THANKSGIVING

It was a busy week. The house needed some major cleaning. It certainly looks better than it has in a long time.

Colleens family came this year. The first time since ?????? They weren't able to get on the road until Thanksgiving day, so our big dinner wasn't until Saturday. I had thought to have it Friday, but there was the matter of the Nebraska - Colorado game. Just can't cook, have a house full of kids and a game at the same time.

Due to lack of oven space I had to use my Hamilton counter top roaster. Only the second time I have used it. First time was ok. Didn't like it as well as oven roasted. This time I really didn't like it. I had a 22lb. bird and from the minute I turned the roaster on it sounded like it was frying the bird, not roasting it. It cooked in record time, but any dressing touching the pan burned. I just finished cleaning the pan yesterday afternoon. I would scrape a while, put fresh water in it and let it soak until time to scour again. No idea how many times I did that. I am calling it good and putting it away! (Until Christmas.)

All went well and the girls helped get everything on the table. The carving job has officially been handed down to Dan, who I might say, did an excellent job.

I added a cake to the desserts this year, as Colleen had just had a birthday. Denny helped and we managed to get ALL those candles lit before the first ones melted away. Looked more like a bon fire than a birthday cake. Don't know why the smoke alarms didn't go off. Maybe because we had the doors open. The kids loved it.

The kids had a blast playing. No fights. Peyton even managed to keep up and fit in. He is the youngest but wasn't about to be left out.

While we were all gathered here, Shannon and Kevin were busy moving into their new home. First one ever, and I do mean new! It looks like a nice house and I can't wait to see it. After years of base housing and small apartments, they deserve it!

Everyone is home safely now. Casey followed Ken and Collen back to Michigan for a few days vacation. Everything is put away.

Next: Christmas.

NOVEMBER 21, 1973

My 'baby' has a birthday!

She decided to make her appearance when I had a houseful of company for Thanksgiving, three toddlers and a 10 month old.

Thinking back, I don't know how I did it.

Happy birthday Colleen !

STATUE OF LIBERTY

I am sure some of you got the e-mail a while ago that was going around about this. I thought it was a fascinating e-mail.

July 1918. Camp Dodge, Iowa. This is when and where 18,000 soldiers were staged to form the shape of Lady Liberty. The why of this was to promote the sale of war bonds. The photo was never used for that purpose.

Conditions that day were less than ideal. July, temperature was over 100 degrees. These men were wearing wool uniforms. I can't imagine what it must have been like.

Snopes has an article that can tell you about it better than I can. It has a lot of the dimensions and how it was laid out. There is also a photo on this site you need to enlarge and look at. Amazing!

You absolutely must follow this link (don't forget to enlarge them) to similar images that were created, many from this era.

Why am I posting about this? Because the above photo is actually my great uncle, Corey Hartford. Had I never got involved with my project, I would never have known I had a relative who took part in it. The minute I saw this picture, I knew the story behind it. Sorry to say, when I got the book about our family history, I quickly looked at it and went directly to "my" generation to do most of my reading. Then I put the book away. Until Project. (I now consider myself to be an expert on this book.)

I would like to know more about how his photo happened to be taken. What were the circumstances? Did all of those present have individual photos taken in this manner?

I don't think I will ever have any answers to those questions. I don't think there is anyone still living who knows the answers.

DATE NIGHT

Friday night. Date night. Mom and Dad dropped the boys off and we had a sleep over.

The boys have a routine when they come over. They wait until the folks are gone and then declare that they are starving. This night was no different. (I know for a fact that they ate before coming over.) We went through all the cupboards and checked out the top of the fridge. Chocolate Marshmallow Mateys were decided on.

Again I made a huge bed on the living room floor after I brought all of my blankets down. (That means I just dropped them over the railing from upstairs.) They are always impressed by this. At 8:30, lights out and their favorite video started. At 9:30 I turned to the cooking channel thinking that would put them to sleep. Didn't work. Damien held out until 10:30. Raidyn until just before midnight and I have no idea when Peyton fell asleep as I didn't make it much past midnight.

Raidyn. Awake at 6:15. Had Peyton awake soon after and Damien by 7:00. Waffles were the unanimous choice for breakfast. Before you all think I am 'Super Grandma', they were Eggos. Frozen, pop in the toaster and presto! Waffles. The boys thought they were great.

About this time Raidyn decided to give me some hints about monsters. He wanted to know if I knew how to get rid of monsters. I should have seen something coming but I totally was blind sided. I said "no, how?" He said. "Well, Grandma, you just hit them in the balls". I said "WHAT?" He said, "You know Grandma". Right here", while showing me just where he was referring to.

I struggled to keep a serious face and Grandpa sat at the table laughing behind his newspaper. I thought to ask him if that meant that only boys were monsters, but coming from a family of all boys I wasn't sure if he knew about the haves and the have nots. I didn't think I could handle anything too detailed so I went no further on that subject.

About that time everyones favorite, Uncle Casey, came home from work. No more 'quality' time for Grandpa and Grandma. Two hours rough housing and playing with Uncle Casey! By the time Dad got here to pick them up, it was obvious to all that three little boys were in need of naps.

So was Grandma!

