Hanging Rack Family Consignment Sale, a huge family consignment sale debuts in Spokane County
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Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
One of the most amazing days, ever!
Last Sunday, we had the pleasure of joining some friends at their lake property on Priest Lake. OMGoodness!
It was one of the most perfect days we've had in SOOOOOOOO long! Words can't express the pleasure we had, just swimming in moderately cold water and sitting on the edge of the water in adorondack chairs with beach umbrellas shading us. Sipping water. Nothing was high paced. The kids were busy having their own brand of fun in the water. Every one of them is fairly self-sufficient, so we didn't need to "help" them all the time, which left us to enjoy our day. Gosh I can't remember the last time we didn't have to stop to change a diaper, or give an over-needed nap.
My friends are such easy going people too. Pleasant to talk to, and share a day with. Wonderful! Extra, extra special Thank you to my friends for sharing their special place with us.
We shared dinner and came home sunburned, but we all said it was worth it. O.K. now I need to explain that each of us were sprayed thoroughly with a high factor sunscreen at least twice, but it really did no good for my oldest son. But it was not without trying. He is crispy. Poor guy.
We stopped at a little drive-in in the town of Priest Lake called, "Burger Express" and drank milkshakes on the way home.
Anyway, I just really wanted to share our most amazing day in a long time with all of you.
It was one of the most perfect days we've had in SOOOOOOOO long! Words can't express the pleasure we had, just swimming in moderately cold water and sitting on the edge of the water in adorondack chairs with beach umbrellas shading us. Sipping water. Nothing was high paced. The kids were busy having their own brand of fun in the water. Every one of them is fairly self-sufficient, so we didn't need to "help" them all the time, which left us to enjoy our day. Gosh I can't remember the last time we didn't have to stop to change a diaper, or give an over-needed nap.
My friends are such easy going people too. Pleasant to talk to, and share a day with. Wonderful! Extra, extra special Thank you to my friends for sharing their special place with us.
We shared dinner and came home sunburned, but we all said it was worth it. O.K. now I need to explain that each of us were sprayed thoroughly with a high factor sunscreen at least twice, but it really did no good for my oldest son. But it was not without trying. He is crispy. Poor guy.
We stopped at a little drive-in in the town of Priest Lake called, "Burger Express" and drank milkshakes on the way home.
Anyway, I just really wanted to share our most amazing day in a long time with all of you.
Monday, June 22, 2009
I know! It's been a long time since I've posted anything. Summer finally hit, and I have been non-stop! O.K. it's only been officially summer for one day, but I always need to get a head start.
We just volunteered to help tear down another "Just Between Friends" Sale. We got our largest donation, ever! It took three mini vans, an SUV, a Toyota pickup, and a flat bed truck we rented from Home Depot, to pick it all up. We didn't get home until after midnight last night. Thank you to all the wonderful people who donated their unsold items! And thank you to Tyona at "Just Between Friends," for continuously inviting our non-profit, "A Hope and A Future" to receive the donated items.
VBS started at 8:00 a.m. today. Plus, I've got my own "Secret Project" going on (... are you listening Ty?)I'll tell you more about it, as soon as I can. My husband has me on a "gag order" for right now.
My friend over at Triple the Blessings blogged about wanting a bike. She's got a link to an incredible bike from Madsen Cylces and they are having a contest in July! So stay tuned. I'll put a link on in July on how to possibly win one of their bikes! Heck, I'd like to win!
We just volunteered to help tear down another "Just Between Friends" Sale. We got our largest donation, ever! It took three mini vans, an SUV, a Toyota pickup, and a flat bed truck we rented from Home Depot, to pick it all up. We didn't get home until after midnight last night. Thank you to all the wonderful people who donated their unsold items! And thank you to Tyona at "Just Between Friends," for continuously inviting our non-profit, "A Hope and A Future" to receive the donated items.
VBS started at 8:00 a.m. today. Plus, I've got my own "Secret Project" going on (... are you listening Ty?)I'll tell you more about it, as soon as I can. My husband has me on a "gag order" for right now.
My friend over at Triple the Blessings blogged about wanting a bike. She's got a link to an incredible bike from Madsen Cylces and they are having a contest in July! So stay tuned. I'll put a link on in July on how to possibly win one of their bikes! Heck, I'd like to win!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
“GOOD MORNING, MCFARLAND FAMILY!”
Two Hour Season (6) Finale
McFarland Family
Indianapolis, Indiana
I can sum this episode up in one statement! OMGoodness!
Bernard McFarland became a single dad of three boys, when he was just 23 years old. He is involved both as a father, and as a mentor for disadvantaged children.
He is very well read and despite his circumstances, he thinks BIG! His motto is: “Knowledge, Discipline, Books” and with that motto he started “Packhouse 2000” to mentor the kids in his neighborhood.
The thing that really stands out is that Bernard is willing to sacrifice for his kids and his neighborhood. He is amazing to listen to. He said he’d had a teacher in school, that when she read you were transported to that place. He grew up to become a history teacher. I was listening to Bernard, and I got a little caught up in his eloquence of speech.
He is devoted to his neighborhood. He lives in the same neighborhood that he grew up in. But while he has advanced, the neighborhood has declined.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition sent the McFarland Family on a trip to Paris, France! They visited the Louvre Museum.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition came in and helped out not only him, but his neighbors as well. They did an “Extreme Makeover Community Edition!” They tore down several houses that had been condemned by the city. They planted 1000 trees for beautification and cleaner air quality.
They helped out Miss Evan’s (an 87 year old neighbor) with repairing and replacing her sidewalk, and building a new ramp for her house.
They repainted and landscaped neighbor, Mark Smith’s house.
They repaired and repainted, neighbor Dorian Malone’s house where hail had severely damaged it.
They built a new basketball court in the McFarland’s back yard, both for the family and the neighborhood kids. They installed a wind turbine in the backyard. On a windy day, it could provide for up to half of the power for the family. Pretty cool!
In addition to the house that was built for the McFarland Family, EMHE built them a library on site, for the neighborhood. It also serves as the new headquarters for Packhouse 2000. Previously, Bernard operated Packhouse 2000 out of the McFarland home.
The Indiana Pacers donated 50 basketball’s and 4 season tickets (presumably for the McFarland Family themselves); they also provided some autographed personal items for the auction.
Butler University provided all three of the McFarland boy’s full ride scholarships (if they meet grade and entrance requirements.) I have a lot of confidence they will just fine, considering their father is right there to support and encourage them. That was very generous of Butler University!
Extreme Makeover Home Edition’s partner, Sears, paid off the McFarland Families mortgage!
