Welcome to the 1993 Newsletter for
the A. B. Barthle family!
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Front cover
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Regarding Mother:
She continues to stay at the Dade City Geriatric Center. Late last year she was moved to a private room from a semi-private room. Having her own room allows her to rest better, as I think noise bothers her quite a bit. Her mental health continues to deteriorate, although some days she is much better and more aware of her surroundings than on other days. During the past year, she had quite a bout with seizures. However, it seems that her medication is now keeping them under control. The staff of the nursing home all love her, show her lots of attention (which she loves) and they are taking good care of her. She seems quite content most of the time and doesn't seem to be in any particular physical pain. All of your visits and prayers for her are appreciated.
Melda
From Margie:
Hello, again and Happy Holidays from our family to all of you. Needless to say, this year for my family has been ..!..?..!..?.. due to the loss of our beloved Jennifer, Who is now an Angel in Heaven with all of our other deceased relatives.
Jimmy is a very busy retiree. He has a garden, (produce which is sold at Duane and Kathleen's "FARM BASKET MARKET") a small orange grove, keeps up the yard, works at the Farm Basket Market 2 days a week, besides making wood products, picnic tables, misc shelves, thread racks, flower pots, foot stools etc. and for exercise, he walks each morning. I hope I will be able to keep up with him, when I reach retirement. He, Steve, and Chris have enjoyed taking the boat sightseeing to various parts of the Withlacoocheee River. My career has not changed. We have updated some of our computer equipment in the past couple months and plan to streamline some of our procedures this next year.
Steve, Mae, and Christopher still go camping as often as they can. They have been to Salt Springs a few times, as well as to Trails End, near Disney World, Hillsborough River State Park, Manatee Springs. etc. Lori is continuing her job related education. She is now attending paramedic school.
Renee and Clark are busy at their same jobs. They have their new home really looking good. Renee has just bought a new sewing machine and intends on finding time to sew for herself and Jessica. She is kept busy transporting Jessica and her friends to Girl Scout meetings, 4-H Club meetings, C.C.D. classes, Jr. C.Y.O. meetings, etc. Besides keeping up the yard, helping Jessie with her animals, Clark announces the motorcycle races at the Pasco County Fairgrounds on Saturday nights as often as he can. He is working hard to get the "Community Child Watch" program going in Pasco County, as well as presenting the program in adjacent counties. Clark has legally adopted Jessica this year, so she is now known as Jessica Converse. She is now a Junior in Scouts. Her cookie sales was second high of her troop and collection of donations for the Salvation Army won the highest recognition. In 4-H last year she did get a rabbit and showed "Beanie" at the Pasco County Fair. Beanie won "Best of Breed". Jessica's Record Book won first place. She, also was awarded best 4-H exhibit. Beanie had three babies that did not survive. However, Beanie's second family is on the way. Hopefully, Jessica will have another rabbit to show again this year. She also has a hog she is raising, hoping it will qualify for the Hog Show and Sale at the fair. This is the first year of the Junior C.Y.O. She was elected as Treasurer.
Mary Beth and Gene are still selling jewelry. Mary Beth now has the entire state of Florida. Gene has joined the same company as Mary Beth, but has the states of Georgia and Alabama. Their sales both rank within the top 5 in the USA. During the week they travel in their respective territories and return home for the weekend. This past year, they represented their company at the Las Vegas, New York, and the Atlanta Jewelry Shows. They are talking marriage next year.
Duane and Kathleen have had a very busy and successful year at the FARM BASKET MARKET. Their business has about tripled in their first year. Duane small farm is growing, too. His small herd of cows has grown from 6 last year to 11 this year, (plus Bret has 1 calf). Duane bought a John Deere tractor this year to help keep the pastures in shape. He has leased the adjacent property, formally owned by Jim and Joan Barthle for pasture. Kathleen works at the store 3 full days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), plus keeps the books, goes to Tampa, usually on Thursdays, to buy tobacco items, etc. for the store. She also teaches C.C.D. classes at church each Wednesday night. Bret helps feed the calves, has pet frogs, etc. as all little boys. Jake is really growing and now attends Sacred Heart Child Care Center each Monday, Wednesday and Friday with Bret.
