getting ready

Began today cleaning out the pool...that's always a nice feeling. The photo is from last summer and includes Krissy, Elise and Elle. This Saturday Krissy and I are taking the day off and visiting family in Manitowoc. A high school friend wants to meet us for lunch, and we're taking G-mare along. Today is Mozart's 10th. birthday. He is a wonderful cat. Eva brought him home from Aunty Jo's after an overnight visit when she was 10. We bought him some soft cat food and a laser toy. Had some unpleasant news today. While getting the tires rotated, the mechanic noticed that the brakes need replacing soon. I knew this, but was putting it off. We have to make a decision about whether or not to do it, because we are purchasing a new car very soon. A lot to consider. I missed Stanley's visit today because of the length of time the vehicle was in the shop. Will see how tomorrow goes:)

Elle's new 'do'

Here are a few photos of Elle's new hair. This weekend was pleasant. I went out for breakfast with a friend and then bought some flowers for a co-worker's birthday. Next weekend is dance recital dress rehearsal, so also spent some time getting costumes ready for that. A shout out here to MJ in Atlanta. I can't seem to be in one place when she calls, or she's gone when I call. We are busy planning a weekend in July when she'll come up for a class reunion. Should be exciting. Off to work now, followed by a few hours with my autistic client. He wants to go to the library and to Lakeside Park. It's supposed to snow:( May have to change plans.

Good for you, Kylie:)

Had to share this with the cyber family. Thanks to sister-in-law Kathy for the news. We are so happy to pass it on.

Good Morning Paul & Julie,

I just wanted to share some good news with you guys. Kylie was awarded 2 scholarships totaling $2500.00 for being a good Catholic kid! The first one was from St. Albert's for $500. It was offered to students who are active members of St. Alberts. The other was open to students involved in any Christian organization on campus. I'm not sure how many of those scholarships were given out, but Kylie said they ranged from $500 to $3000 and she received $2000. So with her academic scholarships and this, tuition is pretty well paid for next year! We just have to deal with living expenses. She's moving into an apartment and that too should be much less of an expense.

Well proud Mom here just wanted to share that with a couple of good Catholics. I know Grandma & Grandpa Thelen would be pretty proud of her too!

Well back to work. Have a great weekend!
Kathy

interesting day

Thanks to Paul for changing a flat for me today. It's not that I couldn't do it, it's just that I noticed it while at work and I was the only staff. I couldn't leave my residents and fool with it. Paul had trouble getting the spare out. Actually we never have had to take it out before this. Compounding the problem, the lug nuts on the flat tire were so tight that I thought Paul would blow a gasket getting them off:) We decided to take the flat off and take it in to be repaired. Just down the road from the group home is a new house going up. There's lots of crap in the road, and I'm sure I ran over something. Anyway, thanks to Paul for taking it in, repairing it and putting it back on. This all happened after 8 PM and in pouring rain. He'll sleep well tonight. Also, thoughts and prayers go out to Elise who is suffering from a severe kidney and bladder infection, as well as a sinus infection and possibly strep. She has been prone to kidney problems (like Koko and Krissy) since she was little. The Dr. gave her a script and she's off from work for 2 days to rest. I feel badly that I've been so sick myself and may have passed the strep to her. Who knows? Sorry Elise. On a lighter side, I was able to visit a little with Stan this morning. Couldn't do as much as I'd planned...I'm not up to 100 percent after my latest bout with illness. It's always nice catching up with him. Stan and I like to talk religion, and find we have a lot in common, although we're Catholic and Methodist. We find similarities in music mostly. Neat. Like my Dad used to say, "we're all on the same side."
Photo is of Mctavish as a pup, already guarding a 2-year-old sleeping Ellie. He's getting old fast, and I just thought this photo was nice. He's been such a good companion to the girls for the past 13 years. My two babies.

nice day today

Today was especially nice. The weather was beautiful. I had a few appointments, but afterward my day off proved to be relaxing. Henry and Earl were outside. It was funny. They were both very vocal..lots of 'I love yous' and 'Are you a good boy?' I'll visit Stan tomorrow...had hoped for today, but I had a Dr. appointment I couldn't change. For supper, we grilled salmon and scallops. Aliyah surprised me when she said she really liked the salmon steaks. A pleasant surprise. Grandpa Gilby used to say that fish was 'brain food' and so she ate a bunch.

home again

JoJo and I had a great 4 day weekend in Nashville. We rented an SUV at the airport, and picked up a gas grill for James and Elise before heading over to the house. Elise and Aunty JoJo planted some lovely annuals, and also did a little painting. We toured Stone River (Civil War) battlefield, and were treated to a scrumptious dinner (James' first) on the new grill. James and friend Steve picked out some patio furniture, and Jo helped put it together, while James grilled. The weather was beautiful, around 80 for the high. Jo and I had lunch with Elise before heading back to the airport on Monday. Here are some photo highlights:)

Gone for a while...

