Leslie Midkiff's Wedding

Hey. The wedding was tonight. It was a nice outdoor wedding. We ate at the Legion in Anoka. It was fun. Pretty sure mom had THREE drinks... she was goofy. She also had some Patron. Mind you, she did not know what Patron was!




Mom drinking Patron... Look at Angie, Terri and Cydnee look at her and laugh!


Mom and I


Patrick and I



*Brandi*

Neil

isn't niel diamond that guy who grew up in brooklyn, did a duet with barbra streisand, toured with dick clark AND crafted a three chord opera?


zachary broder johnston

WA Johnston's to Visit MN in June..(to meet Deb's date)

We're coming to Mn. from June 17th-25th, and we hope to see a lot of you, at least for a day. The itinerary is: June 17-18 in Milaca with Grandma LaLonde. June 19-20 in BigLake with Grandma and Grandpa Davis. June 21-22 in Anoka with Grandpa and Grandma Johnston. June 23-24 in St Paul with Aunts, Uncles and Cousins from Tia's side. We leave on the 25th from Tia's Aunt's home near the airport.

If Joey's cousins have something going on, he would love to see a game or whatever. We want to walk by the Anoka dam, and have pizza at Dels. Otherwise we have no plans other than to relax and visit. I know the Summerfest is on the 21st, in Anoka, so we'll probably stop by there.

Hobbit Travel, in St. Paul, has "Fire Sales" on Wednesday's. They are not on the webpage or advertised...you have to call them (612) 338-8880 . They always have cheap tickets to Seattle if you're willing to travel on certain days. We found tickets for around $230 apiece. Please come to see us...it is so beautiful here in the summer!!

See you soon,
Ron

*Deb might start dating

I bet that title caught Jeanie and Jodi's eyes!

Its been forever since I have dated and I think it may happen. A man, who shall remain nameless right now ...I wasn't sure at first if he was interested and I never said anything to him. (maybe he read my mind) But, after the tornado here in Coon Rapids I sent a few pix to some friends etc. He emailed back and said he wondered if I had any damage and he was going to call me but couldn't find my number in the phone book. He then asked for my number and gave me his. The storm by then was 2 days past and he already knew I didn't have damage but still asked for my number. The girls I work with at school were so excited that they were high-fiving each other lol. Anyhow..he called me last night. We talked for 2 hours and learned more about each other. What is so cool about this is...I am interested in him and have been for several months, he wondered about me during the tornado and I had also wondered about him...his city was on the weather news that day coz they got some golf ball sized hail.
I had been debating on how to approach him about doing something together and when to do it.
Dating at my age seems scarier than it did when I was younger. I'm not sure why. Maybe its because I never made the right choices in men and have been afraid to trust myself. I guess I wait and see what happens next...I'll keep you posted!!

More Movies

Boondock Saints, Smoking Ace's, Iron Man, Proof,..

Dave

Music

I guess you could say that music plays a pretty major role in my life. It's one thing that is consistent and pretty much never changing in an ever changing world. My band director always says that the best musician is the world's best thief, and it's completely true. One musician simple builds off the experience of others. But any, back to what i originally had in mind; the ministry of music. Music is a major part of American culture these days. From iTunes, Zune, cr8tiv, to mass concerts like Warped Tour, music is seen and experienced every day by everyone. It is almost a fact of life. By diversifying christian music styles, it becomes easier to reach into every aspect of every different style of person. Not matter what the person likes from jazz, to classic, rock of all types, or even blue grass, music is a universal language everyone can identify with.

The Storm that hit Coon Rapids

Yesterday... 5/25/08 a storm hit Coon Rapids. I guess there was a tornado touhdown super close to my boyfriend's place.. here are some pics. I have tons more, but I did not want to post a bunch of them. I am sure you got the idea.



The red car was under that tree that is is next to. They drove it out when we walked by.

Babysitting

I just wanted to share the most recent picture of Jayden and I. She is soo cute. I spent all day yesterday (Friday) babysitting Jayden and her cousin Hunter (Shelly's boy, Danielle's sister).

Brandi


Brandi and Jayden


Brandi, Jayden and Hunter

Grandparents

I was thinking of our Grandparents the other day.
I remember Grandpa Johnston sitting in his chair, puffing on his pipe, creating that huge plume of smoke around his head. He always had this slight smile on his face, kinda like he was happy just sitting in the middle of his family and watching us kids run around.
Grandma J. was always moving or talking or getting something. She always had a word for us, know what I mean? She would say something about our life or family, kinda for you to grab and hold onto. I remember when we were on our way to Florida and Kris told her that we were headed to a huge sandbar with no good dirt. A few months later we received a jar of dirt from Grandma's garden. Kris laughed and promptly poured it into our garden.
Grandpa Waight was always so quiet. He would say hi to Dad and Dad would always call him Jack. I always thought that was odd, cuz his name was Grandpa. I remember the stories about Grandpa that mom would tell.
I don't know about you, but Grandma Waight struck the fear of God into me till I was about 13. when I figured out that she wasn't going to kill me, I really got to know her and laughed a lot with her. I also got to see just how close she and mom were. I really enjoyed my teen years getting to know her. She died too early.
I know that Ron and Deb got to know Grandma J. real well. I think that Rich and Grandma W. had a special connection. Any one else have that moment with a Grandparent?
I also think about out parents as Grandparents. They are so different than than what their parents were.
This is not a critique, just an observation of different generations. Our parents seem closer to their grand kids. Maybe they have more time and fewer grand kids? Maybe the generations change the way they relate? I don't know, but I do know I like the way my kids grandparents interact with them. I like the way my kid's talk about their grandparents a lot. They ask where Mom and Don are this year. they talk about visiting Mom and Don in MN. They see Dad and Myrna twice a year. They just really enjoy those old people. I am guessing it is because those old people have impressed them in good ways. They have shown my kids love.
What are we going to be like? (Not that I am eager to find out) I see Deb with her Grand kids and they seem very close. By the way, the fastest growing population in America is Grandparents raising grand kids. It is starting to overwhelm the social services.
I just wonder...
Dave

*The Old Phone On The Wall

I just had to share this!

