At the risk of getting too meta-textual, I'm going to post some of the great pictures I've been receiving from the fam of the past week's visit. But first, I'd just like to say how happy I am about it. This trip is always one of the highlights of my year, but this year was extra special for a lot of reasons. The big one was that this was the year that Stephen was diagnosed with and fought back cancer. It's too bad the rest of his family couldn't attend (I haven't seen Kristen in forever!), but I was really happy he made the trek this year to hang and play Catch Phrase.
This was also our first T-day visit with Jessica in attendance. It's kind of mind-blowing to think that a year ago Chris was having his first date with her.... and that weeks later he was driving me to work and telling me he was getting a ring. Of course I thought he was being rash, but it turns out he was just following his heart. My favorite thing about Jessica is getting her to laugh so hard that it borders on a health issue. This was achieved several times this week, often at Chris's expense.
To add to the firsts, both Scott and Sarah brought new squeezes. We already knew that Scott's Amy was Emily- and Gabe-approved, so there wasn't much concern, and it was cool to see Scott dating again. (He really is a God-given gift to the female species. The guy fixes up old Italian sports cars and motorcycles, listens to the Clash, raises his two great kids seemingly effortlessly, dresses fashionably and works on his masters in the spare hours after his day job. I mean, come on.) As for Sarah's Jason, he was pretty quiet but judging from the amount of back rubs that guy was throwing Sarah's way, I think it's safe to assume he cares about her as much as we do. And honestly, how could you not love a girl that beautiful and kind?
What else? Kirsten and Titus made their sophomore appearances. I split my time adoring both.
Cole was in effect, in a big way. As serious as ever, and totally confused by me. When he states, "You're silly, Uncle Daniel," it's more of a question. As if he's saying, "Right? There must be some explanation for why you're acting so crazy? Please let that be the explanation."
Richard informed us that nobody actually calls him Richard Scott and that he's just been too nice to correct us all these years. So, everybody, consider yourself informed. The new, sleek, Richard 2.0 does not actually go by a two-name moniker anymore.
We didn't really get to the cutthroat competitive side of Mary that I'm always hearing about, but she was pretty fierce in Friday's Catch Phrase match. Mary cracks me up how calm she is. If somebody could bottle that calmness, I'd buy it.
Gabe. Gabe announced plans to join the Army National Guard. And everybody thought, hmmm. (He also made this declaration to have his identity stripped down and himself turned into a fighting machine while in freshly bleached blonde hair.) We all just got done marveling at his graphic arts skills, and I was just making plans to go snowboarding with him. I think the jury's still out on Gabe and all the amazing things he's going to do, but whatever he does, I support it. In the same way I feel especially close to Scott, I feel especially close to his kids. I adore Emily and her super fresh style and her really open, happy demeanor. I hope she and Gabe will do me the favor of making blogs or something in the next few years so I can follow their lives through the upcoming life changes. That or just calling me once in a while.
Uncle Mark and Aunt Trish should get the Thompson Gold Medal for consistency. They just seem to take an interest in everybody but themselves and they are some of the best listeners I know. (Uncle Mark has the kind of intelligent curiosity and willingness to engage people about ideas, without combatting them or trying to change their mind, that I would love to have some day. I've always looked up to him for that reason.) But I couldn't help but notice that he and Trish were both more tired than usual. I know it's been a stressful year for them. Uncle Mark mentioned "sleepless nights" and by Friday night, after just springing for the family dinner, Trish was about to pass out on the Kitchen table. I hope things settle down for them a bit this year and there worries are fewer. Jack seems like he's already stressing enough for the whole family.
I have a bunch of little Sepporah moments floating around in my head from the past trip. Some of her really sweet expressions in particular. Of course, I get to see Sepporah year round, but she continues to change so rapidly that I'm always discovering what she's about. I love how she can go from totally outgoing and physical one minute to contemplative and engrossed the next. I'm thinking of the way she stares at Kirsten when she's knitting and asks questions about the process. I wish Claire could have been with me this year (next year though!), because you guys really need to see them together. They are going to be an adorable and hilarious combo for a long time to come.
