10-10-03 Jim Wrote:

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well. A special Thank you to Alan for getting the bus and driving up to New York. We had a good time. Ashton was more than happy to take the day off from cheering.

Vicki and I are getting ready to go away for a couple of days. We are going to Jim Thorpe to a bed and breakfast. We will be there Mon. Oct 20 to Wed Oct 22. Devon will get the kids ready for school in the morning and take them to a friends house before going to school himself. Both boys and Dana will do drum lessons and cheerleading practice, homework and bedtime. Its nice to have some older adults in the house to help out at times like this. They are always more than willing to help out when we want to go away. Although it is never often enough.

Brandon is building houses for THP. Who knows, he may own one of those houses that he has blood stains on the studs! He came home one day last week with his thumb all wrapped up. They were lifting roof rafters with the crane . The crane operator started lifting the crane before Brandon had all of his fingers out of the way, needless to say he was hanging by his thumb. I cant even imagine what he said, but he is very tough and didnt miss any work. That happened at 7:30 in the morning. We bought extra bandaides.

Devon is working on his plans for the bus. They have tentative plans on leaving July 25. That is Joshs 18th birthday. The school in Oregon is the United Bicycle Institute. He has the furniture he needs. Dana's Dad will help him build the cabinets for the sink refrig and stove. Brandon, Josh and Devon went to an RV show in Allentown to get information on where to order all of his parts. Devon and Josh are excited about their adventure.

J.R. is trying to work hard at school. This is a hard year for J.R. We are working on responsability right now, but we are having some difficulty. His excessive compulsiveness is a problem. As he gets older it gets more pronounced.It can be quite trying.

Ashton is working hard in school. She is enjoying Brandon being back home. She also enjoys Dana when she is around. Her big excitment for the week was, Kohls opened!! She has been watching its progress and couldnt wait until it opened.I think we are in trouble!!

Alan, I subed for Ray bowling on Monday. The first in 2 years. I think I averaged 183. I only had 2 opens all night.

some memories...
Who remembers Madeline our fresh air child? Any one knows where she is now?
Who remembers shooting pigeons off of the silos? I was about 10 when I started.
My boys still arent allowed to have a BB gun.
How about sunday and Holiday football games.?
How about the worst day of the year on the farm? White washing day! What was yours?

Norman memories?
One time when I was mowing the lawn the grass was pretty long. Norman told me to use the old sweeper to pick up some of the grass. He had been sick and couldnt work. I didnt want to push the sweeper so I tied it on to the front of the mower so the mower would push it. needless to say it didnt work and I drove over it.When i got off the mower Norman started chasing me.

Have a good month,

peace out!
V< J< B< D< J< A