The Bulletin
September 10, 2003
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Updates -
Heidi Johnson and Ryan Henderson
STUDENT UPDATE
Middle School
by Whitney Johnson
This year is my first year at the middle school; it is kind of strange knowing that this is going to be my school for the next three years. I like all my teachers. (I'm sure you are totally awestruck about my school! So I will move on) and oh yes, I switched from band to choir if any of you are concerned.
This week we got a new motor-scooter thing and yes I already was injured by it! And by the way these things are all the rage around here; to be specific there are three on our street. The people on our street are like flipping out because of the horn on it.
Sincerely,
Whitney
and if you want to know why I used sincerely it is because I just learned how to spell it.:-) Yea for Whitney!
COLLEGE STUDENT UPDATE
by Ben Henderson
Well, school is off to a pretty good start. My classes are keeping me busy already though as I am taking 18 credits again this semester, my classes are: fluids, structures, soils, computer science, surveying, & electrical engineering ... so it's a little more exciting this year, at least more into the meat of my classes.
Dan already told you where we are living. It is
nice to have him up here. A little easier to live
with someone you know all about and which buttons you
can or can't push! Well, hope you are all doing
great!
COLLEGE STUDENT UPDATE
by Heidi Johnson
Sorry it has taken me so long to get an e-mail off to you! Everything here is going pretty well! I started school on Tuesday, but that class was canceled so my classes didn't really start until Wednesday. I had sociology, kinesiology, American literature and statistics. Made for a rather long day. I have 3 1/2 hours between classes being over and the bus coming, so I have plenty of time to study and do homework ... or talk to Ryan as I've done a couple times. (I haven't had homework yet!)
It's really nice because I have Thursdays off so I'm working for Sheri those days, and only have one class on Tuesday. I'm still missing summer ... it went by WAY too fast! A trip to MO. and CO. and 2 to NM and a visit from Ryan and it was over! :) Oh well....it will be a good year, too.
As of last night I'm headed for Albuquerque for next weekend so that will be mucho funo! Can't wait! I'm thinking of taking out stock in the airline industries ... I'm thinking they might do pretty well in the next little while ... might want to tip your readers off to that :-)
STUDENT UPDATE
High School
by Kimberly Johnson
I might need to introduce myself again because I haven't written in a
very long time! I'm Kimberly Brooke Joh...blah...blah... ya OK. And I think
you might be fairly shocked because I think all of the Johnson girls in this
household wrote in one week. But I have a favor to ask. I was wondering if
you could send this along in The Bulletin...
I'm in band and we are doing a fundraiser. What we're selling is Happenings Books... If you don't already know what they are, it's a book consisting of many many many coupons for restaurants/ grocery/ gas/ attractions/ airfair/ hotels, etc. They are $25, but you could save over a thousand dollars by using the book anywhere you go. The book is for around the twin cities, but they sell books for pretty much every place in the country. We are fundraising through September 22nd so the sooner the better! If anyone is interested, e-mail me at KimberlyBJohnson@hotmail.com Please don't feel obligated at all!!!!! I'm just putting it out there for an option. Thanks!!
Talking about school... I'm taking two math classes, Functions and Algebra 2.
Functions is my favorite class and Algebra 2 is my least favorite. The
teacher has a huge impact on that. (Let's just say that my study hall
teacher is teaching me my Algebra. :) I'm also taking Consumer Econ., World History, Chemistry, and Band. Pretty laid back, which is really nice.
Well, I think I will let this do. Thanks for The Bulletin...
Kimberly
UPDATE
by Lori Chap
First off, thank you so much for the e-cards and birthday wishes! I ended up having a relaxing and very enjoyable day. Although, I think I gained about 10 pounds this week because of friends taking me out for lunches or dinners. This is not a complaint, only fact. My friend Kristin took me to Ciao Bella for lunch on Thursday and that same night my friend Candy took me out for dinner at PF Changs. Both awesome but not what you'd call diet food.
Friday I worked through lunch but only so that I could leave early and start enjoying my birthday evening. Aaron made me dinner (his specialty -- Cashew Chicken) and made a cake (well, it was a cherry cobbler because I'm not a huge cake fan), with candles to blow out, even. Ahhh... 25 years old again this year! It was nice to relax and have nothing to plan, prep or clean up! Thanks again, Aaron! I also received some very nice gifts & birthday wishes.
Now for the LONG update. Beware readers! Some may want to skim if it gets boring, especially this next part where I rant about some training I had to do at work. Please tune back in toward the bottom though.
