Hello from Anderson

It's been a long time since I updated. Sometimes when I try, the post disappears--guess I do something wrong--and I give up.
We had a great week last week to celebrate our 55th anniversary and a birthday. Joey and Mary came over on Tuesday and spent the night. Joey grilled steaks and Mike and Ann joined us. Hence all the fuss about the chocolate cake; if they'd eaten all or taken it home, Lynn and I wouldn't be tempted to finish it. Having Ann and Mike drop in anytime is one of the pluses of living only seven minutes from their home.

After Mary and Joey left, we went on an outing to Highlands, NC in real, honest to goodness mountains. The town is quaint and very touristy. We had a great place to stay with fireplace and a porch to sit on. The town is loaded with pricey stores with all manner of equisite clothes, art, etc. We walked through some of the stores but nothing appealed as we have more than we need now. There are lots of beautiful waterfalls high in these Blue Ridge mountains. Most of them require hiking to get to but we are past hiking. Fortunately two lovely falls were near the highway and we enjoyed them.
Being off season there wasn't much to do; we did lots of reading and then decided since we had pretty much seen Highlands, we could just as well read at home and so at 4:00 Lynn went down to the desk to ask if we could check out, which we did. We drove home via the Dillard house in /Dillard, GA--the next place I'd like to go to for a one night outing. We were home already at 7:00, thankful for a good outing and for a good home to return to.
Next week we may make a quick trip to Madison for Whitney's engagement party. Mary and Joey are hosting the two immediate families. Whitney is engaged to a fine young Christian man and we are excited for both her and Josh Bateman. I look forward to seeing Lindsay's six month Emma. Pictures on FB and e--mail are great, but not like the real thing since you can't hug a picture.

Please Keep The Secret

Mom and Dad went to the mountains overnight last night as a day-late birthday/anniversary celebration. Two other people were driving home from church last night when person #1 said "Do we have any of that chocolate cake at our house from the birthday party last night?" Person #2 replied "No, but we could stop by their house and get some." So these two people went over there, let themselves in the house, made themselves bowls of chocolate cake and ice cream, enjoyed eating it, carefully cleaned up the evidence, and went home. Sure hope Mom and Dad don't ever find out somebody was there.

DEMOLITION DAY - END OF AN ERA

Thanks to a phone call from Casey, we were able to watch the demolition this morning. We had assumed they wouldn't do  it until Monday. We watched from 8:30 until 10:30 - very interesting. I have 85 pictures, but sent only a few at various levels of destruction. The firetrucks were there to shoot water when the dust was very heavy. Quite a few spectators were watching.

MORE

IT'S COMING DOWN!!

The first two pictures were taken yesterday afternoon. In the first picture, they  have taken down one of the two bins and you can still see one standing. In the second picture both bins are down. I just took the other two pictures a few minutes ago - and had to struggle to get these pictures into my new computer and then find them and get them on here. Did pretty good, didn't I?!?!

 Spring has Sprung! Here are just a few of my tulips that are blooming.

 This is the new growth on the Knock-Out Roses.

And these are the buds on our Lilac bush.

Jerry's been working and working on his tractor/mower and getting everything to begin his summer yard work - has lots of things planned for improvement this year. I'm waiting a while - just in case the cold weather returns - before I begin my flower pots. Hard to believe it's only March 22 and the weather has been in the 80's!! Although 70 and cloudy right now.

Grain Elevator Pictures

These are from the 2010 reunion when we toured the elevator. With Ada's post about it coming down, I thought it would be good to post these for memory's sake. Some may be duplicate from August 2010, but that's OK.

I remember how Uncle Perry and my dad explained all the workings of the elevator and all the various jobs they did years ago. It was a great learning experience for all of us and especially for the younger ones. Ada, you did a great job getting that set up. And also in making the beautiful clocks from the board you retrieved from there!

This one below isn't the elevator, but since it was right there with the other pictures, thought it would fit here too. I still have fond thoughts and memories of that weekend and all of Judy's hard work.