Love all of you, Margie
From Lisa:
Mom graduated this year (with honors) and passed her state boards, so she is a registered nurse now. She is finally realizing her life long dream. She became a grandma 3 times this year bringing the total to 7 now, soon to be eight. She hopes to find a job soon if she can quit offering to baby-sit all those grandbabies.
TWA finally came out of bankruptcy, and Alan is looking forward to becoming a co-pilot on the 727 in January. I still run and work March thru November, the rest of the time I cart Becca to swimming, dancing, and school. Becca is bossy as ever and since she has no siblings she spends her time bossing Alan and me. She started kindergarten this year and when asked how her first day went, her reply was quite to the point, "Simply the best day of my life mom, simply the best!" All of us plan to take up downhill skiing this year. It beats uphill skiing doesn't it?
Teresa's is still at Mom's and busy as usual! As well as the Home Education, the children are active in 4-H and the Love-A-House program, city-wide P.E. activities, and church choir. Jessica is continuing with piano lessons and Caleb is expected to begin clarinet, piano, guitar or cornet after the first of the year (if he ever decides). Along with all this Teresa has her hands full working at the church office two days a week and keeping Rachael (Bonnie's little girl) while Bonnie is in Pitt.
Mike and Sandra finished their renovations and additions on their home and moved in this year. They have been very busy with this and the family has not seen them much this year. We love you Sandra and Mike! Sam says he cannot believe the house he has recently seen is the one they purchased over a year ago. Sandra kept telling Mike before the purchase he was crazy that nothing could make this house look good. "You crazy", she would say. Mike was persistent and now Sandra says he was right. She is very happy with her beautiful new home, and Mike just grins, he knew he was right all along.
Melinda and Jimmy became the proud parents of Warren Barthle Young (a Hearing child), on March 24, 1993. Warren is now eight months old and is beginning to understand sign language, his favorite one is what else but "milk". Warren's first speaking word is "daddy" and daddy is quite proud of that. Jimmy is still working in a dental lab and is active with the Florida Assn for the Deaf, as well as the Nat'l Assn for the Deaf. Melinda really loves her job at the VA hospital and managed to get her own personal phone line with a Tdd. I heard she pestered her way into acquiring that one, but then we all know Melinda is not a pest!!
Bonnie is back flying with USAir and is stationed in Pittsburgh. She won't be flying long because she's expecting again. The baby is due June 15, which happens to be my birthday (must be a smart kid). Last year Bonnie said Mike was having the next one, but I guess Bonnie has no say in this matter. Michael has his own lawn business and works for the post office at night. He stays pretty busy. His next goal is to become a helicopter pilot, he may have to put that on the back burner for the time being. Rachael is growing like a weed. She doesn't look like bonnie, but when I hear that big mouth, there is no doubt in my mind whose kid she is!
Sam, Carlene, and Kyle are still living in South Florida but apparently not for long. They are planning to move to central Florida. Sam will come up in December to look for a job and a place to live. Carlene and Kyle will move up in June after Carlene's school term is finished. She is still working part-time for Speigel. Kyle who is now two, goes to nursery school and he obviously loves the phone. The last time I talked with Sam, he spent much of his time pleading..."Kyle, please let daddy have the telephone!"
I can't believe it! My baby brother is a daddy. Fred and Janet also became proud parents this year. Kenneth Ryan Barthle was born on August 23, 1993. They all moved into a cozy two bedroom home at the end of October. Janet has her hands full with Kenny and two other children that she cares for during the week in their home. Fred is still with publix at the dairy processing plant. He likes to hunt on the weekends and Kenny has already had a taste of camping. It would seem that he likes it, at home he doesn't quite sleep through the night, but out in the woods...he sleeps all night long!
As always...our love to you all, happy holidays, and God bless you forever!!
Lisa....
From Joan:
Clem and I are doing fine. The caretaking business is still surviving. It has not been a good year as not many of the growers have had much money to spend on their groves due to low fruit prices for the '92-93 season. This season '93-94 looks like it will be much better as the fruit prices have gone up considerably.
