The End and the Beginning

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne? Auld Lang Syne is the song traditionally sung at the stroke of midnight to celebrate the start of the New Year. Ten years ago, we anticipated the beginning of the new millennium. Everyone worried that computers would crash, power systems would shut down, and other disasters comparable to the end of the world would occur, but nothing significant happened. Now, each New Year is about the same as the last except Dick Clark gets another year older. If anyone would have told me when I was in high school and college that I would be content to stay home on New Year’s Eve, I never would have believed it. In my younger years, the Prairie du Rocher American Legion was the place to be on New Year’s Eve. During my teaching years, it was the Elks in either Carbondale or DuQuoin. Time changes everything. Henri and I will celebrate New Year’s Eve at home as we do each year. We complement each other – Henri can’t stay awake until midnight, and I can’t sleep before midnight. It’s just another night to party hearty. Happy New Year 2010 from Henri and Ginger!

Another 37th Birthday

David, Missy, and Kip all celebrate 37th birthdays this year, and today is Kip’s day. Kip lives with his wife, Angie, and two daughters, Emma and Savanah, in their new home in Edwardsville. He is a Madison County Deputy Sheriff whose assignment is School Resource Officer at Triad High School in Troy (IL). Because of the hazardous nature of this job, Kip is always armed with the necessary protective gear while on duty. He fearlessly defends the safety and honor of students and personnel. The one drawback of this position is that he doesn’t have as much time to stop at the local QT for free coffee and donuts as the other deputies. During lunch and breaks, however, snacks in the teachers’ lounge compensate. Kip has always liked sports and a school environment, but he has undergone some “expansion” (see picture) since his graduation from Marion High School in 1991. Walt’s pizza and cheese balls may be partly responsible for this. Where have the years gone? Happy 37th Birthday, Kip! Love from Henri and Ginger.

I Love a Bargain

I’ve discovered the perfect way to spend Wal-Mart gift cards for something useful. I love a bargain, and I can’t think of anything I have for which I paid full price. I don’t classify myself in the category of the People of Wal-Mart, but I do like “falling prices.” A couple months ago, Wal-Mart started selling caskets on-line. Costs, which start at $895.00 (see picture, regular price $999.00), can be paid over twelve months with no interest charges. There are some stipulations, however, regarding shipment and return. The casket will be shipped via freight, usually FedEx, and delivered curbside. Someone must be home to accept delivery. Wal-Mart recommends the recipient enlist help to move the casket into the garage or house. It is advisable to check all specifications before ordering because Wal-Mart only allows returns due to damage from shipping. Caskets cannot be returned to a Wal-Mart store, and there are no refunds. We are familiar with preplanned funerals to avoid inflationary prices. Ordering a casket from Wal-Mart and keeping it at home is more practical. The person could decorate it to his/her personal taste. Until it was needed for its real purpose, the casket would be ideal for extra storage space. It might even be the perfect place to store the artificial Christmas tree. Plan ahead. Purchase ahead. According to the Boy Scouts, we need to “Be Prepared.”

KKK Leave Marion, Trail Blazer Arrives

The three K’s – Kristi, Kale, and Kace – who have been here since Sunday left about 12:15 p.m. today. The vehicle was packed with Christmas presents and everything they brought with them. Kale and Kace should take their afternoon naps on the two hour trip back to their house. Life in the fast lane with two little boys caught up with Henri. He fell asleep in his recliner at 7:00 last night and awakened at 9:15 this morning – 14 hours later! David and Jon arrived about 12:45 p.m. to go to the Chevrolet dealership to meet the tow trailer with the Trail Blazer. After talking to a Mattoon body shop person who said the vehicle could be repaired, Jon decided to have it towed to Marion. I wanted to go with them to take pictures, but Jon said he would do that. I went anyway, but honored Jon’s request not to talk to Bill, the tow truck driver, or anyone else. The boys usually prefer that Ginger not get involved. They called later when they locked themselves out of Henri’s truck and didn’t have an extra set of keys. It was all right that I got involved to bring the keys! The verdict is in. The Trail Blazer is going to stay at the Chevy dealer. The body shop people say it is not totaled, but the insurance adjuster still has to look at it. Jon will rent a car, go back to Rochester on Thursday, and then we’ll figure out how to get the Trail Blazer to Minnesota after it is fixed. All in a day’s work!