It's been one busy summer for me and looks to continue to be busy through the first part of October. For 4-1/2 weeks this past summer (July & August), I had to attend a mandatory reinsurance training at work. I just missed this training when I started last year in August. It's an exhausting program and I'm glad to be done with it. We had to be in class from 8:30 to noon every day with some days being a full day in class and then had homework and had to keep up with our normal work load.
I think I'm overdosed on reinsurance right now because I still cannot even think about taking the CPCU course that I'd planned to test for in November. The classes comprised accounting, reinsurance definitions and practices and reinsurance fundamentals. Fun, huh? It was rumored to be the hardest class that they've ever had... and I believe it. It's just not a good sign when there's free Tylenol AND Advil sitting outside the classroom for after (or, for some, during) the tests.
A now famous quote around my department that pretty much sums things up is from a co-worker of mine who commented to our supervisor after the last exam that she'd "rather give birth to a calf than take that test again." But it's done... until March, when I have to take the second part of the series. Ugh.
Other goings on... sand volleyball that ended in August in which the Rec Center put our team in second place, which was funny because we were really bad. Okay, we got a little better toward the end of the summer but still ... we were bad. And in no way were second place material (even out of only four teams!) ;-) It was a fun time to get exercise and see friends though. (Weston and Chris were both on my team too.)
I'm also involved in a book club... kind of heading it up. And this month, I'm involved with helping plan a wedding shower next weekend. (I am the Personal Attendant in the wedding Oct. 4th.) And then a Golf Benefit on the 20th. I'll give you a little more details about the Golf Benefit because I think it's a really good cause and should get some attention.
Aaron's best friends from college have a little boy named Bryce. He is also Aaron's Godchild. Bryce's mom, Kelly, wrote the following for the brochure/information that we sent out for the benefit:
Bryce is the son of Dan and Kelly Madsen. He is 18 months old and recently diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA is the number-one genetic killer of children under two. This disease robs children of vital muscle strength that affects their ability to use their arms and legs, to hold up their heads, and to breathe. There is no treatment or cure for this disease; however, researchers know that children with SMA lack vital proteins essential to muscle strength. At this time, Bryce does not have the use of his legs and will likely be in a motorized wheelchair by two years of age. The exact progression of the disease for Bryce is unknown at this time; however, doctors have shared that Bryce will continue to lose functionality of his entire body as he gets older. Because the progression is different for every child, doctors hope Bryce will live to go to college.
I've included a picture of him. I hope you can open it. We've gotten tremendous support for this benefit, including a $100 Golf Hole Sponsorship from Beaver Johnson Beef & Gravel (and home of Grandma D's Daycare). Beaver & Mom, I want to thank you again for this wonderful and very generous donation! The Madsen Family is overwhelmed by all the support (thoughts, prayers & donations) that they have received thus far.
I would also like to thank Chap Equipment for sponsoring a Golf Hole (again $100!) and for the golfing support of Wyatt and Weston Johnson... and last but not least big thanks to Don and Patty Anderson for the use of their catering supplies and equipment for the day!! We've already secured our food for the event - all of which has been donated, along with prizes, gift certificates, and many other golf sponsors and individual donations. It's been such a great experience and I'm so glad that I was able to be involved with it.
Well, I know I'm missing many other happenings this past summer, but I think my mom may have covered some of them in her updates, so I'll say goodbye for now and try to be better at sending.
Lori
FAMILY UPDATE
by Marlene
Super Bulletin, Mom! We feel so lucky to have you and Doug doing this... together you two put out one super-duper "paper."
I love the addition of the Hetty Hooper, the Family Snooper, column. Sounds like you and Doug put your heads together again on that one. By the way... Why is Ben Henderson spending so much time in the Show Me State? Might want to ask him.
You will notice in my column that I did! HH
Had something funny happen last night. I don't know why, but I was going through our wedding cards... We hadn't looked at them since we opened our gifts 22 years ago. I found a card that we had never opened from Doris and Jr. I'm hoping they got a thank you note from us for the mixer they gave us. (We're still using it)... If not, maybe you could pass our "Thank you" on to them. Better late... really late... than never!
Consider it passed --/Doris and Jr re-read the proceeding paragraph--DMA
We spent our day jet-skiing with Sheri today. It was nice to enjoy one of the last summer days on the water. We noticed as we sat by the lake that the leaves are threatening to turn colors. Another summer fading away... but there'll be more!
Thanks again for The Bulletin. We love it.
Marlene
My First Photo Correspondent Report
by Wyatt
On short notice, I had to find something to write about while including a picture. Since today was the day of the first Vikings NFL game, I thought I'd do it about that. We are huge Vikings fans, and have some friends who are huge Vikings fans. Quite often, we all get together at each others' houses to watch the games.
