Family Christmas

Wednesday, December 29th all of the kids were home to celebrate Christmas with us. They also helped us do some cooking and cleaning as all the Kuklenz Klan arrived on Thursday.

Doug is shown here making some spritz cookies
(made especially for his Caramel Macchiatos)

We did have some fun too!
Jill & I played Bananagrams and all of us watched the movie "IronMan2".
During the movie, we heard a loud pop and found out the batteries in the remote had exploded.


Karl busted out his chemical skills and cleaned out the remote.
Then on to finish watching the movie.
NOTE TO SELF: Don't buy Ray-O-Vac batteries.
We've had several explode lately!

Jill and Josh were making Oreo Balls.

Jackie & Jonathan waiting to open up gifts.

Audrey & Karl waiting to open up gifts.

The whole gang enjoying some good conversation, following our steak dinner.

The evening finished with gift opening and lots more stories!!

Divinity

Today we finished up some of our cleaning tasks in time to do some actual food prep. Sausage Gravy has been made and put in the freezer. Then we were on to making some of Grandma Hersom's divinity (minus the nuts ~ we are nutty enough)

The first batch (green) was trashed. It never ever did set up correctly.

The second batch (Red-Red ~ actually turned pink..but that was our desired color).... so that was all good!

The third batch was green. It still took it's own sweet time to set up right. But after a bunch more stirring by Doug..we achieved success.

Doug is shown here spooning the green divinity.

Our completed divinity.

Grandma Hersom's Divinity

3 cup sugar
1/2 cup white syrup
3/4 cup water
3 egg whites
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp vanilla
Optional: food coloring / nuts

1) Put sugar, syrup and water into a large saucepan.
2) Cover and cook over low heat, stir until sugar is dissolved.

3) Increase heat - bring to boiling point.

4) Boil 3 minutes (without stirring).
5) Uncover. Cook until syrup reaches firm ball stage.
It will make a soft ball in cold water.
6) Add salt & vanilla to egg whites. Beat egg mixture until stiff.
7) Continue beating the egg whites and add half the syrup.
8) Cook the other half of the sugar mixture til (crack ball stage).
The mixture will make a hard ball and crack in cold water.
9) Beat the remaining sugar mixture into the egg mixture.
10) Once the mixture has been combined complete, continue stirring the mixture with a spoon until the candy holds it's shape when dropped from a spoon onto wax paper.

YUMMY! One of our family favorites!

Special Delivery - Warm Temps ahead

This is what our desktop computer shows today!

For the 10 day weather forecast for The Colony - click here.

Happy 1st Anniversary

Congratulations Josh & Jill!

Christmas Break

Friday night, Jackie & I attended a play by Lakeside Community Theatre here in The Colony. The play "Christmas Break" was a two act play about students who have to remain, or choose to remain on their university campus during the Christmas break between Fall and Spring semesters. The comedy is a light hearted look at the individual students dealing with each one's unique situations. Cultural differences, life changing decisions, homesickness, loneliness, boredom, and the holiday of Christmas itself present challenges that each student must deal with. It takes an unflappable and optimistic dorm mother, Mrs. Fulton, to put the best possible face on things, including trying to create a traditional Christmas for the exchange students' first experience with the holiday.

It was wonderful!! Great, cheap entertainment.

The next production "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams will be Feb 18 - March 5th.

For more information about the Lakeside Community Theatre - click here

Coffee Crisis

Yesterday, Doug went to make cappuccinos and the coffee maker would not turn on. It appears a thermal fuse has gone bad. He was able to "jumper" it to make it work. A part is on order and we "hope" that it will make it here in time for the Kuklenz Christmas, as Doug has planned to make caramel macchiatos. Hot Wired Coffee Maker

It's Another Surprise

I received another "surprise" delivery today.
I have been feeling a little blue and this made me cry.

The note says:

"We may not be able to see or listen to each other often,
but thoughts of you fill my heart every day.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas.
We Love You!"
Love,
Jennifer, Dwight and Makaya

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I'm missing you all too!!!!

Holiday Spectacular

Saturday, Doug and I drove down to Huntsville to attend Jackie's choir concert at the new Gaertner Performing Art Center on campus. It was FABULOUS!!!!

We all (Doug, Dee, Jackie, Jonathan, Karl, Jill & Josh) met at Chili's for dinner before proceeding to the "Holiday Spectacular".