Boys, Shots, and Tires

I was awakened this morning by the pitter patter of two year old feet, feet belonging to Kale. Kristi was correct. These boys are on Henri’s wake up schedule, not Ginger’s. On a typical Monday morning, I would be awake by 9:00 a.m. It was 7:00 a.m. today. I guess when we get older we forget the life we lived when our children were young. Henri and I are definitely too old to resume that lifestyle on a daily basis. Henri is busy preparing Kristi’s favorite meal tonight: pepper steak and fried rice. Kristi, Kale, and I got the H1N1 vaccine at the health department this morning. I’m supposed to be too old for the H1N1 flu, but as long as the vaccine is available I’m getting it as a precaution. Actually, the vaccine is free, and I can’t pass up a bargain. Jon is busy with telephone calls to the insurance company. He decided to have the car towed to Marion tomorrow. In the meantime, he and David are going to Jackson (MO) today to pick up a tire/rim. They plan to put that tire/rim and the spare tire on the car tomorrow. If the vehicle can be driven, Jon will take it to Rochester (MN) later this week to be repaired. If this doesn’t work, he will have it fixed here. We’ll just have to wait to see what tomorrow brings. I think it’s time for some good news around here.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Over the river, and through the wood, To Henri and Ginger’s house we go…. Today, we celebrated our family Christmas – 11 adults and 8 children. Our house is large, but there is no way we could maximize it for any length of time to accommodate a group that size. Jonathan arrived Friday evening after he and the Trail Blazer had an encounter with a guard rail on an icy overpass at the Mattoon (IL) interstate exit. The vehicle is in Mattoon at the tow shop, and after my 280 mile round trip to pick him up he is home unhurt. All arrived safely for the celebration today. After a lunch of shrimp, cheese balls, and Walt’s pizza (and a little wine and beer), the grandchildren enjoyed opening their gifts. The kids got us a gift – a snow blade for the Deere. Henri is now looking forward to a BIG snow to try it out. Even though most went back to their homes later, we still have company. Jon is here (Remember, he has no vehicle.), and Kristi, Kale, and Kace are spending a few days with us. I have a feeling the little boys are going to disrupt Ginger’s usual time to arise in the morning. We love to have the kids and grandkids visit. The lyrics of a Christmas song say it well: Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays…, or any other time

Thoughts on the Day after Christmas

Yesterday, the news reported a suspected terrorist on an airplane that landed in Detroit. We are involved in wars in remote parts of the world. Unemployment is skyrocketing, and our politicians could be characters in Dumb and Dumber. In the total scope of the world’s serious problems, I find it interesting that many people are more concerned about what is the proper greeting to use to extend good wishes at this time of year. I’m a traditionalist. I don’t understand the current popularity of Happy Holidays and Season’s Greetings. Happy Holidays could refer to any holiday: Valentine’s Day, Casimir Pulaski’s Birthday, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc. Season’s Greetings would be appropriate for the start of a football, basketball, or baseball season or even the summer/winter solstice. These generic sayings probably originated to avoid offending anyone who did not celebrate Christmas. If I had Jewish, Muslim, or African American friends, I would have no problem wishing them Happy Hanukkah, Happy Ramadan, or Happy Kwanzaa, and they could respond by wishing me Merry Christmas. I would even wish Happy Festivus (for the rest of us) to those who observe that December 23rd holiday. I suppose I am not politically correct, but I feel this entire “holiday” issue has turned into true nonsense.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Henri and I thought we would be celebrating Christmas alone, but Drue stayed overnight and is with us today. After a struggle to get her to sleep last night, she finally dozed off with visions of sugar plums dancing in her head. It’s been a long time since either of us shared Christmas morning with someone so young. We were going to let her open her gift from Grandpa and Grandma, but she was content with the plastic dishes. Missy worked the late shift last night, and David is working a double shift today. Someone has to take care of the “boys behind the bars” on Christmas. Our governor can’t let them all out! Lance called last night from the Philippines, and Jonathan is on his way home. Shelly, Kip, and Kristi are celebrating in their homes today. We will have our family Christmas gathering on Sunday, and everyone (except Lance) will be here for Walt’s pizza and the grandchildren’s gift exchange. Christmas is December 25, but Christmas can also be any day we are together. Merry Christmas!

