Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter - 2008
A short update - all are fine here in greater SD. Donna whomped up another wonderful meal for Erin, Jeff, Sam, Roberta, and two other friends of the family. All are gone now except for Roberta, and her dog Cooper. Donna is watching the NCAA basketball games with her bracket sheet next to her. She is somewhat of a wizard when it comes to making her picks.
Erin and Jeff have a meeting on Tuesday afternoon with the school district the outcome will be very interesting. I have a Dr. appoint just prior to the meeting so hopefully I will be able to attend it also.
Roberta and I are rested from the big feed and are ready for a few games on the WI.
Stay tuned.
Erin and Jeff have a meeting on Tuesday afternoon with the school district the outcome will be very interesting. I have a Dr. appoint just prior to the meeting so hopefully I will be able to attend it also.
Roberta and I are rested from the big feed and are ready for a few games on the WI.
Stay tuned.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
He is Back...
Well here is a much needed up date since it has been about 10 months since the last one. Although if anyone is interested I have set up a web album that may be of interest to some. It is located at: http://picasaweb.google.com/johnbennett.fsd I have found it faster and easier to use than this site. But perhaps from here on I will have more time to keep this one up too.
December 1974 was the start of my adventures with Monarch Sales. 1977 marked the year that Donna and I purchased Monarch Sales from Vern and Verna Oakland. 1984 marked the year that we paid Vern and Verna off. February 1, 2008 marks the start of our retirement. We sold the company to Joel and Connie Pollema. Joel started full time with us after graduation from USD and has been a key player in what ever degree of success that we have achieved in the 21 years that he has been with us. Donna is finishing up the year end reports and when she has completed that, she will be 'done'. I will continue to work a much reduced schedule, maintain a handful of accounts, do some fishing, hunting, golfing, archery & bow hunting, and lend support to the our kids and to my Grandson Sam.
Our lives continue to revolve around our Grandson, Sam. When Sam has a good day so do we all. Unfortunately there have been a very few good days of late. Since Thanksgiving he has been really 'under the weather' with many really irritable times. After many doctor visits they admitted him to the hospital for, x-rays, cat scans, swallow tests and other general poking and prodding. Low and behold they found a rather serious infection deep in his little sinus cavity. And a 'pocket' of infection near his mastoid bone behind one ear. They flushed his sinuses, and started a series of antibiotics. After the third antibiotic cocktail it was decided to insert a pick line so the drugs could be feed more easily by IV. While all this was going on, test results came back that the little shaver also had MRSA virus. Then the 4th cocktail was whomped up. He spent 6 days in the hospital and was then discharged to the medicaly fragile unit of CCHS - Childrens Care Hospital and School. He has been at CCHS for the last 10 days and is on schedule to go home on Wednesday February 13. Erin and Jeff have traded off sleeping in his room and previously at the hospital for 16 straight days. Sam's two Grandmas, Joyce and Donna have also been tirelessly at his side through out the whole enduro. But he is coming around and if all goes as planned he will be going home shortly. Jeff and his father Larry started remodeling Sam's bedroom. They tore out the wall between Sam's bedroom and their guest bedroom, they will install a bathing tub and surround with sink for dirty diapers, etc. (thank God Larry is a home builder by trade and is a wizard at such projects) The larger space will allow for a lift to be used to move Sam from his bed, wheelchair, and to the tub, etc. Otherwise there just was not enough room to maneuver him around, and he is getting too heavy to carry.
Their fight with the school district continues and will start to really heat up shortly. They are just not providing the mandated services that Sam needs in order to reach his education goals. Time will tell how all this plays out so stay tuned. (CLICK on Erin and Jeff's blog site - listed on the left side - for some great pictures of Sam.)
December 1974 was the start of my adventures with Monarch Sales. 1977 marked the year that Donna and I purchased Monarch Sales from Vern and Verna Oakland. 1984 marked the year that we paid Vern and Verna off. February 1, 2008 marks the start of our retirement. We sold the company to Joel and Connie Pollema. Joel started full time with us after graduation from USD and has been a key player in what ever degree of success that we have achieved in the 21 years that he has been with us. Donna is finishing up the year end reports and when she has completed that, she will be 'done'. I will continue to work a much reduced schedule, maintain a handful of accounts, do some fishing, hunting, golfing, archery & bow hunting, and lend support to the our kids and to my Grandson Sam.
