They must be the crooks that robbed Elise and James back in November...check it out!

Article in Nashville paper

Three Nashville teens took a school bus Friday morning to get to class, but were spotted shortly afterward heading with guns to the nearby woods, Metro police said.

The teens, all students at Antioch High School's freshman academy, were captured hiding under portable classrooms on the Thomas A. Edison Elementary campus, which was put on lockdown during the incident. The teens stashed the guns — stolen in a burglary that morning — in the woods, and all the weapons were recovered, police said.

"There are possibly more arrests to come," Lt. Damian Huggins with the Hermitage Police Precinct said at a news conference Friday. "We're focusing our efforts on truancy stings. We have our eyes and surveillance on our high schools and middle schools."

The teens are among at least seven juveniles — some with prior burglary charges — arrested in the past couple of days with suspected connections to 40 burglaries this year in the Percy Priest Lake area. The arrests are part of an ongoing effort to curb juvenile crime, which has risen by
56.9 percent between 2006 and last year, Huggins said.

Police suspect that the three teens taken into custody Friday are members of a ring that breaks into homes during work hours to steal computers, game systems and guns. Police also interviewed 13 other people in connection with the burglaries, Huggins said.

Three other Antioch High School students were arrested Thursday on charges of burglary and theft and are believed to be members of the ring, Huggins said.

Remembering Gilby:)

The 'Wizard' is going to be blocked tonight for staging. That's a lot of fun. The only problem will be Elle missing dance rehearsal, but nothing can be done about it. Missing one time really doesn't hurt, and recital is 2 months away. Today also marks 11 years since Dad 'Grandpa Gilby' died. Interestingly, it was opening night for Evita. Elise was in the children's chorus when we got the news, and I was doing make-up. It was a shock and almost surreal. It's true what they say how the show must go on. Elise was already on stage, and I was doing body make-up to make everyone look Argentinian. We really had to keep it together. That was a Tuesday, and on the following Saturday, we had a block of seats for the family for the evening show. The middle seat was empty, and we realized that was Dad's seat. Photos are some of his favorites from the early 50's when he was stationed in Hawaii. He's shown with buddy Glenn Sexton who is the tall one:) Everyone is tall next to Gilby. Back of the picture read, in his hand, "Me and my buddy Glenn. Our hut is shown in back."

Congrats to Elle...

Congratulations to Elle for getting all firsts in the district solo and ensemble. They were in voice, sax, jazz band, quartet and duet. Photo is from the summer...it's hard to believe that it was 97 that day, and the kids had to wear woolen uniforms! Elle took her coat off for this photo, which was taken when friend Mary Jo was visiting from Atlanta. She, of course, was used to the heat. 2 kids fainted during the parade. I can't imagine heat like that right now. 30 would seem balmy. Can't wait for this winter to end.

Bid and Brew article

Bid 'N Brew fundraiser benefits FACES

By Heather Stanek
The Reporter hstanek@fdlreporter.com

The Fond du Lac Area Catholic Education System's largest fundraiser Saturday targets beer enthusiasts. The third annual Bid 'n Brew will be held 7 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, at University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac Commons, 400 University Drive. The event offers beer samples and live and silent auctions. There will also be a cash bar, hors d'oeuvres and live music. The event is open to people 21 and older, and admission is $50. Those attending will receive a souvenir pint glass. More than 150 items will be for sale, said Mary Bartelt, events planner, public relations and marketing contact for FACES. The auction will include a 42-inch liquid crystal display TV, Badger tickets, a Wii videogame package, jewelry, a wine-tasting event, getaways to various resorts and more. Auction item booklets and tickets are available at the FACES Administration Office, 114 Amory St. Bartelt said the booklets may help people determine what they want to bid on before the event. "There's a lot," she said. "You don't want to spend the night (of Bid 'n Brew) reading a book." People can also try 4-ounce samples of beer. Bartelt said more than 50 varieties from Midwestern microbrewers will be offered. There may also be some imports from Germany, Belgium and England, added Evan Schwalbe, one of the event's brewmasters. "We've opened it up a bit more," he said. "It started as (just the) Midwest (brewers)." This year, organizers are offering more popular beers, such as lighter colored or pale beers. "People tend to stay away from the dark," he said. "Not all — some people are willing to try new flavors." All proceeds will benefit FACES for tuition assistance and other educational needs, Bartelt said. Last year's event raised about $70,000.

Saturday off...