Their other partner, Ford Motor Company, provided a brand new 2010 Ford Taurus to the family and a brand new 2010 E350 Passenger Van for Packhouse 2000, complete with detailing.
EMHE held a fundraiser for Packhouse 2000 at Lucas Oil Stadium. They held an auction to raise funds and awareness for this organization.
Family and Interests:
Bernard McFarland, Dad
Dominic (15 yrs): Wants to go into Video Broadcasting
Courtney (14 yrs): Golfing and Business.
Curtis: Drums and Piano
Design Team:
Ty Pennington – Team Leader
Michael Maloney – Interior Design
Paige Hemmis
Paul DeMeo
Ed Saunders
Friday, May 15, 2009
Our Anatolian Shepherd - Quincy, and mourning
Today we are mourning the loss of our beautiful, sweet, mixed breed puppy, Pepper.
This past Wednesday, Pepper was involved in an accident that broke her leg. We took her to the vet hospital, and on Thursday had to make a very hard decision. To have her broken leg amputated. The vet thought that it would be the best choice under the circumstances. We left very sad, but convinced. We decided to have her spade at the same time.
This evening, we received a phone call that devistated us. While undergoing surgery, a routine shot was administered, and it caused our otherwise healthy puppy to pass away. The doctor assured us there was nothing we could have done differently, but it still feels like we did something wrong. Anyway, our lives were forever changed by the addition of this sweet life in ours. And we will miss her terribly for a long, long time. Goodbye, sweet baby.
This past February we completed a dream. Or started one. I'm not sure how to quantify that.
We were finally able to find an affordable Anatolian Shepherd for our property. Anatolian Shepherd's are relatively new to the United States and AKC has just recently acknowledged them as a registerable breed. Our's is not papered.
We've started the process of gathering cinder blocks off of craigslist to attempt to build a nice, warm, dry kennel.
Now this is for our peace of mind, because the Anatolian Shepherd could care less if it is nasty outside. They are a rugged dog, bred to protect their "flock," whatever that flock is (sheep, horses, cows, chickens, children, other dogs.) You have to take a lot of extra time with them in order to socialize them properly if you want them to be around other people. We do.
From AKC:
"Temperament
Alert and intelligent, calm and observant. Instinctively protective, he is courageous and highly adaptable. He is very loyal and responsive. Highly territorial, he is a natural guard. Reserve around strangers and off its territory is acceptable. Responsiveness with animation is not characteristic of the breed. Overhandling would be discouraged."
Anyway, here is a picture of our Anatolian Shepherd, Quincy. She is only six months old.
This past Wednesday, Pepper was involved in an accident that broke her leg. We took her to the vet hospital, and on Thursday had to make a very hard decision. To have her broken leg amputated. The vet thought that it would be the best choice under the circumstances. We left very sad, but convinced. We decided to have her spade at the same time.
This evening, we received a phone call that devistated us. While undergoing surgery, a routine shot was administered, and it caused our otherwise healthy puppy to pass away. The doctor assured us there was nothing we could have done differently, but it still feels like we did something wrong. Anyway, our lives were forever changed by the addition of this sweet life in ours. And we will miss her terribly for a long, long time. Goodbye, sweet baby.
This past February we completed a dream. Or started one. I'm not sure how to quantify that.
We were finally able to find an affordable Anatolian Shepherd for our property. Anatolian Shepherd's are relatively new to the United States and AKC has just recently acknowledged them as a registerable breed. Our's is not papered.
We've started the process of gathering cinder blocks off of craigslist to attempt to build a nice, warm, dry kennel.
Now this is for our peace of mind, because the Anatolian Shepherd could care less if it is nasty outside. They are a rugged dog, bred to protect their "flock," whatever that flock is (sheep, horses, cows, chickens, children, other dogs.) You have to take a lot of extra time with them in order to socialize them properly if you want them to be around other people. We do.
From AKC:
"Temperament
Alert and intelligent, calm and observant. Instinctively protective, he is courageous and highly adaptable. He is very loyal and responsive. Highly territorial, he is a natural guard. Reserve around strangers and off its territory is acceptable. Responsiveness with animation is not characteristic of the breed. Overhandling would be discouraged."
Anyway, here is a picture of our Anatolian Shepherd, Quincy. She is only six months old.
HAPPY NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY!
Yep, in addition to being my birthday, May 15th is National Chocolate Chip Day! So to celebrate I am going to post a really yummy Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip Brownie Recipe that my daughter is making me for my birthday! Well I think you should make these at your house. And, sing Happy Birthday to me! Remember the candles! And hats... and streamers! Oh, and a banner!
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHIP BROWNIES
1 c. butter, melted
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 c. all-purpose flour
2/3 c. Hershey's cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 pkg. Chocolate Chips
1/2 c. chopped nuts (opt.)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease square pan, 13 x 9 x 2 inches. In large mixing bowl blend melted butter, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, using spoon, beat well. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually blend into egg mixture. Stir in Chocolate Chips and nuts, if desired. Spread into prepared pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool.
About 32 brownies.
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHIP BROWNIES
1 c. butter, melted
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 c. all-purpose flour
2/3 c. Hershey's cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 pkg. Chocolate Chips
1/2 c. chopped nuts (opt.)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease square pan, 13 x 9 x 2 inches. In large mixing bowl blend melted butter, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, using spoon, beat well. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually blend into egg mixture. Stir in Chocolate Chips and nuts, if desired. Spread into prepared pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool.
About 32 brownies.
EMHE: Two Hour Season Finale!!
McFarland Family
Ty and the gang travel to Indianapolis, IN, to help a single father of three who started a program that empowered his community's children with books and knowledge.
Ty and the gang travel to Indianapolis, IN, to help a single father of three who started a program that empowered his community's children with books and knowledge.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Aphids and homemade insecticidal soap
I found this wonderful article on Aphid and homemade insecticidal soap on one of my favorite blogs: TennZen: Enlightenment Southern Style.
Now she is several months along in her gardening since she is blogging from Tennessee, however, that's all right with me, since it gives me advanced insight. (I do better with non-emergencies, how about you?) Anyway, be sure to read her second posting about how well her homemade insecticidal soap worked. You can find it at: Results of using homemade insecticidal soap and price comparison.
