Saturday, April 30, 2011

Spencer Family Website

Folks, here we go again. I hope that this works for you this time. By the way, there was an unbelievably large crowd at the Scott City memorial service today. As promised, the Patriot Guard was also present. To my knowledge, the protestors were not in Scott City today. I know that many Scott Countians went above and beyond to make the protestors aware of the fact that Scott City was not going to allow their drama to reign against this beautiful family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiXQT37Y0sc


Thank you, D, for getting this sent to us! I was able to get clicked into it right away. Hopefully, everyone else will be able to do that also!

VLE-B

Friday, April 29, 2011

Vicki J. Silvey--Scott City and Leoti

Jaunary 9, 1946 - April 28, 2011)


Vicki J. Silvey, age 65, passed away at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas on Thursday, April 28, 2011. She was born on January 9, 1946 in Garden City, Kansas, the daughter of Gerald E. and Estaline June Tellus Rose. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a homemaker.

In 1964 she married Richard Haston in Scott City, Kansas. He passed away in 1988. On July 24, 1992 she married Jan Silvey in Leoti, Kansas.

Survivors Include her Husband - Jan Silvey of Scott City, Kansas, Two Grandsons - Eric Wade of Liberal, Kansas, Evan Haston of Norman, Oklahoma, One Brother - Duane Rose and Family of Lawrence, Two Step Sons - Sean Silvey of Lamar, Colorado and Shannon Silvey of Richland, Washington.


She was preceded in death by her Parents, One Husband – Richard Haston and One Son – Nathan Haston.


Private Family memorial service will be held at a later date and time.


Memorials may be given to Vicki Silvey Memorial Fund % Price & Sons Funeral Home.


Obituary courtesy of Price and Sons Funeral Homes of Garden City, Scott City, Leoti and Tribune.


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Thursday, April 28, 2011

A Bench in Honor of Miss Amy (Spencer)

For nine years, many preschoolers in Wichita County knew and loved Miss Amy. It is only right that we do something to keep her memory alive.

Heather Lewis-Holstein is heading up a fundraising event to purchase a bench in her memory. It will be set near the new plaground equipment for the preschool in the new school. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Heather or you can drop your donations off at the RBSES Principal's Office.

Thank you!!!

VLE-B

Update on Me

The past 10 days have been rough for me. I don't enjoy being sick. (But then again, who does?) Taking over-the-counter drugs proved not to be the answer that I needed this time. On Tuesday, I saw the doctor and was given an antibiotic and steroids. Well, I am happy to say, that the prescription combination is working well for me. I am not spending as much time in bed as I had been. I am still very slow and weakend but I am making strides. Soon, you'll be tiring of reading my many posts again! LOL!!!

Thank you for all of the good wishes that you have sent my way!!!

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Needing Homes

At this time, there are three young male dogs at the Leoti City Animal Shelter looking for their forever homes. Here they are:

1 Black Labrador Mix--about 3/4 grown

1 Collie Mixed Breed, may also have some blue heeler bloodlines. Current on all shots but is not neutered.

1 young Boston Terrier Mix--not fixed either.

These are great fellas and just want to be a part of a loving family. If you are interested in adopting any of them, please call City Hall at 620.375.2341. The employees there can explain the great adoption options that can unite you with your next best friend very easily and quickly. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 to noon and 1-5:00 CST. If you call after hours, please leave your name and phone number on the answering machine so that the personnel can get back to you.

Thank you!!!

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Dogs Reunited With Owner

Earlier this morning, I posted that two dogs had been found 10 miles north of Leoti. Before 10:00 a.m., we knew who the dogs belonged to. I am sure that by now, the three have been reunited.

Thank you, Darla Lewis, for taking care of this pair!!!

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People FINALLY striking Back at the Fred Phelps Protestors

http://www.ihatethemedia.com/a-simple-way-to-stop-westboro-baptist-church-funeral-protesters

Thank you, C!!!


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Something to Ponder

I want to ask you to think of the person you love the most in this world. Now, imagine the amount of pain that you would feel if that person suddenly perished from your life forever...

Now, I want you to sit back and decide what four people in your life whom you most love and care about are. Imagine now that all four of these most precious individuals suddenly left this world all together--never to return again.

As humans, we can not calculate just what kind of pain and anguish there would be ripping through our hearts. I think that you know where I am going with all of this, don't you? Of course you do. You know that I am referring to the Dylan and Amy Spencer Family from Scott City whom so very many of us have mourned for the past several days.

Until a couple of hours ago, I could not imagine how their family and friends could be hurting any more than they already are. But I am afraid that their sadness-filled hearts are going to be breaking even more very soon.

The second memorial for the family is scheduled for Saturday in the Scott County Community High School Gym. HUNDREDS of people are expected to file into the gymnasium to say their last good-byes and to try to support one another along the way.

Fred Phelps, a notorious American pastor who heads the Westboro Baptist Church which is based in Topeka, Ks., is well-known for protesting at funeral services for fallen soldiers, gay pride parades, at weddings for gay couples, etc., etc.,etc. It goes without saying that most Americans are totally against the ways and means that this small group of, shall I say, IDIOTS, use to try to make their points that God is angry with us across this nation of ours.

Though I have no evidence on this matter, I was told that the group is rumored to be planning to protest at this memorial service.

I would hate to see that happen!!! The family of Dylan, Amy and their daughters have suffered tremendously. This would be the last thing that they should have to deal with next. I ask that all of us pray to our Loving Father to keep these hate-filled individuals as far away from the gymnasium as possible.

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Found!!!

I just received a message that 2 very sweet and loving dogs were just found in Northern Wichita County. Though they had been spotted on the Northern border of Wichita County before this lady found them, she found them 10 miles north of Leoti. They are very sweet and loving and appear to possibly be a Corgi-mix breed. If these are yours or you know who they may belong to, please call Darla at 620.375.2876.

Thank you, Darla, for sending this information to me! And a BIG thank you for picking them up and taking care of them instead of allowing them to just roam and eventually get hurt, etc!!!

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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Little Caesars Pizza Fundraiser

The Scentsy promotion is now over and the pizza program has begun. At this time GAP kids in Leoti may be coming around to see if you are interested in purchasing any of their regular pizza kits, personal pizza kits, bread kits and Salad fixin's. They are also selling soft pretzel kits, mini calzone variety kits, gourmet spice kits, pizza server paddles and commercial grade pizza cutters.

They also have Break-n-Bake Cookie Dough (Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin with cinnamon chips). They are also selling sugar cookie kits and variety cookie dough. They also sell apple pie kits and cherry pie kits.

Prices range from $12.00 to $25.00 each. All orders with money need to be turned in to GAP on or before Monday, May 9th. Your products will be delivered on Tuesday, May 17th.

Our daughter, Leighlyn, is one of the kids who will be going to camp. If you are interested in having her come by and showing the catalog to you, please call her at 375.4584 or send us an email with your home address on it to slblaus@gmail.com

Thank you for your support!!!

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GAP Garage Sale

As you know, many young people from GAP are planning on attending New Life Ranch in Colcord, Oklahoma in June. Expenses are high. In the meantime, they are holding various fundraising events. A week from Saturday, May 7th, a garage sale will be held from 8-12:00 CST at 502 S. Fourth Street.

Thank you for helping our youth go to such a fine Christian camp!!!

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Scott County Bus Routes

Buses in Scott County will be running mud routes today.

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Mud Routes

I just heard from the Wichita County School Board Office that the school buses will only be picking up students on the assigned mud routes today.

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Great Concert

Due to my illness, I was unable to attend the Spring Concert last night. Abigayle stayed home to read to her Mommy and just cuddle with me--best medicine in the world... When Stan and Leighlyn returned home, they told me that it was a great concert.

Next week is the RBSES Spring Concert. I will provide more details on that later. As always, it promises to be fantastic!

VLE-B

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Down and Out

I may not be on here much for the next few days. I finally got so sick that I could no longer live with myself. Fortunately, the doctor was able to see me right away. I have a severe infection that requires antibiotics and steroids. (Like I really need to build my body even more. LOL) Hopefully, I will be much better in the next couple of days.

In the meantime, I will probably be spending more time in bed and less time doing things I enjoy doing. I will be contagious for the next 2 days so I will be staying at home where I belong.

My mechanical heart valve is at great risk whenever I have any kind of infection. If the infection is allowed to get to my valve and heart, I will be a goner.

If you need me to get something on the blog right away, please email us or call me at 620.375.4584. Stan and Leighlyn will get the information on as soon as possible.

VLE-B

Elizabeth Michelle Caple--Garden City

(April 18, 1980 - April 25, 2011)


Elizabeth Michelle Caple, age 31, died Monday, April 25, 2011 at the St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. She was born on April 18, 1980 in Las Vegas, Nevada the daughter of Stacey Basta. A resident of Garden City since 1999 moving from Las Vegas, Nevada she was employed with Every Day Kids, Inc.

Elizabeth was a member of the Christian faith.

Survivors Include: Her Mother, Stacy Senecal of Wichita, Kansas; One Brother, Nick Senecal of Wichita, Kansas; One Sister, Jennifer Senecal of Wichita, Kansas; A Nephew, Dominic Moore of Derby, Kansas and Her Step-Father, Pete Senecal of Wichita, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her Grandfather, Nolan Basta.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Price & Sons Funeral Home in Garden City, Kansas.

Friends may call from 10:00am-8:00pm Wednesday at the Price & Sons Funeral Home in Garden City.

Interment will be held at Reflection Pointe Cemetery in Wichita, Kansas.

