Frosty Morning

This morning was foggy and frosty. I was able to get a few shots when the sun rose to give a little light thru the frost covered trees. Hope you all enjoy! See Frosty and Frosty II.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM !!!!

Sunday we had a birthday party for mom. We had a “homemade” brunch with pancakes, pig in the blankets and fresh fruit. We had plenty of laughs talking about the olden days snowmobiling up north and how old we all are. It seems like yesterday was 20 or 30 years ago in some cases. I remember snowmobiling up north in the ridges and with Dane, Bea, Willie and Marge. That seems like a long time ago and it was. I especially remember pumping water in the winter for everything. I never liked pumping the water.

Well I guess we should get back to mom’s party on Sunday. We had cake and ice cream and sang a poor version of happy birthday. Joe and Lori came down and Dane and Bea came all the way from Allendale. I took a few shots to post and happy birthday mom. See Mom B-DAY.

Late Afternoon Sun

I wanted to post some pictures that I took today. I love the late afternoon sun any time of year because the light is warm. It wasn't warm but I needed to get out of the house. I haven't been to work in almost three weeks and am getting cabin fever. Physical therapy has been unpleasant but I hope to be getting better. The VUE is a total loss and I am getting the van ready to be my full time car. I splurged and put in a new stereo with a CD deck that will play mp3"s. I think the breaks will have to be done before I go back to work. It was nice to take a little walk and hope you all enjoy the pics. See Sunny Afternoon.

Here comes the Sun

The sun came our after a heavy snowfall. The trees were beautiful and the sky was blue. It did not last long and the snow is busy falling again today.

WINTER BLAST

A blast of winter.

No more snow in my face.

Games and no school.

Well so much for our nice warm winter. It has been colder the last few days than it has been in years. The snow keeps piling up. I am really glad that I got the cab for my tractor to keep the snow and wind from freezing me to death. The boys did not have school and are busy with the playstaion and the computer. So long for now I have to go blow snow. See Winter Blast Photos.

Its all upside down

There was nothing out of the ordinary about Monday January 28th, however before the end of that day I would encounter a multitude of kind and caring strangers. It was a snowy evening and I was on my way to pick up my son from his mothers house. The roads were slippery and snow-covered so I was traveling about 30mph. My SUV was handling the conditions reasonably when suddenly the SUV started to veer to the left. I was unsuccessful in correcting the slide and slid across the road into a rather deep ditch.

My car entered the ditch almost head on. The next few minutes are fuzzy because my car flipped over and I was left hanging upside down with my face against the roof by the visor. When I was able to get my wits about me I realized that I was upside down and could not see anything. I started to access the situation and realized two things. First I needed help to get out of the car. Second I needed to let my loved ones know that I was probably all right but would be late.

I was able to reach my cell phone in my coat pocket and call 911. There was a problem however, was not sure of the name of the road I was driving on and could not remember the last cross street. I called 911 and started taking to the operator. I was vague on my location and tried to describe the road I was on when I went into the ditch. The operator was patient and listened to my description. The description I was giving was not going to get help to my location.

This is where I started to receive help from kind and caring people who stopped to help. I was able to give a 911 an exact location to send help. A very friendly man opened the back of my car and came in the car to see if I was all right. I did not feel any pain and I was conscious and told the man that I was all right so far. I told him I had to try to call my son and let him know that I was going to be late or not able to get him that night. I also called my parents to let them know I was OK and would call later. I was not really sure that I was or would be ok but I did not want them to worry about me.

I don’t remember anyone’s name that helped me that night. I don’t have any idea how many people stopped to help. I remember hearing many voices outside the car. I could hear the concern in their voices when asking if I was all right. It was a tremendous help to me knowing people were there while hanging upside down in my seatbelt. I will be forever in debt to the people who time to stop and “hang” out with me until they got me out of the car. It took about 40 minutes from the time I went into the ditch until they cut off the door and got me out. When I finally was helped out of the SUV I felt dizzy and disoriented from hanging upside down for all that time. I was placed on a board with a neck collar and sent to Holland Hospital. I could not see anything except the snow falling from above. I was able to briefly see my new friend’s face that spent the most time in the car. I do not to remember his name and because I was on the board I did not see anyone else who was there to help me.

