Linda Bristow (Elias)

Has anyone gone anywhere interesting this summer?  Our site has been very quiet.

Linda

David Long

For Dorothy and me, it was just the cruise from LA to Miami through the Panama Canal.  It was a great cruise right up to the point when we both contracted COVID (we think in Costa Rica) and spent the last 5 days isolated in our cabin.  Only the 2nd time I've ever purchased travel insurance - money well spent.

Oh, we did make it from Chicago to Bloomington for the Mini 

David Brock

I broke 3 ribs in late May and spent the rest of the summer in restricted activity.  Early August, we traveled to Indianapolis for my niece's wedding, and spent some time with family.  Also did some museum sightseeingin dowtown Indy--The whole area has changed since we lived there.  Still doing rehab with the ribs, but much better.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Way to go David Long!  Sorry you caught COVID!

David Brock:  How did you manage to break your ribs?

Linda

Richard Gray

I too.k a road trip all the way to Normal IL. Never seen such rough roads

Terri Baxter (Whirrett)

Hello Everyone, I have permission from Cheryl McClay Troxel  to share that she is battling breast cancer. She will be done with chemo at the end of October and then begins radiation. She hopes to have it all done by the new year. She also had a double mastectomy in the beginning. She lives in Tucson with Tom Kehoe.  She said she's been tolerating pretty well so far but being bald is hard. Please keep her and Tom in your prayers.

Boo Baxter Whirrett

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Boo:

Tell Cheryl, I'm praying, with everything I've got, for her!

Love to ya both,

Linda

David Brock

It seemed like the thing to do at the time--I was digging out a dead bush in the yard, and was trying to remove the whole bush (including the root).  The fulcrum/pry tool gave way and I fell-- found the ground harder than I remembered. 

David Brock

Prayers to Cheryl and her family..
 

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Cheryl so sorry you're going through all this.  I had four surgeries on my left breast and I wish I would have had a mastectomy because after I had the surgeries I still had 35 radiation treatments.  Now my left side looks like chopped liver.  Haha.

Cheryl I'm saying many prayers for you and anyone else who is going through cancer.

love to all our classmates. 
Suzi
 

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Come Sept. 21, 2023 we are into Fall!  It seems our weather is making the change gradually.  I sure am looking forward to the cooler weather.

Here's hoping that Fall works well for all of you too!

Linda

Richard Gray

Linda - Don't you miss the snow and  minus 20 degree cold weather?  Your fingers aching from the cold. Ice on your windshield. Car doors frozen shut. Salt all over your new vehicle. Get up every morning and thinking "another day in paradise"..

Linda Bristow (Elias)

I don't miss the severely cold at all.  But it would be better than cooking in heat over 100.  When you have a 13 week season and 10 weeks are over 100.......I found it difficult for me to tolerate.

Do you know anyone up there that have solar energy?  Do you know if it is working as efficiently as it is supposed to do?

I saw some houses up there that I am interested in seeing.   You know that vinyl siding.........Can that be removed from a house and have brick used instead?

Linda

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Richard Gray

Linda - I love brick homes but brick is not a good insulator to keep heat or cold out. Wood is the best insulator for exterior use. .Vinyl is not good either as you probably know. If I was building a new home today I would use 2X6 studs and fiberglass insulation, with 12" insulation in the attic. Haven't known anyone with Solar Panels, so I can't say if their a good ivestment or not. I keep seeing ads that IL will help with the cost of Solar Panels. Don't know if that is the installation cost or your heat and AC bills  Good luck on whatever you decide. You will get a 1,000 opinions on what is best.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Thank you.  Yes I realize the heat relationship with wood.  However, I prefer something that is more secure.  Then I would follow suit with the insulation in the walls and attic.

Thanks again.

Linda

David Brock

Linda-- Re: Solar panels.  You will need to study any proposal carefully!!  I have seen some bids that performance  would NOT cover the initial investment, let alone prove profitable over the long run.  More than once, I have been told that even though utility companies are supposed to buy/reimburse homeowners for excess production, the moneies paid don't affect the actual bill significantly.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

David Brock:

Thank you,   My neighbor here, only pays about $18 per month for an electric bill.   I will look into who might be more trustworthy for this setup in Bloomington,

Thanks again.

Linda

Gail Hempstead (Uphoff)

Linda,

I am not longer in Bloomington but here (an hour west of Chicago) I have someone every week coming to my door trying to sell solar so beware.  I do see more and more roofs with panels around the area.  The panels take up most of the roof and take away from the look of the house. Nature helps me because my trees help with shade.  I have a small brick ranch and I really think it keeps cooler in spring and early summer.   When are you moving to Bloomington?

Gail

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Gail:

Not sure whether I would prefer Bloomington or Decatur.  My job, a grant, is until Dec. 2024.  Then I need to decide, sell my house, and go.   I enjoy working.  I love having responsibility, and doing the work to prove that I still can achieve what I set out to do.

Gail:

Where ever I am, you are always welcome in my home.  We spent a lot of time as friends when we were very young. Suzi Probasco use to like spending some time with us as well.  That was when I lived on E. Front St. and you were on E. Washington. 

I hope this finds you happy and well!

Love ya, Linda

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Gail:

Not sure whether I would prefer Bloomington or Decatur.  My job, a grant, is until Dec. 2024.  Then I need to decide, sell my house, and go.   I enjoy working.  I love having responsibility, and doing the work to prove that I still can achieve what I set out to do.

Gail:

Where ever I am, you are always welcome in my home.  We spent a lot of time as friends when we were very young. Suzi Probasco use to like spending some time with us as well.  That was when I lived on E. Front St. and you were on E. Washington. 

I hope this finds you happy and well!

Love ya, Linda

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

David I hope you are healing from your your broken ribs.

David Brock

Suzi--My ribs are healed (according to the X-rays).  However, I am doing rehab to regain strength and agility  in my ribs/shoulder that were severely affected by the down time.  I have a couple of more sessions scheduled with the therapist,  then continued organized/specific activities to maintain the healthof that part of my body.   Thanks for asking.

Marvin Theobald

In appreciation for their service to our class I started hosting an annual cookout for the Planning Committee in 2015. It has been a very fun day each year. Last Sunday was no exception. Eleven of our classmates and two spouses spent the afternoon on what was a beautiful early fall day. We enjoyed smoked pulled pork and Judy's delicious "spoonburgers" along with sides that everyone contributed. The photos provide validation of our special day.

There was little excitement in that acorns were frequently falling all around us. To my knowledge there were no direct hits or injuries but lots of close calls. I told Sandy there was another song that needed a revision. B. J. Thaomas: Acorns keep falling on my head

Marvin Theobald

A good share of my summer has been spent removing deteriorated railroad tie retaining walls and constructing boulder walls in their place. I have had requests to share phots so here are a few.

Left end of patio progression

Walls along the driveway progression

Finished walls

Did I mention that my back and my 3 year old right hip are doing just fine?