Now she is several months along in her gardening since she is blogging from Tennessee, however, that's all right with me, since it gives me advanced insight. (I do better with non-emergencies, how about you?) Anyway, be sure to read her second posting about how well her homemade insecticidal soap worked. You can find it at: Results of using homemade insecticidal soap and price comparison.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Old Pictures
I've been away the past day or so scanning old pictures at my grand-mother's apartment. This seemed like a good time to do it since she is away on a trip to the Grand Canyon. We started with the "wall" pictures, cause we had to take them out of the frames, and it would take the longest. My son, Parker, my uncle, and my sister and I worked like crazy, yesterday. We should complete the "wall" pictures today. They include some of my grandfather when he was a child. I am so glad to be getting at this project. It's been a long time coming. I may bring home some of the older albums to scan some of the pictures in at home. Parker and I can handle them by ourselves, cause there is no frame to replace them into. The picture above is of my mom and dad's wedding, February 19, 1959. The other one is of Glenn and my wedding, May 2, 1992.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
SPECIAL REQUEST FROM KELLEE
Hello, my name is Kellee Spangenberg, and I serve on the board of A Hope and A Future. I just completed and mailed to ABC TV the Application for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" for The Glenn and Carla Grytdal Family! Wouldn’t it be great to have a Spokane area person win an Extreme Makeover? How about one that was a foster parent, is an adoptive parent (x2), and started a non-profit organization for foster and adoptive families?
Thousands of applications for Extreme Makeover Home Edition are received each month, with only a handful selected. Want to help us get noticed by the producers??
How about sending a follow-up letter to the application stating why you think The Grytdal family deserves this - or what the Donation Station has meant to you. Or you may want to send a postcard simply stating something like this on the back: "Please Consider The Grytdal Family for a Home Makeover!" Or just send an empty envelope with these same words written large and at an angle to the left of the address you see below. (Don’t forget the stamp!) Hopefully if they hear from enough of us, they will give The Grytdal Family and A Hope and A Future serious consideration!
Please share this idea with others who know them - the more letters they receive the better chance we have of being noticed!
The address for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is:
Lock & Key Productions
c/o Family Casting
P.O. Box 38670
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Thousands of applications for Extreme Makeover Home Edition are received each month, with only a handful selected. Want to help us get noticed by the producers??
How about sending a follow-up letter to the application stating why you think The Grytdal family deserves this - or what the Donation Station has meant to you. Or you may want to send a postcard simply stating something like this on the back: "Please Consider The Grytdal Family for a Home Makeover!" Or just send an empty envelope with these same words written large and at an angle to the left of the address you see below. (Don’t forget the stamp!) Hopefully if they hear from enough of us, they will give The Grytdal Family and A Hope and A Future serious consideration!
Please share this idea with others who know them - the more letters they receive the better chance we have of being noticed!
The address for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is:
Lock & Key Productions
c/o Family Casting
P.O. Box 38670
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Cerda Family - May 10, Sun 8/7c
Ty and the gang travel to Las Vegas, NV to rebuild the Cerda's home which is threatening the lives of their two daughters.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
May Donation Station
Friday, May 1, 2009
11 am – 1:30 pm
We will hold Donation Station at: Five Mile Prairie Grange 3024 West Strong Road Spokane.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO FIVE MILE PRAIRIE GRANGE
Start out going WEST on WA-291/ W FRANCIS AVE. Turn RIGHT onto N MAPLE ST. Turn LEFT onto W FIVE MILE RD. Drive approximately 1.9 miles. Turn LEFT onto W STRONG RD. Five Mile Prairie Grange is the first bright yellow building on the right.
The Address is: Five Mile Prairie Grange, 3024 W Strong Rd, Spokane, WA 99208-4983 just in case you need to Mapquest it from your specific address.
We have our donations from the Just Between Friends sale in Spokane, and all I can say is – WOW! We received some really great items! And we have something very special planned for our May Donation Station. At the end of the sale, we were the lucky recipients of several larger items, and we have decided to make those our door prize items. Each family that attends Donation Station will receive one raffle ticket. You can then choose which item you want to try and take home. Put your ticket in that bucket, and at 1:30 we will draw our winners. You don’t need to be present to win – you’ll put your name and phone number on your ticket. We have a double stroller system, baby swing, Leap Frog Train, Crib w/mattress, changing table, bike and a few others in the raffle. So be sure to attend our May Donation Station! Every family that attends has a chance to win!
Just Between Friends is having another one of their great sales in North Idaho at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on May 30-31. We will need volunteers to help us at the end of that event (tear down). We are the very lucky recipients of the donated clothing and children’s items that do not sell at the event. Please help us thank Just Between Friends by volunteering to work at the event. You can check them out and sign up to volunteer (make sure you note that you are volunteering on behalf of AHAF/Donation Station) by clicking on this link: http://nidaho.jbfsale.com/
Of course, we will also have our Gift in Kind items, and we have added a few more stores to our list, so we hope to have some really great items for you.
THANK YOU to all who volunteer to make Donation Station such a success!! Thank you so much for such great volunteers! We truly appreciate you.
We are always in need of volunteers to help us put out items and pack up at the end. We especially need volunteers from the 1 pm to 2:30 pm time frame. If you can come early to help set-up (between 9:30 and 10:45 am) or stay late to help tear down (between 1:30 and 2:30) it would be greatly appreciated. Please RSVP for volunteering to Dru Powers at dru.powers@juno.com. We certainly love and appreciate all our volunteers!! Remember, we have a potluck lunch for all our volunteers, and we also provide childcare to our volunteers. And we found out that the oven in the kitchen is not working, so please don’t bring anything for the potluck that would require oven use.
A Hope and a Future now has a blog! This will be a great place for you to get updates about what is going on with us – please come visit us and bookmark us! www.ahaf.blogspot.com
For security reasons and to uphold confidentially, The Donation Station is available solely to Foster and Adoptive families. Please only take items which may be used in your immediate family.
A Hope and A Future is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We operate solely on donations and in-kind gifts from individuals, businesses, churches, & the surrounding communities. Donations are tax-deductible.
If you no longer wish to receive this e-mail, please respond to carla@ahopeandafuture.net.
We look forward to seeing you next Friday!
Donation Station Committee
Friday, May 1, 2009
11 am – 1:30 pm
We will hold Donation Station at: Five Mile Prairie Grange 3024 West Strong Road Spokane.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO FIVE MILE PRAIRIE GRANGE
Start out going WEST on WA-291/ W FRANCIS AVE. Turn RIGHT onto N MAPLE ST. Turn LEFT onto W FIVE MILE RD. Drive approximately 1.9 miles. Turn LEFT onto W STRONG RD. Five Mile Prairie Grange is the first bright yellow building on the right.
The Address is: Five Mile Prairie Grange, 3024 W Strong Rd, Spokane, WA 99208-4983 just in case you need to Mapquest it from your specific address.
