none

Hi
first timer sugar time we are ready, no sap yet to warm up tomarrow and sunday bennie those stawberries looked real good my favorite friut
nancy

STRAWBERRY TIME

Lois and Cal I'll bet you have been here at plant city..had a great time especially with the make your own strawberry shortcake..they give you a bowl and spoon sent you to a big bowl of strawberry and whip cream the rest is up to you (this is Marys second bowl) got picture of strawberry festival queen real cute,,,hard to believe its time for berry but this is florida....bennie

Thank God for heat!

With all this talk about how cold it has been, I just want to take a moment and express how thankful I am that I (normally) don't need to be concerned with that once I am inside. However, this week, the building and hot water heat has gone out in my building here at work. And while it feels unbearable enough to warrant many of us to walk around wearing our coats, scarves, hats and gloves (I'm not kidding!), the 55 degrees that it fell to yesterday is still nowhere near the 25 degrees (with a wind chill of 15) it is outside (and let's not forget that is at least 20 degrees below normal!!). That may not seem all that bad, but it isn't the best environment when you are sitting at your desk, barely moving. I marvel occasionally at the things I take for granted and it always makes me stop and send up a great big Thank You! when I realize how good I actually have it. Let me tell you, when I got home last night and was actually able to wash my hands with warm water, it was so great!! Kind-of like finally getting a warm shower our last day on the Jamaica mission trip...almost nothing better than that!
And let me just say, from someone who is still searching for a church home and family, I really miss helping with Easter Eggs! And while I realize that I was never involved and responsible to the degree that many people are, the ability to be a part of something that involves such church-wide effort and fellowship and touch so many people at Easter is a really neat thing to experience.
P.S. I am officially addicted to this blog! I check it everyday now. I just wish I had enough interesting things to say to add to it more often!

Easter Eggs

Bennie - we just started Easter Eggs last night - you're missing it again! Hope you miss us! Just had to remind you of all the not so fun stuff you are missing out on as you golf, sun bathe, and go to those ball games!

Enjoy!

The wedding!!!

Hello everyone!

The wedding went absolutely great! And your announcements will be in the mail. I am missing a few addresses though, so forgive me if you were left out of the sending of the announcements.

The ceremony was beautiful. We were going to just go with the floresent lighting in the space, but our friend (who also performed the wedding) said no and woke up in the middle of the night with a great idea of how to 'properly' light the wedding space for us. When Matt and I got there, we couldn't believe our eyes as to how beautiful it turned out. I will send you a link to the photos when we get them!

Wish you guys could've been there! And we hope to see you soon.

Melody

thank you

I want to thank Melissa for your offer to help us out. We would love to take you up on that offer, but we dn't have anyway to get the kids out there for you to watch.

For everyone else, my surgery went well. They didn't have to repair the tear, they only had to remove the bone spur on my shoulder and they went into my joint to make sure they got the whole cystout of my wrist. I am not suppose to lift any more than 10 pounds for 6 weeks when i go back to the doctor. I can drive when i'm done taking pain meds. which will probably about a week or so.

Adams leg is getting stronger all the time, so hopefully he will get to go back to work after his appt. on 03/05.

The girs are doing good. That's all for now, it is kind of hard to type with one hand, especially since i am using my left hand.

Talk to you later.

I finally figured it out!!

I've been enjoying the blogs, love to hear what everyone is doing. I couldn't figure out how to get a blog on myself though. We had a fun day at our house today. It is Drew's birthday, and all the kids came over. We just got a Wii game system, and all had a good time competing. Caleb got the Icy Hot out as the afternoon passed. I think a couple of people will have some sore muscles tomorrow. I will say that the best part of the afternoon for me was when Stephanie and Paula were boxing. Lots of laughter during that. It's so nice when the kids who used to want to punch each other for real are having fun together. Family is great - God is good!!!!

Doyle

Doyle is now at the Markle Nursing home for rehab and continuing antibiotic treatments. Lutheran hospital got sick of looking at him, threw him out in the street.
Interesting theory, Sarah, about the possibility of gout. I'll mention that to him and Dr. Carol.
Stay healthy, y'all. Hospitals suck!
Tom

Spring Training in Clearwater, Florida

Getting a Couple of the Clearwater Phillies players to sign my program on opening day ceremony

Hope you are feeling ok

Laura I'm thinking about you today. I hope everything went well and there isn't too much pain. Between you and Adam you could almost make a healthy body:) Take care!!

--Melissa

Happy Birthday Drew!

Happy Birthday to my LITTLE brother on Sunday - he'll be 28! Have a good weekend!

Welcome Home Brian!

I'll second Melissa's message - Welcome Home Brian! We are all so proud of you and so happy to know you are home safe. I am so happy for you and Missy, I am sure that you guys have had a wonderful week!