I've been noticing more and more how Scott and my mom are such powerful forces in the family in a quiet, non-flashy way. Scott loves the family traditions (Thursday night movie, Friday trip into town) and helps keep them alive. He doesn't make a lot of noise, but the older I get the more I see how devoted to his whole family Scott is and I hope I am learning from him in this way. Scott calls me to check in all the time. And I have a feeling I'm not the only one getting this treatment.
My mom is such a giving person. She is the one to take on the responsibility of the littlest children so that the rest of us can do the things we want without worrying. For one, she lets Sepporah sleep in her bed. This is a form of torture, so I wasn't surprised to see her dragging a little bit - but joyfully - by the end of the visit. And on Friday when we were all playing Catch Phrase, she was the one entertaining a toddler and two little kids in the other room so that we could play our game uninterrupted. I'm really thankful for that. My mom rules.
Let's talk about Matt and Chris and I. There's been some controversy about our ribbing each other on the blog. You all should know that we rib because we love! For instance, Matt and I annually have a 2-and-a-half-minute wrestling smackdown in Grandma's kitchen, which always somehow moves into the livingroom with Grandma and my mom following and shouting at us to please stop, every year. This year was no different (Matt schooled me, I'm not going to lie). But as soon as we get done punishing each other's bodies and dealing out injuries, we leave it on the field. There are no hard feelings. Consider it a life lesson for the rest of you.
But yeah, I love my brothers and their amazing families. I'm proud of both of them and happy to be the older brother they both look up to so much.
At first I wanted to say that Grandma and Grandpa might have been showing their age a bit more this year than in the past - Grandma stopped dying her hair and Grandpa's leg pain had him grimmacing a few times that I saw. But the truth is they're both as sharp and good looking as ever. Grandpa continued his recent streak of dashing casual wear (did anybody else peep that super GQ brown pullover he busted out!!!), and Grandma delivered, food-wise, as always. In fact, it was borderline gluttonous the way things went down.
It seemed like a lot of Thompsons are enjoying the blog, and the connectivity it provides. It's nice just to be reminded that you're part of a family. Especially one as vibrant and interesting as ours. I hope the next year we continue to use it and that everybody gets involved when they can.
One last note. Kirsten and I couldn't help but notice that the country house has a ton of room and places to sleep. We were thinking that those who can should meet there sometime when it's warmer, possibly this spring. We could all sleep out there and there is a large kitchen and living room area to play games. We'd also have access to Grandma and Grandpa's house obviously, as well as whatever fun stuff there is in Champaign. It'd be a good mix of country quiet and city features. I think spending three or four days there would be a ton of fun. I always come away from Thanksgiving feeling that two days is not enough so maybe a spring or summer visit would be something great to try this year. Think about it.
I love you all.
Daniel
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
New Game - Five Places I've Been
I need each of you to email me FIVE places that you have been/traveled to and WHY you liked/disliked it. FOUR need to be true and ONE needs to be a lie.
For those of you that sat out last round, we would really love to have you join in the fun.
For those of you that sat out last round, we would really love to have you join in the fun.
Results - Two Truths and a Lie
Best Lie Detector - 57% - Daniel Johnson
Worst Lie Detector - 21% - Grandpa
Best Liars - 0 Correct Guesses- Chris Johnson, 0 - Jessica Johnson, 0 - Grandma
Worst Liar - 8 - Stephen Thompson
Overall Winner - Grandma
Overall Loser - Stephen & Nate Thompson (Nate due to not voting on a few)
Worst Lie Detector - 21% - Grandpa
Best Liars - 0 Correct Guesses- Chris Johnson, 0 - Jessica Johnson, 0 - Grandma
Worst Liar - 8 - Stephen Thompson
Overall Winner - Grandma
Overall Loser - Stephen & Nate Thompson (Nate due to not voting on a few)
Lies Revealed for Round 2
Here's the answer to the last round of Two Truths and a Lie. The "LIE" is in bold.
Mary Johnson
1 - When Matt and I were in Aruba we went offroading with a rental SUV and decided to go up a rough, rocky mountain. We got stuck the SUV stuck with all the wheels off the ground and had to push the SUV down off the rock, causing damage to the SVU in the process.
