My Retirement Party

After the Board Meeting Monday night, the Board hosted an Open House in my honor for my retirement. It was really nice and there were almost 50 people that attended. They had a cake, and refreshments. I was given a gift certificate and a flower centerpeice from the board. My family, friends and co-workers attended. It was a very nice evening. Can't tell you how special I felt. I will post some pictures. While I was in my meeting, all the grandkids tried out my desk and they each have their own "style". Will post more pictures later.

Cayla's Christmas Program & Another Ballgame

Monday night we went to Cayla's Christmas Program, How the Penguins Saved Christmas. Cayla

was a reindeer. In the picture she is at the microphone - she had a speaking part. The picture isn't great, but it is hard when we were so far away the lighting didn't help me much. She did a great job and was the prettiest reindeer there!

Thursday night I went to Kraig's game against Garrett. He did a good job as always. In the picture, they are listening to the coach during a time out. Kraig is far left in the picture.

I had to work today--on my day off--to start training my replacement, Cathy Kimpel. I will take some time off later to make up for it. I only have 12 days left!!

Kraig's Basketball Game

I went to Kraig's basketball games Tuesday and Thursday nights. They were both home games. At Thursday night's game, Kraig made a basket and two free throws! He is getting better at every game. It makes me tired to watch him run as fast as he can from one end of the court to the other. He really must be exhausted after the games. He plays really good defense. Always on his man.

Last night I had Red Hat's Christmas Party at our home. My time at work is going fast. My last day will be the 31st and then I am retiring. We are finally getting around to interviewing replacements Monday and Tuesday. I gave them 90 days notice, but they are just now interviewing!! Don't know how much training I can get done! Especially if the new person has to give two weeks notice--that will take us to Christmas!! The Board is having an Open House in my honor the 21st.

Time with Libby.

I went to Kevin & Sarah's on Tuesday night and stayed with Libby Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as Sarah's sister who babysits for Libby had her tonsils removed. I had a great time with Libby. Luckily, I watched the Baby Signing Time DVD's before I left as Libby signs and we got along fine. When she has her snack in the living room, Gilmore is very attentive as you can see in the photo as anything she drops is fair game. She usually drops some on purpose for Gilmore. She is growing and changing so fast. Keith called while we were there and Libby said "Hi" to Grandpa on the phone. She signed Grandma the first day I was there and they said that was the first time she had signed it. So she knows who I am. Christmas is a long way away, but I am thankful for the time I get to spend with her.

Weekend with the Grandkids

Kraig, Casey, Chloe and Cayla spent the night with us Friday and the day with us Saturday. We played some games, Clue, Sequence, Scruples, Monopoly and of course Candyland. We went to Subway in Butler for lunch. Keith cut some trails in the woods and we took several rides on the trails on the Gator. It was a beautiful weekend to spend time outside. Keith had an auction today so he didn't get to see the kids for too long, but it was quality time. Chase came too and stayed in the garage in his carrier. He loved running around. Chloe spent alot of time outside with him. Kraig and Casey took him for a walk in the woods. We had to go to Wilson's Holiday party tonight, so we didn't get to talk to Kurt and Christy much when they got back. They had a good time and IU won!!

Mom's 96th Birthday A Day Early

Today I had Mom over for lunch and invited my brothers and sisters for cake and ice cream. They all came except Byron's wife Judy who wasn't feeling well. She was missed. The afternoon was spent playing cards and watching NASCAR. I took a few pictures which I will post.

Chloe's Ninth Birthday

Kurt & Christy had Chloe's 9th birthday party tonight. We had delicious nachos and cake and ice cream. Kurt & Christy got Chloe something she has been wanting for a long time. A dog. Chloe named him Chase. He is part Jack Russell and part beagle. He is three years old and a sweet dog. They gave him to her on Wednesday and you can tell how special he is to her. Keith & I got Chloe an American Girl doll, Elizabeth. I think she really liked it too. In one of the pictures, all the girls are sitting on the floor checking her out. She was surprised, as we had told her she would have to wait until she was ten as that is when we gave Casey hers. But she just wanted one so I thought that this is the year.

