Fuming!

Well, I'm sitting here in my office on Saturday morning, just having read Ada's post about their relaxing Saturday Plans, and I am fuming. Not about Ada's post, but because I am frustrated about the reason I am here.


I was to meet someone for an interview for an open position I have here (CMM Programmer). Originally, I was to interview this person on Monday afternoon and he was a no show. Normally, that would have been my first cue to move on, but having phone interviewed this candidate, really liking his resume and attitude, and talking to him earlier in the day on Monday while he was "traveling" to McCalla, I agree to reschedule his interview when he called me Monday night and explained he had been involved in an accident Monday driving from TN and totaled his vehicle. He promised to bring a copy of the police report to back up his story.

So the interview was to be at 9:00 this morning. Talked to him last night and he was again "traveling" to the area from TN, would spend the night in Birmingham and meet me at the plant at 9:00 this morning. Guess what, NO SHOW and no answer on the cell phone.

Now I realize if you ask my kids, they would tell you I usually over commit and under deliver when I agree to do things. However, I know from my family heritage and upbringing that your word is YOUR WORD and it needs to mean something. It blows my mind that someone who contacted me about a open job, phone interviewed, set up a time, called on Monday to say he was on the way, called back Monday night to ask for a reschedule, called on Friday night to confirm this morning, would not show again and not bother to call. I can't wait to hear this story!!! Whatever it is.......I still have a CMM Programmer position open. Know anyone with these skills who would like to live in Alabama? I don't have a candidate anymore.

Thanks for letting me vent! EDK

BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY

It is a beautiful sunny day in Gridley. After about six weeks of dry, brown grass, Jerry had to mow twice this week after last weekend's flooding rains.

We're expecting Jerry's nephew, Steve, for lunch today. He's stopping by after some kind of technology show in Peoria. I boiled potatoes and eggs last night and made potato salad this morning. Also have a blueberry pie in the oven. We'll grill hamburgers and hopefully eat on the deck. All y'all are welcome!

Jerry is outside cleaning the deck and the pond - the fountain hasn't been working so he's checking it out.

This afternoon we're going to a birthday open house for Evy Reis who turned 90 years old last Wednesday. She is one of "my ladies" from Meadows -- Lynn's family might remember her as she was from Chenoa. Her husband was Hugo - he was a painter. Might even have done some painting at the old homestead.

I now have 17 purses completed for my "craft sale" in a few weeks. I hope to have 30 by sale day, but am taking a break from sewing this weekend.

Jamie - if you can get online, give us an update on the situation in The Meadows. We hope your electricity is back on and things are returning to normal.

That's our excitement for now. What have you been doing.

Special Note to Jamie

I hope everyone read Jamie's comments about Hurricane Ike and the damage in Houston. Jamie - I did think of you so often during the buildup and the days of the storm. I'm glad you didn't have structural damage, but your life is surely turned upside down for the time being. Hang in there...wish we were closer to help!

Your Location On 911?

Where were you when you first heard of 911, back on September 11, 2001? I will go first. I was in the dental chair in Gridley when there was some back and forth discussion about a plane crashing into a building in New York City. The dentist mentioned something about a attack at the World Trade Center a few years earlier. After my dental appointment, I made a delivery to the Gridley Telephone Company and their cable had news on the incident. All the news was without specificity -- and at one point the announcer thought "about 50 were injured, with perhaps a dozen ." Later we learned of the much larger tragedy.

So, I ask each of you to jog your memories. Likely you have a lasting memory of that day.

From the Homestead....Perry, I

Hurricanes and Gas Prices

This is a multi-pronged question.

There is something inherently unfair about us being in a severe drought, and yet the remains of Hurricane Ike are going to pass over those of you in Illinois who have had plenty of rain! (Other than about 2 inches from the remains of Faye, all these hurricanes have not affected us at all - not even Hanna, which just nicked the northern edge of the SC coast.)

--Have any of you ever been in a hurricane? Experienced the results of one?
--This has been started a little in some of the comments on the last post, but how are the hurricane-driven gas prices affecting you?

Big plans for the weekend?

Quite often, people around the office will ask on Friday, "So, do you have big plans for the weekend?" It's usually just a way to keep talking and not working, I think. But it sure does pass the time on dreary Friday's like today. If asked today, I would say, "No, Jerry's got to work. I'll probably clean and grocery shop tomorrow. If the Bears play Sunday, we'll watch that. Nothing's really going on this weekend." So, do you have big plans for the weekend?