2 - A good friend of mine asked me to be a part of the home birth of her second child. I accepted and it was a crazy but amazing experience.
3 - While horseback riding in the countryside of France my horse sprinted away from the group. I couldn't understand what the French guide was saying to me and couldn't get the horse to stop. The horse weaved through the woods and took me far away from my group.
Nate Thompson
1. I have an "N" shaped scar on my right wrist that I received while trying to lift my old bulldog Sluggo into a bathtub.
2. As a consequence of my increased class hours this semester, I now routinely dream in numbers and variables, with my dreams consisting entirely of me trying to solve some imaginary equation or problems that gave me trouble in my homework that night.
3. I worked at Menards for a while pushing carts, and since I was relatively quiet most people had trouble remembering my name and often confused me with other people. I got tired of correcting them so I just went along with it. Depending on who you ask my name is Luke, Dave, Ryan, Mark, or Nate.
Trish Mueller
1. While in Switzerland a young man enjoyed himself at the village pub a bit too much and fell off his bunk in the middle of the night injuring himself. Some of the other residents called me to his room and with 100 eyes watching, a spelunking light on my head, crouched under the bottom bunk, and without a first aid kit of any type, I improvised and cleaned his many wounds and put his almost totally severed ear back and secured it by wrapping a clean shirt torn into strips around his head like a mummy. The following day we drove him 30 miles up the mountain to the closest physician who sutured the ear back in place, stitched his other open wounds, and set his broken bones.
2. Having one day off a week, yet wanting to see as much of Europe as I possibly could my friend and I rose way before dawn to cross the alps into Italy; destination Milan; goal to see the painting of “The Lord’s Supper” . Arriving at the church we discovered the only showing left with tickets was the last showing of the day. No problem lots to see and do and a great subway system to get us there! Day done and only minutest to spare, we sprinted off the subway into the train station to catch the train home. We were met by a party of several policemen who inspected our subway tickets. Not knowing you did not have to revalidate your subway ticket at every juncture we had macerated ticket stubs. The police decided to make us an example exposing our fraud of using the same ticket over and over (anyway we think that was what it was). Unable to communicate at all I finally comprehended the small sum of 50euro would get us off. Paying up we caught our train aware money is a universal tool/language.
3. The kids and I tagged along with Mark on a business trip to Boston. We saw the sights by day while he worked. (Very scary as I have no sense of direction) Catching a train back to return to the suburban location where we were staying we got on the wrong train. By the time I realized it we were very much in “the country”. We got off at the next stop. Bad move there was no real station, no real town, no taxi, no phone, and I did not have a cell phone. Not knowing what to do we started walking back the way we came along the railroad tracks. Much later a policeman saw us and stopped us telling us we couldn’t walk the tracks and also telling us he couldn’t drive us anywhere. Frantic to get my kids back before dark we disobeyed and got back on the tracks. If he arrested me I would get a phone call! Further down the road he stopped us, let us know he was risking getting in trouble, and drove us all the way back to the hotel.
Kristen Thompson
1. Kristen once boldly interrupted a circus act when the man pulled out a long knife as part of his magic act. She stood up and screamed at him to stop. It ruined his act.
2. Kristen's favorite time of year is the Fall and her favorite fall pastimes are visiting haunted houses, being scared, going to apple orchards, horseback riding, and cooking Pumpkin pies.
3. As a very small child, Kristen, on a long drive to her favorite apple orchard, boldly exclaimed while pointing to a distant field, "Hey, look--that's a Toro chipper vac!" And she was right.
Karen Thompson
1. Karen hooked her husband by pretending to hurt an ankle and having him carry her for a half mile. She felt it was important to test his true feelings by blatantly lying to him.
2. Karen has done all of the following by herself; Maytag repairs, set up our trailer, bought a house, bought a car, put in wood floors, fixed electrical, put in drywall and replaced a sump pump.
3. Karen once drove a Chevy Prism, full of women, over a rocky mountain pass in Utah--meant only for Jeeps. The pass connected 2 mountains, was on a ledge, and was a one way.