When I was quite young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it. Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time. My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy. I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. "Information, please" I said into the mouthpiece just above my head. A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear. "Information." "I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience. "Isn't your mother home?" came the question. "Nobody's home but me," I blubbered. "Are you bleeding?" the voice asked. "No," I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts." "Can you open the icebox?" she asked. I said I could. "Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice. After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts. Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?" She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Wayne always remember that there are other worlds to sing in." Somehow I felt better. Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please." "Information," said in the now familiar voice. "How do I spell fix?" I asked. All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much. "Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me. Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy. A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information Please." Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well. "Information." I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying, "Could you please tell me how to spell fix?" There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now." I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?" I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me. I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls." I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister. "Please do", she said. "Just ask for Sally." Three months later I was back in Seattle. A different voice answered, "Information." I asked for Sally. "Are you a friend?" she said. "Yes, a very old friend," I answered. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this," she said. "Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago." Before I could hang up she said, "Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne?" "Yes." I answered. "Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. Let me read it to you." The note said, "Tell him there are other worlds to sing in. He'll know what I mean." I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant. Never underestimate the impression you may make on others. Whose life have you touched today? Lifting you on eagle's wings. May you find the joy and peace you long for. Life is a journey ... NOT a guided tour.

Deb

Must See Movies

Simon Birch
St. Ralph

Any one else have a must see?

Dave

My Newest Project

The box failed when it came to the hinges. It's really nice for a test run though. My next adventure is a series of photographs capturing the high speed life of today with blurs and streaming lights and well, speed. I still need one of those pengellums with the five silver balls that hang and swing and hit each other all cool like. I have a metrenome from the sixties, a classic. The kind that use a simple Da Vinci wieght to move back and forth. A test victim for a street shot would be nice. A night shot probaly. I'm slowing down the shutter speed and moving the hands on a clock so they blur out all cool. I had a list of all of this fine stuff but i lost it. Another was a basketball going through a whoop. But I'll post it all when its done. It's gonna be epic.

Yout know how i know there is a God?

Becuase i keep better tempo if i pray.


We are a generation with one vioce.


Zachary Broder Johnston

Classic Cars

Just so Jamie knows, I own a classic also. It is an '88 and 1/3 Ford Ranger with Topper. Just check it out...

SWEET LINES!

TUFF!!

Custom Upholstery

Who doesn't love Spam, Spam and Spam?

Complete with Sammy Sosa trophy!!

(If you get the joke please share it)

Where to find cheap gas in your area

So, I watch the mornig show and this morning they gave a website where you can find the cheapest gas in your area alls you have to do is put in your zip code.

www.gasbuddy.com

I went on it this morning :-D

Brandi

Relationships and cars

Hey fam,
I just got back from a men's retreat with my church. We spent the weekend in Keystone, Rich may have been there. The speaker talked about relationships and how the world runs on them. He said that he always asks new acquaintances, "Where were you born and how were you raised" He said that it really opens the door to know people and build into their lives.
I pretty much know where all of you were born and how you were raised except Ann, Tia and Bruno. I know quite a bit about Sandy from Jim, and Jamie has told me much about his life. So if you ladies and Bruno read this, "Where were you born and how were you raised?"

The question I have for everyone who reads this is, "What was your first car?"
If I remember, Deb had an ugly Maverick, Rich had a Tempo, Ron had a sporty little car that he and I looked at, can't remember the name of it, Jean had some nasty little truck, that all I remember.
Mine first real car was a 1976 Volkswagen Transport Bus. It was orange, had a stove, bed, pop-up top, fridge and lots of room. I owned it at Ft. Knox and even drove it home one Christmas, some of you remember. Deb even called AAA to pull me out of the ditch. I loved that van. I called it the "enterprise" and even stuck glow sticks in the dash board and called them dilithuim crystals. I hauled tons of Friends, partied in it, slept in it and sadly blew the engine in Peoria IL. I sold it for twenty bucks and still owed $300.00 on it. Did i say I loved that van?

Stress part 2

So the whole new thing I did to let my stress go seems to be working, but it still sometimes rears its ugly head. The thing is I would rather deal and help people with there own before mine, I like to help people and listen, I don't quite know yet if its because I want to ignore mine or that they are hurting more. or it could be that I am stubborn beyond belief and that I don't want to hurt, maybe I am an empath. I was talking to Jamie last week about something or another and as I was giving my advice I just sat there and went wow I should practice what I preach and he said yeah ya think? So dealing with my own stress first but still taking into account that others may need me is a very fine line to walk on. I feel if I take care of myself first that I am ignoring others, Where did that come from?
Jamie is one of the main foundations for me on learning and helping me understand and grow, without his support,loyalty,love and compassion,
I may have never known who I really am. I am pretty much at ease now with Tyler leaving, knowing it is something I cannot control or change and also it is something he desires to do, still a little sad though which leads me back to the change thing. embrace it, live it, it is the way it was meant to happen. There is one part of my life that I am still trying to get and that is about my boss and work. I work at a small insurance agency myself, him, John who is in on Tuesdays to scan the mail and Eileen on Fridays to import documents from websites. I work Monday-Thurs. and pretty much do everything. Tom is rarely there, he does work out of house, I really don't know how much and he also has another business. I am taken advantage of and that is not my imagination, I mean what if I get amnesia there is no one there to back me up to do what I do, I also would love to take a 5 day vacation but I know that I would come back to really none of my work being done because oh my it was busy and the phones wouldn't stop ringing. so what is the point? whenever Tom takes vacation ( like to Spain etc...)for like two weeks I am there doing his work and what do I get? nadda!! I don't think Tom realizes and he has been told, that I don't do nothing any different from him when he is at home, I still do quotes, changes, phones, etc etc. he is just not there to see it. I have been thinking about changing jobs but there is no way that I can make the money I am now, so I am kinda stuck in a rock and a hard place. I like Tom he is a great guy but when it comes to work it's like a circus is in town. He doesn't mind that I take a day off here or there or If I call in sick which happens about three times a year, but when that happens I still have no backup and come back to work with pretty much everything to do.
That is probably my main stress which just stresses me out about everything else. k bye now
Jodi

