I remember seeing this picture at Grandma Klopfenstein's (wasn't it framed?) years ago. Not bad considering there was no such thing as photoshopping back then! What is the story behind it?Sunday, February 28, 2010
A Classic Klop Photo
I remember seeing this picture at Grandma Klopfenstein's (wasn't it framed?) years ago. Not bad considering there was no such thing as photoshopping back then! What is the story behind it?
Saturday, February 27, 2010
No Food "UPDATED LINKS"
Retta, Adrian, Christian and Amber are all participating in a 30 hour famine this weekend. This the second year their youth group has done this activity, but this year, the information leaked out and they were discovered by a local Birmingham news stations. The links are to new articles and videos about the event this weekend. When it was over, Retta and the kids went to Zaxby's for a chicken sandwich!
Retta said the event shifted a bit during the night/day as they got the news about the earthquake and the possible tsunami. They spent a lot of time in prayer for both events as they learned about them.
There are a couple more videos that have not been posted yet. Adrian is interviewed in one of them. I'll add them when they are released.
CBS42 during event
ABC3340
CBS 42
I'm having a lazy day in southern IL. I came in to work to check on a project (because I had nothing else to do) and plan on "resting" most of the day.............
EDK
Retta said the event shifted a bit during the night/day as they got the news about the earthquake and the possible tsunami. They spent a lot of time in prayer for both events as they learned about them.
There are a couple more videos that have not been posted yet. Adrian is interviewed in one of them. I'll add them when they are released.
CBS42 during event
ABC3340
CBS 42
I'm having a lazy day in southern IL. I came in to work to check on a project (because I had nothing else to do) and plan on "resting" most of the day.............
EDK
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
VANCOUVER
As we have been watching the Olympics on and off this week, I have been reminded of our two days in Vancouver before going to Alaska several years ago. The Today show has also been broadcasting from there and it is fun watching Al, Ann, Merideth, Matt, etc. as they explore the main attractions of the city.
One day they were at Granville Island - a quaint shopping area, and a place we visited. Another day they were visiting Stanley Park; I have many pictures of us in the beautiful flowers gardens there. And yet another day they were taken by airplane to Vancouver Island to the city of Victoria to visit the beautiful Empress Hotel - they actually went inside and had tea and scones. This is another place we visited although we did not fly, we took the ferry, and we did not have tea and scones.
It was so fun watching all this and last night I just had to get out our scrapbook and look at the pictures. I also read the daily diary I wrote about our cruise to Alaska. It brought back so many good memories of our lovely trip in '06. I would recomment this trip to anyone who wants to try a cruise.
As for the Olympics, my favorite thing is the figure skating. What's your favorite?
One day they were at Granville Island - a quaint shopping area, and a place we visited. Another day they were visiting Stanley Park; I have many pictures of us in the beautiful flowers gardens there. And yet another day they were taken by airplane to Vancouver Island to the city of Victoria to visit the beautiful Empress Hotel - they actually went inside and had tea and scones. This is another place we visited although we did not fly, we took the ferry, and we did not have tea and scones.
It was so fun watching all this and last night I just had to get out our scrapbook and look at the pictures. I also read the daily diary I wrote about our cruise to Alaska. It brought back so many good memories of our lovely trip in '06. I would recomment this trip to anyone who wants to try a cruise.
As for the Olympics, my favorite thing is the figure skating. What's your favorite?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Hello From the Sunny South
Thought I would catch you up on what I've been doing. A single friend asked me to drive to Florida with her and stay for two weeks. Two weeks! Of course, I said I couldn't be gone that long, but when I told Dave about it, he nearly insisted that I go, so here I am. We are staying with friends who have been very gracious hosts and the weather has been wonderful. Lots of laying out by the pool, eating out, and simply relaxing. He, on the other hand, has been up for the last 2 nights pushing snow. Thinks he'll have to go again tonight. Heading home this weekend. It's been a great trip and I appreciate my hubby sending me down.
