Hello from Dayton!

9/21/08
Happy Birthday to Justin – 25 years old today!

Hello Family; What a week this has been. We had the remnants of hurricane Ike visit us up here in Ohio. That was a first. The winds started on Sunday one week ago 60 to 75 miles an hour. It was pretty scary. Around 3 p.m. most of us lost electricity. 2 million people lost electricity state wide. Peaches and I went out walking and driving that night to assess the damage and I was shocked. Big trees torn out of the ground by their roots were everywhere. Trees on electric wires and roads were blocked. Driving down Far Hills through Oakwood the huge trees torn out by their roots were unbelievable. It looked like a tornado came straight down Far Hills. It was amazing.
Justin’s work was closed for three days, mine for two. Traffic lights were out everywhere. The rule is when traffic lights are out, the intersection should be treated like a four way stop. It seems most people grasped this concept, but you really had to watch for the few that just flew on through! We were fortunate not to have any rain that would create flooding. I was out of electricity until Wednesday morning, Justin was out for just a day, Stephanie for two days, Shirley was out until Friday and my friend Judy just called to report hers just came on. I have discovered how much we rely on our electricity. I think in one day I visited Friendly’s with Judy and Alex, Bob Evans with Shirley (an hour wait so we gave up), Starbucks, and McDonalds. I figured we can’t continue to eat out every meal so I went to the grocery to get some food that doesn’t need refrigerated or cooked (that wasn’t so easy). Stores were closed for days. People were panicking and lining up at the gas station for fear they would run out of gas. During the day it wasn’t so bad, the weather was pleasant and I could open the windows. All my neighbors were out and we visited and helped each other. When darkness came upon us it was a different story. What is there to do but read by candlelight which is not very easy. I don’t know how they did it before electricity, it is hard on your eyes. Holding a flashlight and reading isn’t very easy either. Needless to say it was pretty boring.
Many people still do not have their electricity back and it could be a few more days. I had to throw out everything in my refrigerator and freezer as did most people (see picture below). I have included some “Ohio Hurricane” pictures below. I realized that I had been through one of the other devastating hurricanes “Alicia” in August of 1983 in Houston. I was 8 months pregnant with Justin. I remember we taped our windows in preparation, filled the bathtub with water, filled milk jugs with water, stocked up on non-perishables and ice for the cooler. We were out of electricity and water for about a week or so and it was so very hot without air conditioning. Being 8 months pregnant and very fat, the Houston heat was unbearable. Needless to say I am sure I was a bit cranky. I remember driving to downtown Houston after a few days and was amazed at the destruction that had occurred with all the glass buildings.
I am continuing in my tax class, it is getting more difficult, but I am enjoying it. We are learning about who qualifies for a dependent and who doesn’t. According to my instructor, people try to claim every relative and non-relative they can think of.
Justin and Stephanie spent last night and today at Lake St. Mary’s with their Dad. He has a boat and a camper at the lake. The weather was perfect and they had a great time. Justin and I will be doing dinner this week for his birthday. We are going to go to one of the new restaurants at the Greene. The Greene is a beautiful “town” that has been created with stores, restaurants, clubs and condos. There is a fountain in the middle where people gather for music and to watch children play in the water. It is a wonderful addition to Dayton, we needed something to spice up the place.
We are so happy to hear of the great news about Leslie. We continue to pray for her recovery. She has such a wonderful positive attitude. Reminds me of Dad, what a great quality to have.

Justin, Stephanie and I send our love to all.

Happy Birthday next week Tommy!



Stubbs Park



My Empty Fridge



My friend's back yard in Beavercreeks

News from the Beech-House

NOTE: AOL Journals is discontinuing their service, so I have moved Ryan's Journal (his adventures with the Peace Corps in El Salvador) to this address: http://ryans-trip.blogspot.com/

September, 2008
Greetings from St. Louis! We’re doing pretty good this month – considering we haven’t been flooded, had any hurricanes, or lost our retirement in the market. Alex has finished his first month of college (MIZ – ZOU!) Still a computer science major. He has all good reports so far – good classes, good dorm and roommate, good food (and lots of it). He surprised us with a 24 hour visit last weekend, mainly to see his friends and attend his high school football game. Seems like he’s become more grown-up already.

Ryan has “just” one more year in El Salvador. He seems to be more comfortable, more at home, and busier every time that we talk to him. He has volunteered to help a friend manually dig ditches to lay water pipes to a village that has no running water. He starts at 5:30am and it is over 100 degrees by 10am everyday. I bet he won’t complain next time we ask him to mow our lawn. Nothing new on his blog lately, but Mark will alert you when we get his next entry – they are always good!

Mark is working with the SAP project team at his company, CSI (not the TV show). He’s playing tennis almost everyday and bike-riding on weekends. He's given up on the 4th place Cardinals and already given up on the 0 and 3 Rams. Looking forward to a Rays–Cubs world series!!! We’re going to California Oct. 4 – 12 for our yearly family visit and to celebrate Mark’s dad’s 90th birthday. His sister put together a book of stories submitted by each family member about Herman.

