Hi, everyone!
Yes, Suzanne's not the only one smart enough to use the computer at the library!! However, I don't have the luxury of a leisurely composition because this thing comes with a timer and my time is ticking down...so here we go, excuse grammatical and spelling errors, please.
Yesterday, I officially crossed over into the next decade, and I was really distressed about it for about a week beforehand. Now that it's a fact, I feel much better. I was treated to a pre-party last week before several of my friends left town on vacation and yesterday one of my friends took me to lunch, so that all helped ease the transition. However, I noticed most of my cards were "nice" rather than sarcastic, so I guess 60 must not be a very "funny" age to be! Sue offered to host a family get-together for the occasion, but with our car (yes, Suzanne is right, they are all "ailing" (and elderly))on the fritz and Paul perpetually irrigating in the heat and the humidity, I decided I didn't want to take off by myself. And I hesitate to leave him when he works so hard out there.
Speaking of Paul, he is doing fine. His "every three-month" checkups are showing no problems, and he feels good, so we're hopeful. He told me last week, he really doesn't think about his health much, and I don't either. We do remember to be grateful, however. And, as I said, he goes in for routine blood work and check-ups.
Mercy, it's hot and HUMID today. I need to mow this evening. The garden's overdoing itself. I've frozen cauliflower, broccoli, made saurkraut (it's an experiment), frozen corn and beans, and soon there will be tomatoes to preserve. We do eat it all, and most of the processes I enjoy.
Gotta wind this up; however, at the risk of becoming the "old lady who always talks about health", I have a question. Do any of you have experience with migraines that affect your vision?
I saw shooting stars and had some dizziness after mowing the other night. Paul took me to the ER, fearing I was having a stroke. A thorough exam revealed I probably had this form of a migraine (I've never had the traditional type of migraine headache). So I don't know if I'll have more of these or if it was a one-time occurrance. Sue tells me she experiences these.....Any comments?
Final note, my mom says the Bulls in Lincoln who had the triplets are Frederick Bull's son, Carson, and wife. They now have 5 girls and one boy (one of the triplets) Since their kids are 6, 4, 2, and triplets I don't suppose this is a result of fertility treatments!!!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Monday, July 24, 2006
AHYIE!!!!!!
HELLO GANG!!!!
Sorry I haven't written for awhile. WE STILL HAVE NO COMPUTER!!! We are working on getting one before school starts. Let's see if that happens. Well, too much to update you on in very little time. So I'm going to take a deep breath and HERE I GO!!!!
1) INTERNSHIP IS ALMOST DONE!!! I have around 8 hours left. It was a great summer for me to do this and I've learned alot about the parole system. Susan (who is my supervisor) has been one of the best to work with. It's been great! It has taken me all summer to get my 120 hours in, but with me being so busy, there is no time to get it done! So after Thursday, I'm homefree!
2) I'm transferring schools. There was a situation that happened at UNK between me and a professor. So the people I've run the situation by have agreed and said that I need to leave there and get a new college and that it would be a better experience for me. I'm transferring to Doane College in GI and majoring in Human Relations. I can still do criminal justice that way, but it will give me more avenues to pursue. So I'm very excited. Plus I don't have to minor in anything and still be good to go. Now if they put a criminal justice major in, then I will double major :). School starts August 14th for me :).
3) The fair is this week. I've entered a picture of Stormy that I took last year. I got a white, but if you ask me, the judge did not understand the point of the picture. So I'm trying again. Plus I also got a picture of the boys going in. It's so cute. I hope I do well :).
4) I've had problems with my car. Wait, all our cars are defunct. My brakes were totally gone and had to get new brake pads. My clutch was going out and I had to get a new one. My back tires are chopped and I need to get new tires. But then something that controls the forward and reversing motion of my car is about to go and I need to get that fixed. So yeah, you can say my car has gone to hell. LOL. But it's all fixed soon :).
5) I went swimming at Columbus's waterpark. I will NOT go back because it wasn't worth my 2 hour drive. But hey, I do give them the EXCELLENT slides (bowl and inner tube are the best). Little kids would like it, but I prefer one with a pool and stuff :).
6) Gatekeeping is going well this summer. I have been impressing my co-workers with how strict I am and not letting outside food and drink getting into the park. They all say that I would be good to get into the corrections field and by golly, that's what I'm going to do. So that's all been good there also :).
7) Not much else to write. This is the abbreviated story in such little time. I need to get back to my parents's e-mail. So I'll see you all later!!! Bye bye bye!
