A little of this and a little of that

All moved in
Thanks to all of our wonderful friends…all of our things are in our new home! Thanks to Lisa and Lori, we have contact paper on all cabinets and an assembled lawnmower. Thanks to Sammy and Tim…the fridge is INSIDE the house (had to take the doors off). Thanks to Mandi, my kitchen was packed and able to make the move with the rest of the things. Thanks to mom I have something other than grass and red clay in the yard! Johnny, Matt, Derek, Sammy, Tim, Lee and George all carried boxes, and large appliances – making 2 trips! Gail brought us dinner so we did not have to worry about getting quality food in our tummies.

Phil and Ken gave us a Lowes gift card making it possible for us to have grass (seed, hose, fertilizer and spreader), 6 sets of faux wood blinds, a large(outdoor) trash can and garage shelving!

Derek and Lisa gave us a brand new lawn mower…then put it together for us!

Dad and Pat gave us a new fridge and Lara helped us buy it at cost so we got SO MUCH MORE for our money (a $1400 fridge for $700!).

…and Rob’s parents gave us the down payment for the home!

We have GREAT friends and family who continually remind us how blessed we are!

Patellar update…
Rob is up to 101 degrees passive range of motion in his knee. He is no longer on crutches and does not have to wear a knee brace during most normal activity. Still needs it when active. He has been chipping balls into the woods and knocking around a few softballs on the diamond from time to time. He can not wait to return to his sports!

Last night I noticed that he was walking “normal” for the first time in almost 3 moths! Even walking without his brace on, he tends to limp some and keep his leg straight…but I noticed that he was bending his leg in a normal motion!

All his life, when he dreamed at night, he dreamed that he could fly. Lately he has been dreaming that he can run. It breaks my heart. Now, running is as foreign and unrealistic as flying used to be.

Soccer happens
It was bound to happen to me… I am a "Soccer Mom”. Now all I need is the minivan with a sticker and Rob needs one of those shirts that says “I love soccer moms” (http://www.cafepress.com/eteez.91625897).

Robin really likes soccer when she is not very tired from not having napped at school. She is more of a ball chauffeur than a competitor. They all get so excited to be near the ball, that they run along side the other tram and escort them into the goal. Yah! Everyone is happy.

Nicholas is doing very well with soccer. He has taken to it like a duck to water (is that the phrase?). He has 2 college guys as coaches and they can do no wrong. He has scored at least once in each game. (one time 3 points) Not too bad for a 1^st time player! I am confident that we will be seeing much more of the YMCA soccer fields

why women should not take men shopping against their wil

[one of those emails we often get...]

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Walmart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most women - - she loved to browse.  Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Wal-Mart.

Dear Mrs. Samsel,
Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr.Samsel are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2 : Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute  intervals.
3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away.'
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least.
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile; then, yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'

Regards,
Tom Richards
Walmart Manager