This was a combined concert of all the choirs (SHSU Chorale, Women's Choir & Concert Choir) at Sam Houston State University as well as all the orchestra and jazz band.

There were pieces with the symphonic choir and symphony orchestra; flute choir, saxophone quartet, trombone ensemble, jazz ensemble & trumpet ensemble.

It was a wonderful night of music and a great way to get into the holiday spirit!!

After the concert we drove down to Karls and spent the night at his apartment. Sunday morning he made us breakfast and we hit the road home about 1pm....just in time to see the Cowboys lose to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Overnight Visitor

Jill had an overnight business trip in the Dallas area. She drove up on Thursday morning with her boss. Jill attended a training class and then went out for dinner with some of her McKesson colleagues. She spent the night at our house. She left around 9am this morning for some more work in the Carrollton office before heading home this afternoon.

New Washer & Dryer

The washer & dryer we had was 11 1/2 years old. The washer was beginning to flake rust off into the wash water and the dryer had pealed most of its porcelein finish off over the past year. So we've been checking out washer & dryer sales periodically. We know most people upgrade to a front loading washer but we are old fashioned and want to stick with the ease of the top loading washers. Then no need for pedestals! This washer has the same High Efficiency (HE) technology that the front loaders have in a top loader. The dryer is also High Efficiency with steam technology. It is quite a change to get used to all the new "options" available to choose from when I do a load of laundry now.

WASHER: Kenmore Elite 5.2 cu. ft. Top Load Washer with Smart Motion Technology.

Smart Motion™ Technology custom blends its unique wash motions to create specialty cycles that give just the right amount of care to your special fabrics, like kids wear, workout wear and bulky bedding. With the agitator out of the way, the ultra large 5.2 cu. ft. stainless steel basket has more room for more clothes so you spend less time doing laundry. You can also wash bulky items like king-sized comforters. The Save Energy+ option provides additional energy savings on select cycles with the touch of a button.

This washer is supposed to save 54% water and save 46% energy compared to a top-load washer manufactured before 2004, using the Normal Cycle. ENERGY STAR® qualified appliance

DRYER: Kenmore Elite 7.3 cu. ft. Gas Dryer with Steam Generator.

Ultra-large 7.3 cu. ft. dryer helps keep wash and dry times in synch and lets you dry large, bulky items like rugs and comforters

Sensor Dry Technology automatically detects the moisture content in clothes, then determines the right drying temperature and time. The result is a gentle way to dry everyload, every time
Steam Refresh™ works to reduce odors and relax wrinkles for less ironing. Clothes come out fresh, dry and ready to wear.

Sanitize items right in your dryer. Our NSF®-certified* Sanitize cycle eliminates 99.9% of certain bacteria. You can even sanitize items like pillows and teddy bears without washing them

Both washer & dryer have the Kenmore Connect technology. At a push of a button the Kenmore Connect™ System sends data from the appliance directly to our tech team using the phone. This may be all they need to handle questions on the spot, no service call, no time wasted. Answers on call tech support 24/7.

Surprise Delivery

This afternoon I received a surprise delivery.

This poinsettia is beautiful.
It is HUMUNGOUS!!!

Thanks Audrey & Karl!!

Elf Yourself - It's fun!

Here is a link to view a short video of holiday spirit:
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/tYN6TCunzWYS1VXaNbhA

ENJOY!!!

Kuklenz Christmas Countdown

Only 30 more days until there are 25 people in the house.

The theme this year is "Kuklenz Christmas, Revisited - Doing It Again in 2010".

We first hosted this annual Kuklenz get together in Minnesota in 1995.
In 2000, the theme was C2K "Christmas 2000"

Anyone remember the theme for 2005?

This year we will be re-creating some of our highlights from past hosting years;
plus adding a few new things that will sure to be a hit.

Oh..so much to do...so little time to do it.
Sure wished my kids lived closer so they could help with the planning.
I've missed all my little helpers this year!

Must find time to eat and sleep.

100 days (and counting)

We will spend 3 nights in Honolulu, specifically to tour Pearl Harbor.

We will spend 5 nights in Ka'anapoli (West Maui).
Relaxing!!!!!!!!
I hope to be able to do a bunch of whale watching from our balcony!

Thanksgiving Week

Tuesday - Nov 23: Doug returned from his business trip in Mexico City. He has been there a total of 7 weeks. Jackie came home on Tuesday evening. We enjoyed steaks on the grill.

