OFF TO THE RACES . . . ER, THE REGIONALS!

As the Ratliff family arrived at Plymouth High School to watch the Plymouth Pilgrims take on the George Rogers Clark (Hammond) High School Pioneers in the first round of the Regional semi-championship last Saturday, what was sitting outside the high school than the Indiana National Guard and this NASCAR vehicle.

We finally were able to get a picture together without one of us holding the camera. Becca was excited as well to see such a neat race car.

"Can I go for a ride, Daddy?" "Not yet, Becca." As we retrieved our photo number, we began to head inside and . . . "Why not?" Becca asks. "We're going to the game." We went inside to hand our tickets to the gate ladies . . . "But, I want to go for a ride!" Oh, the joys of being three years old.

The Pilgrims won both their games and head to Warsaw for semi-state. With that win they would be in the running for the state championship game. Yes, Colton, Bizzy got you a t-shirt. Leslie will be semi-state, and Claude will get the final four shirt. Oh, I get the championship t-shirt! We just want Claude to experience the championship feeling at least once in his life (we know he won't get it in Lake Havasu!).

As you can see, the snow has melted away and Spring has sprung upon us quickly. This time last year we were visiting and wearing heavy coats. I spoke with Lee and Russ and they stated they had been working in shorts already (those rats!).

Well, it won't be long and we'll have the boats in the water. Gentlemen, start your engines!

It's my party and I'll smile if I want to!

Becca gets ready to blow out the candles . . . er, just prior to mommy putting the candles on the birthday cake! Even as she makes ready to blow, she's already thinking about those presents on the table!

"Can I open them now?" she asks.

"Not yet, Becca. We have to sing first."

"It's not time to sing yet! I have to open the presents! No, I have to eat the cake first! Wait, I have to blow out the candles! Where's the candles, Mommy?"

"Coming, Becca, in just a minute."

Daddy, it's warm by the fire!

Even though it's only 18 degrees outside, Becca lounges by the new ventless gas stove in the front parlor. She's sitting in the rocker her mother found at an antique store in Nappannee. She's also wearing one of her newest birthday outfits (Thank you Uncle Larry, Aunt Kristy, and cousins Caius and Ailey!), which she wore to church this morning.

The sun came out today (Sunday) after another day and a half of snowing, draping the ground with three more inches of snow! Roads started melting and icicles began forming around the eaves of our house. We're watching them closely because falling icicles can be dangerous.

We want all of our Arizona and Nevada family members and friends to enjoy the warm weather you're having and know that we're fondly thinking of you all.

SNOW ANGEL IN THE MAKING

After spending the day shoveling and hibernating, Daddy and Becca went to Magnetic Park to goof off (we tried to disc but the snow was too deep!). First thing Becca did was to make a snow angel. As you can see, the little snow angel herself is having wingloads of fun!

OUR HOUSE

After spending two days off last week because a storm came through and dumped 6-8 inches of snow, we spent another two days off this week because a winter storm came through and dumped another 12-16 inches of snow on top of the previous 6 inches, which made for a lot of shoveling!

As you can see, Charles scooped a path to the front door for the mailman and paperboy, cleared enough of the driveway (outside of the left edge of the picture) in order to get the cars in and out, and called it a day.

I was looking for a way to display our lovely antique house. A little history: The house was built in 1920 with the main part of the house being the square part with the two stories, and a little jut to the back where the kitchen is located. Then, in 1932, an addition was built on the right side of the house that extended the kitchen and dining room and made them larger. The house has an 880 square foot basement and is 1770 square feet above the ground. The two windows to the right of the door are the windows to the soul of the house: Bizzy's antique parlor. The garage is the left of the house and in the rear (barely discernable). Becca's back yard is behind the house.

I promise, in the spring after the snow melts, I'll post a picture showing my beautiful front yard.

Itsnodeep . . .

Becca takes a stroll through Magnetic Park Wednesday after school . . . er when after school would have been had there been school! Mommy and Daddy spent the last two days off because of a major winter storm blew through and dumped 16 inches of snow on the ground.

The reason it looks only deep enough to Becca's shins because a lot of the snow drifted. Becca thought it was wild anyway with the snow as deep as it was.

Come on, Papa! Let's Play Guitars!

After pestering Grandpa for two hours, the guitars finally came out and Papa played songs with Becca (only those that Becca knew!). Becca, wanting to be like Papa and Colton, plays her own guitar.