No postings for a while...I'm taking a little trip:) Surprises around the corner!

Wonderful story from James...thanks for sharing:)

People often question why I do barbershop. While this story is not about my own quartet, it is a classic example of the power that music has to affect the lives of those around us. May we all be so lucky to affect someone's life like this using whatever gift we have been given...
>>James

On 4/14/08 3:39 PM, "Shane Scott" wrote:

> Jim-
> Like many others, last summer I was deeply moved by your message > about barbershop as a ministry rather than a hobby. I wanted to share > my recent "gold medal moment" with you. My quartet had a show this > past weekend in Baltimore, MD. We were blown away by the audience > reception. They responded to every gag we did, and it was by far the > most fun I have ever had on stage. At the afterglow held at Cici's > pizza (I could eat a truckload of that cinnamon stuff they make) an older lady came up to me and said that her mother had recently passed > away. She had cared for her in her home for eight years, and the loss > was devastating. She said that since her mother had died two months > ago she had not laughed - until our performance. And she just wanted > to thank us.
>
> You can imagine how her words moved me. Later that night before she > left she came over to thank us again, and I gave her a hug and thanked her for making our weekend. Here is a Scripture that I think goes hand in hand with what you said last summer- and thanks again!
>
> "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good > stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks > oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.
> Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11
>

Another cute pic from Sunday

the case of the break-in bandit:)

Oh my gosh. After school today I took Aliyah to Buttermilk Park to play on the jungle gym. She was excited to get to the swings, and ran ahead of me. Turns out, after days of rain and melting, the grass was like a swamp just in front of the equipment. Aliyah tumbled down into the water, and was completely soaked. We were only about a mile away from her house, so having a key, I decided to head over to get some dry clothes. Minnie has a security system, but seldom puts it on at night, since she only works a few hours at her second job. So when I heard the beep, I assumed it was because the door had opened. Aliyah and I found the dry pants, underwear and socks, and left. While we were in the car, Aliyah mentioned that her Mom had started to deploy the security system lately, because 2 boys tried to break into a nearby church. So I worried that maybe I set off the alarm, and headed back. When I drove up to the house, I was immediately surrounded by 3 squad cars and a barrage of policemen. They asked me to 'exit the vehicle and back up.' After a lot of explaining, and a call and visit to Minnie's workplace, they let me go. I was relieved to find out that there are no active warrants out for my arrest, and that my vehicle was not stolen!

couldn't resist

Couldn't resist this photo of Johnny Depp in Oshkosh. Rumor has it he's staying in Fondy, and eats at Jukebox Charlie's. It would be nice if the rumor turns out to be true, since Paul is playing jazz tonight at Jukebox. Local folks might remember when Extreme Makeover was in Fondy County (Dundee) about 1 1/2 years ago. The cast stayed at the Ramada in town, and Paul met them all when they came to enjoy the music in the lounge. Very cool. I can't wait to see the Johnny Depp movie.
P.S. Cute story...Elle went to get a haircut at Salon East here in town last night. The stylist asked her what she wanted. Elle responded that she was in a show since November, and wanted a completely new look. The stylist looked in the mirror at Elle and said, "You weren't Dorothy?" It seems her 2 and 4 year old girls saw the show, complete with their Dorothy costumes on, and loved it. She asked Elle to autograph her card:) When I came to pick her up, she said, "I feel like she's a celebrity." How fun is that? The haircut is cute. When I figure out how to load pics from the new camera onto the new computer, I'll attach one. Love to all in cyberland.

some of yesterday's pics

success

Eva and Elle's performances went well this weekend:) As expected they are very tired now. Elle's cast party will be next weekend at the co-director's home, and Eva will perform 3 shows next week before the Golden Memories is over. Mom and Aunty Jill (our Kokomo) will be coming to Fondy. I may give Gmare (Mom) her birthday gift early. Hint: it's from Hughes. Work is going very well. On Wednesday, I'll take a resident to a prosthetic specialist in Menasha for a new body shell. It will be my first time out alone with the big van with the lift. Today I passed all the necessary requirements to drive it. It's a little bigger than the one we took to Nashville in December, but I had no trouble driving it. Just takes some getting used to. The resident is just delightful. She's non-verbal, but able to communicate through her body language. We get along quite well. She's looking forward to watching the Wizard (taped from Saturday's performance) with staff and other residents at the group home. Photo is Eva and friend Liz. I thought with the Johnny Depp photo shoot going on in Oshkosh (by the way, Elle's music teacher's husband is an extra) this photo was especially cute. It was taken at Elle's cowboy birthday party, complete with ponies in the yard. Boy, did we have fun! Eva had a Henry 'wing' feather in her hair.

Folks, this is a blast!