A Saturday off turned into a Saturday on. I was called in to do some paperwork this morning, and then I thought I'd visit "Jack" at the assisted living complex. I guess he's doing O.K. according to the family, but they've been having difficulty with their decision to move him out of the home. They miss him, and wonder if the placement was the right thing. Tough question. Anyway, I think he'll enjoy a visit. Afterward, I'll have my autistic child here for a respite until Sunday evening. I think Monday is a short day...only work until 3, so can catch up on home projects. A special remembrance today of Grandpa Les, on what would have been his 93rd. birthday. Photo is a nice memory. Also best of luck today for Elle who is at District Solo and Ensemble with vocal and instrumental solos. Daddy Paul will accompany her, and afterward he's playing at the local benefit, "Bid and Brew" which features state and local home-brewed beers.

Couldn't resist...

Some more photos of the new baby. How precious.

baby Roark

Congratulations to dear friend Teri-Ann, on the birth of her grandson Roark. Here is a photo she shared.

More snow, more snow.

It's hard to imagine, but more snow is predicted tonight. There's nowhere to throw the extra snow. I suppose all the local folks are in the same situation.

Congrats!

Congratulations to Jason, Greta, David, Grace and Nicholas. They are expecting a new babe in the fall. We are so happy for them. Let's see. This makes 6 grandkids (going on 7) for sister Jeannine:)

much worse

This storm is much worse than the previous storm. We only had 3 new inches, but it was preceeded by rain which quickly turned to ice. While it was raining, the streets flooded and the city crews were busy opening drains. The water was literally up to the door of the van on Park Avenue just north of Johnson. (Just in front of Katie's house, Elise and James will know where.) What a mess. I managed to get to work (had to train 2 new CNA's) and worked 10 hours after that because the staff couldn't make it in. I'm exhausted tonight. Paul and I are really suffering with influenza B, but neither one can cancel anything right now. Some of the masses were cancelled today, but Paul had to go out anyway to lock things up. Then we slept until noon before we both had to go back to work...me to the group home and he to the rentals to clear snow. There's no dust settling on us that's for sure. I feel quite worn out. Just need a nap...a 24 hour nap:)

15 years ago

Photo was taken for our church directory. Ellie wasn't born until July. I love the hair bauble Elise!

sealed with a kiss

Thanks to JoJo for today's photo, and Happy Valentine's Day to all. We are starting to 'dig out' just now. The official total here was 8 inches of new snow. My trip home from work generally takes 7 minutes. Today it took 35. I just couldn't see, and the van bounced around in and out of snow tracks. A truck in front of me spun out a half mile from home, and I stopped to help him dig out after his front end landed in a snowbank. Of all days for this to happen. I didn't have boots on...just my tennies and short socks to boot:( It won't happen tomorrow. I'll be like the boy scouts and be prepared. On a lighter note, kudos to Martha for starting a blog. I really enjoyed her daughter's "first dance" story. What a milestone! It's cute...she likened it to the first day of kindergarten. How true.

How funny!

Elise called at 3PM. I knew something was wrong. She NEVER calls when she works, so I thought bad news. Turns out the school she works at had a 'snow day.' She was laughing when she described a dusting on the grass, with the grass peeking out, and melting on the sidewalks. She had to get James at the airport, and then they went home, instead of back to work. Everything was cancelled by midday. Imagine a guy from Minnesota and a girl from Wisconsin (with relatives in northern Michigan) being party to this. We had a good laugh. This is an actual photo from someone's deck in Nashville. Check out the snow:)
Here is the article from the Nashville paper.

"Road Conditions Close Schools Across Middle Tenn."
Freezing temperatures overnight Tuesday turned wet roads into slick roads, prompting many Middle Tennessee school districts to cancel classes Wednesday.
Williamson County, Sumner County, Montgomery County and Rutherford County were among the schools districts closed. Metro Nashville Schools opted not to cancel classes Wednesday but told bus drivers to use their discretion about whether or not to run their routes. Slippery spots were reported on back roads in Williamson County and Stewart Country. In Wilson County, officials are urging drivers to avoid the Linwood Road overpass above Interstate 40, due to ice.

Eva's artwork

Eva's artwork will grace the covers of the bulletin throughout lent. Here is week number 1. Thought it was nice.

Chili bowl, how true!

