December 6, 2003 - Saturday

Subject: SHIVERCITY GAZETTE

It's 25 degrees outside with a 25 MPH south wind and a cloudy sky.
Yesterdays H/L temperature 24/13
Last years H/L on this date 20/6
Normal H/L for this date is 24/7
Todays Skeeter Meter reading ZERO ==================================
"Profanity makes ignorance audible" ==================================
L O C A L N E W S:
Not much going on in Shivercity. The dollar store, not the new one, the old
one. The one where things are going the second time around. Not the second time
around store, in the old Grafton National Bank building. The one in the
Hallmark Greeting Card store. Not the present Hallmark Greeting Card store. The
Hallmark Greeting Card store the Brekkes used to run, in the former Fish's
Variety store. It will be easy to find. It's the only store front on main
street with a ragged, tattered, and torn, awning in front of it.
I'm not sure who the present proprietor is. I'm not even sure who presently
owns the building. I am sure, the bedraggled looking, torn up, awning blowing
in the wind. Is not a welcome invitation to a main street business. If I'm not
mistaken, I think I've read something about that awning somewhere before. I am
also not absolutely certain we have the means, or the personnel to correct the
above main street eyesore. However, and I'm way out on a limb here, I'd be
willing to wager. If the current proprietor, or, the present owner of that
establishment would call 352-0528 the fellow on the other end would take care
of it. If he hasn't got the time, or a sharp knife. Call 1-800-To-Louie.
----------------------
I have given some thought to expanding the Gazette. Actually, someone else
put the thought in my head. It seems I have an offer for a SPORTS EDITOR to
join the Gazette staff. At first, I thought it was a super idea. Then, it was
suggested that I pay the individual, and, provide an expense account. AND, pay
for travel and entertainment.
Does anyone want to guess when this person will "come on board?"
Thanks anyway Lee, Good luck on the Pheasant hunt. (What are pheasants
anyway?) (and, where is Watford City?)
-------------------------
I'm reminded of a time last summer when a boat, from a very large auction,
pulled up along side us in front of Rocky Point. The driver and his passionate
passenger leaned over the side and said. "We just launched this thing over at
Warroad." Is this still the Lake of the Woods?"
I wanted so bad to ask. "Do you remember driving over any land to get here?"
Instead I gave what I thought, at the time, was an intelligent answer. "No," I
said, "this is Arnesen's Rocky Point." "Why," as I continued to expound on my
stupidity. "Do you need gas?" Nope, said the lady with little left to the
imagination. We just wanted to be sure we weren't lost already.
The moral: Often, it's more difficult to see things right in front of us, than
things from far away. ==================================
The "TWINS" not the Minnesota ones.
As I stated yesterday morning. I had to cut the Gazette short so we could take
care of Jadrian and Tyler. (Twins) Gosh it was fun,......and work. I don't
remember taking care of new borns as being so much work. Actually, I don't
remember taking care of new borns, two at a time.
Yesterday in Reader Digest form. 9:00am both of the little tykes are hungry.
I offered to take Jadrian but was told by a resident expert, Tyler is a whole
lot easier to burp. So I took Tyler. Tyler, I soon found out, takes twice as
long (sometimes longer) to drink his 2½ ounce bottle. It's 9:15 and Jadrian has
eaten, burped, pooped, had a diaper change and is walking around the house with
gramma cooing and making google eyes at her.
At 9:25 Tyler finished the first half of his bottle. I sat him up, and sure
enough. He burped before I could pat him on the back one time. As I laid him
back down for the other half of his bottle. The sounds of nature began
emanating from his diaper. After a couple of grins, (caused by natural gas,)
Tyler put a vacuum on his bottle that a calf on a dairy farm could envy. At 9:
40, Ty's bottle was empty,....and his diaper was full.
Yup, (that's Norwegian for I don't do diapers,...yet) It was time to trade
Gramma for Jadrian. As I put Jad in my arms she was sleeping (like a baby).
Then wouldn't you know it. I had to go and wake her up with my darn shaking
hand.
The shake in my right hand (for babies) is a good news bad news type of
problem. It seems to help the little folks go to sleep easier. Unfortunately,
when their asleep, it seems to wake them up. Anyway. Our day was consumed by
three feedings and associated child rearing duties. I should add, I negotiated
a deal with Gramma that allowed me to feed Jadrian the next two feedings.
Jadrian, being the oldest (by a minute) eats the most, and the fastest. She
should, she's the oldest. She doesn't make nearly as much noise in her diaper.
She shouldn't, she's a lady. She is a little bigger than Tyler, and she should
be. She is the oldest.
I have, however, drawn one conclusion already. If she continues to eat the way
she is. I may well have to enroll her in Curves by spring. The "official"
weighing isn't until Tuesday. I'm betting she's going to be a whole 6 pounds by
then. I sure hope so. Did I mention how cute they are?
----------------------
I was just looking at my watch and realized that it's time for Julie
(Demester) Watkins birthday party.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY -- JULIE
Keeping with my long standing tradition, of not divulging a ladies birth date.
I won't say how many candles will pollute the Colorado Rockies. Nor would I
suggest that her cake could heat a small mountain cabin. I can say though.
Julie has used every one of her years, growing up, raising a family, tolerating
Tommy and being an absolutely wonderful individual. A person Pat and I are
extremely proud of.
Happy Birthday Julie, With all our love, Aunt Patti and Uncle Gary. GGP
==================================
GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH ==================================
P.S.
Thanks for the note Norman (nip). I did share your message with the morning
shift. Billy swears up and down,....and that it wasn't him that dirtied his
pants on Santas lap.
P.P.S
Thanks for the Note Mike H. I read with interest your note. P.P.P.S
I had a 1946 model,....pickup one time. It too, did everything we needed to
do, and more.


Write if you can, call if you can't, and, tell your loved ones they are, before
it's to late.