Suz
Sorry I haven't written for awhile. WE STILL HAVE NO COMPUTER!!! We are working on getting one before school starts. Let's see if that happens. Well, too much to update you on in very little time. So I'm going to take a deep breath and HERE I GO!!!!
1) INTERNSHIP IS ALMOST DONE!!! I have around 8 hours left. It was a great summer for me to do this and I've learned alot about the parole system. Susan (who is my supervisor) has been one of the best to work with. It's been great! It has taken me all summer to get my 120 hours in, but with me being so busy, there is no time to get it done! So after Thursday, I'm homefree!
2) I'm transferring schools. There was a situation that happened at UNK between me and a professor. So the people I've run the situation by have agreed and said that I need to leave there and get a new college and that it would be a better experience for me. I'm transferring to Doane College in GI and majoring in Human Relations. I can still do criminal justice that way, but it will give me more avenues to pursue. So I'm very excited. Plus I don't have to minor in anything and still be good to go. Now if they put a criminal justice major in, then I will double major :). School starts August 14th for me :).
3) The fair is this week. I've entered a picture of Stormy that I took last year. I got a white, but if you ask me, the judge did not understand the point of the picture. So I'm trying again. Plus I also got a picture of the boys going in. It's so cute. I hope I do well :).
4) I've had problems with my car. Wait, all our cars are defunct. My brakes were totally gone and had to get new brake pads. My clutch was going out and I had to get a new one. My back tires are chopped and I need to get new tires. But then something that controls the forward and reversing motion of my car is about to go and I need to get that fixed. So yeah, you can say my car has gone to hell. LOL. But it's all fixed soon :).
5) I went swimming at Columbus's waterpark. I will NOT go back because it wasn't worth my 2 hour drive. But hey, I do give them the EXCELLENT slides (bowl and inner tube are the best). Little kids would like it, but I prefer one with a pool and stuff :).
6) Gatekeeping is going well this summer. I have been impressing my co-workers with how strict I am and not letting outside food and drink getting into the park. They all say that I would be good to get into the corrections field and by golly, that's what I'm going to do. So that's all been good there also :).
7) Not much else to write. This is the abbreviated story in such little time. I need to get back to my parents's e-mail. So I'll see you all later!!! Bye bye bye!
Suz
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Cool thoughts . . . (Gigi)
Hello,Temperatures are flaring. Thank goodness for air conditioning, and lots of it!
I've enjoyed reading your letters and decided to sit a spell and contribute something.
We have news! For those of you who have not heard, Marty moved his family. We are enjoying the extra room, front porch, swing set and slide, basketball hoop, and much more. Our new address is 6005 South 159 Circle, Omaha, NE 68135 (phone number stays the same). If any of you are in the area of Millard Oaks {off 156th between Harrison and Q Street in Millard} please drop by. We'd love to show you our new digs.
Our latest hobby . . . minor home projects and cleaning in preparation to sell Walnut Grove home. The work is okay but I'm enjoying the extra time spent working alongside Marty. He is as particular about detail as I am, so I'm discovering. Our goal is to sell it in better condition than when we moved in over 17 years ago. That has not been a small feat. It was virtually spotless then -- with a little sweat and blood it is again (with the exception of the garage ... but we will get there too).
Oh, by the way, we have first-hand knowledge of Joe's fine lawn mowing skills. He's been doing a fantastic job for us just until we are down to only one lawn maintenance. Joe's commercial mower probably works in half the time it would take most homeowners. What a blessing. He is a fine businessman and owner.
Like her cousins, Erika is looking forward to becoming a Millard West Wildcat. This week is softball camp. Next week it's basketball camp. Opportunities for meeting other girls before the start of school is a good thing.
Maria enjoys reading in her very own room. Her calendar is kept open for whimscal plans with friends. She's been swimming, attended a day camp for one week, and likes playing kick ball with the new neighborhood kids.
Shaylee keeps us all hopping. She usually gets what she wants from one of us. Does it bother us that she does? No. Monsters are a huge element for her. Her imaginary Panda bear fends the monsters off in her defense. When the scene becomes to stressful, Mom or Dad are beckoned. Bugs and spiders make her squirm, but not enough to leave them alone. Fireworks made her tremble with fear for the first time. She reacted the opposite last year, much to our surprise. Maybe next year she'll enjoy them once again.
As I write, it appears a thunderstorm is brewing. I should wrap this up. Shaylee is expecting me for a safe return home from daycare.
Stay cool ladies.
Regards,
Gigi
Saturday, July 8, 2006
Nancy's News
Like Janice, I don't have any bull stories, except that a young couple named Bull (didn't catch the first names) had triplets today in Lincoln. They already had three children, so there are now at least eight people in Lincoln with our name. Wonder if we're related?
