CALL FROM MIKE HAUSER

Mike called me a few minutes ago to say "good-bye" as he leaves tomorrow morning for his deployment to Iraq. He sounded very upbeat and optimistic. He promised to keep in touch with e-mails and pictures.

Let's keep Mike and his family in our thoughts.

GREETINGS FROM DEB

How was your Thanksgiving? Ours was good. Paul, Mindy, and Catherine were here. David had to stay home for basketball practice. He stayed with my parents...poor kid.

Catherine won the West Middle School Spelling Bee again...third year in a row! She may have inherited my love of music, but I'm pretty sure she inherited her brains from her mother. She loved being here with our pets. She loves animals, but she's allowed to have outdoor cats only. My brother HATES cats...which is why the attached picture is especially hilarious....I also attached a picture of our Thanksgiving food spread, Lance and Catherine in the kitchen, and the freshly fallen snow out the back door.

I'm putting together some Christmas music playlists for our company Christmas Party. We're having a dinner, then casino night, followed by an auction to buy/win doorprizes (like large screen TVs, stereos, healthclub memberships, etc) with the money we win at the casino. I'm in charge of music for the evening. I've got everything from "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" to "Twelve Days of a Redneck Christmas" to Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town". It will be fun, I'm sure!

I love the picture of Odie and your kids. That should be on some website somewhere........what a great shot.

What's up?

Deb

BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN

I received an e-mail this morning from John Starr's son, Jered, asking for donations for this year's Big Brother/Big Sister fundraising campaign. This is such a good program to support if you are looking for a way to spread some joy this holiday season.

If you wish to donate, or just check out the good things they're doing, click on the link below and follow the instructions!!

Keep up the good work, John and Jered!!

http://BFKS2008CR.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=257070&u=257070-197175932&e=1379235413

ODIE IS ONE OF THE KIDS

My cat, Odie, decided he would plop his lard-ass on the hutch and smile for the camera just like my kids in the pictures.

A GOOD ONE FROM OUR LITTLE JOKESTER, BRETT

Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates."In honor of this holy season" Saint Peter said, "You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven."

"The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. "It represents a candle," he said.

"You may pass through the pearly gates," Saint Peter said.

The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, "They're bells."

Saint Peter, "You may pass through the pearly gates."

The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair of women's panties.

St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked, "And just what do those symbolize?"

The man replied, "These are Carols."

And So The Christmas Season Begins......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRENDA!!

11/26/1962

I met Brenda for lunch today! She didn't know I knew it was her birthday! I called her mom and dad to tell them to meet us there, so we pulled off a little mini-surprise party! Except you couldn't read the writing on the cake. And, I only put 4 candles on the cake. Didn't want to disturb the Anamosa Fire Department unnecessarily by setting off the smoke alarms!

While at Scooter's in Anamosa having lunch, we ran into Connie and Gary Grassi (he looks great) and Mike Deutmeyer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AL!

11/25/1962

This picture was taken exactly one year ago today, on Al's birthday, at the class gathering at Tucker's!

MOVING DAY FOR DARCIE

A bunch of us gathered together on Saturday to help Darcie move from her big, huge house into a townhouse which is going to be perfect for her. Less expense, less upkeep, and less room for the grown kids and grandkids!!! Love it.

In the process of moving, she managed to stub the same toe two times until the whole thing eventually just fell off. Good thing she's a nurse. She performed surgery on herself while the rest of us stood around gagging. Ick.

It's been an exciting, interesting, eventful year mixed with all sorts of craziness! I am so thankful for all my classmates, friends, family, my parents' good health, and Dean's and my two most amazing children. (And, my new job!!) I hope you all have a wonderful day and that you all have lots for which to be thankful!

My turkey is in the oven, so I'm off to watch some football and then stuff myself.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!

CHROME HORSE

I met Darcie tonight down at the Chrome Horse, a biker bar in Cedar Rapids (Brett, you would love this place), for a couple beers. We were celebrating. Darcie has her last day at her old job tomorrow and starts a new one on Monday. I just got offered a new job and I start on December 3rd. Life is good.

Below are some pics of Carla, who we ran into at the Chrome, a photo of a bike on the wall, and a pic of one of my bestest friends ever, Darrell (with the glasses.)

OK, here's a quiz.... The guy in the dark blue shirt? Whose son is he? His dad is a member of the class of 1980. His mom is our classmate.