CHAPTER SEVEN

As the truck groaned out of sight, Jerry and Bob returned to bed and laid very still. Nothing was said for at least ten minutes.

"Jerry!" ..."Jerry" ..."Jerry !!" ..."The name is Gerald!" ..."yeah, Gerald." "What?" ..."Let's don't dig no more tank traps." ..."Yes, No more tank traps"

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CHAPTER SIX

"Are they leaving, Jerry?" ..."Gerald!" ..."Gerald." ..."Lay low, we ain't safe yet." ... "Shall we make a run for the canal?" ..."If they come this way... Lookit!, They're out!"

The truck pulled a few feet ahead of the hole, and stopped. The driver got out and ordered the men to the rear of the truck.

"Oh, oh, They are going to circle the house!" ... "Shh, Listen!"

The driver addressed the men, ; "Listen, men, and listen good. Not one word of this to anyone. We're on private property, and you all know how the Colonel feels about property damage. Now, brush off your clothes and enjoy the dance like nothing happened. Remember, not one word!"

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(NEXT, CHAPTER SEVEN, THE CONCLUSION)

SUNDAY VISITORS

We had the boys again Sunday morning while Dad went into work for a while. This time they came late enough that we were able to do "happy" meals. With chocolate milk!

Nothing shy about these guys when it comes to food. Not a scrap left when they were done.

CHAPTER FIVE

A beam of light from a flashlight followed along the side of the truck and stopped at the door.

"See that, Bob?" ..."What?" ..."The star on the truck ...Theyre Americans." ..."Oh boy, thats good." ..."Good!, What do ya mean? Did you ever hear of sabotage?" ..."Ohh, noo, now what will they do?" ..."Shoot us at dawn, if they find out who did it." ...

"Would Americans shoot Americans?" ..."How can we prove we are Americans?" ..."We know how to sing 'God Bless America, Jerry."

"Call me 'Gerald' if they catch us." ..."Why?, Jerry" ...Because if they hear you call me 'Jerry', they might think I am a German." "Oh, I see. O.K., Jerry" ..."Gerald!" ..."Yeah, Jerry." ..."Gerald!" ..."Gerald?" ..."Remember, Gerald." ..."I'll remember, Jer--ald."

By this time the soldiers became organized, and were sloping the hole out in front of the truck. In a few minutes the motor was started, the truck rocking in the hole, as four or five soldiers pushed from the rear.

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(Coming next, Chapter Six!)

TO SAVE THEM SIDE BY SIDE

ANOTHER SIDE BY SIDE

MY BACK YARD, 11-08-09

I don't know how or why it is still alive. It's a little worse for wear (multiple freezes and a snow) but still pretty.

CHAPTER FOUR

" "We got 'em!". "Shhh, we got 'EM!"..."Now what?"..."Get theshot gun."..."Dad says we can't touch it."..."Oh, that's right...I know, take your cap gun...They won't know it's atoy...Go down and get their hands up."..."Ain't you coming with me?"..."No, I'll watch from here...Shhh, Theyre climbing out."..."Are they Germans or Japs?"..."Can't tell yet."

One of the soldiers walked around the truck uttering a paragraph of obscenities.

"What did they say, Jerry?"..."It's a foreign language...I don't know."..."Germans or Japs?...Do Germans say 'Suminavich'?"..."I think so."

Jerry and Bob watched in silence as the soldiers groped around the truck with flashlights and spades.

"Shallwe go get 'em?"... "No. Maybe the airplanes will come and blast them out."

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(Stay tuned for chapter five!)

CHAPTER THREE

"Jerry! are they Germans or Japs?", Bob choked. "Shhh, I don't know", choked Jerry. "Lllettts turn on the light." "N-n-n-o, Th-then they would s-see us."..."What-what should we do?"..."Shhh..."Jerry,....I'm scared."..."Me tooo!"

The truck stopped at the side of the house. Jerry and Bob listened but could hear nothing but the chatter of their own teeth. No doors opened, no sound for at least a minute except the idling motor. Gears meshed and the truck again crept ahead.

"The're leaving!"..."Shhh, Theire heading for the PW Camp!"..."The potatoe patch!"..."Shhh, yeah, the potatoe patch...OOH! the POTATOE PATCH!"..."The Ta....

Thump!.groan..Thump!...the motor killed.

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(SOON TO BE IN PRINT - CHAPTER FOUR)

CHAPTER TWO

The two story, flat topped brick house stood as a small fortress at the end of a long graveled lane. The lane followed a row of elms, curved to the right up a small hill xxx to the south side of the house. There the lane ended. To the east spread the potatoe patch for a whole city block where it met a xxxxxxxxxx dead end city street. From there the street ran east past the swimming pool to the American Legion dance hall, and on to the old CCC Camp where a few elite German prisoners of war were housed.

The story unfolds on a dark Thursday night. Jerry and Bob had just settled down after their usual pillow fight and giggle session and were dozing off to sleep. Something was disturbing them as they both tossed and tangled blankets.

Suddenly Bob sat up with a xxxx start. "Jerry! what's that?" Bob yelled in a whisper. "What?"... "That noise!"... "What noise?" ... "Outside!" Both struggled out of the blankets to the window.

