March and April, 2006
|
MUSE INDEX Dropdown menus LINKS Previous issues What's New Who's Who Birthdays and anniversaries Muse Friends Muse History March-April Photo Gallery Rickey's Fun Pages |
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE: AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR (Sean Howlett) Click TIM'S VISIT HOME (Becky Murdock) Click WEDDING REPORT (Pauline Soberg) Click A REALLY SPECIAL THING (Margery Aukstiklanis) Click JOTTINGS (Valerie Davidson) Click INVITATION (Cathy Howlett) Click HELLO TO ALL FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE (Maria Leary) Click GREETINGS FROM HUBBARDSTON (Teddie Doane) Click GRAND CANYON (Carlton "Chip" Martz) Click BRANDON HAS ARRIVED (Margery Aukstikalnis) Click Part 2 IN THE HOOD (Darrel Murdock) Click OSCEOLA, NOW AND THEN (Darrel Murdock) Click THE 2006 JANUARY THAW, PART 2 (Darrel Murdock) Click JANUARY THAW, PART 3 (Darrel Murdock) Click WEEKEND #5, MINNEHAHA FALLS (Darrel Murdock) Click A FEW NOTES FROM RECENT DOINGS (Charles Frost) Click MALCOLM CHARLTON'S TRIBUTE PAGE (Tina Charlton Casella) Click Part 3 INTRODUCING RUBBER DUCKY (Gene Murdock) Click DUCKY'S BALTIMORE VISIT (Nancy Murdock) Click RUBBER DUCKY PREDICTS MILD WINTER (Barb DiStefano) Click THE WELL TRAVELED DUCKY (Art Murdock) Click FOOL'S GOLD (Nancy Murdock) Click FELINE JUDGE (Meredith Murdock) Click SATURDAY (Becky Murdock) Click UPDATE FROM WINCHENDON (Missi Sargent) Click |
Photo by Kay Edwards
"Roads Less Traveled" Quilt Gallery |
2005 going-away photo by Natalie |
Becky Murdock January 5: Well, the holidays are finally over. They are quite joyous, but somewhat hectic to say the least. Tim was here from Dec. 18th thru Jan. 2nd, it was very sad to see him go back for all of us including him. We had so much fun while he was here!!! Ian, Tim and I went bowling on New Years Eve (it was pouring outside). After 3 games, I think all of us were sore but didn't want to alert the competition of this slight infraction. But the next day, we were all moaning and groaning about our aches and pains. Tim won 2 of the games, and I won the 3rd. they were all very close, and with more practice I think we could have taken him lol!!! Tim and Sean hung out at PC Lab to play their video games alot of the time, they couldn't wait to get over there. One day, Sean came straight from an interview, white shirt and tie and all to play. Those two are die hard players!!! Tim, and Natt and I went to the movies before Christmas to see Fun With Dick and Jane (Jim Carrey movie), I thought it was kind of dumb but the kids loved it. Tim bought a big tub of hot, buttered popcorn to snack on, but I was forbidden from the best part of going to the movies (POPCORN).. He tells me "Mom, you can't have that". I am going to call him the food warden from now on. But he was right, I am not supposed to eat such bad things anymore. But oh how I love that greasy popcorn. He will make a good drill instructor, because after that I was afraid to even try lol!! Tim is supposed to graduate on Feb. 16th from his schooling, and then he will come home for 2 weeks, then off to Germany for 2 years. That is going to be hard for all of us, even though it will be a great experience for him. Update, Feb. 23: I called Tim a couple of hours back; he was in Phoenix. He said his flight to Chicago is delayed due to bad weather, so his connecting to flight to Frankfurt will not be on schedule either. I believe he will be flying all night, which makes such a long trip easier, I am sure. He was only here a short time, but we packed a lot of fun things into it. Yesterday, Ian took a vacation day, and Tim, Ian and Sean went to Golf N Stuff for golfing and video games. Then they went to lunch at Rachada (Thai food). Tim said they had a really good time, all three of them. Then they took Ian home and went to PC Lab to play more video games. It is really nice to see how close Tim and Sean are. Then Mer and I took Tim to dinner. Ian got his only walking shoes soaked, so he had to stay home, and Natt went to a concert. But the night before, the 5 of us went to Steak Corral, where we had a great time. The guy in the next booth got up and tapped Tim on the shoulder and told him how entertained he was by our family; yes, we are quite the group when we get together. We came home, and I turned around and Ian was in the bushes on his side. Natt pushed him in there; it was so funny. Then we saw Tim go flying, then Natt. They tried to get me, but I took off. We all looked like we were young children playing. This morning Mer stopped in before work to say goodbye to Tim. I know it's hard for her to see him go; he loves to hang out with her and her computer (no, I didn't say cats, the computer only) lol!!! We took him to Ontario, and it was quite sad to see him leave not knowing when he will be back, and where his path will lead him