Etiquette Question

I had something happen to me that has never happened before. I was shopping at Meijers in the midst of a downpour and made my way to the check-out lanes. There were only 3 lanes open - which is very unusual - and then the self-check lanes.

We found a lane and began the wait. I had 4 wet kids with me and it was dangerously close to naptime. The 2-year-old began throwing candy bars into the cart as fast as he could while the 6-year-old took them out and put them away. The 4-year -old was laughing hysterically and the baby was simply amused by the whole scene. After a few minutes the lady behind me taps me on the shoulder and says "Excuse me ma'am, but do you mind if I go ahead of you - I only have 3 things".

Of course I let her ahead of me but I was shocked that she had the nerve to ask. Normally I do a pretty good job of looking around and letting people go in front of me who do not have as much as I do. Today, however, I was trying to manage the chaos and did not pay any attention. Her transaction probably only took 1-2 extra minutes, but 1-2 extra minutes can seem like a lifetime when you're trapped in the checkout with tired kids and candy on both sides. I found it amusing that while she wanted to get out of the store quicker, most of the other customers probably wanted to see ME get out of the store quicker.

So here's my etiquette question -- is it okay to ask to go in front of someone in line or should you wait for it to be offered to you?

Lipstick on a Pig

I love that saying. I use it occasionally at work and it always get's a chuckle and makes a point. Too bad that for a while it will be politically charged (though I admit I don't understand why).

I'm not trying to make a political point, but am wondering whether there are other funny phrases like "lipstick on a pig" that you use.

Customer service!

Yesterday afternoon (around 1 p.m.) I was shopping at Von Maur. I found a shirt that I liked (no surprise) but they didn't have my size, so I left my info with the kind associate and she promised to have one sent to me.

A few hours later, she called me back to tell me she found the shirt and it would be sent to my house -- free, since Von Maur always ships for free.

Today, at 1:24, UPS delivered my shirt. Inside was a hand-written note (in an envelope with a seal!) from the associate in Davenport, Iowa, thanking me for my business. The receipt inside indicates that she did the transaction at 2:42 yesterday afternoon.

If I think about all the steps that had to go right so that I could have my shirt in less than 24 hours, it's amazing. Not that my shirt is important, but I do appreciate that each person along the way did their job and did it correctly. Little details went a long way here.

That's why I love Von Maur. Where do you all do business (not just shopping necessarily) because of the great customer service?

(Jason has no part in this post at all. In fact, try not to let him know I was even IN Von Maur!)

Flashback II

This is not intended to upstage Perry's Flashback, but simply to lend credence to his memory.

The conventions of "yesterday" were much more exciting than of "today." Of course, radio was the communication medium. If I remember correctly the year was 1944 and I listened yet at midnight and later on the front porch (now brother Perry's home). The intensity was gut wrenching! Senator Taft and ??? were fighting it out. There would be 20-30 minute demonstrations at the base of the podium; demonstrations to get the control needed to influence other delegates and to win the nomination. When did teleprompters come into play? These speeches seemed to come from the heart with fiery delivery. The radio announcers and commentators could really "hype it up" and make the listener think he was at the convention.

Sometimes the activities would carry on until the wee hours. Listening to all this was captivating. I almost well up in emotion upon reflecting on these times. As a teenager, this was a new avenue of interest and it really drew me in! Times change--now the conventions are so much more subdued. Television has created a new look and, of course, anyone on camera wants to look (and act) their best to protect personal image. That's OK, but in my opinion it has taken a big piece of the heart out of the conventions.

Flashback

The year is 1948 and the site is Klopfenstein Grain Company grain office. EJK is the owner/mgr. I am about 9, I believe. The GOP and Demo conventions are held. They are carried on the radio. Dad has a tally sheet (from the Pantagraph), and follows the "roll call of the states" from the radio, which is very exciting. State chairmen state their state votes. I loved to listen to the embellishment of the chairmen as they extolled their state and their president. It takes more than one ballot to determine the winner. It is dramatic. This is before each state had a primary, and political bosses, in much backroom maneuvering, ted the process. Truman ran against Dewey that year and the former upset the latter. These are my first recollections of presidential politics, and from this a great interest has stemmed. Perhaps U. Lynn remembers all this. I am sure he does.

