Too much going on

Hey everyone, i see noone is really blogging anymore like before. I figured I would make an update on myself since I do not talk to everyone on a regular basis.

As most of you know, I am currently working two full-time jobs and am enrolled in eight credits in school. I am also trying to plan my wedding. I working Monday thru Friday 8am-4:30 p.m. at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Mind you, I am just a temp. THe job was recently posted and someone bid on it and is talking my job. I am sad I will be leaving ARCC after three years of working here, but there is nothing I can do about it since it is a union position and I have no bidding rights. At Aldi, I work 20+ hours a week. I work every Sunday 10 am (open)-7pm (close). During the week I get scheduled two or three days starting at five pm until close. I then go home after that and try to relax after my day.

Lately, I have been super stressed. I had put in a letter if interest for the job at the school that I am currently temping for. I was worried about not getting it, which I did not because there were eligible bidders. So I am not worried about money for rent and what not if I will not be getting 30+ hours at Aldi (which I am sure we can do). I also have been stressing about not having time for homework. I work so much I normally do not get to it until Sunday night after work and it is due 11:00 pm every Sunday night, my classes are all online this semester!! As far as wedding stuff, I sometimes feel overwhelmed with things. I have people asking me all these questions. Pat's mom is trying to help plan, but it really is making it worse. I have not spoke to her or seen her since Halloween. I am scared I will blow up on her for trying to help, even though she is making my stress worse. With all the things that have been going on, my body is FINALLY telling me to calm the heck down... I went to the doctor on Tuesday because I had this weird rash on my arm, and it looked as if it was starting to blister. Turns out I have shingles... we (the doc and myself) seem to think this occurred because of my stress level. I am 21 years old, I should not be working two full-time jobs and struggling to keep up with school (no worries, I am getting B's in my classes). This is a big sign for to start taking things slower. I know things will fall into place; something worse could have happened to me, so I am thankful it is just shingles!

On the good note, I found my wedding dress!! I am very excited!!! You will have to wait until August to see it. The bridesmaids also picked out the dresses they want to wear! The color is called Mermaid, it is a teal color.

How is everyone doing?!?!

Jodi, thank you for the updates on Tyler!1 I enjoy hearing on how he is doing.

Love yah,

Brandi

*Another Summer Is Over

Another summer come and gone and I wasn't done with it yet!

It was the best summer I've had in many years though. It started with a trip to Washington to visit Ron, Tia and the boys. I worked summer school in my district with some of the same kids I work with during the regular school year and got to know some other kids that I will probably never see again....sometimes thats good and sometimes not. During the week long break we had in July I went hiking/camping with Ed. We had a great time....we even revisited a few places that we always went to when we were still together. Several weeks after that trip, Jodi and I went on another.....we had a blast!! We covered a lot more ground on that trip...holy moly rocky, we were beat but it felt good to be that kind of tired. We had my tent that served as our home for 4 days. We survived on hotdogs, sausage & eggs, munchies and other camping staples. We hiked at Tettagouche, walked around Two Harbors and went out to the end of the breakwater there too. We camped at Finland State Forest Campground right on the Baptism River. We wandered the whole campground to scavenge firewood that had been left behind by other campers. Once we left that area we camped at Knife River (formerly known as Helen's and then The Depot) We played on the beach at Knife River skipping rocks and collecting driftwood for our fire and big rocks for my garden. I've taken up a new "hobby"~rock stacking~. Its sort of a Zen thing. She thought I was nuts and she may not be far off on that....lol I know that she will bring back some big rocks the next time we go and then she can be classified as a nut too. We laughed so much during that trip that it took several days for my ribs to stop being sore. It was just what the doctor ordered for me...fun and laughter! We took goofy pictures of each other that I still laugh at when I look at them. I put 600 miles on my car during that trip. Several weeks after that I headed up to Detroit Lakes for Wefest. Brandi and I worked again this year. It was our 4th year of working there and my 5th year of being there. The weather was not as good as years past though...we had some rainy evenings during a few concerts. I think my Wefest days are done for now. I want to go to Moon Dance Jam up in Walker MN. Its classic rock and there are some great bands from my younger days.

After all the trips were done I started working at All Saints...packing Fr George's belongings as he has retired and moved out of the rectory. I did a lot of cleaning also...what a job that was!!

By the time all of this was over I had 1 week left of summer vacation to spend at home catching up on things that needed my attention. I am hoping to make a Fall Color run up to the North Shore. I love fall the most...nothing else can match the smell of fall, not to mention the colors and sounds when you're in the woods. Its the perfect time of year for campfires and star-gazing! I have often wondered why people have bonfires on nights that are 80 degrees.

I am NOT looking forward to winter in any way.

Also during this summer we have gained some new family members...Katie's new baby Gabriel and my new daughter-in-law; Danielle.

The wedding was beautiful!! I experienced a feeling that I can't quite explain...maybe it was pride & happiness mixed in with some bitter-sweet memories. Whatever it was, it caused a lump in my throat that hurt. The best thing about this summer....

EVERYONE in my little branch of the family tree is smiling!!

Deb

Where is everyone?

Hi All, Just a little update on our lives. You all know that Tyler has left to go to AIT, he is adjusting nicely and does not miss home like he did when he first arrived there. When Tyler first got to AIT he was brought to the base and nobody could tell him where he was suppose to be, he called home in tears telling us that and we had to get him a hotel to stay in. The next day he finally figured it out. The In-Processing, where Ty was at took a week to go through, there is a lot of sitting around and doing nothing, he said he was stuck there with a bunch of idiots. He is now in his unit and has a schedule to follow such as school, P.T., waxing the Barrack floors. hahaha. He told us his Sergeant is crazy apparently when he first got there the Sarg. said " we have the crappiest Barracks on base apparently I was not good enough to get the nice one's so this tird of a Barracks better be shiny because I like shiny tirds." I asked him where his Sarg. was from and he told me "he is just crazy mom he is from hell."

As bad as it may sound, it is nice that he is on his own and we like the peace and quiet here. It is a bittersweet thing but something that must be done and accepted.


Jamie has been working, okay I know. when isn't he? He never knows what his schedule is going to be until the Wed. of each week, so if he wants a day off he does have to let them know at least a month in advance.

I have been working and doing nothing.

Keith's wedding was a lot of fun, good times were had, Debbie looked quite nice in her dress and heels, yes I said heels.

The bachlorette party was a blast, we went to a bar in Anoka, mind you I was not drinking there and ended up getting kicked out, somehow Danielle fell into me and I fell into the owner, he did not believe me when I told him what happened, funny thing is he sit's in the front by the window and door where you go out to smoke and I know he saw me talking to the cops, now I would think if I was drunk the cops probably would have arrested me.


