A NOTE FROM MOM

My life seems so boring so I choose not to write things like "How are you, I am fine" but I sure do enjoy reading all the notes and comments. i learn about snot, fairy dust, knee surgery, onery grandsons, employment, unemployment, future polititicians and all sorts of mayhem. Just so this isn't to dull let me tell you ...when I was a child our relatives played a big part in our lives. We did not have the internet or blogs but they are very wonderful when you don't live next door to each other. That is why this is so nice, because it is sharing everyday things with family and it draws you much closer. One very small memory - before my dad died i remember we went out to Aunt Lucille and Uncle Freddies after dad finished working. Theirkids were already in bed and looking back I don't know how pleased they were to see us that late. Anyway, I don't know what all the big folks sat around and talked about but we kids ate about 2 loaves of homemade bread with homemade butter and homemade peach preserves. It was great. As you can see, it may be classified as boring today but then we were just a family enjoying each other. So, even if it is a blog, or when we get together, enjoy because it is the family God gave you. And that includes the Lanning, Riggenbaughs, Hennighs and Dunlaveys. love to you all.

ouch

According to the Operative Report we received today, interpreted by the PT, Kevin's surgeon probably gave him another 10 years without a total knee replacement. The list of all the things he scraped and shaved and cauterized and moved and readjusted is pretty long. Poor guy. He will be out of work no less than 4 weeks they are saying now. Thank God for sick leave! In the meantime, I have to take 8 college students out of town, leaving on Wed and returning on Sat. So, Kev and his knee and the boys are going to learn to live together. He's hobbling around pretty good, and we have lots of friends to help.

If you think about it, pray for Kenny, one of my students. The kid had the most horrible childhood and is a vile atheist. I mean, a very profane, angry atheist. We are engaging in some e-mail chats about peace. I'm trying to move very, very slowly with him. He trusts no one and is truly one of the neediest people I know. Besides, he is going blind and can't afford the corneal implant he so desperately needs. He's very thin, wears big clothes to hide his body and dreads that he uses to cover his face. He is truly one of "the least of these." Lift him up, will you?

Thoughts on grandparenting....

Hey all! Yes to your comment about being a grandma Figlet. I have much glee and joy inside when I consider my grandaughter. I envision her with curls like her mother and big bright curious eyes like all our babies used to have when all is new and wonderful. I want to send her to private school, pay for ice skating lessons and spend evenings reading books and sipping hot chocolate out of the disney princess cups I bought last week. One of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Snow White. Which I actually have on my desk at work. *insert wide toothy grin here* I already rock her and sing bible school songs to her in my head. Its weird, I dont feel old enough to be a grandmother and yet I am. However, THIS grandma is keeping her long blond hair and will wear triple hoops until the day I kick off.
Toot, I work 8 - 4:30, but for the chance of paying less in parking fees I would be glad to wait around and go for my walk after work while you finish up. We can split the darn fees. They suck majorly! So lets get together! Call me

Hail to the chief

Well, it seems the good citizens got it right for a change. Just when I had lost all hope and thought - oh my, another term of the same old same old - the Kritters and Kids 4-H club elected Riley club president. It was campaign strategy that won it for the boy in the end. Here are the exciting details. The club (all 30 or so) are 80% female and largely preteen or younger. So what chance does a boy have? Here was the plan. Divide the girls. We knew Riley would win the boy vote. So now he just needs 10 of the 24 girls. Hmmm. The young girls would never vote boy - they are gross. Turns out the girls are evenly split between tween and pre-teen. So, we have Emily run to split the pre-teen vote between two girls and then have Riley campaign directly to the tweeners. He candied them and gave a stirring speech (had some help writting it - I'm blushing) espousing their value. In the end he wins their support and gets a one vote victory. We played those little chicks like Rove with a South Carolina push poll. It was sweet victory. Emily was awarded for her loyalty with club photographer. I am now controling the club from the shadows like Cheney. I would write more but I am off to hunt quail (or am I?) with a friend.