We also still have our herb garden. We do enjoy that so much. I received a dehydrator for Christmas and I have dehydrated a lot of the herbs during the year and have a good stock on hand as well as the fresh ones still growing. The onions we planted last year really produced great. I canned 122 pints of onion relish and froze sliced, whole and quartered onions. There are still a lot of onions in the freezer although they are getting used. I also dehydrated a number of them, and also made a lot of onion juice for the freezer. I haven't bought any onions since the first of May. The bananas were doing real good until the weekend of Oct.30 when we had a bad wind and a couple of the plants were blown over. We lost one with a bunch on it, but we will still have the plant. We have several bunches of ladyfingers that will be ready to pick in a few weeks.
I am in the process of getting mother's kitchen certified by the Florida Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services so that I can make jellies, jams, marmalades, pickles and relishes to sell. Kumquat growers, Inc. headed by Frank Gude bought the old store place and are in the process of opening a produce stand and want all the homemade products and home grown produce that they can get from the local people. We are all excited about this new venture.
Mike came to Orlando for a meeting with some of his people on Jan 26. Clem and I went over to spend the night and had a very nice visit with him. He found out just before Christmas last year that he would be spending two and a half weeks in England in Sept., so he gave Nancy and the kids airline tickets to go with him. So they went to England on the first of Sept. from all accounts they really had a good time. It was a experience that the girls will never forget. In August Mike graduated from William & Mary with his MBA. Clem & I, Tim, and Brian with Vicki and the boys went to Newport News for a weekend to celebrate with Mike and Nancy. We really did enjoy the short visit.
Sarah is now playing soccer and Mike says she is a natural. Caroline has a ball and she and a friend kick the ball around behind the stands while Sarah is playing. Caroline is going to pre-school three days a week now. Sarah is doing very well in school too. How time flies. She is nine years old now and Caroline is 4 1/2.
Bernie left the Navy on December 31. In February, he and Jennifer and Matthew came to live with us until they could find a place of their own and start to get settled. They got here on Feb. 11. They were here just over a month when we got the storm of the century on March 13. We lost our roof and had all the ceilings ruined in the new part of the house. The ceilings still haven't been fixed. We have the insurance money but we can't seem to find anyone who wants to do the job. I hope that between Clem and Bernie this winter they will get it done. The day of the storm, Clem's brother Ernie decided it was time to go fishing. The seas were forecast to be at least 15 and possibly up to 20 feet. So Ernie set out from Tarpon Springs at about 1 P.M. he got as far as Anclote Key, which is at the mouth of the Anclote River out of Tarpon Springs. He went to the anchorage there and dropped anchor as the weather was too bad to go any where else. He was there a short time and the anchor rope broke so he was without an anchor in from 75 to 90 mph winds on the gulf. So he was at the mercy of the winds. He was reported missing the next afternoon when he did not come back to shore. Late sunday morning the Coast Guard got a call from him to come rescue him. He was high and dry west of U.S. 19 between Hudson and Port Richey inland from some tall palm trees that the wind and seas floated him over. When he told the Coast Guard he was okay and had food and water. They said they would get back to him as other people were still in the gulf and needed to be saved. The local TV station heard the call and sent their helicopter to pick him up. He left his boat then and on the first of april he went back to see about getting it out, his 17 year old daughter who was a senior in high school was killed in an auto accident near Brooksville. We buried her just a month after Jennifer Odom. Then when he went back with help to get his boat a couple of weeks later, someone had burned it to the ground. Anyway, getting back to other things, Bernie and Jennifer stayed with us until the first of July when they moved to Land O' Lakes at 22510 Southshore Drive, just down from Ralph and Paula. Jennifer went to work in August for an attorney in Brandon. Bernie kept looking for something in the airplane industry. He finally got on at Suncoast Helicopters and will be finished with his ground school and will begin flying again this week(Nov 14). Jennifer started with another attorney this past week. So things are looking up for them now. Bernie is still in the Naval Reserve and goes to Jacksonville for his weekends.
Tim passed the exam and has finished his prospectus for his doctorate and will have to defend it this coming week. He still comes home once a month for his reserve meeting at McDill A.F.B. He spent two weeks at Keesler A.F.B. in Mississippi in September going to school. He will be with us on Thanksgiving.
