Monday, January 31, 2011

HEY REXMAN

I GOT A CALL ON MY CELL PHONE A FEW DAYS AGO.

 ”HEY, REXMAN”

“I’M GONNA LAY OVER IN VEGAS ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY, CAN YOU COME UP?”

IF YOU’RE FROM MY FRANKVILLE LIFE, YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW THIS BLOG IS GOING TO GO……

THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON THAT CALLS ME, “REXMAN”…….

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YUP, MY FRANKVILLE BEER DRINKING PARTNER, DANNY BECKER.  SO IF YOU’RE FROM FRANKVILLE AND YOUR EARS WERE BURNING SUNDAY NIGHT, IT WAS DANNY AND I TALKING SMART ABOUT YOU.

WE GOT ALL CAUGHT UP ON OUR FAMILIES, AND TOLD EACH OTHER 25 YEAR OLD WAR STORIES. WE EACH DRANK ABOUT 20 BEERS, AND NEVER ONCE GOT SLAPPED DOWN OR ARRESTED. ARE WE FINALLY GROWN UP?

SO WHAT’S DANNY BECKER UP TO THESES DAYS?

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YOU CAN TAKE THE BOY OUT OF THE TRUCK, BUT YOU CAN’T TAKE TRUCK’N OUT OF THE BOY.

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DANNY OWNS, OPERATES, AND DRIVES FOR BECKER TRANSPORT LLC. ALSO, OUT OF AN OFFICE IN HIS NORTHEAST IOWA COUNTRY CABIN, HE MANAGES  A CAR BROKERAGE BUSINESS, BASICALLY ON THE INTERNET, TO MOVE CARS AROUND THE NATION.

DANNY, MY FRIEND, IT WAS A GREAT TIME, LET’S DO IT AGAIN, BUT NOT NEXT WEEK, MY HEAD NEEDS SOME TIME TO HEAL FROM ALL THAT BEER DRINKING…..

GO PACKERS !!!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

WHAT’S 4 + 4 + 4 =

WHAT’S 4+4+4=

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444

 

GO PACK !!!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Best Part of Sunday’s Game

We have friends  from Wisconsin that have been in the same RV park we stay at.  We have been friends with them for several years and usually spend game day at Spirit Mountain watching the Packers.

They are both x-ray techs for pipeline companies so they have worked all over the country.  This year they decided to buy a house here so for the game we were invited to their new house.  Very nice!!

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Meatballs and were they yummy!!

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Bratwurst and kraut in crescent rolls!

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Quite a spread we had!

We stopped at the store on our way to the game, Rex checked to see if they still had limburger cheese.  He wasn’t going to get any until I mentioned that Dawn likes it too.  They funny part of that story is that Dawn bought some  because she knew Rex likes it. Don’t know how we missed a picture of that.  I don’t know why we didn’t take any pictures of their house and beautiful pool and hot tub either. 

Too busy watching the game and eating I guess.  But at least the right team won!!  Can’t hardly believe the Packers are Super Bowl bound!

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Sunday, January 23, 2011

SUPER BOWL BOUND !!!

“WE’RE GO’IN TO THE SUPER BOWL”

“WE’RE GO’IN TO THE SUPER BOWL”

I THOUGHT DA BEARS WERE JUST TOY’IN WITH US IN THE LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME. THE GAME DIDN’T MATTER TO THEM ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.  YOU KNOW ROLL OVER, LET THE PACK WIN, AND THEN WATCH THEM GET BEAT IN THE FIRST GAME OF THE PLAY-OFFS LIKE LAST YEAR, WHILE THEY TOOK THE WEEK OFF.  IN RETROSPECT I THINK THEY WOULD HAVE USED A DIFFERENT GAME PLAN AND KEPT THE PACK FROM EVEN GETTING TO THE PLAY-OFFS.

“WE’RE GO’IN TO THE SUPER BOWL”

“WE’RE GO’IN TO THE SUPER BOWL”


LAST WEEK ONE DAY AT WORK, WHEN MARY AND I WERE BOTH ON BREAK, I ASKED HER TO SEARCH HER WALLET AND SEE IF I HAD A SPORTSBOOK TICKET ON THE PACKERS TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL.  IT’S BEEN OUR CUSTOM OVER THE YEARS TO BET ON THE PACKERS TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL IN THE SPRING, USUALLY WHEN WE GO TO VEGAS TO CELBRATE MARY’S BIRTHDAY.

