Category: Uncategorized

This weekend we toasted 40 years of marriage to Chuck and Gloria Olmsted (my mother and father-in-law) with a surprise party! The couple were immediately (literally – the moment they walked in) rededicated in a small family ceremony officiated by son Doug Olmsted (Bismarck) at his home at 3:45 pm on Saturday, November 14. Attending the bridegroom were daughters Kelly Thompson (Farg0), Suzanne Thorenson (Bismarck) and Nancy Olmsted (Ft. Collins). The bride wore jeans, sweatshirt and a veil. The groom wore the tuxedo t-shirt he was handed when he walked in the door along with jeans and slippers (the surprise caught them completely off guard). The ceremony was attended by two sons-in-law (Corey Thompson and myself), one daughter-in-law (Karmen Olmsted) and seven grandsons (Casey, Carter, Mason, Hayden, Chase, Sid, and Ike). The reception was held in the dining and living room where anniversary guests enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. Entertainment for the evening included a victory by the BHS Demons football team, video games (for the kids) and various board games of strategy by the host. Music provided by Grooveshark.

I’ve been fortunate enough not to catch this ridiculous viral strain, but my oldest son got revisited this morning at about 7 am refunding all his calories. He did an encore about a half hour later. Poor kid! I hope he can kick it before Monday. Join the rebellion and wash your hands more frequently!

I managed to sleep through the alarm so I started off this morning later than usual. I didn’t think much about it at the time but realized I got out of bed on my left foot. Because my wife decided to start a load of laundry I got to enjoy a cold shower. I might have been a little angry about that, but seriously, I didn’t think slamming the medicine cabinet door would break the mirror. At breakfast I managed to spill salt all over my eggs (no doubt a prank the boys learned from their uncle). Rushing out the door woke up the neighbor’s black cat who was sleeping in the chair on our front porch. My efforts to avoid him nearly caused me to tip over the ladder I left out after hanging Christmas lights last night. Yes sir. It’s going to be a great day!

What has happened in the retail world?! Am I the only one that’s noticed that there is absolutely no buffer left between Halloween and Christmas? Think of the money retailers could make if they just blended the two together into Hallowmas. Staff wouldn’t be burdened with changing out Halloween merchandise for Christmas merchandise – the stuff could be displayed right after “Back to School” season in September and sit on the shelves right into January. Kids could purchase their Santa-lanterns in early October to collect candy (say good-bye to the black and orange packaged peanut butter taffy, we’re talking peppermint discs now) and buy their black Hallowmas Stockings complete with embroidered creatures. I never remember this amped-up hype for material decor when I was a kid. Obviously retailers are really after your hard-earned dollars. It’s funny they’ve never been able to capitalize on that other holiday that falls between them… oh, what is it? Oh yeah! Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has the opportunity today to reach out to a veteran and say “thank you.” Living in the greatest country on earth has afforded us privileges that we often take for granted. A special “thank you” to my dad, father-in-law and late grandpa Charlie for answering the call to protect our freedoms.