Now, many years later, the people at the grass roots determine the nominees. But surely the candidates have to go through a thorough vetting process and much travel to win the nomination. And, enormous amounts of cash. I think candidates have been busy for 18 months or so. It would wear me out, but at least we citizens can participate in the process. Yet almost 50 percent choose not to.

Now the sprint to the finish begins.!

Where do you get your news?

Michelle and I have been talking politics lately as I suspect have many of you. In fact, she got all fired up today and sent an email to her entire address book - something she said she has never done before and will never do again ("never say never" say I). I'll bet some of you got that email.

The gist of her email was that she's fed up with the spinning, twisting, and outright lying that both parties engage in especially during the conventions. She referred her contacts to factcheck.org, a non-partisan site that "aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics."

Our discussion reminded me of a book I read a while ago called Republic.com by Cass Sunstein, in which he argues that modern media, notably the Internet, allows each of us to filter out viewpoints that are different from our own so that what we read, watch, and listen to is consistent with our already closely-held opinions. In the process, it can serve to radicalize us in an echo chamber of our own making and prevent the civil debate that has been the foundation of democracy since ancient times.

I suppose I'm guilty of that. I probably have only a couple of primary news sources. And the majority of my friends, neighbors, and co-workers have similar political leanings as my own. There are people and TV channels and editorial writers that I dismiss out of hand having already decided that they are "wrong."

Well, my rather long-winded point is that we shouldn't believe everything our favorite politician or pundit tells us. In addition to their good intentions for our country they all gain power and profit by our allegiance to them. We should seek out the facts on our own. Go a step further: find somebody with a different perspective on the issues and listen. It may not change your opinion. Or theirs. But it might. And you'll both be better off for the exchange of ideas.

What do you think? Go ahead, tell me, even if you think I'm wrong.

Piper

Speaking for the youngest child in the family everywhere; this is the story of our lives. We are sleeping peacefully through a noisy convention being held by what appears to the national television audience a doting older sister who is gently rubbing our head when she licks her hand slathering it with her saliva to smooth down our hair.

The only consolation of having our hair full of her spit is that the entire world is watching her do it. I doubt she’ll ever live it down.

The Next Generation

We had to go through a pile of family pictures, looking for pics. of Mary Lee when she was younger, for her yearbook senior page. Among others of interest for posting later, I came across this one from the 1999 reunion in Decatur. Who do you recognize??!!

Super Cool Boys

Tonight Nathan and I went to the UHS volleyball game. Kelsie doesn't play (she was actually at work), but my friend's daughter plays, so we went to support her. The UHS boys were sitting across the steps from us, and Nathan was eyeing them. Wow, were they ever super cool! I told him he could sit by them, but he was too shy. I recognized one of them as Kelsie's friend, Jack, so I tapped his shoulder, told him who I was, and asked if Nathan could sit by him for awhile. He said, "Sure!" and took Nathan's hand. I heard him say, "Kelsie told me you might be here tonight," as Nathan looked back at me, so happy and so proud. He ended up sitting right in the middle of those boys for about 30 minutes. Every once in awhile, one of them would speak to him or show him their phone or keys, but mostly he just stared at them in total awe. He went to bed tonight still talking about those "super cool boys." They'll never know how happy they made Nathan. What nice kids!

What's for lunch?

Perhaps because I am not working this year, I have time to fuss over lunch preparation. Jason would say I am fixating on it, and he might be right. Namely, I'm focused on fixing healthy, interesting and eco-friendly lunches. I think I have the eco-friendly down. We pack reusable containers instead of Ziploc bags. I am even trying some little washable fabric bags (with velcro closures) for non-messy things like grapes and cookies. I pack cloth napkins and fill Nalgene water bottles.

I'm looking for ideas on the healthy and interesting part. There are plenty of books and lists of possible foods, but they are not always practical. I'm looking for things that kids would actually eat without spending $20 a lunch on ingredients and spending hours to prepare. I can pack Thermoses for hot foods and use ice packs for cold foods.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated -- Zac, Noah and Miles thank you in advance!

Sea Trials

I recently finished the boat that I've been working on and we took it out yesterday for sea trials to work out any kinks. It was a beautiful day with light winds - perfect for a first sail. We may take it out again today. Here's a preview video - keep an eye out for an invitation to the official launch party that we'll be hosting soon!