To Wrap or Not To Wrap

I wonder who originated the idea of wrapping Christmas gifts. I look upon wrapping as a labor of love, a necessary evil: mitred corners on boxes - Yes, ribbons and bows - No! When all else fails, gift bags are the answer. Some people package their gifts beautifully, but that is not my talent. If we had lived a century ago and received oranges and apples as gifts, no wrapping would be necessary. Now, the quantity of gifts gets greater each year, and there is more wrapping to do. When the kids were younger, we had countless presents to wrap (Click on picture. Have we changed in ten years???). Henri always helped, and once we even put Kristi on the wrapping payroll. One year, I had to visit my friendly chiropractor after wrapping gifts for hours while bending over the kitchen table. Our children are older now and appreciate green gifts – cash – which is very convenient. The grandchildren will have green gifts but also wrapped surprises. After all, Christmas is for everyone, especially the children.

Give Me a Break!

Yesterday, an Associated Press news release from Chicago stated that health officials (unnamed) say it is time to change the snack left for Santa on Christmas Eve. Instead of the traditional milk and cookies, the preferred treat now is nuts and berries. Apparently, health officials feel that Santa’s portly image could possibly influence and potentially accelerate the rampant trend toward obesity in society. I seriously doubt that anyone today is getting fat because of Santa’s image. Do we believe that people consciously think of Santa all year each time they eat? Ridiculous! How “jolly” would Jolly Old St. Nicholas be if he were anorexic? What about his “…little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!”? Let’s keep Santa the way he is. Some things are better left alone. On second thought, maybe Henri and I will leave some tofu and hummus for Santa this year.

Waitin'

Henri bought a finch feeder several days ago, and we now have it filled with thistle seed and hanging in the back yard. The only problem is no finches have yet discovered it. This situation reminds me of a similar one many years ago when I was teaching at DuQuoin (IL) High School. At all football and basketball events, before the teams came out the fans would cheer, “Waitin’, Waitin’, Waitin’ for the Indians.” Now, almost forty years later Henri and I are
"Waitin', Waitin’, Waitin’, for the Finches.” It seems like we're always “Waitin’” for something.

And Another Birthday

In a kingdom by the sea in a land far away, Lance, the youngest of our sons, is celebrating his 33rd birthday today. Last week, Lance flew from St. Louis to Manila (with a lengthy stopover in Minneapolis) to begin a two-week vacation in the Philippines visiting one of his high school friends who teaches there. Lance is especially looking forward to the time they will spend vacationing on the beaches of Palawan Island. When not traveling around the world, Lance works as a scientist for Pfizer in St. Louis. We should have known years ago when Lance slammed the ketchup bottle on the table and the kitchen ceiling was covered in ketchup that Lance would eventually become a scientist (click on cartoon to enlarge). Lance is very professional and serious about his work, but he always enjoys a good time with his friends. He is well-known as a trendsetter in the St. Louis fashion scene. Enjoy your birthday half a world away, Lance. Love from Henri and Ginger.

Baby's Birthday

Another family birthday - Today is the 56th birthday of my sister-in-law, Gloria. Gloria is not really a baby, but she is the baby of a family of seven. Gloria, the mother of two sons and a daughter, is especially thrilled when she gets to spend time with her two grandsons and two granddaughters. Several years ago, Gloria changed careers and started driving a school bus for the Beecher School District. In her younger days, Gloria was a Beecher Bobcat; now, she drives the Beecher Bobcats to their sports events. Gloria has the same taste for trendy fashions (see picture)as Missy whose birthday was yesterday. It's always a fun time and a lot of laughs when we all get together. Happy Birthday, Gloria, and best wishes for many more wonderful birthdays in the coming years. Love from Henri and Ginger.