Gordo

Robert G.

We are going to be arriving in Bradenton on March 6. We have Tuesday off, but I think I will be in charge of the team that day because the head coach is taking his family to Disney. If we play early any morning I will let you know so that we can possibly hit the links in the afternoon. More to come on this thought.

Caleb

Hey Brian!!

Being gone from church for so long I feel out of the loop. Brian, are you out there? According to Grumpy's update you are home, WELCOME HOME!!!! Let me just quickly say thank you for serving your country!! Hope to see you on Sunday.

Laura and Adam, Brenna would LOVE for your girls to come here.

--Melissa

Let me help!!

Hey Adam I know how you are feeling! I have my second follow-up appt. tomorrow which will tell me if I am able to drive and return to work, and I will neither confirm nor deny and reportings of me being seen driving!! I start a new job the beginning of March and I would like to offer any help I can to you and Laura from now until then. Your kids are always welcome to come stay here with us anytime!! Laura I am serious, I know how it feels to have to depend on people after surgery. Call me!!!!!

--Melissa

Hey, everybody!! Please think of Melody and Matthew Fox and keep them in your prayers~ they are getting married next Sat. Feb. 23 at 7:00 in St. Paul, MN! We are excited for them and look forward to being with the grandkids this weekend!! Yes, Steve and i have 3 new grandchildren! I will let Melody tell you their ages, because i'm not sure. Caleb (her son) is 6, so Ian must be 7. Then there is Maia and Hannah. They are still in grade school. Maybe about 9 and 11 or 12? Matt's parents will be up from Texas for the wedding, and he's gotten a job at Guitar Center, so we're happy for him! Look for an announcement soon; i'll suggest to Melody that she post it on our blog.

Hey, everybody. It is about to get hectic at our house. Adam is still unable to drive and on Friday I have to have surgery on my shoulder. I also am having a cyst removed from my wrist. All of this is on my dominant side (right). Adam doesn't go back to the dr. until March 5th and at that time we will find out if he is able to drive yet. We are unsure how long i won't be able to drive. With two kids everything is about to bacoe very interesting. There will be no escape. Adam is already going crazy with these kids now on top of it he won't have much help. Thats all here.

just a thought for Doyle's knee

Since kidney stones and gout often go hand-in hand, i hope they have tested Doyle's Uric Acid level. High levels of Uric acid in the blood diagnose gout. It could explain the knee swelling at the same time as the kidney stone. Just a thought...trying to help doyle out even though i am so far away. Surely they have already investigated that, but you just never know. He may need to be treated with Colchicine for awhile and then Allopurinal-if he can tolerate those meds-(maybe he's already on those meds). Gout isn't just for toes and feet...it can affect all joints, creating a 'gouty arthritis', which would give a person a temperature on account of all the inflammation going on. Hope this helps you. -Sara

Okay, since it doesn't seem that many people have commented on the "message" in Claire's birthday post, let me say"Congratulations Paula, Austin and Claire!!" on the future addition to your family! I'm really happy for you :) Can we get details now? When is the estimated arrival date, are you excited, etc. I can't believe all the babies that keep showing up up there! Wish I was around more to get to know them better!

Things here in Indy are going pretty well. I just accepted a new job within Lilly and will start when I get back from vacation in FL (Fort Myers, can't wait!!) on 3-17. I'm excited to test something other than water and use instruments a little more advanced than a pH meter. I will actually be testing insulin crystals, the final testing before they move to a different building to be put into solution and then vials like you get from the pharmacy. Speaking of pharmacy, for those that don't know, I am also planning to attend pharmacy school, hopefully at Purdue. I'm hoping to start in the fall of 2010, then four more years of full-time school. Yes...yes, I know I am crazy, but we all know that. In the meantime, I am taking biology classes that are required before I can apply. I am super-excited though, even though this working 40+ hours and going to school and trying to find time to study and to play is not the ideal situation, but I guess I am a glutton for punishment because I still love it. I really marvel at those who do all this and have a family. They blow me away.

I guess that is all for now. I have to say I really enjoy reading everyone's posts...this is a really, really neat way to keep in touch and even get to know each other better. I will try to post more often and hope everyone else does the same!

:o) Mandy

What's going on in your family?

Hey guys! I notice that there are many of you checking the blog often, but many of you have never posted. In case you don't know how, I can walk you through it.

There are two ways to communicate (1) post and (2) comment.

(1) A post is each different paragraph that you see on the main page, like this one. To start your own post you click on the "New Post" link at the top right of this page. It will open a page for you to fill out the title and the body of your message. When you finish, click "publish post" and you're done! Your post will be added to the blog.