Susan called in January and said that Michael got his orders to go to Hawaii in June for three years. She said that she wouldn't be going, first of all because there were no jobs for her in the army there and also that with Mike's job, he would be gone out to sea most of the time. He is in heavy boats of the Army's Navy so he goes out for weeks at a time. Susan also said that since they had bought their house they didn't want to leave it. Michael's parents have moved to Newport News this past spring so she would not be alone. She went to Hawaii on August 25 for 2 weeks with jennifer. She called a couple of weeks after she got back and told us that she is pregnant. The baby is due in May. It is going to be hard for her but she wants her kids to be not more than 2 years apart. I will help all I can.
Dean was assigned TDY at Eglin A.F.B. on August 17, He was to be there for six months but now it looks like with the budget cuts he will be back in Dayton by the middle of December. He was down for Labor Day and we really had a good time. It was the first time he had met Jennifer. He will be here for Thanksgiving and I don't know about Christmas. With him moving back to Dayton it is uncertain at this time.
Brian and Vicki, John and Ben moved to Montgomery from Sacramento in April. They were very happy to get back to this side of the country. They came down in May to John Hays' ordination. Clem and I got involved in organizing the celebration that was held in Johns honor. We had somewhere between 600 and 800 people. It was a lot of work but was worth it to see all the people get together when there was a happy occasion. They will be here for Thanksgiving. Brian and Vicki will be going to Baton Rouge for Christmas.
PS: A few other things that happened this year; In May Virgil Jones died after a long bout with brain cancer. It was sad to see him go but he had suffered so long it was really a blessing. Father Paul was replaced as pastor at Sacred Heart. Father Henry Granges was here for a month then Father Ray O'Neill came on the first of June. He is very pleasant to be around and has made a good impression. Stepping into the shoes of Father Paul was difficult and the way FR. Paul left was difficult to accept. I don't think anyone has been told why except to say that he was recalled to the Abbey. The community has had a very hard time to accept no explanation.
Well, that is about all I can think of to say for this year. As I said it has been quite a year for all of us and I pray that everyone has a better one in 1994,
Love "JOAN"
From Connie:
This year David has been with the county all year, he still likes his work. There isn't to much new with him. Around the first of October I took a leave of absence from RGIS, as it was getting to be to much to babysit all day and work all night and weekends. I am still babysitting little ones, now I have four tot's, during the days when school is in, Chris, Tiffany and Austin Connley who is 14 mos and is beginning to be a talker. He was with me sinse he was eight weeks old. Now, we have Matthew Petters for a play mate sinse July, and also another Granddaughter has joined our group, Jessica Carr is with us too, she is crawling all over the place, and pulling up on things. She wants to be with all the other playmates. The middle of July, David and I went to Charleston, So. Carolina and picked up Cheri and the Kids, and brought them back to Florida until their departure date of September 1.
Around the middle of October, Marie moved back home with Chris and Tiffany. Chris is in the second grade and doing very well in everything. Tiffany is 16 months old, and quite a girl.
About the middle of May this year, the Air Force sent Joe to Cairo, Egypt for 90 days. By the end of the first week of June he called saying he was on his way home, as he had orders for Germany, a NATO assignment. Joe came home for the month of August, and we took all of them back to Charleston for their flight to Germany. They arrived fine, and they really like their assignment. They are living in the town of Pirmasens, near the French border. Nichole is getting to be a big girl too, she took her first steps here before they left. As of the latest word she is walking where ever she wants these days.
Jerry and Kelly are doing fine and working hard, these days. They have a precious little girl, Jessica is 6 months old now as she was born on May 17, 1993.
Kathy married J. Kelly Himes this year on July 30, Kelly has a son from a previous marriage, Justin Kelly Himes, born 4-4-89. Kathy is still working for Aetna Insurance as she had for several years. Kelly likes to hunt, fish and he also plays on a softball team.
Thom is stationed at Twentynine Palms, Calif. There isn't very much new to report. We are very proud of him, and the job he is doing in the Marine Corps. He did come home to attend Kathy and Kelly's reception that she had in August. The whole family was together at that time. It will be at least three years before that will happen again. When Joe and Cheri return to the states.
Love Connie
From Barbara:
There isn't any words that can express or take away the heartbreak with the loss of Jenny. It was a very sad time for all of us. I just want to say how proud I am to be a part of this incredible family. I know we have all had our ups and downs in the past & some misunderstandings that most families share, but when there are major hurts and losses the way everyone comes together to support everyone else is just wonderful. There is a lot of love in this Barthle family more than I ever imagined and I thank all of you for letting me be a part of it.