That is all

Talk to ya later

Love us

Saying Goodbye, Saying Hello

I have had to say Goodbye a lot these last few days. There is absolutely nothing good about saying goodbye. As a matter-of-fact, it pretty much sucks. I have said goodbye to my Pastor, who is an awesome friend, (moving to Wisconsin), I have said goodbye to numerous kids whom I have watched grow up, like Lollie, Sarah and Taylor, all friends of Mandy's who will be leaving for college. I have said goodbye to Mandy, who has left for college and starting of her adult life. I have actually openly cried a lot this last weekend, Kris too.

I remember when I left home. I knew that I would not be coming back. I knew that I was headed away and would keep going on with my life. I have visited and called and stuff, but I never really came back. That is the feeling I got when I said goodbye to Mandy. She'll be off living her life enjoying, being, loving, but far away, just like I did. It seemed so final. I know her life is going to be so full and I am so very happy and sad all at the same time. I will hear about things happening, not get to witness them, I'll get pictures or video, not actually watch it unfold in front of me. I'll visit and get a snapshot of her life, not really participate in it. I know that I will be proud of all she accomplishes in life.

Maybe I am being melodramatic. I don't know or care right now. I just know it hurts and I miss her already.

Jessy will be back next week. What an adventure she has had! She will be living here for a few months, getting back on her feet and getting ready to attend college in Illinois. I am really going to enjoy these next few months before she goes off to her next adventure. They are all adventures for Jess! I have no idea how I will react when she leaves, not well, no doubt. I am amazed at the depth of passion she has for the disenfranchised, marginalized people of the world. Her heart is so big and I know she will always be helping someone.

Zach is next...who knows where he will be in 2 years. It will be unique with just me, mom, and Zach home. I am eager to see our relationship change and grow over the next few years. He is growing into a fine young man and I am proud of him.

Kris and I will soon have the luxury of redefining our relationship as our kids grow and move. I am looking forward to the time we will have to rediscover some things that all parents put on hold to raise their kids.

Dave

What I have been doing this summer

I went camping and hiking with Debbie and had a blast, we left on a Thursday morning and came home on that following Sunday. I showered only once can you believe that? The first hike we went on was about 4 miles and I learned I was a little out of shape, I usually blame that on my arthiritis. The following day was the big hike I think all together around 12 miles, It was a moderate to difficult trail haha, I would say more like medium to difficult, there was climbing up sides of mountains (well at least to me it was) like at 90 degree angles, mind you I am terrified of heights so I don't know for sure if it was that bad, there was a lot of big hills etc... I did freak out at one point and had a little anxiety attack, Debbie at first thought I was joking around but realized that it was not a joke and calmed me down. Half way to the mountain we were hiking to my legs were saying why are you torturing me? I said to them because Debbie walks/hikes like the energizer bunny, I seriously don't know anyone who could keep up with her. At one point she did turn around and asked me if she was walking too fast, I chuckled to myself and thought did she just ask me that? as a matter of fact I am laughing right now.
The next day we slowly walked around Two Harbors, the breakwater & the beach where we were skipping rocks and I am the master.
The reason why I say slowly is because I could barely move, everytime I got up from a sitting position I had to fight my body from collapsing. It was actually a little funny. I am so glad that I got away, it does the mind, body and soul good. I don't think I have ever laughed so much in my life, Debbie is really funny. I am hoping to go again next summer with her, but I don't know if I could do the big hike again depending on my knee.

Jamie and I decided to cleanup our upstairs deck, we washed it with mold & mildew cleaner and I was so suprised that the would was blonde colored, it was black. We stained it and it looks awesome. We still have to paint the railing put up lattice. Jamie is going to figure out how to put more of a roof over the top of it. I then get to make a little sanctuary, kind of like Ron's in his backyard, unfortunately I won't be able to grow the big trees and stuff, but I think ya get the idea. I now have to go camping again so I can get some rocks from the beach, Debbie did get some and I thought she is nuts but that is besides the point. hahah.

Other than that had the fourth at mom's, slept at Debbie's and had a fire, she makes a good fire. I am looking forward to Keith & Danielle's wedding and her bachelorette party.
I am going to go have lunch with Kathy Madison in a couple of weeks, I have not seen or spoke to her for close to 20 years.

The boys have been working a lot, I don't see much of Tyler he usually leaves when he gets home, it sucks cuz he is leaving between Aug 24th and Sept. 1st. Mom and Don did find a campground right by Fort Sam so at least he will have some family by him. Jamie and I will be going down there when he graduates from AIT. I do believe it will be in Jan.

Signing off now.

Love Jodi

Lou Gherig's Disease

Hi all,

It is now just two weeks until I ride in the ALS DoubleDay Bike ride to support my friends Jeff and Marilyn Leer. I teach with Jeff, and he and his family found out about 9 months ago that Marilyn has ALS. He is a young guy (my age) with 2 young kids.

For the first time in my life I am doing a fund raising effort for someone other than myself. It feels good and I'm looking forward to the 85 mile bike ride too.

Our team is now a dozen members with a fundraising goal of $250 each. Our team (Marilyn's Army Too), combined with the original Marilyn's Army team could be the major fund raiser if we can all reach our target. I'm asking for any help to reach my goal of $250.

Below is an update from my friend Jeff on Marilyn's condition. It has gone so fast! I have included a link if you wish to make a pledge to my ride. Even $5 bucks would help.

Thank you and love to you all!
Ron


Some days just suck. This was one of those days. We got home from the ALS clinic after Marilyn's all day appointment with heavy hearts. The news was not good. Her respiratory tests showed what Marilyn had been feeling. Her lung capacity has gone from 65% to 28%. We have noticed a big difference in the last few weeks. She needs to take many breaths to finish talking now. The disease seems to be progressing rapidly and the test results bore that out. Our meeting with Dr. Ravits was heavy and dealt with end of life issues. We are to have a family discussion and meet with him next Wednesday. We have to decide if Marilyn will have a feeding tube put in. Her test results are lower than they would like in order to perform this procedure. If it is to be done, it must be done quickly. We also have to decide on what, if any, breathing assistance Marilyn will choose. Heavy issues and heavy hearts. But even in dealing with this, my wife is thinking of others. Dr. Ravits said he could meet with us next Wednesday at the end of the day. Mare asked him if that would be too much for him after a long day. He just smiled, amazed that this lady was worried about him and not about the news she had just received.
Prior to the appointment, Carmen and Lynn had taken Mare to the bathroom. Marilyn's right leg likes to slip and go to the side. While in the stall, her foot did just that and there was someone in the stall next to her. The girls remembered Senator Larry Craig and his bathroom escapades where he was accused of trying to hit on the person in the stall next to him by tapping his foot near the other stall. They started cracking up as they wondered what the other person must have been thinking. To make the story even better, the person in the other stall turned out to be our physical therapist. We had a good laugh at that one. It eased the awkwardness of the news of her tests.
The ALS Ride is a little over two weeks away. We have so little control over our lives right now. Pouring ourselves into this ride allows us to feel like we are doing something. Marilyn has been asked to speak at the PALS (Person with ALS) dinner. It is quite an honor. The other day, the Skagit Valley Herald came out and interviewed Mare and took some pictures. Her story will be in the Thursday edition 7/9/09 of the Skagit Valley Herald. It will be great press for the ride which has not received any press in the previous 8 years of the ride. We are currently 2nd in total money raised (when we add both our team and the "Marilyn's Army Too" which is the team from my school riding for Marilyn) and tied for 1st in total team riders. We would love to be first in both. I want to thank all of you that have sent us checks (2124 S. 15th St. Mount Vernon, WA 98274) or donated online.