to. But he is a fine young man now, and we just always have to think positive, and that he will get to see many places we never will. Ian had his sunglasses on to hide his tears. Tim is his rock, and he will miss him a lot, as we all will. I was thinking in the car, that even though Tim is all grown up now, he will always be my little boy and that will never cease no matter how far away he may be from me. I feel so blessed to have such a fine young man as Tim to call my son. February 26: I just wanted to give you a heads up; we heard from Tim and he is doing well. He is checking his e-mail now, so feel free to start overloading his mailbox. He said he wants to get a lot of e-mails; it makes him feel closer to home. He said it is beautiful over there. Happy Sunday to all... [Ed. Note: Tim was in Germany then. You may contact us for his email address. It stays the same.] March 2: Update: Tim's orders have been changed as of yesterday. He is now in his new assignment in Vicenza, Italy @ Camp Caserna Ederle. Check it out... Pauline Soberg Rennie and Diana were married at the Masonic Hall in Alton NH where Warren lives. It was mostly family and there were about thirty some guests there to help them celebrate the day. I drove up with Cathy, as John was working and Carl stayed home with Clyde. All in all, it was a beautiful day, and the service was very personalized and nice in every way. We also had music with all the different nutty dances but could not really get a bunch of people interested. Nancy was trying to get everyone going, but unsucessfully. I danced once to do the Twist but not any others. [Ed. note - click here for photo.] Margery Aukstikalnis Just thought you'd like to hear: My stepson, near and dear to me, wrote recently: "Interesting note. I did a Google search on the name 'Aukstikalnis' today just to see what would come up and made some interesting discoveries." He went on to describe what he had learned about his cousins and Aunt and Uncle, and how impressed he was with their accomplishments. Then he added, "The last thing I found that I found interesting was a link to a web site called The Murdock Muse. Sound familiar? ;-) I went through all the postings you put up since 2001 and learned a little about your family along the way. The whole idea of having a web site for your family is a GREAT idea. It's a nice way for family members to stay in touch when they are all spread out around the country. It's interesting to note that the interest in it seems not to have waned as the years go by. That's a really special thing." I don't tell you often enough how much I love the Muse and look forward to each edition. Gary expressed it well. "It's a really special thing." Thanks again and again. May you continue to grow. Valerie Davidson Things are shaping up very nicely for next year. I'll be expanding from 4 periods of 6th grade computers to 5 periods, meaning that I'll be teaching typing and computer basics to all of the 6th graders at our school. Then -- and here's the most exciting part -- I'll also have one period of Creative Writing for 7th and 8th graders, which I'll be able to teach in the computer classroom ... Hey! That's my dream!! I'm also on my school's "tech team'' -- and incidentally I can do much of the maintenance on our classroom equipment -- and I'm helping out with the GATE activities (Gifted and Talented). The program is floundering, and I have some ideas to pump new life into it. I just remember some of the wonderful opportunities I had at that age, and I like being able to help kids nowadays have those experiences. It's a great distance from my idea of teaching in a ghetto school, but I'm still helping to narrow the opportunity gap through the computer classes. We have a sizable Latino population at our school. I also work every day after lunch with the "newcomer" teacher, in the classroom where students start out when they've just arrived here in the U.S. It's very interesting. There are 19 students, from Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Brazil, China, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Iran. The teacher used to be a laser physicist, and she does amazing science classes with this mixed bunch. I'm really feeling glad that I've made this change. The moment I spoke with the principal on the phone at the beginning of the year, I had a good feeling. Cathy Howlett March 3: Please add a message from us to all the Musers: Start planning now for the annual summer family reunion. It will be on Saturday, July 1st, same time, same place as last year. Probably no shrimp this year (too labor intensive); in their place Johnny will do his awesome stuffed mushrooms as a starter. Another change this year - so Sean can enjoy visiting with his relatives and chasing his boys, the burger/hot dog station will be a "do-it-yourself" setup. (Johnny says he'll still