This year has really gone by fast. I'm still a Government Contract Administrator and still taking contract classes through the California State Extension Program. Only three more classes to go and I'll be a certified Gov't Contract Specialist. Dan stays busy woodworking, repairing cars, chasing Nick and working in his garden. He had a real nice tomato crop. He grew cherry tomato, beefsteak and plum tomatoes. They all did well. He had some peppers and jalopenos as well. The grapes and fruit trees aren't doing as well. We think the soil is bad. Dan's A6 program has been cancelled and we aren't sure what the job future outlook is yet. Things change so fast so we just take one day at a time. Oh well, there is always "dairyfarming".
Laurie is very busy. She works at the local TV cable company and is a dispatcher now. She likes that better than being in the field. She is still in the National Guard and attends the junior collage two nights a week as well as takes care of Nicholas in between times. She just moved into her own two bedroom apartment and loves it. Nicholas is three years old now and he is like having three children at one time. He is very active and hardly ever sits still. He is like a little tornado! He was in the hospital for a couple of days two weeks ago with the croup. The hospital staff celebrated and cheered at his release. Laurie and I both took turns sleeping in the oxygen tent with him! what a treat! Dan took his turn chaining him to the bed! (not!) Nicholas's daddy will be here on the 18th of Dec. to spend a week. He is really getting excited about his daddy coming on a big air o plane from Florida
The only new news is that we have is a new grandchild. Danny and Amy are the proud parents of Evan James born on 20 September 1993. Evan weight in at 7 lbs. 2oz. and 20 inches long. He is a very healthy, good natured little guy. Danny is working at a computer firm named Computing Technology. He troubleshoots and repairs computers. He has a real talent for this and enjoys his job very much. He goes out to local businesses, the base and surrounding areas. He plays drums once in awhile. Danny and Dan share a common interest these days they both love airplanes, Dan loves flying them and Danny loves jumping out of them. Personally I think they are both nuts, I don't like heights at all! Danny has taken up skydiving and he says its the ultimate thrill. Dan and I hope he will go back to school and at least pursue an AA degree.
Thom Carr came up for a visit the weekend of 6 Nov 93. We all went to the airshow in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Naval Air Weapons Station here. We all had a good time and enjoy seeing Tommy.
WE all want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
P.S. How about that Florida State! How about all the Florida College football teams! I'm a big fan especially Miami Hurricanes but am rooting for the "noles'.
Love Barbara
From Cinda:
Hello from Georgia! The year has been one that we all will never forget...the depth of our loss this past spring goes beyond words. Our closeness as a family is also a blessing that goes beyond description. Is spite of our busy-ness and often sparse communication, the bonds are strong. I'm so grateful for all of you.
Probably our major '93 summer event was selling the house in Jonesboro and moving to Morrow(rhymes with "sorrow", but is really a very happy place!). We have a comfortable two bedroom condo in an area called Northridge. It's closer to "the city", the airport, and to work! Once again...very near I-75. Guess it's the fourth place I've lived that was in view or practically within view and that highway!
Alexa spent the summer in Italy studying architecture...part of an extension program for Ga Tech. The rest of us spent most of our summer getting ready to move, moving and settling in after the move.
Of course the airlines seem to be always in the news...and corporate downsizing is the current trend. It now looks as thought Delta's computer department will be separated from the airline sometime next year. Three companies are in serious negotiations for the staff...EDS, AT&T, and Worldspan. Next year would have been 25 years for me, and thirteen for Ben. (Ben had a career as a school music director before switching to the computer field. He only looks younger!)
We send our warmest greetings to each of you for the holiday season and for the new year.
Love to you all! "Cinda"
From Melda:
No words can express the feelings we all have had this year. We were so torn apart by Jennifer's terrible tragedy. Yet, we were all brought closer. Being part of a large family that is as terrific as ours, is simply wonderful. Each of you is so special. As a tribute to Jenny, I would like to say that I think of her every morning on my way to work when I see parents waiting at the bus stops with their children. Jenny has created an awareness that unfortunately has become so necessary. She was very special--an angel on earth, but now she's our guardian angel in heaven.