The family requests memorials be given to the Finney County Humane Society in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home of Garden City, Kansas.



Obituary courtesy of Price and Sons Funeral Homes of Garden City, Scott City, Leoti and Tribune.

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Arthur V. Jones

Arthur V. Jones
(January 30, 1917-April 25th, 2011

Arthur V. Jones, age 94, died Monday, April 25, 2011 at the Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City, Kansas. He was born January 30, 1917 in Deerfield, Kansas the son of Charles D. and Maude Phillips Jones. He was a farmer and rancher and had been a lifetime Southwest Kansas resident.

He was a member of the Pierceville Federated Church in Pierceville, Kansas and was a WWII US Army Veteran.

On June 5, 1941 he married Velma Zick in Garden City, Kansas. She died May 5, 1980 in Garden City, Kansas. Then on August 5, 1983 he married Maxine Bratcher Jones in Crested Butte, Colorado. She survives.

Other Survivors Include: One Daughter, Karen (& John) Walker of Ingalls, Kansas; Two Grandsons, Ty (& Quinn) Walker of Garden City, Kansas and Travis (& Kristin) Walker of Springfield, Missouri; Two Granddaughters, Tamara (& Joe) Frescatore of Killeen, Texas and Terra (& Jeremy) Simon of Pierceville, Kansas; One Step-Daughter, Marian Mason of Garden City, Kansas; Two Step-Grandsons, Cole Mason of Garden City, Kansas and Phil (& Emily) Mason of Duncan, Oklahoma; Two Step-Granddaughters, Leah (& Brandon) Lorimor of Garden City, Kansas & Traci (& Orlando) Martinez of Wichita, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by Two Brothers, Harold “Whimpy” and Charles Jones and a Step-Son, Terry Clark.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00am on Friday, April 29, 2011 at the Pierceville Federated Church with Rev. Terry Major presiding.

Friends may call from Noon-8:00pm on Thursday @ the Price & Sons Funeral Home in Garden City, Kansas.

Interment will be in the Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Garden City, Kansas.

The family requests memorials be given to the Church or to the Honor Flight Program both in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home of Garden City, Kansas.


Obituary courtesy of Price and Sons Funeral Homes of Garden City, Scott City, Leoti and Tribune.

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Lorna Ames-Wiegers' Hospital Address

Since I have begun writing my blog, I have come to love this special lady very much. Right now, she is dealing with some major health issues. I am sure that she would really appreciate hearing from you! Here is her mailing address:

Lorna Wiegers
c/o Hays Regional Medical Center--Room 214
2220 Canterbury Drive
Hays, Ks.
67601

Please call this toll-free telephone number if you would like to speak to her directly:

800.248.0073

Lorna, dear lady, we are praying for you!!! Love you much!!!

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Continuance

Folks, I am so sorry about putting the wrong address for the Spencers' tribute here. We are still working on getting the correct one. I am EXTREMELY ill today and cannot promise that I will have it done right away. Hopefully, it will be sooner than later.

In the meantime, please feel free to send me an email to

slblaus@gmail.com

Please type in your email address and I will send you the email that I got that opens right up to the video.

Thank you!!!

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Problem With Website

I am receiving email that the website that I have posted in Memory of the Dylan Spencer Family is not coming through correctly. At this time, we are trying to figure out what I did wrong. Once I have the correct information, I will post it here.

Sorry for any inconvenience that this may have caused you.

VLE-B

Wichita County Junior High Spring Program

Tonight is the Spring Program. It begins at 7:30 in the WCJR/SRHS Auditorium. Torrie Graff-Koehn will lead the choir and Allen Brockmeier will conduct the band.

Hope to see you there!

VLE-B

In Memory of the Dylan Spencer Family

Here is the video that was recently made of the Dylan and Amy Spencer Family who perished last Friday in a plane crash. Be prepared for floods of tears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fixQT37YOsc&feature=share

Thank you, D, for sharing this with us!

VLE-B

Monday, April 25, 2011

Aunt Neva Kiefer-Duncan

Just a reminder that I have started a Surprise Birthday Card Shower for this very special lady. Aunt Neva's birthday is this Wednesday, April 27th. If you need her mailing address, please email me at slblaus@gmail.com or give me a call at 620.375.4584.

She will LOVE hearing from YOU!!! If you have time, jot down some lines about what you are doing these days and any memories that the two of you have shared...

Someone asked me if she likes flowers. The answer is YES, she LOVES flowers and plants!!! If you are interested in having something delivered to her doorstep, please call the girls at The LadyBug. Their phone number is 620.375.2172. They accept CASH, Checks, MASTERCARD and VISA.

Thank you soooo much for sending so much joy to this extraordinary lady!!!

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Eternity Focus

The contemporary Christian Group, Eternity Focus, will be performing on Saturday, May 7th, in Tribune.

Where?
Greeley County High School Gymnasium
400 W. Lawrence
Tribune

The doors open at 7:30 CST. The performance begins at 8:00 p.m., CST.

Tickets:
Adults 13 and older: $7.00 each
Children 4 through 12: $4.00
3 and under FREE

This is hosted by Star Theatre of Tribune to raise funds for a digital projection system.

Tickets? Questions? Please call 620.376.2548.

Don't forget to mark this on your calendar!

Thank you for all of your support!!!

VLE-B

Tribune--Movie--of--the--Weekend

HOP will be visiting the Star on Saturday and Sunday, April 30th and May 1st, AND Sunday, May 8th. This Family/Comedy performance hops (runs) for 90 minutes. The creators of DESPICABLE ME also created this storyline. Russell Brand is the voice of Easter Bunny. The other stars include Kaley Cuoco, James Marsden, Elizabeth Perkins, etc.

Synopsis: The Easter Bunny is accidentally hit by a car. It is now up to the driver of the car to make sure that Easter gets off with no problems...

The movie will be shown at 7:30 CST, all three evenings.

Adults, 13 and older: $5.00
Children 4-12: $4.00
Everyone else gets in FREE!

Refreshments are also very fairly priced.

See you at the movies!!!

VLE-B

Taco Night

I've mentioned before that the Star Theatre in Tribune is trying to raise money for an up-to-date movie projector that costs MANY DOLLARS. That is where WE come in! One project that they are conducting is Taco Night which will be held on Wednesday, May 4th, from 5-8:00 MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME (That is 6-9:00 for people in wichita County.)

If you would like to pre-order however many tacos you want, please text Catherine at 620.927.0417 OR you can just come out to the Greeley County 4-H Building which is at the northern edge of Tribune at the fairgrounds. You are very welcome to just grab some tacos and sit down while you eat. While you are there, enjoy visiting with the other people who will also be there!

Thank you for all of your support!!!!!!!!!!

VLE-B

Mathematical Problem

Three nails plus one cross=4-giveness.

3 nails
+ 1 cross
__________
4-giveness

A lovely lady in Oklahoma posted this on FACEBOOK a few minutes ago. She had seen it written on the back of a truck. I liked this so much that I had to post it here for you to read. Please feel free to post it onward!

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Spencer Family Obituary and Funeral Arrangements

Dylan, Amy, Chase & Ansley Spencer
(Died April 22, 2011)

Dylan, Amy, Chase and Ansley Spencer family of Scott City, KS passed away April 22, 2011 as the result of a plane crash northeast of Topeka, KS in Jefferson County.

Richard “Dylan” Spencer, 35, was born July 17, 1975 in Garden City, KS the son of Richard Burgess and Robin Anita (Stine) Spencer. He graduated from Scott City Community High School in 1993 and graduated from Kansas State University in 1998 with a secondary education degree. He taught school for a year at Council Grove High School and later owned and operated Spencer Pest Control in Scott City. Dylan was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Scott City, a member of Acacia Fraternity at Kansas State University, Anthem Lodge #284 AF & AM, ISIS Temple in Salina, Scott County Commissioner, Scott City Municipal Airport Board and former Scott City Council.

Amy Beth (Mitchell) Spencer, 34, was born June 11, 1976 in Onaga, KS the daughter of Loren Dale and Beth Ann (Jackman) Mitchell. She graduated from Jackson Heights High School in 1994 and graduated from Kansas State University in 1998 with a Bachelors Degree and in 2000 from Kansas University with her Masters Degree. She worked for 10 years at High Plain Education Cooperative as a supervisor in early childhood special education. Amy was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Scott City, a member of Golden Rule Preschool Board and Pi Beta Phi Sorority at Kansas State University.

Dylan and Amy were married on June 24, 2000 in Manhattan, KS. To this union two daughters were born, Chase Mckenzie and Ansley Drew Spencer. Chase was born December 22, 2003 in Scott City. She was a first grader at Scott City Elementary and was involved in gymnastics, Awanas and loved to dance. Ansley was born March 11, 2006 in Scott City. She was a preschooler at Golden Rule Preschool and was involved in soccer, Awanas and gymnastics.

Dylan is survived by his parents, Richard and Robin Spencer of Scott City; a brother, Joshua Spencer and his wife Breva and their daughter, Khloe of Springfield, VA and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded by his grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. R.H. Spencer and Ronald Stine and Lorrayne Stine; an uncle, Henry Spencer and an aunt, Nina Brecheisen.

Amy is survived by her parents, Loren and Beth Mitchell of Holton; a sister, Loralie Koca and her husband Randy and their children, Madison, Mitchell and Morgan of Shawnee, KS; a brother, Eric Mitchell and his wife Karen and their sons, Jordan and Justin of Platte City, MO and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by grandparents, Glen and Esther Mitchell and Clarence and Minnie Jackman; aunts, Louise Stauffer and Jackie Mitchell and uncles, Norman Mitchell and Raymond Jackman.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Holton. Family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.