Our lives continue to revolve around our Grandson, Sam. When Sam has a good day so do we all. Unfortunately there have been a very few good days of late. Since Thanksgiving he has been really 'under the weather' with many really irritable times. After many doctor visits they admitted him to the hospital for, x-rays, cat scans, swallow tests and other general poking and prodding. Low and behold they found a rather serious infection deep in his little sinus cavity. And a 'pocket' of infection near his mastoid bone behind one ear. They flushed his sinuses, and started a series of antibiotics. After the third antibiotic cocktail it was decided to insert a pick line so the drugs could be feed more easily by IV. While all this was going on, test results came back that the little shaver also had MRSA virus. Then the 4th cocktail was whomped up. He spent 6 days in the hospital and was then discharged to the medicaly fragile unit of CCHS - Childrens Care Hospital and School. He has been at CCHS for the last 10 days and is on schedule to go home on Wednesday February 13. Erin and Jeff have traded off sleeping in his room and previously at the hospital for 16 straight days. Sam's two Grandmas, Joyce and Donna have also been tirelessly at his side through out the whole enduro. But he is coming around and if all goes as planned he will be going home shortly. Jeff and his father Larry started remodeling Sam's bedroom. They tore out the wall between Sam's bedroom and their guest bedroom, they will install a bathing tub and surround with sink for dirty diapers, etc. (thank God Larry is a home builder by trade and is a wizard at such projects) The larger space will allow for a lift to be used to move Sam from his bed, wheelchair, and to the tub, etc. Otherwise there just was not enough room to maneuver him around, and he is getting too heavy to carry.
Their fight with the school district continues and will start to really heat up shortly. They are just not providing the mandated services that Sam needs in order to reach his education goals. Time will tell how all this plays out so stay tuned. (CLICK on Erin and Jeff's blog site - listed on the left side - for some great pictures of Sam.)
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Update of the old blog and Sick-Bay report.
I did make it out to the Sports Show. My friends Tom and Mel ventured out for a look about. We wondered through all the neat stuff. Shot the breeze with some of the vendors, and some guys I hadn't seen since last fall. We did a power purchase with one of the vendors - and ended up with a new GPS unit for each of us. The young salesman that was manning the booth really didn't have a chance with the three of us pitching in sometimes all at the same time. Age and skill overcomes youth and energy again! Anyway we did our part and spurred the economy on a little. Now to re-learn how to run the new rig.
Last Wednesday Donna had rotatorcuff surgery on her right shoulder. It was rather involved and will take some time to recover fully. She will be in a sling for 10 weeks, she starts low impact re-habbing next week. Long term will be 10 to 12 months in re-hab and the outcome will be up to Donna and her commitment to the rehab program. Also last week our long time friend Don Johnson died and we buried him a week ago today. He and wife Dorothy watched our girls grow up from babies to women. There truly is one less decent man in the world today.
On top of that, Grandson Sam had a really tough week also. He isn't eating again, and has been tortured by headaches? (hard to tell when he can't speak and tell you what is hurting) He has been a real hand full to deal with. Then Friday Erin and Jeff came down with some version of the flue! The Beat Goes On.
Last Wednesday Donna had rotatorcuff surgery on her right shoulder. It was rather involved and will take some time to recover fully. She will be in a sling for 10 weeks, she starts low impact re-habbing next week. Long term will be 10 to 12 months in re-hab and the outcome will be up to Donna and her commitment to the rehab program. Also last week our long time friend Don Johnson died and we buried him a week ago today. He and wife Dorothy watched our girls grow up from babies to women. There truly is one less decent man in the world today.
On top of that, Grandson Sam had a really tough week also. He isn't eating again, and has been tortured by headaches? (hard to tell when he can't speak and tell you what is hurting) He has been a real hand full to deal with. Then Friday Erin and Jeff came down with some version of the flue! The Beat Goes On.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Traveling Sports Show- Can Spring be far behind?
December, January, and most of February were very tolerable here in SD. Then came the winter. From mid February through the last week we had cold, then some more cold and then the snow started. As of this writing we have about 15 inches on the flat - with some drifting in the 'countryside'.thanks to 30 to 40 mph winds. The snow dissipated early this morning and lo and behold olde Mr. Sun came out in all his brightness. The temps soared into the mid 20s - Mr Sun's rays started to do their thing and soon some of the streets were wet. It will be some time till it all goes away but for a while it was encouraging.
After the last 3 days most of which were spent inside, we were suffering from a small attack of cabin fever. 4 couples of us went out to the pizza buffet - pounded down some major carbs and chatted up the room for a while. The pizza wasn't to bad - the friendship shared was much better.
A sure sign of Spring happens this weekend -- the annual Sports Show starts Thursday night. complete with the multitudes of outfitter booths and displays - all featuring their 15 year old photograph albums of the big ones - and the trout fishing tank (has anyone every seen a trout caught from one of these tanks?) -- what better sign of spring can there be? Any way of course I will be going. I will try to take in one of the seminars on using a hand-held GPS. Never can tell when one may need the info - providing I could remember how it is done if the occasion should arise
Hope to let you know what exciting things we will see on my next post.
After the last 3 days most of which were spent inside, we were suffering from a small attack of cabin fever. 4 couples of us went out to the pizza buffet - pounded down some major carbs and chatted up the room for a while. The pizza wasn't to bad - the friendship shared was much better.