After months of anticipation, Oshkosh's most wanted man at last surfaced in the city Friday. (I actually saw his vehicle at the Festival Foods.) Puffing a cigarette and sipping hot coffee, Johnny Depp stepped out from his black Escalade about 7 p.m. to join hundreds of extras and film crew on set for day one of filming 1930s gangster movie "Public Enemies" at Basler Flight Services. Lots of our local theater friends are trying for parts in the movie. How cool is that.
By the way, the Wizard and Golden Memories are doing well, and performing to nice crowds. Elle is very tired tonight. She and Paul had a pizza, and shared a little scoop with me, and went to bed. I'm up feeding animals, cleaning cat box, and visiting with Henry.

dress rehearsal

All of the middle schools attended the dress rehearsal today for the Wizard. Paul and Eva went also, and I did Elle's hair. It was a great success; very well done. As expected Toto, a 12 week old teddy bear puppy, stole the show:) When Miss Gultch put him in the basket, all the audience was pleading "no no." Everytime Elle picked him up, the pup would lick her face and wag. Congrats for a great job done by everyone! Photos of the cast on stage will be added soon.

Happy Birthday to Kathy:)

Birthday wishes go out to Kathy (sister, sister-in-law, aunt, friend) in Traverse City on her 40-something:) Spoke to her last week during spring break from school, and she and Bob were enjoying a night out at a local resort. Nice break for them. Kylie was visiting from Houghton with friends, and Erik was staying home and making himself hot wings! Here are some pretty flowers for Kathy:)

the end

The end has come to a very long day. I had hoped to work outdoors tomorrow, but the weather is not cooperating with thunder showers all day. Too wet to pick up dog poop. It's more like 'poop soup' in back. The farmers must be enjoying this weather. Just hope the fields can dry out before planting. As can be expected everyone is busy with show practice: Elle for 'Wizard' opening on Friday, and Eva for 'Golden Memories,' a collection of old love songs performed by the Community Theater. Paul is the musical director for the Wizard so he's busy as well. Tomorrow I take my autistic boy to the ear doctor, and then I plan to stop at Stan's and have a little late celebration for his birthday. I made stuffed pork chops, and saved one for his lunch. (Another photo just for fun. Henry thinks he's a musician. It follows logically, in this family:)

busy day, but quiet tomorrow

Today is busy from 9 AM to 11 PM. It begins with an in-service, and follows with a Dr. appointment (for my autistic client) and then an 8 hour shift at work. But tomorrow is my official "day off" so I can get caught up on the yard. There's lots of poo from dogs over the winter, and I want to rake everything up and feed the grass for the first time this season. It's already greening up nicely. So much to do...seems like the winter was so long. Photo is a favorite, no special reason.

Manitowoc link

As everyone knows by now, Chuck Heston died yesterday. His wife Lydia Clarke, was from Two Rivers Wisconsin, just north of Manty. Her dad was an educator and principal, and there is a school named for his honor: L.B. Clarke. When the family came back to visit the folks, they always ate at the Left End Supper Club in Manitowoc, about 1/2 mile north of our home. Their baby Frasier, who was baby Moses in the film, was my brother Jeff's age. The Heston's would bring him (and later sister Holly) to visit the Grandfolks. Brother Jeff's good friends, the Dunne sisters, taught Lydia in school. Small world. I know lots of stories of the Dunne sisters, and many include "Chuck and the family." I know them only through brother Jeff, who was a friend to the sisters. The sisters did travel at times with us to Eau Claire when Jeff was cast in musicals. They also visited Egypt. Those stories are SO interesting. Maybe brother Jeff would help in recalling them. Rest in peace Chuck, and prayers for Lydia, Frasier and Holly.

nice outing

Today was great. The weather was mild and sunny with a high of 64. We drove to Milwaukee and met Gretch, Justin, Jeannine, Koke, and Krissy. Rick joined Elle, Eva Paul and I. We really enjoyed the Body World exhibit and afterward the Butterfly "Wing". Miller Park was sold out for the Brewer game, which they won, 7-0. Back home now and still mild enough for Henry to be in his outdoor cage. Hit me with spring:)

2 pretty girls

Happy birthday to 2 pretty girls:) Maddie, who's shown here with Daddy Ty, and Lena who enjoys sleeping in boxes, share a birthday. Hope to see Maddie soon, and her new baby brother Jackson. Today, Elle and I are visiting Jo and the kids and helping out with spring cleanup. We're also picking up a load of wood for our camping trip next month. Also want to pause and wish a very special "happy birthday" to our dear friend Stanley, who was 87 yesterday. He's still an avid bowler and gets out everyday to chop and haul wood for his woodburner. I bought him a patio tomato plant, and will visit him on Wednesday. Happy birthday to Maddie, Stan and Lena! April is proving to be a month full of birthdays! (Sorry that some photos are so small. We just bought a new computer and are uploading photos, but photoshop is not set up. Can't resize yet. Will fix the problem soon.)

Happy Birthday to Kim

Today we celebrate friend Kim's birthday. We always had a lot of fun as kids playing April fool's jokes with each other, with birthdays on either side. Also thanks to Krissy for e-mailing this nice photo from the rehearsal dinner.