Leslie has completed her 3rd chemo treatment and has great news – her Dr. reports that the tumor has reduced in size by approximately half!!! One more challenging treatment then the next four are supposed to be easier to take. Leslie has two alternate personalities going; a work persona with a wig that closely matches her regular hair, on a good day, and a sporty short blond/red one for evenings and weekends. She’s thinking the short one with sun glasses may be a good way to go incognito later on so clients won’t recognize her. She immensely appreciates all the cards, phone calls, and e-mails from all of you. It really brings home the truth of this amazing extended family we are all a part of.

News from the Williams Maryland World

September, 2008 Keith has written a play, called "Two Moms". He directed and produced the play. It is being performed here for the next 2 night (ran a total of 4 nights). The evening is filled with 4- 1 act plays. It is very funny (of course)....pot smoking moms who exchanged their children at birth and don't tell the kids until they are older (think Leslie could analyze that one?)
Tom and Emma went to see it last night. I stayed here with Jake. Tom and Emma came home laughing stating that their father is very disturbed. Tom is still working at Bob Evans. He bought a new car over a month ago. It is a 2008 Huyndai Accent. He ended up getting a new car after being in an accident. He was driving with Jake (in the front seat). Evidently, Jake started rocking and swing his arms. This caught Tom in the right eye, couldn't see, and ended up under some type of SUV. The moral of the story is Jake is no longer permitted in the front seat.

Ed and Morgan are trying to sell or rent their town home in Lexington Park. They have purchased a new home just down the street from Jake's school. Morgan is pregnant and due May 4. She wants to do in home daycare for up to 8 children. The house is a nice little 3 bedroom rambler on 3/4 acres with lots of trees. It is already fenced in.

Morgan is having an ultrasound on Sept 25. I can't wait. She wants to use cloth diapers. I have found some on line that I thought she would like. She received them the other day and is suppose to bring them over here today so I can see them (velcro tabs, adjustable legs etc..) I give here a lot of credit if that is what she wants to do. She is insistent that she does not want to contribute to destroying the enviorment (I told here I think I already own a landfill...maybe 2). Ed went to Lousianna for the hurricane and came back with a terrible ear and sinus infection (has allergy to molds). He was on standby for 9/11 in D.C. I understand that he may need to go to Afganistan in Nov. (that stinks)

Morgan's 1st Sonogram

Geoff is living with his girlfriend (Lauren) and another male roomate. As you can guess, Keith and I are none too happy about this. Oh well, live and learn. He is finishing his degree in Criminal Justice and taking additional classes to get certifications in 3 different computer programs. He is also working security at a port where natural gas is delivered. He runs with the Lexington Volunteer Rescue Squad during his spare time. His girlfriend is also with the rescue squad and works in a doctors office.
Brad continues to be MIA - pray for him
Emma is great. She is enjoying school, her friends,computers, art and making videos. She is creative like her father. Eddie, who has a lot of computer knowledge (they all make me look stupid) is impressed by her ability to make some of these animated videos. She enjoys herself. I love to leave for work after she has left to go down the street. I drive past her and see her (the only girl) with these guys. She is just talking and laughing and they are hanging on her every word.
Jake is my hero, truely. An announcement was made during the lunch time @ Esperanza Middle School, that they were going to have football tryouts for 4 small teams to play flag football with eachother. I guess jake was the first one up there to get a permission slip. I was not really in to letting him try out and Keith was even less than thirlled. But Jake wanted to do this. So I went to the school and watched him try out with the other children. He had a blast. He ran the full distance of the field (and was not last) and was completely unabashed (how is that for a big word Greg) in participating with all the kids. The night before they were to post the list of the 20 kids who were going to be on the team from his "house", I had to explain to him that I was very proud of him for getting out there and giving everything his best shot. I had to explain that some kids would not get on the team but that it was ok because they tried. He sat up for hours rocking and shaking his hands and looking worried. I asked him what he was concerned about and he said if he did not make the team he was concerned that I would loose my "credit cards" and my "house". After looking into his eyes and watching him I had an epiphany. He thought that by making the team he was going to make money and take care of his mom. What a guy. I sat and tears filled my eyes as I reassured him that nothing bad would happen to me. I told him that his dad and I could not be more proud of the good man he was becoming. The next day at school, he saw the list and found out he did not make the team..The principal called me and said Jake was having a rough time with this but stated that Jake new he was upset and wanted to handle this himself. That was a big milestone for him to be able to recognize his own frustration and attempt to control it. Once again, my eyes filled with tears, wanting to go over to the school and snatch him up, but I didn't. He came home later that day and announced Mr. Paskins made him the assistant coach. He is now complete with a whistle (thank you Mr. Paskins).

