HOORAY ! ! !

May 2, 2007 (2:15pm)
55º F, Beautiful sunshine, NNE wind 1 mph.

Good morning,

Guess I will try this again. The last two times (once yesterday) I started this, the dad-gum machine froze up. And it ain’t that cold out either. Oh well. Now is as good as anytime. I had a surprise when I woke up and looked outside this morning - it was raining! Wasn’t supposed to do that according to the weatherman. He said it would all end before midnight last night. Got a bunch of rain yesterday morning and the night before. Now everything is wet again after a couple of really nice days. Today looks to be nice -now.

Bible study went pretty well yesterday. Since I am starting a new study, the first weeks is kind of boring, getting everyone on the same page and the background material to stick between their ears. It did seem to work and I even got a couple of complements. That really was surprising. Even had some good discussions, though one gal kept turning us left a couple of times. She also is trying to find any fault she can as she wanted to lead the study. Oh well, we were able to counter each move on her part and a couple of the folks were a bit short with her after the 2nd or 3rd time. Eventually she took the hint. She started off on the right foot by not bringing a Bible to the study either.
After the study, we staggered over to Green Bay to do our shopping. The price of gas is still at .1¢ per gallon under $3.00. The TV this morning predicted it would rise to about $3.50/gallon before too long into the summer. Oh goodie! Just when we will be moving too. Wonder if we could move using a bicycle? Maybe one built for two so we could pull a trailer.

* News Flash *

Just was interrupted by an email asking us if the closing on the up nort’ place could happen on the 11th. Of course we agreed! The weird thing is that just before sitting down to start this, I emailed the realtor asking if there was any movement on things there. All great minds. Now comes the fun part - trying to figure out what to take first and what to leave here for now. We will be living in two places for a bit it seems.

We probably will go up the night before and stay on the shores of Ice Lake for the night. We will try to locate the phone company, power company, post office folks, and like that to get accounts and services set up. Also will give us a bit of time to reconnoiter what else is needed and to do sooner than later. We probably will take along our camping gear and if we decide, spend another night or so. Probably should bring some hardtack along too. Dang! So many things to do and so little time.

One not so good thing, which will affect our moving, is our friend from church, Tom, has lost his job. He was the manager of Badger Truck in Madison and we were going to purchase a used cube van from him. What is worse, his father-in-law died the week before. He took some time off to take care of that situation and when he returned last Wednesday he was told something like, "Oh by the way, your position has been eliminated." he had worked in the Milwaukee center of the company for a couple of years, then was assigned to get the Madison center back profitable again, which he did. This came out of the blue for him. Really feel for Tom and his family. They have two girls, twins, in college and a son that will be heading to college this fall. Tom and Roberta are multi-multi-talented and will come out OK, but the trip will be some worrisome I am sure.

Officially, we will retain our church membership here until after the National Assembly in August. Margriet decided she would like to tag along for the National Assembly also, so we both will be spending about a week in Chicago. The location of the meetings is Navy Pier and the hotel is the Hilton. Guess that will be our "vacation" for the year. Probably more expensive than we normally would spend on a week’s vacation, but at least my room and board will be paid for by the Church. Grace was having problems finding someone to go to the Synod Assembly, so my Woman and I will be the delegates for that also. That happens the first weekend in June. Many busy times this summer it seems. It will give us a chance to see old friends and to say "goodbye" before we move. In spite of all of the sitting and listening, I really do enjoy the Assemblies and am wondering how the National will stack up. Another adventure.

Back to our day in Green Bay. While there we stopped and picked up a new sport coat for me. Margriet thought it would be a good idea to get one for the National Assembly and I agreed, but not that easily. I was really shocked at the cost of them though. The last one I bought was I think about 1998 for graduation from LSM. This cost probably at least three times what that one did. This WILL last for the duration! On the good side, I can return it for life to have it pressed any time I choose as often as I choose. Living several hours north of the store, don’t think it will happen that often!

We also took a side trip to the Woodworker’s Depot to nose around. At one time they sold used woodworking machinery, but no more. I was looking to see what they had as I probably will be needing a couple things. Trying to stay away from having too many power things though. With the sawmill, it probably would be prudent to pick up a planer to use. Could have bought a 15" planer from one of the schools I taught at when I replaced it with a 24", but didn’t have the $25.00 at the time or a place to put it. It ended up going to the dump I think, but not sure.

Monday we both had our eyes checked and new glasses are on the way. Last pair I got were in 1999 and Margriet in 1998, so I guess it is about time for both of us. Hopefully we will need to buy at least a couple more pairs before we really do expire. The doctor is in Kewaunee and the same one who I got the last pair from. She said that both of us should really notice the difference. Hope so.

Time to get a-going.

In Christ My Saviour,

Chris ><>