There it was, slowly creeping up the lane, a silhouette of a military truck whining in low gear.

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(Coming Soon ---- Chapter 3)

CHAPTER ONE

One skirmish of WW II was fought almost in the middle of the United States.

To Jerry and Bob, the European and Pacific Theatres were somewhere just over the hills that surround the Little Blue valley. They hadn't traveled much farther than that. They knew that the Bruning Army air base wasn't far away, and were sure that all the planes that passed over were heading directly to the front.

Jerry and Bob made all preparations for the emminent battle. The potato patch was selected for the battleground because of its strategic location, and mostly because the potatoes were dug and the rest of the acreage was still in garden.

Obstacles were erected, observation tower constructed, trenches dug, and the tank trap neatly camoflaged.

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( COMING SOON TO YOUR FAVORITE BLOG - CHAPTER 2)

ARTICLE

As I was reading the Sunday morning paper I read an article about a young couple who had been pen pals since elementary school. She a Nebraska farm girl - he a city boy from Maine. They had been writing for 33years, exchanged gifts, were grown, and had families that were almost grown. They finally got to meet.

Pen Pals are almost unheard of now. No time for REAL letters and certainly no time for the US MAIL. Another dying art.

It made me think of a newspaper I came across while working on my "project". A 1935 newspaper to be exact. In it I found a story. I mean chapters of a book. Back then libraries in most parts of Nebraska didn't exist yet. Books were few and far between. Newspapers would publish one or more chapters each week from a book until the book was finished. People looked forward to the stories as much as they did the news. Today's generation probably can't comprehend not having libraries. Most grew up with them right in their own schools.

Anyway, it gave me an idea for a new post and I will be starting it in the next few days. I am going to publish a story and it will be in chapter form. There will be seven chapters. No, I will not do it once a week as even I don't have patience for that. Daily. I haven't decided yet if I will do it in picture format or type it out. It will come as originally written, uncut and never edited. This is why I prefer you read it from a picture as it would be hard to copy and keep it looking the way it was written. I will make my final decision soon.

There are some out there who know this story. Some who knew the author. Some who actually know the main "characters". I can only ask that your comments don't give anything away. I would like those who have never read it to enjoy the suspense and eventual outcome of the story.

Decision made. Story will come in picture AND typed form.

This story never had a title so my beginning will simply be - CHAPTER ONE.

Hope you will enjoy it.

BOOOO !

It was a scary night in our neighborhood! Three tricksters and one set of "really" scary parents managed to invade our home.

Top to bottom:

Damien

Raidyn

Peyton in front of bigger boys

Mom "fixing" her face

You might have been "treated" to a lot more wonderful pictures, but at this point my camera said "Memory stick full".

DARN !

FIXERS

We have had fixers back at our house.

Our washing machine acted up a month ago and of course they were called. When he got here I asked him to fix the lid on it too as the hinge was broken. He got it running but said he would order a part for the lid, call and come out in a few days to fix it.

He never called and we kind of forgot about him.

Then one afternoon I got a phone call from a company. A warranty company. Wanting to know if we would accept $400 in exchange for our washer.

In shock and picking myself up off the kitchen floor I said YES before he changed his mind or hung up. He said the store we bought it from would be notified of the credit.

I hung up, Bob got the flu and we kind of forgot about it.

Then I got a phone call call from the store here in town saying they had received verification on a $400 credit and would we like to set up an appointment to pick out a new washer.

We did, and we did. Even up. Didn't cost us a thing.

When we got home I took a look at my old washer. Both Bob and I knew right away we wouldn't like the one we chose. I called the store, canceled the order and set up a new appointment.

We upgraded to a bigger capacity with more features. We also got a set of those new stronger hoses. What did a "new" washer cost us? $70.

We think that's not too bad for a brand new machine. What do you think?

ANSWERS

On my last picture, it is me. It was taken spring/summer of 1967. I was pregnant with Casey. I remember that top very well. Green with all colors of flowers. One of my very first maternity tops. I thought it was so pretty.

I found it in my fathers wallet along with the picture I have posted now of my mother. I am sure the one of me must have been taken in one of those booths where you got 4 in a strip. I wonder where the others ever went.

I have never seen the one of my mother before. (That I can remember.) I am sure it too was taken in one of those booths. Anybody out there have the the other 3? My parents were married in May of 1942, right after dad was drafted into WW II. He shipped out soon after. That leads me to believe it was taken pre 1942. She would have been 22 years old then. Dad, 35.

The picture is badly worn on the top and two sides, so I cropped it. You may not be able to tell, but she is wearing a hat and what looks like a dress suit. For all I know, it could have been her wedding picture.

PINK IT WAS NOT

Jerry is right. Gene's suit WAS NOT pink. I have never had a black and white picture come out tinted like that. It must be my back ground color that made it look pink.

It was the picture from the front of their 50Th wedding anniversary open house invitation in September of 2001.

Bob had the situation totally under control. He kept me informed of when the big day was and what weekend to keep open. I left it completely in his hands. (What WAS I thinking?)

The Sunday before the big event, Bob announced that he thought he would give Lorreta a call and see how she was doing.