(2) A comment is a reply to a post. If you notice at the bottom of each post it will say who it was posted by, the time it was posted, and how many comments have been made in reference to the post. If you read someone's post and would like to reply to it, you just click on that comment link. It will open a page for you to fill out your reply/comment in and click "publish your comment" to finish. Your comment will not show up on the blog like a post does. You and others can view the comments by clicking on the same comment link.

We would love to hear what is going on with you and your family, so please join us!

Back it up guys!!

You all need to scroll down a little bit and re-read the entry on February 12 labeled "Claire's Birthday." There is a message there - you all need to read it until you catch on!! It's exciting!!

update on Doyle

Well, I jumped the gun... the cultures of his knee fluid have not been tested yet. They looked at the fluid in a microscope and saw no bacteria, but the cultures aren't back yet, so that issue is still up in the air. He reported today that it's not hurting as bad as it did.

Bad news is, his temperature is back up to 100+. Carol is threatening to put on her warbonnet again and start calling doctors to jack them up a little. Hell hath no fury like Carol Jean with her warbonnet on...

Doyle was complaining about his new room mate, who apparently can't hear and turns his TV way up...

We've been invited to Behnings tonight for supper to officially welcome Brian home.

Tom

Moses

Recently, while going through an airport during one of his many trips,
> President Bush encountered a man with long gray hair and beard, wearing a
> white robe and sandals, holding a staff. President Bush went up to the man
> and said, 'Has anyone told you that you look like Moses?' The man didn't
> answer. He just kept staring straight ahead.
>
> The president said, 'Moses!' in a loud voice. The man just stared ahead,
> never acknowledging the president. The president pulled a Secret Service
> agent aside and, pointing to the robed man, asked him, 'Am I crazy or does
> that man not look like Moses to you?' The Secret Service agent looked at
> the man and agreed.
>>
> 'Well,' said the president, 'every time I say his name, he ignores me and
> stares straight ahead, refusing to speak ... watch!' Again the president
> yelled, 'Moses!' and again the man ignored him.
>
> The Secret Service agent went up to the man in the white robe and
> whispered, 'You look just like Moses. Are you Moses?'
>
> The man leaned over and whispered back, 'Shhhh! Yes, I am Moses. The last
> time I talked to a bush, I spent forty years wandering in the desert and
> ended up leading my people to the only spot in the entire Middle East with
> no oil.'

More on T.D.

Carol talked to him today. Temp is still 99.something, and they won't release him 'til it's normal. So he's stuck. On top of that his knee (not the artificial one, the real one) inexplicably filled up with fluid and was the size of a grapefruit, I'm told. They drained it and ran cultures on the fluid, thinking the infection had gotten in there, but it hasn't... so there is no real explanation for the knee problems.

He's getting understandably sick of being in the hospital (no pun intended) and I think he may be relieved to be transferred to a nursing home for a while, which, as it turns out, is the only option.

On a brighter note, Missy's Brian is finally home from Cuba. Got in tonight! We'll see him tomorrow.

Later,
T.C.

PICC line

A PICC line means "peripherally-inserted central catheter"...basically it's an IV inserted into your arm in the inner elbow area or upper/inner arm, except the tubing inside the body is very long...long enough to thread up into a larger portion of a vein nearer the heart. The purpose of this long IV is so that the vein does not become so irritated from the medication that he needs daily (bigger veins can handle more/stronger medicine). I assume he will be getting an IV antibiotic for several weeks, and this is why he has the PICC...to avoid multiple IV starts during the therapy. Some PICCs can even be used for blood draws. Doyle probably has a Urinary tract infection involving the kidney, ureter, bladder or all 3. There would be much inflamation from the size of the stone you described being removed. I wonder if he will make a pendant out of that "pee"-sized rock he's passed? Ick...poor doyle. i think kidney stone pain for a man is the equivalent to childbirth pains for a woman. As far as homecare, it's pretty neat. We have really cool IV gadgets now that don't require any pump machine...they are self-collapsing bulbs. amazing technology. well, enough gabbing. glad to help educate y'all. -Sara

Doyle

Apparently Missy's update about Doyle went only to Norma Jean. For the rest of y'all, here's the latest:
Earlier in the week his nagging fever, though low grade, stayed with him, and he was not a happy camper. He ate a little morning and noon, but had no appetite for supper. Today, however, Carol reports that the fever is down to 99 and he is feeling much better, sitting up in bed, growling about everything (that's the old Doyle we know and love), and with more appetite in the evening. So apparently the antibiotic is finally starting to work.
No word yet on when he might be coming home. It is likely he will have to be in a nursing home (which he really loves, hah, hah) or possibly he can get home health care or maybe stay with Jim for a while. He's not yet ready to stay alone, that's for sure. The antibiotic treatments (thru a "pick" line, a type of I.V.) must continue for about two weeks, even after he is released, so he will have to be taken to the hospital for that or have a nurse visit him wherever he is staying. (Chris, or Sara, explain a "pick" line to us)

That's it for now. Major winter storm being predicted for us this weekend, with heavy snow north of Fort Wayne and heavy rain south, depending on which way the line goes. So we may be flooded, or covered with ice or buried in snow. Send the St. Bernards!
Happy Valentines day!