How to pledge:
1. Log on to the official ALS DoubleDay Bike Ride and Fund Raiser web site:

http://webwa.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WA_Bike_event_info
2. Click on “Team List” from the menu at the left
3. Click on our team, “Marilyn’s Army Too” from the list of teams.
4. If you wish to join our team and ride, click on “Join Team” and follow the prompts
OR
5. If you wish to sponsor a rider, click on the name of a team member you wish to sponsor.
6. Click on the “Sponsor Me” tab and follow the prompts.

Mam Te Rad!

Hi guys, this is Jessie again. Thought I'd check back in, since I'm on the other side of the world and my dad insists that you're all interested! hahah.

So far my trip has been good! I've had the chance to see almost all of Prague, the most beautiful city I have ever seen. It really is spectacular, the whole city is made up of four to six level buildings with the prettiest arcitecture [sp?] ever. They're all side by side. It's definitely artsy, and original in it's own way. I've taken a billion and two pictures, and you can go see my myspace or facebook and see them in the albums I've posted!

I also went to Berlin, Germany yesterday. It's the first time I've been back since I was like... two! I showed my passport, which says that i was born in Germany everywhere I went, and I either got a discount or free stuff. So it was totally worth it. hah. We jumped on a tour buss that drove to all the big sites all over the city, we could jump off, and hang out, and then another bus would pick us up in 15 minutes. The best parts were definitely the Holocaust memorial, and Checkpoint Charlie, I've included pictures of both at the bottom of this!

As for life at the center... It's non stop. No lie. Every day we are working all day, daily house chores and building things, I get messssssy.

The biggest thing we do is our "Coffee House Ministry", It's like a street ministry. Four days a week we send out two teams, one walks the streets and the other goes to the homeless villages. I've done both, and both are insanely depressing. I wrote about the street team last time, now the village ministry. There's a huge, abandoned apartment building that about 20 families live in. It is the dirtiest, nasties, smelliest, most satan possesed place i have ever been in. It stank of "a sun roasted mixture of vomit, dehydrated urine, and rotting garbage".

Yes, I just quoted myself from my journal. The Autobiography of an Amazing Girl.

I didn't eat for the entire night and next day. I have never seen anything else like this before, there were thousands of flies, really, flying everywhere. To the point where we had to duck down not to inhale them. The first room inside the door was stacked over our heads with garbage. The stairs were either covered in mud or poop, i couldn't decide which it was. I wasn't breathing through my nose after that first whiff almost made me pass out.

We made it upstairs to where a family was living. I didn't know whether to cry or throw up when I saw the kids rooms, with neatly made beds with one dirty stuffed animal on each, and football sized rats running from our feet. This room was also filled with swarms of flies, and the corners with old needles and the little plastic bottles their parents get their drugs in.

There are 20 families that live in that building, and another 10 or 15 that live behind it. They bunker down under old raised rails for trains from the trainstation. There is a little "living room" area made up of broken and rotting chairs around a fire pit. There is nothing but garbage of the worst kind, feet deep, for at least 100 yards in any direction.

I've never seen anything like this in my life. Most people haven't. It's reall ythe kind of stuff you see on TV, on those cheesy commercials asking you to send money to Africa and stuff. Actually, I think it was worse. These guys don't need money, all it would do is fuel their drug and alcohol problems. They need God.

I don't really know what can drive someone to this point, but that is thanks to my parents. I was raised well. Don't worry Grandma and Grandpa, you bred my dad good. I thank Jesus every day that I never fell into drugs. I think that God gave me a special place in my heart for people who have, though. I didn't know why i was here until i got the chance to go to this apartment complex. I've also got a few pictures attatched below.

Thanks again, to all of you who contributed to my trip. Please keep me in your prayers! I have to run now, I don't have the privledge of unlimited internet access.

I would not trade this summer for the world.

Looking into one of the rooms in the apartments

Under the rails, the living room

Me doing my part, with the help of winterfresh, at the berlin wall!

Me hanging out in the Holocaust Memorial.

Me, Staining wood. Getting dirty.

Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin

Someone sleeps here. No joke, we woke them up.

*Great Get Away

My trip up to Tettagouche Stae Park was amazing! We hiked parts The Superior Hiking Trail. On the night we got there we put in about 4-5 miles, the next morning after a hearty breakfast we left camp at 8:30 and hiked all day. The trail started out as easy walking but the side trips we made to some overlooks got a bit rough in spots. I saw the most amazing sites from some of them but Mt Trudee won hands down!! I took some video from my digital camera and I will try to figure out how to get that here also. It was so windy on the top that the wind almost knocked me off my feet...Ed just happened to be taking a picture when it happened so you will see me in an odd stance. I was trying to catch my balance to keep from falling.
The pictures are in photo bucket album Tettagouche State Park. Some have titles, some do not.