Grandpa says it's about time Becca had a REAL pint-sized guitar instead of a play one! You know, she likes those picks so she can strum the guitar!

Papa and Grandma came to Bass Lake this month to see Becca and her Mommy and Daddy (well, and something was said about going to some Hall of Fame reception and game at Knox). Well, no sooner than Papa and Grandma got to Indiana than several lake effect storms moved through and dumped almost a foot of snow on the ground. So, rather than go outside where it was cold, Papa and Becca decided to sit on the couch one day and play music.

Now . . .

Claude Sanders (Dad) sits in the Hall of Fame room at Weinberg Gym and meets with old friends prior to the induction ceremony.

Claude and Jan (Dad and Mom) came back to Indiana this month to attend the Hall of Fame reception (see story below) and, of course, to see Becca and her parents.

And then!

A photo of Dad getting off the ISU Sycamore team bus is displayed in the Hall of Fame room at the Weinberg Gym in Knox. Dad is thought to have been the first Knox athlete to go on to play NCAA Division I sports.

50 YEARS LATER plus 1!

Many have asked about Claude Sanders' (Dad) recent Hall of Fame experience and I'll explain what I can . . .




Sometime in the mid 1990's, the Knox Athletic Association, part of the Knox Community School Corporation, began inducting former student athletes and coaches in order to recognize outstanding individuals and their contribution to Knox (Indiana) athletics. Well, without going into a lot of background about the process (that's another story) Dad was finally inducted into the Knox Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, 50 years after graduating from Knox High School.


Dad had a storied career at Knox. He started as a varsity football player, played two years varsity basketball and was an all-around track standout. Dad also played in the band and went on to Indiana State University on a football and music scholarship, where he was a three year starter for the Sycamores (see picture on right above), as well as a music and education major (back then, you finished your degree whether the pros called or not!). After completing his education, Dad came back and taught at Knox for 9 years, also coaching football, wrestling and track.


Well, when Dad found out about being inducted last year, he began making plans to attend. Nothing would stop him from flying back to Indiana and participating in the induction. . . except for his heart. Mere days before he was supposed to leave, Dad entered the hospital with chest pains, and found out he needed a quadruple (5-way) bypass. Unable to attend, Claude Eric attended on his behalf.



After surgery in Las Vegas and recuperating for many months, regaining his strength and nearly returning to normal, Dad came back this year to put in an appearance at the Hall of Fame induction (see picture on left). Dad certainly enjoyed seeing many people he had grown up with, attended school with, taught, coached, etc.


This year was especially poignant for Dad; his track coach was inducted posthumously, and another inductee Dad had coached in track. To top it all off, the Knox basketball team beat powerhouse Culver Military Academy to win on the school's Hall of Fame night!

Look at me. I'm wearing a turtleneck!

I think the last time I wore a turtleneck was when I was a kid living in Kentucky. Even then, I only wore them because they kept my neck warm.

Now look at me. I knew Indiana was going to be cold. I didn't think I would have to get out the turtlenecks!

Actually, my lovely wife, Biz, got this turtleneck for me for Christmas, so I think I will shut up about turtlenecks.

Love the turtleneck, Bizzy!

FIRST SNOW DISC RUN DOWN THE HILL!

A storm front moved in this morning, early, and dropped another four inches of snow. We awoke to find the melted patches covered with fresh powder. We felt the powder was so nice we decided to go sno-discing down the hill at the park near our house.

After Becca got used to riding on the disc (and Daddy wore out from 'mushin'') we decided to try "the hill." Becca sat on the disc and nudged herself until gravity grabbed her and dragged her down the hill.

"Again, Daddy, again!" was all she could shout between the peals of laughter. Up and down the hill Daddy did drag her, until, surprisingly, Becca got Daddy to try the disc.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sorry, folks, no pictures of that we're afraid.

"I DID IT, MOMMY!"


After sliding down the hill at our park, Becca gleefully laughs and pronounces to one and all within hearing distance that she rode down the hill on her disc and that she wanted to do it again. . .
and again . . .
and again. . .
and yet again!

After hauling her up the hill four times, Mommy decided to give Daddy a break. Her idea of hauling Becca up the hill was making Becca get out of the disc and walk up herself! Mommy is so smart! Why didn't Daddy think of that!

After 10 or so trips up and down the hill, Becca, Mommy and Daddy were ready to head back to the house for some hot chocolate and warm, scrumptious brownies!

