Back to the Classics

Well, after a brief respite for the weather, let's get back to the real classics. No one can dispute that this is a real classic.

A Christmas Bonus

Clark Griswold's Rant about the boss who forgot to give him the bonus is perfect for everyone of us who has bee shrotchanged in the bonus category in the past. Enjoy.

A Cool Twist on an Old Classic

How many of you remember Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol? This really is a classic in its own right. When I was little it was on every Christmas. It had to be my favorite. I couldn't wait to see it each year. Well, what scene would I choose from such a favorite? Do the words La, la. La la la la la. La la. La la la la la, mean anything?

A Real Classic

Here is Cindy's favorite of all time. It really is a true classic. Afew years ago Disney tried to do a remake with Denzel Washington, but it did not come close to Cary Grant in the original. Enjoy this clip from one of the all time best Christmas movies, The Bishop's Wife.

Christmas Clips

Well, Rachel started it so here is a clip from one of my all time Christmas favorites. This should not be a surprise to anyone.

Hitler and BYU

Okay. For all of you BYU diehards, take a look at this. As one who started out at BYU, got what he wanted (a wife), and then went to Utah State, I feel uniquely qualified to be objective about the Y's recent drubbling at the hands of the University of Utah. Anyway this is Adolph Hitler's (the ultimate BYU fan) reation to that loss. Have a good laugh.

Sophie and the Cats (and one of Alli)

Most of you have, by now heard of Rachel's fire. While they were waiting for the insurance company to put them up at the Renaissance Inn they spent five days with us. It was really fun most of the time. Sophie was really fascinated with Max and Ruby, our cats, and by the end of the week they actually began putting up with her. Here are some pictures that Rachel captured.







And of course, here is one of Alli being Alli.

Yes, We Can

After a long, hard fought battle for the presidency America has spoken. What an historic moment. And what an opportunity for change and progress. If you did not have an opportunity to listen to President-elect's speech here it is in its entirety. God Bless America.

Election on SNL

This one is a real classic. In case any of you out there has not yet seen the SNL episode with John McCain doing QVC, here it is. Of course Tina Fey does her Sarah Palin and Cindy McCain even makes a cameo. So...enjoy!

Perfect Stuff for an Election Year

Are you tired of the ads yet? You knew who you were going to vote for on November 4 months ago so why all of the attention paid to this campaign by the media? Well I have discovered something that might be fun for you while the rest of America focuses on the most critical election of our lifetime. It is called The Living Room Candidate and can be found at www.livingroomcandidate.org. Take a look at it. I think you will enjoy it. In the meantime here are a couple of my favorite ads from past presidential elections. Why can't our candidates be this creative. After all, all of this talk about issues is really rather ridiculous, don't you agree?



This one really is catchy and was put out by Eisenhower's opponent, an Illinoisian with a funny name, Adlai Stevenson.



Of course, there are always the ads that play to emotion rather than reason. Remember the Swift Boat ads against John Kerry in 2004 or Hillary Clinton's ads asking who we wanted to answer the emergency phone in the White House at 3 AM earlier this year? Well, here is the one that topped them all. This ad ran only one time and was deemed so controversial it was pulled.



Lastly, the more things change, the more they stay the same. In 1968, Richard Nixon chose Spiro T. Agnew, a little known first term governor as his vice-presidential candidate. Here is a short ad (one of the first color ads I could find) that Democratic candidate Hubert H. Humphrey ran. Could the Obama campaign have borrowed this ad this year? Hmmmmm...



VOTE NOVEMBER 4TH!

Our Recent Travels

Paul and I just got back into town, after each taking trips to different states. Paul attended a national paralegal conference in Dallas, TX, and I had a fun trip to Redlands, CA to see my mom, freinds and family. Paul's highlight was going to the Book depository , where Pres. Kennedy was assasinated. He was really impressed by the historical facts and theories. My highlight was being with my sister, Kristy who took out her own endowments in the Temple. My brothers and my sister-in laws, aunt Cheryl and my mom were all there together. It was a joyful experience!! I got to do a bunch of shopping, and eat all the Mexican food my stomach could handle, along with great weather and beautiful town, I was in "heaven!"

Enjoy the Slideshow

John Adams

Cindy is in California for her annual visit. The big news is that Kristy will be going to the temple on Friday. With Cindy gone things are rather boring around here. This afternoon I took the time to watch the first two episodes of John Adams, the HBO series based on the David McCullogh book. They were terrific! I really recommend this series to anyone with even the slightest interest in the beginnings of this great country of ours. Here is a short clip to give you a bit of feel for this great show.

Carrie Underwood Concert

Last night Cindy and I celebrated our anniversary a little late by attending a Carrie Underwood concert. We hadn't been to a concert in a while and it was really fun. She performed for nearly an hour and a half to a sold out crowd. It really amazes me what a meteoric rise to the top she has had. She is incredibly talented!. Well, enjoy a video taken from her Carnival Ride concert tour.