Ty Prom

Hi !! It's been a while.....

Hey, it's me Jeanie. It's been a while since I've been around. Thought I would update you all on my life. It's pretty darn good, to say the least. Anyway, Brent is with us this weekend, but he acutally got to come over tonight and gets to skip school tomorrow. His Special Ed class went to the Twins Game today, and they an extra ticket so he was able to ask Bruno to go, and of course he jumped all over that!! They mailed the ticket to our house so Bruno just met them there. Our best friend Keith, (Bruno's Best Man) works for Wells Fargo and they had some type of booth or something there, so they were able to hook up and see him and watch the game with him. They had a ball. All of you who know Brent well, know he is NOT a sport kid, total theater and singing, etc. Well, he is used to Softball, which is only 7 innings- not baseball with 9 innings. Well wouldn't ya know it, the game went 11 innings!!! AND WE LOST!!!! So, anyway, during the times where he thought he was going to be on TV, I guess he was dancing.. like his dad. Joda and Deb, and Rich, you have seen him dance. Ummmm wow, no "Circle me Bert" there. But I guess it was hilarious, he even did the moon dance. Bruno said the whole section was just rolling. That's our Brent.
Then, just about an hour ago, I walk out to the livingroom where him and Bruno are watching the original Freaky Friday. There is some kid on there with long hair and guess what I hear Brent say?
" If I was a girl, I would date him". This is not the first time I have heard him say something like that.. we just look at each other and crack up quietly. Tonight we went to Buffalo Wild Wings, (with our friends Keith, Tina and their daughter Angela. Brent was up talking to the waitresses at the register, soon enough there were 6 of them there!!!! And he was HAMMING it up. We hope he likes girls.

Ok, so this is getting long, and it's all about Brent, and ya know what? I'm glad. Going 2 weeks without seeing him is tough, really. Especially on him. Most of you know that he lived right down the road from us, you could walk out on our driveway, look to your left and see the deck to his apartment. I was in there several times, you can see our house "good". He even called a few times when he saw his dad get home and asked to talk to him, but Bruno wasn't even out of the truck yet. And one time he saw his cousin Anna "borrowing" his sweatshirt and he called and said "don't let her take that". I told him to shut his shades. hee hee hee
He told us that when he goes to school on the Mondays after he leaves our house, he usually cries and has to go talk to his Special Ed teacher.
That breaks our hearts. That is why I have come to appreciate -much more -our time together. We have family meals, games, movies and just plain old fun. (yes, we even sleep in the camper!!) We're used to being within 5 minutes of him, now its 75 minutes.

Thanks to Deb, Jim, Rich and Joda for being so good to him; Dave and Ron, I am not leaving you out, these guys see him quite a bit and-- well you know what I mean. It sometimes seems you are more patient and understanding of him than I am. But I am learning. And I am appreciating.
And he loves me to death.

*Hey...Uncles...eat your hearts out!

daj

Bored

Jamie is out of town and I am bored. So who remembers these shows?

I will give a dollar to the person who answers first.
Jodi

Gage's Track and Field

Today Gage and the other kindergardners had a track and field day. Danielle and Keith were unable to go due to work, so me, being the nice aunt that I am, I went and took a few pcitures. I will put them on photobucket when I have more time. But there are a few below.

*Brandi*

Jayden's New Bike

On Sunday, Keith got Jayden her own little bike. It is a Dora bike. It has turn signals and what not. Its cute!

I think it is time....

I think it is time that Uncle Dave and his family and Uncle Ron and his family come and visit. The last time I saw Uncle Ron and Uncle Dave was as great grandma's funeral, and it was a short time! I also haven't seen my cousins in ages, I believe it has been seven years.


:-)

Brandi

Carry me Down

So i posted these lyrics by Demon Hunter becuase i like them pretty good. The leader singer, Ryan Clark, wrote this song to his family becuase he wanted to portray what he wanted his funeral to be like. Kind of wierd but still cool.

If you see me losing ground
Don't be afraid to lie
I know the pain inside my heart
Can't break the fear inside of yours
And if you see me losing faith in what it means to die
Don't let me leave before
I know what lies beyond the stained-glass doors

Save sorrow for the souls in doubt
Bleed every care out
Will you carry me down the aisle that final day,
with your tears and bones shaking from the weight?
When you lower me down beneath that sky of grey,
let the rain fall down and wash away your pain.

For every word we never spoke,
We have a tear to cry
For every silence's like a wall
between a better you and I.

So if you see me losing sight of
all the death and life
Find the peace in every time I fail
to see the death in mine
Let all the fear inside you drown
Tear out the blade that let you down
Save sorrow for the souls in doubt

Bleed every care out
All the blood is rushing outI
'm better off without
The walls are closing inSing for me again

Zachary Broder Johnston

Land of Giant Children

Full grown adult woman dwarfed by these two tots. Grandma Kathy, Ty and Michael.