We have our donations from the Just Between Friends sale in Spokane, and all I can say is – WOW! We received some really great items! And we have something very special planned for our May Donation Station. At the end of the sale, we were the lucky recipients of several larger items, and we have decided to make those our door prize items. Each family that attends Donation Station will receive one raffle ticket. You can then choose which item you want to try and take home. Put your ticket in that bucket, and at 1:30 we will draw our winners. You don’t need to be present to win – you’ll put your name and phone number on your ticket. We have a double stroller system, baby swing, Leap Frog Train, Crib w/mattress, changing table, bike and a few others in the raffle. So be sure to attend our May Donation Station! Every family that attends has a chance to win!
Just Between Friends is having another one of their great sales in North Idaho at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on May 30-31. We will need volunteers to help us at the end of that event (tear down). We are the very lucky recipients of the donated clothing and children’s items that do not sell at the event. Please help us thank Just Between Friends by volunteering to work at the event. You can check them out and sign up to volunteer (make sure you note that you are volunteering on behalf of AHAF/Donation Station) by clicking on this link: http://nidaho.jbfsale.com/
Of course, we will also have our Gift in Kind items, and we have added a few more stores to our list, so we hope to have some really great items for you.
THANK YOU to all who volunteer to make Donation Station such a success!! Thank you so much for such great volunteers! We truly appreciate you.
We are always in need of volunteers to help us put out items and pack up at the end. We especially need volunteers from the 1 pm to 2:30 pm time frame. If you can come early to help set-up (between 9:30 and 10:45 am) or stay late to help tear down (between 1:30 and 2:30) it would be greatly appreciated. Please RSVP for volunteering to Dru Powers at dru.powers@juno.com. We certainly love and appreciate all our volunteers!! Remember, we have a potluck lunch for all our volunteers, and we also provide childcare to our volunteers. And we found out that the oven in the kitchen is not working, so please don’t bring anything for the potluck that would require oven use.
A Hope and a Future now has a blog! This will be a great place for you to get updates about what is going on with us – please come visit us and bookmark us! www.ahaf.blogspot.com
For security reasons and to uphold confidentially, The Donation Station is available solely to Foster and Adoptive families. Please only take items which may be used in your immediate family.
A Hope and A Future is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We operate solely on donations and in-kind gifts from individuals, businesses, churches, & the surrounding communities. Donations are tax-deductible.
If you no longer wish to receive this e-mail, please respond to carla@ahopeandafuture.net.
We look forward to seeing you next Friday!
Donation Station Committee
Cooper Family
Cooper Family
May 3, Sun 8/7c
Ty and the gang travel to Martin County, NC, to honor a decorated disabled Veteran who has worked with congress to improve Veterans' benefits.
May 3, Sun 8/7c
Ty and the gang travel to Martin County, NC, to honor a decorated disabled Veteran who has worked with congress to improve Veterans' benefits.
The Jordan Family – Aired April 24, 2009
The Jordan Family
Montgomery, AL
Brady Jordan, Dad
Monica Jordan, Mom
Brittany (Age 23) – Daughter. Wants to be a pediatrician
Miles (Age 15) – Son/Grandson. Wants to be a professional basketball player, but has a backup plan to become an engineer. Miles’ mother was killed by her fiancée, during domestic violence. He then turned the gun on himself.
Shaun (Age 14) Daughter/Granddaughter. She is interested in poetry.
Tay Tay (Age 11) Son/Grandson. He is interested in Earth Science. Tay Tay was only 5-yrs old when his father, William, was killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. Shaun and Tay Tay are brother and sister.
Brady and Monica Jordan had three children. They had raised them, and each were becoming successful in their own right.
Their oldest daughter joined the military in order to afford college, and was going off to boot camp shortly. She wanted to become a lawyer, and practice law with her mother as a partner. Then tragedy struck. No one knows exactly why, but her fiancé took her off to “talk” to her, and shot and killed her instead. He then called the police to confess, and shot and killed himself. This left a small child, Miles, without his mother.
The Jordan’s also had an older son, named William. William had two children: Shaun and Tay Tay. One night, William was killed in a car crash, caused by a drunk driver.
Instead of just letting someone else be responsible for their grandchildren, Monica and Brady welcomed them into their lives, and gave them a healthy and stable home. These children will grow up with values that they might not otherwise have because of the influences of their grandparents. They are growing up calling their grandparents “mom and dad.” Under these circumstances, that is such a healthy thing. I thought this was such a special family, because they were so committed to each other. They remind me of my own family.
My father died, at age 34, from lung cancer. I was only 9 years old. My grandparents took us into their home for a whole year. We lived with them, while my mother settled things. Then, they continued to help out for the rest of our childhood, young adult and adult lives. It’s interesting: They were retired. They were on a fixed income. They had their retirement years planned. And yet, they were there to help us within hours of my father’s death, even though they lived on the other side of the state. They put aside their "plans" and made our lives part of theirs. I’ve asked my grandmother about this, and her answer was, “We never thought about it. It was just the only thing to do. We are a family.”
I believe the Jordan Family is that kind of family. It was the only option. They are a family. I love that Extreme Makeover Home Edition helped out this family.
Design Team:
Ty Pennington – Brady and Monica’s Master Bedroom. Special Project: Unique “Helping Hands” Photos all around the room, inspired by Monica grasping Ty’s hand when she first met him, and not letting go.
Paul DiMeo – Miles “Basketball” room and Tay Tay’s “Earth Science” room
Tracy Hutson – Brittany’s “Study and Medical” room and Shaun’s “Poetry” Room
Eduardo Xol – House and Landscape Design.
Monica speaks out against domestic violence and drunk driving. She is very active with speaking engagements at churches and schools. She makes a difference in her community.
M.A.D.D. (Mother’s Against Drunk Driving) and Tracy Hutson did an exhibit of crashed cars in front of Biscuit (Riverwalk) Stadium for William.
Paul DiMeo helped with an exhibit of cut out portraits of victims of domestic violence at the campus of Auburn University, Montgomery, AL.
Auburn University, gave Monica and each of her children a full scholarship to get her law degree, and for them to go on to college.
The Home Builders paid off the Jordan family’s mortgage, so that they would not have to worry about that. (Pretty cool!)
This all helps ensure that this family will have a hopeful future.
“When you choose to get into a car and drive, after you drink. That is an act of violence. When you choose to take the life of another, in any fashion. That is an act of violence.
I will continue to speak out against acts of violence.” Monica Jordan
Montgomery, AL
Brady Jordan, Dad
Monica Jordan, Mom
Brittany (Age 23) – Daughter. Wants to be a pediatrician
Miles (Age 15) – Son/Grandson. Wants to be a professional basketball player, but has a backup plan to become an engineer. Miles’ mother was killed by her fiancée, during domestic violence. He then turned the gun on himself.