Matt Johnson
1) I was on the Department of Homeland Security watch list so when I flew, I had to show my ID at every check-in.
2) I was investigated by the IRS for tax evasion.
3) I had a warrant for my arrest issued in Missouri.
Mary Johnson
1 - When Matt and I were in Aruba we went offroading with a rental SUV and decided to go up a rough, rocky mountain. We got stuck the SUV stuck with all the wheels off the ground and had to push the SUV down off the rock, causing damage to the SVU in the process.
2 - A good friend of mine asked me to be a part of the home birth of her second child. I accepted and it was a crazy but amazing experience.
3 - While horseback riding in the countryside of France my horse sprinted away from the group. I couldn't understand what the French guide was saying to me and couldn't get the horse to stop. The horse weaved through the woods and took me far away from my group.
Nate Thompson
1. I have an "N" shaped scar on my right wrist that I received while trying to lift my old bulldog Sluggo into a bathtub.
2. As a consequence of my increased class hours this semester, I now routinely dream in numbers and variables, with my dreams consisting entirely of me trying to solve some imaginary equation or problems that gave me trouble in my homework that night.
3. I worked at Menards for a while pushing carts, and since I was relatively quiet most people had trouble remembering my name and often confused me with other people. I got tired of correcting them so I just went along with it. Depending on who you ask my name is Luke, Dave, Ryan, Mark, or Nate.
Trish Mueller
1. While in Switzerland a young man enjoyed himself at the village pub a bit too much and fell off his bunk in the middle of the night injuring himself. Some of the other residents called me to his room and with 100 eyes watching, a spelunking light on my head, crouched under the bottom bunk, and without a first aid kit of any type, I improvised and cleaned his many wounds and put his almost totally severed ear back and secured it by wrapping a clean shirt torn into strips around his head like a mummy. The following day we drove him 30 miles up the mountain to the closest physician who sutured the ear back in place, stitched his other open wounds, and set his broken bones.
2. Having one day off a week, yet wanting to see as much of Europe as I possibly could my friend and I rose way before dawn to cross the alps into Italy; destination Milan; goal to see the painting of “The Lord’s Supper” . Arriving at the church we discovered the only showing left with tickets was the last showing of the day. No problem lots to see and do and a great subway system to get us there! Day done and only minutest to spare, we sprinted off the subway into the train station to catch the train home. We were met by a party of several policemen who inspected our subway tickets. Not knowing you did not have to revalidate your subway ticket at every juncture we had macerated ticket stubs. The police decided to make us an example exposing our fraud of using the same ticket over and over (anyway we think that was what it was). Unable to communicate at all I finally comprehended the small sum of 50euro would get us off. Paying up we caught our train aware money is a universal tool/language.
3. The kids and I tagged along with Mark on a business trip to Boston. We saw the sights by day while he worked. (Very scary as I have no sense of direction) Catching a train back to return to the suburban location where we were staying we got on the wrong train. By the time I realized it we were very much in “the country”. We got off at the next stop. Bad move there was no real station, no real town, no taxi, no phone, and I did not have a cell phone. Not knowing what to do we started walking back the way we came along the railroad tracks. Much later a policeman saw us and stopped us telling us we couldn’t walk the tracks and also telling us he couldn’t drive us anywhere. Frantic to get my kids back before dark we disobeyed and got back on the tracks. If he arrested me I would get a phone call! Further down the road he stopped us, let us know he was risking getting in trouble, and drove us all the way back to the hotel.
Kristen Thompson
1. Kristen once boldly interrupted a circus act when the man pulled out a long knife as part of his magic act. She stood up and screamed at him to stop. It ruined his act.
2. Kristen's favorite time of year is the Fall and her favorite fall pastimes are visiting haunted houses, being scared, going to apple orchards, horseback riding, and cooking Pumpkin pies.
3. As a very small child, Kristen, on a long drive to her favorite apple orchard, boldly exclaimed while pointing to a distant field, "Hey, look--that's a Toro chipper vac!" And she was right.