Photos for our bucket

Hey, i uploaded a few of my photos and a few pics of us kids into the photobucket.

Zachay Broder johnston

"I hate, hate, hate Peter Pan"

Famous words from Cpt. Hook. This reminds me of the movie Hook. There is the scene where Robins Williams' wife tosses his phone out the window and gives him the speech about his son Jack. She says that Jack adores him and wants to be with him and that one day not too distant in the future Jack won't even want to be around his dad. Jack will be embarrassed to bee seen with him. Williams' wife goes on to say that dad needs to capture the moment, make the most of it, time is fleeting and running out...

I read about your kids and wish I could give all of them and all of you a hug. I love reading about your kids and what you and they are going thru. Tyler just springing into adulthood, Adam testing the waters, Brandi off to a good start and on her way. Jim, if you are reading I would love to hear about Sam and Jonah. Brent and his vacuums..OK maybe not anymore, but at least his mismatched clothes and the challenges of being stepmom, seeing pics of Joey with his mom and guessing that soon he will have a fishing pole in hand. Joey and Sam should hook up and out-fish both dads. Zach and his writings (I'm proud). Hug your kids, never too late.

I'm gonna hug mine.

Dave

All is well...

Dear Family,

Today we went to Valley Fair......Adam got a bit queasy after a few rides.....and kept reaching for, and holding my hand as we walked the park.....eat your heart out David Ortiz.

All is well.....
Rich

And don't even bother commenting on the queasy part.......................I already know what you're all thinking........................................very funny!!

Washington Johnston's

Hi,

What is the password for the photobucket? Here are some recent Joey, Tia and Ron pics. I will post a bunch to the photobucket. Do I need to be logged in to upload?

Love, The Johnstons

rojo

Happy Mother's Day!

My kids are awesome!! Brandi got me some beautiful roses and Keith got me an outdoor decoration...with a solar light. Pix of both below. Katie even called me from jail. I had planned on going to Mom's with Jeanie and Jodi but I was woke up at 5:45 AM this morn with a terrible headache and tons of nausea to go along with it. I finally took a shower around 11 or so and it didn't help. I climbed back into my bed with wet hair and ended up sleeping the day away. I got up at 3 when the phone rang and felt better but looked really funny! What a hair do! My poor tummy is still a bit yucky and I feel shaky but at least the headache is gone! What a waste of a gorgeous day. I was looking forward to seeing mom and my sisters! Oh yeah...and Bruce and Donny too lol.
I hope you all had a great day!

To The Mothers

Happy Mother's Day!!


*Brandi*

When did that happen??

Wow...you guys are hard to keep up with....I try to comment on some blogs, but some of them were written a week or two ago so I wonder if you see my comments. Anyway......

Jodi - Ann can relate to the whole stress thing......I'm sure you two could vent together?
Ron - thanks for the kind words - I really do feel other peoples' pain - how did you know that?
Zach - I didn't get any of that "making things with my hands" gene....I know Jim and Dave did..........consider yourself lucky.

The rest of you - Hi!

We've been busy with track, dance and baseball. Today Adam had a base hit, caught a fly ball in center field, scored his teams' first run, and they won their game!! And that wasn't the highlight of his day...

He has grown up so much lately. He has moved from the holding hands stage with me because he trusts me to protect him in a large crowd.....to saying, "Dad, trust me.....let's go." And off he goes......through the Metro Dome, me 20 steps behind him trying to keep up. Tonight we went to a Twins Game - Adam would say we went to a Red Sox game - his favorite team. I thought it would be a good idea to sit in the left field seats and try to snag a homerun ball during batting practice. He thought we should be across the Dome above the Red Sox dugout trying to get the attention of his favorite player, David Ortiz. We settled in with dozens of other fans along the first base line and waited. Ortiz came to home plate to take his turn at batting practice. We were amazingly close to lots of players. I didn't have a camera - loser! Ortiz took several turns at bat. At one point he hit a foul ball that ended up at his feet. He picked it up and left the batting cage turning right towards Adam. He made eye contact with Adam and Adam held his hands out as if to catch a ball. And sure enough, Ortiz tossed him the ball.......I'm thinking @#$% because I forgot the camera......Adam was so excited that we could have gone home then and there and that would have been fine with him. I'm learning to trust him.....he's not a little kid anymore......which really kinda hurts now that I think about it. Like I said, "When did that happen?"

The box

Have you ever been so bored with a day that you feel a compulsion to build something? Well i did just a few days ago. So i go down and get my balsa and sand out some of the previous carvings i did. Then i cut it in half and rounded out the edges. It started to look like a lid, a lid to a box. Looking at a box that Jim made a while back Me and my dad started to construct a similar model out of mahogony. In the process i got the nastiest splinter ever. Very fiborous wood. So the wod is cut and now only needs to be glued togather then the lid attached to the body. It looks pretty sweet. We decided on a poplar for a top that i stained darker to match the rest of the box. I'm saving the balsa so i can do an inlay on another box saome other time.




