Family Letter
Just caught up on the blog and I have some questions.
First of all, are you leaving your job for retirement or something else, Nancy? I haven't heard anything about this and am VERY curious. Didn't have nearly enough time to visit with people at Dad's party with the big crowd.
Secondly, everyone was amazed and raving about Theresa's recent weightloss. I would love to see a before and after picture! Don't know if you have a digital camera, but I am anxious to see the new you! Maybe it will be an inspiration for me to get rid of me extra 10 lb. so that my summer capris will fit! Of course, I would have to begin that effort after the rhubarb season.
We had a cool, rainy weekend, so there was no planting here. Wish I had done a little more last week on one of our beautiful days. We did overseed the front lawn before the big birthday party, so perhaps that will come up now.
Love you all,
Janice
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Hello from Nancy
Good afternoon, dear family,
I've just come in from potting some plants (ivy geraniums in two and sweet potato (!) vines in another) and feel like I've really accomplished something. I do like the smell of potting soil and the sense of creating by putting together some hanging pots.
I appreciate the thanks you sent for being at Uncle Winfred's b-day party, Suki, but there are none needed here; it would have taken a lot for me to miss that gathering-- it was such fun!
We're in the end-of-the-year rush that happens annually, with the addition of having to interview candidates for my job and the ESU administrator. I think we have two good candidates for my position, so that should be OK, but since no one from Nebraska applied for the administrator position, we are interviewing four from out of state. The ESU 6 board has created quite a reputation (and not a positive one) across the state, so much so that the two Nebraskans who initially applied withdrew early in the process. It's much too long a story to go into here, but suffice it to say that when you get people in a majority who consider themselves to be more Christian and more correct than anyone who dares to question their positions on issues, what you get is a board that is intolerant, accusatory, lacking trust, and generally nasty. We have lost two high, high quality people and more are looking because they can no longer work in such an environment and it's a shame. Enough of that....
Allison and I had a fun day yesterday. We went to Mrs. B's place looking for living room furniture and she was a bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of choices. She's gradually narrowing things down and as we were leaving, found a kitchen set that she really liked. I have a fried who gets Berkshire Days passes and she's going to lend Allison one so she can go back next week and take advantage of Warren's discount.
We then went on to Syracuse b/c Stan's good friend owns the furniture store there. He was very accomodating, suggesting that she go to Ernie's to check out some of the pictures from the catalog that she liked and willing to order and deliver anything she wants. We went for ice cream with Erma after that and she was delightful, as usual. She will be 80 in two years and is generally healthy, but moves much more slowly than the 80 year olds on this side of the family. We stopped at Walmart on the way home and got some plants and that was fun, too. All in all, it was a great day.
I told Allison about the planned field trip to her house during the Bull family picnic and she did not panic, protest, or faint :) She's very much like her father that way. Actually, I think she was pleased to have a chance to show off her new home.
Keep the entries coming, everyone--I love hearing what's happening around the family.
Love,
Nancy
I've just come in from potting some plants (ivy geraniums in two and sweet potato (!) vines in another) and feel like I've really accomplished something. I do like the smell of potting soil and the sense of creating by putting together some hanging pots.
I appreciate the thanks you sent for being at Uncle Winfred's b-day party, Suki, but there are none needed here; it would have taken a lot for me to miss that gathering-- it was such fun!
We're in the end-of-the-year rush that happens annually, with the addition of having to interview candidates for my job and the ESU administrator. I think we have two good candidates for my position, so that should be OK, but since no one from Nebraska applied for the administrator position, we are interviewing four from out of state. The ESU 6 board has created quite a reputation (and not a positive one) across the state, so much so that the two Nebraskans who initially applied withdrew early in the process. It's much too long a story to go into here, but suffice it to say that when you get people in a majority who consider themselves to be more Christian and more correct than anyone who dares to question their positions on issues, what you get is a board that is intolerant, accusatory, lacking trust, and generally nasty. We have lost two high, high quality people and more are looking because they can no longer work in such an environment and it's a shame. Enough of that....
Allison and I had a fun day yesterday. We went to Mrs. B's place looking for living room furniture and she was a bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of choices. She's gradually narrowing things down and as we were leaving, found a kitchen set that she really liked. I have a fried who gets Berkshire Days passes and she's going to lend Allison one so she can go back next week and take advantage of Warren's discount.