Wednesday - Nov 24: Jackie had a doctor's appt for medication renewal. She is doing much better now that she is on the right mix of medications. She is spending alot of time knitting and her dad was very interested in this hat making contraption.
* Wednesday morning, Doug primed and painted the outside of our new kitchen door. It was installed by Lowes this fall during the kitchen remodel but the primer was already peeling off.

* Wednesday afternoon was spent winterizing the boat.

Jackie made spritz cookies.

* Wednesday late afternoon, Sandi & Phil (Jackie's housemates) visited our home. We had offered them a place to stay so they didn't have to stay in a hotel. Sandi's brother lives in Carrollton and they would visit him and his family for Thanksgiving. Dinner was pork chops in the crock pot. We enjoyed a lovely evening of visiting and breakfast the next morning.

Thursday - Nov 25: A very relaxed day in the Kuklenz household. Jackie knitting while we watched the Dallas Cowboys in a nail-biter. A very non-traditional thanksgiving dinner - pot roast.

Friday - Nov 26: Josh & Jill arrived after spending Thanksgiving in Houston. Doug smoked a turkey and we enjoyed all the traditional Thanksgiving food. In the afternoon, Jill and I put up the Christmas tree. Many rousing games of BANANAGRAMS were played.

Saturday - Nov 27: The holiday decorating was finished and all the boxes were put away. Jackie left to go to Karls for the rest of the weekend. She would attend the Houston Symphony with Karl and Audrey later this evening. It sounds like they had awesome seats and it was wonderful concert. Jill & I did a little shopping. LEFTOVERS for everyone!

Sunday - Nov 28: Jill and Josh headed back home right after church. They are in the process of apartment looking and thought they might stop a few places on the way home.

Now That's a Snake Skin

I want to thank my mother for thinking the last post was a snake skin.
Today I went to the grocery store.
When I returned and was carrying in my bags through the garage
.....LOOK at what stood in my way to the refrigerator!!

A real snake!! Thanks MOM!!

But I can take on a snake this size.
Chopped him in half and he still continued to move around.
So had to give him one across the chops to make him stop hissing at me.

No more snake!

I hope he doesn't have any friends lurking around!

What Is It?

Can you guess what this is?

Results are In

I received a call from the Medical Center of Plano with my breast results.

1) There are no atypical cells - Yahoo!!

2) The fluid was filled degenerative breast tissue.

Breast cysts develop at any age but the development of my cysts are probably complicated by the fact that I take hormone replacement therapy following my hysterectomy in 2005.
From what I've been reading though, most cysts just develop from the natural degeneration process of breast tissues and cells.

All is well until next year!

Think Pink

Monday, I went for my annual mammogram at the Women's Link - Medical Center of Plano.
The digital mammogram showed something unusual, so I has moved into another room for a breast ultrasound.

The breast ultrasound showed a breast cyst that was on last years mammogram but now it has changed:
1) It is now larger in size
2) It has a more irregular shape
3) It has debris in it
4) It has a thick wall around it.

With a family history of breast cancer, they did more tests.

So Tuesday afternoon, I had two cysts aspirated. One was a simple cyst. The other was a complex cyst. Apparantanly acceptable colored fluids in a breast cyst are: clear, white, yellow & green.

One cyst contained a green fluid. The other contained a reddish/brown - rust colored fluid.

The sample was sent off for cytology. I should know in 1-3 days of the results of this test.
The doctor didn't seem to think there was anything to worry about. He said it was probably the result of a mass that liquified.

I will update everyone when I get my results.

Date Night "Unstoppable"

Doug and I went to the movies last night and saw Unstoppable.
He received 2 - AMC GOLD coupons from DeLaRue for his birthday in June.

PLOT: A runaway train , runnning without a driver through Pennsylvania with hazardous chemicals onboard.

Further complications: An officious railroad executive, an elevated curve over oil tanks near a densely populated area, and a passenger train carrying a school field trip on the same track.

Riding to the rescue are veteran engineer Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington) and freshly hired conductor Will Colson (Chris Pine), who represent the only hope of slowing down that train.

Summary: Much action, LOUD train noise and lots of camera shots in circles ~ not for motion sensitive people.

Pool Repair(s)

Our pool pump motor has been making some loud screeching noises lately.
I ordered a new pool pump motor and GO KIT, so when Doug
came home from Mexico City, it could be installed.