Her first question was - - - "How was Gene & Ginny's open house?".

Yes, he had the date wrong. Yes, we missed it.

We still talk about it occasionally and he has no idea how he got it so wrong. Needless to say, I no longer rely on him as my only source for information concerning upcoming events. Invitations are kept where we can check them at a moments notice.

TOO EASY

If some of you thought the last one was too easy, this one is easier. It's just that some of you have never seen it.

The last one was Aunt Sherry but I think you are about 10 years too late on the date. Maybe she will drop in some time and tell us.

AND THE ANSWER IS ?

The picture is from a Kansas State-Nebraska football game in 1986. The picture does not do justice to the weather that day. It was a blizzard. It was COLD. Really really cold!

Shannon and I sat in the south end zone. Looking right down the middle of the goal posts. About 70 rows up.

It was snowing. It was snowing REALLY hard. I was cold. I was REALLY cold.

Any action north of the 50 yard line and we couldn't see it. We could only guess by the crowd noise. It was the same for those sitting in the north end zone.

The tractors lined up right before half time before the band. In fact, I don't remember the band playing that day. Maybe they were all in the north side of the field, or else I was too cold to care

The games outcome ? NU 38 - K State zip.

SATURDAY - OCTOBER 10, 2009 - 3:00AM

SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW.

Still coming down and 30 degrees. So far, just enough to make the ground white. It may be a LONG winter for us.

The last picture? It was cropped out of an ad in the May 13, 1953 Hebron newspaper. The store? Central Market.

MOVING ON

Seems like Jerry is the only one who dared to make a guess. Actually, he was on the right track. It is someone from my side of the family. They just aren't Monsons. They are Hartfords to be more exact. Edwin and Ada are their names. They were my Mother's parents.

Grandma was a large woman and if Grandpa had been any thinner, he would have been a goner on the first windy day. Grandpa collected horse figurines and Grandma collected any salt and pepper shakers she could find at Kresgee's. (It has been so long since there has been any of those stores around, I don't really remember the correct spelling.) Grandma also was a master at crocheting. There wasn't anything in their home she didn't put her touch on. From dish rags, wash cloths, bath towels, pillow cases-you name it and it had something crocheted on it. There were dolls, very similar to what we call "Barbies" today, that she would buy and crochet elaborate gowns for. I had one at one time, but I have no idea whatever became of it.

Grandpa was quite a character. I don't remember a time when he had teeth. Except for the obvious appearance, he ate better than some people with false teeth. I don't know if he ever had a set of false teeth now that I think about it. He worked at a dairy for many years and rode a bicycle to get around a lot of the time.

They had 5 children. Myron, Eva, Marty, Alice and Eddie. Their home was in the north part of town where there used to be a lot of flooding before the ACE took care of that problem. My Mother was there one day after one of these floods when their basement still had water in it. Uncle Eddie, who was 15 at the time, decided to go to the basement and replace a burned out light bulb for Grandma. He was electrocuted. Grandma found him and tried to pull him out of the basement. We don't know why she wasn't electrocuted too. It was a terrible day. My oldest brother saw some of what went on in the basement and remembers it.

I don't know if life was ever the same for them after that. Towards the end of Grandpa's life he left my Grandmother and moved out of town. I never saw him much after that.

Jerry would come closest to dating the picture as I have no idea when it was taken. Funny how something like a car is used to try and date an event. It does give me some idea, which I didn't have before. Thanks Jerry.

FOUND TREASURE!

I am still finding all kinds of things. I enjoyed reading this and thinking about the people, the dates on the pages and their ages at the time.

You younger people probably have never heard of an autograph book. They were small, about 4x6 inches and you would have people write memories in them for you.

I don't know who made a copy of Ann's or how we got one, but thanks!

Hope all of you enjoy reading it too.

CLOSER! CLOSER! CLOSER!

It's funny how you can start a project and before you know it, what was once so simple, can escalate into something major.

Colleen is wanting this done so she can scam my pictures. I mean, put them on to her external drive. That is really a good idea. If something should happen to mine, there would always be a way to recover our family pictures.

But....... As I told you, I am turning this into my own personal history book. I am scanning things for me. If the kids don't want to copy some of it, that's fine with me.

I came across old papers in my Mother's cedar chest that I haven't read in years and even forgot they existed.

My mother taught country school for 5 years before she married my father. She came from a very poor family, but some of those kids had it really rough. She would occasionally take one home with her for the weekend. It was really a treat for them.

I have her teachers contracts for those years. I am posting a picture of her 1940 contract and a cropped picture of a teachers requirements. For the grand sum of $50 a month, she was required to keep the school in good repair, provide the necessary fuel, textbooks, school supplies and water. Not much to ask, right?

Those contracts brought back memories of my own country school days. I am sure my teacher had a very similar contract.

For you of the younger generation, you might be wondering about the water requirement. It pertained to my country school days also, so I am knowledgeable about that. There was no running water in the schools. Facilities were located out behind the school houses. Teachers were required to bring enough drinking water to accommodate however many students were in the school. We had nine, plus the teacher. In the spring and early summer before school got out, we had to ration our water so we didn't run out. Our teacher had a silver, tall bucket- can type thing she used to bring water in. It was then poured into an old Red Wing crock with a spigot at the bottom. Each student was required to bring their own drinking cup. The cups were lined up on the window sill and taken home every Friday to be washed.