Unknown Jobs

First, I'd like to thank Uncle Perry for his great literary work "Remembering Ralph". The tribute was touching and for me, not being "home" a lot during Grandpa's last days, it brings a sense of peace being able to read how things were at the end. The recorded history will be passed on to future generatations as well. Again thank you for taking the time to record this for our family.

As for the reason for the post, I was suprised as I read "Remembering Ralph" of the different jobs that both Grandpa and Perry had held in their careers. The only job I remember Perry having was the office supply store in Pontiac. I guess I never thought about it, but other than the partnership in the home town elevator, I didn't realize his involvements with Continental Grain or others. So that got me thinking, what are some of the other jobs members of the Klopfenstein Family have done. I only remember Jerry as Superintendant, and then teacher in retirement, but I'm sure there were other jobs, I remember Cleve as a teacher, but I know there was a commodities history before that. For me, I have worked in the food industry making powdered sugar and cereal, bagged groceries at Food World, pumped gas at Amaco, built apartments in Athens, AL, laid sod, built seats and now explain (and try to prevent) why we produce and ship bad car parts.

So let's hear it, what are some of the "jobs" you have had in your life, either big or small. EDK

SYRUP OR SUGAR

We had french toast for breakfast this morning. I was taught by Mother to sprinkle sugar on French toast and assume my siblings learned to eat it with sugar also. Jerry, however learned to eat it with syrup. I'm wondering how far down the Klop line the "sugar thing" has trickled. What do you use? Sugar or Syrup?

Sarah Palin, 4 months postpartum

I've been reading about Sarah Palin, McCain's pick for VP. I guess since she is basically an unknown with little experience, the media vultures have not come up with a whole lot on her yet. I read an article in the Pantagraph this morning and was surprised to find in the last sentence of the last paragraph (almost as an "Oh, by the way . . . "), she had a baby in April, her 5th child. Not only that, but the baby has Down Syndrome. I suspect in her deck of cards, this child will be the pro-life card. Yes, it's wonderful that at age 44, and knowing her baby would be special-needs, she kept the child. But it does bother me - as VP of the United States, and a heartbeat away from the presidency, can she possibly give this child the mother's attention that one would get from a "normal" mother? She has been quoted, "I won't shirk my duties." Does she mean her duties as VP or her duties as mommy of a new special-needs baby? I know it's a different world today for families than it was when I raised my kids, but I feel in this situation, someone is going to lose, and I think it will be the baby. Yes, he will get the "best" care, but I feel the "best" care is plentiful time and attention from Mom. Okay, nuff said.

Love to all,
Cathy

DANCING WITH THE CRICKETS

Last night I went into the garage to get something out of the fridge. I turned on the light. The combination of the sudden light and my presence frightened a large cricket between me and the fridge. I believe the little dance we both did to avoid each other as I walked barefoot across the floor would've made a video worthy of "Utube". Might have even been a better show than "Dancing with the Stars"! I made it back in the house safely but with another case of the "willies" and goosebumps. Also the snack (popsicle) I got from the fridge was worth it!

Post deleted

In the spirit of family unity, and as the primary administrator of this blog, I have taken the liberty of deleting the previous post. Though the intent seemed to be innocuous - simply the addition of another puzzle to challenge the readers - the direction of the comments made it clear that the website involved caused offense. The prudent action, in my opinion, is to delete the post.

I do not do this lightly. My goal is not to be an authoritarian figure or to be a monitor of individual members' freedom to post as they wish. But this blog has been so enjoyable, and such a good thing to allow far-flung family members the opportunity for interaction and discussion, that we do not want anything to infringe upon that spirit. Thank you to all involved for understanding this action.

p.s. I'll probably delete this post also in a couple of days.

Unusual Question

Carol and I had a rather interesting question posed to us yesterday. We had an annual test, and the lady administering the test asked, "Do you have any great-grandchildren?" Never having had to entertain such a question -- and still nurturing the fading idea that I am still "not very old" -- I kind of paused with a glazed look. Great-grandchildren? My word!! No, I told her, smiling. That was a first for me, the question, that is. But there are worse things than that, I guess. One never knows what a day will bring. I was kind of "beat," as they used to say. I guess I will treasure great-grandchildren as much as our ten grandchildren, and those two still in the oven. Our eldest grandchild is ten years old, so very likely it will be several years until the g-g-children arrive.