Visitation will also be held at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and the family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Funeral services in Scott City will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2011 in the Scott Community High School Gymnasium. Interments will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be given to the Golden Rule Preschool Scholarship Fund, Scott Community Foundation Scholarship Fund in Memory of Dylan and Amy Spencer family or First United Methodist Church in Holton and may be sent c/o Price & Sons Funeral Home P.O. Box 553, Scott City, KS 67871


Obituary courtesy of Price and Sons Funeral Homes of Garden City, Scott City, Leoti and Tribune.

VLE-B

Zone 5 Drought Resistant Shrubs and Perennials

As promised earlier, I am posting a few of the types of plants that can be planted in Zone 5 that will normally go long periods of no rain without you having to water them. Remember to ask your greenhouse if this particular type will work for you. For instance one type of Hosta may not be drought resistant. So please check with the professionals. There are many other drought resistant plants out there. I am one of the many people out there who prefer to plant as many perennials (plants that come up year after year) as possible. Annuals can be purchased for flower planters, etc.

Thuja Green Giant Trees

Thuja Emerald Trees

Varieties of each of the following:

Hostas

Butterfly Bushes

Euonymus (Coneflowers)

Geranium Ground Covers

Daylillies

Festuca

Sedums

Hidcote

Helleborus

Heuchera

Thymus Coccineus

Some colorful groundcovers

If you want to see what any of these look like, look them up on the internet. A lot of times when you do that, a list of other plants with similar water needs will appear. They usually look really good planted together.

I hope that this will help you.

VLE-B

A Trip Down Memory Lane

We had such a great Easter! Aunt Neva, Mama, Leif, Lori and Lars joined us at our house for the day. We enjoyed great food but more importantly, the laughter shared by all of us was just awesome!

Between meals, we all sat around and talked about various things that we have done in our lives. I "confessed" a theft that I was majorly involved in back in the 1970s.

Normally, our family of 5 always went to Syracuse, Kansas to spend all of the major holidays with my beloved grandparents, Don and Vera Stinchcomb-Pepper. But there was one Thanksgiving when Uncle Lee and Aunt Neva invited many of us to their house. I had 2 cousins who were born within a 2 year period of my birth. At least one of us knew how to drive, so after lunch, we piled into her parents' car and headed to their house across town. We had BIG plans! Once there, we practically ran down their basement stairs in search of empty canning jars and lids. Once we had them, we ran back up the stairs and out to their car. Oh! I forgot to tell you that we also picked up one of their bottle openers...

From their house, we went downtown. Back then, Leoti had no convenience stores. People still enjoyed their soda pop so several pop machines were set up around town. In those days, pop did not come in aluminum cans. It came in recyclable glass bottles that were laid from end to end in the machines. The customer placed the necessary amount of change into the machine and then opened a clear glass door that concealed the bottles. Each lid had the name of the pop printed on it. You made your selection, reached in and grasped the bottle and pulled it straight out. As soon as you pulled it out, you used the built-in bottle opener to remove the lid. Wella! You were ready to drink the sweet concoction within the bottle!

I gave you this information because I know that some of you who read my blog are from the aluminum canned pop generation. LOL!

That particular day, we started out at the pop machine that was located about 30 feet straight north of where Dollar General is today. All three of us went to the machine, with some of the jars and the bottle opener with us. The three of us made our selections, opened the door, popped the lid off of the bottles we wanted. Very quickly, we placed the jar directly under the opened bottle, the bulk of the sodapop flowed into the jar. Not all of it got out of the bottle. A portion of it remained in the bottle. Then all three of us hurriedly made our way back to the escape vehicle.

Throughout the afternoon, we made several return trips to the other machines scattered around town. There was one just north of the Pool Hall, one by the former Pepper Grocery Store which was situated just north of the courthouse, one by the telephone office and one by the old Derby gas station which is where Presto is today. Fitzgeral Oil was smart! Instead of having a pop machine outside, they had a different kind of pop machine in their office. It was really cool! You placed your change into the machine, pushed a button that told the machine what kind of pop you wanted. A paper cup fell to the bottom of the machine. Ice was dropped into the cup and then pop flowed over it. The machine had a few problems though. Sometimes, the cup fell over on its side and the ice and pop just fell whereever they landed. The messes were the pits to clean up. I don't think that that system lasted for long but it was sure fun to watch!!! Though we were definitely not THAT thirsty, it was just too much fun to let that stop us!

But, then...the fun turned into guilt, at least for me. The day's festivities ended in the very late afternoon. We went home for a short time until it was time that our family went to the movie at the Scott City theatre. My guilt pangs were getting stronger and stronger. By the time that we got to the theatre, I knew that there was no way that I would enjoy whatever was playing. I just ordered popcorn--no pop. All of the pop that I had drunk had really made me sick to my stomach.

On the way home, I talked very little. I was so ashamed of myself for what I had done. I definitely knew better than to do what we had done that day! When we arrived at home, proper evening protocol was followed. Mama and the three of us, girls, dressed into our nightgowns to get ready for bed. Daddy always spent a few minutes relaxing at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and mulling over what he needed to do the next day as the owner of a construction company.

This night was different for me though. I knew that I had done wrong. I needed to confess. So I walked into the kitchen and sat down to visit with Daddy. Soon, my tears were flowing and I was telling Daddy all about what my cousins and I had done that day. I really expected that I would be, at the very least, grounded for the next several years. LOL!!! Instead, Daddy kinda chuckled and told me that I received all of the punishment that I needed. After that, Daddy got up and gave me a big hug which was desperately needed. Then I went on to bed and was actually able to sleep. The next day, Daddy went around to the businesses that owned the pop machines and paid them for the bottles of pop that we had stolen...

It has been almost 40 years ago since then. I have never forgotten our crime rampage nor the extreme guilt that I was plagued with. Believe me, the lessons that I learned that day, have managed to keep me on the straight and narrow...

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Online Video

Early yesterday morning, I received an email from a man who has seen the amazing video of the Spencers. He said that it is simply awesome. It was done by a friend of theirs. As soon as I have the website, I will be posting it here for anyone who is interested to see.

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Final Goodbye to the Spencer Family

As of 7:00 this morning, no obituary has been formally announced for this much loved family. It could still be awhile because of everything involved. Once I have it, I will post it here.

I ASSUME that the Scott County School District will have some kind of programming today to help the students deal with the loss of this family of four. Again, that is my assumption--not necessarilly what will happen.

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It is RAINING!!!

We awakened this morning to the sound of the much needed and much appreciated rain. Most people in Western Kansas will be thrilled to get it. Our wheat is not in very good shape at all. For many of us in Leoti, we are trying to conserve water so we have not been watering our lawn and gardens like we have in the past. Because of that, they don't look like they normally do this time of year. After we get this moisture, I predict that the grassland will really green up.

I have no idea how much we have gotten so far. It is really wet out there but our rainguage bought the bullet--literally--last year. Actually, it was not shot with a bullet but with a BB. LOL!

Thank You, Lord!!!

VLE-B

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter!!!

I am sure that the Easter Bunny made all of his drops during the night. Don't forget the REAL meaning of Easter!

Today, we will be entertaining Grandma, Mama, Leif, Lori and Lars at our house. Our share of the goodies will be a spiral ham, homemade mashed potatoes, homemade dinner rolls, corn, deviled eggs... And, of course, everyone else will be bringing over their favorites also. There will absolutely be NO excuse for anyone to leave our house hungry today!!!

I hope that all of you have a very special Easter also!!!

VLE-B

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Worldwide Gas Prices

As of April 22nd, gas in Leoti was $3.75 per gallon.
>
> Prices are quoted in US dollars per gallon
> for regular unleaded as of March 2011
>
> Oslo, Norway $6.82
>
> Hong Kong$6.25
>
> Brussels, Belgium $6.16
>
> London, UK $5.96
>
> Rome, Italy $5.80

> CANADA $5.36
>
>
> Tokyo, Japan $5.25
>
> Sao Paulo, Brazil $4.42
>
> New Delhi, India $3.71
>
> Sidney, Australia $3.42
>
> Johannesburg , South Africa $3.39
>
> Mexico City $2.22
>
> Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.09
> ... YOU'RE GONNA LOVE THIS ....
>
> Riyadh, Saudi Arabia $0.09
>
> Kuwait $0.08
>
> Caracas, Venezuela $0.12

> Gee, if only the U.S. was an oil producing
> nation...
> Hey, wait a minute!!! We were!!! What happens to all of the oil that is still being pumped today???

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Identification Mark

When I went to high school in the late 1970s, students were required to at least try to do their math with the brain that God gave them--not a calulator. To this day, the only thing that I have sort of mastered with calculators is addition and substraction.

Things have changed now. Many, if not, all schools require top notch calculators for students from 6th grade on up. The kind that is required usually costs around $100.00. When Leighlyn went into 6th grade last year, we went right out and purchased the needed calculator for her when we purchased all of her other school supplies.

This year, she started school with the same calculator. It was still in excellent condition and looked just as new as it did when we purchased it for her. It should have lasted Leighlyn for several more years. That was not to be though. Even though the school system here provides built-in locks on every student's locker, several people have discovered other ways of getting into other people's lockers. That happened to Leighlyn. An unknown person broke into it and stole her calculator. As of now, we still don't know who took it. Of course, since her first calculator was gone, we went out and purchased a new one just like the original.