From this water supply, we also used some of it to wash our hands before lunch. (Notice I didn't say anything about after visits to the facilities? How did we ever survive?)

In the winter time our teacher would take an enamel pan every morning, put some water in it and then put it on the heating register that was on the floor. By lunch we had "warm" water to wash with.

Our teacher taught grades K-8. Three families, three kids in each family. Not all grades had to be taught as some of us were in the same grades. The teacher would call a class, say, 5Th grade reading. Whoever was in that class would go to the front of the room and sit on a bench by the teacher's desk and have that lesson.

The bad thing was, there wasn't really a new learning experience for us from year to year. While one class was in session, the rest of us sat at our desk and listened. There wasn't much else to do.

We also had a system where we could ask a question, not interrupt a class and not speak. Sign language. We would raise our hand-one finger would be, may I get a drink. Two-restroom. Three-library (if you could call it that). Four-don't remember. Five-we needed to speak to the teacher. When the teacher saw one of us with a request, she would either nod her head yes or no.

We also had a list of chores our teacher assigned to us. The chores would periodically be reassigned and we all had our favorite. Can you believe there were nine chores? Two that I can remember were flag raiser and eraser duster.

Enough about country schools and contracts. I will post more about found "treasures" later.

ALMOST DONE

Today I worked on pictures I needed to rescan. No more white spots all over them! I need to get Dan's wedding pictures from Jen again, scan them and then I will be down to memorabilia. I will be glad to get this project done !!

Jackie! I didn't know until last night when Kellie told me, that you followed all of our blogs. (Hope you didn't catch the thigh episode.) Evidently we haven't bored you to death yet, or else you can't believe what you are reading that keeps you coming back. Glad you decided to comment. Actually, when I get this project done, I would like to take you up on your offer. For now I have this @%$& scanner installed and hooked up to my lap top. I have scanner, lap top, my external drive and cords all over our kitchen table where I am working on this project. My foot wouldn't take going up and down the stairs for all of the coffee this project requires. When I am done, I need to take the scanner down to my scrap room and install it on our main computer, where it will stay permanently. I sure could use your help then if you are still willing.

It seems like #7 was solved faster than I thought it would be. Colleen had no clue. Spencer knew and Kellie thought she knew. Jerry nailed it. Bob even got it wrong. He tried to tell me it was taken in Nebraska.

On to #8. It will be interesting to see the comments.

I STAND CORRECTED

I am going to say that #5 was indeed taken at Don & Ann's house in town. I don't know why I thought it was out at the farm. Ellen confirmed it for us. Thanks Ellen and welcome to the 21st!

Jerry-Ellen-Sherry, if anyone out there has any old (or new) family pictures you think would be fun for people to see, please e-mail them to me and I will use them. I could even get to take part in guessing.

Bob was so shocked to see Ellen had been on my blog, he made the long trip upstairs to tell me. During a football game no less!

Picture #6. I think we all knew it was Shannon. If it was in Germany Kellie, she probably wasn't kicking any enemy butts. Don't think there have been any of those there since WW II. She did serve 2 yrs. there during her enlistment and just got back with Kevin after he finished serving his last tour before retiring.

To this day, I find it impossible to believe that some idiot in this world put an M-16 (or whatever it is) in my babies hands and let her keep it for 4 years. With bullets for God's sake! Real ones!

To make a long story short, I got a device for my computer that allows me to read and recover the pictures I have on over 300 floppy disks I had from my very first digital camera. I also got an external drive to store them on. The floppies are read, stored and soon to be burned to Cd's. On to my current, modern day picture Cd's. They are now all stored in my external drive also. When Colleen was home last, she thought it would be a good idea for me to pull out all our old family pictures-scan, burn and save them to my external drive. A few thousand pictures later and.........................

I said I wouldn't post until I was done with my project. I lied. (Inadvertently.) I came to a screeching halt. You might even say I suffered a major setback. About 400 pictures back, I started noticing white spots on the pictures I had scanned. I cleaned my computer screen and my glasses. They were still there. Then I noticed bits of dirt under the sealed scanner glass. Don't know how it got there, but Best Buy said to bring it in and they could do a general cleaning. When I got there, the guy took one look at it and gave me one of "those" looks. He told me that wasn't dirt under the glass. It was small pieces of plastic being ground off the gear as my scanner was dying an agonising death. Cost to fix it would be more than getting a new scanner. An hour later I was headed home with my new scanner. So cool! It even has wireless capabilities. That means we can print with it from any computer in the house and they don't have to be connected to it. The lady who sold it to me said it was very easy to install. All I had to do was take the disk that comes with it and go from computer to computer and install it.

Why I believed her, I will never understand. There is NOTHING simple about computers and installation to me. I had to know all about web keys and phrases I didn't even understand to install the darn thing. I called a computer tech and he wanted $75 to do it for me. I called best Buy and asked if I could just install it as a printer-scanner and skip the frills. They said sure. It was a nightmare and several phone calls to various hot lines before I got the %$&@ thing installed myself. No wire-less-no fax (which I never wanted in the first place-just plain old printer scanner. I still don't quite know what I did to make it work.