SHE JUST KINDA ROLLED HER EYES, AND SAID IF I HAD BET ON THE PACKERS, WHY WOULD THE TICKET BE IN MY WALLET?  I DON’T KNOW? JUST LOOK WILL YA?

SURE ENOUGH I BET $20 WITH A $5 COUPON FROM THE VEGAS CLUB. A $25 BET WITH 12:1 ODDS, SO WHEN THE PACKERS WIN THE SUPER BOWL THE TICKET IS WORTH $325.00 !!!  TEAM LOYALTY PAYS OFF! (AT LEAST I HOPE IT WILL)

“WE’RE GO’IN TO THE SUPER BOWL”

“WE’RE GO’IN TO THE SUPER BOWL”

Saturday, January 22, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

OVER THE YEARS WE’VE USED THE BLOG TO WISH HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS.  TWO YEARS AGO I SAT DOWN ONE DAY AND DID THE BIRTHDAY POSTS FOR THE WHOLE YEAR USING THE SCHEDULER TOOL FROM GOOGLE.

LAST YEAR I DELEGATED THE TASK TO MARY.  THIS YEAR I’M WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY!!!  NO BIRTHDAYS TO REMEMBER THIS YEAR.

SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVEYBODY FOR 2011, INCLUDING ME.

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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Mermaids

By Uncle Hans

I found these two mermaids in my hot tub one recent morning...............

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I asked them to do something that mermaids never do..............a snow angel.........

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.......I wanted them to do it together as that would make a better blog picture.  but the little one would not do it until the big one did...........

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.............I can't believe it, but she laid down in the snow and made a snow angel...........

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.........She ran back to the warm water and started talking the little one into trying it.........

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.......pretty soon, you know............

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...................Monkey see.................

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..........Monkey do!

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 But then my alarm went off, so I got up and went to work......................

By Uncle Hans

Sunday, January 16, 2011

FOOTBALL….

ALL’S WELL IN THE FOOTBALL WORLD, PERFECT IN FACT !  IT’S BEEN 70 YEARS SINCE THE PACKERS PLAYED THE BEARS FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

CUTLER AND RODGERS, A MATCH WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR. WHO WILL WIN AND PLAY IN THE SUPER BOWL?  OF COURSE, YOU ALL KNOW WHO I’LL BE CHEERING FOR, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE HOME AND WATCH THE GAME WITH ALL THE LOONEY BEAR FANS.

SPEAKING OF FOOTBALL, I’VE BEEN RATHER QUITE ABOUT BRETT FAVRE THIS SEASON.  MOST FEEL  THAT HE’S SLIPPED AWAY TO MISSISSIPPI TO RIDE HIS JOHN DEERE TRACTOR NEVER TO BE HEARD OF AGAIN UNTIL FIVE YEARS WHEN HE’S INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME.

PERSONALLY I THINK HE’S IMMORTAL. I THINK MIKE HOLMGREN AND PAT SHURMUR IN THEIR NEW POSITIONS WITH  CLEVELAND ARE GOING TO GIVE BRETT A CALL AND HAVE HIM QUARTERBACK THE BROWNS TO THE SUPER BOWL NEXT SEASON. HEY I’VE BEEN WRONG BEFORE. WHY? BECAUSE I THINK BRETT WAS F*UCKED BY THE VIKINGS THIS YEAR.  NO WIDE RECEIVERS, AND NO PROTECTION.  THE VIKINGS CHOKED AS USUAL AND THREW BRETT UNDER THE BUS AS THE FALL GUY.

BUT I GOT SIDE TRACKED, DID YOU SEE THE PACKERS SCORE TOUCHDOWNS ON FIVE OF THEIR FIRST SIX POSSSESSIONS AGAINST THE FALCONS?

Rodgers has thrown at least three touchdowns in six of the past nine games.

He is the first quarterback in NFL history to have a passer rating of more than 120.0 in his first three starts. His was 136.8 Saturday night.