Jack and I are the same--same house--same jobs--same cars--same ole, same ole!
In March, Rebecca was accepted to the College of Engineering at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. We visited the campus at an open-house during Easter weekend and were very impressed with the university. In late June, Rebecca and I went to Vanderbilt for student/parent orientation. (Ralph's wife, Paula, was in Nashville at the same time on business--we stayed in the same hotel and enjoyed shopping and dinner together one evening, which is something we never seem to get around to in Tampa!) Rebecca spent most of her summer working at Busch Gardens (in the Bird Garden area) and getting ready for college. She flew to Nashville on August 17th and Jack and I drove to Nashville with her things the following weekend. The second weekend in October, Jack, Rob and I went to Nashville for Fall Freshman Weekend. We enjoyed, among other things, the Vandy football game against the Cincinnati Bear Cats. Vandy managed to win--although not exactly against an SEC rival! Vanderbilt is much better at basketball than football--especially womens basketball. Rebecca will have her first trip home for Thanksgiving. We are all counting the days! She will be home for a week and then will return to school for final exams. She will be home again by mid-December for the holidays until the second week in January when she starts her second semester. I must say, although she is studying very hard, college life seems to be agreeing with her.
Rob is in his second year at Jesuit High School. In April, Rob's French class sponsored fifteen boys from France as exchange students. We were a host family to a 16 year old student from Nice, France. Nicholas spent three weeks with us bettering his English. I think his English improved much more than our French! It was an interesting experience. Rob continues to be quite the sports enthusiast. He went to a USF basketball camp and also played basketball in a summer county recreational league. Now, he's trying to tee it up on the golf course as often as possible. He's currently involved in an urban junior golf clinic on Saturdays.
Margie brought something to my attention recently. Parishioners of Sacred Heart Church have for the past couple years or so painted life-sized Christmas cards and displayed them facing St. Joe Road around the jogging track next to the church. This year, the church through donations was able to have electrical outlets put in to allow the cards to be lighted at night by spot lights during the holiday season. Ralph, Cinda and I thought it would be nice if we could plan a Christmas card by the August Barthle Family to be painted and displayed next year. We would like for the whole family to have some input into ideas for a theme--whether its an original idea or a Christmas card that you think is appropriate, please send it to me.
We had a great visit with Dan in August when he came to Florida for a high school reunion. I hope he knows how much we all appreciate what he is doing for all of us--keeping us in touch! This newsletter grows each year--the first year, none of us wrote that much--now, you can't shut us up!! It is terrific. Dan, thanks a million.
Thanks also to Sara and Joan for their extra-special effort in remembering our birthdays--your letters and cards mean so much. Aunt Hilda, you are so thoughtful to remember mother at Christmas (the beautiful card and sweater) and her birthday (the Mass card).
We all send our love and wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous 1994.
Love, Melda
From Monica:
Greetings to all; I am still working at Johnson, Auvil & Schrader, P. A. in the real restate department. I'm still going to Pasco Hernando Community College half-time (at night), and will finally get my AA in August. I learned that any college credits earned over 10 years ago are now electives, so I had to take American Federal Government over. I still have to take the two Humanities classes over, but I managed to test out of the English and some of the lower math classes. This is the third time I will have completed the first two years of college, so I'm looking forward to finally having a piece of paper saying that I've done it! My plans are to start classes at St. Leo College next fall, majoring in math education at the secondary level. St. Leo has weekend college which will allow me to go to school full time, (hopefully) enabling me to finish with my BA in two years.
Herman is doing as well as anyone could expect, being subjected to all of us on a regular basis! He went skiing in Colorado in March, then went hunting in Alaska in August. He brought back lots of pictures from Alaska -- the scenery was beautiful. His brother, Art, was diagnosed with leukemia of the skin in late summer, and has been undergoing treatment. We learned that platelets, a substance in the blood, can be given to a patient who has undergone chemotherapy, to help them regain some strength and help them rebuild their health. Herman (and other family members and neighbors) donates platelets as often as needed. We are all praying for good results from this treatment.
