Monday 4-28-08

Got up early for me & set out to cash checks today. I noticed there were several young people working at some of the banks I stopped at & they didn’t appear to check for NSF on each check, so I just took the cash they handed me & ran. Also no problems with refusal to cash check with my dba name on the checks. That also was a big relief on certain ones I wasn’t trusting as good. So the entire day came up with zero bad checks. I am very grateful.

Then had a difficult stop today after I was done with that job. An intervention for a good friend with other family members & it did NOT go well. One must hit rock bottom & that was not the case here. The intended suddenly knew something is up & went out & got a job & left everyone hanging. Then a string of angry phone calls, but I was expecting that.

Went home completely exhausted & took a nap. Later did some more cleanup & catching up with my own accounting chores, but still have a long way to go.

My mother had surgery on her foot a few days ago. Had some bone scraped off. The surgical area of her foot was pain free, but the tourniquet higher up her ankle was extremely painful. Rec a good report from her doctor today & is walking easier now.

mikey

 

Sunday 4-27-08

Good to have Justin H in SS today. I didn’t recognize him right away with his short short hair:) His parents were in Church also. SS on I Peter 4:1-11 & this week we will be praying for Benji. LaVerne had the sermon on speaking the truth. Lots of visitors in Church today. Later counted the offering with Harold.

Had a nice dinner at Marvin’s & Jeff was there also. Sort of a birthday meal I’m told. Put a puzzle together with Emily & then went for a walk with MJ, Jordan & Emily with the 3 on their respective bikes. Stopped at the cemetery & looked at several gravestones & discussed who they were-at least the ones I was familiar with. Found the Abe C Nisly grave, who I understand would be the progenitor of the entire Nisly family with this particular spelling. Jordan & Emily went back home & MJ & I went on around the section, but stopped for bike repairs at Joe’s. Decided to go back the same way we came, so didn’t quite get 4 miles in.

Took at nap & went to the singing at Lowell M’s place. Been a long time since I’ve been to a singing and it was an enjoyable time. A delicious meal & we sang outside & just a bit nippy out. Clinton kindly got a blanket for this old man which I greatly appreciate.

Later went on a 2+ mile walk with a fairly large crowd. Had a good visit with Shane & Clinton. Then on my way home a somewhat distressing phone call & the makings of a rough day coming up tomorrow.

mikey

 

Saturday 4-26-08

I had meant to cash some checks today, but just too tired to get up early enough to get this all done before Noon, so will just do it another day. A number of phone calls & some more tax work odd jobs that need to be done. Not difficult, just time-consuming. Then a long call from a former co-worker who was mistreated by a friend & basically told to get lost and ‘never want to see you again’. And in this case with the people involved, I am sure that will be the outcome.

A sunny day & a bit warmer. Went to Hutch & had a few tax stops. Had a long very enjoyable chat with Jared. Then upon leaving noticed some menacing black clouds to the west & north, so was soon on my way. Stopped at Rosa & Marian’s to drop something off for Jessamy & then to Brady & Bethany’s to drop something off for Kenya. Ran into some heavy rain & thankfully no hail. Heard later that there were 60 MPH winds at Mt Hope as the storm travelled to the SE.

Stopped to see Jim for a bit & ate at LaFiesta. A good meal, but we both had to get carryout boxes. Then hurried on to Hillsboro to pick up some signature sheets & mail a letter to a rental tenant to reimb for some paint he purch & applied to the house. Then another tax info stop at Tampa which was rather late. On my way home I was called & asked if my back pocket is empty. Sure enough it was…my wallet had fallen out while I was there. So I went back to pick it up.

I am so grateful to God that my wallet was found BEFORE I noticed it was missing. What could have been a sleepless night turned out to be most restful afterall. Praise God!

mikey

 

Friday 4-25-08

Stayed up last night to finish sales tax as I just got the last info I need last night. A very short night before my 11:30AM chiro appt. Lower back much more sore lately & taking more pain meds. Not as alert as I would like to be.

Mailed a large batch of sales tax & KS Withholding at Salina & went home & finihsed up my last sales tax for 1st qtr & got that mailed at Gypsum by cut off time.