Stan and I went to Breckenridge a couple of weeks ago for a special ed directors' conference. I went to meetings and Stan went exploring during the day, then we went out with other Nebraskans at night. It was lots of fun, I learned a great deal, the scenery was breathtaking and the company delightful. On the way home, we decided to take a different road and found ourselves winding up and up and up until we were at the Continental Divide by the Loveland Pass. We stood near the snow and took pictures of each other by the sign. If I ever can figure out how to post them, you'll get to see them :}
Connie wrote a wonderful entry about our trip to Duncan, so all I'll add is that it was a grand time; I'm already looking forward to repeating it next year.
I've read several good books recently and thought I'd share my reactions with you. I read "The Red Tent" (recommended by Janice, right?) and I enjoyed the writer's lyrical style. I was stunned by how women and children were treated in this Old Testament time, but she could make it sound not so horrible just by how the author wrote. Until the end, that is, but I won't share that part. I was also surprised at the difference in how people worshipped and who they worshipped. It didn't sound much like what we do now, so thank goodness for Jesus and the New Testament.
I read "Freakonomics" and even though I'm not a numbers person, I found it fascinating. Two economists look at seemingly unrelated issues and make connections using statistics.
I also read "Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons". The title does not reflect the tone of the book at all. It tells the interwoven stories of five women who start a book club in the 60's and follows their lives through the 90's--through babies and the ups and downs of marriages and families. It's written in a clever format--each woman has alternating chapters about what's happening in her life. It's alternately hilarious, touching, heartbreaking, and rings true. I recommend it highly.
The Schmidt family, mom, dad, Beth and I got to do something fun this week: watch Owen pitch at Haymarket Park. He did very well--10(!)innings of scoreless ball, then his team ended up losing in the 11th. Afterwards, we visited a bit with Bob Shanahan and his wife (their son plays for the Lincoln East team that was playing next) and met Eleanor and Jeannie as they were arriving. Just goes to show that what I've always said to the kids: Whereever we go, there is a cousin. :)
I host my annual Summer Brunch for teachers and paras this coming week. I ask for RSVP's--Regrets Only--and if everybody comes who has not yet RSVPed, there could be 52 people here. The most I've had in the past was 35, so even though I think it will be about that many again, I can't count on it, so I'm planning to serve them egg casseroles, fruit and coffee cakes in the backyard. I'll let you know how it went in my next entry.
Mary Jo, I too remember the dry, dry summers and how agonizing it was to watch the corn die. I know many people who are terrified of thunderstorms and I cannot fathom that. I remember being much more scared of it not raining and the emotional and financial fallout. Fillmore County is filled with pivots, so while the farmers complain a/b the cost of irrigating, at least they know they'll get a crop.
Janice, I notice that you're still a night owl since your last entry was posted just after midnight :)
Sue, your flowers are quite impressive! Thanks for posting them.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the picnic.
Love,
Nancy
Stan and I went to Breckenridge a couple of weeks ago for a special ed directors' conference. I went to meetings and Stan went exploring during the day, then we went out with other Nebraskans at night. It was lots of fun, I learned a great deal, the scenery was breathtaking and the company delightful. On the way home, we decided to take a different road and found ourselves winding up and up and up until we were at the Continental Divide by the Loveland Pass. We stood near the snow and took pictures of each other by the sign. If I ever can figure out how to post them, you'll get to see them :}
Connie wrote a wonderful entry about our trip to Duncan, so all I'll add is that it was a grand time; I'm already looking forward to repeating it next year.
I've read several good books recently and thought I'd share my reactions with you. I read "The Red Tent" (recommended by Janice, right?) and I enjoyed the writer's lyrical style. I was stunned by how women and children were treated in this Old Testament time, but she could make it sound not so horrible just by how the author wrote. Until the end, that is, but I won't share that part. I was also surprised at the difference in how people worshipped and who they worshipped. It didn't sound much like what we do now, so thank goodness for Jesus and the New Testament.
I read "Freakonomics" and even though I'm not a numbers person, I found it fascinating. Two economists look at seemingly unrelated issues and make connections using statistics.
I also read "Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons". The title does not reflect the tone of the book at all. It tells the interwoven stories of five women who start a book club in the 60's and follows their lives through the 90's--through babies and the ups and downs of marriages and families. It's written in a clever format--each woman has alternating chapters about what's happening in her life. It's alternately hilarious, touching, heartbreaking, and rings true. I recommend it highly.