Shaun (Age 14) Daughter/Granddaughter. She is interested in poetry.
Tay Tay (Age 11) Son/Grandson. He is interested in Earth Science. Tay Tay was only 5-yrs old when his father, William, was killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. Shaun and Tay Tay are brother and sister.
Brady and Monica Jordan had three children. They had raised them, and each were becoming successful in their own right.
Their oldest daughter joined the military in order to afford college, and was going off to boot camp shortly. She wanted to become a lawyer, and practice law with her mother as a partner. Then tragedy struck. No one knows exactly why, but her fiancé took her off to “talk” to her, and shot and killed her instead. He then called the police to confess, and shot and killed himself. This left a small child, Miles, without his mother.
The Jordan’s also had an older son, named William. William had two children: Shaun and Tay Tay. One night, William was killed in a car crash, caused by a drunk driver.
Instead of just letting someone else be responsible for their grandchildren, Monica and Brady welcomed them into their lives, and gave them a healthy and stable home. These children will grow up with values that they might not otherwise have because of the influences of their grandparents. They are growing up calling their grandparents “mom and dad.” Under these circumstances, that is such a healthy thing. I thought this was such a special family, because they were so committed to each other. They remind me of my own family.
My father died, at age 34, from lung cancer. I was only 9 years old. My grandparents took us into their home for a whole year. We lived with them, while my mother settled things. Then, they continued to help out for the rest of our childhood, young adult and adult lives. It’s interesting: They were retired. They were on a fixed income. They had their retirement years planned. And yet, they were there to help us within hours of my father’s death, even though they lived on the other side of the state. They put aside their "plans" and made our lives part of theirs. I’ve asked my grandmother about this, and her answer was, “We never thought about it. It was just the only thing to do. We are a family.”
I believe the Jordan Family is that kind of family. It was the only option. They are a family. I love that Extreme Makeover Home Edition helped out this family.
Design Team:
Ty Pennington – Brady and Monica’s Master Bedroom. Special Project: Unique “Helping Hands” Photos all around the room, inspired by Monica grasping Ty’s hand when she first met him, and not letting go.
Paul DiMeo – Miles “Basketball” room and Tay Tay’s “Earth Science” room
Tracy Hutson – Brittany’s “Study and Medical” room and Shaun’s “Poetry” Room
Eduardo Xol – House and Landscape Design.
Monica speaks out against domestic violence and drunk driving. She is very active with speaking engagements at churches and schools. She makes a difference in her community.
M.A.D.D. (Mother’s Against Drunk Driving) and Tracy Hutson did an exhibit of crashed cars in front of Biscuit (Riverwalk) Stadium for William.
Paul DiMeo helped with an exhibit of cut out portraits of victims of domestic violence at the campus of Auburn University, Montgomery, AL.
Auburn University, gave Monica and each of her children a full scholarship to get her law degree, and for them to go on to college.
The Home Builders paid off the Jordan family’s mortgage, so that they would not have to worry about that. (Pretty cool!)
This all helps ensure that this family will have a hopeful future.
“When you choose to get into a car and drive, after you drink. That is an act of violence. When you choose to take the life of another, in any fashion. That is an act of violence.
I will continue to speak out against acts of violence.” Monica Jordan
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Pinto's and Salsa Cassarole
This is my kinda cookin! Just by guess and by golly!
I took a whole lotta dried pinto beans and put them in a crockpot with about three times the water. (Just remember that the beans will more than double in size, so don't overfill.) I started them in the morning, without pre-soaking, on high and they were done in time to make this for dinner.
Once they were done, I put a bunch of them into an 9 X 9 inch pan, added a large jar of salsa (Black Beans and Corn, but that doesn't matter much.) Added about 1/4 lb. (by sight) of cooked hamburger with onion, and stirred it all up.
Put it into the microwave to heat it through, and served it with Tortilla shells. Some wanted it rolled up like a burrito, some wanted the tortillas on the side.
Served it with leftover potato salad from the night before.
I am pretty sure that tomatoes, lettuce, avacado, and extra onions would be good too, but we were super hungry and in a hurry, so we ate our plain.
North Idaho Spring Sales Event
North Idaho Spring Sales Event
May 30,31 2009
Kootenai County Fairgrounds
Sale Hours
Saturday 8am-4pm $2 admission
Sunday 8am-2pm FREE admission and
HALF PRICE SALE
Consignor and volunteer sign ups are
NOW OPEN!
Click here to upload our spring sales flyer
Click here to watch our feature story on
Good Morning America!
Once you discover Just Between Friends, it will be an event you will never miss again! Idaho's best place to find the area's top quality clothing, cribs, strollers, swings, toys & more! Everything you need from maternity, babies and kids! Prices are 50%-90% off retail! What a great way to clean out your closets and earn money. One gigantic place to buy and sell --twice a year!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Spokane Just Between Friends Spring 2009 Sale!
1Spokane's Largest Semi-Annual Children's Consignment Sales Event
Just Between Friends
Spokane Spring Sales Event
April 17,18,19 2009
Spokane Fair & Expo Center
Sale Hours
Friday 9am-8pm $3 admission
Saturday 9am-4pm $3 admission
Sunday 8am-2pm FREE admission and HALF PRICE SALE
Consignor and Volunteer
sign ups are NOW OPEN!
For complete information, go to their website: http://spokane.jbfsale.com/
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Meatballs-70s Style
This recipe (just click on the title) comes from Retro-Food.com. I've used this same recipe for many years. Well O.K. now that I think about it... since sometime in the later part of the 70's! I Usually make about 144 meatballs at a time. Why 144? Because it seems that when you use 5 lbs of hamburger and adjust the other ingredients accordingly, you get 144 meatballs, almost every time! Huh! Who'd have guessed it?
Freeze them in ziplock bags, and they are the greatest for my DH, who only likes hamburger. He just wants them heated up, with some kind of sauce with them. Or, you can pull them out, heat em up, and put in sandwiches, or (here's a thought) Spaghetti! I am brilliant, don't you think?
Another tip is that you can just pat these out onto the jelly roll pan, and cut em with your pizza cutter, and bake the same way. I suppose you get "meatsquares" that way, but they are just a little bit quicker. (Mostly I make meatballs, cause I'm a traditionalist when it comes to my meatballs.)
EMHE The Kadzis Family - Aired Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009
I’ve got to get this posted. I can hardly think straight. I can hardly see through the tears! I am not all right. It’s taken me so long to post this because I can’t stop crying. Every time I begin to write, I start crying again. Ben had to be on my lap during the whole two hour show. It impacted us in such a strong way.