Best wishes to all.

Fire Ants

You may remember during the extended discussion about ants and other pests that I mentioned that we usually have fire ants in this part of the country. Due to the drought we haven't had any this summer (there are advantages to a drought, I guess!) but since we got 2.5 inches of rain from the remnants of TS Fay this week, a couple of mounds have appeared in our yard.

Since they don't get all the way to Illinois I thought you might like to see what happens when you knock the top off a fire ant mound. This is an older camera so it's not great, no fancy sound, but you can really see the effects. I used a broom to break off the top of the mound while filming. The immediate swarming is quite a sight, and they are vicious biters. One of the ants got on my foot and I can still feel the sting now, about an hour later. Sorry for the strap shadow!

Another Puzzle

I know Cleve said he didn't want to start a chain of novelties but this one is too fun to pass up. Be careful, it is addicting:

Fantastic Contraption

I've solved all but two levels...

SHOPPING

As you all know, I've been trying not to shop so much lately. Can't resist any longer. I'm going to go buy an orange pant suit today.

Remembering Mother

I enjoyed the comments regarding my Mother by Ann. And I commend you Ann. And Judy's comments intrigued me too. Somehow, I am a little vague in remembering the bookstore visits with Judy, but I remember we were close, and did a lot together. I was 29 in 1968, and single. I was converted on April 11 and baptized on July 21, by George M. Gramm, the elder, not to be confused with George Gramm, my grandfather (father to Anna). At any rate it was a wonderful time. I was living in West Lafayette, Indiana at the time and worked in grain merchandising for Continental Grain Company, and later became manager of that office. I came home a lot of weekends and I, too, enjoyed the hospitality and cooking of Grandma Klopfenstein, and I learned a lot from her.

She once told me, "If you don't like someone, they can tell it." The message? You better develop a liking for everyone.

She also advised me that if problems arise in the church, "You just keep still."

You are all good writers. I wonder if Ann runs the ABWI (Ann Bales Writing Institute); or if Eric K. operates the EKWI (Eric Knocloch Writing Institute). If so, they could merge and call it EK-AB-WI. Enough.

Best to all.

From the Homestead

Triple Threat

Mom mentioned that she and Dad were here this last weekend to see Grace perform in St. Mary of Vernon's production of Joseph. So here's a short clip that highlights Grace singing and dancing. She's in the pink skirt just stage right of the Pharaoh, played by our pastor, Fr. Joe Curtis. (BTW, I'd post photos but I only have a video camera - Grace and Michelle won't let me use their cameras ;-)

More Memories...

When I was thinking of my high school weekends, I remember going to Grandma K's and also Uncle Perry coming to visit me in LaGrange. Do you remember that Perry? One of our favorite activities was going to a little Christian bookstore run by a little old lady, as I remember it. She loved to have us come in. Do you remember the store? Or the name of it? Or whatever else we did on those weekends? Did you stay at our house on Spring Avenue? I mostly just remember the bookstore. I was baptized in 1969, when a junior in high school, and those days of relishing the weekends don't seem like they can possibly be almost 40 years ago.

An Embarrassing Moment

Recently Cleve mentioned about Aunt Ada teaching about computers. In the early 90s I was teaching computer applications at PCS and was working with Larry, the IBM salesperson, to put in a new computer lab. There were many calls back and forth for several months between Larry and me. After one very long Monday I called Larry to get the price of another piece of equipment and got his voice mail since he was on vacation all week. My mind kind of went on autopilot as I was so tired and my message went something like this:

"Larry, I know you're on vacation all week, but I need to know if we used (some kind I don't remember cords) what the cost difference would be over (another kind of cord I don't remember). You can just let me know when you get back in the office next week. I think that's all I need for now so in Jesus name we pray Ame" and then I panicked and slammed down the phone.

All week I had to wait knowing the Larry would return from vacation to get the message which I could not delete and re-record. Finally the next Monday came and I get an intercom message that I had a phone call from Larry. I still remember walking to the faculty lounge wondering how I could explain my blunder. After I got the information I needed from him I said, "Umm, Larry, about my message" and he just laughed and laughed. He said it was the most unusual voice mail he'd ever received and that nobody had ever talked to him as if he was God!

I told a few people I realized I'd been ending my prayers with "OK, talk to you later. Bye."