BSBW Tasting Bee

Today was the Bryan Area Business Women's Fourth Annual Tasting Bee. The theme this year was Be Entertained. Members were to decorate a table with their favorite movie. I did Field of Dreams and this is what I came up with. Just wanted to share.

Kurt's deer that he got with a bow and arrow

This is the button buck that Kurt got tonight in our woods with a bow and arrow. He made a great shot from his tree stand. He called us and Keith & I went back on the gator to get it.

Casey's Honor Roll Breakfast at Riverdale

Casey invited me to her Honor Roll Breakfast at Riverdale. These are held every nine weeks for students on the honor roll. I didn't get my camera turned on in time to catch the picture of her receiving her award, but I did get her to pose with it so I could have a picture to remember the morning.
I was very proud of her and got a chance to have breakfast with Christy, Casey, Chloe and Cayla.

After the awards, I went to Auburn hospital to visit a friend, Lisa Warner. Tom & Mary came over last night for supper and we enjoyed visiting with them. Keith has an auction today and I am doing paper work.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Congratulations Presidents Whitman

Kurt's stopped over to the house last night. Kraig had told me last week when they were here that he was running for class president. Four kids were running. He told me last night that he was elected president of the seventh grade at Eastside. We are very proud of his accomplishment. Way to go Kraig!

Christy let us know that Casey came home and told them that she is president of her class at Riverdale. We are very proud of her accomplishment. Way to go Casey!

Sounds like we may have some polititions in our future.

Grandparent's Day at Riverdale

Keith & I went to Grandparent's Day at Riverdale School yesterday. Chloe & I made a butterfly out of leaves. She wanted a picture with her friend and our butterfly. Casey & Cayla both were in plays. I went to Casey's and Keith went to Cayla's. We ate lunch with Casey & Cayla. Chloe went to lunch while we were at the other girl's plays. Then we all went out to recess together. After recess, the girls all came home with us. Kurt & Christy both took the day off to go out and celebrate their anniversary. Keith & Casey went to Butler to catalog a sale for Wilson's while Cayla, Chloe and I watched a movie.. Then they picked up Kraig at school. We had supper and then visited and watched tv till Kurt and Christy came home. Another fun day with the grandkids!

Happy 15th Anniversary Kurt & Christy

Wishing you many more years of happiness Kurt & Christy!

Kraig's Last Football Game of the Season 31-0

Keith & I went to Kraig's last football game tonight. It was a home game and they played Fremont, Indiana. They won 31 to 0. We were so proud of him. He played almost the entire game. He is #50. You can see him in the second photo on the far right. In the third photo he is the second from the right. I don't have that good of a zoom on my camera to take good pictures from the bleachers. After the game we went to the parking lot and they always run from the field to the locker rooms in the school. I thought I could get a good picture of him then. As you can see in the first photo, he saw me and he put his helmet in front of his face. You know it is him because it is #50. I don't know why he doesn't like his picture taken, he is a very sharp looking kid!!

Casey's Vollyball Team

I went to Casey's volleyball games Monday and Tuesday night. Tuesday was the last one of the season and her team won every game (or is it match ?) Here is a picture of her team. Casey is in the back row far right. They did a great job. Casey is really a GOOD volleyball player!

Vacation

We just got back from a 10 day vacation to South Carolina. They were repairing the deck on our unit so they put us in another unit. It was nice too. There are pictures of the outside of the unit and the two bedrooms. There were also two baths and a great room (living room, dining room and kitchen). The pictures of Keith & I are taken at a log cabin restaurant (built in 1776) in Wytheville, Virginia. It was a neat place. It rained the first four days, but we didn't really mind, we were there to relax and the condo was large enough that we didn't really feel shut in. We had two really nice days and of course we went to the Pikens Flea Market on Wednesday. We stopped on the way home and stayed all night at Kevin and Sarah's so that they could go out and celebrate their fifth anniversary and we stayed with Libby. Had a great vacation....but there is no place like home!