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This message forum is an ongoing discussion about anything and just about everything ... within reason.  One thing our class was good at was having opinions.  Almost 70 years of life experience certainly qualifies us as experts on most everything!   Ask a question ... give an opinion ... share some insights ... it's our web site, it's our forum.  That said, it's probably not a good idea to get into arguments about politics, religion, and the like.  While we're experts on everything, we also have a wide range of values and beliefs. This site belongs to all of us ... the whole range ... and we are not here to isolate, alienate, or subjugate anybody.  Of course insults, humiliation, sophomoric barraggadocio, and demented humor is expected behavior among some of us less mature people.
 

Tom Burger

Mmmm, I read a lot of doubt in these postings and perhaps fear for the coming year. I've found that my attitude and perspective of life has to do with my beliefs...that is to say "who is really in charge" and from "where" do I get my security. My peace of mind is not derived from from the government or personal finances or my own abilities to shape my destiny and health. 

Lauren Dieterich

This year has seen it's changes for me, especially the last 2 months. I have a new grandson, almost a Christmas baby like his mother. He was born on the 13th, while his mother's birthday is the 22nd. 

And, we will not be going back to Michigan in the spring. We're getting too old for the semi-annual cross country odyssey. Driving has become too much of a pain; and, even thought I like planes enough to have joined the EAA, I won't fly commercially unless I have no choice. I'd rather put up with the summer heat, here.

Mitch, I know that we never got back to your Quarry House like I wanted too; but, it's on my bucket list.   

Meanwhile, back at the chicken farm; everyone have a Happy New Year. We may or may not go to one of the casinos for a New years eve dinner. If we do, it will be an early dinner; and, we'll be home before midnight.

Garry Sellers

Mitch, if Gordy or somebody isn't taking a shot at me I feel neglected and unloved.  (Ken Walter was an expert at it and I miss his insults terribly.)   Given your photo, maybe it's better that it not be you taking shots at me Mitch!

Speaking of unloved, I was just thinking of Karsten ... and my sister ... and Gene Melzer ... all people with "Christmas season birthdays".  Do you realize how screwed they've been for over 70 years?  "Yes Dear, that's your Christmas present AND your birthday present."  It's funny now but I don't image it was as a kid.  How many birthday parties did they get?  My wife's is the 31st and we always have a New Year's party ... and birthday party!  Pretty smart of her ... and her father for the tax deduction!

And my loveable Nancy ... somebody once said, maybe it was Gordy or heaven forebid Pete Peterson ... "this too shall pass."  Hopefully none of us pass in the interim!  In fact, we had entirely too much of that over the past year or so and it's caused me a lot of work.  How inconsiderate!  I therefore forbid any of that in 2017!!!

Lauren Dieterich

My youngest daughter's birthday is Dec. 22 nd. She'd have been better off if she'd been born on Christmas Day, then it would have been a big deal. I always made sure that this is your birthday present and this is your Christmas present. Her mother was the biggest violator of the present rule. At one time, we thought about having a small celebration on the day of the birthday for winter birthdays ; and, then have a big birthday picnic in the summer for all of the winter birthdays.

Eugene Melzer

Yes Garry, I got to choose the gift at Christmas that would be my Birthday present.I was induced back in "43 for the write off and was to be a girl having 2 older brothers.They had no boys names chooses so asked the Doc.Dr. Eugene Kay for suggestions and so it was! Happy New Year and best of Health to all in 2017.

Karsten Boerger

Gary

I am so used  to having my presents cut in half that I have given up complaining.

Having been born on the same day as Jesus should mean something.