Zachary Broder Johnston

Stress

Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet. I have been like this in the past couple of weeks I would love to blame Tyler & Jamie but I know that I cannot because I am the only one that can cause my own stress. With Tyler leaving to boot camp, I sit and worry about: who will take care of him if he gets sick, will they feed him properly, will they pick on him and the list goes on and on. I know the answers to these questions but I have a hard time accepting them, because in my eyes I am the only one that can take care of him right feed him right and protect him from being picked on. I know crazy huh? Jamie has been wonderful putting up with me and it isn't easy, so Thank-You Jamie for you must be going nuts.
I tell Tyler how I feel and he thinks that I'm crazy and says he will be just fine. It probably is not easy for Tyler to get ready to go when I am all stressing out cuz then he starts stressing out and Jamie starts stressing out.
and it keeps going around and around and around, I then want to go hide and become an unemotional glob and put up walls around me that it takes Jamie to yell at me to "wake up". I now, realizing this am angry with myself letting stress control me. Why is it that when I know that it is happening let it happen. Is it me liking the struggle, am I stubborn (don't answer that) I don't want to become vulnerable, or am I just me and seem to have to fight it just to learn a hard lesson. ( sounds like mom huh?) I don't like feeling this way it hurts far too much mentally and physically. It also causes me to get pissy about the stupidist small things and the only thing that I am ignoring is the big thing. Talking about it helps but I seem to talk it to death for it to go away and I'm sure it's getting to Jamie & Tyler to have to keep hearing the same thing everyday, I then tend to doubt myself and ask am I making the right decision, yadda, yadda, yadda. It's like I am a rat in a cage stuck on the wheel and can't seem to stop it. I have tried everything and beyond, so today I am starting something new, (complaining to you people) just kidding.
I will let you know if it works. So that is my babble.
Jodi

Finally Things are Calming Down!

This was the last week of the semester before finals! Boy am I happy it is finally over!!
I have one final on Thursday, I have to make up a speech I missed and I have to check in and see what my final grade is for one class. Also, Thursday night we are having a pot luck for my Stess Management class.

My professor of my Stress Management class is on her fifth year recovering drug addtic. She is going for her doctoet for psychology. She is a wonderful person and has helped me out with all the things going on with my sister. Her name is Kellie Clemmer. She told her story about her drug addiction not too long ago, and she was nice enough to let my mom go and listen. She onlt did this because she knows what has been going on with Katie. Kellie is a wonderful person who I look up too. She wants to meet Katie and speak with her whenever she comes back to MN. I think this would be good for Katie!

Anyways... I am happy the semester is over! I can now put in more hours at my newer job (MGM-Liquors) which is in Champlin. I am also excited for We Fest this year! I am working an overnight shift... crazy I know. But I will be working Tuesday and Wednesday before the concerts from 6pm to 6am. At We Fest it is easier to sleep during the day!!

I hope all is well, I have not been on here that much lately due to homework!

I have one year left and I will be graduating. I am not sure what I want to do after. I feel that I need a break from school. But I was debating on transferring to either to St. Cloud or River Falls to get a degree in Social Work.

*Brandi*

Where

Where is the family pic at the top, and the butt pic?

it is not showing up on my end.

The Imp.

When Did Mom Stop Cutting Our Hair??

Because it should've been much much sooner!! Seriously, what was Dad thinking letting Mom cut our hair... of course he probably didn't have much choice!!! Check out Jodi's. And where is the GOLDEN TURTLENECK in this picture? Maybe the sleeves are what are really on Debbie's legs and NOT white knee-hi's. I bet.
The blogs have been great still.. I laugh so much and then I read them again and laugh some more. Who knows, maybe some day I will have a new computer and I can add pictures of my CHILDREN because I know thats what you all want. You better, because I have pictures of all of yours !!! Oh yeah, and I can put a picture of Brent up too. LOL!! Like that one Debbie and Joda??

will the real Wile E. Coyote please stand up

I think I'm much more manly than Ralph!

Sam The sheep-dog gives it to Ralph

Ralph is the same coyote as Wile E Coyote but with a different color nose.

*Old Photos

This picture has 1965 written on the back. We lived in Brooklyn Center at 2318 55th Ave N

This picture also says 1965. It was taken at G-pa and G-ma Johnston's house

I'm guessing the date on this one...possibly Xmas of 1969 since Jodi isn't there. Did you notice I am holding Ronnie again. Seems like I was always holding the youngest one when we had Santa pix taken. Did you also notice that Jim is wearing the gold shirt??

P.S. These pix will get posted in photobucket too but I wanted to be sure you all saw them.
Love ya's
Deb

Look at Debbie

Oh my gosh! Look at Debbie in the picture above, she is showing off some leg. She is either wearing a skirt or dress, I cannot tell. You will never catch her doing that these days!

My favorite Shirt

I loved that shirt I am wearing in the new pic. It was cool because it had no collar, kinda rad, huh? Anyway please, whoever posted the pic, put it on the family photo bucket. How many times do I have to tell you people!
Who is that little imp that Deb is holding. I was the anon on the post about Ron looking like a girl. Sorry Ron, not really, no really I am...

Dave

my brothers and sisters

I’ve been trying to think of a good manifesto, story or proclamation to add to the Blog that bares my soul. Unfortunately, I can't think of anything good, or deep. I've soul searched but the deepest thing I can think of is I hope I don't die before I get old because I love life so much. But I did want to resound earlier posts that describe how you are proud of one another, and say the first thing that comes to mind.

Deb: I am proud of you for being a wonderful matriarch of the Johnston 7. It is obvious how much you care about everyone over the years, and you have a deep, genuine love for everyone. You would do anything for your brothers and sisters. You have great kids...Katie is young and there is plenty of time for her to live a good life.

Jim: I am proud of you (even if you've never blogged) because [as rarely as I talk to you] I can hear and see the joy in your face and voice when you talk about your kids and family, and because you try to find joy in life and you love to share your exuberance/laughter for life with your brothers and sisters when you see them.

Dave: I am proud of you for starting this blog and being as vulnerable as you have been - showing us that you care about our relationships and lives. You have undoubtedly seen some bad things and have found a sense of Grace to bring home to your family.

Rich: I am proud of you for being so gracious and caring throughout my life. I have never heard you say a bad word about anyone. Maybe you have carried a heavy burden unfairly foisted upon you simply for being who you are because you've felt a lot of pain for your brothers and sisters.

