNNY DAY

I believe the sun awakened me at six this morning and I was wide awake. It is now 8 am and I have already pulled the weeds out of the flower garden, cut off the tulips, watered the pots on the deck, washed the glass tabletop and the grill on the deck, carried water to the shed to water the pots, swept off the deck, had a cup of coffee while reading the paper, checked email and the blog, and now plan to have a bowl of cereal w/more coffee, then head downstairs to work in my sewing room. Jerry left about 6:30 for his Friday morning breakfast with buddies in Normal.

The Gramms

Here's another good picture...the Gramm siblings. Grandma looks happy, doesn't she?

Uncle Harry

You were right, of course. Way to go out on a limb, Rhoda! Here is his obituary in full. You will have to click on the picture to enlarge it.

Mystery Photo

Any guesses on this obituary picture submitted by Catherine? Will post the entire obit tomorrow, but let's see who might know who this relative is!

Yummy!

I just want to say that seedless watermelons are sure handy, but the good old-fashioned watermelons with seeds are red, juicy, and much tastier!

Our little graduate!

Well, she graduated! She did a wonderful job but I was balling like a baby!!

Plus, one from this Mother's Day...we brought her home on Mother's Day six years ago -- my, how time flies!

Love from us to you,

Jodie

Kayleen

Jen, a while back you requested prayer for Kayleen. When I pray for her, I wonder how she is doing and would appreciate an update. Am also getting excited about your imminent arrivals! Aunt Mim

We have a graduate too!

This picture was taken on our deck before the graduation.














This picture is our family after the graduation at the Bone Student Center. Kelsie was really hot, so she had already taken off the gown. Nathan is missing from the picture because stayed home with a babysitter. It was a really fun night.














This picture was taken by Jerry at Denny's on Kelsie's last day of school. We started this tradition when Heather graduated. First we take a picture of them on the front step of the house, so we can compare first day of kindergarden to last day of high school. Then we go to Denny's for breakfast before school.
Congrats Kelsie!

Water tower update

Pics of dirt work we were doing on Thursday, tower crew coming Tuesday to start on construction.

We Have a Graduate!

We had a big and exciting night last night--wish you could have been here. Mary Lee did a great job. Her parents did pretty well too, except for the powerpoint that showed pictures of the graduates from when they were little along with their senior portraits. That picture of a 3-year-old just about did them both in.

It was a beautiful evening and we are proud of her.

SCAVANGERS

Tomorrow is Gridley's "clean-up" day - a day for us to put any trash by the road and the city will pick it up. People have been putting piles of junk out all week and most of the piles have been reduced by quite a bit. The local scavangers are having a ball. We just put our junk out this morning and had a pretty large bunch of junk, but some of it is missing already.

At least everyone is fulfilling a need, and as the saying goes "what is one man's junk is another man's treasure".

I know Mary Lee and Kelsey are graduating from high school this year. Are there any other graduations this year?

I really enjoy this intergenerational communication to learn more about others both older and younger.

--Rhoda

1800s dress

Do any of you have a dress from the 1800s or a look-a-like? I am wanting one for a project for my photography class. If anyone local has one, can I borrow it in the next day or two? Thanks!

Happy Birthday Reagan!

I can't believe Reagan is 3 years old today! This is a picture I took with my phone at Thomas and Friends Live! A show we took her to for her birthday.

She is a very funny girl and keeps us cracking up! Her latest thing is to make up new words to songs. For example, the other night we had chicken for dinner so she sang:

Father Abraham
Had many sons
And many chickens had
Father Abrachicken!

For mother's day she sang me this song:

One, two buckle my worm
Three, four shut the worm
Five, six pick up worms
Seven, eight lay them worms
Nine, ten a fig bat [big fat] worm!

Can't wait to see what she will entertain us with this year!

Birthday

Please join me in wishing Cleve and Casey a happy birthday today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

(I sure hope I have the date correct!)

Cathy

NEW ROOF IS DONE!!

