MY GODSON

Here is a prom picture of Dean's and my godson, Bryce Engelbart. He is the son of Lisa Heitland Williams and Warren Engelbart from the class of 1980. His date is Cally Wageman, who is the daughter of Sherri Weber and Bob Wageman (Class of 1982) and the niece of Scott!!!

DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

Tony and I were both delegates to the 2nd District Democratic Convention on Saturday, April 26th. It was another interesting, fun, and long day. We put in an 11-hour day and then left, but I read in the paper this morning that it went "well into the night." We are both going to the state convention in Des Moines in June. I heard the 2004 state convention lasted until 3:00 a.m. Ugh.

Tony was elected to the state platform committee and was one of four finalists to attend the NATIONAL convention in Denver in August. Here is a picture of Tony vying for that honor and I hope you know who is with me in the other picture. (If not, read the sign on the window behind us.)

A tiny bit of trivia: The older gentleman on the left (Tony's right) in the picture is the person on whom the character of Radar was based in the show "M*A*S*H". He was chosen to go to the national convention. I think everyone felt sorry for him because he probably won't be around in 2012!!!

For more information on the Iowa Democratic Party, you can go to http://www.idp2nd.org/. It has a list of all the delegates (by county - Tony and I are in Linn County) and a copy of the Convention Call Book (the order of business, the rules, and all the district platforms. Be sure to read the "Platform - Statement of Principles" on page 19 - Tony wrote it!!!)

MONTICELLO FLOODS

Click here to see Brenda's photo gallery of the Monticello floods

on Saturday. It's pretty amazing.

SCOTT'S GRADUATION

Hi, everyone.

This is a courtesy email to inform everyone about my upcoming graduation. I am graduating from Kirkwood Community College on May 10, 2008, with a 2-year AAS degree. My overall GPA is 3.9 which allowed me become a member of the International Honor Society. This degree will not change my life or my job, and I will not get pay raise. This is just a stepping stone.

One day I hope to get a bachelor's degree, but right now I am just looking forward to having the summer off of school. My AAS will be in “Skilled Trades”, which basically proves I have formal education in mechanical and electrical systems and that I have taken basic college electives such as writing, math and psychology. To graduate with this degree, the student must have a journeypersons card proving they have successfully completed a U.S. Department of Labor accredited apprenticeship lasting a minimum of 4 years.

Scott (Petersen)

If for some reason you are bored out of your mind on Saturday, May 10th, you may attend the ceremony at the U.S. Cellular Center (5 Seasons Center) in Cedar Rapids. You must be seated by 9:40 AM.

FRONT YARD

Here are a couple pictures of my front yard this morning. I guess it's bare feet and flip flops until we get to the car.

4 children saved in dramatic river rescue

Click on this link to read about the dramatic river rescue in Anamosa.

(It mentioned the name Holly Winders and I know Julie Beadle has a daughter named Holly. I looked in the reunion book and their ages do not match.)

AMAZING DAY!

My girls, Alex and Sarah, surprised me with a birthday cake this afternoon. I was in the bathroom blow-drying my hair and they shocked the crap out of me!!

I have heard from so many people today. I am not sure I can name them all, but I'll try.

Cards from Brenda and Diane, calls from mom and dad and my brother. E-mails from Lisa Heitland, Carlene Pinney, Brett, Diane, Tina Hatcher, Doug Wortman, my friends Stan, Kristi, and Darrell, a text and a call from Deutmeyer, a call from Darcie, a text from Tony, an e-card from my sister-in-law, Lene, a call from my aunt, Jan, a call from by boss at work, a text from my co-worker, Sandra. FOUR dozen roses from Dan delivered to my door. And, some stranger dedicated a song to me on the radio. Any ideas who that might be??

And, who's the dyslexic bastard who put 54 candles on my cake???

My kids are fixing me supper and when that's done, I'm off to have a few beers with some friends.

This has been the best birthday ever. Thank you EVERYONE!!

CARD FROM DI

I'm thinkin' Di knows me a little too well...

Scary.

BIRTHDAY DINNER

After buying me a new skirt, tops, shoes, and jewelry, Dan took me to the Lighthouse Inn for a wonderful dinner of teriyaki salmon, a good bottle of wine, and an amazing jazz band.

He followed up with a breakfast made for a queen this morning while I read the Sunday paper and drank my coffee.

Between the surprise party last Saturday, supper with my folks and kids this past Thursday, and the dinner last night, I'm kind of diggin' turning 45. And, my birthday is not until Thursday!!!

Now, my girls are coming over for an afternoon of laughs outside on the patio. FINALLY, a beautiful day to sit outside.

I CAN RELATE

UCLA STUDY - VERY INTERESTING

A study conducted by UCLA's Department of Psychiatry has revealed that the kind of face a woman finds attractive on a man can differ depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle.

For example:

If she is ovulating, she is attracted to men with rugged and masculine features.

However, if she is menstruating, or menopausal, she tends to be more attracted to a man with duct tape over his mouth and a spear lodged in his chest while he is on fire.

No further studies are expected.

GREAT DAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LISA!!

Today is the big 46 for Lisa!!

Happy birthday, girlfriend!

SURPRISE PARTY

OMG!! I had the biggest surprise yesterday.

Dan, and my friend, Kristi,

and my mom & dad threw me a surprise 45th birthday party. I have never been so shocked in all my life. I wish I had it all on videotape.

BIRTHDAY, TORNADOES, AND DEER

Despite tornado sirens going off and hitting a deer on the way home, we managed to have a fun birthday party for Wes.

Snow on Tuesday, tornadoes on Thursday. Good grief.

MY GREAT DANE(ISH NIECE)

Here are some pictures of my niece, Alexandra, taken at Disney World. She was traveling from Denmark with her mom, Inge, and a friend. She will be living in Anamosa with Lisa Heitland Williams during the next school year. I can't wait to have her so close!!

HE'S 17 TODAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WES!

Momma and Poppa love you!

BRIEN'S DAUGHTER

Here's a picture of and an article about Brien Keltner's daughter, April, that was in the Anamosa paper this past week.

THAT'S IOWA FOR YA

This past Saturday, it was 66 degrees and I'm at my man's house grilling out with no coats and sitting by a raging fire until 11:00 p.m. in jeans and sweatshirts. Yesterday, it freakin' snowed!!!

Tomorrow is Wesley's 17th birthday. I remember ten years ago, on his 7th birthday, Dean and I got him a bike that he couldn't even ride because we got a crapload of snow the night before.

Ahhhhhhhhhh!!! I want spring!

Y'all remember the April 9, 1973 blizzard? (This is our version of "What were you doing when JFK died?" Probably laying in our cribs pooping and drooling.)

Just for shits and giggles, I Googled "April 1973 Iowa snowstorm" and here's what it said...

"I'm sure many of us old farts remember the April 9, 1973 snowstorm that blanketed much of Iowa with over a foot of snow and deep drifts."

Old farts? OLD farts? WTF????

MOMMA'S BIRTHDAY

Don't freak out - it's really not January 12, 2006. It's April 4, 2008 and it's my momma's 68th birthday. We were out celebrating last night with the whole family and my man, Dan.