Took a nap & then went to Hillsboro for the Hope Valley School annual fundraiser meal. An excellent meal & the school students gave a short program & some quartets, etc. later. About half of the attendees were from the community & the rest from local & neighboring Holdeman congregations. Met several people I haven’t seen in a long time. Sat by Frieda B & she gave me some family history & the names of her parents & where they lived & her grandparents who immigrated from Russia. Jim’s great-great-grandfather was Gerhard Martens & wife Anna (Friesen) & imagine they are the progenitors of the entire Martens family in KS. Frieda is one of 2 surviving sisters of his grandpa Martens.

mikey

 

Thursday 4-24-08

More cleanup in my office & room. Piles & more piles to go through…..

Still getting sales tax ready for tomorrow for several people. Not my favorite thing to do. Went to Hillsboro early & got a haircut. Then stopped by the store to pick up some payroll forms that need to go out. Got in on the end of an open house so had an enexpected 2 hot dogs, chips, Pepsi & 4 cookies. Glad I skipped dinner today.

A slow day at the hospital. 2 pts & 1 was receiving 2 units of blood so that meant almost nonstop vital sign checks for that pt. Blood must be stopped immediatley with a rise in temp or other vital sign deviations. Everything went smoothly & no problems at all. It seems blood transfusions are becoming quite a bit more frequent these days. A long string of ER’s kept the day busy. One strange illness that seems to have no answers & brings up the question-infectious???? And if so, what????

A major volleyball casualty, but no fractures. Another long stretch from midnight to 3AM, but made it at last.

One of our agency nurses came to work not feeling well & was sent straight home. 5 hours later she was in another hospital undergoing major emergency surgery. Hope she has a quick recovery. Will prob be off work at least 6 weeks minimum.

mikey

 

Wednesday 4-23-08

Woke up to some big boomers outside. At least an inch of rain here & it’s just sopping wet again. Very muddy roads, AND good for the wheat

Felt kind of laid back and lazy. Did some reading which is something I don’t often do. Then did payroll at TRG & it was pouring rain when I got there so got a little wet. Need to go over some BASE materials that arrived. More new things I’m not familiar with. Then went on home & got some 941’s & KS Unempl ready. Frist time to fill out a KS Unemployment registration form online. Kind of fun!

Stopped at Buhler to see Stephen & go over some info there. Have some nice rock on their driveway. Had some travelling detours due to high water. Found out Old 56 was closed between Marion & Hillsboro today. Enjoyed the spring colors going to Hutch: blue/black sky, bright green wheat & mostly brown trees. Seemed more brilliant due to the rain. Redbuds finally displaying their red/pink glory & the white trees are still blooming. Definitely my favorite time of year.

Arrived quite late at Center for the men’s meeting. I understood it to be a family head meeting, but appreciate so many youth group guys coming. One item of discussion was on possibly relocating the Psalm 91:1&2 inscribed plaque (in German) which is located on the front wall behind the pulpit. It was warming to hear of the sentimental attachment to the plaque & in large part among some of the younger set. Found out it was a gift to Center from Raymond Wagler shortly after organization almost 50 years ago. Visitors often ask what is says. I would be inclined to leave it where it is. Somehow it just seems meant to be there in my opinion. Of course, if the decision is to move it I will be OK with that also and that was the sentiment of most of those who spoke up.

Dropped off some payroll items after Church & had a bite at IHOP. Shawn isn’t working there any more. Then stopped to see Jeff on impulse & this 11:30PM visitor was greetly warmly at the door and we had a good ol time. Great to see you again Jeff!!

mikey

 

Tuesday 4-22-08

Another day of sleeping in a bit longer than I had wished, but felt pretty good for it.

Ran around to several banks cashing checks, AND….they were all good today! YAYYYY

Anita Redden cashed a check at State Bank of Canton. Never met her before, and apparently we are not related (by ex marriage) as far as we know. Her ex is living in Eastern KS.

A warm sunny day & perfect for travelling the countryside. Ended up in Reno County & had several payroll & sales tax stops to make.

