It should have said 'a thousand miles and more begins with the wheels going round and round'.....

Ah, yes......it's been worth the wait!

A milestone..........

It's a BIG birthday for Derald Krentz as he celebrates his 70th birthday today, and we're guessing there will be more than milk and cookies for the celebrating.  Have a wonderful birthday, Derald.....party like there's no tomorrow......looks like we've been down that road before?

Christmas concerts....and kids

My sister posted this picture on Facebook earlier this week, and it just cracked me up because I have seen everyone of these kids in a concert over the years.  And, I'm guessing you maybe have as well.....perhaps some of your kids or grandchildren??

The 'new' Christmas story......

With three very small children temporarily living at grandpa and grandma Krentz' house, especially over this holiday season, things can be a little out of the ordinary...and maybe just a bit crazy as well?  Well, sometimes kids just think 'outside the box', and obviously they felt that the stable needed some birds....as in BIG birds....to keep Jesus company (oh goodness, did they sit on him??)  Sort of reminds me of the game we played as kids, 'button, button, who's got the button', but in this case, it seems like we now have birds to keep searching for. And, below is grandma Theresa's accompanying tale when she sent me the picture....

Look who is visiting the nativity scene this morning. The kids have been playing and rearranging the figurines daily. Yesterday I found Mary, who Vivian has renamed the princess, nestled with the Barbie dolls. I think replacing the glass porcelain figures with plastic ones this year was a very good move on grandma's part! I hope Jesus, Mary and Joseph have a good sense of humor because they have been asked to play many parts this Christmas season.

A winter wedding anniversary........

Today marks the 11th wedding anniversary for Chad & Jackie (Korkowski) Hanson.  Bet it seems like yesterday, right?  Find time during this holiday busy-ness to enjoy your special day....happy anniversary!

That very naughty 'elf'......

He comes with many different names, but the 'elf' is always into some 'naughty' situation it seems so when this picture arrived in my mailbox, it brought big chuckles from both me and Cliff.  Who in the world thinks these things up???  (And that doll on the other side looks demonic!)  Oh, that poor snowman's bottom......

And, at Jewel Barsaloux's house, this is how their elf appeared one morning.....you just never know when he's watching....look carefully :)

Off my bucket list......

Now, I truly don't have a formal 'bucket list' but there are a few things I've often wondered about or wanted to check into....and one of those places was the Alexson in downtown Alexandria.  One would think after living basically my entire life here, I would have at least stepped inside the building at some point, but that wasn't the case.  (It's only been here since 1880!)  As students at the then Central Jr. High, we would all walk past it every week for release time at church but that was the extent of it.  And, the biggest 'mystery' was that one of our single lady teachers...Ava Luchsinger...lived in that hotel.  We always wondered 'who lives in a hotel? (well, we DID have some ideas :)

So, a few weeks ago, I contacted Carol Kelly Jellings (parents are Joe & Judy Kelly) about maybe coming for a visit.  Carol is the manager there so it made it easier for me to make the first move.  She was happy to set up a time for my visit, and off I went.  What a fascinating place it is and such a beautiful example of saving older buildings.  There are a total of 50 units in all....some are studio apartments (which are all on the west side of the building), then there are 1 BR, 2 BR and only one 3BR rentals.  All come furnished or unfurnished, depending on your needs.  Each room within an apartment was once a hotel room way back when, so they're not huge, but certainly all a person would need.  For example, a 1 BR unit consists of three rooms that are approx. 12 x 12 each.  For each added BR, you have an extra 12 x 12 room.   There is a very nice inner courtyard with a fountain and flowers in the summer (will be going back when all that is up and running), and there is also an enclosed porch for renters to enjoy watching games and having a drink or two.  

And, the best surprise for me was that when Carol told the owner about my upcoming visit and who I remembered lived there, he said that the current maintenance man's apartment is the same one my long-ago teacher lived in....for 30 years!!!  So, she had permission for us to enter the apartment and see what my teacher lived in all those years. Small it was but very cute as well.  And something I learned that same day was that my teacher not only lived there for a long time but her sister lived next door to her as well.  