Monday, February 22, 2010
St. Louis Week-end
Perry, Preston and I met Brandon, Maria & family in St. Louis this week-end. We enjoyed a couple days together before her baby is due to arrive March 20th. An especially amazing and memorable event for me was listening to Timon read to me a whole Dick & Jane book and Anna read me a whole book about Curious George! Timon is 3 years old and Anna is 5. Timon figured out how to write his name at age 2 (much to his mother's surprise) and now uses his phonics skills to read beginning books at age 3. He will be 4 in May. Anna is 5. ---Carol
Friday, February 19, 2010
Steffen Happenings
Our boys participated in the Cub Scout Cake Bake this past week. They had to make and decorate a cake from scratch with the help of an adult male. I got all the ingredients around for them and then watched them work their magic. It was hard to sit back because it looked like so much fun.
Thad won 1st place in the 'Cub Scout Theme' division. He made his cake with his Uncle Dennis. Will won 1st place in the 'Judges Choice' division. Sam helped him with his cake. They were all pleased with how well they did, but also relieved that they don't have to do it again for another year!
Thad won 1st place in the 'Cub Scout Theme' division. He made his cake with his Uncle Dennis. Will won 1st place in the 'Judges Choice' division. Sam helped him with his cake. They were all pleased with how well they did, but also relieved that they don't have to do it again for another year!
Staci graduates
Congratulations, Staci. It's been a long, tough pull but you succeeded and we're happy for you.
Now take a breather and enjoy your family. A friend of mine has written on the flyleaf of her Bible: No job is as important as that of being a good mother.
We look forward to seeing you at the reunion. Uncle Lynn and Aunt Mim
Now take a breather and enjoy your family. A friend of mine has written on the flyleaf of her Bible: No job is as important as that of being a good mother.
We look forward to seeing you at the reunion. Uncle Lynn and Aunt Mim
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Haiti update
So many thoughts as I return to life at home...Returned from Haiti yesterday afternoon after serving with our medical team of 12 at Bonne Finn, about 100 miles west of Port Au Prince.
This area had very little earthquake damage, but has seen an influx of about 85,000 people from the quake region seeking medical care and to stay with relatives, etc. Even though we didn't see the damage to all the buildings, we witnessed first-hand the devastation to the people. We worked all week at Hopital Lumiere, doing surgeries, helping in the ER, & taking care of many patients with amputations, crush injuries, fractures, wounds, surgical incisions, external fixators, complicated dressings and wound vacs, etc. We were still receiving quake victims with major untreated injuries a month after the disaster! Our group was well-rounded, with an orthopedic resident, a GP physician, Nurse Anesthetists, a Nurse Practitioner, several nurses, a PTA/Wound care specialist, lab tech, and translator. I worked from 8 am until 10 pm every day, with a break at lunch and supper. Carol Powell and I worked as nurses on a ward of almost 28 patients. It was exhausting and rewarding at the same time. We could really feel the prayers of all our families and friends back home...
We were able to get to know each of our patients and families very well. It was heartbreaking to hear story after story of how they survived even though many family and friends did not. Sherley, a teenager at school during the quake, was 1 of the 20 survivors out of 100 students. Both her legs are crushed, yet she sings and praises God for saving her life & legs thus far and told me she will live the rest of her life for Him...Ralph, a student at the university in Port, lost one leg far above the knee and broke the other knee, is too traumatized to talk of the events that day, yet is considering switching to theology to become a pastor because the Lord spared his life that day...An 80-year-old woman who was in her home with 5 other families members, including her 7-year-old granddaughter, when the house collapsed. She is the only survivor and both legs are crushed...Jodeliene, the 6-year-old whose pregnant mother and 2 sisters died beside her in the rubble and now only has 1 leg...the young police officer with a badly broken leg who I watched climb onto a mule (!) with the help of his friends and bounce down the gravel road for a few minutes away from his hospital bed...Christopher, the little boy who lost his identical twin standing beside him due to massive head injuries...Rose Marie, a seamstress whose arm was pinned in the rubble and made the life-changing decision to amputate her own arm instead of dying while trapped. She used her own fingers to tear away her flesh, used a rock to saw through the tendons, then yanked herself free from her pinned forearm & used the light from her cell phone to help her dig in between passing out several times until she could call for help. She would grasp my hand daily with her only hand and say in broken English "God bless you" ...Lubin, a 39-year-old nurse whose hospital collapsed onto her in the quake and now has a high above the knee amputation...Compere, the 22-year-old nurse whose hospital also pancaked in the quake, has a high above the knee amputation, and also developed tetanus (a condition rarely seen in the US)...Bernard, the 53-year-old rice farmer who is wondering how he will ever farm again in the marshy rice paddies with only 1 leg.
