Now Playing: Mr. and Mrs. Foutch
Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Foutch. Our good friends Tom and Claudia decided to become official and were married April 10, 2008. The Sunday before we were at their house and Claudia told me (Kathy) of their plans and ask if we would stand up for them. They had made the arrangements to be married at the court house the following Friday. They decided to keep it simple and uncomplicated and didn't tell folks until the last minute (some before and some after). Claudia and I decided not to tell Bob until we got to the court house. I told Bob we were going to lunch with them and would meet them downtown. Friday morning it was a task convincing Bob that he should not wear his bib overalls and he finely agreed to wear his jeans (he really grumbled when I ask him to wear his dockers so I backed off). We left the house with not to much time to spare. On our way there the traffic was backed up so I decided to go another way only to find the street closed so we had to go back to the original route. By that time I was getting upset and Bob said "it won't matter if we're a little late". I said "but you don't understand Claudia and Tom are getting married and we can't be late". He looked at me and said "REALLY"!
We made it on time. Claudia and Tom were waiting with smiles ready to get on with the show. There are only certain days and times that marriages are performed at the court house so there was a group of folks, couples as well as relatives waiting in line to get the license. When you get the license you are assigned the court room. We waited outside the court room on the benches where this picture was taken. The ceremony was performed by a very nice Judge, I think he was a Circuit Judge. I took some pictures but then realized that I wanted to listen to the ceremony and stopped when the vows began. I really liked the vows that were used.
There were kisses and hugs, congratulations all around, license was signed and we were out the door. We met Claudia and Tom later that evening at the Steak House to celebrate the event. A good time was had by all. We cherish their friendship.
I had a birthday this month and Bob and I bought a birthday present for both of us, a Garmin GPS for the car. I had the opportunity to see one working several months ago on a trip to Ohio. I was really impressed. Although it doesn't do all the things our mapping program does on our lap top that works with a GPS, it is still amazing all the information it contains and how quickly it will recalculate a route if you go a different why than is indicated. You can save your favorites so all you do is go in and select the location already there and it will do a route from wherever you are. It's easy to enter a new destination. It's small and is easy to set up in the car and move from one car to another. It runs on 12 volts and also has battery power so you can take it with you on a walk.
We had an earth quake here in Illinois and it wasn't caused by Claudia and Tom's wedding. It happened about 4:40 a.m. in the morning this month and was centered south of us. I woke up to the house rocking around and creaking. Our bedroom is upstairs so there was a little more action. I thought I was back in California. There was relatively little damage. Bob looked up the history of earthquakes in Illinois and there were five in a three month period all 8.0 or more in 1811-1812. It caused all kinds of shifts and terrain changes. It was said that the Mississippi flowed backwards but actually it was wave action. It was not very populated which was a good thing. Reno has been getting their share recently. One of Bob's sons lives in Reno and he said he only felt one and so far has not experienced any problems.
Bob will be going to Alaska for his granddaughter's (Dorothy) wedding in June. He leaves June 19th for Fairbanks, the wedding is the 21st. After the wedding Bob and his son Michael and family, Sheryl, Becky and Little Michael will head for Sheryl's parents near Anchorage stopping at Denali along the way. They will spend a few days there and Bob hopes to see his granddaughter Amy, her husband and Great Grandson Coby. Michael and Bob will fly to Juneau for several weeks and do some work on their house. Sheryl and the kids will stay with ther parents so the work can get done without little people around. Bob will be flying back July 14th. My son and I will hold down the fort here at the "farm". Bob says he wants me to have something to do so he's trying to get the vegetable garden in before he leaves.
Dad is getting along good. He went for a little check up last week and all things checked out okay. Last week he told me he needed to go to the dentist because of a molar he has had problems with for several year. We went to his regular dentist, Dr. Lewis, yesterday (Monday) and Dr. Lewis said he needed to see an oral surgeon. He referred us to Dr. Anderson. We stopped by his office on our way home and there was an appointment available for this morning. Dad had the tooth pulled without any problems, the tooth was broken and infected and had been for awhile. The Dentist said he is a real trooper. We really liked Dr. Anderson. He was very friendly and concerned and all his staff were great too. Dad will go back next week to be sure all is okay.
The bearded guy goes in to have carpal tunnel surgery done on the other hand (left) May 1st. His right hand is doing well in fact he played the guitar and sang this past two Friday nights at Kickapoo.
Now is the stormy season for us, possible tornadoes and thunder and lightening. Weather spotting activities have started. We had our first storm warning of the season last Friday. We had a little sprinkling of snow today and it sure cooled off. Looks like April showers will bring May flowers.