Ever since then, we have been concerned that someone might steal the newer one. So far, no one has. I was voicing my concern about this just today with a great lady. She had great advice for us! The batteries are located on the back side of the machine. She told me that they remove the battery cover, pull out the batteries and place a good-sized drop of red fingernail polish there. Once it is dry, return the batteries and the cover. If, at some time in the future, someone takes her calculator, and we think we might know who took it, we can tell the authorities of the fingerpolish trick.

Just one of those little things that I thought that you might be interested in.

Thank you, C!!!

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Christ's Resurrection

Easter is not about chocolate bunnies and colorful eggs. It is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Please go to this website of CBN (Christian Broadcast Network). The short video that you will see is way beyond words. This mural is out-of-this-world!

http://downloads.cbnplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?s=/vod/MW131v2_WS

Thank you, A.P.!!!

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Cool Dessert for Easter or Anytime

Wouldn't this be great for Easter?

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® oatmeal cookie mix

1/2 cup firm butter or margarine

2 cans (14 oz each) sweetened condensed milk (Eagle brand, etc.)

3/4 cup Key lime juice or lime juice

2 containers (8 oz each) frozen whipped topping, thawed

2 containers (6 oz each) Yoplait® Original 99% Fat Free Key lime pie yogurt

Few drops green food color, if desired

1 tablespoon grated lime peel

1/2 cup fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)


1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.

2 Place cookie mix in large bowl. With pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly and coarse. Lightly press crumbs in bottom of pan. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.

3 In large bowl, beat condensed milk and lime juice with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and thickened. Remove 1 cup of the whipped topping; set aside. Fold remaining whipped topping, yogurt and food color into milk mixture. Spoon into cooled crust. Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour or until set.

4 To serve, cut into 5 rows by 4 rows. Garnish each serving with a dollop of remaining whipped topping, lime peel and fresh berries. Cover and refrigerate any remaining dessert.


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Dylan, Amy, Chase and Ansley Spencer

Price and Sons Funeral Home of Scott City has just announced that the funeral services for this family will be announced as soon as possible.

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Older Generation Not Green???

I just received this email and thought that I just had to post it here. I, for one, am sick and tired of hearing how, at no time until the past few years, has anyone else done their fair share in saving the world and its environment. I would love to see some of the things that you will now read, to be implented again! I don't the exact amount but I have heard that the current number of empty plastic water bottles will go around and around the world several times. Maybe we need to go back to glass bottles that we can return to the store and get a refund on them. After that, they would be cleaned, sterilized, filled with water and sold again. VLE-B

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, “We didn’t have the green thing back in my day.”

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment."

He was right, that generation didn’t have the green thing in its day.

Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But they didn’t have the green thing back in that customer's day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

But she was right. They didn’t have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the baby’s diapers because they didn’t have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that old lady is right, they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house – not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn’t have electric machines to do everything for you.
When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, they didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she’s right, they didn’t have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a

plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But they didn’t have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then?



Thank you for sending this, C.K.! I like this!!!

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Accident Report

County commissioner among those on Easter trip until tragedy in Topeka.By John Milburn - Associated Press

TOPEKA - A small airplane carrying a young couple - including a Scott County commissioner - and their daughters on an Easter trip crashed in a muddy Kansas corn field Friday, killing all four, officials said.

The six-seat Beechcraft plane registered to Precision Ag & Seed Services LLC in Scott City went down about noon roughly 3 miles northeast of the capital city. Federal Aviation Administration records show the aircraft took off from Scott City in western Kansas and was headed to Topeka's Phillip Billard Airport.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the victims as Richard Dylan Spencer, 35, the county official; Amy Beth Spencer, 34; and their daughters, Chase, 7, and Ansley, 5, all of Scott City.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig said based on a witness' account, he believed the plane's motor sputtered and then cut off before the crash. The plane left a long trail of wreckage in conditions so sloppy emergency crews initially had trouble reaching the debris. The plane appeared to narrowly miss a large wooden high voltage transmission line. Crews were assessing the site to see if the line was affected.

Peter Knudson, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, said the pilot was attempting an approach in instrument flight rules conditions and practiced a missed approach - a common training practice for pilots when they almost land but pull up at the last second. Under instrument flight rules, or "IFR," the pilot uses instruments to fly the plane and visibility is not good.

Knudson said the plane was circling the airport after the missed approach when it crashed, and there was no distress call made before it hit.

The man who reported the crash experienced chest pains after rushing from his home to the scene, more than a half-mile away. An ambulance crew was sent to check him out, and he is OK, Herrig said.

Weather conditions around Topeka were cool and damp but there were no severe storms in the area when the crash happened.

Eric Johnson, president and director of airports for the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority, said conditions were "kind of gloomy but not in my opinion terrible weather."

"I don't believe we had high winds or anything too terribly unusual," he said.

Lonnie Roark, a licensed pilot who lives about a mile from the crash site, said he was walking his Irish Setter when he heard the plane. He never saw it but thought it was flying low for the overcast conditions.

"The clouds started dissipating, and then I started hearing it come back like it had turned to come back toward me, and then I heard the engine speed up and two loud booms and that was it," he said.

"I knew something bad happened."

Heather Hollingsworth contributed to this report from Kansas City, Mo.


This was written in the April 23rd edition of the Hutchinson News.

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Additional Information on the Spencer Family

Several of you have asked me if they were in a commercial airplane. As I understand it, I cannot say that this is without a doubt true, the family owned the plane. Dylan was a pilot. Amy's family lived somewhere around or in Topeka. Again, I cannot swear to this either but I have heard that the plane went down somewhere near Topeka.

Thank you for your questions!

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Friday, April 22, 2011

Another Horrible Tragedy

This week brought terrible news to Western Kansas with the fatal accident of Jeff Landgraf. Just a few minutes ago, I received more dreadful news. A family or 4 well-known and loved Scott Countians, Dylan and Amy Spencer, and their 2 young daughters were flying back east to spend Easter weekend with Amy's family. I don't know many details other than the fact that their airplane crashed and all four people were killed.

Dylan was in partnership with his father, Richard, in their Spencer Pest Control business. They did a great deal of work in Wichita County. Amy was a school teacher with High Plains Educational Cooperative. Up until this year, she had taught preschool in Leoti. She was Leighlyn's teacher for both years that Leighlyn spent in preschool.

Our family feels just awful for the Spencer family. Dylan, Amy and their daughters were fine people.

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Thank you!!!

Earlier this week, I posted that teachers at RBSES in Leoti are in need of boxes so that they can move their school supplies from the current school to the new school across town. They are now packing supplies that they will not need again until the next school year.

I would like to thank both the Seaboard Feedmill and their downtown offices, as well as Mel's Foodliner for contacting me letting me know that more boxes were available! We have picked up those boxes and taken them to the school.

Many more boxes are necessary in the coming month. If you have any amount of them that you would be willing to donate, please take them to RBSES or give me a call at 375.4584. I will pick them up.

Again, thank you VERY much for your help!!!

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Businesses Open for Easter in Leoti

Route 96 will be open until 2:00 on Sunday for those of us who prefer to let someone else do the cooking and the cleaning up afterwards. Dollar General will also be open regular hours. Both convenience stores will be open. If you need to purchase anything for Easter from any other stores, you might want to do that sooner than later.

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Butter, Margarine and Heart Attacks

I strongly urge you to go to this website. I have a feeling that it will make you just as sick as it made me! All of these years, we've been told how harmful butter is for our bodies...now see just how nasty margarine is for us!!! It is just like PLASTIC!!!

snopes.com: Butter, Margarine and Heart Attacks

I first learned about this a few months ago from my sister. She was very concerned for my well-being. I have a very dangerous disease that is causing my blood veins to get narrower and narrower all of the time. PLUS, my blood cells are much larger than most people's. They require no microscope to be seen. When these GIGANTIC cells are traveling through itty bitty veins, aneurisyms form. I have already had one in my heart. My brain is now under attack. That is what causes my seizures. Eventually, this disease will take my life unless something else happens first. There is no cure for it. Given the fact that there are way less than a million people in the U.S. who have it, very little to no research is done to find a cure. The last thing that I need to do, is to eat some clogging substance...

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Praline-Topped Breakfast Casserole

Wouldn't this be a great Easter breakfast or for any morning meal? It can also be put together the day or evening before.

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)

8 large eggs

2 cups half-and-half

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Dash salt

Praline Topping, recipe follows

Maple syrup


Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.


Praline Topping:

1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.


Enjoy!

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Small Town People With Big Mouths

I could write a LONG story here but I will respectfully decline to do so--at least for now.

In case you have never been to Leoti, Kansas, you do not know how small our little town is. When you enter from any direction into town, you can easily see the exit of Leoti straight ahead of you. Living in a smaller community has many ups but it also has some downs. One up is that we usually know just about everyone. We usually know when something good and something bad has happened to our local people. Though I don't think that it happens as much as it used to, we come to the rescue of the one who is going through a tough time for whatever reason. For instance, in 1995 when my father was dying of cancer, various families banded together and delivered meals to all of us who congregated at Mama and Daddy's house every evening. It was wonderful to know that other people cared about Daddy and the people who loved him the very most. On April 29th, God took him Home with Him. Again, people seemed to trip over one another to deliver food and the much-needed moral support that we so desperately sought in our lives at that time.