Deb
The link is below.

http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll235/thejohnstonfamily_bucket/Tettegouche%20State%20Park%20Deb/

*Getting Away

Summer break has been pretty good so far. I've been on one vacation already and I will be heading up to someplace along the North Shore on Sunday, June 27. Ed and I have remained friends since we split up and now that he is no longer engaged to be married he is going with me.
No, we are not getting back together...I love him dearly as a friend but thats it.
I love to go to the beach at Knife River Marina. I get up early in the morning and head down there and usually have the whole beach to myself.
Thats where I try to rid the sad, bad feelings from my mind...write 'em in the sand and watch the waves wash 'em away. Its always a 'soul soother' for me. My soul needs some soothing...big time! Here is part of the reason....
Katie will be going to the hospital on July 7th to be induced. The baby isn't growing like it should and the doc is a bit worried/very concerned. The baby, a boy, is smaller than he should be at this time. Her original due date was August then after several ultra sounds the due date was moved to July 29. Anyway, it looks like she will give birth to a 4 lb baby although the doc hopes he is at least 5 lbs by then. I don't know if the doc has an explanation for what is happening...if its from past drug use or if it may have happened no matter what. Either way, I guess I will be a grandma for a few days...until he is taken home with his adoptive family. I'm sure he will remain in the hospital for a while. Even though she is not keeping him its a hard thing to deal with in many ways...for her and for me. I think back to Kerry and Greyson...2 babies that were a part of my life for such a short time and now another. Don't get me wrong, I am not feeling sorry for myself....just expressing some thoughts. New pain always seems to bring back the old pain...I have learned to deal with it and also know that it never goes away completely. Hence the writing in the sand. I will need a big honking stick.
Deb

*Joey's 'Pal'

It was really nice to visit Ron, Tia and the boys...we had them all to ourselves and were able to do a lot of catching up. Joey is full of energy and exuberance! He is the cutest little guy and reminds me of Ron when he was that age.
Joey has an 'interesting' relationship with a chihuahua that lives down the street. Let me explain.....Joey had been walking around the neighborhood; doing what I am not sure. He hadn't been gone very long when he came running back into Ron & Tia's backyard. He grabbed his bike helmet, put it on and then armed himself with his squirt gun. I heard him say something about a dog but I didn't catch all of it so I asked him what he said. His reply "I'm going to kill someones dog". I guess the dog had run towards him barking. I can't remember if I told Ron or if he heard it but he dutifully followed Joey down the street. They went down there but the dog apparently didn't react at that time or it didn't see them. I walked out to the street to see them both coming back. Ron stopped to talk to me and Joey rode a few feet further, turned around and headed right back to..yep, you guessed it...the dogs house. OK...so now you can pretty well figure out what happened next. The dog saw Joey and ran after him but this time it did not stop....it chased him down the street, past Ron's house to the other end of the block. Thank goodness they live in a cul-de-sac!!! Unfortunately by this time I had left the scene but I heard the commotion coming from the street. I could hear Joey yelling and a dog yapping...you know how those little dogs sound. Ron informed us that Joey came speeding down the street with the dog in hot pursuit. He was screaming "Dad, help me!" Ron said Joey's legs were just a pumpin' those pedals and with the momentum the bike was moving back and forth sideways...(know what I mean by that?) Ron couldn't understand why his dog didn't come to the rescue but Tia had told her to "stay" for fear that their dog would make a snack out of that chihuahua. Later on Joey told Ron "You're my dad...why didn't you help me?" or was it "...You're supposed to help me". maybe it was "....Why were you laughing at me".
Ron will have to correct any misinformation here or add something I may have missed. Joey makes me think of Dennis the Menace. No, Joey is not a menace but Dennis always seemed to get into little incidents and could never stop moving.
Luke is getting big and he is adorable. He didn't seem to mind the two strangers that came to see him.
The visit was great and I would never have been able to go if it weren't for Mom & Don. I had just started summer vacation and Mom didn't want to fly alone so she took me with her. Don had to stay home for work. It was wonderful to smell the cedar trees and see the mountains. If I had driven out there I would have come home with a trunk load of Mother Nature's cast-offs.
Deb

*Back in Minnesota

We're back! Had a great time with Ron & Tia and the boys. The weather was beautiful the whole time we were there. Beautiful state and great smells...I couldn't get enough of smelling the cedar! I posted all the pix on the family bucket. I made a folder...when you get to photo bucket, look to the left at albums and click on the one that says Washington 2009. I'll tell more later...I just wanted to get the pics posted as soon as possible!
Deb

Tyler in his man dress

AHOY!

So this is Jessie! I am in the CzechRepublic, i ahve been for almost two weeks and have two and a half months to go! So 'hello' in Czech is 'Ahoy!' Just like the pirates!

Teen challenge started in a basement in New York 50 years ago, and is now in almost 70 countries. It's aimed at people with addictions like drugs and alcohol. I am here to work with them for the summer. Things are going good! I'm staying in a little town about thirty minutes to Prauge called černuc. (chair-newts.) This is where the woman's house is, which has ten women of all ages (19-51) and two interns, me and another american girl, living in it. Dude, all ten of those girls share one bedroom and one bathroom. Luckily, my roomie and i haave two girls in a room and bathroom to split between us two. We work all day in a town called Postovice, (post- oh- vits). It's really cool, the center is kinda set up like a ranch, the buildings are an old monestary from the 11th century. Since then it's been a farm, a furniture warehouse, and now a Teen Challenge center. They've done an amazing job restoring all of the buildings while keeping the old, original stone intact. Everyone helps everyone out. The girls (and I) do all of the laundry every day. Tehy also peel aaalllll of the potatos used fo reach meal and clean all of the bathrooms and kitchen each night. I get to bounce around from job to job, filling in where I'm needed. The boys do all of the manual labor... of course... and run a pallete shop to make some money. I am slo expected to conform to the rules of the program with the girls. So about half of my clothes are not allowed, i had to take all of my piercings out, and am not allowed to show my tattoos. It's like I'm in the program. Joy, eh? (dad... i need to tell you something... i'm in rehab.)

I also get to work with the girls one on one, counseling kinda stuff. Which is weird, becuase we need a translator. and the translator girl could just say what I'm saying wihtout me saying it... if that makes sense. The girls are a blast, I am learning Czech! I spent a week here with no one else that spoke engligh, i thought i was going insane, but I'm still alive. no worries. I read Twilight twice and watched Xmen 2 about four times the first wek before my roomate got here. Who is... unique. We are opposites. We went shopping in PRAUGE (!!!!!!!) last night, and she got excited over one of those weird stores filled with dorky teacher clothes. HAHA.

Prauge is amazing. I've been there a few times, but got to go shopping for the first time last night. I got a hot pink leather jacket for 20 bucks! awesome! It's a beautiful city, but there is graffitti EVERYWHERE. it's kinda cool at times, adds character i'd say. But they have adds for 'neon club' which is a strip joint spraypainted everywhere. Cheap advertising i guess.

We 'hit the streets' the other night to talk to junkies abou their lives and God. I watched one guy role joints for about fifteen minutes as he listened and asked questions about God. I also witnessed one guy whip out a bong and start puffing away. And one guy even shot up as we were talking to them. This is all happening on the sidewalk too! Right out in the open! the law about any kind of drugs in Prauge says 'a little is ok'. No joke, they don't have a set amount on what 'a little' is. drugs are bad. Well, Czech is the second most athiest country in the world to Turkey, and now i can see why. Drugs and alcohol are widely accepted here. You can buy alcohol when you!re 18 here, and it's widely availible. No such thing as a liquor store, there're more booye in a gas station than gas. It's so sad to see and my heart goes out to these people. Needless to say, the day that we walked and witnessed downtown... I lost my appetite.

