Foot surgery October 15, 2008

Well, I’m laying on my bed with my broken foot elevated above my heart for what will be a very long time.   My foot surgery went smoothly this morning and I’m feeling NO pain with the narcotics they gave me.   It’s not all that bad; I get to lay in bed, read books, watch tv, and get meals brought to me in bed.   Jennifer’s mom was able to take a few days off work to come and help with the kids and chores.  I went to the library last night and stocked up on books and movies; I watched Syriana today and started reading Tom Clancy’s The Teeth of the Tiger.  I don’t recommend watching Syriana while heavily doped up since it has a rather detailed and fast-paced storyline.   Oh well, I’ve got plenty of time to watch it over again (and again if needed) to pick up the parts of the storyline that I missed.

Later, Kris

Tour of St. Louis May 1, 2008

Hi all, I had a frustrating and painful weekend this past Saturday and Sunday with the Tour of St. Louis.  Saturday was frustrating in that the morning criterium came down to a sprint finish despite my best efforts to break off the front several times.  Then, for the evening time trial, my chain kept jumping and so I ended up bagging it and going home.  Sunday was the painful part.  You’ll be able to see why if you look at some photos of me in the Forest Park Crit set# 2 photos section posted on www.ficksphoto.com.  I crashed about mid-way through the 60 minute race; but I did get back in and finish the race.  If I can take anything positive from the whole weekend, I can say that I’ve got better fitness than about 85% of the cat 3’s I’m racing against.  Oh, the other positive thing is that I didn’t break any bones.  My bike was surprisingly undamaged too.  That aside, my shoulder and hip are badly bruised and reeeeally sore at the moment! 

Obama, Religion and Politics February 10, 2008

On June 28th, 2006 Obama made a huge speech in Washington, DC on atheists and faith. It may be the most important pronouncement by a Democrat on faith and politics since John F. Kennedy’s Houston speech in 1960 declaring his independence from the Vatican. Obama offers the first faith testimony I have heard from any politician that speaks honestly about the uncertainties of belief.

I think its important that he points out that “if we don’t reach out to evangelical Christians and other religious Americans and tell them what we stand for, then the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons and Alan Keyeses will continue to hold sway.”

He speaks about his religious experience not to make atheists uncomfortable, but rather to tap into the language of morality of a nation of christians.

Just a warning, this is not a campaign video full of sound bites. This is a long Obama speech where he goes into real detail on some of his social and “moral” agenda. Its very interesting.

My personal favorite quote, “Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason.”

Click Here for the Video of the Speech

Click Here for the Text of the Speech

Engagment Photos February 3, 2008

Just letting everyone know that we had some photographs taken of us a few weeks ago to celebrate our engagement and get something we could use for announcements etc.

So here they are, I would be interested in knowing what everyone’s favorite photographs are.

Engagement Photos

Enjoy!

Secret Santa November 22, 2007

OK, as I was given the task of assigning Secret Santa again this year, I thought I’d put the list up in time for any nuts who want to do shopping on Black Friday…we don’t have any of those crazies in this family, right?  Well, I guess its not all that “secret” since I’m letting everyone know who has who, but I think it’d be rather impractical to try to make this confidential!

Kris gives to Becky

Jennifer gives to Kurt

Kurt give to Greg

Rachel gives to Kris

Greg gives to Rachel

Becky gives to Jennifer

OK, if you don’t like it, tough.  And I’m sorry, but I don’t remember exactly who got who last year, so if I’ve duplicated, I apologize.  Greg and I both have Amazon wish lists to make your shopping experiences easier!  And to Kris and Jennifer, I would personally love any suggestions you could provide as for what the kids need.  Kurt will of course get them something loud and weapon-like that they will love and cherish, but I like to be slightly more practical!!

Missing everyone this Thanksgiving, hugs to all,

Becky

Jon’s B-day party November 18, 2007

Greg, I hope you get this note in time.  We would like to invite you and your family over to Jennifer’s parents’ house in Shawnee for Jonathan’s birthday party this coming Thursday morning.   Festivities start around 9:45 AM and we’ll be done around 11:45 AM.  Let us know if you plan to come and/or if you need directions to their house.  Hope to see you soon!

Kris and Jennifer

The Becky has landed… October 15, 2007

I have crafted a long message on our blog on this… please check it out, comment.

http://beckygreg.wordpress.com/

Cookies September 8, 2007

Kris,

Welcome to the blog. Hope we see an entry from you from time to time. About the cookies… Becky and I are both doing weight watchers. Unfortunately, we would have to use up too many precious points on those wonderful cookies. But I’m sure they’re great.

Mom

Grandma Henkhaus August 17, 2007

Grandma Henkhaus had another fainting spell on Thursday. She has had several – the first one being around two years ago. Aunt Kathy took her to the hospital where she was hooked up to a heart monitor. She had two more of these spells while she was hooked up. Basically her heart just stopped for a short while and then started up again. By studying the heart monitor info output, the doctors figured out what the problem was. The part of the heart that starts the beat with the electrical impulse has been working intermittently. Not good. So she now has a shiny new pacemaker installed in her chest – as of 0700 this morning. It should keep her heart humming right along. If you want to call her I would wait until she gets home – she can’t reach the phone in her hospital room. I don’t know for sure when she will be discharged. It will be either Saturday or Sunday. Aunt Maureen came out and will be staying until Sunday at Grandma’s house. We have had the pleasure of taking care of Fluffy for the past two days. She has been pretty good and Lucy is being very tolerant.

Work on House August 12, 2007

Deck Rebuild — Done!

Wall Anchors Installed — Done!

Mudjacking Garage Floor — Done!

Clean out Wedding Fund for Daughters — Done!

(Dad’s comment) The deck would be a wonderful place for a certain reception – sandwiches provided by Mom and Dad.

That just about sums it up. Lots of outgoing money this week. Not to mention that this was the hottest week yet this year. Around 100° F for the high all week. Power was also the most expensive it has been, naturally. All the power tools that have been plugged into the outside outlets this past week mean that the little power meter wheel has been flying around. Oops, I forgot we now have a digital meter. The numbers are changing so fast they are a blur.

The next thing happening is Will’s birthday party on 8/25/07. If you and Kurt can come, Rachel, that would be wonderful. Just let us know.

Lucy has mostly recovered from the sore back problem. But just to make sure she’ll stay OK, Dad and I are blocking the stairs with a gate. It’s a little aggravating to carry her up and down, but the alternative is not something I like to think on.

Kris and Jennifer are in KC this weekend. Kris is racing in the Tour of Kansas City. The little boys will be doing their races also on Sunday at the crit which is usually in Old Town Overland Park. I hope they take a picture or two.

Dad and I went to a wonderful restaurant in St. Louis for our anniversary last night. Kemoll’s. Very expensive, but great for a special night. I really hated the fact that I had to count points during the dinner. Of course, that is of my own doing.

Rachel, any more info on whether or not you’ll get to be a TA? I hope you get a job doing something you enjoy. Has Bucky gotten used to the new place? He didn’t look too upset even that first day. Of course, no stairs to peek down from.