Another building owned by the Batesoles is the Belmont, which is right across from the post office parking lot. Carol told me that when young people came back home for the summers from college way back in the day (it was built in 1917) but needed a place of their own, it was NOT okay to live on the east side of town, which is where the working class lived.  So, a bunch of wealthy parents pooled their resources and built the Belmont for the purpose of having young people live in respectable surroundings!  Carol tells me this place has lots of beautiful built-ins and gorgeous woodwork.  The next time a unit is open, she'll call me for a tour of that building as well.  

So, what a fun thing to do and to see.  People are welcome to stop in any time, although summer would seem to be an ideal time so you can enjoy the inner courtyard setting.  So, what have you been meaning to do on your 'bucket list'???

Another birthday.......but milk here

No bubbly for today's birthday boy....nope!  Dylan Stark (Mike & Lisa Krentz Stark) is only 3 but it's sure to be an all-boy day at this household.  Happy birthday, Dylan!

Birthday bubbly......

Time for a bit of liquid bubbly to celebrate a birthday....Susan (Krentz) Roers (#36) is having a birthday today. Hope you have a fun day, Susan...happy birthday!

Back in Florida again today.......

Got these two pictures last w/e from daughter Jennifer....she was proud that she managed to get it all done by herself.....and I'm proud that she waited with the wine until after it was all done! :)

Those reindeer were lovingly crafted by her dad here in Minnesota and traveled in the van to find their new...and warm....home!

Ah, yes.....always a treat at the end of a job well-done!

He cleans up really nicely.......

Down in south Florida, there's a young man who is growing up way too quickly; mom and dad better guard against the young girls who'll be chasing this kid all over!  Joseph Majhess (Joe and Jennifer Korkowski Majhess) participated in the fashion show last w/e at St. Paul's, and besides looking mighty sharp, he displayed some of his dancing moves, just for added punch :)  This nana and bopbop are very proud.......

All ready to go....love those shoes!

Just look at those young girls' smiles.....

A little action shot.....

Dad (Joe), Joseph, and mom (Jennifer)....mighty fine duds and smiles

For you deer hunters......

Over the years, we've all heard this Ole joke but this time a friend paid tribute to those who love venison.....

Born a Lutheran, each    Friday night after work, Ole would fire up his outdoor grill on the shore of    Big Stone Lake and cook a venison steak. But, all of Ole's neighbors were    Catholic. And since it was Lent, they were forbidden from eating meat on    Friday.

The delicious aroma    from the grilled venison steaks wafted over Ortonville all the way to Clinton    , and was causing such a problem for the Catholic faithful that they finally    talked to their priest.
The Priest came to    visit Ole, and suggested that he become a Catholic. After several classes and    much study, Ole attended Mass.....and as the priest sprinkled holy water over    him, he said, "You were born a Lutheran, and raised a Lutheran, but now you    are a Catholic."

Ole's neighbors were    relieved, until Friday night arrived, and the wonderful aroma of grilled    venison filled the neighborhood.

The Priest was called    immediately by the neighbors,and, as he rushed into Ole's yard, clutching a    rosary and prepared to scold him, he stopped and watched in    amazement.
There stood Ole,    clutching a small bottle of holy water which he carefully sprinkled over the    grilling meat and chanted: "You vuz born a deer, you vuz raized a deer, but    now you is a walleye.”

More birthday cake.......

Another birthday today.....this time it's for Ray Murray (#42).  Hoping you find a wee bit of relaxation on your special day....happy birthday, Ray!

Birthday gal for the day......

Put aside the Christmas shopping and gift wrapping....it's time for Dawn O'Donnell Inman (#39) to celebrate her birthday today.  We hope you enjoy this last year in your 30s, Dawn....happy birthday to you!!