So as you can see, everything just keeps rolling along in this crazy world. I will send you pictures of Jake @ practice (once one of my brilliant computer geeks shows me how) and other pictures. We have been in the process the last couple of months of finishing the basement. I will send pictures of the progress. Poor Tom will now get a room with a door. He's excited.

take care .. our love to all

Pat

Williams – Florida report for September 2008

They say some traits skip a generation, I do believe that this may be one. Not that Keith and I were bad students, well maybe, but low and behold, I have a son who behaves in school. Curtis started Kindergarten a few weeks ago and in his second week won Eagle of the Week! I must say he was quite proud as are we. See picture below to prove it.

His school is only about a mile from our house and is only a few years old. We are very lucky to have this, the place is state of the art. Every 4th and 5th grader is given a laptop to use, this is public school by the way. Pretty cool. I handle the drop off duties in the morning and Sheryl picks the boys up. The process is a bit laborious (that one was for dad, big word and all) but rewarding. Seems that almost everyone drops their kids off at school now, no one uses the darn buses. We do not have a choice since we live so close. The car line to drop your kid off is ridiculously long, so I park across the street and drag Spencer and Curtis all the way to drop off Curtis. I am encouraging Curtis to just get dropped off, when asking him if he is ready for this, he answers, “when I am 8”. I seem to remember standing at the end of our driveway at 5:55, after mom gave me some nasty instant breakfast drink at 5:54, waiting for the bus in snowstorms. I’m pretty sure this was in 1st grade. Kids are soft these days.

Curtis’ first day of school was one to be remembered, it was cancelled! We had one of the many hurricanes coming our way and the boys and I stayed at home and played video games. We have had a few close misses lately, if one ever hits, it will be bad. Today, with the latest storm about 300 miles away, the winds forced so much water into the bay that our streets on the way to work had about a foot and a half of water in them.

Second item is Spencer’s 4th birthday! He is a very lovable and sweet little boy who loves his big brother and wants to do everything that Curtis does. We had a nice dinner out and then came home for presents and cupcakes. He is really into Star Wars toys (go figure so was I) and I am truly getting to relive my childhood with these guys.

Sheryl is off to Chicago with her friends for a long weekend, so it is just the guys. I was talking to Sheryl on the phone and told her that we were going to sit around in our underwear and play video games, the next thing I know, both my boys are stripped down to their undies, wearing big smiles. Gotta love em.

We send our love to all, Greg, Sheryl, Curtis and Spencer

Spencer - 4th Birthday

Curtis - 1st Day of School

Eagle Boy

Hello Family!

Hello all. This is going to be fun.

Happy Birthday to Greg and Tom coming up!!

I am taking a tax course two nights a week now. I was leaving the class tonight feeling really good and picked up my phone to call Dad because I knew he would be proud and want to hear all about my class. I got sad when I realized I couldn't call him. I then remembered the blog and came home to tell all of you and figured that Dad is reading this as well. I also had one of those moments of wanting to call Dad after Stephanie's Cardiologist appt. For 22 years I have been calling him after every appointment. She is doing fantastic, we got to watch an MRI of her heart on the computer and saw her defects and how the blood is flowing etc. It was fascinating. After I regrouped I picked up the phone and called Shirley, she was very thrilled to hear the news and made me feel better too.

Life is going very well for all of us. Justin is working many hours and keeps getting raises because they really like him, he says:) I am sure he is very entertaining to the customers. Stephanie just moved to a different apartment that is very nice and accommodates her and her dog (ki ki) nicely. She starts classes soon and she continues to work with the 22 year old autistic girl (Michelle). Her new address is: 905 Fairglade Lane, Apt. A Columbus, OH 43224

The Office Manager at my work just retired after being there for 47 years. As you can imagine she ran the school. As a result, I have a lot more responsibility and have to answer a lot of questions that I really don't know the answer to, so I guess. I also get to boss people around a little. I enjoy being bossy according to my siblings. As I mentioned above I am taking a tax course 2 nights a week so I can make some extra money during tax season. I enjoy my job and have met a lot of nice people at work that I am socializing and exercising with.

As you all know, my dear friend Judy's daughter was killed by her husband. Please keep her and her Grandson Alex (who she is now raising) in your prayers. She is praying for them to find her daughters body so she can have some closure.

We continue to pray for Leslie's full recovery.

This is a wonderful idea.....Thanks Mark for all your hard work. Goodbye now, Beth




GO BUCKS!! Spencer wearing an OSU hat. Sorry Sheryl!

The "William's" - July 2008

Introduction

Gordon, also known as Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle Gordon, had a deep commitment to his family, which he expressed in so many ways, most famously the S&G Monthly Newsletter. This was so important to him that he conveyed specific instructions about how this should be continued in his even-handed journalistic manner.

True to his style, he underestimated his input and devotion to his monthly production and assumed that someone else could easily pull this off. Not so! To continue the essence of his quest (family communication and close relationships) we are providing this 21st century format for all to access and contribute information at your convenience. May the journey continue.

Leslie