Jean: I am proud of you because you seek to find laughter and bliss on a daily basis and share it with your family, and you love all of your relatives and are at your best when we're all together remembering the happy times.

Jodi: I am perhaps most proud of my little sister because you have gone through a lot and have made such a stable life with a great family. You are forgiving and you have a good sense of yourself and you love everyone. And you will forgive me for my lame anon advice.

Since I'm at it... I am also proud of my mom and dad because they loved their kids a great deal and they always tried to do the best they could for each of us. I forgive them for any interaction that may have been painful, and I know they feel the same towards me.

You all know that I am especially proud of myself for catching big fish.

Love,

*WHOSE BUTT IS THIS??

Will the real anonymous please stand up...

I do believe I have solved the "anonymous" blogger. I have gone back for about the last week's worth of posts and read all the blogs and comments. I have come to the conclusion that it is....

Didn't think it would be that easy did you? Remember the game show that had people on it and the celebs had to ask questions and decide who the real__________was?
What was the name of it?

Anyway i am convinced about who anonymous is (or at least the original one is).
Read the posts and comments and tell me what you think.

Dave

Posting Pic's

Hey all,

if you post a pic or vid could you put it on our photo bucket page too?
Thanks,

Dave

Who is the mysterious anonymous blogger

Okay, who is it? I think it is dad. Jodi

teenage drama queen

So the story goes as those who know me well:
Tyler has few jobs around our house, taking out the garbage, putting away the dishes, cleaning your room,pick-up after yourself. Yeah, I know not alot I guess we have spoiled him too much, for we have to remind him of these responsibilites. I will come home from work and see there are clean dishes in the dishwasher and the garbage is flowing over to the point that the cat is licking off goodies from the garbage bag. So what do I do? alot of the time I will just take care of it because it is easier, other times I have literally called him home to take out the garbage and put away the dishes.
It's actually funny because he gets so p.o.'d that I can't help but bust out laughing, then he becomes more angry. I do not ask much from Tyler and Jamie around the house due to Jamie's weird hours and Tyler with school and getting the grades he needs to. Tonight Tyler was doing laundry (mind you he started it at 2:30pm and had only 3 loads but he had to leave and hang with the boys) at 9:30 he takes his FIRST load out of the dryer throws it on the floor in the middle of the T.V. room and says I think I will just leave it and do it tomorrow. At this point I gave jamie a "what the" look and said to Tyler uuumm no you won't leave your mess in the middle of the floor, his witty reply was "well why not it's not going to make a difference and why would I want to touch them twice". What do you mean twice ?somebody please fill me in on that one. I was literally dumbfounded. I said you do not help me clean the house so my rules, pick up your mess, he kept on the but, why, how thing. Jamie at this point was getting irritated due to the fact that he has worked like 40 hours in 3 days, says "dude just do as your mom says ", This usually quiets Tyler. Jamie's house rules: Rule #1 don't piss your mom off #2 if actions are in question refer to rule #1. "
Sometimes I think he really trys to make me flip out by calling me "mother" or he will come home late make a pizza sit and smack his lips knowing it drives me nuts. and much more. Jamie and I will be having a intimate conversation and he will just walk in stand in the middle of it (mind you he sleeps here and then we don't see him until 8:00pm)
knowing he is out of place. Jamie will say something snide like you (sorry)
know me and your mom do it and this typically gives him the indication that he may have walked into more than what he wanted to deal with.
We are very sorry that we are not that entertaining to a 17 year old ( either were mom or dad) but I have always hoped that we were there for him when he needed us. We use to force him to have dinner with us at least five nights a week, but since his friends(who would love to have dinner as a family) don't, he thinks it weird we do. We have stopped trying to force it, and hope he will wake up one day and appreciate us as we do our parents. Tyler is not a bad kid but just a kid. Is there ever gonna be just not a kid? Jamie's lost with Tyler because at Tyler's age Jamie was pretty much on his own, total over-achiever hhmmm who woulda thunk? As Jamie being 17 he wanted everything, cars, women, money, band playing the clubs, job, recognition. Tyler wants a good pizza with Anchovie's? (there smelly when cooking I would advise against them) He gets A's & b'sin school, is hilarous, very
very charming, caring in his own way, very determined when he sets his mind to something, whether that be folding his laundry or not, it is hard to be mad, but it drives me nuts that he ignores responibilities. It seems to trivial to Jamie and I, and I think how did mom scare us half to death into doing our chores? Tyler has called me crazy, whacked, you have O.C.D. to my face, Yeah I know I have O.C.D.,neurotic syndrome, do the dang chores and I will get off your butt. Because most of his friends have terrible relationships with their parents we feel our little drama queen has to have dilema's with us.
Yes he folded his laundry in a HUFF took them upstairs and threw them on his couch.
jamie thinks Ty is sad about the price of gas,maybe if it came down he would be a happier guy, considering he has no money due to mudding, and now prom. I will post pictures of the boy & girl when we get them, he thinks he is broke now just wait.
Yes we will miss him this summer, for he always brings a laugh.

Jamie & Jodi

Chinook are Running!

I went fishing and Jean asked for the picture to be changed...can you blame me?

The Real Brothers Four (and the stud who sired them)

Notice that we do not wear thongs!

THE RED BARN RESTAURANT

Oh my gosh, does anybody remember The Red Barn?? I have been meaning to ask this since the beginning of this blog. Anyway, nobody I know has ever heard of it. But I remember going as a kid, I cannot even begin to imagine where it was; but I think I always had a hotdog and fries, or maybe a burger..who knows. I just know that I have thought of that restaurant so many times over the years, I can even picture it!! It seriously was shaped like a red barn!! Ok and since I'm on the subject, how about Farrell's!?? The birthdays there were the best I could imagine as a kid. Anybody??????!!