How a person can go nuts.......or blind

Remember when you did jigsaw puzzles years ago, and the puzzles were bucolic scenes with definite objects, making the assembly a bit challenging and fun?  Well, things are much more complicated these days!  Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we decided to finish a puzzle the Oxentenko family had started (somewhat)...but never finished (and now we know why!!)  Holy smokes......by the time we got done, our eyes were crossed and a glass of wine was in order.....but what a sense of accomplishment we had.  Actually, we had such a good time that another complicated puzzle came out that evening, which we finished within the next 24 hours.  What a fun thing for families to do as a 'project'....young and old enjoying an activity together!

What are they, you ask?  Well, they're colored dinosaurs of course!!!

The Korkowski family Christmas celebration is coming.....

The following email from this year's organizers of the Korkowski Christmas party, which is for ALL family members, not just the siblings and spouses as was last year.  Just remember though that this year the venue is the Millerville Parish Hall, NOT the Brandon Town Hall as in all past years.  

Hello fellow family members,  Just wanted to make sure that all of you have the 27th at the Millerville Parish Hall on the Calendar.  We are going to meet at 1:00 and eat around 4ish.  Patty and Derald and I will provide the sandwiches and paper products.  Be sure to share this info with your children and children's children.  There is a big area inside and outside for children to play in.  If the kiddos want to play outside, please remind them to include snow pants and boots, etc.  We will provide some hot water if they would like to bring packets for hot chocolate.  Looking forward to seeing many folks big and small and young and not so young!  As in the past, please bring a dish to share and a small plate of leftover Christmas goodies.  Please let me or Patty know if we are forgetting something important in this message.  Love, Patty and Theresa and Derald

Christmas 2005 at the 'hall'

A party for sure.......

It's a big day at the Inman household as Jackie Inman (Doug & Dawn O'Donnell Inman) turns 5.  And, that's a big deal because we know she's yearning to become a kindergartner in the fall!  Happy birthday, Jackie....may your dreams come true.

One of each......

Today it's time for an anniversary and a birthday.....the anniversary is for Al & Annette O'Donnell who are celebrating their 41st......

....and the birthday is for Jessica Peterson (Caleb's wife) who is 37 today.  

Happy birthday, Jessica, and happy anniversary to Al & Annette.

And you thought you were cold?

Catching up on some items sent to me over the Thanksgiving weekend and wanted to share with you.  It was just over a week ago when we experienced the coldest Thanksgiving in umpteen years, and we were all grousing about how cold it was, etc. Well, two of our family members didn't let a little something like Arctic temperatures keep them inside.  Oh no, they went for a run!!  Here are the newlyweds....Julie & Chris Korkowski...who braved the cold and actually seemed to enjoy it!  They were participants in the annual Turkey Trot up in Bismarck ND (below is some information from their web site).  And as coincidence would have it, the day this picture and email came into my inbox, Evan & Isaac had on their own Turkey Trot shirts from a past run.  Oh, you silly people.....stay inside and have a cup of hot coffee or cocoa :)

Turkey Trot

Every year, hundreds of runners and walkers hit the scenic trails along the Missouri River on Thanksgiving morning. This family event offers a 5-K Run, a 10-K Run, a 5-K Competitive Walk and a Fun Walk.

• Registration: 8:00 a.m. at the Bismarck Elks Club.
• Race time: 9:15 a.m. You won’t miss a minute of the football games!
• Early bird Registration - Adults $25, Age 9 & under $15, Family dicount is available. See registration link.
• Registration after Nov. 1, 2014 - Adults $30, Age 9 & under $20, Family discount available. See reistration link.
• Gold, silver and bronze medals are offered in both genders beginning with younger-than-14, and extending  to over-70. 
• The Turkey Trot relies upon pledges for the majority of its income, but participants may also pay a registration fee to participate as well.
• Family discounts are given.
• All participants receive a long-sleeved T-shirt.

TGIF...and a birthday too

Time for another birthday, and today it's Jewel Barsaloux (#37) who gets to celebrate the fact that it's her birthday...and a weekend coming up besides!  Happy birthday, Jewel :)