No. 77, December, 2008
Journal
Christmas, 2008
With a chuckle, we still remember how the late Ann Landers would carry on against the Christmas Newsletters; they were too full of gushing banalities. We say, ‘with a chuckle’ because we know how much we look forward to hearing from friends and family each year at this time, often because it’s the only time and there is too much to be told. We hope you feel that way too, as you catch up on all that’s happened as you peruse this Christmas greeting from the family of Russell and Delores Miller.
At Christmas, as we reminisce about the past, enjoy the present, and dream of tomorrow, may we forever be filled with the wonder of God sending his son Jesus for us. Christmas Blessings to you and yours.
It has been a busy year again here on the farm. We just returned from Branson to hear the Christmas shows and concerts so that puts us in the mood. Other trips were to Massachusetts to see Richard and family in May. Visited their lake house in Massachusetts. Delores went to California to visit Cousin Ellie Kunstmann in February while Russell stayed home to guard the farm. In July to North and South Dakota for the 25th anniversary in the ministry for cousin, Rev. Lloyd Redhage. We say too, that we have retired the suitcases and will not be taking anymore overseas trips, but will see.
Again Russell baled hay, getting less each year, but still sells to horse, llama and goat people. Small garden keeps us in vegetables. Big raspberry patch. Three acres of lawn to cut several times a week.
Visitors this year included niece LuAnn Mason of Phoenix with her 12-year-old grandson Brian who spent two weeks here on the farm. Fishing, taking a trip to Mall of America, House on the Rock, and camping in Door County with Robin, Keith and Marianne’s families. Carl and Ardie Much came from Massachusetts and we all got together with his cousins, the Muchs, Schmidts and Winter families. Warnekes came from Oregon, tucked a cow stanchion in their trailer to take home.
Birthdays caught up with Russell who turned 76, and Delores the big seven-oh. 51 years we have been married. Where did time go?
Always into the Little House On The Prairie Books and visiting the home sites of Laura Ingalls Wilder, this summer did DeSmet, South Dakota, Pepin, Wisconsin and Burr Oak, Iowa. We spend much of our spare time reading books.
Took a nostalgic trip to my Father’s Deer Shack in northern Forest County, near the Michigan border. Haven’t been there in 50 years, some things never change. Updated a history book I did of the shack ten years ago.
Our church has a new minister, Rev. Heckendorf, young and gives good sermons along with Rev. Sharf. Still a new church is scheduled for 2010, the 150th anniversary of the founding of the church.
Stock market crash, economy in bad shape, although we did sell 4 building sites earlier in the year. Much unemployment. A new house is being built right now. Russ also wants to sell 13 acres in back of our farm, we call it the ‘swamp’ but there should be two building sites, but no offers so far.
And we have a new President Obamma with lots of political promises.
Our children are busy with their jobs and their children. Robin, Madeline,12 and Connor,9 in LaCrosse. Robin was trying to sell her big house and move into a smaller condo, but no buyers. She is at the University and works with students from Scotland who exchange Occupational Therapy ideas. Robin is hoping for Grant money to attend a conference in London, England next June and has invited her Mother along to watch her children and see the historical sites. Will see.
Keith, twins Alyse and Tierney, 8, and Dayne 3 are busy in Evansville, he teaching 4th grade. The girls are in piano. Keith and Robin and their children drove to Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Niagara Falls to visit Richard and family over 4th of July, and had a good time. We gave them gas money.
Richard, Sharon, Colin, 6 and Joshus 5 are busy in Massachusetts, he with the New England Patriot Football team. Spend their spare time at their lake house in New Hampshire.
Marianne, Scott, twins Cassidy and Elena, 6 and Sean 2 live near us on the other side of Appleton. Marianne with Kimberly Clark, working long hours and Scott at the Radisson Hotel Chain. Girls are involved in some activity every night. They , too drove to Massachusetts to visit Richard in July. The siblings seem to enjoy each others company, it was six adults and eight children.
Matthew married Lisa Olson last December 22 in a beautiful Christmas wedding. He is still teaching tech ed at Racine and she is an office manager. AND THEY ANNOUNCED A NEW GRANDCHILD FOR R&D to be born this coming March. This will be number eleven grandchild for us. They bought a house near the airport in St. Francis near Milwaukee.
The Good Lord in his wisdom called home friends and relatives, Rogene Ratzburg, Harvey Butt, Art Beyersdorf, Eugene Knight, Edna Riske Kasulke, and others.
We still manage to go dancing once a week, and once a month. Slowing down and we don’t kick up our heels as much as we used to do.
As we reminisce about our lives, we feel that we have been blessed abundantly with the many gifts of children and grandchildren, friends and many years of good health and the joyful opportunity to experience the wonders of our Heavenly Father’s creation as we traveled here in the USA and overseas.
As we mail out our Christmas cards and newsletter and send a wish of yuletide cheer, may you have a Merry Christmas until we write to you, God Willing again next year.
Copyright, 2008 Russell and Delores Miller
