UPGRADE

We're "plugging away" and making progress everyday. Jerry is still struggling with the itchy rash, but coping as best he can with it. On the upside, yesterday the Occupation Therapist brought us a tub bench and "taught" him (and me) how to use it for taking a shower. I went to Doc's Drugs in El Paso to get a shower hose - and last night we connected it to the shower. So today, Jerry was UPGRADED from a standing-sink bath to a seated shower. I think it's not difficult to understand how good that felt to him.

We enjoyed a visit this morning from Kelsie who told us all about her adventure at Jacksonville University (JU) where she attended a 4-day Freshman leadership conference of about 40-50 incoming Freshmen. She's really "pumped" and ready for the "real deal" in August. She did have a little fiasco when she missed her plane to return to B'ton, but caught a standby seat on the next plane and on the connecting flight out of Atlanta. Good problem-solving, learning experience for her.

Now we are waiting for a nurse to come draw more blood, then we'll do our daily IV, then a PT is coming. Sounds like a fun day, huh?

Dallas Car Chase

I watched the car chase live this afternoon that was happening in Dallas. Dave says hate is a very strong word, but in the case of car chases, I think it is appropriate. I do not understand the wisdom nor necessity of putting innocent people's lives in danger as some maniac and a caravan of squad cars careen through traffic at 90+ miles per hour. The police had the license plate, they knew who was driving the car, the man was wanted for drug trafficking, not kidnapping or some other crime where someone was in imminent danger. Couldn't they just stop chasing and let the guy quietly get away, then go get him later? Maybe they worry that someone will take hostages or something, but I just don't get it that weaving in and out of traffic on the interstate and side streets, running red lights, etc. is a good way to handle such situations. Sure enough, today some innocent person in a pickup truck rammed into the side of the car being chased. Thankfully, no one was killed.

That's my spout off of the day! Oops, better get the hamburgers off the grill!

Calling all Klop women...

I've sent another email about the August 1 and 2 Lady's Weekend. I have only heard from a few who cannot come, and just a couple of locals who are interested. We need to know more! If you would rather wait until next summer for the big reunion, that's OK too, I just need to know how to go forward with planning. So, email me back, those who I haven't heard from, and I will let you know the outcome!
djknob@comcast.net

GridleyFest and Knobloch's

GridleyFest consisted of a carnival, kiddie tractor pull, scouts dinner, american legion dinner, music entertainers, bingo, fireworks, firemen's water fight, parade and lots of catching up with old friends and classmates.  Here are some pics of events and parade.

After the firemen get done with their water fight the kids get to join in on the fun.  

Wade (yellow helmet) battles his friend Collin.

Mara and her balloon art (flower with a humming bird on it)
Knobloch & Witzig and our parade entry:

Jason & Jaron Schlipf on the mowers-

Myself and Jon Wellwood and twirling weed eaters with Wade running the mower with candy-

Brent Ringger and Jimmy Wellwood ran the candy shooters (leaf blowers)

The Ole Farmer's Advice

A well-meaning friend sent the following. It's neat!

An Ole Farmer's Advice

Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.

Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.

Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

You cannot unsay a cruel word.

Every path has a few puddles.

When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

The best sermons are lived, not preached.

Most of the stuff people worry about ain't Never gonna happen anyway.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Live a good, honorable life.

Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't Bothering you none.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain dance.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

Live simply. Give generously. Love deeply.
Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.

GRIDLEYFEST

The annual Gridleyfest is this weekend. They always have a fireworks show down the lane just west of our house. Last night we sat in the driveway and watched them. It was a pleasant diversion. This morning, we parked our car in Pete Meiss's driveway and watched the parade and visited with Pete, Jan and a few others who were standing in the area.

This afternoon, the temperature is in the upper 90's so sitting in the house is good. The Cubs are on for entertainment, however at about the second inning the "signal is off" - so the radio is on.

Jerry is still struggling somewhat with the rash. We saw Dr. Dodgins yesterday to have the staples (60+) removed. He called the other Dr. in charge of the antibiotics, and they gave us a couple days off as the levels were too high. We are to begin again tomorrow and will run the IV once a day. Otherwise, Jerry's doing well and we just hope the rash disappears completely in the next couple days. Tentative date for the final surgery has been scheduled for July 30 and we hope we can go with that schedule.