I think this one touched me so deeply because of the death of both of my parents to cancer. Dad in 1970 of Lung cancer, and mom in 1987 from complications from breast cancer. I don’t think you ever “get over” something like that. I think you just “get through” it. It impacts you for the rest of your life, hopefully not as severely as in the beginning. (Crying... need to stop for a minute.)
Dr. George Kadzis (Dentist) fought and won the battle with brain tumors in 2005. He now has stage 4 brain cancer and he is not going to get better. He knew his family would be fine because they have each other, but their house was too small for the family of 9! (I can relate!) One of the children (Martin) slept on the couch in the living room.
George wanted his family to have a safe secure home. That would give him peace, knowing that he would be leaving Barbara to raise the children. (Crying again. I can’t seem to get through this.)
The night before the ABC EMHE Design Team came, George was hospitalized. The swelling in his brain was just too much. He was experiencing (hopefully temporary) blindness, plus additional symptoms that were not really discussed.
The Kadzis family adopted six children from Chinese orphanages, five of them with special needs. Most of these children are considered “unadoptable” due to their special conditions. I have been told that in China, these children are considered “Unlucky” and Chinese people will not (I have to put in: in most cases.) adopt them. When they go home to be with their new family’s, then they are considered “Lucky.” The Kadzis family sought after these children, to give them a home and a family. What a special heart for children!
How the design team treated each of these children is especially noteworthy. Michael Maloney took the time to guide Melody’s hand down the length of the stretch limo, while he described it, so she could really know and experience what the family was leaving for vacation in.
Paige Hemmis tried learning some sign language as she was getting to know Aileen and Julia. Paige took pictures in the sand outside their vacation home, for their ocean/stars room. These girls had the cutest bumper sticker: "Made in China, Loved in the USA"
ABC and Extreme Makeover Home Edition Design Team gave this unique family a distinctive local vacation so that Barbara could be close to George in the hospital. EMHE rented them a beautiful beach vacation home right there in Tallahassee, FL.
Kadzis Family:
George (Dad). Loving, Devoted husband and father.
Barbara (Mom). A very strong wife and mother. You know this family will be all right, but you just want, so much, for her long-time friend, confidant and husband to be all right too. For Barbara's sake.
Chris (Age 16) Boy. Very understated, intuitive son. Music themed room
Aileen (Age 15) Girl. Beautifully articulate and helps her sister speak via sign language. Beach room shared with sister Julia.
Melody (Age 14) Girl. Blind at birth. Definitley understated. She was adopted at an older age, and had never lived in a family before. George and Barbara felt that she had the most difficult time with the old house. We all got the impression that this teenaged child had a lot to say. She just wanted a bookshelf to hold her partial Braille Holy Bible, which looked to be home-bound.
Julia (Age 13). Girl. Deaf. In China, she could not receive the education she needed to learn to talk. Here she is learning, and thriving. Her sister Aileen helps her out a lot. She wanted a room with stars.
Martin (Age 10) Boy. Missing several bones in his arms at birth. Ever since he came to the U.S. he has been obsessed with American Trains. Received a specially designed Caboose bed with a trundle that held a model train.
Phoenix (Age 9) Girl. She was the first Kadzis family adoption. She was born with a cleft palate, and required several surgeries, first in China, then in the U.S. Phoenix begged her mom and dad for a little sister, and they adopted Celeste!
Celeste (Age 6) Girl. She was also born with a cleft palate, and required several surgeries. Phoenix and Celeste both want to be teachers. Celeste wants to be an art teacher. The Design Team gave them a school bedroom.
The Tallahassee, FL community came together and made “Welcome Home” and “Get Well” cards for George and Barbara. Barbara took the “Get Well” cards to the hospital for George to enjoy. (Crying, again!) The love and mutual respect of these two was so apparent.
They are a very musically talented family. Barbara and George said that when the children would initially come home from China, they couldn’t communicate except that music was a universal language. Michael designed a music room with a baby grand piano, and made a unique art piece out of retired musical instruments above it.
I really think Ty Pennington connected with this family; offering hugs and stability at the appropriate times to Barbara. He was so respectful to especially when it came to George. The camera’s were not invited into the hospital room, and Ty was very reverent of that. (Crying yet again. I told you, I am a mess!) You kind of saw everything through a haze. I am so glad for that, because in the future, these children may want to watch the video of this episode, and they won’t have to be reminded of George’s last few days.
The family signed “Bus driver, move that bus!” together. That was so beautiful! Visually, practically and sentimentally.
So let me tell you, that Melody, the understated teenage girl that was blind since birth, was so much fun to watch when she got to “see” her room! The designers of the Kadzis home gave her a 3/16’ scale model of their new 3600 square foot, single level home, in order to help her make a “mind map” of it. This should help her to be independent much quicker, because it is so hard for people who are blind to function in new surroundings. Her room came with a new specialized computer system with a scanner, and a braille reader so she can “read” books that are not available in braille yet.
Melody received the Complete Hard Bound Edition of The Holy Bible, written in Braille. How absolutely fabulous, because this meant so much to Melody! I love that part of EMHE... they try so hard to make everything so individually special.
The EMHE Design Team gave her a scanner system in the kitchen that reads bar coded labels. This helps her be more independent in the kitchen. She will be able to choose her own snacks, and I would imagine be able to eventually help out with the cooking.
The Design Team for this episode:
Ty Pennington - George and Barbara’s master bedroom, and bathroom (I think it was handicapped accessible, but you couldn’t really tell that.) Designed to help with George’s recovery.
Paige Hemmis - matched with Aileen, Julia, Phoenix, and Celeste. She took all the girls!
Michael Maloney - Interior design of the house, and Chris’ musical bedroom.
John Littleton - matched with Martin, designed the Caboose bed, and train trundle, with an amazing Train mural, and individualized work/study desk.
And finally, as a special gift to the Kadzis Family; EMHE brought in Stevie Wonder. Mr. Wonder sang a specially adjusted version of “I Just Called To Say I Love You.” Specially adjusted to reflect the Kadzis Family. It was so touching. He is such an amazing musician, and an positive representation for special needs people. (Crying, yes again.)
George Kadzis did not get to come home to his new home. He passed away three days after the Family moved in to the new home.
My deepest sympathy to Barbara Kadzis. Your love for George is a testament to all of us. I am so happy that ABC and EMHE came to help you, and that George was able to know that prior to his passing.
George Kadzis (1952 - 2009)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Southwestern Coleslaw
I haven't made this, but it looks like something that I'd like, and it would go great with the Pinto and Beans Dinner. Think I'm gonna have to try this.