It seems like I have had pictures coming out of the woodwork. Everywhere I turned, I would find a few more. I also came across the box I have been putting obituaries, those little programs you get at funerals and a small number of wedding programs and articles about people Bob and I have known through years. I brought it up and we spent a morning reading and talking about them. Then I thought I would scan and save them. So much information. Birth dates, date of death-some even had write ups of their life stories. If there are any future genealogists in my family, it will give them some names and dates to start with. Now I wish I had been more diligent and kept more of them. So many didn't make it as far as the box. If anybody has any old ones, please e-mail me copies.

My post is almost finished and everything is in place to "finish" my project. The only thing I have to do first is delete the last 400 scans, get the pictures out again and redo them.

It may be a few days before I post again. In the meantime, here is #7.

BACK BURNER

Ooops. I guess I will have to put #5 on the back burner until we get a definate answer. I was thinking it was taken at Don and Anns farm, but Bob and Jerry have me wondering otherwise.

On to #6. I know who, but only "who" can tell us what, when and where.

POST

I am still tied up with my project. I thought I would be done with it long before now, but it was not to be.

I will explain in detail when I finally get it done. (That is, IF I ever get it done.)

To keep you all occupied while I work on it, I am putting up a very difficult picture. It should take days to clear this one up, and I doubt anyone will know the answer. Bob is dis-qualified because he saw it and knows the correct answer.

Remember: Enlarged version can be found at the bottom of the page.

Good luck!

HINT

I think it is time for a hint on photo number 1.

The picture was taken in New Port Beach, California.

The butts - in some kind of order - Gene - Bob - Jerry.

All you have to do is put them in the correct order.

BETTER LUCK THIS TIME

I still don't have a correct answer to my last picture, so I am putting up a new one. I am sure I will get a correct answer yet today.

In the mean time, for those of you who didn't see the last one, there is an enlarged version located at the bottom of by blog. I am also going to use that for those of us out there that are visually impaired.

I will give it a few more days until I give up the details on the first one.

NEW FEATURE

I am still "busy" with my project. I think I will never see the end of it.

The person who thought it was a good idea, is better off out of state.

I have, however, added a new feature. Look around and see if you can find it. (Shouldn't be too hard.) Comments and guesses can be addressed in my most current post and I will give correct details at a later date. Content will change when the mood strikes me, so you need to check often. As near as I can tell, they can't be archived, so if you miss one, sorry.

Bob already guessed wrong!

Have fun!

REALLY SOON !!

Promise!

Patience please. Give me a couple of days to finish my project and I will be back to bore you to death!

STAY TUNED

There will be an update.

Soon.

Cousins , Corey and Raidyn

These two had a good time together. The other boys were off somewhere playing.

Easter Week

Colleen came with the boys as it was spring break in Michigan. It just so happened June was in town that week and we met her and her three at Valentinoes.

It stormed while we were inside and the rainbow afterwards was beautiful. You can't tell from the picture, but it was a double rainbow.

Picture 1: Rainbow

Picture 2: Jessalyn, Griffin and Colton

Picture 3: Shannon

Picture 4: Corey and Spencer

Picture 5: Riley

Picture 6: Shannon

Picture 7: Corey and Spencer

We had one area all to ourselves and the kids had a good time.

Saturday - May 16, 2009

We are having an event in town. I don't think we have ever had it before.

I personally think it is a great idea.

Many people never get their houses cleaned out and those unwanted items donated to places that could really use it, so gradually it gets put out with the garbage. This in turn just adds more to our landfills.

This Saturday we are having Curb Day. With only a few simple rules, if it is good, usable and not dangerous - put it on your curb.

You can get rid of stuff you no longer want, and for "junkies", you can cruise the the city neighborhoods in search of treasures. Just take what you want.

"FREE"

Drive by garage sales with no money involved.

I might even con Bob into taking me for a drive. All I have to do is figure out how to present it to him so he thinks it is something he wants to do.

Ummmm.

BACKFIRED !

At this time I am sitting on my kitchen table writing. My screen door is propped open.

We have this problem every spring. Black birds! They want to make nests in our grill. I found them at it Saturday morning! There are two perfectly sized holes, one on each side of the grill. Guess they think they could have a front and a back door.

This morning I heard them out there. When I looked I could see Bob had the holes blocked with spatulas. The birds were still there and trying to get in.

Herein lies my predicament.

I thought I could get a picture of the buggers. I can hear them making scratching noises on the grill when they come. I decided to get my camera, prop screen door open and play hearts until I heard them. At that time, I planned to sneak to the door and catch them in the act.

As I was listening and the computer was whooping me, something ran like &%$# from the living room, across my foot and outside.

It was a rabbit. I think. I am sure of it. It was fast! Scared me to death!

Now I am sitting here with door open. Waiting.

Are there any more?

Beam Me Up Scotty !

I got to go somewhere today, other than therapy or a Doctors visit. To a movie !!

Anyone care to guess what movie I saw?