Here are a couple pictures of the new roof - with not even one shingle missing as compared to a couple hundred blank spots on the old roof. It looks great - if I do say so myself!
We also had Brandon cover Jerry's "barn" with the same shingles so it will match the house. He just put them over the previous shingles, so it only took him about 3 hours to do it.
Also, notice the field in the background - the ground hasn't been worked at all!
Next on the agenda is to finish planting a few pots, paint the deck floor, set up the deck furniture, then sit, soak up the sun, fire up the grill, and enjoy dinner and a cold drink on the deck! Come join us.

Graduation Week Around Here

We have a big week as we will have a GRADUATE on Thursday night! It is hard to believe that my youngest is graduating from high school. We are having an open house Thursday night after the ceremony (you are all invited--please come!) and this afternoon I made these little things. The recipe is from Taste of Home online, but I modified it a little. I used Ghiaradelli chocolates on top of miniature Reese cups (both upside down). The tassel is blue fruit roll-up held in place with a blue M&M (Andrew got the job of slicing the fruit roll-up into thin strips). (I guess they might need to be trimmed a little so they lay flatter.) The "glue" is chocolate frosting, the homemade kind that gets a little hard as it sets up. I think I'll use them for decorations, but have a feeling that they will disappear as the evening goes on . . .

Mystery Photo

Here's a photo from my boxes, which I have been going through the past few days. Lots of interesting things I'm finding. Grandma and Grandpa with their hats, and look, NO TIE! Where do you think they are sitting to watch the parade, and do you recognize the two little boys? Also the chairs?
Love,
Catherine

WEDDING

On Thursday, Jerry and I attended his nephew Steve's wedding in Oak Park. We had the honor of acting as "stand-ins" for Jerry's sister who passed away several years ago. Here is a picture of the bride and groom cutting their cake and our kids with Steve and Robin - sorry the pictures are a little fuzzy. It was a nice wedding in the small chapel of a large Baptist church with a small group of family and friends in attendance.

ROOFING DAY 6

After three days of very much rain, we are getting more shingles on our roof. We survived torrential rains and high winds with only about 1/2 the shingles on the roof. It's been a little nerve-wracking, but Jerry has remained unbelievably calm.

What do you do on your mandatory layoff?

Eric and Retta and family are at my house for the week. Eric is on a 1-week mandatory layoff and is spending a lot of time on the computer/phone to keep in touch with the plant in Alabama. Monday he found out the results of his recent testing and his doctor recommended surgery to remove his gall bladder. When better to do it than on his 1-week "vacation?" With the help of Sam's connections (thanks, Sam) surgery was scheduled for yesterday. He was home within a few hours, sore and nauseous and sleepy. Today he is back to work! Hope the surgery relieves the symptoms he has been experiencing.

Clean Underwear

Every mom instructs her kids to wear clean underwear in case they're in an accident, and more importantly for good hygiene. Apparently someone in our house has not been heeding my advice, and here's where I found the clean, unworn pairs...

ROOF DAY 3

No roofing today. This is our front ditch and the field across the street to the south. We have this same basic view to the west of our house. Our rain guage this morning registered 1.3 inches and it's still raining! And "undering" as Nathan says.

And the farmers wait, and wait, and wait!!

KLOPFENSTEIN REUNION UPDATE

A couple weeks ago I emailed most Klops a notice about a reunion on August 1, 2009. The great "Mailer Demon" sent back several of them. I have tried to update my email list and am sending out another invitation today. If you see this blog, but don't get an email, please let me know and send your email address to adachristensen@yahoo.com. I will contact those who I know don't have an email address, and will try to find mailing addresses for all others. You might help me by contacting your children to see if they have received an invitation.

EJ AND ANNA KLOPFENSTEIN FAMILY REUNION

AUGUST 1, 2009

I have contracted with brand new, just opened, Holiday Inn & Suites in Bloomington for ten rooms to be held for our overnight guests. They will be available for July 31 and August 1.

Standard Room, two queen beds: $105.00

Exec Suite, one KING, one couch/bed: $120

If you can come and want to stay there, call (309) 662-4700

and ask for the Klopfenstein Family Reunion Rate.