Karen Thompson
1. Karen hooked her husband by pretending to hurt an ankle and having him carry her for a half mile. She felt it was important to test his true feelings by blatantly lying to him.
2. Karen has done all of the following by herself; Maytag repairs, set up our trailer, bought a house, bought a car, put in wood floors, fixed electrical, put in drywall and replaced a sump pump.
3. Karen once drove a Chevy Prism, full of women, over a rocky mountain pass in Utah--meant only for Jeeps. The pass connected 2 mountains, was on a ledge, and was a one way.
Matt Johnson
1) I was on the Department of Homeland Security watch list so when I flew, I had to show my ID at every check-in.
2) I was investigated by the IRS for tax evasion.
3) I had a warrant for my arrest issued in Missouri.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thompson Mecca
Thompson Madness is going on holiday for the week. Thompsons everywhere will be in transit, en route to GG's house. I think I speak for everyone when I say, Can't Wait!
Daniel
Daniel
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Thompson Questionnaire is Back!
Call him a bulldog-obsessed madman, call him an unsuccessful recluse, call him a man with the soul of a ranch hand in an ad exec's body. Just don't call him Steve. Ladies and gentlemen,
STEPHEN THOMPSON
Describe your hairstyle in two words or less.
Managed chaos.
What is your favorite song?
What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong version)
What is the last thing that totally blew your mind.
Karen asked for another cat.
How's your love life?
Well, after 30 years Karen still talks to me so that's a good sign.
If there's one dessert you could eat until it hurts, what would it be?
Doritos.
When is your bedtime?
When Karen asks me to help her fold the laundry.
Einstein said: "A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin. What else does a man need to be happy?" Customize this quote to fit yourself.
A happy wife, pencils and paint, and bulldogs. What else does a man need to be happy?
What is your most under appreciated attribute?
My gentle disposition.
What is your pet's name?
Lola, Otis, Elmo, Lily, Skyler and a cat to be named.
How much can you bench press?
1.5 pounds--what a bag of Doritos weighs.
Quick, how old are Betty and Leroy Thompson?
Old enough where one shouldn't ask.
And what are they really doing with all that free time?
I am pretty sure it has something to do with Polka.
Will you announce your candidacy this year?
Yes. I am a die-hard socialist and will be running for the neighborhood board. I want to outlaw any form of work done before 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays. I am tired of listening to Karen complain about the neighbors mowing their lawns a 7 a.m. Remember what I said about a happy wife? Well, if she aint happy, aint nobody happy.
STEPHEN THOMPSON
Describe your hairstyle in two words or less.
Managed chaos.
What is your favorite song?
What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong version)
What is the last thing that totally blew your mind.
Karen asked for another cat.
How's your love life?
Well, after 30 years Karen still talks to me so that's a good sign.
If there's one dessert you could eat until it hurts, what would it be?
Doritos.
When is your bedtime?
When Karen asks me to help her fold the laundry.
Einstein said: "A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin. What else does a man need to be happy?" Customize this quote to fit yourself.
A happy wife, pencils and paint, and bulldogs. What else does a man need to be happy?
What is your most under appreciated attribute?
My gentle disposition.
What is your pet's name?
Lola, Otis, Elmo, Lily, Skyler and a cat to be named.
How much can you bench press?
1.5 pounds--what a bag of Doritos weighs.
Quick, how old are Betty and Leroy Thompson?
Old enough where one shouldn't ask.
And what are they really doing with all that free time?
I am pretty sure it has something to do with Polka.
Will you announce your candidacy this year?
Yes. I am a die-hard socialist and will be running for the neighborhood board. I want to outlaw any form of work done before 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays. I am tired of listening to Karen complain about the neighbors mowing their lawns a 7 a.m. Remember what I said about a happy wife? Well, if she aint happy, aint nobody happy.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Claire Models My New Fake Polaroid Camera
Polaroid is going the way of the polar bear in the age of digital cameras. Maybe it was a concern for relevance that led them to develop, and give away for free, a new computer application that takes your digital pictures and processes them so that they look like old-fashioned Polaroids. I love this ap. Claire was my test-subject Sunday. Here she is at a nature-themed birthday party that involved a walk through the woods for the children led by a nature guide.