If you said Star Trek you would be right.

I admit it. I am a "closet" Trekie. The original series ran from 1966 through 1969. Those were good years and I don't think there were many episodes I missed. For the time, it was science fiction at its best for some of us.

Casey also, for some reason, likes Star Trek. He has been telling me for months there would be a Star Trek movie coming out. He asked if I would like to go with him. I said sure, if for no other reason than to get out of the house. (Of course, I didn't say that last part.)

I talked to Colleen this morning and told her, it was THE day. I also told her I thought I would have a hard time watching it with all of my favorite characters being different people. I think my exact words were something like this. It had better have one @$#% of a good plot, because I didn't think I was going to like it!

We got off to a BAD start. I sat down and put my large diet Pepsi in the drink holder. Then Bob got ready to sit down. In the process, he turned to see where his seat was, but forgot to align his butt with it. His butt hit my drink, popped the plastic lid and shot ice cold Pepsi down my crotch. Cold. So was the look I shot him.

Right then I knew this was not going to be something I would enjoy. I knew "my" show was going to be ruined! Spoiled! After all, how can anything even come close to the original?

I loved it! Bob enjoyed it. Casey hated it.

I walked out of the theater 2 hours and 20 minutes later and couldn't believe what time it was.

They were all there. Kirk, Spock, Bones, Scotty, Ohura, Chekov and Sulu.

It was set back in time when they were REALLY young. Why their lives had brought them all together and how each eventually became the main characters in the series. It wasn't really that hard to imagine they were the original characters. For a Trekie, the humor thrown in was hilarious.

How long do I have to wait for the sequel?

Live long and prosper.

Bob's Diagnosis

Migraine.

Bob saw a vascular surgeon this morning who explained everything.

His symptoms had nothing to do with carotid arteries. Carotid arteries do not cause pain. They do not cause blurred vision. They do cause loss of sight (not permanent), usually in one eye, opposite the side of the blockage. They do cause other stroke symptoms.

He has a 75% blockage of an artery on one side of his neck. It is nothing to worry about now. He will just need to have a yearly checkup.

For now, not to worry.

The Nightmare Goes On

To make a long story short and because it would be too complicated to tell anyway, I will just say I saw my new doctor this morning. For the third time.

I had a cat scan Friday morning and got the results today. Surprise! It's not healed!

The REAL surprise. I am back in the boot. For six more weeks.

To add insult to injury, he yanked the toe nail off the big toe on my bad foot. Is there any other foot?

I had never had anything like this done before. I was VERY nervous all morning thinking about what was coming. I ALMOST had a panic attack by the time I sat down in his office.

Now I know why.

Never, EVER again will I let someone do that to me. Three shots. Each worse than the last. The former bunion site was saved for the end. That one almost put me through the ceiling.

We stopped for lunch on the way home. Not because I was hungry but because I had the bright idea to take one of my left over pain pills from the surgery, thinking it would kick in about the time the shots wore off.

Something made me sick. Real sick. I even woke Bob. Can't really believe it was that pill as I took it for a week after surgery and never had this kind of reaction to it. It was a miserable 24 hrs. following the office visit.

Six more weeks in a boot!

Dig Me A Hole !

I went to therapy Friday morning as usual. Bob drove me. I had a question for one of the three women who work behind the counter, so Bob went ahead to sit down

After I had finished, I walked over to sit by Bob. In the process of sitting, I reached down, put my hand on Bob's thigh and gave him a gentle squeeze. Something I have done a hundred times in 42 years.

THEN

From across the room, a familiar voice. "Hey!" "What"re you doing?"

I looked across the room, and there sits Bob.

THEN

Seconds of complete bewilderment pass. My hand leaves thigh fast! My hand hits me in chest hard! I am having trouble breathing! My mind isn't helping me one damn bit.

I wish those damn women behind the counter would quit laughing! I can't think!

I sneak a peek. Oh my God! No prayer answered here. There aren't two Bobs!

I manage to get across the room and into a chair by Bob without fainting.

Those laughing women are REALLY getting on my nerves!

I say, "What the hell are you doing over here?" "You ALWAYS sit over there!"

I can't understand a darn word he says!

Now, he, those darn women, AND the patient across the room are laughing. I don't see what is so damn funny.

All kinds of thoughts are racing through my mind. I can't come up with a way to get out of here! Bob seems perfectly fine and doesn't need an emergency procedure at the moment, so that is not an option! If I just had a hole!

STOP the laughter! I can't think!

At this point, unknown thigh is taken to the south wing of the building. I will be taken to the north wing very soon and I think I won't have to "face" unknown thigh again.

Not to be.

Unknown thigh returns almost immediately. I have no choice. I muster what little dignity I have left and look up. Unknown thigh is watching me.

I do the right thing. I apologise. I explain my "honest" mistake. Same build, same shoes, same jeans, same color hooded sweatshirt, both have gray facial hair and both wearing caps. (God DID help me here. Mouth didn't say they had the same thighs.)

Will those women NEVER stop?

Unknown thigh responds by hiking his pants, sticking out his chest and saying,"No problem. Made my day"!

I hope those damn women have wet pants all day!