We then went on to Syracuse b/c Stan's good friend owns the furniture store there. He was very accomodating, suggesting that she go to Ernie's to check out some of the pictures from the catalog that she liked and willing to order and deliver anything she wants. We went for ice cream with Erma after that and she was delightful, as usual. She will be 80 in two years and is generally healthy, but moves much more slowly than the 80 year olds on this side of the family. We stopped at Walmart on the way home and got some plants and that was fun, too. All in all, it was a great day.
I told Allison about the planned field trip to her house during the Bull family picnic and she did not panic, protest, or faint :) She's very much like her father that way. Actually, I think she was pleased to have a chance to show off her new home.
Keep the entries coming, everyone--I love hearing what's happening around the family.
Love,
Nancy
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Great Seeing Everyone! by Suki
Hello,
On behalf of Janice, Gigi, Niki and me (and our guys), we thank all of you who came to help WJ celebrate his birthday. It was wonderful to see everyone. I love it when we all get together for happy occasions. Between WJ, Ervin and Marvin, turning 80 doesn't seem so old, don't you agree?
I did want to share a couple of pictures from the birthday picture collection that Ed shot. He took over 320 pictures and put them on a CD for all of us before the weekend came to a close. Absolutely incredible.
I look forward to seeing some of you again at Kelly's graduation in Des Moines, the Football 101 event and of course, the Bull Family Picnic (right Debbie?) :o)
Love to all, Go Big Red, and seriously, are ducks the only ones enjoying all this rain?
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Hello from Suki
Hi All,
I just wanted to say hi and remind everyone that Winfred's birthday party is this Saturday. I know these parties are usually held on Sunday but we couldn't get Dean Hansen to play that day so Saturday got the call. I hope you all can come. Would be great to see you all. WJ's very excited about this birthday party although I had to tell him there will be no clowns, pony rides or face painting. He was bummed.
Sue and I did sign up for the Football 101. I'm so excited. First to take a day off from work and then to get to see or meet the coaches, etc. Ok, ok, so the lunch buffet is what really got me to fork over the money for a great cause. I also got two of my friends and one of their mothers to sign up as well.
I hope everyone had a nice Easter. Erika, Maria and I were going to walk down to see if anyone was at the Bull ranch but Cassi had to leave early to head back to school and I wanted to take her home.
Take care!
Suki
I just wanted to say hi and remind everyone that Winfred's birthday party is this Saturday. I know these parties are usually held on Sunday but we couldn't get Dean Hansen to play that day so Saturday got the call. I hope you all can come. Would be great to see you all. WJ's very excited about this birthday party although I had to tell him there will be no clowns, pony rides or face painting. He was bummed.
Sue and I did sign up for the Football 101. I'm so excited. First to take a day off from work and then to get to see or meet the coaches, etc. Ok, ok, so the lunch buffet is what really got me to fork over the money for a great cause. I also got two of my friends and one of their mothers to sign up as well.
I hope everyone had a nice Easter. Erika, Maria and I were going to walk down to see if anyone was at the Bull ranch but Cassi had to leave early to head back to school and I wanted to take her home.
Take care!
Suki
Saturday, April 1, 2006
Hello from Connie
It's April Fool's Day and this is no joke---I have finally figured out what was blocking my access to any site that required a password. My Mcafee security center was WAY too diligent in its protection of the computer from spyware, etc. I've been able to read the entries from all of you. Now I can contribute occasionally as well.
The first weekend in February I attended a weekend quilting retreat at one of the little known gem spots in Nebraska---the St. Benedict Retreat Center north of Schuyler. It is run by the Benedictine order (they've been in Schuyler for years) and provides a BEAUTIFUL building and setting for meetings and contemplation. There was a group of people on a silent retreat, so they ate in a separate dining room and would not respond to any greetings. The overnight facilities are very simple but completely adequate. On Sunday morning our group answered questions from 2 monks and a nun visiting from the St. Ben center in New Jersey/New York City. I can't imagine what a contrast in setting and clientele they were experiencing.
