My son is graduating from Hope College this Sunday. I am so nervous. This is another first in my life. I have never had a child graduate from college. I know what it is like to be proud and humble at the same time. Here is the bragging part. I have the greatest son a father could ask for. He has followed his destiny and has made a man of himself. He has a beautiful and intelligent wife and a great future full of travel and adventure. I am soooooooooooo proud. The many nights I spent praying for him and God has answered these prayers and more. Now I get to watch him walk down the aisle in a college graduation. I thank all the people who helped shape his life, as Liz and I did not do it alone. For those of you who mocked and ridiculed my son, I feel sorry for you. You lose. nanana. My son is truly the greatest

April showers bring May flowers, and allergies. It seems like it is taking forever to warm up, and for the leaves to come out on the trees. Once it starts to bloom, we will be complaining about allergies.
Liz and I went by the chapel yesterday. It is now called, "the Bluffton Chapel". Their worship service is 11 am on Sunday morning. It may be a while before I could check them out, as it conflicts with Sunday obligations on the keyboards. I miss the people that worshipped together and hope that we can reunite sometime.
On May 3rd, my oldest son,Donald, graduates from Hope College. I am extremely proud of his achievements. My oldest daughter just graduated from her nursing assistant class, and did it by being the best. She now has to take her state boards.
Lindsey is trying to finish up her high school GED and is hoping to complete it before Cody does. I see MCC for both of them.
This summer we are hoping to do a complete overhaul of our house. New siding, new windows, new plumbing etc...
May also bring birthdays for Catherine and Cody. Cody turns the big 18, and Catherine becomes a year older.
Well I believe that covers it all for now.

Today is Wednesday.
Cody goes in for knee surgery today. He is having a ACL put in. He is very nervous about this. He had his other knee operated on last year.

The sun is shinning and the temperatures is rising. Mid seventies by the end of the week.

Louie resigned as the music man at Westwood. I am waiting to see what happens in respect to who they hire or what style karaoke machine they will use.

Twenty-seven years ago, I married a beautiful Irish girl from upstate New York.Who would have thought I would not only be fortunate enough to marry her, but remain happily married for 27 years. It is wonderful that she still loves this fat boy with heart problems. What is our secret? ................. What part of the word secret don't you understand? Maybe because we are both nuts?

Give me a break.
Yesterday, in different cities, they reenacted the tea party to protest taxes. For most of the people, it was a non partisan event. To some others it was a chance to slam our president. I use the word"our" because we elected him. He has done just what he said he would do to straighten out the mess we are in. Our free enterprise system needed to be bailed out. This country is made up of "we", not me, and Obama is trying to show this. The "me" crowd got us in this situation. Now the "me"crowd is yelling at the government, which is like yelling at yourself. The government is the people. The one thing that is true is that the IRS is an antiquated system that should be dissolved. Eliminate income tax, and tax all goods that are sold. No tax exempt and all people pay taxes according to their needs. You could start this by taxing all non foods. If not enough is raised then you can start taxing non essential food stuff and then maybe a small tax on food. This should more then cover the needs of federal, state, and local municipalities. Give the president a line item veto to get rid of fat.
This is so simple it is laughable.

Happy Easter

I am excited about this Easter. This may be the last Easter we as a whole family have together for quite a while. In August, Don and Aki move to Japan for a couple of years. Today we will all gather together and eat food. Every year there is change in participants. My brothers and sisters have moved on to their own family, Dad is gone, but this is the first years for Don and Aki, and Sean and CAt as married couples. Liz still puts together Easter baskets for the kids. Last night we had a big bonfire and will most likely have one again tonight. Life is good.
Tomorrow Cat will start her classed for nursing assistant. After 2 weeks, she can take her state boards and seek employment. God is good.

Hello everybody. I have a spring cold. I hate colds. When you are on cardiac meds, there is not much you can take to ease a cold. For the most part you have to grin and bare it. Plenty of fluids, sleep, and feed a cold.
Thousands of you out there know that I am a sports fan, and now that march madness is over, pro basketball is winding down, and baseball is starting up, it has to warm up so I can go outside. My alternative is to watch baseball and golf, which is slightly more entertaining then watching grass grow. That reminds me, I have to plant grass this year.