Well maybe it is because us Germans have lost two world Wars and this is additional punishment

Thanks for your sympathy

Best regards Karsten

Lauren Dieterich

Eugene, I have an older brother; so, I was supposed to be a girl, too. But, in my case, Lauren is both a girls and a boys name, with gender specific spelling. The problem is that my parents didn't change the spelling to the boys version. I never had to fight over it, like in the 'Boy Named Sue'; but, I've had a lot of fun with it. I still get mail addressed to Ms. By the way, my middle name is Eugene, after my maternal grandfather's middle name. I'm named after 2 movie stars and am related to one of them. Lauren Becall is the obvious one; and, Marlene Dietrich is a distant cousin. My great, great grandfather added the silent E to our last name when he came to the US in 1859, to tell us apart from the other Dietrich's.

Garry Sellers

2017 .... What the hell happened to all those years between 1985 and now?  Since most bills are on automatic payment, I may not remember to write 2017 for the next 12 months!  Has Gordy Sauer caught up to me yet?  You know he was about 12 when he was at Custer.  He still might be ... but he looks really old!  Personally I rely on old guys like Karsten to make me feel better.

Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)

Garry: 

How about old GALS as well? (1985?)

Jim Cejka

Whose idea was it to have January 1st on January 2nd this year? The parade, all those bowl games, that's January 1 - right. Ugh. That's addling my brain more than remembering to put 2017 on my checks.

BTW, Way to go Badgers (no matter which New Year's Day it was). Way to go Pack!

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Jim, our question was, " Whose idea was it for the Packers to play this important game while we were traveling?". In and out of airports, rushing past all media with eyes averted and hoping ears didn't pick up even a hint of scores, we arrived home just after midnight. Plowed our way in, dumped suitcases at the door, and settled in with a hot toddy to watch those fabulous Packers. What a team! 

Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)

After the Pack lost 4 in a row, I decided NOT to watch the next game, hoping that they would win if I didn't watch. Convoluted thinking, I know! So, of course they won. I decided that my strategy worked so well that I kept on not watching, and you know what happened - 6 in a row!!! Now the question is, should I watch the playoff game on Sunday?

Jim Cejka

Nancy, Been there, done that, but your ending with hot toddies is better than mine usually was.

Jeanne, Same here. For us out here on the shakey coast, we hardly get to see Packer games anyway ( but we do get to watch lots of 49er games, snicker, snicker). This year, the TV gods were more kind, and there were several Pack games on - typically during their bad streak. But we were blessed with the last Lions and Viking games, which I recorded and can now watch all year PRN. I end up watching until the other side made one score or two good plays in a row. If they did, like you, I turned it off and pretended it wasn't on, and they would go on to win. Sounds like between you and I, we've helped the Pack as much as Jay Cutler.

Lauren Dieterich

I've only flown commercially once, since I got out of the Army; 50 years ago. I won't fly commercially unless I have no other choice. The hassle in the airport and all of the extra fees, are not worth it.  As far as that goes, I usually don't travel at all on holidays. Driving Semi cured me of that.

I stopped watching Packer games, years ago. They always lost when I watched. Today, I may take an occasional peek to see the score; but, that's it. Although, I did watch the Cotton bowl, this year.

Jim Cejka

Garry - in re Texas, aberration sounds about right. 

Melody - good move, but have you seen the (freezing) weather there? Do you remember what that was like? Can I have your water ration? Y'all have a good trip.

Melody Jones (Parker)

Jim, yes I saw their snowfall and freezing temps from yesterday, but it has only been since 2004 that I have lived without winter.  I'm thinking it is like riding a bicycle and I'll catch on very quickly.  I'm really not going to be there this winter because I'm not moving until October 2, 2017.  Verizon is relocating my son and his family who will blaze the trail before me.  After they buy a new home and settle in, I will follow.  So I have one more California spring and summer to enjoy before moving.  My daughter will fly in from New Jersey and assist me with the "road trip".

Garry, don't count me out until next fall!  Funny thing about the language is that I already picked up the term y'all while living in Clearwater, Florida in the early 80's for 6 years.  Y'all was used to mean one person while all y'all was meant to address a group of two or more. I've warned the grandchildren that although they are native Californians they will forever be regarded as "Yankees" by any true Southerner. I'm hoping in their 2017-2018 season the Packers will be scheduled for a game against the Carolina Panthers where I can attend the game in Charlotte. That would be super cool!

