Thanksgiving goes

It was a busy weekend with Cyd, Dave and the twins arriving Thursday to join Brett, Miles, Anna Marie, and Lucas at Brett’s home. Alberta, Claire and Raymond’s brother, Ken also came along but I’m sure it must have been for the company as the boxed meal from Rosauer’s deli left a little to be desired. There were few of us who really cared as it seemed most important to get a chair and place setting for everyone and attempt to get each one seated in his chair for any length of time. The meal moved right along I’d say and the four pies were a great hit with all.

The meals proved to be the most scheduled, predictable time of the day next to naps that were the very most important activity next to bedtime, of course. In fact, we all got very grumpy when one child failed to participate in naptime as scheduled. Outings were scheduled according to naptime and Grandma usually wanted the nap too so she volunteered daily. We almost all got to visit Santa with the exception of cute, sweet Miles who had 15 timeouts before 11 so missed the Santa visit. I’m sure he’ll get a second opportunity. It might have been difficult for Miles and Lucas to watch their toys being touched by their cousins both at home and at Grandma’s but they were all learning to take turns occasionally.

Anyway it was a busy time and we are all still speaking and laughing so the weekend went well. You were lucky to have a peaceful dinner with couples our ages. Now it is time to begin the Christmas decorating. I’ll bet you want an inflatable snowman with a rifle.

Jill and I visited on the phone a few days ago. Ron is still trying to get his Australia photos together to view but I hear he’s making a mantle to hang the stockings up for Santa now. It is tough being retired.

What are you contributing to the 40th reunion memorabilia? Any ideas for us, Leslie?

Africa, the movie

Did you read that Shizuo has a thirty minute portion of the Sweetwater Conservancy experience already completed? I hope it’s as racy as his ski video or maybe not.

Sunday I experimented with a couple of new recipes for our 3 p.m. dinner. It smelled like the Stuffed Italian Bread lost most of its stuffing on the bottom of the oven. There was a fruit pizza in the fridge so that helped make up for the main course. Anyway going to the store and preparation took up some of my day and it is always fun to have family for dinner on Sunday. I’m really into traditions these days like reunions for example. Kids get a sense of belonging, stability and security with consistent traditions in my opinion.

Saturday Claire and I took a short road trip to Sandpoint. There is a Coldwater Creek store there and some interesting shops. On the way home we stopped at the new Cabela’s in Post Falls. It was so amusing and overwhelming that we both were chuckling all through the store. First of all taxidermic animals of every species are there in their simulated natural habitat. They even have replicas of African animals. Then there are guns, rifles, bullets, ammo, and knives and I guess all the apparel you need to wear to use those items. The place is swarming with delighted men who are also waiting in line to practice at the shooting targets which are primarily intended for children. I remember going by one of these stores in Iowa on our Frank Lloyd Wright tour. Now I know why there are so many cars in the parking lot.

Here is Lucas in his latest attire. He has the best hand-me-downs of anyone I know and I am really into second-hand clothing. Things someone else discards because they are out-grown or maybe just too sick of wearing can be real finds especially if you admire the person who is discarding them. The clothes given to me are generally not the kind I would even select to purchase but from someone who always is well-dressed they become real treasures. I know I should just have two pair of shoes, 5 pair of jeans and 5 tee shirts and then be done with my wardrobe.

Hanna sent me an email!! It was sent to an incorrect address but Jane forwarded it to me. Maybe one day Hanna will actually write to me. She is the missing link in our elementary school gang.

November 23rd is Uncle Ron’s birthday. Where will you be devouring turkey that day?

Last Week

It is good to know you are working so hard adding new mulch to the ape exhibits. The zoo people know they have excellent help when they see your name on the list of workers. You must have new mulch everywhere by now.

By comparison I have done very little this past week which makes for a sluggish, lazy personality and no feelings of accomplishment. I did catch up with As the World Turns and I could have sworn I was watching a very old rerun when Holden and Lily began filing for another divorce followed I’m sure by a new marriage to someone else and then later another reconciliation so we can be happy when they remarry. This is the same soap we began watching that summer when we were 16 helping at the Soap Lake Motel.

A few days last week I drove around searching for Christmas presents. The past years’ lists are on the computer so I don’t end up giving the same gifts a few years in a row. Now there are lots of toys under the bed waiting to send home with Cyd after Thanksgiving.

It looks like we have selected our Memorial Day location. I wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole this job of locating a site for the reunion as our needs change over time with more people, more children, and more of us old folks. Good thing we have young people with enthusiasm and energy for new ideas to keep us going another forty years.

I’m not sure I can get to be fond of hyenas. They're right up there with learning to like Ratatouille.

Cyd's Halloween Boys

This was from the Lindal office party. They are looking at the small monster Wendy
had. They were so fascinated with it. They kept turning him on. They both
gave him a kiss before we left (of course Sig is the one that encouraged
them to kiss him-she is a trouble maker that way) .

November

It is so nice to have that silly Halloween holiday behind us. Lucas ended up wearing your specially designed black wool jersey cape as the main part of his Screamer costume. Remember when you cut that neck from a square of fabric for me and Carol oohed and aahed about how clever you are? Sometimes it’s a good thing that I save stuff but lately I’ve been cleaning out lots of junk. Yesterday I even threw away Taffy’s dog tag. My mom had it in her things.

She has been sleeping so much lately and has been more confused the last few days. She is still going to church and has scenic rides on a bus afterwards but she seems to like being in her living area best. I try to see her almost every day but we mostly watch television and she asks where she is and what she will do next. I can’t help but think if only I’d handled things differently she’d be more capable.

There are a few more photos up on the flicker site I’ve added to the links. Miles likes to have his photo taken so I put a few up there. He’s learning his colors and sings “Grandma’s house” when he gets in their car so he’s a pretty sweet boy.

Jeanne sent a note and a share of the phone bill from Africa. It looked like the National War Debt so it was nice to hear from her. She is definitely up for another trip to Africa. In my package I sent little gifts like t-shirts, animal books, paper, pens, glitter, flashlights, erasers, and tiny things Walgreens had on sale. I came upon this website from a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya. It is pretty interesting.

Memorial Day is not a discussion topic for me these days. My opinion is that I should keep my name off group emails and keep my options open to go wherever. It’s crazy but the reunion is a great weekend for me no matter where we are. I think you feel the same way?