All in all my trip has been awesome. Stressful at times, dull at times, mostly fun, and mostly exciting. I keep telling myself it's an adventure. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the 'send Jessie to Czech' cause, I will keep you as updated as i can!
xoxo
Jessie

*My New Car...

Dave...You may not want to look.

A BIGGER PICTURE

Wow, the truth will set you free. Open up your eyes a bit and you’ll notice a few ugly things going on right now. You can be upset about made in Mexico or made in Canada, but you’re missing the sad local truth. If you get a chance to fly out of our airport here in Minneapolis/St. Paul, take a look who is driving the cabs. When you check your bags at the curb who is handling them, when you go through the security check point who is standing there? Chances are they are not U.S. born. The sad truth is that they are making under $10.00 per hour and not many of us are willing to put up with that type of stress for that kind of money.

When you get up in the morning and open up your milk to pour in your coffee or cereal you can almost be guaranteed that if you have Land O’ Lakes on the label that it was packaged by a Latino. If your coffee wasn’t grown in Latin America or Central America it was probably grown in Africa. Now we have a Kona coffee that is grown in Hawaii for those really concerned, I find it really bitter so I go for the Columbian stuff. Tyler likes the Malt O’ Meal cereals, but once again blended and packaged by a Latino. Made in America now days has no borders, this would be part of that NAFTA stuff and the sad truth is that if you shut down the border to shipping, you flood our borders with illegal’s. We could pay the employees at these company’s more money and hire only U.S.A. born employees, but because of education and a need for computer literacy it is really hard to find people who are willing to work for less. The higher paid employee means a higher cost; the U.S. auto maker’s are dealing with this right now as I type. If it cost’s more money for a lesser product who is going to buy it, not Larry he has a Toyota and he’ll tell you how it is the greatest car ever manufactured in the world, (he use to own a metal fabrication shop here in the U.S. and buy’s foreign car), why, his Camry is better and our U.S. auto makers will admit it. Now to make that same car here in the U.S. you would have to increase the price by $8,000 to $10,000, that would be either Pontiac or Lincoln that even comes close.

So, the problem is more than just buy made in America, you can’t. What can we do to fix this? This is the next big challenge, if we close our borders to goods, we will be slammed with immigrants who will work for less. My good friends we are soon going to see a world dollar similar to the Euro, and just maybe the end of the U.S.A. as the greatest nation.

President Clinton Signs NAFTA
Congress approved NAFTA in November 1993 and the agreement went into effect on January 1, 1994, again please note, he was not my president. This I fear was a HUGE mistake made before Bush Jr.

J-Me

Comparing Products & Prices

In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job. After reading this email, I think this woman is on the right track. I know I will accept her challenge! See if you don't feel the same way!

I am a big one for price & product comparing and it's true...USA made stuff is less expensive and have the same ingredients etc. Store brand foods are cheaper too; many are packaged and distributed by 'brand name' companies right here in the U.S.

Deb

*My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more.

*My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico now. I have switched to Crest.

*You have to read the labels on everything.

*This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off brand labeled, "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA by a company in Cleveland, Ohio.

*So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here.

*So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets... Yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada. The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA ! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce I have been using for years and at almost half the price!

*So my challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors! If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time!

Stop buying from overseas companies!

(We should have awakened a decade ago...)

Let's get with the program.... help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A!

Just some thoughts....

#1 I've noticed things have slowed down here on the blog. Did I offend whoever left that really loooooooong entry by saying I fell asleep while reading it? I wasn't serious when I said, "Keep this crap off the blog".

#2 What rights did we lose as gun owners?? My neighbor owns many guns.....I asked him...and he said....none....that he could think of..

#3 In the past several months....my mortgage is down, my homeowners and car insurance is down (State Farm), my union dues are down, my property taxes are down (not for long...Pawlenty's in control of the budget), my anxiety level about world affairs is down, my paycheck is up and so are the investments, and we received the biggest federal tax return we've ever received...........so, for all of this........who do I thank??

#4 Class size is up.....Pawlenty again....35 or 36 fourth graders next year....

#5 Adam is quite the pitcher......threw 60 pitches in tonight's game....wish you could all watch him....all the skill and athleticism I never had....and he's the best bunt-er in the league....

Rich

Tom and Huck (Dad and Sam)

So I'm doing laundry on Saturday and start emptying Sam's jean's pockets...What I found:

• 2 rocks
• piece of yarn about 3 inches long
• nickel
• dime
• silver thimble
• matchbox tractor
• fortune cookie fortune that says: "You have enough energy and enthusiasm for 2 people"

Made me laugh outloud - was that Sam's pocket or Jim's pocket I cleaned out??? : )

Have a great day! Sandy

*I found Jeanie's DORK TAG!

Here's one for ya

"The will does not choose between good and evil; it is its choice, rather, that makes it good or evil."

I said a lot of things Rich.

Look familiar?

John said

And in the end, the love you take is equal to love you make.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICH

Happy Birthday.......I'd call you now to remind you that you are getting old but I realize its early and you need all the sleep you can get!
Love ya!
Deb

Soldier Boy

Tyler recieved a Unit coin today from his First Sergeant for showing the qualities of a highly motivated soldier, he was 1 of four, then got smoked and had to do 150 push-ups, sit-ups, and all the other fun stuff, he puked. Proud of my boy.

Nice picture Jamie

I have been laughing so hard about this all morning. Doesn't Jamie look cute

The Second Amendment

*THE 2nd AMENDMENT**The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. (waiting for attack)The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.

1. Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.

2. If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.

3. I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy.

4. When seconds count , the cops are just minutes away.

5. A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him 'Why do you carry a 45?' The Ranger responded, 'Because they don't make a 46.'

6. The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm... 'Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?' 'No Ma'am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my shotgun.'

7. Beware the man who only has one gun. HE PROBABLY KNOWS HOW TO USE IT!!!

But wait, there's more!

I was once asked by a lady visiting if I had a gun in the house. I said I did. She said 'Well I certainly hope it isn't loaded!' To which I said, of course it is loaded, can't work without bullets!' She then asked, 'Are you that afraid of someone evil coming into your house?' My reply was, 'No not at all. I am not afraid of the house catching fire either, but I have fire extinguishers around, and they are all loaded too.' To which I'll add, having a gun in the house that isn't loaded is like having a car in the garage without gas in the tank.
HAVE A NICE DAY But don't Monkey with Me....
And Remember:I'm a firm believer of the 2nd Amendment!