GO PACK!!!

Gordon "Allen" Mitchell

I looked into watching the Packers when in Jacksonville, FL this last fall. Well, they were priced out of my range!!!!   lol  It was about $200.00 for cheap seat!!!!  LMAO -  And I mean very TOP rows!!!  

And about the same pricing of bowl games here in Orlando. Usually they are priced to get the most out of the attending school backers. 

No "sour grapes" here. Just out of my retirement budget. I can go on a 4 day cruise for that kind of money. Priorities!!!!!   lol

Jim Cejka

For all of us bad-luck charms - GO PACK!!!! (while I hide and try not to watch)

Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)

Same here, Jim!

Lauren Dieterich

I didn't find out who won the Packer game until about 3 hours afterward. Since not watching worked for this game; I'm not even going to check the score at halftime for the Dallas  game. 

It's not just the cost of tickets for any major sporting events, of which NASCAR races are at the top of the list, but, parking and motel costs, too. Especially, motel costs. Most motels near a major sports event will triple their room costs and then tack on a 3 day minimum. Another reason for not going to major sports events, are the crowds; and, the long lines for everthing.

Jim Cejka

Lauren - They estimate that the game yesterday brought in $14-$15 million into Green Bay. That's a lot of expensive hotel rooms.

Al - When we lived in Ocoee we belonged to a group called the "Tampa Bay Packer Backers." for like $5 a year, that got us membership and a Packer sticker for the window . BUT, when the Packers came to Tampa, the TBPBs would buy a block of like, 10-20,000 tickets, and members got first dibs, and the prices were quite reasonable (That's because TB was so bad at that time that none of their own fans wanted to go.) Packer games were the only time they had a decent crowd. Not so anymore.

Melody Jones (Parker)

Does anyone admit to sneaking out of the house late at night?

This really funny video tells a story from the parent point of view.  This lady from North Carolina is named Jeanne Robertson and she has more than 50 humorous videos on you tube.  If you need a good clean laugh, check it out.

Gordon "Allen" Mitchell

Jim,  There's a group in downtown Orlando of Packer Fans. I just do not get out enough!!!!   lol

Yes, you are talking about "years" ago when Tampa Bay BUCS were bad and and a previous stadium!!!  lol Now they are winning so you can imagine the prices.

I have learned to set the DVR and start watching about an hour after game time. Then can fast forward through the ads and still watch for "free."   lol      By the end of the game, I have caught up to the "real time" and end at about the same time.

Anyway, here's hoping they can stop the Cowboys. Hard to do this year in the "billion dollar" stadium. 

To all in Wisconsin, stay warm!!!  Will be a cool 78 today here in Orlando. 80's the rest of the week.

Garry Sellers

For all of you thoughtful folks who sent a glass of Lake Michigan water to us thirsty Californians, we thank you very much.  We'll send a more formal letter of thanks once we can get out of our boats, inner tubes and/or off of our roofs!  If you happen to see my car float by, please get the case of Napa Valley wine out of the trunk and point the car in this direction.  It will self-drive itself back home.  I guess this means I'll have to give up our community showers with the neighbors!

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

Thanks for the great laugh, Melody! I remember that whenever my teenage son was out at night with his buddies (or hussy?) I could only sleep in at a very minimal level. Every sound perked up my ears, "Is he home????" I am visiting the same son in Los Angeles and his wife (who didn't live in our town, so couldn't have been the hussy :-)  and was awakened by the steady sound of raindrops hitting something outside my window. Yes, it is even raining in L.A.  The forecast is rain for the next 4 days, while back at my home in Cupertino, CA they are getting walloped with rain, wind and power outages. I'm surprised Garry was even able to communicate electronically!