Then the highlight of the day…. Ryan & I had a great evening together & ate at Danny’s Smokehouse. I have seen several billboard ads for this place. It was GREAT. Had a brisket sandwich & maybe some 20+ types of sauce to choose from. I went for some tame Curley’s. Best of all, a great chat with Ryan. God bless you my good friend!

mikey

 

Monday 4-21-08

Finally drug myself home after a long ride home battling sleep. Naps in the car help, but really aren’t refreshing and take a LOT of time.

Rested up today & got up well past Noon & did some more tax record maintenance and find myself quite behind in my personal accounting tasks. Another personal day today & went to see Jim & had planned to eat at La Fiesta, but ate at our usual Chinese Hunan instead which is a personal favorite of mine.

Went to Jim’s Father’s old farm & the new young single owner let him look around to his heart’s content. a very nice young man. Then went to the cemetery, first going to see Marlys W’s grave in the Lutheran Cemetery who was a very special nursing home resident we both learned to appreciate. Then went to the Mennonite Cemetery so Jim cound spent time with his parents. It never fails to fascinate me the large community of deceased people that have been a part of my life over the past 30 years in these 2 cemeteries.

Not really a fun trip, but a meaningful one that we have been looking forward to for a long time now that official tax season is over.

Passed out nearly unconcious on JIm’s couch later before coming home. Didn’t know how tired I am and now Grandpa Helmle & Uncle Duke are on my mind again. Can’t sleep.

mikey

 

Sunday 4-20-08

Communion at Center today. Gary had the opening & David Y had the main sermon. One phrase sticks out to me today: “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you” James 4:8. Footwashing with Leroy H today & we went clear to the front bucket for this event.

I am looking forward to May 2nd as my guys are planning a BD event for me. Thank you all!! Later had a nice chat with Josh Jdeany & later in the evening had a nice phone call from Aaron Y from Labette. A very good day.

Did my weekend shift for today & Sara brought in Mexican food for her 11-7 shift which we all enjoyed. Of course, good food brings consequences such as sleepiness which attacked between midnight & 3AM. Also the lack of sleep last night contributed to this malady.

After getting home last night I had a long time with Mama. She & Dad were on the phone with Uncle Duke as I was leaving & it seemed to be quite serious. I learned some sobering things upon returning home last night that literally caused my jaw to drop. These were events & happenings to Uncle Duke in his early years & also his father in his youth (My Grandpa Helmle). He grew up in Springfield IL & there were race riots when he was age 12 that he became actively involved in, much more so than I am sure he ever wished. I learned he had a gunshot wound in his foot that became gangrenous & nearly lost it except for the intervention of a very involved & loving uncle. He was incarcerated as well as spending time in the hospital to die & not once did his father visit him. Chicago & Cicero became part of his life & he spent age 14 to 16 at Hannibal MO & learned to love farming & horshoeing which he did in WWI in France. Spent time in MN, LA, AR before coming to W Kansas via the OK Cherokee Strip. So much more that can’t be said here and caused another rare event of poor sleep Sat night. So much to think about!

mikey

 

 

Saturday 4-19-08

Happy Birthday to Birthday Boy aka Jordan Christopher Nisly. Age 11 today. Also, Elizabeth Ringering is age 101 today.

Had a quiet AM & puttered around my desk doing fun things. Then went on my annual trip to see Birthday Boy. Met an entourage headed to Center about 1:15 to play basketball. Several young ones were in this group. Ran a couple small errands & headed for Hillsboro for my weekend shift. 3 pts & one long term ER was dismissed right after supper. A quiet evening. Appreciate all the birthday greetings sent my way. Thank you.

I remember vividly exactly 1 year ago today about 12:30PM that my world was completely turned upside down (or so I thot) for exactly 26 hours with the news at the time that I have a mass in my chest & suspected the worse. It was a warm, sunny day, trees were budding, birds singing, and I still remember walking into the East Elm Comcare location for a CT scan & wondering what it would reveal.

I am thankful that it was quite benign & our Heavenly Father has granted me one more year to serve Him on this earth.  I am happier now than I have ever been and have been blessed with so many family & friends I couldn’t even start to name them all. Praise God!

Thank you all for the blessings you are in my life!

mikey