Tom

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's everyone! I hope each of you has a wonderful day with your sweetie, your kids, your pets, or even your large, extended family online! We are all very lucky to have such a large loving family!

Info on Doyle

Thanks Missy for the update about your Grandpa Doyle. Hope the fever soon leaves and he is back to normal.

N.J.

Doyle

How is Doyle doing? Havent heard for awhile. We are wondering if he is home.

Nothing new from up here. Suppose to get 4 to 5 ins of snow tonight and tomorrow with blowing snow and cold again; forcast down to - 25 again. Suppose Steve will have to plow snow this time. Norma Jean

Claire's Birthday

We celebrated Claire's 1st birthday Sunday at mom and dad's house. She, of course, got way too much stuff. For those of you who know Claire, you will be surprised to learn she did not dive into her cake. In fact, she cried when Austin made her put her foot in it. For those of you who don't know Claire, check out the pictures-is she a Sink or what?

Cold in Minnesota

Poor Doyle, he has to go through so much, we will keep praying for him !!

Cold this morning. -27 degrees with a wind chill of -44 to -52!! Forcast -10 to -15 today. Had a wind blizzard yesterday all day, but not much snow came. Many cancellations of church today.

We are listening to Tamie and her pastors weekly services this a.m. She usually sings three songs.

Its up to -24 now.

Norma Jean

T.D. is okay

Nothing much to add to what Bennie said. T.D. was pretty groggy after the procedure, but the fever is gone and the rock is gone and he was producing urine. Doc said if he has no post-op fever or infection he might get to come home on Monday. The stone was 8mm, about the size of a large pea, but they were able to grab it and pull it out through the existing plumbing (if you get my drift) so there was no incisions, thus no danger of excessive bleeding. The put a stent in anyway, since the ureter (tube between kidney and bladder) was inflamed and swollen.
Barring any unforseen complications, he should be dancing the Charleston again soon.
Tom

UPDATE ON T D BOWMAN

Carol just call said things went very well...they put a stent in and it turn out to be where the stone was so they were able to get the stone also,,,left the stent in to help drain the kidney should be back home by early next week....Tom may have more information......bennie

Doyle Back in Hospital

he is going to have surgery to by-pass a kidney stone that is blocking the unitary tube...since he is on comudim this is the only way to get the kidney to work again quickly. surgery is to start at 7:00 tonight will let you all know how it went..bennie

Hey, Lois Ann, You are ON !!!

I,m glad you are on , Lois Ann . Hope to hear from you!!

Bennie, you would freeze your bunns up here with those pants on.
They keep telling us there is a blizzard watch after midnight tonight and Sat. Only suppose to be 1 to 2 ins. of snow but the wind to blow up to 45 mph.

Had a nice weekend last w.end. Sara and children came home, and we all went to Holiday Inn for dinner Sat. for a belated B.Day for Len. Tamies, Laurie, Steves and Sara were there, and Janet and Lyle,Brian, Sue and children all joined us. It was a nice time.

We haven't had any significant snowfall since back in Dec.. only little skiffs. I'm sure the Crows are waiting for a big snowfall so they can make their annual trek north to snowmobile. Kerry Lynn, Jerad & Josh usually come and a friend also. They stay up at Steve's.

Hope everyone is doing Great !! Norma Jean

well, they say that golf brings out the best, and the worst, in a man.

Tom

GINORMUS BLOW OUT

Just started 18 holes of golf and on the second hole I reached down to retrive my ball and well this picture says it all. Did not let this stop me and I finished the rest of the holes with added ventilation which felt pretty good..Cant believe these short did this I just bought them in 1965 or 1966,,,bennie

RAIN!!!!

Pouring down rain tonight, Weather guessers say 1-2" tonight and more tomorrow. Rivers are rising. Glad it's not snow!

T.C.

What a great game

i dont think me and momie where that excited last year....just plain glad to see pats go down..looking at temp, its over 80 so heading for the beach. later bennie

Hey, Dad
Steven has a crew getting your Winter Patrol Station ready.

Snow!

Thank goodness we didn't get the full 10" they were calling for, although it is still snowing! It looks really pretty from inside my nice warm home. I have to say that it probably didn't look as pretty to Carl as he cleaned off our and a neighbors driveway this mornig at 7! Poor guy!
Hopefully Missy was able to get out of her driveway this morning - I always think about her on days like this! Be careful everyone!

I don't care who you are, this is funny

Have you ever seen a cowboy monkey. Click the link to see one, it's hilarious.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=u7ZGL6rgMt8