Good and Bad

So yeah, Michael is getting married this Friday to a super person, MaryJane, which we love having in our lives, she is funny, smart, loving, loyal, all you would want in a human involved in your life. MaryJane is in the Army reserves and just found out she is to be shipped out at the end of July for training and then to Afghanistan for 18 months. Michael & MaryJane decided to get married before she leaves for certain reasons. It's all bittersweet, she is worried about Michael being here alone and Michael is worried about her being there alone, hhhmmm funny huh? Jamie and I spent a lot of time apart when we were first married and sometimes still do (the summer widow thing) which doesn't compare to what those two have to go through. So what do you say? We love and support both of them beyond anything. So when you see those guys and gals in uniform at McDonalds, having lunch buy them an Apple pie because that's the right thing is to do. When your in line at S.A. buy the coffee and when D.A.V. calls send them clothes you don't want. You don't have to believe in the war, you don't have to believe in our president, but you have to believe these kids are fighting for your freedoms.

Don't be a spectator... participate, do something.

Love us.

Possibly Moving out!

Hey Everyone...

So Pat and I have been looking at apartments... we think it is time to have a place of our own! On April 24th, we turned in the applications and deposit to an apartment!

It is located in Coon Rapids, by the dam. It is a one bedroom, on third floor :-( for $634 a month!!

I am excited! I really hope we get approved. If we do get approved, we would move out May 29th.

Brandi

Sometimes I wish that........

HMMM. OK. WELL.......

OOPS, THAT LAST ONE GOT AWAY FROM ME. ANYWAY, I HAVE LOTS TO TELL, NO TIME TO TO IT RIGHT NOW. ANYWAY, REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT RONNIE AND TIA'S FAMILY BLOG.. THE VIDEOS AND COMMENTS (FROM JOEY) ARE HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!

XO
LOVE TO ALL!
JEANIE

HELLO

AS SEEN ON T.V. MUST SEE

Do you have an Anti-gun Democratic friend that doesn't seem as ‘joyous’ as they were after the election of the “Great One”? Maybe they’re worried about their ‘security’ at home with the increasing “residential crime” they’ve been reading about. Also, maybe they realize now that the police can’t be everywhere to protect them within seconds.
Well here’s ‘good news’ for them. Smith & Wesson has just announced a new handgun designed just for the person who is un-familiar with and possibly afraid of handguns, yet wants to have adequate home protection: The “SW18044L” (‘L’ signifies ‘liberal’). You will note that this handsome, powerful weapon is a “commemorative model” which proudly bears the Democratic “Donkey” and a large capital “D”! It also comes with a lifetime supply of ammo. Tell your friends to be sure to get their orders in early, because they will be in high demand!

HAPPY EASTER

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

REDNECK WORD OF THE DAY

REDNECK WORD FOR TODAY:

OBAMA

"I bought me a case of beer and

drank it Obama myself".

Where's the President?

Hasn't the President thrown out the first pitch on opening day?


Oh ya, he's busy visiting a Mosque, go figure...

Soundproofing?

So i haven't posted anything is a while. Actually almost a year. This is Zach by the way, or Broder which ever you prefer.

But, i guess this question would be more directed at Jamie.

I need a place where i can start to pull together a studio and i choose my shed, but im stuck at the sound proofing. Whats the best way to eliminate as much sound as possible going in and out?

By the way, it has a single wooden layer for the walls, two lofts, set up on wood planks to keep it off the ground im assuming, the floor is plywood, vaulted ceiling, and its about 12' by 20'

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JODI

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JODI!

Love ya lots!
Deb

'Bad' American

YES, I'M A BAD AMERICAN
I Am the Liberal-Progressives Worst Nightmare.
I am an American.
and believe in God..
I ride Harley Davidson Motorcycles and believe in American products.
I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some Liberal governmental functionary be it Democratic or Republican!
I'm in touch with my feelings and I like it that way!
I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer, it makes you a smart American.
I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized,
and does not entitle you to anything. Get over it!
I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac, do it in English.
I believe everyone has a right to pray to God
when and where they want to.
My heroes are John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and Willie G. Davidson that makes the Awesome Harley Davidson Motorcycles.
I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.
I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time watching or arguing about it.
I've never owned a slave, or was a slave, I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks and neither have you!
So, shut up already.
I believe if you don't like the way things are here,
go back to where you came from and change your own country!
This is AMERICA ...We like it the way it is!
If you were born here and don't like it you are free to move to any Socialist country that will have you.
I want to know which church is it exactly where the Reverend Jesse Jackson preaches, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution.
Can I get an AMEN on that one?
I also think the cops have the right to pull you over if you're breaking the law, regardless of what color you are.
And, no, I don't mind having my face shown on my drivers license.
I think it's good.... And I'm proud that 'God' is written on my money.
I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years.
I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me into making 'donations' to their cause.
Get a Job and do your part!
I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents.
I believe 'illegal' is illegal no matter what the lawyers think.
I believe the American flag should be the only one allowed in AMERICA !
If this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I'm a BAD American.
If you are a BAD American too, please forward this to everyone you know.
We want our country back!

I miss those

I miss those cartoons, ecspecially the Hannah Barbara Sat. morning hour

Jodi

Ty's new truck

Easter Stuff

Joey was looking at some Easter decorations that Tia had recently brought out. Suddenly, he shouts, "Dad, we don't have to keep this angry, wild animal, do we?...You know this thing scares me!"

I had no idea what he was talking about so I had him go get it to show me....what did he bring me? the answer is at: http://goldbarbarians.blogspot.com

ronjon

Rambling

Ever since Rich typed the post about his hazy memory about his childhood, I've been trying to conjure up a few distant memories myself. Unfortunately, I, like Rich, have few solid memories of any time from my childhood.

I do remember, however, have a few memories of what the rest of you were like...

Deb: Brown Maverick w/ 8track player, Snoopy doll, leather hippy vest and moccasins

Jim: Curly hair, roller skates, made me hold a bucket while he shot a bow and arrow at it, ran like the wind, rocking chair

Dave: Fingers twisting hair, crushing my potato chips before I ate them, waking up just to get ready to take a nap, making weird guttural noises. Deep water drowning tactics.

Rich: Hid M&M's in the air-conditioning vent above his bed, had a wheel-O, Fuji bike, trumpet, had a maze thing with the steel ball bearings.

Jean: Made sure I never had 2 bowls of cereal, Roger-Baby, liked a guy named Ken, Kirsten Nix, Rick Springfield

Me: Took a lot of undeserved abuse from siblings, wondered where Rich was to share in abuse delivered from older siblings, was the voice of reason, never got to ride snowmobiles due to older siblings abuse of the machines, never knew the meaning of "sour-grapes".

Jodi: Insides were "shrinking" (whatever that meant) and had to have an operation, played with Sonya, nicknamed Toad, Projectile vomiting, looked bewildered a lot.

