We're Loyal to You Elgin High

My high school is celebrating 150 years.

I'm surprised it's still standing let alone being used. The west wing (English, Band, Chorus, Art and Shop classes) is now occupied by the administrated office for the district and the main body is a alternate school.
They had an open house and I talked Sharen into going with me.
It was kinda confusing to begin with, because they had changed the numbers on the floors. The basement was now the first floor - so they had 4 floors.
Once we figured that out, we wandered around the school.
Sharen stopped to try her luck at opening a locker. Most are gone, but a few remain.

Noticed the beautiful hard wood floors are all tiled now and the "bump" in the 3rd (now the 4th) floor is gone. There is still some beautiful old woodwork still evident (the library doors), but the old woodwork in the library is painted white. The view from the balcony in the boys gym hasn't changed. Still could get a sliver in your butt from the bench seats. The floor looked amazing. Nor sure if it's newer.

As we walked around the place it seemed everybody we ran into knew us. We met a woman who graduated with Vicki, but recognized us from her substitute teaching when we worked there. A dear old friend of Lester's sisters. A retired Elgin firefighter who graduation with Deanna. A group of girls who went to school with Linda and Mary. One was our ex sister-in-law, Holly.
We talked with a few old classmates and played "remember when?"

I really wanted to see the old office where I used to work. The main office is now a conference room. This is me siting at my desk as the Scheduling Secretary in 1971. If you had a problem with your schedule it was my fault. I spent my summers pulling IBM cards for each student for each class. It was more fun than it sounds.
If you wanted to make a change in classes your guidance counselor came to me and I would take care of it.

Sharen started working at the school not long after I did.

Here I am sitting at Sharen's desk. Most of the time students couldn't tell the difference.
She was the guidance secretary. I'm really not sure how we got these jobs. Neither one of us had any experience. I was called down the principals office a few days before graduation (pretty sure I hadn't done anything wrong, but scared anyway) and Chet Alexander offered me a job. Started on the Monday after graduation. I still have no idea who recommended me for the job or why, but I loved working there.

This elevator used to give me fits when I had to haul my computer cards down to the Data Processing center in the basement.

old elevator

The summer of 1971 the district wanted to get all the files on Microfiche. We were building a new school and there was talk of moving the old files too.
 I breezed through the scheduling so Mr. Alexander had me in the basement cleaning out students records.Luckily I only had 1960 thru 1971 to do. It was in an old vault and it was dirty and musty. I had to go thru each file and save just report cards and recent picture in case of transcripts. I will admit I was curious and spent some time my first week or so looking at friends files, but that got old and I had a job to do.
While in the basement I had to pass through the storage area. That's when I saw a clock. I wanted it. I asked Mr. Alexander - He always wanted me to call him Chet, but not going to happen, buddy - You're my principal - for it. He told me I could have it!
They were doing remodeling in the girls gym and the auditorium. I'm not sure which my clock came from, but I treasure it.
It still hangs in my family room. It doesn't work, because all the clock back then were pneumatic and ran off the main clock in the main office.

When people ask me if I liked school I always say sometimes. I wasn't a great student. I had some really great times and people I can still to this day call friends. I always tried my best, so I wouldn't disappoint my parents.
But the best times I had at this place was working there.
I loved my job - I loved my bosses - I loved my coworkers and I especially loved  the students.

Feed the Starving Children

Mary and Bryan take Luke and Roger to package meals for hungry children. They have fun doing it and know that are helping children that really need it.
Bryan knew that I would really enjoy it and let me take his place on Saturday while he stayed home for some one on one with Owen (which I was planning on doing).


After a short video about the children we were helping and just what was involved with the process we were assigned to team Cambodia.

Had to wear hairnets

Roger wasn't too thrilled to have his picture taken with the hairnet on. I told him I was an old pro at wearing a hairnet from my days as a middle school cafeteria cook.

hallway of sinks

Everyone was asked to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. Roger counted - I sang Happy Birthday - same time frame.


Not sure if it was the young girls (and Mary) dumping the food into the bags.

Team Cambodia

Or Roger and Luke, the "packing Ninjas" but we kicked it!
The packing table had 18 numbers on it and they had to put 2 bags on each number. Then into a box. I played a math game with Roger and Luke "How many more do we need?" Roger got the answer right every time using math. Luke ended up counting down the bags, but nailed it too.

Luke and Roger stacking our meals to be packed

I helped them stack them into the box to go to shipping. They were so into it and so good at it. Every time we would finish a box I would shout out (probably too loud) CAMBODIA!! and throw my hands up.  Luke finally joined me and shouted with me. 26 times - Yes, we finished 26 boxes. It was probably because our bag ladies were teenagers with energy. But this Grandma gives the credit to the "packers" department.


Music was playing and I was singing and dancing along really enjoying myself. No one cared. At least I don't think so, maybe I just didn't care what they thought. Either way, good time for me.