I traded the Van in after only 9 1/2 years. I got a brown 1989 Ford Taurus. It was really a change for me to sit so low! However, I'm really enjoying the trunk, and the radio and using a key to start it! I know, it's the little things I really missed!
Shelly celebrated her 20th birthday on Thanksgiving. She has had lots of firsts this year. . . Luke's first birthday, she bought her first car, she has completed her first year of college, she obtained her first credit card (on her own!) and she celebrated her first year anniversary at Huss Drilling (where she is a permit specialist) in September. She is hoping to start working on her Civil Engineering degree at University of South Florida within the next year. Luke is 18 months old, and is walking, talking, and already charming the daylights out of all of us. He really thinks he is already two! I taught him to say "Tawanda", (like in the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes"), but it has been modified to "Nanna", which is what luke calls me. Luke will continue attending Sacred Heart Child Care Center where he is enjoying being in Miss Virginia (Gordon)'s class with Jake Denney and several of his other friends.
Natalie is in her senior year at Pasco Comprehensive High this year. She has also had an adventurous year. She is taking several art classes and intends to pursue a career in art education. She and Mandi experienced their first (and hopefully last) car accident (it was NOT HER FAULT) October 1st. They were going to ST. Joe to pick up luke at about 4:30 p.m. when they met one of their friends from school (Kenny Lindsay's daughter) head-on. She just happened to be going in the opposite direction and totaled both vehicles in the process. Mandi was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, but after being thoroughly checked, she was released. It was comforting to the girls to be surrounded by family and neighbors at this time (Jeff Barthle [Pat and Andy's oldest son and a paramedic] was the first person on the scene. The next person was Carl Gude, followed closely by Alan Gordon and Marty Barthle [Alan and Marty are also paramedics]). Mandi was knocked out briefly and the first thing she saw when she came to was Jeff's face. . .he was asking her if she know who he was. . .she did! This is the first time I have had to deal with an insurance claim and it has ended up being an educational experience for all of us. I replaced the LeBaron with a 1988 VW Fox, which Natalie likes MUCH better. It is a sporty little car with a hatch back and GREAT gas milege...but (even though the girls told me not to get another one), it is SILVER! Frankie Holloway (Natalie's boyfriend), is in the Navy, and is stationed temporarily in Memphis. He is supposed to finish his schooling there soon and will then be transferred to Maryland. He is training to do electronic repairs.
Mandi has had a really difficult year. First she went to Weightman Middle School, where she suffered along with the rest of the school, through the deaths of two students, and the violent beating in the face of another student. One boy was playing with a gun, placed it to his head, and pulled the trigger (he didn't know it had a bullet in the chamber). Jenny's death touched us all deeply, but it perhaps was most difficult for Mandi, because she and Jenny saw each other daily at school. She and Mandi had been talking about getting together on the weekends because they didn't seem to have enough time to talk anymore. The entire school suffered this loss and the faculty and staff found ways to let the students express their feelings...they planted a tree in Jenny's honor, they placed a rock with a memorial plaque, they formed a heart shape that said "We Love you, Jenny". There were extra counselors available at the school for students who needed the support. This tragedy was partly responsible for the decision to take a family vacation this year. The last one we took was when Joseph was 8 months old. We decided to go to Tennessee, and due to the fact that we know nothing about vacationing, we did it wrong! We made plans, schedules, and arrangements. We saved for the trip. However, when we left (the second week in August), we traveled to Chattanooga the first day. The next day we headed on to Nashville (where we spent two days), then traveled to Gatlinburg for two days. By the time we came home, we had traveled 1800 miles and were exhausted! We decided that the next time (are we crazy?) we want to go to one location and spend all of our time there rather than spending all the time traveling from one place to another. We did have a good time, though, and we saw and did some interesting things. Mandi, Natalie and Shelley experienced their first Mo-Peds. We all saw "Lost Seas Caverns", the Grand Ole Opry Hotel (which was spectacular), the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, and about a hundred shops in Gatlinburg. It was very beautiful as well as overwhelming. All survived this trip, which, in itself, was a miracle.
Mandi is now at Pasco Comprehensive High School. She will be 15 is February, which means she can then get her restricted drivers license -- which she is anxiously anticipating! She is going to be on the school tennis team. She and Natalie are taking a photography class on Wednesday night, which they are enjoying.