Several months ago I stopped to help a lady whose van had stopped in the middle of the intersection of 96th and Perry in Zeeland. Another man stopped as well and we were able to push the van out of the intersection and on to the shoulder of the road. She borrowed my cell to call family to come and get her. She was very thankful and I remember saying that I hope someone will help me out some day if I need it. She thanked me again and I went on my way. I realized Monday night how powerful sharing kindness and help to a stranger in need can be.

I want to publicly thank everyone who helped me out on Monday evening. Thank you to everyone who was on the scene. As I said earlier I was not able to see who was helping and supporting me while I was trapped. Thank you to every person who stopped. Thank you to all the rescue people for doing an awesome job. Thank you for a warm ambulance ride to the hospital. Thank you to everyone at Holland hospital for carefully checking me out. I hope you all felt good about sharing your kindness, support, professionalism, and skills to help a stranger. I consider you all friends and will be out there to help you or someone else out when I get the chance.

I am thankful that I was not severely injured. I got out with a strained back and neck muscles. I can’t be more adamant about everyone wearing his or her seat belts. I don’t let anyone ride in my vehicle without buckling up. I am sure I would have been more severely injured or killed if I was not wearing my seatbelt. I was lucky to have someone above looking out for me. I was equally lucky to have plenty of friends there at the accident scene helping me. I want to encourage everyone out there to help some one in need. It can be as little as holding a door for someone or as large as helping someone hanging upside down in their car.

Saturday the 4th I was driving on Chicago Drive on my way to get the remaining items that were scattered in the VUE. I passed a car that had gone off the road and into the snow bank. I did a Michigan turn and went back to the car to see if I could be of assistance. The gentleman had shoveled around his car but it was off the road far enough that someone was going to have to pull him out. I said that I didn’t think we could push it out and asked if had called someone. I offered him my cell and he asked me to punch in the number he had written down. He called his brother to come and thanked me with kind sincerity. So in a small way I have started to pay back the kindness that was shown to me.

Monday January 28th will be a day that I could remember as the day I had an accident and wrecked my car. I will however remember it as a day that I was able to see first hand what great people we have in our community. These great people show us what it means to be great citizens and help our fellow man.

Thank you to all my friends!

A Hotel with a pool!!

It has become an annual event to stay at a hotel with a pool on Christmas break. I am behind on posting because I have been a little lazy. I thought I would catch up with a post and some pictures for our stay at the Holiday Inn South. Shaun, Justin and I stayed at the Holiday Inn South so the boys could enjoy the pool and waterslide. We had a good time and the boys enjoyed the pool. They had just as much fun exploring the hotel and acting private investigators. See pictures under Holiday Inn South.

Happy New Year

Where are those Christmas pictures hiding?





















Hello everyone and Happy New Year. I have posted Christmas pictures under Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You may have already checked them out. I posted them while we were at the Holiday Inn with the water park. Shaun and Justin had a good time and they had free highspeed internet in the room so I posted pictures. Shaun and I has fun at Joe and Lori's New Years Eve. We rang in the new year with snacks and sparkling raspberry juice. Poor Dick Clark looks old and since the stroke just doesn't sound the same. It makes me feel a little old to see how old he is. It seems only yesterday bandstand was on the air and we were listening to 1970's records.

Shaun and I send Happy New Year to all !!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Lisa! I like being able to post greetings for a happy birthday on line. We are at the Holiday Inn with the waterslide with Shaun and Justin. Hope you have a happy birthday.

There are a lot of candles on that cake!!

John & Shaun

MERRY CHRISTMAS

To all our family and friends around the world. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Don't fall in a sink hole

The sink hole was discovered by the Arlene who is renting Lisa's house. I am sure it was quite a surprise when she fell in it. I was lucky not to drive the lawn tractor in it when picking up leaves that afternoon. The pictures do not do it justice because it was about 3 feet deep and 3 feet on either side wide. The sod above it was keeping in from falling in. I filled about 25 5 gallon pails of sand to fill the hole and was able to lay the sod back on top. I am glad I didn't have to pull the tractor out of the hole. I took several pictures mostly for you Lisa everyone else may not think that they are that interesting. See Sink Hole Pics.