The weather yesterday was a warm 77 degrees...a perfect day for working on the pool equipment. Doug is shown here, preparing the new pool pump motor for assembly.

Doug is shown here, installing the new pool pump motor.
The weather did not cooperate very well.
As he was finishing the installation, a cold front came through
dropping the temps from 77 to 57 in a short time.
A new pool filter was also added a few weeks ago.
So the pool equipment should now be operating more efficiently.

Next year, we will need to replaster the pool as the plaster is coming off the gunite shell.
The breakdown of the plaster, leaves the pool very susceptible to algae growth.
Algae growth shouldn't be too much of a problem this winter.
But the pool is very splotchy looking and is in need of an update.
We've already acquired an estimate to have the pool replastered.
Just need to budget the time & money to get it done.

Jackson Dental is a WINNER!!!!!

Our family dentist left the area. So the hunt for a new dentist began.

This summer I had one of the worst dentist experiences ever.

The dentist was arrogant, the office staff was rude and the office billing was inaccurate.
They told me I had periodontal disease....so not true.

So I've been on a quest to find a new dentist.

Today I went for an appt at Jackson Dental
http://www.dallassmiles.com/
Office motto: Treating your family like ours

The appointment was very pleasant from the xrays, cleaning & consult.
My teeth are in great shape.
No cavities!!
No periodontal disease for me!!!

Next appt: May 2011
Dr. Robert Jackson, DDS

Dr. Robert Jackson is a 1994 graduate of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. During his years at the college, he studied all aspects of restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
He was a member of the honor roll and served as director for the Good Shepherd Mission which provides free dental care to the indigent population of Oklahoma City.

Dr. Jackson moved to Texas in 1995 with his wife, Susan.
He assumed the practice of Dr. Michael Neeley in Carrollton, TX in 1996,
and has been caring for patients at this office for 14 years.
Dr. Jackson takes immense pride in his dental work
and has studied hundreds of hours to perfect his craft.
He is a graduate of the Dawson Academy in Florida and is a student of the Seattle Institute.

Dr. Jackson is a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. He has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education in endodontics,

restorative care, and cosmetic dentistry.

He and his wife have three daughters, Aryn, Addyson, and Ainsley.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling, landscaping, following the OU Sooners, and watching his daughter’s dance performances. He is member of the ADA, TDA, American College of Cosmetic Dentists, and Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano, TX.

North Texas Earthquake

North Texans might have had a case of the shakes around 10 p.m. Sunday evening, after an earthquake registering a magnitude 2.6 was reported in Cleburne.

The earthquake was recorded about 10 miles southwest of Cleburne at 10:05 p.m., according to a report on the United States Geological Survey website.

Johnson County deputies responded to the area where they received 15 911 calls but there have been no reports of damage yet, Johnson County Sheriff's Office spokesman Tim Jones said.

A quake of magnitude 2.5 to 3 is the smallest generally felt by people. A magnitude 4 quake can cause moderate damage.

Cleburne was in the national spotlight in the summer of 2009 when eight tremors were recorded by the USGS, according to a news release from the city.

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/08/2613451/minor-earthquake-rattles-north.html#ixzz14iS700Jz

Weather Alert

Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
NBC 7:20 pm

WEATHER ALERT!!!!!!!!
In case of a tornado head directly to Lambeau Field.
Chances of a touchdown at this location is highly unlikely ~ at least by the Cowboys!

Veteran's Day Celebration

I am a member of the American Legion Auxillary - Unit 21 (The Colony, TX). Today we helped with the events at the all day celebration for Veteran's Day. I helped set-up and work the food stand. We sold food (pulled pork sandwiches, ribs and hamburgers) made by Texas Roadhouse.
It was a beautiful day and I even got a little "sun-kissed" to show I was outside most of the day.

I wore a ribbon on my Auxillary tshirt today to honor my two favorite veterans, Wilbert Janssen & Melvin Kuklenz. "I can't thank you enough, for your service for our country! "

This is information on our local event: www.saluteamericanheroes.com

It's raining and the kitchen is leaking

Check out what I found when I came down stairs after working today.
It has been raining today, but not buckets of rain.
Looks like the new door (from Lowes) is leaking.

Probably need to get this fixed before the floor tile goes down.

The left side of the door.

The right side of the door.
The rain is even wicking up into the door trim.

Happy Halloween

Jill & Josh were here for the Halloween weekend.