A blessing was said over the packaged food and we gathered back into the waiting room to hear our totals for the day. The total  was 253 boxes, enough to feed 178 kids for a month.


Bryan told me that I would enjoy it and feel good after we were done.
He was so right.
I am definitely doing it again.

Twin Day

Sharen and Dup are watching the Zierk kids while Mom and Dad get some really needed R&R in Cancun.
It was time for them to learn how to sew. Sharen suggested PJ's and they loved the idea.
First stop - Joannes. The twins have never been.
What?????

They both wanted fleece - and it was on sale.
I told them that they had to circle the whole store and choose all the ones that they liked. There was fleece on the top shelf all around the store.

Grandma and twins

They needed to pick out all the ones that they thought would work and put it in the cart. Sharen had Kallie's cart and my cart had Kendall's selections.
Kallie had 2 and went with her first choice.
Kendall had 5 possibilities and choose another one altogether. And that's why you need to look at the all before choosing.

Kallie is helping Kendall decide

Final decision made

 Now on to the cutting counter.

Cutting Kendall's

Sharen told them how much to get and when the lady asked them they both got it right. They told her it was their first time sewing and the lady was excited for them.

After a quick game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Kallie got to sew first and Kendall did the layout and pinning first.

Kendall tried the rotary cutter, but settled on scissors

Kallie struggled a little bit with the pins, but she did it!

Sharen also purchased some material for Matthew, who opted  out of the shopping part to go hit some golf balls with Papa.
But he was up for the cutting and sewing part.

Matthew cutting his White Sox flannel

They were too short to reach the peddle so Sharen handled the speed and they each helped the material through.

There first sewing project and I am so happy I got to be a part of it.
I had a great time hanging with the twins. Who have that "twin thing" down. It really does exist.

Finished project

I'm excited to see that the lines matched up. I did mess up on Matthews a little. The Sox logo is upside down. He is such a sweetie - He truly did not care.
If you can read Kendall's shirt it says "Totally got this" and boy they sure did.

Puzzle Warehouse

When Mike and I travel we have the pleasure of taking our time and making detours along the way. We get to visit many interesting place that we wouldn't travel just to see. Football Hall of Fame, Baseball Hall of Fame, Marine Corp Museum, Sox games and Cubs games - You get the idea. We are not big fans of "driving straight thru".
On our trip to Texas in February, Mike choose the Civil War battlefield in Vicksburg, MI. and my choice was the Puzzle Warehouse in St. Louis (Thank You Linda for telling me about it).
We got to St. Louis on our way home and the weather was horrible and the place was closed. I was crushed. I was looking forward to it for months.
Mike noticed that Logan had a baseball tournament in Jacksonville, IL over spring break and suggested we go to the tourney and drive the extra miles to St. Louis to see the Puzzle Warehouse.

I was Happy - Happy to be here

I  asked the lady if they sold these signs - Nope. I told the owner that old people (who make up the majority of puzzle fixers) are not always online and they need to get bumper stickers or decals for cars. She thought that was a good idea. 
Man do they have puzzles. Lots and lots of puzzles, games and "brain teasers" for all ages.
I slowly walked through the store to soak in everything. I started to notice different makes of puzzles. Ones I have never heard of.
I for sure wanted to try some - now the hard part, which ones?
I headed back to the over 2000 pieces puzzles section and really didn't find one worth the money. I still have a 6000 piece that Mike bought me to fix.

Hurry take the picture

 I did find a 24,000 piece that I thought was cool, but. it was 15 feet long. No place to put it in my house. It was so heavy. AND it was $343.00.

I walked back through and started to write down the makes of some of the interesting ones to look online to purchase. Mike is chirping in my ear - "get it, get it"
Dummy - just like Mike and Frank from American Pickers say "the time to buy it, is when you see it."

Didn't buy all these, but I wanted too

I chose only 4 to try out.
I cannot wait to get started and then share them with my sisters.
If you are a puzzle lover and ever get to St. Louis, or even close to St. Louis, you have to go here. I'm pretty sure that I will be making a return trip sometime on one of our travels.

Maybe by then they will be selling bumper stickers.

Bye Bye Tonsils

Roger had his tonsils out last Tuesday.

Bryan text me this picture saying they were going to be late. He had a little more than just his tonsils, but the Doctor said he did good and all went well.
Mike and I were in charge of the younger two. Picked them both up from school/preschool and had a great evening. For a little guy, Luke sure can eat. Mary thinks he could turn into a jelly sandwich - now I see why.
Owen still prefers his mother at bedtime.
After his bedtime book, he insisted on waiting for Mary. He started out siting on the edge of the bed to wait. I told him that was fine with me.
I assured him that she is coming home and will sneak in to kiss him goodnight.
 "OK, I'll just lay down, but I'm not sleeping."
He laid there and kicked his feet to stay awake. I knew that trick and put a blanket over him.
When I asked him what pillow he like to use he put his head down and went to sleep. Proved to me I still got it!