personally prepare and cook a selection of meat-free veggie delights for his favorite eldest sibling and her spouse - it wouldn't be his cookout if he didn't oversee that aspect of the menu!) We'll accept RSVP's any time between now and late June - just need a head count in time to reserve the appropriate size tent and number of Port 'O Potties. And on that note I bid you a good night. Maria Leary I wanted to take the time to let everyone know, who may be wondering, that I am doing well, enjoying my kids and living each moment as if it's my last. I have been busy with my own home and am becoming quite good at fixing things. I am enjoying the single life and the new me. (YES). I miss all those I grew to love, and think of you. As my Dad always said, "You have to show love to those when they are living, not when they are gone." I miss my folks and brother so much. We have our dog, Max, about 35 lbs, who was rescued from an Island in Puerto Rico. When we picked him up, Matthew asked me, "Mom does he understand English?" Max did pick on him for months. They get along very well now, since Matthew finally showed him who's boss. The kids are keeping me young at heart, and I am so thankful God blessed me with them, even though all three are teenagers. I am so very proud of them. Thank you all for the love and kindness you have shown me. I want to say never hesitate to call or email me. I gave Nancy and Bob that information. I hope all is happy and healthy. You are always in my heart and prayers. Maria Leary, (Mother of Shannon, Warren and Matthew Leary) Teddie Doane We have finally begun the renovations on our home. When we moved in here 25 years ago I didn't want anything changed. Billy suggested doing the kitchen over and I said, "We can't replace those cabinets! My grandfather BUILT those!" And on and on that sentiment went. We've done some things along the way as needed but finally.....................we're doing the old place all over and it feels good. It feels like our house. Billy and his carpenter brother, Lenny, are really going to town! They have replaced all four of the exterior doors. I chose one with a large oval glass in the center at the bottom of the stairs (hallway between living and dining rooms) and the new "lights" (windows) on the sides of that door now go almost down to the floor instead of just halfway. The back shed door is just a regular door but the front shed door and the kitchen door beside it are windows from the waist up. It took them only two days to put in 25 new replacement windows! They started in the attic and ended with the 4 shed windows. Ah, but they saved the best for last. I had hoped for a casement window over the kitchen sink but Billy told me they didn't make them for that size opening with a double swing and a single swing just didn't fit there. Was I surprised when he called me in to inspect the job after that window was hung. I didn't even notice at first that it is a casement window with a single swing! I love it! What a guy! When they were installing that window, the kitchen faucet accidentally got broken, so that was the next project. I don't know the order of things, but within the next two months we will have the roof stripped and shingled and new siding put on. White with what Billy calls "Murdock green" shutters. Ben measured today for the new kitchen cabinets. A closet in the master bedroom will be eliminated to accomodate the washing machine which will be accessed through the bathroom thus giving us more cabinet/counter space in the kitchen where the washer has been as long as I can remember. I don't know how clear my explanations are. I need to go get lunch for the crew! I find that if I keep them well fed, they have more fun. Anyway, it's a work in progress and I couldn't be happier! Will let you know how things progress! Carlton "Chip" Martz Some people climb up the highest mountains, but my ambition is to climb down some of the deepest canyons, Grand Canyon in this case. This picture shows me on the footbridge across the Colorado River at the bottom of Grand Canyon. I hiked with an Elderhostel group one day down to this spot. We then stayed two nights at Phantom Ranch and finally hiked back up to the top in another day. The trail down was about 7 miles, but very steep and rocky. The trail up was about 10 miles, but not so steep. The altitude gain from Phantom Ranch to the South Rim of Grand Canyon is around 4500 feet. I trained several weeks for this hike and made it with flying colors. [Ed. note - click here for photo.] Margery Aukstikalnis March 1: We are proud grandparents again! Brandon Jack Keough joined Brenda in the hospital at 9:31 PM on 2/28/06. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 7 oz and stretched to 20 1/2 inches. Baby and Mom are both healthy and happy and will be home Friday morning. |
| What's New / Who's Who / Muse Index |