It's hard to imagine how Haiti can recuperate, a country whose people had next to nothing even before this disaster. Most are illiterate, live on less than $2 a day & have no trust that the government will ever help them. But God is already working in the lives of the survivors. Daily our patients could be heard singing familiar songs in the Creole language...Count Your Many Blessings, Be Still My Soul, & Peace, Peace Be Still. Could I count my blessings while lying in bed with crushed or missing limbs and no home or family to return to? I never saw one patient crying or asking "why me?" They all praised God for saving them and thanked me over and over for helping them heal. Not having grown up taking antibiotics for every little sniffle like we do in the States, they are responding amazingly to the meds and their wounds are healing remarkably well. Dr. Rudolph, the Haitin surgeon who has performed over 150 orthopedic surgeries in the past month, told me only 1 infection has occurred at our hospital since the quake, an unbelievable fact despite rusty beds, a very run-down hospital, no running water or bathrooms, no oxygen, incredible heat & humidity, mosquitos, mice, and our reuse of needles & syringes, including spinal needles...
The family-centered care I witnessed was amazing. The families take care of all food, water, toileting needs, and laundry during hospital stays. Our patients were extremely clean...
As the week came to an end, I noticed our patients' spirits were lifting more and more as we worked endlessly at getting our patients up and out of bed, using crutches, walkers, & wheelchairs. Some we even wheeled outside in their bed to get some fresh air and sunshine. Rita Knobloch was great in the pediatric wing, using bubbles and silly string to provide some diversion to the children who desperately needed a moment of laughter after this devastating event.
Another unprecedented event from the Haitian government- 3 national days of prayer on February 13, 14, & 15! Radios broadcasting continuous sermons, singing, and prayer could be heard in every wing of the hospital as patients listened and participated in these days of calling on the Lord for continued healing for Haiti. Driving by packed churches and seeing the townspeople returning from prayer meetings all day long was an inspiration for me. If only we could all call on the Lord Most High every day of our lives like this!
It will take years to recover from this devastating earthquake. I pray the world won't forget Haiti as time goes on. Continued medical care, prosthetics, physical therapy, psychological help, removal of rubble, reconstruction of homes/schools/businesses, and complete overhaul of the non-existant infrastructure will be required. The missionaries serving with ACWR will need extra prayers and support as they have worked endlessly, night & day, on top of all their other duties. I don't know why this event occurred, but I know God has a plan for Haiti and His people there. He loves each Haitian as much as me & you and perhaps more will turn to Him as a result of this disaster. My life has been blessed so much by this & I am so thankful I had the opportunity to serve!
This area had very little earthquake damage, but has seen an influx of about 85,000 people from the quake region seeking medical care and to stay with relatives, etc. Even though we didn't see the damage to all the buildings, we witnessed first-hand the devastation to the people. We worked all week at Hopital Lumiere, doing surgeries, helping in the ER, & taking care of many patients with amputations, crush injuries, fractures, wounds, surgical incisions, external fixators, complicated dressings and wound vacs, etc. We were still receiving quake victims with major untreated injuries a month after the disaster! Our group was well-rounded, with an orthopedic resident, a GP physician, Nurse Anesthetists, a Nurse Practitioner, several nurses, a PTA/Wound care specialist, lab tech, and translator. I worked from 8 am until 10 pm every day, with a break at lunch and supper. Carol Powell and I worked as nurses on a ward of almost 28 patients. It was exhausting and rewarding at the same time. We could really feel the prayers of all our families and friends back home...