At least I assumed that all families received this kind of love and caring at their darkest hours. As time has gone on, acts of kindness such as this, seem to be farther apart. Now, families whom have just lost their people, are having to fend for themselves more often than not. Fewer people prepare meals and snacks for their friends and neighbors. They seem to be staying a safe distance from the people who are going through the toughest days of their lives. Why? I cannot answer that. The pain that people feel today is just as raw and terrible as it ever has been.

Gossip has always been around. I'm not going to deny that I have done more than my fair share of this sinning. Anytime you walk into a business where people are sitting enjoying a hot cup of coffee, you'll hear an earful. Sometimes, there is so much gossip that both of your ears cannot absorb it all. Of course, some that is spoken is the absolute truth. But at many other times, the story has lost most of its validity because it has changed so many times from what was originally spoken. Remember the "Tell a Story" game? Many of us played it in school. It was developed so that we could be taught how qickly and terribly the original story changes once it goes from the first person to the person who hears it 20 people down the way. Sometimes by the time that it reaches the last person, none of the original statement remains. Instead, it is totally distorted. Anybody who lives in a small town or village knows EXACTLY what I am talking about. It is just too bad that when we played this game as a child, we didn't learn our lesson that was being taught to us.

People have gossiped about each and every one of us at one time or another. It doesn't matter how saintly we might actually be. Someone out there is always happy to mention something to others that is way off base and can change the color of our lives--possibly forever.

This brings me to something that I was told last night. A mother-to-be walked into a local business. People walked up to her and told her that they had heard that this person and that person were "candidates" as the baby's father. They demanded to know who the real daddy was. What??? Have we slipped that much that we actually think that this is proper behavior??? Do we not care enough about other's feelings that we think that this is okay???

Through the years, people have spoken behind our backs about the possibility of this person or that person having an extramarital affair. Some of those people have gone right up to the person's spouse and asked him/her if he knew that this was happening! More than a few times, all of this information was as far from being the truth as it could get. No matter how strong the marital relationship is for the married couple, a little or a lot of doubt enters into the equation here. Some marriages could not stand up to the contraversy. Irrepairable damage was done and the marriage ended up in divorce court.

What is happening? Do we no longer care about the hurt, despair and damage that our words cause other people??? Many of the hurt people are totally innocent of what they are being accused of! Not only have they been hurt, but so have their closest friends and family members.

Almost thirty years ago, I walked into an office and saw a picture hanging on the wall. All that it said was this:

"Keep your words soft and sweet. You never know when you are going to have to swallow them."

I've never forgotton that simple piece of advice. Maybe it is high time that we all start remembering this phrase BEFORE we open our mouths and say something that might devastate someone else's life.

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It Really DOES Happen to Other People!!!

You have gotten to know me pretty darn well here. One of the things that you have learned is that I am far from being well coordinated. I drop at the mere sight of an ant making its way across a sidewalk. LOL! I've mentioned various things as how my moo moo (caftan) has flown over my head practically when I walked to the mailbox in the wind, etc, etc, etc...

Well right after Abigayle's Easter Party at school yesterday afternoon, Stan and I headed to Garden City. Much-needed medicine of mine failed to get here this week. I could not go any longer without it so we drove to Garden City and picked up the same medicine there. It cost us a little more there than what we pay at the long-distance pharmacy, but we had no other choice than to buy it.

We had just pulled into the parking lot of WalMart, when we noticed MANY customers walking to and from the megastore. I also noticed a couple of the store employees using some kind of gadget that was invented to push a lot of empty carts from the parking lot back into the store. You have probably seen this many times. Right? But this time, a most embarrassing thing happened to the big man in front of the cart machine. He fell BIG time! It was difficult to miss his accident. You know what I mean? Small built people fall everyday too, but somehow, they look much more elegant when they fall. People come around to see if they need help returning to their feet but no one seems to react quite like they do when us who are plumper than they are. Yes, people come to our aid also, but, at the same time, we kinda get the idea that they might also be taking a look around to see how big of a hole we made when we landed on the ground, concrete... Of course, I am not saying that people don't get major chuckles out of seeing featherweights fall, but I think that the hooting that just naturally occurs when a not-so-small person hits the pavement, is MUCH louder. Though I hate to admit it, I am definitely guilty of the same doggone thing!!!

The poor man who fell, managed to do it without his partner even seeing it happen. The partner at the other end of the machine was looking all around him to see where the fallen man had disappeared to. Unfortunately, the carts were headed straight for the man on the ground! The man who was just "lying around", hollered at the other guy. As quickly as humanly possible, the man pushing the carts got them stopped just short of running over the other employee. The next obstacle that stood ahead of the man whom everyone was trying not to stare at, was to pick himself back up ASAP. In perfect protocol when a younger male ends up in a similar accident, is that though we will look at this person but unless his legs are broken, no one rushes over to lift him to his feet. I think that most men prefer that over a group of people rushing to his side--on the ground. He managed to break speed records lifting himself up! Once where he needed to be, he began using his hands to sweep the dust off of himself and then he paid closer attention to the scrape on the arm where he had landed. Eventually, a more dignified life resumed for this unfortunate man.

Though I felt very sorry for this man and knew exactly how he must have felt when the burning of embarrassment made its way to his face's cheeks, I was also relieved to know that blunders such as this actually do happen to other people--not just to me... LOL!!!

VLE-B

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Jesus Christ--Everywhere

Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth, died Friday on Mount Calvary, also known as Goigotha, the place of the skull. Betrayed by the apostle, Judas, Jesus was crucified by the Romans, by order of the Ruler Pontius Pilate. The causes of death were crucifixion, extreme exhaustion, severe torture and loss of blood.

Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, was a member of the house of David. He was the Son of Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth, and Mary, His devoted Mother.

Jesus was born in a stable in the city of Bethlehem, Judea.

He is survived by His Mother, Mary, His faithful Apostles, numerous disciples and many other followers.

Jesus was self-educated and spent most of His adult life working as a Teacher. Jesus also occasionally worked as a Medical Doctor and it is reported that He healed many patients. Up until the time of His death, Jesus was teaching and sharing the Good News, healing the sick, touching the lonely, feeding the hungry and helping the poor.

Jesus was most noted for telling parables about His Father's Kingdom and performing miracles, such as feeding over 5,000 people with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, and healing a man who was born blind.

On the day before His death, He held a Last Supper celebrating the Passover Feast, at which time he foretold of His death.

The body was quickly buried in a stone grave, which was donated by Joseph of Arimathea, a loyal friend of the family. By order of Pontius Pilate, a boulder was rolled in front of the tomb. Roman soldiers were put on guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that everyone try to live as Jesus did. Donations may be sent to anyone in need.



Obituary courtesy of N.T.

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Surprise Birthday Card Shower

Next week is my wonderful Aunt Neva Kiefer-Duncan's birthday! To celebrate the birth of this very special lady, I want to get a card shower started for her. If you are interested in sending her a card or flowers, etc., please email me at slblaus@gmail.com. At that time, I will give you her mailing address.

If you want to send flowers or a plant, you can call Leoti's LadyBug Flower Shoppe. They will deliver the gift directly to her. They accept VISA and MASTERCARD. Their phone number is 620.375.2172.

Please let your friends and family know about this also so that they can send their birthday wishes also. Please do not mention anything about this shower to her. I want her to be surprised every time that she opens her mailbox and finds more cards.

Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!!!

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No School

I am hearing that some people in Leoti think that there will be school here tomorrow. They came to that conclusion because of the fact that we went over the allotted days set aside for snow emergencies. There will be NO school tomorrow but there were never any plans for school being out on Monday. School will resume at regular time on Monday.

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Easter Parties

To my knowledge, many of the RBSES students will be walking to the City Park, etc early this afternoon for Easter Parties. The only thing that might prevent that from happening is this wind that we are once again plagued with. I just ask that we all pay very close attention while we are driving. Before and right after school, signs advise us that we must lower our speed to 20 mph in certain crosswalk areas in Leoti. Those signs do not alert us to lower our speed for such things as kids walking to parties, etc during the school day. So, please, just be careful.

Thank you!!!

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Tribune--Movie--of--the--Weekend

This Saturday only is the last time for the Star Theatre to be playing THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU. It will be shown at 7:30 CST. There will be no Sunday movie because of Easter.

At this time, I do not know what the next movies will be. Once I have that information, I will post it here.

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Good Friday Service

Many churches are probably having this service tomorrow but this is the one that I was told about this morning.

Come and Go Communion at the United Methodist Church at 6:00 p.m.

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

I Need to Clarify This

I just received an angry phone call from someone who does NOT read my blog. She does not even have access to a computer. Anyway, she called to complain that someone had told her that I had posted something incorrectly in my blog sometime during the past 2 weeks. I have gone through months worth of my posts and, so far, I have not been able to find what she was talking about. But, just to be on the safe side, I will try to set the record straight.

People believe that I wrote that the purpose of several parking places just to the south of the new dome school, were created for the use of parking places for parents. If I wrote that, I apologize. That parking area is slated strictly for school buses.

That entire street between the Grade School and the Junior/Senior High School will become a one-way street. I definitely CANNOT tell you which direction will be allowed for people to drive. I, for one, am very happy that the street will be changed. I think that our children will be much safer if all traffic is moving in the same direction.

Again, I apologize if I said something here that was misleading.

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Reuse

I talk often on here about the necessity to get as much life out of all of our possessions as we possibly can. Our landfills are already too full. One way that we can help is to reuse whenever possible. Right now, Mrs. Robinson, the Wichita County Junior/Senior High School Art Teacher, is requesting that people donate jelly, pickle, baby food jars, margarine, sour cream, whipped cream and other empty bowls to her classroom. She and her classes have all kinds of things that they can use these containers for. It is not necessary for you have hundreds of these to donate. Even one or two make a big difference. Just give whatever you can.