THE FIRST SNOW OF 2007

Last night saw the first snow of 2007 fall. It seems it likes to come when everybody sleeps. When we awoke this morning it was to a wintry wonderland! As Becca and I left at 7 a.m. she didn't want to get in the van, she wanted to build a snowman! After experiencing the powdery stuff, she gladly got in after her hands got cold!

After school today, we came home and had a snowball fight while mommy took pictures. Oh, and that's the back of our house behind us. For the Arizona group, the blue tint to the picture IS the actual light level for the late afternoon.

The snow was as a result of "lake effect", that is, the great Lake Michigan throws a lot of precipitation into the air that then wanders into southern Michigan and northern Indiana (aka Michiana) and Illinois, dumping inches of snow as far south as Winamac, and west to beyond Chicago and east to the Ohio border. Think of it as the lake returning the precipation it took from recent rainfall and giving it back to the farmers. Lake effect snow is great without the wind, like today. But when the wind comes through (think Chicago and vicinity) the temperature may be 10-20, but feels like -10 to -20 degrees. Brrrrrr! Biz's brother, Claude Eric, is cheering tonight 'cause we got the snow. Freeze, Bizzy, freeze!

We're having fun and miss you all lots.

I want to build a snowman!

After running around and pelting mommy and daddy with loosely-packed snowballs, Becca promptly announced that she wanted to build a snowman! Well, we told her it would have to wait, because, at 20 degrees the snow was too cold to pack. Besides, daddy wasn't breakin' out the snowman kit until the snow was ready to roll!

After that big snowfall, we need to make sure the path is clear to the garage (behind me). This is the first real chance I had to use the snow shovel. It's been hanging in the garage for months! My co-workers tell me it's been a weird winter. Others have asked me if we brought the weather with us from Arizona. I told them to blame my friend El Nino!

In front of the Christmas Tree!

After attending Christmas Eve services at our church we came home to spend the evening in front of the Christmas Tree. Here, Becca poses in her Christmas outfit (Thank you Aunt Leslie!).

Christmas Eve 2006 in Indiana

After spending a restful Christmas weekend at the Lake, we came home to enjoy the house for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Becca opens one of her presents from Grandma and Grandpa!

Becca riding her three-wheeler at Bass Lake during Dad and Leslie's visit in November. Although the weather turned chilly and wet, we've not seen much snow; only about three day's worth.

Papa and Becca relax in the front room of the Bass Lake cottage in November 2006. Becca poses with Leslie (below) with the lake in the background during the same weekend.

Happy New Year 2007!

We have had a very busy November and December. As you can see, I have neglected my duties in posting to my blog. So, I will try to bring everyone up to speed . . .

Que Pasa
November 2006

Dad and Leslie came out for a five-day visit in early November. After spending some quality time with us and Becca, they returned to Arizona/Nevada to get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We spent Thanksgiving at the Lake with Claudia and Russell. Work was quite busy as we spent a lot of time going to Plymouth Basketball games.

We had new basement windows installed to help cut down on the venting of cold air and ran a new gas line to the front parlor. We purchased a ventless gas stove and installed it beneath the gravity flow vents to the upstairs. The stove acts much like the old wood/coal stoves of yesteryear and really puts out the heat. We've been able to reduce the chilliness of the house by more than 50 percent, and are really enjoying the weather now that we can come in where it's warm!

December 2006
The month flew by as we readied the house for Christmas. We were able to finally put up our whole tree (a 7-footer with a foot-tall angel on top) and had room to spare! The front parlor was absolutely beautiful and quite toasty with the new ventless gas stove. Bizzy bought several black, wrought-iron plate racks to put up in the parlor, giving the front room a real antique feel to it.

Becca's first Christmas in Indiana was especially unique in that she finally understood that Santa Claus did come and see her! She woke up Christmas morning knowing for sure that Santa had not come because he was not parked on the front lawn and that she couldn't hear the reindeer hooves scratching on the rooftop. But, when she finally did come down the stairs, seeing the presents Santa had left for her under the tree made for an exciting morning.

After relaxing for a couple of days, we loaded up mom and dad's van and drove to Branson, Missouri, and met Biz's family and spent New Year's in the southern Missour Ozarks. It had been about 6 years since we had visited Branson and we could tell that it had grown.

We're back to work already and looking forward already to Spring Break. I'm posting some pictures of Becca during the mild holiday winter in Indiana!