We were able to get to know each of our patients and families very well. It was heartbreaking to hear story after story of how they survived even though many family and friends did not. Sherley, a teenager at school during the quake, was 1 of the 20 survivors out of 100 students. Both her legs are crushed, yet she sings and praises God for saving her life & legs thus far and told me she will live the rest of her life for Him...Ralph, a student at the university in Port, lost one leg far above the knee and broke the other knee, is too traumatized to talk of the events that day, yet is considering switching to theology to become a pastor because the Lord spared his life that day...An 80-year-old woman who was in her home with 5 other families members, including her 7-year-old granddaughter, when the house collapsed. She is the only survivor and both legs are crushed...Jodeliene, the 6-year-old whose pregnant mother and 2 sisters died beside her in the rubble and now only has 1 leg...the young police officer with a badly broken leg who I watched climb onto a mule (!) with the help of his friends and bounce down the gravel road for a few minutes away from his hospital bed...Christopher, the little boy who lost his identical twin standing beside him due to massive head injuries...Rose Marie, a seamstress whose arm was pinned in the rubble and made the life-changing decision to amputate her own arm instead of dying while trapped. She used her own fingers to tear away her flesh, used a rock to saw through the tendons, then yanked herself free from her pinned forearm & used the light from her cell phone to help her dig in between passing out several times until she could call for help. She would grasp my hand daily with her only hand and say in broken English "God bless you" ...Lubin, a 39-year-old nurse whose hospital collapsed onto her in the quake and now has a high above the knee amputation...Compere, the 22-year-old nurse whose hospital also pancaked in the quake, has a high above the knee amputation, and also developed tetanus (a condition rarely seen in the US)...Bernard, the 53-year-old rice farmer who is wondering how he will ever farm again in the marshy rice paddies with only 1 leg.
It's hard to imagine how Haiti can recuperate, a country whose people had next to nothing even before this disaster. Most are illiterate, live on less than $2 a day & have no trust that the government will ever help them. But God is already working in the lives of the survivors. Daily our patients could be heard singing familiar songs in the Creole language...Count Your Many Blessings, Be Still My Soul, & Peace, Peace Be Still. Could I count my blessings while lying in bed with crushed or missing limbs and no home or family to return to? I never saw one patient crying or asking "why me?" They all praised God for saving them and thanked me over and over for helping them heal. Not having grown up taking antibiotics for every little sniffle like we do in the States, they are responding amazingly to the meds and their wounds are healing remarkably well. Dr. Rudolph, the Haitin surgeon who has performed over 150 orthopedic surgeries in the past month, told me only 1 infection has occurred at our hospital since the quake, an unbelievable fact despite rusty beds, a very run-down hospital, no running water or bathrooms, no oxygen, incredible heat & humidity, mosquitos, mice, and our reuse of needles & syringes, including spinal needles...
The family-centered care I witnessed was amazing. The families take care of all food, water, toileting needs, and laundry during hospital stays. Our patients were extremely clean...
As the week came to an end, I noticed our patients' spirits were lifting more and more as we worked endlessly at getting our patients up and out of bed, using crutches, walkers, & wheelchairs. Some we even wheeled outside in their bed to get some fresh air and sunshine. Rita Knobloch was great in the pediatric wing, using bubbles and silly string to provide some diversion to the children who desperately needed a moment of laughter after this devastating event.
Another unprecedented event from the Haitian government- 3 national days of prayer on February 13, 14, & 15! Radios broadcasting continuous sermons, singing, and prayer could be heard in every wing of the hospital as patients listened and participated in these days of calling on the Lord for continued healing for Haiti. Driving by packed churches and seeing the townspeople returning from prayer meetings all day long was an inspiration for me. If only we could all call on the Lord Most High every day of our lives like this!
It will take years to recover from this devastating earthquake. I pray the world won't forget Haiti as time goes on. Continued medical care, prosthetics, physical therapy, psychological help, removal of rubble, reconstruction of homes/schools/businesses, and complete overhaul of the non-existant infrastructure will be required. The missionaries serving with ACWR will need extra prayers and support as they have worked endlessly, night & day, on top of all their other duties. I don't know why this event occurred, but I know God has a plan for Haiti and His people there. He loves each Haitian as much as me & you and perhaps more will turn to Him as a result of this disaster. My life has been blessed so much by this & I am so thankful I had the opportunity to serve!
A FEW PICS FROM INDIAN SHORES
Watching the musicians at the food court.
New bag I made with a pattern from Jean Rich.
On the pier at Clearwater Beach at sunset - very cold evening!
Jerry snapped this one outside the condo.
The view from our front door.We had a wonderful time inspite of the weather. But it's always good to be home. I think we finally have all the laundry done, the mail taken care of, and all things back in good order.