A sure sign of Spring happens this weekend -- the annual Sports Show starts Thursday night. complete with the multitudes of outfitter booths and displays - all featuring their 15 year old photograph albums of the big ones - and the trout fishing tank (has anyone every seen a trout caught from one of these tanks?) -- what better sign of spring can there be? Any way of course I will be going. I will try to take in one of the seminars on using a hand-held GPS. Never can tell when one may need the info - providing I could remember how it is done if the occasion should arise
Hope to let you know what exciting things we will see on my next post.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Post Christmas 2006
Well! Christmas is finished and so am I. The Christmas Seasons in the promotional products business has always been challenging and exciting. This was my 32nd Christmas Season and this last one has been all of challenging and exciting - and more. In the last 6 months I have put in more hours than ever - just in order to 'keep up', but then that is what I get paid the "Big Bucks" for.
As you may have noticed or maybe not? Work has been getting in the way of my 'postings'. I did have the opportunity to get in several great pheasant hunts, some fishing and some good time with family and friends.
Sammy has been through some tough times in the last 4 months. It started with a new bout of seizures, and several sinus infections and some GI problems. He has been seizure free for over three weeks now so we are hopeful that his new meds have that part under control. They have an appointment in Rochester the last part of February, but Erin and Jeff aren't real certain what that visit might determine. I guess that Mayo is a great place providing you can live long enough to get in there. And once there have the time, money, and energy to stay for 5 to 7 DAYS! I dare say that none of those Drs. have had to miss a week of work, and stay a week with a very strong 5 year old - that can't see, talk, or walk, that has an attention span that is about 30 seconds long!
Our largest 'market' is in Las Vegas next week. Donna and I and 4 others from the office will be attending. We leave on 1/3/07 and connect in Denver. Providing the snow is gone and there hasn't been more. Back to the office on Monday the 8th - short but sweet trip, all are looking forward to the change of scenery.
That is about it for now......Keep smiling and share the Peace.
As you may have noticed or maybe not? Work has been getting in the way of my 'postings'. I did have the opportunity to get in several great pheasant hunts, some fishing and some good time with family and friends.
Sammy has been through some tough times in the last 4 months. It started with a new bout of seizures, and several sinus infections and some GI problems. He has been seizure free for over three weeks now so we are hopeful that his new meds have that part under control. They have an appointment in Rochester the last part of February, but Erin and Jeff aren't real certain what that visit might determine. I guess that Mayo is a great place providing you can live long enough to get in there. And once there have the time, money, and energy to stay for 5 to 7 DAYS! I dare say that none of those Drs. have had to miss a week of work, and stay a week with a very strong 5 year old - that can't see, talk, or walk, that has an attention span that is about 30 seconds long!
Our largest 'market' is in Las Vegas next week. Donna and I and 4 others from the office will be attending. We leave on 1/3/07 and connect in Denver. Providing the snow is gone and there hasn't been more. Back to the office on Monday the 8th - short but sweet trip, all are looking forward to the change of scenery.
That is about it for now......Keep smiling and share the Peace.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Black Hills Trip September 2006
(copy this link into your browser for more pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/johnbennett.fsd/BlackHillsTripSept06)
After our fishing encounters this summer which included two trips to Canada, two trips to NE Iowa for trout fishing, and a trip to Lake Michigan for King Salmons, Mel and I thought it best that our women folk have an outing. So we rented a great cabin in the Black Hills. The cabin was about 5 minutes from the Lead Golf Course and about 20 minute drive from Cheyenne Crossing near Spearfish Canyon. It just happened to have a trout stream and a small pond on the property. We drove out in rain on Thursday morning. We had to have a stop at Wall Drug Store and that is were we hooked up with the "Olde Timmer" in the pictures that follow. My cousin Dave Kelley drove down from Lemmon and his wife drove over from Wright, WY (where she teaches). The six of us had a great time. We awoke to more rain on Friday, which turned to snow. We awoke to about 4 inches of snow on Saturday, which turned to rain, which turned to snow and it added another 3 inches of snow. But by mid morning, Sunday Olde Mr.Sun was out and the snow was headed South as we headed back East.
I caught three Rainbows, landed two --- most of our time was spent in spurring on the Deadwood economy.
A Link to more pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/johnbennett.fsd/BlackHillsTripSept06)
After our fishing encounters this summer which included two trips to Canada, two trips to NE Iowa for trout fishing, and a trip to Lake Michigan for King Salmons, Mel and I thought it best that our women folk have an outing. So we rented a great cabin in the Black Hills. The cabin was about 5 minutes from the Lead Golf Course and about 20 minute drive from Cheyenne Crossing near Spearfish Canyon. It just happened to have a trout stream and a small pond on the property. We drove out in rain on Thursday morning. We had to have a stop at Wall Drug Store and that is were we hooked up with the "Olde Timmer" in the pictures that follow. My cousin Dave Kelley drove down from Lemmon and his wife drove over from Wright, WY (where she teaches). The six of us had a great time. We awoke to more rain on Friday, which turned to snow. We awoke to about 4 inches of snow on Saturday, which turned to rain, which turned to snow and it added another 3 inches of snow. But by mid morning, Sunday Olde Mr.Sun was out and the snow was headed South as we headed back East.
I caught three Rainbows, landed two --- most of our time was spent in spurring on the Deadwood economy.
A Link to more pictures:
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