So, here's the funny story that goes along with the quiz... I'm sitting there with Darrell and Darcie and Carla, and the guy in the dark blue shirt comes up to me and tells me that his buddy thinks I'm hot. Bahaha!!! Oh, God, it's hilarious just to type that. I haven't been told I'm hot since..........well, never.

Anyway, I look at the guy in the dark blue shirt and I ask him, "Don't I know you?" We figure out who we are and chat a bit.

OK, so back to his buddy.... I say, "I know about how about old you are, so your buddy cannot be that much older." He tells me his pal is 30 years old with two kids, ages 3 and 5. I proceed to tell the guy in the dark blue shirt to tell his buddy that I graduated with his (the guy in the dark blue shirt) mother. Needless to say, they all leave and that's the end of my being hot.

Oh, hell, what a riot.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOE JENSEN!!

11/18/1961

THE HAWKS SUCKED

The tailgating was fun and the weather was beautiful. That's all the positive I can say about the game today.

Here are some photos from the game.

Recognize the guy in the pic with the two little boys? That would be Bret Lewison (1980) and his twin boys, Jack and Sam.

LUNCH WITH BRO

I had lunch today with bro, Brad, and his beautiful wife, Lene. They are visiting from Denmark. Brad was here last weekend, too, and has had the chance to see three Hawk games this year.

A LIGHTER MOMENT...

OMG, I just saw a commercial for the prescription sleep medication Rozerem.

It said two possible side effects are "drowziness and fatigue."

Ya think??

Oh, hell, I just laughed my ass off.

That is just all sorts of stupid.

MORE VETERAN'S DAY PICTURES

Also at the ceremony today was Jenni Grassi (daughter of Connie Engelbart), Tom's folks (behind them in the photo, you can kind of see Diane's parents), Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley, and the Anamosa Veterans Association Color Guard.

NOT THE VETERAN'S DAY NEWS I WANTED...

Yo Carron….good to hear from you!

Yes, I was able to totally surprise Liz and she was so freaked! She ended up winning her class and I guess received the medal as the Great Lakes Champ (she was pumped)!

I depart on 1 December for 15 fun-filled glorious months in hell! Hopefully, it will go by quickly and Rhonda and girls won’t forget me!! I’m going to try and take my mid-tour leave around 14 June for both Rhonda’s B-day and Liz’s HS graduation….I will keep you posted.

As you can imagine, I’m pulling my hair out trying to get everything done around here so that it is as easy as possible for Rhonda while I’m gone. It’s not the big ticket items that you worry about, it’s the small stuff. We are so thankful that we have made such good friends here in the area, plus Iowa isn’t too far if she needs to call in reinforcements!

I promise to stay in touch and really regret not finding a way to hook up with you and the rest of the gang; however, we can definitely try in June.

Take care and I look forward to hearing from you during the deployment. I may even have a US Cell phone that I can shoot you the number and we may get to chat from time to time.

Take care, my best to everyone and I hope you guys have a great holiday season……mine is going to suck!

Ciao,
Mike

VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONY

I attended the Veteran's Day ceremony at the Anamosa High School today. It was quite touching and emotional. Jim Heitland, our former high school guidance counselor, was one of many honored at the ceremony. Also honored was Paul Pinney, the 8th grade history teacher.

I saw Kent Reynolds there as well as Hatcher's parents, Diane's folks, and some Class of 1980 people.

Here are some pictures of Bryce Engelbart accepting the plaque on behalf of his grandpa, Jim Heitland. Byrce is the son of Lisa (Heitland) and Randy Williams, and Warren Engelbart, all from the Class of 1980. He is also my godson!

THE CUTEST KIDS EVER

Hi, dear friend Carron.....

Do you suppose you could find a new picture of the week since I have had my nasty face posted there for, oh, about 5 weeks!!!!???? :0) I'm sure someone else would love to be honored and have their highly embarrassing mug on the front of our class blog...I served my time, let's give someone else their exposure...SILLY WOMAN!!!

Oh, yeah, and how are you? Everything is crazy as always at our house....I am attaching a couple of new pics of the kids for you.....some from trick or treat and some from the Halloween Parade! The picture of the boys are Dann, Charlie (obviously) and Dann's dad, Jim.

Stay warm!!!!

Sharon