And our favorite:

Can You Say "Rain"?

How many of you like rain? Raise your hands. Oh, I don't mean the silly little stuff that you guys out west get. I mean real rain. Like nine or ten inches in one day. Well that is what hit Chicagoland last weekend. There was water literally everywhere. Two of our major interstates were closed from Saturday until Thursday and several cities suffered serious flooding. We even got water in our family room in the basement which has never happened before. Old Timers around this area are saying they have never seen anything like it. Well, here are a few pictures of what this amount of rain in a short time looks like.

Labor Day

This past week we had everyone (minus Warren, Marianne, and Chase) to our house for Labor Day. It is always great fun when all of the cousins are together not to mention a little bit of chaos and a lot of noise. I thought you might enjoy a couple of pictures of the newest cousins in our family, Sophie and Jared, and a short video of what Bryce, Allison, and Blake do when they get together (the video is especially for you, Warren and Chase). Don't worry too much, Chase, most of your light sabers are just fine.

Taking Chase to Southern Virginia University

Well, We did it. We got the man off to Southern Virginia University. For those of you who have never been there it is located in Buena Vista, Virginia which is nestled between the Alleghany and Blue Ridge ranges of the Appalachian Mountains in one of the pretty places in the country. Last Thursday, at about, 1 PM, we loaded up the Honda Civic (it really was loaded) with Cindy, Paul, our grandaughter Summer, and Chase and his stuff. After a stayover in Ohio, we made it to VA on Friday PM. On Saturday we got Chase all settled into his dorm and then Cindy, Paul, and Summer made the trip back to IL. Rumor has it that Chase is doing well on day two at SVU although he is a little bored because not all of the students are there yet. Check out his new blog at www.chaseguymon.blogspot.com and encourage him to do well. After all he is spending our money to be there...so we want it to be worthwhile. In the meantime enjoy these few pictures.

And now Chase enters the world of dormdom--



If you want to see more you will need to go to Chase's blog. I promised him I would not post any more than this. Sorry.

SVU or Bust

Just a quick note so that everyone knows we have not dropped off of the face of the earth or something. This summer has been incredibly busy. First, the family reunion, then summer school, Warren and Marianne's move, a trip to Utah to visit my parents, and now a suicide trip taking Chase to start school at Southern Virginia University. Yes, we packed all of Chase's stuff, as well as Chase, Cindy, grandaughter Summer, and myself into our Honda Civic and are on the way to Buena Vista, VA, home of Southern Virginia University. We are currently in Jeffersonville, OH (look that one up on a map). Should make it to SVU later today and will be home (minus Chase) sometime Sunday. Pictures to follow.

Paul's Garden 2008

Once again, our garden has been a big hit this year! Paul always plants everything from seed and all of our friends and neighbors are amazed. This year's planting date was May 3rd. We were really lucky that we did not have one of those late May frosts that we often get in Northern Illinois. As you can see it all turned out really well.



This is a picture of the Zucchini that is taking over the bottom half of the garden. As you can see from the next picture, it is about to overwhelm the brussel sprouts.



Here is a good shot of the whole garden and one of Paul in front of the garden. So far this year we have already harvested radishes, the leaf lettuce and some of the zucchini and onions. In addition to these, we have planted baby carrots, iceberg lettuce, and lots of tomatoes (more about the tomatoes in a moment).




Now for the story of the tomatoes. Last year we planted way too many tomatoes. So this year we decided to do just one row. Perhaps 4-5 plants. Next to the tomatoes we planted peppers. All was going well until one day Cindy took a close look at the peppers and announced, "These sure look like tomatoes to me!" Sure enough, they were, so now we had two rows of tomatoes. Then a few days after that we were examining a mystery plant that had sprouted up amongst the carrots. You guessed it another tomato plant. Later we discover another tomato plant amongst the onions. So, now we have 11 tomato plants again this year. Here is a close up of the one growing with the carrots.



Finally, there is this mystery plant growing with the onions. Anybody have any guesses as to what it is? We don't have a clue.



Ain't gardenin'fun?

A Trip to Nauvoo

A week ago Cindy and I took another trip down to Macomb to visit Warren and Marianne in their new digs. After all, we had to pick up the cell phone and credit card we left with them when they moved in to their new place. While there we went to Nauvoo and took in a temple session. We also saw the new Nauvoo Pageant. Both were wonderful. Nauvoo is a special place. There is such a tremendous spirit there. And if you have not seen the new pageant it is really worth it. It is so much better than the City of Joseph (affectionately known as Mormon Hee Haw by those in the know) pageant was. Well, here are a few pictures from that trip.