There you have it...I'm sure this is fairly accurate. Please let me know if you disagree.

Ron

Our new pet

It keeps coming back, I wanted to shoot it but Jamie wouldn't let me.

Please Pray

My boss got married on 7-7-2007. When her and her husband were on their way to the hotel the night before they were to leave for their honeymoon, some lady pulled out in front of them in HW 65. My boss ended up T-boning the lady. Sarah and Kyle had to go to the ER and wear neck braces and so on. Sarah had re-scheduled their honeymoon (thank goodness for insurance on it!) A few days before they were suppose to leave a second time, Kyle found a lump in his neck. The doctor said it was fine and all that. I believe it was the day before they were suppose to leave, they got a phone calling from the doctor telling Kyle he needs to go to the doctor and his lump could be more than a lump from the car accident.

Well, shortly after Kyle found out he had cancer. Kyle had Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, the fast growing cells. He is only 37 years old. So since about Nov of 2007 Kyle had chemo and all sorts of tests. He stopped chemo because nothing was found. He went in for another scan and they found more traces of the cancer, so again he had to do chemo.

Before Kyle started chemo, Sarah wanted to get pregnant. That did not happen; but after he was done with chemo and feeling better, they of course tried again. In Dec 2008, she found out she was pregnant. The doctors at the sperm bank said this was a miracle child because the sperm count for Kyle was very low.

Sarah got to hear the heartbeat, which was very strong. The doctor told her that she was way past the miscarragie stage; which relieved Sarah very much!! Yesterday March-24, Sarah had her first ultrasound. The doctor said things looked great. This morning she got a phone call from the doctor. They want her to go take a level 2 ultrasound. The doctor said the fetus could have kidney problems (I guess they looked small) and also a cleft lip. I had called Sarah this morning when I got up and it was shortly after the doctor called her. She started crying when she was on the phone with me. I feel so bad. They have been trhough so much in the while they have been married. Sarah just turned 30 on Monday the 23rd. This is her first pregnancy.

Sarah said to me this morning, "This is so unfair!!"

I am asking you to keep her, Kyle and their unborn child in your prayers.

Thank You,

Brandi

Just a little video of some pics. Check out animoto.com
Dave

*It's True

Guns don't kill people...

Bullets kill people....Guns just make them go really fast.

Deb

*News Release

Release to all newspapers and wire services!

The Department of Defense briefed the president this morning. They told President Obama that 2 Brazilian soldiers were killed in Iraq.
To everyone's surprise, all the color drained from Obama's face.
Then he collapsed onto his desk, head in his hands, visibly shaken, almost in tears.
Finally, he composed himself and asked,'Just how many is a brazilian?'
This is not surprising, since he obviously has no understanding of a billion or a trillion either.

Deb

Government ppfftt

So the new government says " we will make the country better and stop this recession and to keep the economy growing. (by the way we will be taxed to death by this) they decide to give these B.S. companies bailout money without stating a clause that they cannot use that money to pay bonuses, hhhmmm, now Barack is mad? What right does he have when he is one who ok'd it. What is sad is: David the Rocky Mountain Newspaper is gone, did they get help? NO, the Star & Tribune is now owned by the Pioneer Press, did they get help NO, The World Market who gets their merchandise from importing from other countries is gone hhmmm think about that one and all the other small people.

I guess the saying is true who cares about the little people. Everybody is blaming Junior on this recession, but sit and reflect when the cheater Clinton was president is he not the one who ok'd all those crappy mortgages and why was it okay for the banks to give them when they knew it was a bad, bad idea? My mortgage is through U.S. Bank and they drilled us for weeks and not only wanted the past 2 years of tax returns but a whole lot of stuff that didn't have anything to do with a mortgage, I had to get information from my child support worker, past employees, they actually called our references we put down current ande past etc... U.S. bank is doing great, TCF gave their money back, Wells fargo sucks.

Where I work I am privy to information regarding banks, mortgage companies that no one else is, some of the stuff I read makes me want to puke.

The whole " I am going to get those troops out of Iraq thing hahahha Barack didn't even know how bad it was over there that is why some of Ty's unit, A friend of Debbie and Brandi's is getting sent oh yeah and yet another unit of the Guard which one of them is a very close friend of Ty's, don't get me wrong I totally support those guys but know what your saying before you know the whole picture. Yes I am pretty sure Ty will be going and that is totally okay, he has the sniper rifle.

Okay I am done ranting and welcome any comment.

Jodi

p.s. excuse my mispelling or any other English mistake

I need your...

Hey All I was wondering if I could get your e-mail addresses that you use the most!!

Just send a blank e-mail to B_Midkiff@hotmail.com so I can enter it!!

Thank you

Brandi

Just thinking

Why aren’t people more freaked out about the economy?

I know if I were to write a check for let’s say $5,000.00 and it turned out to be bad, I’d be taken to court, sentenced and most likely locked up and listed as a felon. Yet we are letting our government spend money it does not have and they are racking up a huge bad check. (1.5 trillion dollars)

If I have to budget and you have to budget, shouldn’t our government be held to the same ideals. Sure it would be nice to have that really cool Yukon, but I can’t afford it, it is out of my budget, so I drive an old Blazer, it’s rusty and trusty. I remember a time ago when the Police cars would stay on the road until they got pretty shabby, only then you would see a new Police cars.

Now government will ask for more tax money, but with income tax, state tax, sales tax, property tax, hunting tax, fishing tax, boat tax, dog tax, road usage tax, ifta tax, entertainment tax, building permit tax, gas tax, tobacco tax, inheritance tax and gaming tax haven’t we been taxed enough already?

How about a responsible government that has to answer for spending.

J-me

DADism's

In commemoration of Dad's birthday I feel we should kinda roast him. I have been thinking of some Dad type sayings...like... "If all your friends were jumping off a bridge, would you?""I'm gonna cloud up and rain all over you."
Now, as we all know Dad travels a lot. He tells me of these travels when He visits and he likes to use the word "Gal". The Gal on the phone making reservations or the Gal at the checkout or the Gal at the ticket booth or the Gal at the car rental place or the Gal at the restaurant or the Gal at customer service. It seems that Dad never talks to any guys.. Myrna, maybe you should start worrying! What other Dadism's can we think of... OH, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Dave

Pictures

Wow, that is one scary picture! Way to ruin it!

*QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Insanity is hereditary.....You get it from your kids."

Laundry

Yes Tyler is folding laundry, Yeah!

Positive Thinking

"It is not the goal but the way there that matters, and the harder the way the more worthwhile the journey."