Today, we gathered at the home of a friend who has gone so far as to decorate one entire room in his house in Vikings colors and memorabilia. I dressed Rylie up in her Daunte Culpepper jersey, and brought the new camera with. We took a few pictures; this was one of the best ones for showing a little spirit of the room, as well as Rylie.
The room includes one wall (on the left in the picture) which has been painted with Vikings colors, and decorated with Vikings wallpaper. There's a Vikings clock, many Vikings posters, Vikings bar stools, Vikings chairs, Vikings lamps, Vikings puzzles, an autographed Chuck Foreman picture, Vikings footballs, Vikings glasses, Vikings hot sauce, Vikings flags, Vikings golf balls… I think you get the picture. It is quite a spectacle for a fan like me to behold.
We watch many of the big games (like today's Packers game) in the Vikings room, as we feel like we're giving the team a little good karma. It all makes my little corner in my office look like a garden next to a cornfield.
Next week, you can probably look forward to some exciting pictures of silo filling at the farm!
From the Files of 5
Hetty Hooper --
the Family Snooper!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More on The Migration of Our Young
and Other Phenomena
First I got a visit from the Editor--she seems to think I am a bit hard on all these young people of ours. (I notice she is rather protective of her grandchildren.) I assured her I would be as kind as I could -- but remember I call things as I see (and hear) them. Now as to where I get my information -- that is a trade secret -- but just know this, "Where there is smoke there is fire."
*Didn't I tell you I would find out who the young man was that was "visiting" the Johnsons (in Long Lake). I am not telling you how I got hold of the photo but I think it pretty much seals the supposition of a courtship going on! From other informants I was able to get the scoop. Just remember you heard it first from Hetty!
His name is Ryan Henderson. (Now isn't that a new and different name in this family?) He is from New Mexico -- not sure just where in that beautiful state he resides. His parents are Tammy and Chuck and he has two siblings, Grant and Holly. I expect he knows how to hold his own, with a sister to sharpen his skills! He works for UPS. (I wonder if he wears brown socks?) It seems one of his real likes is to dirt bike -- so maybe he SHOULD wear brown socks! Sounds to me like the whole family likes him! I suppose the editor won't let me take pot shots at him either! Sigh.....
One other item about our migratory young ones ... a couple informants tell me Ben Henderson has been making trips to the "Show Me State." I asked the editor about this report -- and just wondered if she might know, as I supposed he would have been to see her as she is in MO, but she assures me he hasn't been there accept with his girl cousins (and sister)....I guess I will have to get someone on to that story!
See you in a week or so if I don't get "the boot"
HH
Editor's Comments
A WARNING
by Diana
I had something spooky happen to me the other day, and wondered if putting it in the bulletin would be a good thing. I'll let you decide.
For all of you who use automatic coffee pots, please take note. Do NOT assume anything about them! For two days, I spent hours sniffing around trying to find out what I was smelling ... something "hot" with a bit of "electric" smell about it, but just could not find the cause, until ... day before yesterday, as I stood in my kitchen looking around for the cause, I casually put my hand down on the counter top, where the coffee pot sits, and was shocked to feel it burning hot! (It's wood, so this was a double scare....)
Anyway, I checked the setting on the coffee maker, and, yes, it was in the "off" position, had been cleaned and put in order for the next use, but ... doing a closer check, I found the hot-plate under the glass pot to be actually bubbling! I was astounded, as the pot was definitely in the "off" position. It was one of those programmable (Hamilton Beach 12 cupper), with a 2 hour automatic shutoff, but, it seems that something went haywire, and it did not shut off as it should have.
Everyone, please double check your coffee maker before leaving the house or going to bed, just to make sure something hasn't gone wrong with your pot. If not found when I did, we are convinced that we would have had a serious electrical fire.
These are the kinds of things we take so for granted, you never think to double check them, but, please do.
My daughter's surgery went well, but lasted four hours! She is now home, but having nausea from the pain meds, so will have to talk to doctor tomorrow about that.
Hope everyone is okay down there.
Love to all....Diana
Thanks for the warning, Diana -- I checked our coffee pot out last night before I went to bed.
Glad to hear that your daughter's surgery went well. Keep us posted! DMA
This and That
6
by Elaine Wold
This week I was reading in a magazine about recipes called "Memories" sent in by subscribers and I came across this one. How well I remember Grandma Cleo making these for a supper, maybe not the very same ingredients though. It was a treat we had in the fall, but remembered all year. Maybe some would remember a recent movie called FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, too?
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
Combine a tablespoon of brown sugar with a cup of flour, put on a plate, and dip both sides of green sliced tomatoes in it. Then combine an egg with a quarter cup of milk, dip each slice into that, and then dip into bread crumbs. Fry in a heated buttered pan until brown on both sides, but firm enough to hold their shape.