Warren and Marianne's Miracle Move

Last week Cindy, Chase and I helped our son, Warren, and his wife, Marianne, move to Macomb, IL where Warren will be attending Western Illinois University in the fall. What an adventure! If any of you want the full (it is rather long, but worth reading)story on this move just send me a message with your email address and I will forward it to you. It really was rather miraculous.

For this post, however, let me just say that when we arrived at the house they had rented over the internet in Macomb, we discovered that it was right in the middle of the trailer park from hell. And this after they had been assured that it was in good condition and in a safe neighborhood. Here are a few pictures. In the first one notice all of the trash next to the house and the weeds in front of the house. You should also know that the front porch was so slick from mold that it was unsafe.



This next picture shows you the trees that were growing out of the rain gutters. I doubt the gutters had been cleaned in years.



The front door was far from secure and looked like it had been kicked in several times as did the side and back doors.





The kitchen was covered in cheap contact paper and the kitchen and bathroom were filthy. The living room carpet was not secure and had not been cleaned or even vacuumed in a millenium or so. The house reeked of mold.





And these pictures are my favorite. A furnace that had been jerry-rigged to a wall outlet and looked like it would explode if it was turned on.





Well, Warren and Marianne spent a sleepless night there on Friday, and Cindy and I could not sleep either in our motel. I prayed for Warren and Marianne throughout the night and received very specific direction that we were to get them out of this place. I also received instructions on how to get this done. On Saturday, with the help of a good bishop in the Macomb Ward we were able to get Warren and Marianne out, get most of their money back, and find them a great, new place to live. Enjoy the slide show of their new home and remember, Miracles still do happen.

And finally, here is a great shot of the exterior of their new place. They live in the townhome on the end.

The Family Reunion 2008

We just held our first ever family reunion. We went to Jellystone Three Bears Resort in Warrens, Wisconsin. It was great!. Five whole days and no one killed anyone. Close, but all survived. At the end everyone said they had a real good time. We played in the waterparks, enjoyed a miniature golf tournament, watched a zillion movies (I set up a movie theatre in our villa with a projector I borrowed from school attached to a laptop, with some speakers and a subwoofer, and a sheet taped to the wall). We even got permissio9n from our bishop to hold our own Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. And, oh yes, we had a crossword puzzle tournament (guys v. gals) which still remains tied at 2-2. We even survived all of the rain and weather (including a tornado that passed by us about four miles away) that the central part of Wisconsin endured the first week of June. I guess the big test was when we asked everyone at the end of the week if they wanted to do it again and their response was an enthusiastic "YES"! Well, enjoy the slide show of the reunion.

To the Art Institute

Recently we were visited by JoAnne and Kristy Bergeson, Cindy's mother and sister. They came to hear Chase give his mission report in church (he did great by the way!) While they were here Rachel (Chase's sister), Cindy (Chase's Mom) and JoAnne and Kristy took a day and went to the Chicago Art Institute (probably the best art museum in the whole world). As they say, a great time was had by all and the ladies even talked Chase into letting them spend an hour or so at Macy's (formerly known as Marshall Fields--yes, Chicago is still upset about that one), and having lunch in the famous Walnut Room. Well, anyway, here is a slide show of their fun trip. Enjoy.

It's a Miracle

It finally happened. The stars were all aligned and the moon was in the seventh house and it happened. For Paul's birthday his good friend and home teacher, Richard Nicholls, gave him a game--it consists of a baseball and a golf tee floating in water. The object is to get the ball on the tee. Sound simple? Well....everyone in our family has tried it to no avail. Tonight Warren did it. The proof is in the pictures so here they are.







Now, for those of you who were hoping for a chance to win the big prize at the upcoming family reunion, don't lose faith. Warren's success just goes to show it can be done. The contest will still be on in Wisconsin.

Chase is Back

Yes. Amazing as it is, it has been two years. Yesterday our son, Chase Theodore Guymon, returned from his service as a missionary in the Arizona Tempe Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By all accounts he was a great missionary and did the family really proud. We certainly feel blessed by his service and are happy to have him home. Well, enough of that. Below is a little slide show of his arrival at O'Hare International Airport and the reunion with his family.

Happy 55th Old Man

What a Week! April 3rd was Paul's 55th birthday. This week was full of celebration and fun. On Monday, the 31st Paul and Warren went to the Cubs opener at Wrigley Field (see previous post). Then on the 3rd Cindy and Paul enjoyed a nice dinner at Crystal Lake Ribs. On Friday the 4th it was out to eat at Outback Steakhouse with our home teacher and his wife. And then today (the 6th) it was the family party. Below are some of the pictures from today's festivities. It was a great day and wonderful to have the family over.

You've Got to Have a Present



Or Two



Some Pie and Cake



And a moment of silence for the old guy



Anyway, it was a great day and a terrific week. Thanks to all!