Jean the Bean

CHANGE THE PICTURE !!!!

Ok, you all know if I could I would. (change the picture) I am sooooo the furthest behind in this family when it comes to the computer. But ya know what?? Mom is worse!! Actually probably not. She knows how to program her cell phone. Can you believe it?? I don't even have one. But Bruno does and I tell ya, one is enough! The good thing is, we have never ever seen a bill for it in about 3.5 yrs now, his work pays for it. They need to be able to get ahold of him at all hours since there is a night shift. Anyway, CHANGE THE PICTURE !!!! And ya know what else?? I don't care that I am the furthest behind.... the less you know the less you have to do!! HEEE HEEE HEEE (thats only at work). Seriously- I just don't have the interest.. isn't that sad?? So I just continue to rely on the rest of you for my entertainment,( and knowledge) -- at least I know how to go on and read this stuff!!! Thanks for all the laughs everybody. And the DEEP stuff... half of it goes over my head.

Jessie's Table

Table is coming along nicely. Jess did the design and tile work. I have done the wood part. We will grout it soon and attach some legs. The legs might be a problem. The came off a much lighter
table with a bit harder wood on the bottom. We'll see.
Dave
.

*Excitement Ahead

A few exciting things happening here. I got my employment call for Wefest. I asked to switch jobs this year and my request was granted. I will not be working at the campground gates checking people in. Two years ago when I was there I met a guy, his name is Bob. We worked together a little bit and had a lot of fun after work hours were over. I still laugh about it. Anyway...Brandi is bringing Pat with this year so she will hang with him and other friends she knows that go up to the festival. Soooo...I asked to work the Event Staff with Bob. He went to college with the gal that does all the hiring and she told me I am hired for that position. I called Bob to let him know that I'd be working with him and he reminded me that he frequently works backstage! Bob is a few years older than I am and we proved to Brandi that 40 and 50 year olds can still have lots of fun!! I mentioned before that a girl I work with will be there because her hubby drives the merchandise truck and is a body guard for Kenny Chesney. I'll be meeting Kenny because of her. Working backstage will give me a possible chance of meeting others like Rascall Flatts, Brad Paisley, Billy Ray Cyrus..just to name a few.
I know some of you have had the opportunity in the past to meet big names in rock & roll and I still love rock but I also love today's country. This is pretty exciting for me and has had me grinning from ear to ear since I got the call.
To add to that excitement, I might be getting the kind dog I've always wanted. Its a 2-1/2 yr old female Golden Retriever; Bailey. She is fully house trained & excellent with kids. One of our gym teachers is giving her away because she is moving and can't take the dog. I jumped at the chance! I won't have to go through puppyhood or potty training! She spends most of her days outside so I will need to fence in a small area and get a doghouse. The grandkids will love it!! I will too of course and I will feel much more secure at night with a dog around. I've wanted a golden ever since I met Honey...the Zenners dog from up at Pearl lake. I fell in love with Honey when I was in grade school. Then Ron and Tia got Cass and my love for retrievers grew even more. I haven't told Brandi yet but I am sure she will read it here. I will need a dog-sitter when we go to Wefest....Jean? I can ask Keith too...he loves dogs and he owes me a lot of babysitting time lol.
Nothing real exciting or interesting has happened in my life for a long time and nothing is going to pop my bubble! :)
Deb

Friedrich Nietzsche

He who cannot give anything away cannot feel anything either.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dickie!

Abe Lincoln once said

It is better to remain silent and thought a fool than to open you mouth and remove all doubt.

Natural selection disproving, natural selection

Natural selection boils down to this: over time, useless traits are pushed out of the genetics of organisms so they can survive. Lust, greed, hate. They all seem rather useless to me. Some how, unnecessary to my survival, logic tells me other wise. Why then and how would I evolve past this state of simple survival? Wow, that thought seems to make my mind inevitably complex, wayyy more complex than what i need to survive. Lust, greed, anger. Those seem rather undesirable. Again much more than i need. So really, if natural selection worked, parts of my unnecessary brain would work themselves out. The right side of my brain would simplify so war would stop so that my race could survive. So the world would be utopia. I would care about the environment for one. I would also have no use for love, passion, or joy. Love for one can only complicate my existence. Why not reproduce with anything? Would pursuing my intrist and passion help? No, they have to go as well. So i guess, since I have apparently developed things past my survival instincts, natural selection therefore, can simply not even exist.


Zachary Broder Johnston

judging by the looks

I was once a big offender myself. But i have come to realize that everyone commits the same act. Probably almost on complete instinct. But recently I've come to recognize and avoid it. I myself tend to look almost on the prep side of the clothing line, i even own Areopastle. But when people find out that I listen to heavy metal lathered in crushing guitars, technical drums, a growl of lyrics and constant mind pound bass, they give me and almost, "Is this kid for real look?" I laugh about pretty heavily. But then i thought, if you don't want to be thought a skank, don't wear the midriff and low cut. That easy. If you don't want to be thought of as a druggy, shower, clean your clothes. So really, if you don't want to be judged, don't set yourself up to be. Thats just what i think.