Ignoring unknown thighs actions and remarks, I graciously thanked him for accepting my apology, as I hadn't yet figured out how I would explain to my grand children why Grandma is a registered sex offender.

THERE! I hope those women choke!

My name was called, and I made my exit.

The Sistine Chapel

I received this in an e-mail from Sherry today. It is just amazing.

You MUST look at it. Really, really look at it.

If you look closely at the bottom of the screen you will see 7 directional tabs.

First I went to full screen. Before you do this, remember, when you want to get out of full screen you will have to RIGHT click on it and go to exit full screen.

Then I started playing with it. I zoomed in so close I could actually see the cracks in the ceiling!

If you hold your cursor down on some of the arrows, it will take you on a panoramic tour. You can even feel like you are walking down the isle.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Shame on Me

Pre-conceived notions.

The setting is "Britain's Got Talent". It is a Simon Cowl production which , for those of you who know his formats, should give you a clue as to what the show is like.

The next contestant is Susan Boyle. A 47 year old, middle aged, unemployed "dowdy" looking woman.

Simon interviews her and she says her dream is to be a professional singer and aspires to be like Elaine Paige, a world renowned British singer.

You see the reaction of the audience, the reaction of the judges and, if you are honest, you totally agree. This is going to be awful.

Then she starts to sing.

SHAME on me.

Update on Update

Bob's doctor called today while we were out.

When Bob got to talk to his doctors nurse he found out he has an appointment on the 29th at the Nebr. Heart Hospital with a vascular surgeon.

He has stenosis. If you think I am going to explain it to you, you are so wrong. You have to get the technical details for yourself. This way I can't mis-quote anything.

I really dread walking into that place with him again.

Why do I feel another SIMPLE procedure in the near future?

Update

Bob saw his doctor this morning and gave her what information he could. She tried to get him in for a doppler today but couldn't. Her diagnosis, TIA with headache and blurred vision. He will have it done in the morning.

Donata wondered what kind of doctor Bob saw Saturday. Kellie and I were wondering that too and then we REALLY wondered what kind of ambulance service we have around here.

Bob's room was right across the hall from the nurses station and we could hear everything that was going on. Kellie had a clear view of them, but my vision was blocked by the curtain. We heard an ambulance crew on their way in. They had a woman experiencing arm and jaw pain. The nurse asked if this was a cardiac alert. The crew member said, loud and clear, "this is not a cardiac alert". Kellie said the nurses looked at each other and rolled their eyes. I am no longer sure what constitutes a heart problem in women if those signs aren't clear enough.

Jerry once said, if you have to go to the hospital, don't do it on a weekend. He said the only ones working then are those that don't want to be there. I SO believe he is right! (For once.)

More tomorrow.

HAPPY EASTER

A Trip To St. E'S

Saturday morning, sitting at the kitchen table in jammies, sipping coffee with hair going in all directions and Bob calmly tells me he has had blurred vision and a headache since last night.

I don't know if presentable even describes me but 15 minutes later we were out the door and headed for the emergency room.

As we walked in, me limping, the nurses hurried to get me a wheel chair. I said I wasn't the one needing a doctor. I needed to have my husband checked for a possible stroke. They left me standing and took Bob right away. After the paper work they took me back to him.

After bloods tests, a cat scan, an EKG, 2 tylenol and five hours, they let him go home. Diagnosis: Migraine. Neither Bob nor I agree with that.

I wasn't at all impressed with the doctor. By the time he finnally came in to see Bob, he wasn't even aware of how high Bob's blood pressure was when I brought him in. Didn't have the information where he could read it and as far as we know, never did go somewhere to check Bob's vitals.

We left feeling somewhat assured that he was ok, and promply went to Carlos O"kellys and had an outrageously unhealthy late lunch.

Later, feeling greatly releived and having had a good meal, I started in on Bob again. I told him in no uncertain terms was he to wait twelve hours and then off handedly tell me symtoms like that. These things I need to know ASAP! Leave the unimportant (diarrea kinda things) details for later. Not blurred vision with a headache! I threatened him with verbal AND physical abuse if he did it again ! Sorta felt like I was talking to one of my kids 35 years ago. I hope he listens better than they did.

It is 4 AM Easter Sunday morning and Bob seems ok. I know because I checked on him. He said he was fine and had been up twice to pee. Not the information I was after but his speech was good and he was laughing so I am not worried. It occured to me to check around the stool, but with guys that wouldn't neccessarily indicate a vision problem.

Bob's blood pressure cuff is on the kitchen table and he is checking it often. He is going to see his own doctor tomorrow and then I will feel better.

For now, don't worry. All seems well and any further symptoms will be handled immediately!

St. Patricks Day

This year was no different than any other. Bob seems to turn a little green around the gills in March for some reason.

Barb invited Bob and Ginny to dinner at Parthenon's on St. Patty's day. It is a Greek restaurant of all things. They had bagpipes, Irish dancers and music. Their table wasn't in the room where everything was going on, so when they wanted to watch they would just go to the doorway. Other than the noise, they had a good time. The food was good too.

I stayed home. I really didn't want to take my bare foot out into that crowd.

Spring Has Sprung