I thought about this for awhile agreeing then disagreeing. Depending on the situation I would just like to get there (like getting the grocery shopping done) and other times make it harder then hell to get there it. I think in my past I should have just chosen to get there instead of being stubborn etc... etc... but I don't regret any of it, I learned a lot and gained a lot of knowledge. When Jamie had cancer I thought life is over as we know it, I chose at that time to make the journey worthwhile and it was, it made us closer we still had fun, learned a lot more about each other. I fear to think what would have happened if we didn't do it in a positive way. Last summer when Tyler left.. well I won't even go into that except it was a journey it was hard but Tyler, Jamie and I have become closer then we were. So making the journey harder is worthwhile, cuz you always learn a lot more than when you started, it makes you check your gut and think of all and everything involved, it can make you closer to people you wish you could be closer too and if you let it, it can be a blast. Maybe it is just the Buddhist thing but I am grateful for all the crap I have gone through. Weird huh? must be that Nirvana thing.

Love to all
Jodi

Uuumm Wow.

Hi!! It's been a while. Just want everybody to know we are still alive. Well, I am, anyway. At this moment (10:50pm) Bruno is up in Pine City on Lake Pokegema... ice fishing. By himself. And Jackson the Dog. He has a portable fish house, and the Durango. His plan is to stay all night and fish. Sounds like Jackson has gone between the truck and the portable. After playing all afternoon on the lake. Bruno brought many blankets, Jackson's vest and his sleeping bag. If he gets tired he will just sleep in the Durango. Maybe run it every once in a while, but he is prepared as far as warmth goes. So back to my original first sentence... I am still alive and at this point I assume my husband is. I talked to him about an hour ago. Thanks to Joda for putting up that horrible picture. Bruno would like to know: Where are all the pictures of him playing Santa at the Johnston Xmas Party!? C'mon, somebody's got to have something!!
Ok, well enough for now, I could go on for hours. (yeah whatever, quit with the comments)
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Guess Who.

Oh My!

What is wrong with all you people?

Yeah you!

Tyler beats Obama to the punch

Need a little PEP talk?

priceless.com/suitetalk

...and the answer is.....

18 years married to the same wonderful woman......Ann Marie!!

Married January 19, 1991 at 1900 hours....some of you will remember how cold it was that year too...

Rich

The Answer is 18.....what's the question??

Happy belated birthday to Jim, happy belated birthday to Dave, and happy belated birthday to Deb. The oldest just keep getting older. This presidential election may be a first for some of you....is Obama younger than you?? He was born in 1961, not sure of the month. You may not know how much I love American History and would give anything to be in Washington DC on Tuesday, but I guess I'll be watching along with 27 fourth graders instead.

Do you ever have flashbacks to your childhood? I've been listening to a new station called Love 105.......105.7 to be exact and I've heard some songs that I haven't heard in years.....sometimes the songs are the reason for the memories.....but not always......and sometimes I'm afraid that I'm forgetting what life was like on Marble Street. I'm talking about the good years.....probably before high school.....by the way I thought high school sucked....big time.....I loved Jr. high much better.....and this may come as a surprise, but I liked St. Stevens......I wonder what friends I would have had if I had stayed there. Mom got mad when I told here I didn't want to leave there. I did meet Todd at Sandberg Middle School, and other various friends along the way, but none that I keep in touch with....

Jean has a good memory about life back when.....she brings things up, and I have to admit I don't remember that event.....I wonder why not.....someone tell me what I was like.....what was I doing that I don't seem to remember like some of you do.....

Ali is 14 years old...(damn it!) and likes to stay home like I did when I was young. I didn't like to do a lot with other people. Lately, she hates people - her words - because they just don't do the right thing. She's very independent and knows what she wants......her Grandpa and Grandma say she's a lot like Mandy.....I'd like to get those two talking, e-mailing, writing....I think Ali could use a "big sister"........................no Jean............you're too old..........anyway it's been a tough year for Ali.....lots of emotions........lots of "hate"........I say lots of hormones.....

Adam, 12 years old......and I'm ready to beat the puberty out of him! He's a cocky, mouthy, middle school slob.....He's everything I wasn't and I couldn't be happier.....don't tell him that. He still has to watch his mouth and quit antagonizing his sisters.

Ava is bored with school.......were in trouble here folks.......way too easy for her.....she's in some challange classes a few times a week, but that won't do much for her.....she's been in school since she learned to walk and talk....she's an all around athlete, that will excel at anything she tries...we're looking for the cheapest sports or clubs.

Has anyone figured out the question yet??

I'll check back for answers.....

Rich

My View

Thought I would post the view I have everyday. Can you name the famous peak?

Happy Birthday Deb

Hey Deb,
hope you have a great day. I usually call Jim on his birthday and sing "Old man take a look at my life..." (Neil young). Anyway, I promise not to sing to you about old men and I don't know any songs about old women, not that you are old or anything. You are older than me, but your not really old or anything...well you are old according to my kids, because they say I am old and of course you are older than me...anyway, how ooooold are you anyway? I forget, 55 or 56? well I'm rambling. Happy Birthday.

Love Dave

Argghhh

And so...Life goes on...... thats all I have to say for now.
Deb

Just Some things

Hey Everyone! I hope you all had a great Christmas and a great and safe New Year!

As you know, I turned 21 in Dec. I did not get too drunk when I went out with my friends :-D

I wanted you guys to know that I have started creating a website for when Pat and I get married. It will be updated when I get all the information, the link is below.

http://www.brandiandpatrick2010.ourweddingday.com/

Visit, and I think if you can, add your address if you can... it will save me time :-D
Brandi





The last picture of the night!

Me and my friend Jenny

*HAPPY 2009 EVERYONE!

I hope this year will be good for everyone!

I spent New Years Eve home alone and spent much of it doing my own "Year In Review" thing.

I thought about the good and the bad, the things that seemed impossible at the time but turned out anyway. I thought about my life and even if I don't comment on it I thought about all of yours too.

Some of my hopes and thoughts for 2009

Keith and Danielle will marry and continue to improve their lives...I am so proud of them.

Brandi and Pat will keep striving for the future and make the most of it.

Tyler won't have any mishaps with his vehicle.

Jodi will be able to relax and not worry.

Jamie will stay healthy.

Jess will keep learning from experience...one of life's best teachers.

Jean and Bruce's pets will be healthy and happy.

My thoughts also took me back in time to the days when I didn't know if I loved or hated Katie; but I did know I felt better with her a thousand miles away. At times I forgot she even existed but other times I was constantly tortured with thoughts of her and what was happening

My greatest wishes and hopes for Katie are that she continue with her treatment plan and continue to realize that her family has her best interests in mind.

For myself...I just want to keep being content with my life and things in it.

I've finally reached a plateau that I like.

Love ya all,

DEB