Zachary Broder Johnston

Hot Chocolate

I was cooking some hot dogs in the micro last nite when Kris commented that I had the whole process "down to an art." I put two hot dogs in the micro for exactly 30 seconds then I roll them over for another 20 seconds and the last ten seconds I throw a tortilla shell on the dogs. Now this accomplishes several things. First the dogs are cooked to perfection, they have just started to bubble and split. I can watch them start to swell and split and have that kinda brown look to them. Next, the tortilla is perfectly warm and pliable at ten seconds. I then toss the dogs into the tortilla shell, apply ketchup, wrap and chow down. I call them burrito dogs.
What does this have to do with hot chocolate you might ask? The dot to connect is DAD. I remember when we got our first microwave. 1970? 72? not sure of the year. But I remember the ritual Dad used to go thru every morning. Put nestle quick into a mug (I really liked those mugs) pour milk, stir for 47.6 seconds, tap spoon on side of mug, (3 times),place mug into microwave and turn monstrously huge dial to 2:30, hit start and proceed to toaster. I would watch the microwave in anticipation of the volcano to come. If I watched close enough I could see the first hints of the coco heating up. It seemed that it would actually twitch just a little, don't blink Dave or you might miss it. It would twitch a little more and faster as time went on. Ever notice the sound of that microwave? It would hum really loud and vibrate a little. Wonder how much micro matter escaped from that thing. Anyway, I would watch as the coco mountain started to grow. The top layer of coco would kinda skim over and create that bubbly canvas over the cup and then it would mutate into several new bubbles all over it. That canvas would start to rise up higher and higher until it was well over the rim of the cup. I would watch and wait for it to burst and splatter all over the inside of the oven...and just as it reached it's critical mass the microwave would ding and kinda chhhhuuunk all at the same time. The light would go off and the mountainous mass of coco would collapse upon itself and disappear into the cup from whence it came.
Dad would open oven, stir 7 times, taste test with spoon, then commence to eat his two pieces of buttered toast, done to perfect golden brown, and sip his coco.
Now that is art, that is poetry in motion.
Thanks Dad.

Dave

Call out to Jazz Drummers

Open Note to Broder,

Wow are you a bright spot on the West and Johnston A list. Thank you for your Blog’s I really don’t think I’ve run into a deeper fifteen year old, you are wise beyond your years and it shows.

Anyways, every year for about 10 years now I run monitors and production for the Fox Valley Jazz Festival, it is always over the Labor Day weekend, (meaning school’s out), I’ve met so many Jazz greats on this show, and most of the “B” acts are students from Lawrence State University, Neenah, WI. The show is ran by John Harmon, a professor of music, the only person I’ve ever met that has made a piano breath. He influenced a lot of people and bands, the most noteworthy would be “Chicago” in the 70’s he helped them arrange charts. John Gibson (monster bassist) has also performed ever year that I’ve done the show. This would be where I met T.S. Monk. The show is totally Jazz, Funk, and Blues. I think it would be right up your alley.

If you can convince you folks, you are more than welcome to come up and see this from a production angle. I run monitors about 3 feet from most of the drummers and always have a hand and foot’s eye view of them. Tyler has indicated that he wants to see the show this year (he’s a huge Jocco fan) and this is an open invitation to you.

Let me know.

J-me

IRRITATION AT ITS BEST

Do you know people who always have to be the center of attention. Whether they know it or not they always have something in their life that is more important than anyone around them. They live in a drama filled world one crisis after the next, they're always mad or hurt about one thing or another. When they've been hurt it's always way worse than when anyone else is hurt. They think that they're this really great person when really all they do is bring everyone around them down. What do you do when you encounter someone like this in your life? Do you continue to just listen time after time or do you eventually get tired of it and tell them where to go?

Insanity

If you give something a name do you truly understand it and its eternal significance is? If i said piston, do i then know how it works our what it is? If i showed a computer to a native in South America, and he named it in his tongue, does he know how to make it function? If i told you i know where insanity is and how to get there, would you believe me if i didn't further explain it you what it is? Too many times i hear people swear using my Lord's name, but do they know him like i do? So this raises another question. Are they lying to themselves? Can they ever understand that which they do not know?

The place where thoughts wonder aimlessly and nothing scientifically is allowed. Reason has no place and neither does logic. Can you tell where i am? For the same an object ill named has no meaning to us, neither will a description, a definition if you will, have no meaning without a word. Welcome to insanity, it gets worse here every day.

Zachary Broder Johnston

*Life-isms

*Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
* Always keep your words soft and sweet,Just in case you have to eat them.
*Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, It was probably worth it.
* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to others.
* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, Because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
* The second mouse gets the cheese.
* When everything's coming your way, You're in the wrong lane.
* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
* You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person.
* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
* We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Advice

If you are ever feeling down one day or just plain feel down about yourself, take a look in the mirror and tell yourself that you look pretty,beautiful or handsome... trust me it makes your day go better and you will feel better for the day.

I was taught this in my Stress Management Class.

Destrutive Beauty

A creeping vine with beautiful blossoms tears down houses and crushes with inhuman strength. A raging fire with brilliant colors, turns what once was, into a smoldering ruin. The crack of lightning illuminating the clouds cracks tree and stops hearts. White snow, blanketing the city, freezes blood and traps and kills. A tame sea erupts into a violent storm, sinks ships and stirs a malice no man can tame. A beautiful sky suddenly grey lets loose tornadoes that devastate life. A crimson red covers the water and dismembered bodies cover the fields. A marching army controls the world. An evil dictator silences the rebels. The world descends, the fields burn, the guns fire, the people cry. Some things start out wonderful and pure then fall to the depths of hell. The things that are deceivingly beautiful fail our hopes and aspirations. We all are forced to live in discomfort. We all need to find an everlasting hope. We all are human and that cannot change. We all need help with our sinful chains. We may feel powerless against a marching army or hurricane winds that demolish a city. But hope is impossible to destroy, a seeds last through winter to bloom in summer. a single plant starts to rebuild a forest after a fire. A single person can't change the world, but an army of them can move mountains.
Broder

JEALOUSY

Jealousy: Distance it, the most powerful nine letter word: knowledge, acquire it.