Two Truths and a Lie - Matt Johnson
It's finally here. Today will be the last entry for this game. I am already planning for the next round.
Matt Johnson - Life of Crime
1) I was on the Department of Homeland Security watch list so when I flew, I had to show my ID at every check-in.
2) I was investigated by the IRS for tax evasion.
3) I had a warrant for my arrest issued in Missouri.
Matt Johnson - Life of Crime
1) I was on the Department of Homeland Security watch list so when I flew, I had to show my ID at every check-in.
2) I was investigated by the IRS for tax evasion.
3) I had a warrant for my arrest issued in Missouri.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The most beautiful thing
I am going to start off first by apologizing to my mom and grandma. I am sorry for what I am about to say, but I know Matt will appreciate it.
Now to my story. Jessica has finally accepted the fact that she is a Johnson and given in to the sarcasm that separates us from other "normal" families. Tonight as we were getting ready to go to the grocery store, I said something to Jessica that was pretty insignificant. She replied in a deep low mocking voice of me " I'm Chris Johnson, I wear my hat backwards." What made this so beautiful was the fact that it was done in a low mocking voice under her breath so as nobody could hear it except the person it was directed too. Also the thing that she made fun of was something that really wasn't that big of a deal and wouldn't cause any hurt to the person it was directed too. These are two big qualifications off a good mockery.
I then turned to Jessica and said "Yes! You have finally accepted your place as a Johnson!" She was mortified, for this is not how she was brought up. But I couldn't have been happier.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Scott's Special Someone
Scott Posts:
Family,
I would like to introduce you to my new special someone, Amy Sergeant. She is beautiful and smart. Smarter than me. I am bringing her with me to Thanksgiving and I'm excited for you all to meet her. Gabe and Em think she's great. She is a Dentist in Madison, WI. She is witty and charming. And yes, she's a Democrat. So no politics. I have met her family and they like me a lot. I think you will like her as well. Scott.
Family,
I would like to introduce you to my new special someone, Amy Sergeant. She is beautiful and smart. Smarter than me. I am bringing her with me to Thanksgiving and I'm excited for you all to meet her. Gabe and Em think she's great. She is a Dentist in Madison, WI. She is witty and charming. And yes, she's a Democrat. So no politics. I have met her family and they like me a lot. I think you will like her as well. Scott.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Guess Who
A by-now classic Thompson Madness tradition returns. Grandma pulls some photos out of her vault and asks us to guess who. Well, can you?
Two Truths and a Lie - Karen Thompson
(Remember, this is submitted by Uncle Steve who uses the some true / some lie method...but maybe I don't need to warn you seeing how he has been by far the worse liar.)
Karen Thompson
1. Karen hooked her husband by pretending to hurt an ankle and having him carry her for a half mile. She felt it was important to test his true feelings by blatantly lying to him.
2. Karen has done all of the following by herself; Maytag repairs, set up our trailer, bought a house, bought a car, put in wood floors, fixed electrical, put in drywall and replaced a sump pump.
3. Karen once drove a Chevy Prism, full of women, over a rocky mountain pass in Utah--meant only for Jeeps. The pass connected 2 mountains, was on a ledge, and was a one way.
Karen Thompson
1. Karen hooked her husband by pretending to hurt an ankle and having him carry her for a half mile. She felt it was important to test his true feelings by blatantly lying to him.
2. Karen has done all of the following by herself; Maytag repairs, set up our trailer, bought a house, bought a car, put in wood floors, fixed electrical, put in drywall and replaced a sump pump.
3. Karen once drove a Chevy Prism, full of women, over a rocky mountain pass in Utah--meant only for Jeeps. The pass connected 2 mountains, was on a ledge, and was a one way.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Grandpa's House Invite
From Grandpa Leroy:
As you know, we have a house out in the country. I would like to know if anyone is interested in staying nights out there to save a motel bill. We can bed down as many here in Mahomet as we can find floor space for but I know there is not enough room for all.