His 10 touchdowns in his first three playoff games are an NFL postseason record. Even more remarkable is that all three came on the road -- last year against the Cardinals, Philadelphia last week and Saturday night at Atlanta.

The difference between good and great quarterbacks is that the truly elite ones get it done on the road in the postseason.

 GO PACKERS !!!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

WHY I LOVE TRADER JOE’S

We had to battle the snow to do it, but we made a stop at Trader Joe’s last week end.  I love Trader Joe’s because I find unusual stuff.  


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 Corn chile salsa, spicy bean dip, and corn tortilla flat bread.



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 Isn’t that an interesting label……




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 and an even more interesting stalk…



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for these really fresh brussel sprouts.  These were great roasted in the oven!!



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I used puff pastry to make pear, apple, walnut, and marchanko cheese pies.  Yummy but not very figure friendly.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

CAT TREE

I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT A CAT TREE FOR SUSIE-Q FOR A LONG TIME.  LET’S MOVE OUT STEVE’S CHAIR IN FRONT OF THE WINDOW AND PUT IN A CAT TREE.

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SUSIE COULDN’T BE HAPPIER.  SHE HAS THE PERFECT PERCH TO LOOK OUT THE WINDOW OR LOOK OUT THE DOOR IF IT’S OPEN.

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 THE CAT HASN’T FIRGURED OUT HOW TO REACH THE VERY TOP LEVEL, ALTHOUGH SHE PUTS ON QUITE A SHOW STRECHING AND TRYING.  OF COURSE IT DIDN’T HELP THAT I PUT TREATS UP THERE FOR HER.

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IT’S KINDA LIKE HAVING A SHELF TO PUT YOUR TOY CAT ON WHEN YOU’RE DONE PLAYING WITH IT.  SHE JUST SITS UP THERE WATCHING YOU AT EYE LEVEL INSTEAD OF FROM THE FLOOR, OR CURLS UP AND TAKES A CAT NAP.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Coyotes

By Uncle Hans

You never know what will appear out the big windows overlooking Cable Lake.  This early morning it was a pair of coyotes.  I think they were looking for the roadrunner.  The pictures were bad, out the window in poor light with a poor camera.........

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.....after a while, we let Sam out to investigate.  There was a lot of curiosity, some playing, then Sam ran them off.

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By Uncle Hans

Sunday, January 9, 2011

LAS VEGAS

WHILE WE WERE IN LAS VEGAS WE STAYED DOWNTOWN ON FREEMONT STREET AT THE FITZ.  I MADE RESERVATIONS ON THE INTERNET FOR A ROOM AT $32.77 FOR THE NIGHT.  THE SUNDAY NIGHT AFTER NEW YEARS EVE AND THE CASINO WAS DEAD.

I GAVE THE CHECK-IN CLERK A GOOD MEASURE OF BS AND HE DECIDED TO PUT US IN A CORNER ROOM ON THE 31ST FLOOR.

AT THE CORNER OF THE BUILDING ALL OF ONE OUTSIDE WALL WAS A GLASS WINDOW AND ABOUT HALF OF THE AJOINING WALL WAS WINDOW.  BEING ON THE 31ST FLOOR, THE VIEW WAS FANTASTIC.

NICE ROOM FOR $32.77!!!

WE WATCHED THE PACKERS AND THE BEARS AT THE CALIFORNIA CLUB CASINO AT THE LITTLE BAR BY THE THE SPORTS BOOK, BOTTLES OF BEER WERE $2.75, UNLIKE THE $8 PRICES ON THE STRIP.

SITTING NEXT TO ME WAS A LITTLE OLE ASIAN LADY FROM CHICAGO.  HER DAUGHTER MARRIED A GUY FROM GREEN BAY AND SHE WAS FULL OF PACKER ZINGERS WHICH SHE HAD NO TROUBLE USING ON ME AS WE CHEERED ON OUR FAVORITE TEAM.

AFTER THE GAME WE HIT THE GAMBLING AND MARY HAD HER FUR COAT ON AND HER “GRANDMA JACK” SMILE.

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MARY TURNED HER $10 IN FREE PLAY INTO $18 CASH MONEY AND I TALKED HER INTO BETTING IT ALL ON THE CRAPS TABLE.  I TOLD HER IF SHE WON, WE WOULD PULL THE OLE ESCARGOT TRICK.