This is their costume for the McKesson Fall Festival
(Alice in Wonderland & The Mad Hatter).

They also decorated their trunk in the Edge for "Trunk or Treat".
This is now becoming very popular in Texas.
People gather in a large parking lot, decorate their trunks and hand out candy
to the children that walk down the rows of cars/trucks.
There is not much trick or treating door to door any more.

Jill and Josh decorated their trunk like a forest, with the candy bowl
being in a "hole" that Alice fell down.

We hope everyone has a safe halloween evening!

Floor preparation

Sunday morning, Jill and I went to church and "the boys" worked on removing
all the linoleum backing and floor adhesive from the floor in the breakfast nook.

Josh is shown scraping the backing off the linoleum.

Doug is shown tediously removing the floor adhesive residue.

We had an estimate for concrete staining on Saturday afternoon.
Doug didn't like the look of the finished product, so guess we will move forward with the tiling.
The remainer of the floor tile was purchased late Saturday afternoon.

Now, if we could just find enough free time in Doug's schedule to get this project started/finished.

Walk to Defeat ALS

Team KLM "Kuklenz's Love Maarten"

This family photo was taken with our friend, Maarten Jans, at the conclusion of
the 3 mile "Walk to Defeat ALS"
The walk took place at Quik Trip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas
Jackie is shown in Huntsville, sporting her KLM tshirt.
She was registered as a virtual walker and chose to walk in her
Huntsville neighborhood to show her support.
She was unable to attend the walk today, as she has her first Chorale concert this evening.

This is Maarten's family walk team
"Mix Master Jans"

It was a beautiful day to be outdoors and support this wonderful cause.
It was a bonus to be able to see Maarten & his family.

Laughs, Hugs & Kisses were had by all!!!
Team Fundraising Totals:
Team KLM = $975.00
Team Mix Master Jans = $1,440.00

Event Total: $212,500.00

Birthday Weekend in Huntsville

Friday, I drove down to Huntsville to spend the weekend with Jackie. Friday night we went to Target & Dollar General to get items for her First Presbyterian Church - Seafarer's box. This is an international mission project done at Christmas time in cooperation with the Port of Houston and supports the missionaries in Jamaica and south Asia. After shopping we attended the Huntsville Cinestar and saw the movie RED "Retired Extremely Dangerous". It was funny and action packed. Gotta love Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren & John Malkovich.

Saturday morning, we woke up early to do some birthday present shopping. Jackie is in need of some career wear. She has been doing observations at several high schools within about an hours drive. She is also teaching voice lessons at the Huntsville High School. We scored some bargains at Kohls, JC Penney, Sears & Dress Barn. So now she will look as professional as she acts!

At noon, we met Jill & Josh at Jackie's favorite restaurant, Olive Garden. We enjoyed too much food and many great stories. I was laughing so hard, I cried. Jill and Josh were in town as they were going to McKesson's Fall Festival. Look for photos of their costume (Alice in Wonderland & The Mad Hatter) in the near future.

Saturday evening, we attended the Sam Houston State University School of Music "Concert Choir". I got to see the new Performing Arts Center, that opened this fall. In previous years, concerts needed to be held at some of the larger local churches, because there was no venue on campus large enough to hold a concert. The facility is very, very nice and they hope to attract other artists to showcase this facilty.

After we got home from the concert, we enjoyed some chicken and Little Debbie snack cakes for Jackie's 22nd birthday. This is in rememberance of a birthday when she was in high school. Doug was out of town, Karl & Jill were in college and it was just me and her to celebrate. We enjoyed Kentucky Fried Chicken and Little Debbie snack cakes...and then celebrated with the family a few days later. So now it's a tradition, when Mom & Jackie get to spend the birthday together ~ it's chicken and snack cakes. Long live tradition!!!

Mom & Daughter with the Little Debbie snack cake birthday celebration!

I forgot the candles, so had to settle for a handy scented candle.

Jackie is shown here with her "house parents - Sandi & Phil"
They are also members of Jackie's church family and have
graciously opened their home for her this past summer.
That went very well and they have agreed to house her this final year at SHSU.

They also have let me stay there during my recent visits with Jackie.
A great time was had by all!

To send Jackie a birthday greeting:
Jacklyn Kuklenz

106 Plum Creek Street
Huntsville, TX 77320
Email: jkk005@shsu.edu
Call/Text: 469-235-7354