If you have any questions about this, please call Mrs. Rob at 620.375.2213.

Thank you for your help!

VLE-B

Moving Day is Near

For over a year, Wichita Countians added another way to spend time to their list--watching as the new grade school was built and renovations were done to the former Junior High building. Very little is left to be done now. Next month, the community is asked to join the school's representatives to move boxes, furniture, etc across town to the new building. Those days will begin right after the last day of school.

In the meantime, teachers are wanting to start packing various materials, etc that they will no longer need until next year. Finding enough boxes has been difficult. Dr. Hardy delivered 26 boxes to the grade school this afternoon and I delivered some boxes that were donated by Seaboard Foods in Leoti. Before long, those boxes will be full and more boxes will be needed. I asked Dr. Hardy if it was okay with him if I asked for your assistance in this matter. He was happy to allow me to do that!

So, if you have any clean boxes that are in good repair, you can take them to the grade school office. Once there, Bev will ask teachers who need them to come and pick them up. Bring 1...2...3...boxes--however many you have to offer. Each and every one of them will be appreciated!

If you have any questions on this matter, please call the school at 375.2314.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!

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F--R--E--E ONE MONTH OFFER!!!

In the past, I have posted glowing reports on here about NETFLIX. This company is known for mailing out movies of your choice to you anytime that you want. But now, you don't have to wait for the mailman! Once you are signed up, you go to your TV and choose what movie you want to watch right now. Click on it. Within a matter of just a few minutes, that movie is set up and ready to be watched. You pay about $8.00 a month for this service and you can watch MANY movies whenever you want to. You can watch them over and over again also! These movies go way back to the black and white era on to movies that were just released a couple of months ago!

Right now, subscribers of Netflix have been asked to forward a special offer to their friends and family. I get nothing out of it but if you contact me soon, you'll get a whole month's worth of any and all movies that Netflix carries FREE-OF-CHARGE!!! If you want to try this out, it will cost you nothing. Just send me your email address and I will send you the offer. You can't help but be a winner with this option!!! After a month, you can decide if you want to purchase this service for you and your family or not.

Please send your EMAIL address to me at slblaus@gmail.com . Thank you!!!

I think that you'll be glad that you decided to try this!!! A full month of movies for FREE! How can you go wrong with a deal like this?

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Jeff Landgraf--Garden City and Scott City

Here is Mr. Landgraf's obituary that was published in The Hutch News this morning. I also came across a note of sympathy that was posted and thought that it was very fitting to mention it here. M-A-N-Y people are feeling the exact same way as Ms. Ladd has written...VLE-B


Such a loss.... : 4/20/2011

Jeff's death is a huge loss to the EMS community. Jeff was a wonderful person who went above and beyond to help others. His dedication to EMS Education helped future EMT's all throughout the state of Kansas.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, Garden City Community College, and the EMS community as a whole.
Jeff you will be greatly missed. Rest in peace...
-Jennifer Ladd


GARDEN CITY - Jeff Landgraf, 45, died April 18, 2011. He was born July 16, 1965, in Paris, France, to Wilbur and Beccy Brooks Landgraf.


He married Cindy Greathouse May 28, 1988. She survives with his parents; daughter, Morgan Landgraf; son, Bodie; and brother, Doug.

Funeral 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church, Garden City. Burial in Valley View Cemetery, Garden City, with honors by the EMS Honor Guard. Visitation 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Garnand Funeral Home, Garden City. Memorials to EMS Education Fund.


Obituary courtesy of The Hutch News.

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Local Business Compliment

Late yesterday afternoon, I found out that the Romeros, who are just like family to us, had just lost their father and grandfather. I then called down here to the LadyBug and asked that a plant be delivered to their home. Given the fact that it was so late in the day, almost 5:00, I did not expect that they would be able to deliver it until sometime today. I was surprised when I learned that it would be delivered just a few minutes after I called!

Sure enough, about 30 minutes later, we received a phone call from Karla Romero. They just wanted to call and thank us for such a beautiful plant.

Now, if that is not great service, I don't know what is.

It is wonderful knowing that we have a flower shoppe in Leoti that goes above and beyond to make sure that they sell the best possible plants and flowers at very reasonable prices and get them delivered right away!

You can always call the Lady Bug at 620.375.2172. If they are busy with other customers, leave a voice mail. They'll get back to you soon.

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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

LadyBug Flower Shoppe of Leoti

For all of your floral needs, please call the girls at the LadyBug. Their phone number is 620.375.2172. They deliver your flowers and plants. You can choose to pay with cash, checks, VISA and MASTERCARD.

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Sotero (Carlos) Garcia--Leoti and Old Mexico

Very sad word was received this afternoon that Mr. Garcia, the father of Mrs. Cecelia Romero of Leoti, has passed away in Old Mexico. I do not have an obituary or any other funeral arrangements for this very fine gentleman. We have enjoyed his company many times and will miss him greatly. He leaves behind 3 sons, 2 daughters and numerous grandchildren. His daughter, Cecelia, is married to Gonzalo Romero. They have three children, Karla, Daniel and David. The Romeros own G and D Trucking of Leoti.

The Romeros have many friends in Leoti. If you would like to pay your condolences to them, please drop by their house at 605 N. Third Street. The house is located just west of Wheatland Electric.

Thank you!

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Harold Charles Garner--Garden City

(February 17, 1935 - April 18, 2011)

Harold Charles Garner, age 76, graduated into the presence of the Lord on April 18, 2011 in Garden City, KS after an extended battle with cancer and COPD.

He was born Feb. 17th, 1935 in Trinidad, CO., the youngest of two sons to Jesse Sheppard Garner and Helen (Chesbro) Garner.

He attended grade school at Thatcher & High School at Trinidad, CO. and Hoehne, CO. and then received his GED from Pueblo Jr. College in 1955.

When he was 4 years old The Family moved to Thatcher, CO. The family lived on the Kitch ranch there for nine years, and he grew up on ranches near there.

He joined the Marines in 1953.

After leaving the Marines he worked on a ranch in Texas for two years. Then he moved to Pueblo, CO. and went to work on the Butler Ranch. While there he began attending church at Central Assembly of God and he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior there and he also met his wife, Lois, there. They married June 5th, 1960. and they lived on the Butler and the Hatchet Ranches. Their daughter, Robin, was born in 1964. In 1965 they moved to Garden City, KS and Harold worked on the Cowgil Ranch and the Williams Ranch south of Garden City. He also worked in several feed yards until his retirement in 1996.

Because of injuries suffered from working with cattle and horses and a car wreck, he was forced to retire early.

He loved good horses and liked to ride good cutting horses.

After his retirement he sold his horses and bought a computer and took some classes at GCCC.

He enjoyed working with his genealogy and making photo albums and he made several scrap books of his family, the Community, Word of Life Church and First Assembly of God Church, and also of some Missionary friends Paul and Barbara Dodge when they were Missionaries to Russia.

He was an active member of First Assembly of God in Garden City for 30 years. He drove the Sunday School bus for several years and was active in Royal Rangers for several years.

He then became an active member of Word of Life Church from 1995 until his departure into Heaven in April 2011. Pastor Gary Don Newman assigned him the First Official Photographer of Word of Life Church. He took pictures in the services for several years and he used them on the Word of Life Church website.

He built the first website for Word of Life Church. He also built the first website for the Crazy House (western store). He worked for the Crazy House for five years after his retirement.

He is survived by his wife, Lois, and their daughter, Robin, both of the home. He also has one brother Elmer (Beverly) of Canon City, Co. and two Nephews and two Nieces and several Great Nephews and Nieces.

He is preceded in death by his Father and his Mother both of Canon City, CO.

A Graveside service will be held at Valley view Cemetery on Thursday, April 21st at 2 p.m. with Pastor Marty Younger officiating. It is requested in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to the Building Fund for the Family Center at Word of Life Church.

Arrangements are provided by Price and Sons Funeral Home of Garden City, KS.


Obituary courtesy of Price and Sons funeral Homes of Garden City, Scott City, Leoti and Tribune.

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Fatal Crash in Scott County

I became aware of this dreadful accident early this morning. My nephew, Hunter Carson, the son of Rob and Lona Sue, was an EMT class student of Mr. Landgraf and thought the world of him. Many lives in Western Kansas were saved because of the fine expertise and dedication of Mr. Landgraf. Jeff was one of the people who flew with me to Denver via Lifewatch when I was in great need of heart surgery. I will always appreciate everything that he and his brother, who was also there, did to help me. Mr. Landgraf did an outstanding job of training other EMTs in Western Kansas, including Wichita County. This hero will be greatly missed...

The following article will appear in today's edition of the Garden City Telegram. Once the obituary is published, I will post it also. VLE-B

G.C. man dies in Scott County crash
Published 4/19/2011 in Local News

By The Telegram


A Garden City man died late Monday night of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash involving a pickup and motorcycle, just south of Scott City on U.S. Highway 83.

Jeffrey Landgraf, 45, who was riding a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle involved in the accident, was taken to Scott County Hospital and was pronounced dead at 11 p.m. The accident occurred at 9:35 p.m. about a mile south of Scott City.

Landgraf was southbound on U.S. 83 when a northbound 2002 Ford pickup driven by Dylan Ellis, 17, Scott City, attempted to turn left on Road 130 and failed to yield to the motorcycle, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The motorcycle collided with the pickup's passenger side rear wheel, causing Landgraf to lose control. The motorcycle came to rest in the middle of the highway, and Landgraf was thrown from the vehicle onto the west shoulder. The pickup came to rest on Road 130 facing west.