GRAND OLE OPRY
Our Valentine treat - the Grand Ole Opry - great music!
Anybody recognize the main performer in this picture?
How about this guy?Sunday, February 14, 2010
Back in the USA from Haiti
Crystal returned today, Sunday, to the Miami Airport where Kathleen and I picked her up and spent the day with her -- listening to many, many stories that were a combination of awesome and awful. We took her to her hotel near the Ft. Lauderdale airport from where she will fly home tomorrow (Mon.) after which we returned to Marco Island on the other side of Florida (a 2-hour drive). Likely you will all be hearing from her soon on the blog.
RDK Family
These were from the group of photos scanned in at Christmas from Mom and Dad's old albums. I believe that these pictures are from my folks' home in Western Springs. This would be about 1959 or 1960. Nice looking family!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Felt the Earthquake!
As usual, I was on the couch at 4 am, awake and resting. I felt a very tiny shiver through the couch, and thought to myself...that was an earthquake! I felt the same thing years ago when we lived in La Grange...same exact feeling. I'm sure you Chicago area folks really felt it!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Haiti Update!
Crystal has a correspondent who has reported updates to Cleve and Kathleen, and tonight Kathleen updated me so I could report to the blog as their computer is in the repair shop (gasp!) So this is 3rd or 4th-hand news, but a good update and reminder to pray for Crystal and all those in Haiti.
Crystal flew into Haiti Saturday on a Methodist Habitat plane. (Her luggage, unfortunately flew in one day later.) Shortly after arrival, one of the doctors in Crystal's group was already performing surgery. Most of the cases are orthopedic, with many amputations and re-amputations due to severe infections. The group is working about 100 miles from Port-au-Prince, close to the area where the Reinhard's are (who Cathy posted about a couple of days ago.) They are in a clinic with 2 20-bed wards. I suppose the patients number many more as they cram into every available space.
Crystal will be returning to Miami Sunday and flying back to Peoria Monday. Can't wait to hear about her experience first-hand!
Crystal flew into Haiti Saturday on a Methodist Habitat plane. (Her luggage, unfortunately flew in one day later.) Shortly after arrival, one of the doctors in Crystal's group was already performing surgery. Most of the cases are orthopedic, with many amputations and re-amputations due to severe infections. The group is working about 100 miles from Port-au-Prince, close to the area where the Reinhard's are (who Cathy posted about a couple of days ago.) They are in a clinic with 2 20-bed wards. I suppose the patients number many more as they cram into every available space.
Crystal will be returning to Miami Sunday and flying back to Peoria Monday. Can't wait to hear about her experience first-hand!
Casey Knobloch's winter doings
This is what Jerry and Ada are missing and I am loving.
Wade (the one that is most clear) playing basketball in Elpaso.
George Freed Milk Bottles
Last fall at a yard sale I bought a big stack of COUNTRY magazines and read them from time to time when there's not really time to get into something deep and I just want something light to look at. There is a feature in there called "Can You Help Me" where people write in with requests - usually for lost recipes or unusual things they can't find. Yesterday I was very surprised to see that in the March 2007 issue of COUNTRY EXTRA there is an item in the column that reads as follows:
"In the '30s, my grandfather sold milk in glass containers with 'George Freed, Gridley, Ill.' printed on them. If you know of any containers like this, I'd love to collect them for my family." Sue Cargill, Coronado, CA
Any insight or info about this? Does it sound familiar?
"In the '30s, my grandfather sold milk in glass containers with 'George Freed, Gridley, Ill.' printed on them. If you know of any containers like this, I'd love to collect them for my family." Sue Cargill, Coronado, CA
Any insight or info about this? Does it sound familiar?
Monday, February 8, 2010
Does Jesus Care? Oh Yes, He Cares!
Many of you are aware of the loss of Tim and Joan (Meister) Reinhard, missionaries in Haiti, whose little 5 year old boy was killed in an accident last fall. On January 14th, Joan posted this on Facebook, and I thought it was worth sharing. ~ Cathy
God's ways are amazing!!
Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 5:25pm
I need to share what I did today. Saturday, the container that was sent from Illinois arrived here in our yard in Cayes. I knew that this was the container that had all of the leftover stuff from the garage sale that was held in memory of Gabriel. When I saw the pile of stuff that ended up being unloaded in our garage, I thought "What in the world are we going to do with all of this stuff." There were huge piles of sheets and towels, boxes and boxes of toiletry items including soaps, shampoos, tooth brushes and paste, laundry soap, bleach... the list just went on and on. Tim said that Roger Ackerman just sent whatever they had there to fill the container. Yesterday, we got the e-mail that I shared from our friends at the edge of Port and many of the things that they requested were sitting in my garage. As we opened box after box of supplies I was completely amazed with the incredible wisdom and omnicence of our great God. This container of stuff was packed months ago and here it was right in my garage 3 days before the worst earthquake here in over 200 years. The garage sale leftover clothes, shoes, suitcases and other stuff that was given in memory of Gabriel is turning into a blessing that I wouldn't have even imagined. I was just overwhelmed all day.
Tim, Sarah, Sheila Moser, Jan Gutwen, Alisha Gutwein, and some of the other missionaries are all heading in to the Christianville area tomorrow morning at 4:00 A.M. They will be delivering all of these supplies and then bringing back loads of people who need to get out of Port. Some may stay and try to help with the digging out process. Rod Wray, one of the missionaries has a Bob cat that he is going to take in to Port and help dig with. Most of the houses are built with concrete and without equipment it is almost impossible to dig people out.
Please pray for safe travel for them and that they will not run into any problems on the road. Pray also for any situations they might encounter that they will have the wisdom to know how to handle each and every situation. Continue to pray for all those who are living in such difficult situations of not enough water, food, and medical help. Lastly continue to pray for all those who have lost loved ones as we are slowly starting to hear of individuals who have been killed. The death toll is huge and the recovery will be a long time in coming.
Thank you each one for lifting us up. We love you and need you.
Joan
God's ways are amazing!!
Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 5:25pm
I need to share what I did today. Saturday, the container that was sent from Illinois arrived here in our yard in Cayes. I knew that this was the container that had all of the leftover stuff from the garage sale that was held in memory of Gabriel. When I saw the pile of stuff that ended up being unloaded in our garage, I thought "What in the world are we going to do with all of this stuff." There were huge piles of sheets and towels, boxes and boxes of toiletry items including soaps, shampoos, tooth brushes and paste, laundry soap, bleach... the list just went on and on. Tim said that Roger Ackerman just sent whatever they had there to fill the container. Yesterday, we got the e-mail that I shared from our friends at the edge of Port and many of the things that they requested were sitting in my garage. As we opened box after box of supplies I was completely amazed with the incredible wisdom and omnicence of our great God. This container of stuff was packed months ago and here it was right in my garage 3 days before the worst earthquake here in over 200 years. The garage sale leftover clothes, shoes, suitcases and other stuff that was given in memory of Gabriel is turning into a blessing that I wouldn't have even imagined. I was just overwhelmed all day.
Tim, Sarah, Sheila Moser, Jan Gutwen, Alisha Gutwein, and some of the other missionaries are all heading in to the Christianville area tomorrow morning at 4:00 A.M. They will be delivering all of these supplies and then bringing back loads of people who need to get out of Port. Some may stay and try to help with the digging out process. Rod Wray, one of the missionaries has a Bob cat that he is going to take in to Port and help dig with. Most of the houses are built with concrete and without equipment it is almost impossible to dig people out.
Please pray for safe travel for them and that they will not run into any problems on the road. Pray also for any situations they might encounter that they will have the wisdom to know how to handle each and every situation. Continue to pray for all those who are living in such difficult situations of not enough water, food, and medical help. Lastly continue to pray for all those who have lost loved ones as we are slowly starting to hear of individuals who have been killed. The death toll is huge and the recovery will be a long time in coming.
Thank you each one for lifting us up. We love you and need you.