THE ESCARGOT TRICK IS WHEN WE WALK INTO A FANCY RESTUARANT EXPLAIN TO THE MATRA DI’ WE’D LIKE TO BUY A DRINK AND SPLIT AN ORDER OF ESCARGOT.  IF THE TRICK WORKS WE ARE USUALLY SEATED AT THE BAR.  ONE NIGHT YEARS AGO WE WERE SEATED AT THE BAR IN A FRENCH RESTRAUNT AT THE PARIS CASINO RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE BELLAGIO FOUNTAINS. WE HAD TWO DRINKS, ENJOYED THE FOOD, ENJOYED THE FOUNTAIN SHOW, AND WATCHED THE RICH AND FAMOUS EATING IN  CLASSY FRENCH STYLE.

WE WENT TO THE TOP OF BINIONS CASINO TO THE STEAK HOUSE TO PULL THE TRICK.  I DON’T KNOW IF WAS JUST SLOW, OR WAS IT MARY’S FUR COAT?  WE WERE SEATED AT A WINDOW TABLE OVER LOOKING VEGAS.

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YUMM !!!!!

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OH MY, IT WAS GOOD, MUCH BETTER THAN THE MC DONALDS QUARTER POUNDER I ATE AT THE END OF THE NIGHT IN THE ELEVATOR ON THE WAY TO MY ROOM.

WHILE WALKING THE STREET I BENT OVER AND PICKED UP A FREE SHOW TICKET OFF THE SIDEWALK.  IT’S AN OLD VEGAS SCAM, WHERE YOU BUY A DRINK FOR $9.95 PLUS TAX AND SEE THE SHOW. IT WAS THE LA COMEDY CLUB AND ALL THREE COMEDIANS SUCKED.  YOU GOT TO REMEMBER THOUGH, WHILE YOU’RE SITTING THERE YAWNING OVER $23 WORTH OF DRINKS THAT YOU ARE NOT OUT IN THE CASINO FOR AN HOUR AND HALF LOSING YOUR MONEY.

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IN THE MORNING WE AWOKE TO A FREAK SNOWSTORM ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE VALLEY.  HOW CRUEL IS THAT TO A COUPLE OF FUN LOVING HAPPY CAMPERS LOOKING FOR “SUNNY & 80”?

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LAS VEGAS !!!

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Friday, January 7, 2011

SPOTTED CATS

OK, NOW FOR SPOTTED CATS.  THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT PUREBRED BREEDS I’VE DISCOVERED.  MY INTERNET SEARCH WAS INSPIRED LAST SUMMER ON A LIBRARY TRIP WHEN I PICKED UP A COPY OF THE CAT FANCY MAGAZINE AND THE FEATURED BREED WAS SAVANNAH CATS.

SAVANNAH CATS

Savannah cats are the name given to the offspring of a domestic cat and a serval — a medium-sized, large-eared wild African cat. The unusual cross became popular among breeders at the end of the 20th century, and in 2001 the International Cat Association accepted it as a new registered breed. Savannahs are much more social than typical domestic cats, and they are often compared to dogs in their loyalty. They can be trained to walk on a leash and even taught to play fetch.

F1 generation Savannahs are very difficult to produce, due to the significant difference in gestation periods between the Serval and a domestic cat (75 days for a Serval and 65 days for a domestic cat), and sex chromosomes. Pregnancies are often absorbed or aborted, or kittens are born prematurely. Servals can be very picky in choosing mates, and often will not mate with a domestic cat.

Owners of Savannahs say that they are very impressed with the intelligence of this breed of cat. An often noted trait of the Savannah is its jumping ability. Savannahs are known to jump up on top of doors, refrigerators and high cabinets. Some Savannahs can leap about 8 feet (2.5 m) high from a standing position. Savannahs are very inquisitive, and have been known to get into all sorts of things. They often learn how to open doors and cupboards, and anyone buying a Savannah will likely need to take special precautions to prevent the cat from getting into things.

Many Savannah cats do not fear water, and will play or even immerse themselves in water. Some owners even shower with their Savannah cats. Presenting a water bowl to a Savannah may also prove a challenge, as some will promptly begin to "bat" all the water out of the bowl until it is empty, using their front paws.