Sorry, there are several softball/baseball tournaments in B/N that weekend so most of the "cheaper" hotels are already booked, so you'll have to pay for this "classy" place.

The rooms will be held until July 1 so you will need to make your reservation prior to that. Also, if you make a reservation and cancel after July 1, you will have to pay for the room.

More reunion details at a later date. We hope to have a large turnout.

Be prepared to receive more "reminders" in the weeks ahead.

Carter Jacob Knobloch

Carter showing off his "Klopfenstein" abilities. Does this remind anyone else of a young boy playing on the shores of France?

Does this mean she's having a good time?

Mary Lee is on her senior trip to Washington DC. She called briefly for Mother's Day and to find out if we have any relatives in Arlington National Cemetery; I haven't heard from her since then - at least she hasn't called. When I texted her to say "Call home sometime," I got this text back:

Well i cant call right now cause were back at the hotel bout to leave for supper. But this mornin we took the metro to the white house, toured the washington monument, the holocaust museum, ate lunch, walked 2 more miles to see jim demint, toured the capitol building, walked the 2 miles back to tour the air/space museum, & walked to the metro & then back here.

Other than the spelling/grammar, which may be typical of today's kids, especially on texting, but which drives her mother insane - I guess that means she's having a good time! At least she's busy!

ROOFING DAY TWO

Here's what's going on at our house today. Poor guys working so hard while Jerry is taking a nap and I'm playing at the computer.

But what a beautiful sunny day to be outside.

I just hope nobody falls off the roof!

This weekend Mom and Dad spent the weekend with me in west Michigan for Mother’s Day and Tulip Time.

Friday evening after they arrived we went to Holland to watch the Dutch dancers. 700 dancers stetched down 5 or so city block in traditional and authentic Dutch costumes to do their routines. The sound of the many wooden shoes clacking on the street was very unique.

On Saturday we toured Veldheer’s tulip farm. See pictures below. My friend Renae was with us as well. We also went through several Dutch shops including a candle shop where they dip the candles in multiple colors and then carve and design the candles. It was very interesting to watch.

I hated to see them leave, but since they left their Dutch windmill cookies here, they will have to come back really soon!

MONDAY MORNING

We are supposed to have a few dry days this week, so Brandon Witzig is finally starting our roof replacement. We had many shingles blow off the roof in the early Spring storms. Today, he is mostly removing the old shingles and tacking down the tarpaper. I know you're all so interested that I'll try to post a day-by-day update.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE 20 YEARS MAKES!

I'm sure you will recognize these pictures. The one of Alice and Perry was probably taken in about 1940. Maybe Alice can give some details about that picture. Maybe Easter Sunday?

The second picture was taken in Colorado Springs. That summer I was 19 years old and Mother and I drove to California, stopping in Colorado to visit Perry who was stationed at Camp Carson (hope I have that right, Perry.) Keith and Alice were on their annual vacation to Colorado at the same time. We had a great time together.

On a side note: the night before Mother and I left, Jerry called me to ask me out on our first real date - we had had a coke at the "Cage" earlier. I had to tell him I was going to be gone for a month or so and was afraid he'd never call me back later in the summer. But, obviously he did and we've lived happily ever after!

Another tidbit about that trip, after we left Colorado, Mother was driving in the mountains, went over a hill and at the bottom of the hill was a traffic backup and she rearended a car. No major damage on either car, but at the next town, I took my turn to drive, and I think I did all the driving for the remainder of the trip. Can't you just see me, small town girl, flying around on the "freeways" in Los Angeles!

PICTURES FROM THE PAST

I happened to come across some old pictures a couple days ago. Hope you enjoy them.

#1 - Who is the beauty hoeing Mother's garden?

#2 Who are they and what are these crazy kids doing?

#3 Who are they, where are they, and what is the occasion? Dig those shoes!

That's all for now. More to come soon.