This house is 16 miles from our Mahomet house and has freeway and good county roads all the way. It has several beds in it, plus other things. Has a large kitchen, refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, TV, basket ball hoop and basket balls, etc. We just need to know ahead of time so we can have beds ready. All can come back here for breakfast or we can have a few breakfast things there.
I have wanted to have a wiener roast out there on Friday night before and if anyone is interested in having one this year, let me know so we can have the things ready for it.
Thanks,
Grandpa
As you know, we have a house out in the country. I would like to know if anyone is interested in staying nights out there to save a motel bill. We can bed down as many here in Mahomet as we can find floor space for but I know there is not enough room for all.
This house is 16 miles from our Mahomet house and has freeway and good county roads all the way. It has several beds in it, plus other things. Has a large kitchen, refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, TV, basket ball hoop and basket balls, etc. We just need to know ahead of time so we can have beds ready. All can come back here for breakfast or we can have a few breakfast things there.
I have wanted to have a wiener roast out there on Friday night before and if anyone is interested in having one this year, let me know so we can have the things ready for it.
Thanks,
Grandpa
Hustling
Like my little bro, I've been dabbling in web design for a little while now. But until now I've only been doing it for friends and personal endeavors. This week I had my first paying customer, Marie Lascu, a local writer:
marieclascu.com
If anybody in the family knows someone who needs a simple, clean and functional web for their small business or hobby, please pass my name along. I don't do flash, so this is really an offer for somebody who needs to get something made that is basic, classic and CHEAP.
marieclascu.com
If anybody in the family knows someone who needs a simple, clean and functional web for their small business or hobby, please pass my name along. I don't do flash, so this is really an offer for somebody who needs to get something made that is basic, classic and CHEAP.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Keeping up with Titus
Grandma Phyllis posts:
Here are some funny pictures Cole took at my house Saturday. He has one of me where he told me to pretend to be dead against the door...? Then HE wanted to pretend....so that explains the two strange pictures of us against the door. Most are of about 60 seconds of "Titus Time." He is the busiest little guy. Cole is just recording me trying to keep Titus safe...ha! One picture that I took looks like Cole is choking Titus but he is trying to keep him from going over our barricade of the steps. Look how Titus scales the barricade.
Here are some funny pictures Cole took at my house Saturday. He has one of me where he told me to pretend to be dead against the door...? Then HE wanted to pretend....so that explains the two strange pictures of us against the door. Most are of about 60 seconds of "Titus Time." He is the busiest little guy. Cole is just recording me trying to keep Titus safe...ha! One picture that I took looks like Cole is choking Titus but he is trying to keep him from going over our barricade of the steps. Look how Titus scales the barricade.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monkey Necklace
There is no school today for Claire so she's home with me. I'm in the middle of finishing a piece for a new publication I'm writing for and it has been a challenge with her figuratively, and sometimes very literally, hanging around my neck.
But the day has had its moments. It was especially nice to take her with me to vote, answering her questions beforehand ("Do people in China vote today?") over coffee and chocolate milk, telling her about the concept of citizenship and the miracle of peaceful exchanges of power. It's a gorgeous, unseasonably warm fall day and the buzz of election day is definitely in the air. I think Claire could sense it and as we were walking in to the middle school where I was going to vote, Claire stopped me and urgently asked: "Do I have chocolate milk on my face?" I said: "No, why? You want to look your best for this?" And she said: "Yes!"
But the day has had its moments. It was especially nice to take her with me to vote, answering her questions beforehand ("Do people in China vote today?") over coffee and chocolate milk, telling her about the concept of citizenship and the miracle of peaceful exchanges of power. It's a gorgeous, unseasonably warm fall day and the buzz of election day is definitely in the air. I think Claire could sense it and as we were walking in to the middle school where I was going to vote, Claire stopped me and urgently asked: "Do I have chocolate milk on my face?" I said: "No, why? You want to look your best for this?" And she said: "Yes!"
