ALMOST FAMOUS and other stuff!

Hey all!  Been awhile since I last authored an original Ludke-ville!  I had to go back and re-read the last one so I'd know where and when it was!  Almost a month ago!  Talked about our get togethers and Randy singing for church with Jaimee.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YToi4tYRz4

What's been up?  Hmm?  Well ... it's Iowa.  It's January.  It's cold!!!  (As in VERY -- went outside yesterday and thought "ahhh it feels so good!"  Looked at the thermometer.  It was 21 degrees.  A full 30 degrees warmer than the previous day!)  Seems like so many are saying how they want to move away.  I agree it's cold.  But I suppose no matter where you are there are good things and not so good! 

And yet - life goes on.  Stuff happens!  Randy had a birthday.  I am gonna have one this week.  Nick has one on the last day of the month.  We're all growing older right in front of your eyes! 

There was one PARTY WORTHY January birthday.  Reese, JoDe and Josh's (JoDe is my sister Joy's daughter) little girl turned FOUR YEARS OLD!!  The party was at Gr'ma and Gr'pa Hinkhouse's house.  Pizza, cake and presents ... what more could you ask for?  We enjoyed catching up a little with Josh's family. 

Our Pharr-away family (Ryan, Rhiannon, Jaimee Pharr) were able to be home the weekend of Reese's party.  Jaimee had been asked to do special music for church.  She practiced and knows Twinkle-Twinkle, Arky-Arky and Jesus Loves Me.  But being only 22 months old ... sometimes what you practice for and what you get aren't exactly the same!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I99myekU55M

Randy and I have gone to two of Griffin's (sister Gail's son) high school basketball games.  I'd never been to a high school sporting event, so it was fun.  At 1/2 time they take a $1 from people and let them shoot the basketball.  Guess you win a prize from Taco John's or something if you actually hit it.  I told Gail "come on!", she didn't want to.  But she ended up coming down.  We both shot.  My shot didn't hardly get farther than the end of my fingertips (yes, I'm THAT good!).  Gail was closer.

This last Tuesday we went again and this time we noticed that where as LAST TIME there were no other females in the shooting line - THIS time there were quite a few teen age girls.  We started something!  So we went down and I got almost UNDER the basket and shot.  I hit the backboard and it bounced back.  I grabbed it quick and reshot -- nothing again.  Gail on the other hand stayed at the appointed spot and she shot!  She hit the RIM!  Oh ... it was awesome!  I wish so bad it had gone in. 

As it was we figure we are almost famous!  When we were done shooting a little kid came up and gave me the "high-5" with KNUCKLES!  You know only COOL folk do the knuckle 'high-5'!!    And as we walked back to our seats we could just feel everyone looking at us with pride and admiration.  (You remember it your way - I'll remember it MINE!)  Yup!  We are ALMOST FAMOUS my sister and I!

Speaking of sisters.  Our dear sister Bellie (Mark's wife) learned last night that her Tita that lived next door to her parents had died.  My heart has had a lump in it's throat all day thinking of how she must feel - being so far away from the Philipines at such a time of loss.  We love her to bits, but it isn't the same - I'm sure - as her family there.  Please remember her and her family in your prayers.

We're still looking for a 2nd vehicle.  We decided not to keep the YACHT.  It was an amazing car with LUXURY written all over it.  I mean it cushioned your bottom, it warmed your bottom, it did everything except scratch your bottom.  The delay in finding something has let Randy hone in on some more specific types of autos that he likes or doesn't like.  I think he still has it in his mind's eye that he likes the amenities of the YACHT.  I doubt he'll be able to get all of those things, but we can hope!

Next weekend after church, we're going to drive over to Orland Park and see our Pharr-away family.  We are really looking forward to it!  

Better get back to my laundry.  After working in our bedroom and bathroom for a couple of hours earlier today - I came away with quite a pile of laundry.  Have the bedding washed, just need to get it back on the bed.  Ahhhh!  Love clean sheets.  I think they make you sleep better!  But bedding aside, there are still plenty of loads to do! 

Take care - keep warm - while you're confined inside - drop us a note! 
Remember Jesus loves you - and is coming soon!
V