Aunt Thelma

Many of you would know Mom's oldest sister, Aunt Thelma. Mom got word today that she passed away, peacefully in her chair, looking out over the mountains in Arizona. She had suffered for years from severe Ahlzeimer's disease. Just thought you would want to know.

Calling All Klopfenstein Chocoholics

It's amazing what you can learn about people over the internet, isn't it? Like, for instance, Alice - you were up really late last night!! And, Judy, you're going to have a heart attack if you don't get some sleep!! And Tim and Cathy are into chocolate!!

I do have chocolate samples here - a wide variety. It is recommended to eat 3 servings a day, and you can adjust that more or less. There is a beverage (I put my 1 oz. serving in my morning coffee). There is a nugget, a power square, an omega 3 square (good for cholesterol and heart and has an orange flavor), a probiotic square (contains good bacteria for digestive health), a protein bar (can replace a meal), and a cookie. Also, some of the chocolate has a berry flavor to it, as it contains the acai berry, blueberry, and others.

There are several ways to order the chocolate.
1. Purchase retail as needed or desired.
2. Purchase retail as a standing monthly order which is discounted.
3. Purchase wholesale as a standing monthly order with the intent to market to others. With option 3, when other people make purchases, you get a bonus check, plus a commission on every box they purchase. It's possible to cover the cost of your own chocolate consumption, and even make an income.

What I did was have Anne order me a Variety Pack so Tim and I could try it for 2 weeks. We liked it, so we went with option 3. So, we're in the chocolate "business" and, to tell you the truth, we're having a ball!

If anyone is interested in trying some samples or making a purchase, e-mail me at cathyntim@gmail.com

Thanks for your interest!
Cathy

Gene Mutation?

I just posted my 27 week pregnancy update on my blog. I found out today I have a gene mutation that is a known trigger for pre-eclampsia, which I've had twice. I've got MTHFR a1298c, an inherited blood clotting disorder. Besides triggering PE, it raises the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack, although those risks can be easily managed now that I know I have it. I wondered if anyone on this side of the family has been diagnosed with this.

SLEEP DISORDERS - PART II

Remember when we had a lively discussion about sleep disorders – a common malady in the Klop. family? I want to share something surprising. I have been sleeping a straight 7 hours at night. A first for me in a long, long time.

Some of you remember Anne Stoller, my childhood friend (Hulda & Virgil). She sent me a box of “healthy” chocolate (i.e. rich in flavinoid antioxidants with no caffeine, preservatives, fillers, waxes, processed sugar, or trans fats). She said this might help us sleep better, have more natural energy, lose weight, improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and other “amazing” benefits, including lowering blood sugar . I am a true skeptic and thought, yeah right!

After two weeks, at 3 servings a day, Tim took his blood pressure. It was 122/76. We sat there with our jaws hanging open because in 30 years of marriage, he has never had blood pressure that low, even with medicine 2 times a day. (Tim inherited his blood pressure problem from his dad, who actually died from related kidney failure.) Tim also had lost 5 pounds. I do, in fact, have more energy, and I do, in fact, sleep a straight 7 hours at night without waking up. (I’ll take chocolate over Nyquil any day.) What has surprised me the most is I can look at sweets, junk food, and caffeine and it doesn’t provoke a craving like it did before.

Science or coincidence? I guess time will tell. That’s all I really had to say. Just thought I'd share the good news.

We’re having a beautiful spring day here in Illinois. Love to each and every one of you!

Cathy

Dandelions, mud, food and makeup

Wade, go cart & mud:

Jamie, her nephew & a 500 person wedding reception to cater:

Mara, makeup & dad babysitting:
Casey, dandelions & weed killer:

And just think this guy owns a yard care business!

ONLY ONE TIME

Nathan spent the day with us today. He followed me into the bathroom when I went to wash my hands. I had a new bottle of pump soap and had to pump it several times to get the soap to the top. He admonished me and said "no no no Grandma, just push it once. You're only supposed to push the soap one time!"

Can't you just picture Angela scolding him for pushing the pump soap too many times!?