Joan
Sunday, February 7, 2010
REMINISCING
(hope I spelled that right?) As Jerry and I were having breakfast this morning, we got into the topic of trying to list the various cars we've had through our 44 years together. Our first car was the brand new little red Pontiac Tempest I had when we got married. I bought that car from Rebbec's for $3500 (I think) with help from Wilber Boies at the Gridley Bank who loaned me the entire amount when I was student teaching in Springfield. Mr. Boies let me delay payments from April until June when I had a summer job lined up with Country Companies and the hope that I would find a teaching job in September. As some of you remember, we got married that summer and both got teaching jobs in September - me in Coal City and Jerry in Dwight. Three years prior to that I bought a blue/white Ford from Lynn with some money that Dad had put in a savings account for me and Mother paying for the remaining amount. That car served me well through my college days - and as I recall, Jerry kept it parked at his off-campus house and would bring it to me any time I needed it or to pick me up for a date.
We have fond memories of both those cars. From there on it was more difficult to remember - and our memories were often in conflict!! While we agree on most of the cars, we cannot remember dates and/or where we lived with each car. We went from a one-car family to a 5-car family when the kids were all driving and/or in college. Jerry always says that our mechanic loved Christmas Break when the kids all came home from college and we had all five cars serviced. We had Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, Fords, Mercurys. We got into quite a conversation that brought back many memories of our life together by thinking of things we did and places we went with each car.
We decided - and give this advice to you younger people - that it would be a good idea to take a picture of your family beside each car you have and record it with a date, place, etc. so that someday when you are old and half-senile (or maybe just 1/4 senile) you won't have to argue over it, you can just look at the picture album you have already created. We plan to dig through our old picture box when we get home to see if we can settle some of our arguments about the cars. :) :)
The memories we had this morning were great including the time that a mouse got in our car, climbed under the dash and died -- Jerry took the entire car apart to find the mouse which was creating a very disgusting odor; or the ugly brown car that I hated from day one; the old car his mom gave him when she quit driving and once a year he opened all the doors and hosed the car down, inside and out; and just a variety of vacations we took, fender-benders, vandalism, etc.
I'm sure you have some good memories to share also.
We have fond memories of both those cars. From there on it was more difficult to remember - and our memories were often in conflict!! While we agree on most of the cars, we cannot remember dates and/or where we lived with each car. We went from a one-car family to a 5-car family when the kids were all driving and/or in college. Jerry always says that our mechanic loved Christmas Break when the kids all came home from college and we had all five cars serviced. We had Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, Fords, Mercurys. We got into quite a conversation that brought back many memories of our life together by thinking of things we did and places we went with each car.
We decided - and give this advice to you younger people - that it would be a good idea to take a picture of your family beside each car you have and record it with a date, place, etc. so that someday when you are old and half-senile (or maybe just 1/4 senile) you won't have to argue over it, you can just look at the picture album you have already created. We plan to dig through our old picture box when we get home to see if we can settle some of our arguments about the cars. :) :)
The memories we had this morning were great including the time that a mouse got in our car, climbed under the dash and died -- Jerry took the entire car apart to find the mouse which was creating a very disgusting odor; or the ugly brown car that I hated from day one; the old car his mom gave him when she quit driving and once a year he opened all the doors and hosed the car down, inside and out; and just a variety of vacations we took, fender-benders, vandalism, etc.
I'm sure you have some good memories to share also.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Jeffrey Makes Pins for Haiti Relief
I'm putting this on for Mom - it's a nice article about Jeffrey in their school newspaper. Here is the link. It made me smile - hope it does you also!Friday, February 5, 2010
Ready for the Weekend
As the snow starts to fall here in Lawrenceville, IL I'm ready for the weekend. Today brings an end to a very long week. Our customer, Toyota, has been "shutdown" for the week. That of course, meant more work for us. We did not lay off our employees for the week, but gave them the choice to stay home with no pay, use vacation or come to work and complete projects. About 50% chose to come in and do projects, so we spend all week trying to keep everybody busy and everything under control in the abnormal conditions. With car production at the Toyota plant, several of them made their way over here everyday to "check up on things", usually around lunch time......... What a long week it was.
Tonight I'm going to a Men's Conference at a local church I've been visiting, Sleeping in tomorrow and then going to look a house we'd like to buy again. Retta is hosting a large group of Jr. & Sr. High girls at the house tonight for a "heart attack" youth event. Chris will be joining the guys at another home.