Summer temperature--2009

June 27, 2009
Temperature Forecast
Decatur, AL 35601

Degrees: 99
Real Feel: 109
Humidity: 93%
Dew Point: 71 F
Skies: Clear

And--we're headed to an outdoor picnic!!!

State of Illinois Highway Law

Every Saturday SNOPES issues an update on internet "trues" "falses" "maybe's". This morning there is an update on Work Zone traffic violations in Illinois roadways. I just thought a reminder would help all of us while driving in the state of Illinois.

www.snopes.com/politics/traffic/Illinois.asp

Hopefully this post will perhaps spare a life, a fine, an embarrassment.

We saw a bit of Casey and Jamie's summer activities. I'm curious what are some summer activities all of you are doing or planning. I'm finishing up some basement clean-up, then hoping for a quiet July, planning for a Klop women's weekend the beginning of August, taking Adrian to a writer's conference in Philadelphia in mid-August, and then spending a long weekend in Michigan with Dave the end of August.

These pictures are from a summer project Cleve worked on some summers back. (From Catherine's files.) Anybody else doing anything exciting...or how are you hanging out this summer?

MOVING FORWARD

I don't mean to bore you, but Jerry is moving forward a little every day. Activities for the day usually include the IV two times a day, other variable activities include his sink-bath, watching "The Price is Right", usually a Cub's game in either the afternoon or evening, eating, afternoon nap on the bed, taking short walks through the house and looking out the windows, and managing his online virtual farm on Facebook (always has crops to plant or harvest and when he gets enough "coins" he buys more land.) The best thing of all - no pain!!

PT was here today and had him practice getting in and out of the car - we have to go to Dr. in B'ton tomorrow so now we know how to do that and won't have to fight about it!

As of yesterday, he's struggling with an itchy rash on his back - the Dr. said to take benedryl before the IV and it seems to be helping a little. I think some of it is due to the excessive heat - even with the air on he sweats just sitting in the chair. So we've turned down the air and have some fans circulating the air -- and believe it or not I actually suggested he go shirtless!

He's getting lots of cards and we've had friends bring in food including a cherry pie and porkchop/rice casserole from Jamie that was delicious! Thanks, you're a doll!

(We really don't fight - I just do what he tells me to do.)

A Mess

Guess I won't be able to give any of you Illinoisians a hard time or joke with you about the state of your gubernatorial politics any more. We've got our own mess in South Carolina!

VBS, Sunday School, and the Old Gridley Church

Mom thought I should put my Vacation Bible School post on here, but instead I'll just put a link to it here. We have quite the memories of VBS from growing up.

I also remember VBS (and Sunday school) at the old Gridley church. I was in the first classroom, the one furthest to the left as you entered the classrooms. I remember the heavy partitions used to close off the separate rooms after the opening exercises were completed. Helen Funk and Ruth Ann Schlipf were my teachers and I remember staring at Ruth Ann's brace, and also thinking she was very sweet. I remember winning a cup and a cereal bowl with "God is Great, God is Good, Let us Thank Him for our Food" printed on the side of the cup.

My mom directed Bible School there one year. The theme song was "Footsteps of Jesus." That was the first time I ever heard that song, and to this day whenever I hear it I remember the old Gridley church and that long-ago VBS.

Update on Jen (from Cathy)

Jen has been at BroMenn since last Thursday on bed rest. They thought today might be delivery day, as she has reached 34 weeks. However, her labs are holding steady, so they will continue to wait as long as safely possible. We appreciate everyone's prayers - it makes all the difference! I will keep you posted.

Cathy

P.S. Grandpa has been bugging Ethne about the babies' names (she knows what they are.) She finally looked him square in the eye and said, "One is named Secret, and the other one is named Secret."

GOOD DAY

We had a good day and we're getting our routine going smoothly. Thank goodness that stupid IV machine is finally getting smarter - it only beeped at us once tonight and we got it started in about three minutes compared to twenty minutes and a phone call last night! Things are definitely looking up.

Michigan Storm?????

We have a couple visitors in the plant this week from Holland. They were telling me about the flooding in Holland and surrounding area due to the heavy rain and that most basements had water in them. In light of previous posts from RK2, I was wondering if Rhoda has water in her basement or if the corrections made withstood this heavy rain. Also, were the chickens outside during the storm and did they survive? EDK

METRO CRASH

In case you've seen the news in the last hour or so -- the Metro train crash in Washington DC on the Red Line is the train we rode on about everyday we were in DC. Fort Totten was about the second stop on our route. The picture of one train on top of the other is unbelievable!