Plus, with summertime coming up there is less chance of getting "the gift that keeps on giving" because there is no mayonnaise in the recipe.
Well we'll go swimmin' every day
No time to work just time to play
If your folks complain just say,
"It's summertime"
And every night we'll have a dance
Cause what's a vacation without romance
Oh man this jive gets me in a trance
Because it's summertime
Easy Mexican Rice
Easy Mexican Rice
1 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 1/2 cup long grain rice
3 3/4 cups cold water
3 teaspoons salt
3 teaspoons garlic powder
1 cup of tomato sauce
2 strong shakes of hot sauce
In a skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add rice and cook until lightly browned. Add water and remaining ingredients, bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until rice is tender.
Serves 6
1 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 1/2 cup long grain rice
3 3/4 cups cold water
3 teaspoons salt
3 teaspoons garlic powder
1 cup of tomato sauce
2 strong shakes of hot sauce
In a skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add rice and cook until lightly browned. Add water and remaining ingredients, bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until rice is tender.
Serves 6
Pinto’s and Cheese
Pinto’s and Cheese
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can refried beans
1 Tbl. Taco Seasoning (or whatever mexican seasoning you have)
1 can mild enchilada sauce
2 cups Cheese, shredded, divided
Take can of Pinto Beans, put into a 2 quart casserole. Mash with a potato masher. Add about 2/3 can of Enchilada Sauce. Sprinkle on Taco Seasoning and mix well. Add Pinto Beans and 1 cup cheese. Mix well and smooth out Bake in 350 oven for about 25 minutes. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over top, then top with the rest of the cheese. Put back into oven for about 5 minutes or until cheese melts completely. Serve with Tortilla’s.
Yield: 6 servings
Optional: Riverwalk Guacamole, Diced Tomatoes, Chopped Fresh Onions, Shredded Lettuce, Sour Cream, Avocado Slices, Tortilla Chips, Mexican Rice
Can also be heated in microwave instead of the oven.
WARNING: Riverwalk Guacamole is from over at "Mennonite girls can cook blog." These ladys can really cook up a storm. RSS Feed worthy stuff. I've gotta tell you that this guacamole is fabulous, and it doesn't need anything else with it. (No, I'm not kidding.) Just get out your spoon, sit down with a nice glass of limeade and scoop it up! (Well, if you must you can use Tortilla chips.)
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can refried beans
1 Tbl. Taco Seasoning (or whatever mexican seasoning you have)
1 can mild enchilada sauce
2 cups Cheese, shredded, divided
Take can of Pinto Beans, put into a 2 quart casserole. Mash with a potato masher. Add about 2/3 can of Enchilada Sauce. Sprinkle on Taco Seasoning and mix well. Add Pinto Beans and 1 cup cheese. Mix well and smooth out Bake in 350 oven for about 25 minutes. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over top, then top with the rest of the cheese. Put back into oven for about 5 minutes or until cheese melts completely. Serve with Tortilla’s.
Yield: 6 servings
Optional: Riverwalk Guacamole, Diced Tomatoes, Chopped Fresh Onions, Shredded Lettuce, Sour Cream, Avocado Slices, Tortilla Chips, Mexican Rice
Can also be heated in microwave instead of the oven.
WARNING: Riverwalk Guacamole is from over at "Mennonite girls can cook blog." These ladys can really cook up a storm. RSS Feed worthy stuff. I've gotta tell you that this guacamole is fabulous, and it doesn't need anything else with it. (No, I'm not kidding.) Just get out your spoon, sit down with a nice glass of limeade and scoop it up! (Well, if you must you can use Tortilla chips.)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Menu Plan Monday 4/13 - 4/19, 2009
It's Menu Plan Monday over at I'm an Organizing Junkie. I have been so bad about planning lately, but we have put ourselves on a budget and I need to get back on board making sure we stick to it!
Monday
Breakfast - Toast, Homemade Applesauce, Milk
Lunch - Ramen Noodles,
Dinner - Slow Cooker Chicken BBQ, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Peaches
Tuesday
Breakfast - Banana Bread, Milk, Apple Slices
Lunch - Egg Salad Sandwiches (or crackers),
Dinner - Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes, Peas
Wednesday
Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs, Toast
Lunch - Cheese Quesadillas,
Dinner - Burritos, Green Beans
Thursday
Breakfast - Oatmeal w/Maple and Brown Sugar, Toast
Lunch - PB&J Sandwiches,
Dinner - Chili over spaghetti noodles with Cheese, Cornbread Muffins, Home Canned Cherries
Friday
Breakfast - Swiss Muesli
Lunch - Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks
Dinner - Hearty Tater Tot Casserole, Home-canned Cherries
Saturday
Breakfast - French Toast,
Lunch - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Homemade Tomato soup with Crackers,
Dinner - Mexican Pizza, Hawaiian Pizza,
Sunday
Breakfast - Fried Eggs, Toast, Applesauce
Lunch - Leftovers
Dinner- Leftovers
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Nickless Family (Re-aired)
Tim Nickless was a nurse working in Critical Intensive Care Unit of a Lansing, MI. He also taught Advanced Cardiac Life Support at Lansing Community College. Tim contracted Hepatitis C, which he battled for seven years. Tim passed away January 18, 2008 leaving a wife, Arlene and three sons: Aaron (age 11), Noah (age 9), Andrew (age 7).
Arlene and Tim lived in a 148 year old home that Tim was restoring, but it was in really bad condition. Tim told Arlene that if anything happened to him, “Let go of the house, it’ll take you down.” But they were stuck. Arlene Nickless couldn’t sell the house for what they had invested in it.
Tim had a workshop in the basement of the house, and he made beautiful hand-turned bowls, and worked on the house. He was teaching his sons to make things with the tools, and they were continuing on after his death.
There is a place that the boys could go, called “Ellie’s Place” that helps the boys with their grief. Michael and Paige went there and asked the kids to help them out on Noah’s room.
I could have used a place like Ellie’s Place when my dad died. I was 9 years old, like Noah, when my dad passed away from lung cancer. I had a really hard time working through the grief. It would have nice to have had other kids to talk to who had gone through something similar. I remember the time another child asked me: “What’s it like not to have a dad?” I responded: “What’s it like to have one?”
- Paige Hemmis created an electronics room with a “secret” room for Aaron Nickless (age 11)
- Michael Maloney- created building blocks room with a star-ship bed for Noah Nickless (age 9.) It was based on an idea from Noah himself.
- Rib Hillis created an Airplane room for Andrew Nickless (age 7) which had a handcrafted bed made to look like a propeller airplane.