Today at the fairgrounds, Holy Family has it's first of 2 annual festivals. It starts with a mass, and then goes to games, entertainment and chili...some very good chili. It's aptly named. We have a wind chill of minus 35. Mary Jo in Atlanta is laughing right now:)

a few photos from today

Aliyah and Cameron just left. Minnie is off to the laundromat because her washer just died. I would've helped her out, but the pump on our hot water heater just gave out, and will need to be replaced along with the boiler. There goes the emergency fund. On a lighter note, I just finished a great book entitled, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit. It is SO true. When we grew up on Lake Michigan, our weekends and summers were filled with swimming, fishing, skating, skiing, hiking, stories around the campfire, climbing trees, 4-H and girls scouts. Nowadays, kids play video games and go to computer camps and weight-loss clinics, and many take anti-anxiety and ADHD meds to boot. How sad. The book is full of positive ideas for change. Gretchen, I think you especially would enjoy the book, because of your psych work with children. Check it out. Author is Richard Louv.

heading out

Heading out to Stan's for the morning. I found this nice photo of Val with one of her quilts. She really had a talent for sewing, knitting, and quilting. Stan and I always spend much of our time talking about and remembering her. Afterward it's back home to watch little Cameron for a bit, so Minnie can get to her second job. Then I plan a long walk with the dogs before the arctic blast sets in:) Want to also remember my friend Cindy who died a year ago today at the age of 45 from a rare cancer. We were in Ireland at the time, and missed the funeral, but spent time with the family when we returned. It's been a tough year for the family without her. I guess that's why we have our faith to guide us. Miss you Cindy.

slowing down

I'm slowing down to the weekend. I have off but plan to visit Stan at the farm, and also help out Minnie with her nephew Cameron. It will feel like a vacation, due to the schedule of the past week. "Jack" is going to go to a facility sooner than expected, leaving home on Wednesday. I'll see him on Tuesday, and hope to ease the transition. On another front, I'm feeling good about the group home. One of the autistic clients, a young man, sat with me tonight for 1 and 1/2 hours and spoke to me in sentences. Although short sentences, he's never done this before, and had regressed to single words with staff. I am encouraged. The photo today was taken by Eva. I thought it was nice. The weather channel says we've only had 11 minutes of sun this month! Unbelievable. This weekend is promising minus 40. Let's all believe in the early spring. I can't remember when we've had so much ice on the swimming pool.

things going smoothly

Except for the major snowstorm, things are going smoothly. I'm settling in to the new job nicely, and my Alzheimer's client is being considered for placement at a nearby home. Then life should be less hectic. "Jack" fell today at home, and I needed his wife (an RN who works for the school system) to come home and help with getting him off of the floor. He's a big guy, with a compromised left arm and shoulder, so it was difficult. Basically he just went down walking from the LR to the kitchen. His wife said he is very unsteady, so this was not unexpected. He was a good sport, and really tried to help us. His dog got into something outside (we think a dead rodent) and vomited on the rug at the same time of the fall:( Tomorrow will certainly be a snow day. Hit me with it! I intend to sleep, sleep and sleep some more.

feast or famine

After having the month of December off, it's hard to comprehend such long days. They won't last long. My Alzheimer's patient is being evaluated and is on a waiting list for placement at a facility. Then I will have just the one job...plus the occasional respites here at home with my 13 year old autistic. The actual adult group home where I have my position is quite beautiful. It is newly built, with hard wood floors, and a lovely sensibly designed kitchen. It's amazing how everyone always seems to congregate in the kitchen. One of my favorite authors, Rose Wilder Lane once said, "Friendliness not genuine in the kitchen is not improved by a parlor." Actually, Laura Ingalls Wilder is given credit for that remark, but her much more famous (at the time) daughter was really the "ghost writer" of the Little House books. I have all of Rose's books. She was VERY intelligent, and was considered one of the strongest forces behind the Libertarian political party. Anyone interested should read The Discovery of Freedom. Her best friend was Dorothy Thompson, who was the wife of Sinclair Lewis, who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1930.

Happy Birthday, Kylie!

Birthday wishes go out to niece Kylie on her 19th. birthday, which was on Groundhog's Day. I think she's buried in all the snow in Houghton, MI. The photo is from her grad party in June in Traverse City. Hope the celebration was grand:)

Nice chat with Big Sister...

Jeannine and I had a nice chat about musicals, grandkids and the like. We always need to get "caught up" now and then. Tomorrow will be a difficult day as far as the job is concerned. I will have to work a 16 hour day, because of a staff emergency. I can't do the autistic seminar as previously planned, but the boss is not too upset. I've had a primary client with autism for many years, so I have experience. Today, my new autistic client gave me a 'high five' which is very encouraging, and before dinner he smiled at me twice. He had none of his usual behaviors, such as vomiting and plugging up the toilets, so it's a good sign.