Ellis and his passenger, Nicole Walker, 15, Scott City, were taken to Scott County Hospital with possible injuries. Hospital officials would not release their conditions this morning, citing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy rules.

Both drivers and Walker were wearing safety restraints, and Landgraf was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.


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Two Sets of Twins and a Set of Quads!

No--not babies. I am referring to full-sized mobile homes. I'm not talking about mobile vacation homes such as campers. These were somewhere between 14 and 16 feet wide and 70 and 80 feet long.

Last week while we were in Scott City, we watched 4 identical mobile homes as they made their way north. Today, I saw 2 sets of identical mobile homes just across the street from Presto and the Dairy King. They had pulled over to eat some lunch. The last that I saw them, they were headed towards Scott City.

The quads that we had seen in Scott City last week, appeared to be new. One set that I saw today also looked new. The other set did not look brand new but they were not very old either. The companies that were pulling them through Leoti were out of Buffalo, Oklahoma and somewhere in Texas. I was left to wonder just where they were all going.

Am I missing something? I was left wondering if these homes on wheels are headed for an area that has been victimized by some natural disaster or are they headed somewhere to become offices, etc for new oil drilling rigs. In the past year, there have been quite a few new oil wells drilled in our neck of the woods. Hopefully, many more will be drilled around here also. Eventually, we might even be able to buy a gallon of unleaded gas for under $3.69 per gallon as we are paying in Leoti right now. I heard today that our prices are still fantastic! Areas in Europe are paying $2.50 per every LITER sold. That means that a gallon of automobile gas would basically cost $10.00 U.S. dollars!!! Ugh... Unfortunately, I am about to give up on ever seeing more reasonably priced fuel in the United States...

Seeing mobile homes traveling down the road in Leoti used to practically be an everyday event. In recent years, fewer seem to be seen around here. I do not know the answer to why. In the past couple of years, it has become much more likely to see long and wide loads of machinery slated for wind generator plants coming through Western Kansas than mobile homes.

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What's NEW in the Pikes Peak Region? You Just Have to Chck This Out if You Enjoy Going to Colorado!!!

Our family L-O-V-E-S going to Colorado for vacation! You just cannot get any fresher air than what you find in the sweet mountains there! Go through this and see what is brand new and what has just changed in the Colorado Springs area. You'll be glad that you did! VLE-B

What's NEW in the Pikes Peak Region- SPRING, 2011

WIND WALKER CHALLENGE COURSE
What do you get when you cross a zip line, a jungle gym, a maze and a rope course ALL together? You get Colorado's newest family outdoor attraction.

Opening this Spring, the Cave of the Winds' newest attraction will allow people of all ages and many skill levels the opportunity to experience thrills and adrenaline rushes as they ascend into the structure wearing a special made safety harness and then stepping out into thin air as they cross swinging bridges, cargo nets, tight ropes and more elements each one more challenging than the last!

The structure consists of two levels – 15 and then 40 feet above the ground. But for the really brave and adventurous there will be one more surprise, a third level that juts away from the main structure and extends over the canyon rim! The view to the bottom of William's Canyon is over 600 feet ... if you dare!!

Thrill-seekers, this is for you, but this is also a safe and fun challenge for the whole family! For more information, click here.
WHAT'S NEW AT ECHO CANYON RIVER EXPEDITIONS?

Just about everything is new at Echo! 2011 will be the grand opening of the premier river facility in Colorado. Echo Canyon will unveil a premier campground and full restaurant and bar. When Echo says "just about everything is new at Echo this year", they really mean it. Echo Canyon will also be offering a new Overnight Express raft trip in 2011. Too many photos and videos to show you in this e-mail, so we encourage you to click here to follow them on Facebook and see all the progress they've made in the past 12 months! To visit their website, click here.

CHALLENGE UNLIMITED
Cog Up/Bike Down

If you want to see all of Pikes Peak, this is your ride! Take the Cog Railway up to the summit (south side of the mountain), then meet your Challenge Unlimited Crew on the top and bike down the mountain (north side of the mountain)! The schedule varies with the season so be SURE to call for information, reservations and transportation to and from the Cog Railway. Also new in 2011, Challenge Unlimited offers help booking your flights or hotels, so check out the travel business section. www.bikithikit.com.

Last summer marked the 115th anniversary of the writing of Katherine Lee Bates' song "America the Beautiful." The song, inspired by the view from atop Pikes Peak, has become the unofficial anthem of the United States. We can think of no better way to view Colorado's spacious skies, our amber waves of grain, or the majesty of the Pikes Peak region than to cruise down Pikes Peak. Challenge Unlimited, an adventure travel company based in Colorado Springs. This exciting dimension of Colorado mountain biking offers people of all bicycling skill levels the opportunity to experience one of the highest organized bike rides in the world. People have been driving the Pikes Peak Highway since the 1800s, but biking presents a whole new way to visit the mountain. Without the constraints of a car, riders are better able to experience the elements, and to view the wildlife and beautiful scenery of Pikes Peak. Challenge Unlimited guides are eager to share their knowledge of the history as well as the flora and fauna of the mountain and the surrounding area.

ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE AND PARK

At the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, all Moms get in FREE on Mother's Day, May 8, and all Dads get in FREE on Father's Day, June 19. This is a $25 dollar value. May is also Military Month, so all military personnel, active and retired with proper ID, are offered half price daily admission, or half price season passports for the entire month. Season passports are good for one year from the date of purchase.

Also new at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park...

Along famous US Highway 50 cutting across America at the corner of Fremont Country Rd. 3A right outside Canon City, Colo., the new Royal Gorge Bridge Visitor Center welcomes guests to the region. The visitor center is approximately 3 miles from its parent attraction, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park and will pre sell tickets to the park and offer visitors the opportunity to eat and shop at the center's Country Cafe and Gift Shop open from 7 a.m. - 7p.m. daily April 30 to Oct. 16.

The 4,000 sq. foot facility will offer road travelers through the area a place to stop, take a break and also be introduced to all the activities in the area. The Country Café and Gift Shop features the park specialties of their "house made" barbecue, gourmet ice cream treats along with breakfast featuring the park's own breakfast sausage, appetizers, and sandwich menus through early evening.

The Gift Shop will offer the park's unique merchandise from the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park shops. The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is well known for having one the world's highest suspension bridges built in 1929, and has greeted over 23 million guests since that time. The park is open year round and features over 20 rides, shows, and attractions during the summer tourist season May through September.

For more information visit the website, www.royalgorgebridge.com or call 888-333-5597.

PIKES PEAK PLUS PASS

Available for Purchase beginning May 15, 2011

The Pikes Peak Plus Pass is your "one-stop-shop" for online attraction and activities tickets and significant discounts. The pass is good for one-time general admission to the attractions listed in the program. The Pass does not include admission to special events and cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. There are three passes to choose from: Pikes Peak Plus Pass - Wet Pass (includes whitewater rafting) or Dry Pass (does NOT include whitewater rafting) - and the Pikes Peak Pick-N-Choose Pass (a-la carte). These passes offer significant discounts and time savings to people looking to visit one of the many attractions and activities in the Pikes Peak region.

Visit www.Pikes-Peak.com for more information!

800.525.2250 (719) 685-5894

Pikes Peak Country Attractions Association
354 Manitou Avenue
Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829
US


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God and Lawn Care

Right now, many of us are prepping our lawns for Spring and Summer. You might be interested in reading this. Much of it makes A LOT of sense. It really makes you wonder if we have it all wrong... Enjoy! VLE-B


God said: "Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, milkweeds and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But, all I see are these green rectangles."

St. FRANCIS:
It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers 'weeds' and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

GOD:
Grass? But, it's so boring. It's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees; only grubs and sod worms. It's sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?

ST. FRANCIS:
Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.

GOD:
The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.

ST. FRANCIS:
Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it-sometimes twice a week.

GOD:
They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?

ST. FRANCIS:
Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.

GOD:
They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?

ST. FRANCIS:
No, Sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.

GOD:
Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

ST. FRANCIS:
Yes, Sir.

GOD:
These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.

ST. FRANCIS:
You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it, so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

GOD:
What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn, they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. It's a natural cycle of life.

ST. FRANCIS:
You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.

GOD:
No!? What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?

ST. FRANCIS:
After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.

GOD:
And where do they get this mulch?

ST. FRANCIS:
They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.

GOD:
Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?

ST. CATHERINE:
'Dumb and Dumber', Lord. It's a story about....

GOD:
Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis...

Thank you, B, for sharing this with us!!!

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American Girl

I was crying when Abigayle opened a very large manilla envelope yesterday that enclosed an American Girl doll catalog, a birthday card and a gift card for $100.00. At this time, I do not feel comfortable telling who sent this package to a little girls who could not have been any happier with what she received from this couple. In the past, I have disclosed similar information and others have taken offense to it.

For several hours last night, we all poured ourselves over the catalog so that we could help Miss Abigayle decide on what doll to order. Ultimately, she chose a doll that looks remarkably like herself. She even comes with a pair of glasses similar to what Abi wears! I went online, ordered the doll, typed in the gift card information and are now anxiously awaiting the delivery of this doll to our house!

American Girl Dolls have been around for decades now. It seems like every girl out there wants at least one of them. This doll will make Abigayle's second. She received the first one for Christmas. That doll goes everywhere that we go and sleeps with her every night.