OUR FATHER'S DAY

5:30 am: Got up, made coffee, took IV bag out of fridge, and waited for nurse to arrive.

6:00 am: Nurse arrived, and watched me flush the pick line and administer the bag of antibiotic

7:30 am: I remove the empty bag, clamp the line and flush the pickline (Jerry watches me closely!)

8:00 am: We prepare for daily bathing - I washed Jerry's hair (first shampoo since last Monday) and I dumped as much water on the floor as I got in the dishpan, Jerry continued the sponge bath while I sopped up the water on the floor, got dressed and went back to one of the two chairs he sits in while I cleaned the kitchen and put dirty towels and clothes in washing machine.

9:00 am: Prepared and ate breakfast of eggs, potatoes, bacon, and toast and juice.

10:00 am: I listened to Earl's sermon via telephone line and Jerry slept

1:00 pm: began watching the Cubs

1:30 pm: Nurse returned, changed the dressing on his hip (we thought about sending you a picture of the site but thought better of it), then she again watched me administer the IV and trusted us enough to leave before it was finished and said she wouldn't come back for the 10 pm dose - so I guess I've passed the competency test.

3:00 pm: I finished the IV, played at the computer, finished watching the game, read my book, and fell asleep. Jerry finished watching the game and had his first stint at the computer since returning home where he harvested some trees on his facebook farm.

5:30 pm: Grilled hamburgers, ate dinner, cleaned up kitchen, etc.

Except for the 10 pm IV, we're free for the evening and who knows what fun we might have. I will say that Jerry is doing well - moving from chair to chair and taking occasional walks around the house. Probably his most used phrase today was "Ada, will you hold the chair steady while I sit down (or stand up)?" I won't tell you what the second most used phrase was, but if you have an imagination you might be able to figure it out. :)

All in all, it's been a good day. Jerry's doing well and getting stronger every day. We have our ups and downs, but we have much to be thankful for. I can hear him snoring as I type this.

We would have a few "hospital stories" to tell, but that would make this already too-long post waaaayyyyy too long.

Casey Knobloch family happenings

Wade hunting deer in corn field this afternoon:

Wade talks to his karate teacher before a demo at steamboat days last night:
Jamie catered a 600 person wedding reception a couple of weeks ago:
Family outing to the Ringling Bros. circus:
Mara taking a dip in pool:

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to you fellow fathers out there. May you have a blessed. Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Dave. Thanks for all you have done and do for us, especially your daily prayers for us and our kids. Love You!

We've had a busy day today. We were all off to church by 8:45 this morning to prep for sunday school & service. Had a great service and then a good lunch at Logan's. We went shopping for cloths for the kids. We got home at 3:30 and leave again as soon as I finish typing to head back to church for VBS musical practice that will take place during church. EDK

The Twins

I just learned that Jen is in the hospital now until the babies arrive. Let's remember to pray for their family. Cathy, perchance does your summer include children...lots of children??

Rhoda's Project Revealed

The other night I learned more about GPS in tractors (thanks Bruce Endress for the lesson!) so my friend Renae and I are taking one more step into farming. We decided several weeks ago to raise chickens this summer.



The chicken wire covered pvc and irrigation tubing is our "chicken tractor". Our chickens will be pseudo-free range as they will be out on grass and we will move them every couple of days in the "chicken tractor". We have started with 20 and may be down to 19 already as one appears to be a bit more than traumatized from being mailed from Pennsylvania, getting unloaded at friends house, being picked out by Renae, driven to her house, and slid into the holding pen.We will keep this in the barn until the chicks have feathered and then move the contraption to the back part of Renae's four acres.



The lady we got them from suggested solar lights to keep the chickens calm and help with keeping out predators.

Another idea given to us was to use a red light to give the chicks a pinkish/reddish color. If they see blood on another chick they will peck it to death so the red tint protects them in case they get scratched and bleed. Who knows? We're pretty much buy whatever people tell us we need.



It was kind of neat when I was telling my dad about about our wild-brained idea that he had a transportable coop when he was a boy that he moved around their yard.

I'll no doubt post updates on my blog if you're interested.