The Schmidt family, mom, dad, Beth and I got to do something fun this week: watch Owen pitch at Haymarket Park. He did very well--10(!)innings of scoreless ball, then his team ended up losing in the 11th. Afterwards, we visited a bit with Bob Shanahan and his wife (their son plays for the Lincoln East team that was playing next) and met Eleanor and Jeannie as they were arriving. Just goes to show that what I've always said to the kids: Whereever we go, there is a cousin. :)
I host my annual Summer Brunch for teachers and paras this coming week. I ask for RSVP's--Regrets Only--and if everybody comes who has not yet RSVPed, there could be 52 people here. The most I've had in the past was 35, so even though I think it will be about that many again, I can't count on it, so I'm planning to serve them egg casseroles, fruit and coffee cakes in the backyard. I'll let you know how it went in my next entry.
Mary Jo, I too remember the dry, dry summers and how agonizing it was to watch the corn die. I know many people who are terrified of thunderstorms and I cannot fathom that. I remember being much more scared of it not raining and the emotional and financial fallout. Fillmore County is filled with pivots, so while the farmers complain a/b the cost of irrigating, at least they know they'll get a crop.
Janice, I notice that you're still a night owl since your last entry was posted just after midnight :)
Sue, your flowers are quite impressive! Thanks for posting them.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the picnic.
Love,
Nancy
Friday, July 7, 2006
Family Picnic?
We have been plotting out the rest of our summer, and I was just wondering if there is a date set for this year's Bull Family Picnic. I would guess that it is Debbie and Jim's year to host.
By the way, Sue's petunias are amazing! Are they some of those new 'Wave' petunias?
Janice
By the way, Sue's petunias are amazing! Are they some of those new 'Wave' petunias?
Janice
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
July 4th - Sue
It's 10:30 pm as I start to type this. Fireworks are going off one after the other..this is the 4th straight night in our neighborhood. It starts each evening about 6 and continues til now or later...last night til nearly midnight. None of the little sparklers and smoke bombs stuff we bought for the kids when everyone here had small kids in the neighborhood....oh, we had a little better than that, but the stuff they shoot off now is what i would have considered a huge fireworks show as a kid. I'm amused to hear a leaf blower running in the background, as someone is trying to clean up their portion of street while the fireworks are still going off. 
Just wanted to share these pictures of my flowers because hardly anyone gets to see them! I bought these two petunia plants at Sam's Club, late in May...they didn't even look that good when I brought them home, but I repotted them anyway, and look how they've repaid me. And the other amazing thing is my grapevine, which we planted probably 5 or 6 years ago,
so I could have a grapevine and make wreaths.... last year, it suddenly bloomed and had grapes and this year it looks like more of the same. The birds got to them before I did last year, but I'm going to be more diligent this time and see if I can harvest a few of the grapes...
Thanks for letting me share!
Sue
Just wanted to share these pictures of my flowers because hardly anyone gets to see them! I bought these two petunia plants at Sam's Club, late in May...they didn't even look that good when I brought them home, but I repotted them anyway, and look how they've repaid me. And the other amazing thing is my grapevine, which we planted probably 5 or 6 years ago,
so I could have a grapevine and make wreaths.... last year, it suddenly bloomed and had grapes and this year it looks like more of the same. The birds got to them before I did last year, but I'm going to be more diligent this time and see if I can harvest a few of the grapes...
Thanks for letting me share!
Sue
Monday, July 3, 2006
July 3rd from Janice
I promise to do a better job of proofing my contributions, or perhaps just need to do it a little earlier in the day! Hopefully you all read with such lightning speed, that you breeze right over my errors!
Thought I'd wax nostalgic today. I regret that we created far too few traditions with our own kids, as I remember many of ours fondly. Among those is the 4th of July picnic at the Elkhorn park. I'm sure it was chosen because of location, but I never understood why we couldn't picnic at a park with a pool. In spite of this shortcoming, we always had fun lighting snakes on the old tennis courts and playing with each other. But the most fun for me was when the progressive town of Elkhorn got a bowling alley which was airconditioned and open on July 4. Several of us were deemed old enough to walk across town and spend the afternoon in climate controlled comfort. This was a huge treat as none of our homes or cars had AC at that time. As I recall, we were almost the only ones in there at that time of day and bowling may have been as cheap as 3 games for $1.
As evening rolled around, we gathered at the Stamp or Bull farm to pool our fireworks and eat watermelon. Grandpa Bull, CB not Ervin, would exhibit his patriotism by bringing the biggest watermelon and the biggest Roman candles he could buy, or so it seemed to me as a child.
If I remember right, the Warrens were not present for any of this. I think perhaps you all spent the day with the Warrens at someones lake house. Is that correct?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)