If you are interested in purchasing one of these beautiful dolls, please go to www.americangirl.com . While you are there, you can purchase a gift card and make arrangements to have it sent to the special girl in your life. She will be sooo excited when she opens her manilla envelope and see what is in store for her! American Girl Doll Stores are also sprinkled around the nation. I think that the closest to Leoti is in Denver, Colorado. Some even have tea rooms.

These are not the typical run-of-the-mill dolls. They are the kind that your child will be proud to hand down to their own daughters...

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Mario Brothers

Abigayle received cash and a check from her Grandma, brother and sister-in-law for her birthday. Of course, she simply could not wait to spend it! LOL!!! For quite awhile, she had had her eyes on the WII edition of Mario Brothers. Mario Brothers had come out on Nintendo in the late 1980s. Our family had it and we LOVED it! So, Abigayle decided to buy it. We brought it home and got everything set up. All systems were GO. All four of us took our positions for the past couple of evenings and have just had a ball playing the game! This is one of those games that I thoroughly recommend to anyone. It is rated as a game that is great for all ages to play. One of the differences between this and the original, is that everyone gets to play at the same time--no more sitting around just watching your competitiors play...

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Need Some Color in Your Life?

In case you do, I strongly recommend fresh flowers and plants. If you live in our area, give the girls at the LadyBug a call. Let them know what you want and they'll even deliver them to your front door if you do not have time to choose them yourself. The products that they offer are priced very fairly. They readily accept cash, personal or business checks, VISA and MASTERCARD. Call them at 620.375.2172.

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Transplanted Currant Bushes

A week ago, we transplanted some really nice currant bushes to our front yard. They were doing very well until the horrendous winds did their damage to them. The largest bush which is over 6 feet tall, was yanked out of the ground. All of them were dried out. Leighlyn and I dug a new hole for the bush that was pulled out, filled it with water, placed the bush back into place and backfilled the dirt on and around it. After that, we soaked down all of the trees with water. I kinda think that the leaves are looking better today. The yellow blossoms are continuing to open and are releasing their very sweet fragrance today. Is there anything else that we can do to insure their growth? if you know, please email us at slblaus@gmail.com or call me at 375.4584 or 376.8922.

I would greatly appreciate any advice that you might have to offer.

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Sworn In

Last night was the night when some representatives of our City government exited their posts and others took over in their places. Laura Bishop-Medina decided not to run for re-election as mayor this past election. She served the people of Leoti for quite some time. Lori Elder-Christensen ran for her post and was elected. Councilman Roger Porter lost his bid for his position this time and Tony Hernandez took his place.

I would like to say "Welcome aboard" to Lori and Tony! I am sure that they will do a great job in their new roles of the often thankless tasks at hand. At the same time, I will miss Laura and Roger as they vacate their positions. I, for one, have really appreciated decisions that they have made in the past and the work that they did to keep Leoti floating right along. Both are good people and did all that they found to be the best at what the citizens of Leoti had appointed them to do.

Now, it is up to the rest of us to support the entire council that is now composed of the following people: Lori, Rick Gilmore, Cheryl Green, Melodee Hoffer and Tony. The new council will do an extraordinary job for all Leotians also. I have complete faith in each and every one of these fine people! A new member of the council will be chosen soon to fill the vacated position that Lori left when she was elected mayor.

Congratulations to Lori and Tony!!!

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New Jet Bag

If you travel by air often, you know that the chances of getting bottled liquids such as wine, etc safely from point A to point B, is not as easy as it sounds. More efforts to keep our flights secure from terrorism are responsible for more bottles of liquids getting broken enroute. (That would be a chance that I would be willing to take if it meant that our people would be safe when they reached point B...) But now, you can purchase the Jet Bag that is 18 inches long and weighs just 3 ounces. Developers have lined the interior with the same fabric that baby diapers have. So when you get off of the plane, not only is your bottle in excellent shape, but so are your clothes, etc that were not damaged by broken bottles that expelled the liquid EVERYWHERE!

For more information, please go to www.thejetbag.com

Thank you, T, for sending this to us!

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Monday, April 18, 2011

New Cement? Pond?

If you are wanting to have a new sidwalk, patio, etc, please call Adam at 620.874.8216. He can give you an estimate. He also does a lot of landscaping and pond building, etc!

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From Junk to Treasure

A very old form of creativity is decoupage. You know how you cut pretty pictures out of magazines, books, wallpaper, etc and then glue them on to glass, wood, etc. Last week, I was looking through a magazine and learned that you can also use this art form to beautify simple everyday glass light globes. I've decided to do that to the ceiling globes in the girls' bedroom and the main bathroom. Many of us just use regular everyday white glue such as what school kids use. Just thin it down with a little bit of water. Others prefer to use Mod Podge. Whatever you prefer, you might want to go to the following website and take a look around:

www.favecrafts.com/Decorating-Ideas/Quick-and-Easy-Decoupage-eBook-from-Plaid/ml/1 .

Several years ago, Grandma gave me the old blonde chest of drawers that had belonged to her son, Lee Roy, for years. Though he had used it for many years, it still looked brand new. Blonde furniture is not my cup of tea though so I decided to do something different on it. After it was all done, I could not believe how many people LOVED it!!! Here is what I did:

Since the chest was going to be used in Leighlyn's room (Abigayle was not here yet), I painted the entire thing a very pretty shade of mauve. After everything was nice and dry, I attached the same floral stencil in the same location on all four drawers and on the sides and top of the chest also. I used stencil paint to color all of the flowers white and the leaves a couple of different shades of green. When all of this was dry, it still needed " a little bit more pizzazz." so I took a very small paint brush, dipped it into white stencil paint and just bounced the brush here and there. When that was all dry, I coated everything with several coats of high gloss varnish. To this day, there are no visible scratches. Everything looks just as fresh as it did when I had just finished the project. Decoupage would work just as well!

So go through your storage boxes and find pieces of "junk" and decoupage them with something pretty. Your junk will then be recycled into beautiful works of art!

Have fun! Who knows? This artwork may end up being passed down from generation to generation...

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You Don't Know How Good You Have It

I've always been taught, and I believe, that all we have to do is to take a quick look around and we'll find someone who has it worse than ourselves. Usually those looks don't take long for me to see that more unfortunate individual. As for me personally, I hardly ever have to scan the people around me because generally, I am one of the happiest people out there. Right now, I am asking for your prayers for ME.

Last week, I began noticing little things such as the "floaters" in my eyes. Many of us have floaters that are caused by eye problems. These are not what I am talking about. Mine are like strings of pearls. They slowly make their way from one side to the other. My doctors have always told me that these are signs that my moods are either getting ready to take a leap upwards--or downwards. It is the ones that are heading downwards that concern me the most... The ones that signal that I am going to be having an elevated mood are usually kinda fun. They are not good though when my mood has been stabilized. Those extreme high moods are dangerous also. You begin to think that you are Super Man (or Woman) and can do anything and everything. When the Bi-Polar deals with that part of our illness, we sleep VERY little. We get a whole lot done but we are also very recless. Once we hit the top, we plumet to the very bottom--very quickly...

Shortly after that, the next signals make their appearance. Sleepiness-- even though I have gotten plenty of rest and am not physically ill, lack of desire to do my housework, yardwork and my job outside of the home, inability to handle money properly... As you can imagine, these obstacles not only affect me, but they also affect the people who are around me the most. Fortunately, Stan and my children are usually quite understanding and just jump in there and help out wherever they need to. Please do not get the idea that I am lazy. I am about as far from that as you can get. When my body is going through the changes brought on by my Bi-Polar Disorder, all that I feel like doing is sitting (or lying) around and basically, just feeling sorry for myself. Again, don't think that by having someone stand around me and yelling at me that my life is so good, will help me. Believe me, it does not. That just makes things much worse. The thing that most people do not realize, and probably do not care about, is the fact that physical causes are responsible for my mood swings. Usually, nothing else is to blame for them. Of course, people like me can get depressed over the same things that other people do such as the illness or death of someone close to us, job loss, money issues, etc., etc., etc. Those depressions are "cured" much the same way as "normal people" depressions dissipate.

For now, please be patient with me. There is a good possibility that you will not be hearing from me much for awhile. It is not because of anything that anyone has said or done. Little by little and lot by lot, things should get better for me. The depression will definitely not go away overnight. It did not come on that easily so we cannot expect it to go away that easily either.

This is a sampling of how it is to live in my mind. I joined FACEBOOK over a year ago. For the most part, I have enjoyed it. Last week, I saw the name of a family member show up on the computer screen. I could have chosen to "x it out" and be done with it, or I could have tried to add that person to my friend list. I opted for the second option. When I asked that person to "be my FB friend", I also suggested that she become friends with other FB friends of mine who had one connection with her or another. Guess What! She chose to add some of the other people but did not feel it desireable to add me to her friend list. I am not going to lie to you. That hurt me BIG TIME!!! Of course, that happened when I was beginning to feel vulnerable so it hurt much more than it would have had I not been struggling already.

I can already hear some of you snickering or downright laughing about what I just wrote. The truth of the matter is that until you have walked a mile in my moccassins, you don't understand what all is involved here. So when I realized that she did not think enough of me to add me to her list, my eyes welled up with tears and I just clammed up even more. From it all, I decided that I was several steps below being the kind of person whom anyone would want to be friends with.

I take medicine for this problem as well as the many other health problems that I face from day to day. Eventually, I will be "moving on up" to a place where I prefer to be--my happy spot. In the meantime, please be patient--very patient with me. And, please do not forget to say a little prayer for me...

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