GLOOMY DAY

 Our mood was a little "gloomy" last week when Jerry's truck had to be towed to the "hospital"!! He was sure the transmission was "broke" or perhaps something even worse - and was going to cost a bunch!!

 Just look at that bright, shiny, clean classy-looking truck! Wouldn't you  be sad and gloomy if it was yours? However, I'm glad to report that it was a fairly easy fix of the right front brake and the biggest part of the expense was the towing charge. We are sooo thankful to have it back and running, as the most difficult part to deal with was sharing one vehicle for four days!! I go stir-crazy when I'm in the house with no car - even if I don't have to go anyplace!!

 I snapped this picture on Saturday. I guess this is the last "good-bye" to our family business. It is a rather sorry-sight, but is kinda sad to think it will be gone soon. It's been raining this morning, but beginning to clear up now. I'll keep my eyes on it so I can post some pictures of the demolition.

On a brighter note, we had Heater and Nathan Friday and Saturday nights. Nathan is waiting for the St. Patrick's Day Parade to begin in uptown Normal. This kid's FULL of energy - constantly! At least he can finally manipulate the playground equipment by himself and will let me sit and watch. Last summer I had to "help" him do everything. After the parade, he and Grandpa went to Menards to get some stuff to work on getting the lawn mower ready for business, and Heat and I went to Joann to get some fabric she needed to make a blouse for her design class. It was a fun weekend with them.

Fun in the Sun

I had Jake's two, Carter and Phoebe, playing in the backyard this afternoon at their big old farm house.


Phoebe had fun in her little car.


Carter on the tire swing.


Rhoda, they have some beautiful chickens and get one egg a day. They seem happy in this little shed.

It sure feels like Spring!

Klopfenstein Grain Elevator

Equipment is moving in this morning and this afternoon or very soon the EJK elevator in Gridley will be razed. Many of the family spent a little time there reminiscing in July, 2010. Hopefully some pictures will be taken and posted on the blog. (Hint, hint.)

Mystery photo - can you identify?

Here is a photo that needs all 3 people identified. For the first person to correctly name them, a nice reward will be forthcoming, especially if you can also identify the year. Sorry for the photo imperfections.
C.K.

BACK IN BUSINESS

Here is my latest quilt. The ladies quilted it while we were gone and I just finished it! Now I realize it doesn't even show the million (well not quite) "points" around the edge. I have another set to finish, and since my calendar is pretty empty this week, I'm hoping to get them done by week's end. It will probably take a little longer as I have to do more detail work on it before adding the points - so maybe I'd better give myself two weeks.

We're hoping the nice, warm weather that is predicted for later this week really does materialize - ready to begin sprucing up the yard, get the grill out, etc.

Oregon visit

   I recently met the Endress family in Oregon with a visit to my parents. 

                                          Heidi Pearl, 18 months        

                     Four generations:  Carol, Pearl, Sarah, Elizabeth
                                

MARATHONERS--Special Notice

http://www.comrades.com/History/The-First-Race.aspx

The history of this worldwide marathon is an intrigue. I'm not into running and/or the history of marathons; however, I happened upon this Comrades Marathon recently and find the details very interesting. Since the EJK BLOG is currently on a "jog" "marathon" kick, you will be interested in this website.

Marathoners

Congratulations Jen on your Little Rock Marathon success!!!

Reading about Jen's training and run this weekend in Little Rock started me thinking that Angela has run a marathon (somewhere in AZ I think?), Brent completed a marathon (not sure where) and Jason ran the Chicago Marathon last fall (think I'm correct about that).

Who else in our K. family can put the 26.2 sticker in their window? And correct any of my errors about runners and marathons.

Well, I've had questions on whether there will be a K5K this summer. I'm game to host one if people are interested. We've done it 2 years now in the heat of summer and that hasn't been ideal. Spring or fall may be a better time to plan it. How about some feedback?? I know we can't please everyone, but planning the date is the hardest part of the whole event, for sure. Let me know what you think and if you are interested.