Next week is supposed to be back to normal at work......we'll see what long term impact this recall has on sales. I hope it's not a big impact. What are your feelings about Toyota after this past weeks worth of "news"? EDK
Tonight I'm going to a Men's Conference at a local church I've been visiting, Sleeping in tomorrow and then going to look a house we'd like to buy again. Retta is hosting a large group of Jr. & Sr. High girls at the house tonight for a "heart attack" youth event. Chris will be joining the guys at another home.
Next week is supposed to be back to normal at work......we'll see what long term impact this recall has on sales. I hope it's not a big impact. What are your feelings about Toyota after this past weeks worth of "news"? EDK
Save the Date...
EJ Klopfenstein Reunion
July 31, 2010
Blm/Gridley
Wanted everyone to know that discussion has begun and there are hopes it can happen this summer. Mark your calendars and save the date!
"THE CERTAINTIES OF LIFE"
There are just some things that are the "certainties of life". For example: when all the towels and underwear are dirty, you must do the laundry; when the toilet is gross, you must clean it; when the floor is gritty with sand and your white socks turn black, you must get out the swiffer; and when the sink is overflowing with dirty dishes, you must empty the dishwasher, and refill it. I'm sure there are many more, but those are the ones we are attending to this morning. Jerry has the "toilet duty" :)
We should be done by noon and will find something FUN to do this afternoon.
We should be done by noon and will find something FUN to do this afternoon.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Haiti-bound!
Family: Pray for me - I am off to Haiti on Friday morning to serve on a medical team with ACWR (Apostolic Christian World Relief)! Pray for our emotional & spiritual safety, physical safety, and for healing for the Haitian people. Mom & Dad might be receiving email updates from our team, so hopefully they can keep you updated on the things we are seeing and doing.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Baptism...
Yesterday we were thrilled to attend the baptism of one of Jake and Malissa's girls, Kalyn. We found their church to be very friendly and right on in the Word. We are happy for Kalyn and love them all.
THIS AND THAT
Our weekend consisted of ups and downs. We've been hassling with our new computer - it seems to do crazy things but we're never sure if it's the computer or us! For example, the cursor jumps all over the place, documents disappear into thin air and the typing doesn't keep u (just lost the cursor there!) p with my typing!! According to the Best Buy Geek Squad - and Jason - it's just a touchy keyboard which we need to learn to manage. So we working on it.
Saturday was a rainy day so we went out for breakfast at a quaint little restaurant then on to the Tyrone Square Mall (thanks for rainy days) where I had a ball buying a few items and Jerry got a haircut and watched people.
In the evening we went to a Gospel Oprey at a little church that we heard about the first time we were here and have gone to most Saturday nights when we could. The music is beautiful - all old-time hymns and sung with great harmony. Some of you would not like the instrumental that goes with it, but combined with the great vocal harmony, it is great. They had a guest soprano with a beautiful strong voice who sang with great conviction.
Yesterday we went to church at Sarasota. That was a nice day also. The following people from Central Illinois were there: Dave/Gloria Wettstein, Lois Wettstein Stoller, Richard/Janet Weigand Knecht, Linda Kinder, Terry/Bev Miller, Ralph/Marge Kuntz.
Today we're going to Vic and Jean's for lunch. She said she's making vegetable/beef soup. Marguerite will be there also - so I'M looking forward to the day. Cloudy now with rain expected, so Jerry won't be missing out on any sun.
Saturday was a rainy day so we went out for breakfast at a quaint little restaurant then on to the Tyrone Square Mall (thanks for rainy days) where I had a ball buying a few items and Jerry got a haircut and watched people.
In the evening we went to a Gospel Oprey at a little church that we heard about the first time we were here and have gone to most Saturday nights when we could. The music is beautiful - all old-time hymns and sung with great harmony. Some of you would not like the instrumental that goes with it, but combined with the great vocal harmony, it is great. They had a guest soprano with a beautiful strong voice who sang with great conviction.
Yesterday we went to church at Sarasota. That was a nice day also. The following people from Central Illinois were there: Dave/Gloria Wettstein, Lois Wettstein Stoller, Richard/Janet Weigand Knecht, Linda Kinder, Terry/Bev Miller, Ralph/Marge Kuntz.
Today we're going to Vic and Jean's for lunch. She said she's making vegetable/beef soup. Marguerite will be there also - so I'M looking forward to the day. Cloudy now with rain expected, so Jerry won't be missing out on any sun.
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