Joseph is Joseph. He is in a program at school called "Project Child", which is a modified continuous progress program.. The students are given assignments, but they choose when they do them, for example, they may do all their math on tuesday, or they may do a little each day. The students must complete all assignments, but they have some flexibility in when they do what. This takes some self discipline, and many of the activities encourage and develop creativity. Joseph has won several awards this year in creative writing. Joe has also taken an interest in computers and taught himself how to use the spreadsheet program on the new family computer. He also went with me when I took Alex (our golden retriever) to the vet. Dr. Smaller showed Joseph how to put the medication in Alex's eyes and ears, and for two weeks, Joseph diligently administered her medicine. Since that time, he has worked hard at caring not only for her, but helped find homes for 8 for her 9 puppies. Whiskers, Joseph's cat, recently celebrated her seventh birthday, and Joseph gave her a black collar and a name plate for her birthday.
Bill is in the third grade this year. He has been behind in reading, but is making exceptional progress in reading this year. He is at the top of his class in math, and often tutors other students in his room. He has been collecting more comic books and Marvel and X-Men cards this year, and he and Joe keep a computerized inventory of all their treasures. Bill made his First Communion in the spring, and then became an Altar Boy. . .he had been looking forward to this for a very long time.
Shelley, Luke and Mandi were sharing a large bedroom, but Mandi really needed her own space. I agreed to find out what it would cost to put a wall across the middle of the room. When we hound out that it would cost nearly $600. we decided to build it ourselves. It took us several weekends, but it has really worked out well. We aren't scheduling a photo-shoot with Better Homes & Gardens, but we are all proud of our work.
All of the events of this year have reinforced to all of us how important family is. We love each and every one of you, and wish each of you a peaceful and joyous Christmas Season and a Prosperous, Healthy and Happy New Year!
Love, "Monica and Family"
From Paula & Ralph:
Ralph had Federal Jury duty and was on call for the entire month of March. Luckily, he didn't have to sit on any trials.
May brought Ralph's twenty year high school reunion. Paula graduated a year later, so we both got to visit with a lot of old friends (the friends were old, not us).
In August we took a week of vacation to Palm Island Resort. It's located on Knight's Island off the coast of Englewood (south of Sarasota). There is no bridge access, so they have a shuttle boat service. Quiet place...very nice.
Paula started a new job with Dynamic Environmental Associates in November, Her new company performs environmental audits for businesses, kind of like a termite inspection, except this inspection is for hazardous wastes.
Dog update: Nole was diagnosed with diabetes in January, so she gets a daily injection of insulin. Ali is hanging in there as best she can.
Cat update: Christine (looks like Sox, acts like Hillary) is her same tempermental self.
Paula and Ralph
From Cousin Sara:
"Thoroughly enjoyed another year in my yard & gardens. Even got Ken involved in the Spring-cleanup! A cool, wet season made for a late harvest, but the flowers flourished! Had a super crop of peaches and we're now enjoying peach pies!
Fall brought hunting. Ken has been enjoying great success and is filling the freezer. He decided to try deer hunting for the 1st time; had a nice young buck at the locker plant within an hour of sunrise! Dove, crane, ducks and quail have all found their way to our table. A Louisianna duck-hunt is planned shortly after Christmas. Perhaps no geese this year; very little winter wheat for them to eat due to the lack of moisture here in Oklahoma. And, I must mention the pheasant hunt in Gregory... We had a grand time again this year; the hunters filled their limits all 3 days - and I got to do alot of visiting!
We enjoyed a few days in Grand Cayman is February: flew through Miami. If & when we go again, I'll try to connect via Tampa and hopefully have an over-night so we could meet with some of the "FLORIDA FAMILY"! Also joined some friends for a spring weekend in Las Vegas, and in October, we went to Kansas City to see the Chiefs play the Raiders - my 1st pro-football game!
Mick says he is planning to come from Albuquerque for a visit this spring - looking forward to that! We recently sold the family home in Gregory and also the building on Main Street where Dad, Jim and Tom had the John Deere shop. Still have the farm south of town where we run cattle.
Appreciate your letting me participate in the Newletter. You all are in our thoughts & prayers this Holiday Season - and we wish for a kinder and gentler 1994."
Love, Sara
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