Last week's snowstorm was great for our parched soil. We got about 21" of heavy, wet snow. The schools were closed for two days---so it had to be a serious situation. When we dug out late Tues afternoon the first place we went was the new HyVee store. Their grand opening was at 6 am Tues!!! And they had customers in the midst of the snow. The store is beautiful. The selections are overwhelming and the Chinese deli delicious. Many other folks were alleviating their cabin fever with a trip to the grocery. Today's balmy temps should take care of the last remnants of white stuff.
This week's weather was quite a contrast to the snow. On Wed. we had a tornado drill at school. Thursday at 2 p.m. we had the real thing. I was with kindergartners at the time. We huddled in a small reading room. Other classes spent 45 minutes of quality time in the restrooms.. . . . . .
Joan was here for spring break during the snow storm. On Wed. she went to Sioux Center, IA with one of her lab partners. They spent two days at "TransOva Genetics" doing bovine C-sections and learning more about the business. The company also does "sterile pigs" for the human heart valve market. I never really thought about where the new valves for people come from.
Mary Jo, I am so glad that Paul's surgery went well. We hope that the prognosis continues to be positive.
We will not be able to attend Uncle Winfred's Open House on the 22nd. Ben's friend Beau Brown will be married that day. The wedding is here in Columbus. Ben is a groomsman and Tim and I have been asked to be a host couple. We are honored to be included in the celebration. We regret missing the Yutan party and send our greetings to all in advance.
One more item---Tim, Mom and I attended LaDona Heldt''s estate auction in March. We were on the lookout for household items for Tom's apartment in Lincoln. The sale was in the Yutan auditorium and provided some nostalgic moments. Steve and Rick Heldt, Harlan Storm, Lonnie Schneider (long hair and beard), Audrey Hancock (still talking), Sharon Behrens( whatever her name is now) , and many other familiar faces were there. The building certainly was bigger 40 years ago.
Time to close and cheer for George Mason in the Final Four.
Connie
The first weekend in February I attended a weekend quilting retreat at one of the little known gem spots in Nebraska---the St. Benedict Retreat Center north of Schuyler. It is run by the Benedictine order (they've been in Schuyler for years) and provides a BEAUTIFUL building and setting for meetings and contemplation. There was a group of people on a silent retreat, so they ate in a separate dining room and would not respond to any greetings. The overnight facilities are very simple but completely adequate. On Sunday morning our group answered questions from 2 monks and a nun visiting from the St. Ben center in New Jersey/New York City. I can't imagine what a contrast in setting and clientele they were experiencing.
Last week's snowstorm was great for our parched soil. We got about 21" of heavy, wet snow. The schools were closed for two days---so it had to be a serious situation. When we dug out late Tues afternoon the first place we went was the new HyVee store. Their grand opening was at 6 am Tues!!! And they had customers in the midst of the snow. The store is beautiful. The selections are overwhelming and the Chinese deli delicious. Many other folks were alleviating their cabin fever with a trip to the grocery. Today's balmy temps should take care of the last remnants of white stuff.
This week's weather was quite a contrast to the snow. On Wed. we had a tornado drill at school. Thursday at 2 p.m. we had the real thing. I was with kindergartners at the time. We huddled in a small reading room. Other classes spent 45 minutes of quality time in the restrooms.. . . . . .
Joan was here for spring break during the snow storm. On Wed. she went to Sioux Center, IA with one of her lab partners. They spent two days at "TransOva Genetics" doing bovine C-sections and learning more about the business. The company also does "sterile pigs" for the human heart valve market. I never really thought about where the new valves for people come from.
Mary Jo, I am so glad that Paul's surgery went well. We hope that the prognosis continues to be positive.
We will not be able to attend Uncle Winfred's Open House on the 22nd. Ben's friend Beau Brown will be married that day. The wedding is here in Columbus. Ben is a groomsman and Tim and I have been asked to be a host couple. We are honored to be included in the celebration. We regret missing the Yutan party and send our greetings to all in advance.
One more item---Tim, Mom and I attended LaDona Heldt''s estate auction in March. We were on the lookout for household items for Tom's apartment in Lincoln. The sale was in the Yutan auditorium and provided some nostalgic moments. Steve and Rick Heldt, Harlan Storm, Lonnie Schneider (long hair and beard), Audrey Hancock (still talking), Sharon Behrens( whatever her name is now) , and many other familiar faces were there. The building certainly was bigger 40 years ago.
Time to close and cheer for George Mason in the Final Four.
Connie
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