Bananas for Monkita
I feel that Kirst has turned a bit of a corner recently with her knitting designs. I was into the coffee cozies and scarflettes she was making last year, but I think I like the new designs she's been improvising lately even more. And it really has been improvisation, fueled by the pressure of deadline: she got a table at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair, which takes place in less than two weeks. Since she's spent most of the summer crafting a never-ending string of baby blankets (the most time-intensive thing she makes) for all her fertile friends, she didn't have much opportunity to stock up for the fair. So she's been knitting-manic lately and it seems that every time I glance over from our Project Runway marathon she's come up with a new shape, or a new pattern.
First there were the new scarflette color schemes:
Followed by this new kind of seam thing she started knitting into her long scarves:
And then there was the long cowl, which you can wrap up several times into different shapes:
And the shorter cowl, which is in the form of a tube which you just slide down over your head:
You can check out her shop, La Femme Monkita, here. And the Detroit Urban Craft Fair takes place at the Fillmore Detroit (old State Theater) on Saturday, Nov. 15.
First there were the new scarflette color schemes:
Followed by this new kind of seam thing she started knitting into her long scarves:
And then there was the long cowl, which you can wrap up several times into different shapes:
And the shorter cowl, which is in the form of a tube which you just slide down over your head:
You can check out her shop, La Femme Monkita, here. And the Detroit Urban Craft Fair takes place at the Fillmore Detroit (old State Theater) on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Front Fell Off
Trish posts:
Ryan sent this, thought it might be funny on the blog
Ryan sent this, thought it might be funny on the blog
On August 19th, 2007, an oil tanker off the coast of Australia split in two, dumping 20,000 tons of crude oil into the sea. Senator Collins, a member of the Australian Parliament, appeared on a TV news program to reassure the Australian public. The actual interview is so funny, you'd swear it was a Saturday Night Live skit.
Charlie & Olly's Halloween
From Kristen:
Follow this link to see pics I took of olly and charlie's halloween costumes.
I couldn't upload the pics to this email due to size, but you can see them all on flickr. You can just save the pics from flickr onto your computer.
Kristen
Two Truths and a Lie - Kristen Thompson
Just to give you a heads up...Steve wrote this one and the next one for Karen that i'll post tomorrow. Steve uses the "half truth / half lie" method.
Kristen Thompson
1. Kristen once boldly interrupted a circus act when the man pulled out a long knife as part of his magic act. She stood up and screamed at him to stop. It ruined his act.
2. Kristen's favorite time of year is the Fall and her favorite fall pastimes are visiting haunted houses, being scared, going to apple orchards, horseback riding, and cooking Pumpkin pies.
3. As a very small child, Kristen, on a long drive to her favorite apple orchard, boldly exclaimed while pointing to a distant field, "Hey, look--that's a Toro chipper vac!" And she was right.
Kristen Thompson
1. Kristen once boldly interrupted a circus act when the man pulled out a long knife as part of his magic act. She stood up and screamed at him to stop. It ruined his act.
2. Kristen's favorite time of year is the Fall and her favorite fall pastimes are visiting haunted houses, being scared, going to apple orchards, horseback riding, and cooking Pumpkin pies.
3. As a very small child, Kristen, on a long drive to her favorite apple orchard, boldly exclaimed while pointing to a distant field, "Hey, look--that's a Toro chipper vac!" And she was right.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Halloween with the Johnsons (Daniel, that is)
Pumpkin carving:
Wonder woman:
Cashed out after the walk:
This is Anton Chigurh, the psychopath from the movie No Country For Old Men.
Wonder woman:
Cashed out after the walk:
This is Anton Chigurh, the psychopath from the movie No Country For Old Men.
Halloween with the Johnsons (Chris that is)
For halloween this year, Jessica, Sepporah, and I went trick or treating with Mike and his family. We had a lot of fun and got a ton of candy. By the end of the night we were all pretty exhausted. Sepporah went as a pilgrim. That was her own choosing.
My Beautiful family.
My friend Mike and his daughter Mckenzie.
I tried explaining to Sepporah that real pilgrims didnt wear makeup back in the day.....she would not hear of it. So lets say she really went as a Disney pilgrim.
On Friday, Sepporah had scarecrow day at her school. She wanted her whole face to be white. I personaly thinks she looks cute, but one can see how other people might be terrified by her face paint.
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