School Pictures 2006

I thought it would be cool to post Shaun’s 2006 school photo. School pictures are not always the greatest however this one is very nice. I can’t believe he is in the 6th grade already. I am finding the schoolwork is much harder that I remember. 6th grade math is not always easy with new ways to multiply and solving for x in x + y = 13.

A New Van and Bea's Birthday

We had a little party for Bea’s birthday. We had cake and ice cream and even presents.

For our listening pleasure Shaun played several songs on his clarinet. He was practicing and getting ready for his concert at school.

Later we went to watch the sunset in Grand Haven and try out mom and dad’s new ride. Shaun and I rode in the back and there was plenty of room for everyone. We left the cat a home.



See more pictures under new van .

Happy Birthday Lori

Shaun & I would like to wish you a happy birthday. We hope your day was great and look forward seeing you soon.

Love,

John & Shaun

Happy 43rd Anniversery !!!!!!!

When I told Shaun and Starry that you guys have been married for 43 years this was the reaction I got. I don’t think that it has been that long because I am only 39.

I love this picture because it shows the way home.






HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Lots of Love,

John and Shaun

A late fall walk

Shaun and I went for a walk around the forty a couple weeks ago and I have some pictures from that walk. It was before the snow and frost started. The light was great and it was a good fall day.

Happy 13th Birtday Lexie

Happy 13th birthday Lexie! I told her that the outfit was hot and looked like something that Marcia Brady would have worn. Who is Marcia Brady? You know from the Brady Bunch. I forget that everyone hasn’t watched the Brady Bunch.
The outfit was from Grandma K’s house and was vintage Sears and Roebucks ca. 1972.















The shoes were from the United Way silent auction. We all joked about someone bringing in shoes. I immediately tried to think of whom to give them to for a joke. I asked Shannon what size shoe she wore the shoes were 8 ½. She wears 8 but told me that Lexie wore 8 ½. I decided to add the gold glitter L’s like Lavern DeFazio would wear to customize the outfit. She was scared to open the box and I can’t think why when I got her dad a stuffed squirrel last year.

Hanging out at the lake

I just wanted to post some pictures of us hanging out by the lake. We invited Dane and Bea over for dinner and I put Bea to work washing dishes. It isn't too bad washing with help and someone to talk to while doing them. Then we just hung out and had some fun. We still have to turn off the water but other than that hanging out at the lake is over for the year.

White Pine Village

White Pine Village is a historical area where buildings have been relocated near Ludington. Shaun and I went there on Monday of Labor Day weekend. There are several buildings that have been relocated in this area. There is a regular house, barn, post office, hardware store, trappers cabin, chapel and several others. It was interesting to see how everyday life was drastically different in the not so long ago past. Shaun and I had a good time discussing how different things use to be. We took some photos and bought some maple syrup before we left.
The sad part was going home on Monday night and realizing that the summer is over. This week the leaves are starting to change and fall is officially here. See the photos under White Pine Village.

The Wild Fur Trappers

The wild fur trappers came to town during Hart Historical Days. Shaun and I went to the Hart historical days events on Saturday of Labor Day weekend. The highlight was meeting Ken Mugget who is almost 90 and has donated his collections of wildlife taxidermy to the Hart Historical Society. He was a fascinating man who was interested in everyone’s thoughts stories and their questions. He was interested to hear of our coyote visitor and Shaun asked him a lot of questions.













There are several buildings that have been restored and moved to this site. There is an old one-room schoolhouse and we have several pictures of Shaun as the teacher and student. I happened to read the typical 8th grade final exam and we may not be as smart today as they were back then.


Shaun’s favorite part was the arrowhead collection in the basement of the church. A very interesting gentleman was demonstrating how Indians made the arrowheads by chipping rocks to form pointed tips. Shaun really enjoyed the displays and the arrowhead dude. He found rocks outside after we left and had to bring them back to show the guy. He knew a lot about how and where the Indians were using the tools.

We watched the lawn tractor pulls and shared a elephant ear for lunch. See photos under Hart Historical.