DAY THREE

I thought I'd let you all know that Jerry is "up and around" - well at least twice a day he walks a short way down the hall and that is quite an accomplishment. Also does his leg/muscle exercises faithfully. The doctor continues to be positive about his condition. Yesterday Jerry was rather "down in the dumps" - I think somewhat overwhelmed at the enormity of the situation and with the limitations that will be placed on him for the next 6-8 weeks, but today he was much more positive and ready to face the challenge.

If all continues to go well he will probably come home Saturday. He was thinking he could come tomorrow, but today he began saying that he better wait until Saturday so he can get around the house a little better. We have had a ramp put in the garage - still need to get a proper commode!

I came home early tonight as I was just getting "tingly tired" and need to rest - don't want to get sick before Saturday!!

Again thanks for your prayers - and please keep them going.

I've been working on converting some of the old albums I have from Mom and Dad, as well as my own favorite cassette tapes, to CD's. Here's an example of some of what I have found in Dad's collection. He loved the old-timer's and this is a good example of it!

He who is ahead is never behind--Harry Hill quote!

The local newspaper, "The Decatur Daily", Decatur, AL, reported the obituary of a lady 64 years of age. Included in the details was the list of eight pallbearers--ALL WOMEN!

Question: Is Alabama ahead or behind of the times?

UPDATE

Just a brief report: Jerry's surgery went well today. It was a long, stressful wait during 4 hours of surgery and 2 hours of recovery room, but when we finally were able to go to his room, he was awake, alert, and joking with the nurse. Dr. Dodgin said everything went well and he should be on the road to recovery. So . . . the are thankful that this is over, and now the long antibiotic treatment will begin. Thanks for all your prayers.

Dedicated to all you dads out there

As we gear up for Father's Day this weekend, I wanted to share this inspirational video that shows the love, devotion and strength of a triathlon dad for his son.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMbk9dtpdY

Love to all,
Cathy

Come on!

Some of you may be enjoying this cooler weather we're having in Illinois. But I like the sun and I like it hot! I pity all the little kids taking swimming lessons this week.

Brie

Yesterday I was looking through my recipe file when I came across a typed copy of Great-Grandma Klopfenstein's brie recipe. I haven't had that in years! Remembering that there was some leaf lettuce planted out back that needed to be eaten, today was the day to try it! I compared it to Aunt Mary's recipe in the Klopfenstein cookbook. Hers suggested less sugar and also to add mayo. if you like, which I did. However, the less sugar didn't work - it was too vinegary without another tbsp. of sugar.

The finished product! It was very good!

And the Sunday dinner table. The lettuce was from our back yard, and the new red potatoes, yellow squash, and onions were all from our farmers' market, therefore grown in our county. I plan to go to the farmers' market often this summer. Drake, if you're reading this, do you still eat local?

.

Well, anyway, my family thinks it's a little silly to post Sunday dinner on the blog, but maybe y'all will enjoy reading about my little brie experience. Hope you have a restful day.

Oregon!

Ashton & Caleb Schieler, Marilyn Schieler and I returned Monday from a 5 day trip to Oregon. It was the first time the boys had been on an airplane and their first trip to Oregon. We packed a lot of activity into a few days and had a great time. The top image was taken at Multnomah Falls and other at the coast. We had some rain and almost no sunshine, but that didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves. Carol

DON'T YOU HATE IT WHEN. . .

DON'T YOU HATE IT WHEN
* A buzzing fly awakens you in the morning?
* You make a pot of coffee, but when you return to pour a cupful, find that you forgot to put the pot under the drip and there's coffee all over the counter and floor?
* You make a pot of coffee, but when you return to pour a cupful, find out that you forgot to put the coffee in the filter?
* You leave for someplace in the car, get a couple blocks and realize that you forgot your cellphone so you go back and get it? (what did we ever do without those things, anyway)
* You leave for someplace in the car, get a couple blocks and realize that you forgot your watch so you go back and get it?
* You do both of the above in one trip?
* You pour yourself a bowl of cereal, then realize that you don't have any milk?
* You prepare to sit in the sun on a warm, sunny day, but by the time you get outside, the sun is gone?
* You type several lines of text before discovering you have it in all caps!
* You go someplace and discover that you have on two different shoes?
* You put some clothes in the dryer because you have to wear them in an hour or so, but find that you forgot to turn the dryer on?

I'm sure I could think of many other things, but what could you add to it?