Ed Sanders - Finished the clubhouse that Tim Nickless had started. He included a piece of wood that Tim had written on: “Aaron, Noah, Andrew I love you, Dad” Ed made it into a plaque for the clubhouse. The really neat thing was that it was a complete surprise to the boys. They had never seen it before.
The Nickless family was sent on a vacation to DisneyWorld. Pretty cool!
Lansing Community College and University of Michigan gave the Nickless boys a grant for a total of four years of college.
They were given a brand new 2009 Ford Flex seven passenger vehicle that had a special detailing of airplanes on the roof.
Their brand new garage was a mixture of old and new. Old tools from Tim, and brand new Craftsman tools from Sears
The grand finale was the airplane that flew overhead and read: “Welcome Home Nickless Family!” That was so cool.
This episode originally aired in November of 2008.
Next week is the Kadzis Family (a 2-hour special!)
Arlene and Tim lived in a 148 year old home that Tim was restoring, but it was in really bad condition. Tim told Arlene that if anything happened to him, “Let go of the house, it’ll take you down.” But they were stuck. Arlene Nickless couldn’t sell the house for what they had invested in it.
Tim had a workshop in the basement of the house, and he made beautiful hand-turned bowls, and worked on the house. He was teaching his sons to make things with the tools, and they were continuing on after his death.
There is a place that the boys could go, called “Ellie’s Place” that helps the boys with their grief. Michael and Paige went there and asked the kids to help them out on Noah’s room.
I could have used a place like Ellie’s Place when my dad died. I was 9 years old, like Noah, when my dad passed away from lung cancer. I had a really hard time working through the grief. It would have nice to have had other kids to talk to who had gone through something similar. I remember the time another child asked me: “What’s it like not to have a dad?” I responded: “What’s it like to have one?”
Design Team
- Ty Pennington created a unique master bedroom for Arlene Nickless (mom) that included a headboard with vases of yellow roses (very special to Arlene because Tim used to give her rose bushes) and a special master bed with hand-turned legs.- Paige Hemmis created an electronics room with a “secret” room for Aaron Nickless (age 11)
- Michael Maloney- created building blocks room with a star-ship bed for Noah Nickless (age 9.) It was based on an idea from Noah himself.
- Rib Hillis created an Airplane room for Andrew Nickless (age 7) which had a handcrafted bed made to look like a propeller airplane.
Ed Sanders - Finished the clubhouse that Tim Nickless had started. He included a piece of wood that Tim had written on: “Aaron, Noah, Andrew I love you, Dad” Ed made it into a plaque for the clubhouse. The really neat thing was that it was a complete surprise to the boys. They had never seen it before.
The Nickless family was sent on a vacation to DisneyWorld. Pretty cool!
Lansing Community College and University of Michigan gave the Nickless boys a grant for a total of four years of college.
They were given a brand new 2009 Ford Flex seven passenger vehicle that had a special detailing of airplanes on the roof.
Their brand new garage was a mixture of old and new. Old tools from Tim, and brand new Craftsman tools from Sears
The grand finale was the airplane that flew overhead and read: “Welcome Home Nickless Family!” That was so cool.
This episode originally aired in November of 2008.
Next week is the Kadzis Family (a 2-hour special!)
Saturday, April 4, 2009
April 2009 Families Served
I am having problems with the battery for my old MAC Powerbook, so I can't make this look right for a little while (until the new one comes.)
April 3, 2009 Donation Station
# Families Served: 37 (not too bad for Spring Break week)
# in Family's: 177
#Female Children: 55
# Male Children: 52
We also culled out all the older clothes and donated them to another non-profit organzation. We will receive new donations from the Just Between Friends Sale, held April 16, 17, 18th!
Great job everyone!
April 3, 2009 Donation Station
# Families Served: 37 (not too bad for Spring Break week)
# in Family's: 177
#Female Children: 55
# Male Children: 52
We also culled out all the older clothes and donated them to another non-profit organzation. We will receive new donations from the Just Between Friends Sale, held April 16, 17, 18th!
Great job everyone!
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Almquist Family - "Forever Wild"
Last night EMHE was about a family in Phelan, CA that helps out a lot of abandoned and abused exotic animals through their exotic animal sanctuary, "Forever Wild." Kind of like our local "Cat Tales." These are animals that someone decided was a cute and cuddly baby, but then didn't want any more when that baby grew up to be an unpredictable wild animal. Some of the large cats had been de-clawed, and it sounds like that is not very successful in big cats, because it seems that many of them had to have surgeries to correct serious problems from the original de-clawing. So sad. My heart goes out to any animal that is placed in a home and then abandoned. These animals can never be introduced into the wild, because they've been taken care of all their lives. The only thing that will happen is that they will go looking for someone to take care of them.
In addition to large cats, there were tortoises, horses, dogs, pigs, goats, a deer, a parrot of some kind, and many varieties of (poisonous) snakes.
The Almquist Family was running this learning facility to care for the animals, but their house was falling apart, and infested with mice. They were spending their own money to provide meat for the animals, and preparing it in their own kitchen. The Dad (Joel) had been recently laid off from his job.
EMHE built them a new home plus a really impressive new learning center, with a specialty kitchen for the animal food preparation, and housing for the animals, complete with play yard. They provided solar panels to offset 70% of the electricity needed to operate the facility. They were given 4-year college educations for their four children. A brand new Ford F150 truck that had a computer and printer built into it (That's so cool!)
EMHE sent them to Costa Rica on vacation (glorious warmth!), and the family was given the opportunity to work at another facility there helping build a bridge so that monkeys wouldn't get electrocuted on power lines or ran over by cars crossing the busy streets.
What an interesting family, and what an impressive build. It held my attention for two hours!
In addition to large cats, there were tortoises, horses, dogs, pigs, goats, a deer, a parrot of some kind, and many varieties of (poisonous) snakes.
The Almquist Family was running this learning facility to care for the animals, but their house was falling apart, and infested with mice. They were spending their own money to provide meat for the animals, and preparing it in their own kitchen. The Dad (Joel) had been recently laid off from his job.
EMHE built them a new home plus a really impressive new learning center, with a specialty kitchen for the animal food preparation, and housing for the animals, complete with play yard. They provided solar panels to offset 70% of the electricity needed to operate the facility. They were given 4-year college educations for their four children. A brand new Ford F150 truck that had a computer and printer built into it (That's so cool!)
EMHE sent them to Costa Rica on vacation (glorious warmth!), and the family was given the opportunity to work at another facility there helping build a bridge so that monkeys wouldn't get electrocuted on power lines or ran over by cars crossing the busy streets.
What an interesting family, and what an impressive build. It held my attention for two hours!
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