On Thursday, Mike and I went in to keep an eye on Roger while Mary worked. As a young boy, Mike loved to play battleship. He bought the game for Roger and they played and played.

Roger caught on pretty quick

Roger beats Grandma

I even took a try at it. Roger beat me....
Mike had a Doctors appointment on Friday so it was just me and Roger. I could tell he was hurting pretty bad. We spent time watching TV. Playing battleship and Connect 4.
I did manage to win a few games, but I notice it was only when his meds were wearing off. He clearly couldn't concentrate on his moves.
I helped him get started on his pile of homework.

Religion - Ash Wednesday assignment 

I really enjoyed it. I was a little bummed there was no Math. We laughed about the adjectives worksheet. He wanted a "pretty" pig - me a "stinky" pig. I told him I was going to take him to the fair so he can see just how stinky pigs really are.

I know it takes time for the healing process. I hope it goes fast for him.

Luke turned 6

Luke, Our sweet, thoughtful, smart, charming little grandson turned 6. His party was during our vacation so Bryan brought him and his brother Roger out for a special birthday celebration with us. I mean what kid would not want another party and more presents. Owen and Mary had other plans.

When Roger was 2 I thought it would be a great idea to quilt his handprints into a quilt. Mary loved the idea so I made one for Owen when he was 2.
I have no idea how I skipped Luke - I really have no excuse - shame on me.
I had the handprints too. I remedied that this year.
Luke got his "Bug quilt" with his handprints quilted in.

Bug quilt

Now this young man is obsessed with Pokémon. I have no clue about any of it.
After a few texts with Bryan from the store I settled on a box filled with assorted things all Pokémon.

Sharing with Roger

I was almost excited as he was (very excited) when he opened it.  I scored him some cards he didn't have. Whew!
It all came in a tin storage box that he was certain would make a great lunch box.

6 already??

I got the connect 4 game out to try and beat Roger. We probably have played this game 200 times and I can say I have won 9. Yes, I know exactly how many. When I beat him the first game (I may have rubbed it in a little too much) I was shocked. He then proceeded to beat me all the rest. And I'm really trying. He can see moves so far ahead, it boggles my mind. Must be why he's so good at chess too.

It was a great afternoon.

Galveston island

When I was planning our February anniversary getaway in September, I wanted to go somewhere I have never been before. Someplace warmer so we could play some golf. Bryan told be about VRBO so I looked and found a house on the ocean in Texas. I've never been there, the price was right, The weather says warm, and Mike loves the ocean so it was a no brainer - and I always wanted to stay on a house on stilts. It was way bigger than we needed, but the location was perfect. 25 minutes south of Galveston and 20 minutes from the golf course.

The house we stayed at

Our 1 sunny day at the beach

The weather was -28 when we left our house and 70 when we got there.
The air was warm, but the ocean was cold so we were fogged in for the first 5 days. We traveled inland to golf where the sun was shining. Really strange weather. I can now add Texas to the list of states I have golfed in.
We took walks on the beach, which was deserted this time of year. The home owners warned us in Capital letters to watch out for rattlesnakes in the dunes. Didn't see any!!!

I loved that the sand was hard

we walked everyday at this state park

On the trip down Mike drove us thru Houston. We both wanted to see the downtown. I suggested to Mike that I drive home and he could navigate us around Houston when we left.
Now I have a fear of height and bridges. I marveled at the way Houston has their interstates up and around the town, But I had no idea and did not see it coming. The rainbow bridge!

Rainbow Bridge

This bridge goes up and over the shipping canals. I have had nightmares about this. I am driving and I see nothing but sky no road. Straight up. I had no choice but to get through it (with some deep breathing). If I was a passenger I could close my eyes, but I didn't have that luxury. I DROVE OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE!!!

We stopped for the night in Vicksburg, MS to visit a Civil War site.
Mike is an expert (He knows a lot) when it comes to the Civil War. I found it very interesting also. I used my national park pass for old people, so admission was free.

Illinois was represented everywhere and also had the biggest monument and the first one built.

Illinois monument

Mike inside at the seal

Then back on the road.
This was also my first trip through Louisiana. the quickest route was on a rural road, 4 lanes, but passing through small towns. The Speed limit was 75. These people drive crazy.

I don't follow anyone with ladders on their roofs or loose crap in the back of their trucks. I don't like to follow trucks hauling cars. Anything that is open and just strapped down is also scary to follow.
So when Mike pulled in behind this guy I screamed "Are you Crazy?" He laughed.

hauling Lumber

In his defense this truck was going pretty fast around others.

When we travel I usually will find the place we go to - I get Mike's approval of course - and Mike will map out our route and stops along the way. He loves maps, paper maps, not a GPS on your phone map.
He always seems to find a Food Network Triple D place to stop at. he found this one right outside Memphis, though it's in MS. Food was really good. Memphis Barbecue Company.

Weather stopped us from visiting the one place I really wanted to see in St. Louis, but we will get back there - Just not in a ice storm.