In another cookbook, I found this recipe ---
GREEN TOMATO PIE
Mix a cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons flour and sprinkle over 3 cups sliced tomatoes. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar over this. Place in pieshell. Sprinkle a half teaspoon nutmeg over the tomato mixture, cover with another shell, and bake. As long as we are thinking 1930's recipes, which were during the depression years, I thought of this one too.
WHEN THE COW'S GONE DRY AND HENS ARE NOT LAYING CAKE
1 cup of sauce (prunes are real good).
1 tsp. soda
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins
2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cloves
Nuts (optional)
Mix all together and bake at 350 for 30 minutes in a 9 by 9 pan. Serve warm with powdered sugar sprinkled on the top
CHUCKLES
Feel free to contribute your favorite smile maker!
A chuckle for your column......"I don't consider myself a senior citizen, just a recycled teenager"! ~Diana~
A Father is asked by his friend, "Has your son decided what he wants to be when he grows up?"
"Yes, he wants to be a garbage collector," he replies.
To this his friend responds, "Strange ambition to have for a career."
"Well, he thinks that garbage collectors only work on Tuesdays
~Elaine~
Skepticisms is the longest word that alternates hands when typing!
*No piece of square dry paper can be folded more than 7 times in half
~Donna~
"Questions"
~from Barb Dewey~
1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?
2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?
3. There are two plastic jugs filled with water. How could you put all of this water into a barrel, without using the jugs or any dividers, and still tell which water came from which jug?
4. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away?
5. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?
6. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it? It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it! In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out! Try to do so without any coaching!
READY FOR THE ANSWERS?
1. The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.
2. The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry.
3. Freeze them first. Take them out of the jugs and put the ice in the barrel. You will be able to tell which water came from which jug.
4. The answer is Charcoal. In Homer Simpson's words: "hmmmm ... Barbecue."
5. Sure you can: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow!
6. The letter "e," which is the most common letter in the English language, does not appear once in the long paragraph.
+ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are still working on getting our family newsletter together. My brother Marv purchased some software for me to use to make things easier. I'm anxious to get my hands on it!
You are doing a wonderful job on The Bulletin. I always have good intentions of sending some sort of family update but never seem to have the time. With Brianna being 22 months and Brandon being 8 months I never seem to have time to do any little extras!
I will have to sit down though soon and let you know what's going on with Mom's side of the family.
In October my husband Brian is being deployed to Kosova with his MN Army National Guard Battalion, so I will have quite a bit of free time in the evening to work on the newsletter. We also have a digital camera so now that really makes me excited to get started!
Keep up the good work. I so enjoy reading your publication.
Melanie Lehtola
I am enjoying the Bulletins so much! Loved the picture of Grandma Mellon and her brother, Curtis. Absolutely am loving the country living memories! I sure wish I had been a bit older and more appreciative of the farm and the wonderful family living there, during those early days!
You know what? I think cousin Billy took me for a ride on that beautiful new tractor you wrote about! I have a real sharp memory of that. It was so much fun for a city kid!
Diana
I am amazed, yet again ... How do you make each one seem even better than the one before! I got so many chuckles and enjoyed the whole thing immensely. WHO was the blonde with Doug? hmmmm. Maybe that's why I've heard ZERO from him lately? Your story gave me a peek into your youth again, loved that! Dad's story was good. Chuckled at the fake corncobs in the outhouse. The roast sounds nummy. Thanks, Merna, for saving the day! Liked the new addition, will look forward to some pictures! Good updates too. Keep em coming people... There are many of us really enjoying keeping up on your lives. Thanks for another super Bulletin, Mom!! dmj
...Yes, Dorothy, the photos came through fine for me..Nice to see them. Cute kids.. I enjoyed that column again..You certainly don't run out of ideas for it! Elaine
Hello Dorothy. I enjoyed reading the Bulletin. Thanks for giving Aiden his FIRST media exposure!
Cousin Dan
QUOTATION FOR THE DAY: Buying the right computer and getting it to work properly is no more complicated than building a nuclear reactor from wristwatch parts in a darkened room using only your teeth. -- Dave Barry
EDITOR'S POLICY: If you wish to subscribe to The Bulletin, simply send me a statement of that fact. If you wish to keep receiving it I hope you will contribute to one of the columns that are running in this family epistle (at least occasionally!). My e-mail address is dma49261@juno.com
This Bulletin is copyright Dorothy M. Anderson; the contents are also copyrighted by the authors and photographers and used with their permission, and the contents are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the explicit consent of the creators.