Just an update

Hello to all that are tall and all that are small
Things are ok, I got to see the baby kick the ultrasound thingie off of Vanessa's belly yesterday. Shes already full of attitude apparently. Invitations are coming, but her shower is Saturday February 21 at 4 pm. I wish you all could come... Tom can you tell Edie and Emily? I already emailed Marti and Tate. I got the baby an adorable Princess sleeper with princess slippers and a princess hat. Different shades of pink with a crown on each shoe, hat and an emblem on the sleeper. ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oK, GOTTA GO! Love you guys!

The way forward

http://my.barackobama.com/future In this link you will find a short message from Barack about how ordinary americans can help move the country forward. While I think I might be the only one in the family who supported BO I know I am not the only one who wants to fix this terrible mess. Perhaps if all of us work to make it better instead of watching the guy in the white house try to figure it out, things can be better. So, please do hit the link and judge as you will.

Kevin's surgery

Kev is sound asleep, in our bed, with his knee above his heart and his toes above his knee. We got to the hospital by 6:00 and were leaving at 11:00. Not bad, there. Doc said that while his cartilege (spell check) rip was not all that bad, his knee cap was a disaster. So, while he feels worse now, he should be better in a few weeks. He will be off work no less than 2 weeks, no more than 4. Not an easy task for my guy that hates to sit around. Send him all your darning.

Liposuction anyone?

By the way young Tootlesberry...if you and Smurf are seriously trying to be unchubbyier then I challenge you both to a duel. I feel decidedly large, and must remedy this feeling post haste. Whats the time frame for the biggest loser to declare victory? If I win you two have to take me to Hawaii and then publicly dance in your plus sized hula skirts. I have to stay in good health for my grand baby. If Im not around to whisk her away to Oz, or Never Never Land, then who will?

Dream a little dream............

Im planning Vanessa's baby shower. Although my creative juices go wild at the thought of how best to present said shower, limited time and funds stop me dead in my tracks. I want fairies darting around sprinkling people with fairy dust so we could all fly hand in hand to never never land and party on the pirate ship! I want to have a swashbuckling contest and hand out pirate wigs or eye patches for all attending. The password to get in would be, arg me bucko, and no peg legs allowed!!!Oh boo hiss the limitations on this human body! Sigh.......... I cant wait to get my angel wings and a cloud. I want a turbo charged XLZ super fluffy cumulus with and extra white exterior.

How is Kevin?

How did Kevin make out today?

test of video upload - something the kids did i think

Riiiiiip

Kevin is scheduled for knee surgery one week from today. Ripped cartilege in his right knee. He is trying to pass it off as a sports injury, you know, so he sounds tough like Joseph Shultz.

Toot is employed

Hi group - I got rehired by Chase today and will start January 21. I will be working in Akron with only minimal travel. Can't state the actual role as they are going to be making a formal announcement and are horrified of leaks. The job will be great - swell salary and bennies. Most importantly, home every night. Funny, I had applied for an entirely different job and after a few discussions, they decided to create this bigger role for me. Seems they hadn't considered it as an option but my history put the thought in their heads and it worked out well for them and me. Hooray!

Tim and Tom, (and Beth, since you were right in the thick of it),

When you were boys, about age 9, were you constantly poking, wrestling, chasing, aggravating and generally making mayhem? Please tell me you were and that this is just normal boyhood. W and A are about to put Kevin in his grave with all the noise.

2009 is over-rated so far

We are all as sick as dogs. Christina and I went to the doc today, Melanie ,as is her wont? - want? - wont?, refuses to go, so she lays prostrate on the couch hacking up goobers the size of Toms head. I have a headache from the lunatic coughing fits, all of my Christmas chocolate covered cherries are gone, my left shoulder blade is out so I resemble Rodan from the rear, I have to speak at a Korean church on Sunday and I can barely breathe, my Boston CD is scratched, and the Cultural Revolution starts on January 20th. On a lighter note, my new bathtub pillow and rich, luxurious bubble bath makes me feel pretty.

Carousel

Today they announced the closing of the Carousel effective tonight. When I think of all the dear friends I left behind who are losing their financial support and health benefits I cant help but cry. Many of them will face possible foreclosure of their homes, and my friend Sue who is 60 and has several significant health issues ...well, I dont know what will become of her. Please pray for my friends.