BENGAL CATS

The Bengal is a medium to large domestic feline that originates from crossings of the small Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) to the domestic cat in an attempt to create a companion with an "exotic" look but a domestic temperament. After four to five generations of Bengal-to-Bengal breeding, the breed is recognized for championship competition by most international domestic cat associations.

The energetic Bengal is not for people who just want a leopard print cat for decoration. Whether they are fishing in the aquarium or playing in their water-bowls, fetching balls for their families, taking walks on a leash or climbing to the top of the highest cupboards, Bengals are constantly on the move and are perfect for anyone who wants to interact and play with their cat daily. The Bengal cat, like many other pets, demands a good deal of attention and affection and enjoys being an integral part of the family.

OCICAT CATS

The Ocicat is an all-domestic breed of cat which resembles a 'wild' cat but has no wild blood. The breed is unusual in that it is spotted like a wild cat but has the temperament of a domestic animal. It is named for its resemblance to the ocelot.

Despite its appearance, there is no 'wild' DNA in the Ocicat's gene pool. The species is actually a mixture of Siamese and Abyssinian, and later American Shorthairs (silver tabbies) were added to the mix and gave the breed their silver color, bone structure and distinct markings.

 

ABOVE IS THE SHORT STORY ON THE THREE BREEDS FROM WIKIPEIA.  BESIDES THE BEAUTIFUL SPOTS I’M ATTRACTED TO THE DOG TYPE QUALITES OF THE BREEDS, INSTEAD OF THE INDEPENDENT, ALOOF, SCARDY CAT WAYS OF THE TYPICAL BARN CAT LIKE SUSIE-Q.

UNFORTUNATELY THE CAT SHOW IN LAS VEGAS WAS A CFA (CAT FANCIERS ASSOCIATION) SHOW WHERE THEY DO NOT ALLOW OR RECOGNIZE ANY CATS WITH WILD DNA.  IT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT AS I WAS HOPING TO SEE THESE CATS LIVE AND IN ACTION.  BENGALS IN PARTICULAR ARE VERY POPULAR.

LUCKY FOR ME THERE WAS ONE EXHIBITOR WITH OCIATS. HE HAD TWO BEAUTIFUL MALE KITTENS TO SHOW.

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THESE TWO BEAUTIFUL KITTENS CAME RACING OUT OF THEIR CAGE AND WERE QUITE A HANDFUL TO KEEP UNDER CONTROL.  JUST LOOK AT THOSE SPOTS.

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ARE THEY COOL OR WHAT?  MY HEART MELTED……..

HOW COULD I NOT COME HOME WITHOUT ONE OF THESE BEAUTIES?

AH, THEY’RE $700 A PIECE, THAT’S HOW I CAME HOME WITHOUT ONE.

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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Grandma Jean’s Room

By Uncle Hans

It took us a while, but we have finally settled Grandma into her new quarters.  Neil and Kathy helped by bringing some pictures and mementos from her condo to make it more homey..........

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..........her church at home helped out by sending a cassette tape of the service each week.  Try to find a cassette player to buy, however.  Like looking for a record player..........

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 .........We pulled in the TV from the guest house.  But moving a TV is simple compared to moving a TV signal.  That took some bad language, stringing wire, and replacing the ceiling tiles in the basement..........

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...........to watch TV, you need a comfy chair.  While at the second hand store looking for a cassette player, we found this beauty for $20.............

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....we also found some puzzles, which Grandmas has conquered, one by one............

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..........a couple of her mementos are noteworthy.  These are actual family crests that she crocheted from an ancient catalogue of Swiss family crests that Grandma Rechsteiner had years ago.  On the bottom are the family name, the Swiss crest, and the Canton crest for each family..........

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.....We had to buy lots of groceries for Grandma.  Here Annie helps us at the store.  Grandma has enjoyed her time were with us.  Still, she wants to go home to her condo.  She has recovered from her fracture and a bout of nasty flu requiring hospitalization in  late Oct.  Neil and I have successfully wrestled with her ling term insurance company (we think), so she is nearly ready to move back into her condo to see how well that works.  The trial starts on January 8th.  Stay tuned.............

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By Uncle Hans