Tiffany

We hope Tiffany is doing okay with her leg.  Bud and Nancy, send us some updates on her and her "adventure".

The Three Texas Sisters

The picture below is the "blood sisters" in Leisure World and this was our yearly gathering for lunch out with them all.  Phyllis, Trudy and Carolyn were the host for this year.  We had a great time.  This took place at an Italian restaurant "Milano's" here in Weslaco on January 22.  Can you pick us three out of the group????

 Each sister was assigned with a "name tag" so all could get acquainted with others.  A "sisters" poem was read, sisters introducing their sister(s) and two lucky sisters sat in the "right" spot for a prize.  Each sister was asked to bring non-perishable item(s) to help out another family.  As you can tell in the picture there was an abundance of food collected. 

The food articles went to the Armando Trevino family who reside in Donna, Texas and was very much appreciated.

Armando Trevino Family 

 

Happy Thanksgiving to All Our Family

Larry had a total right knee replacement on November 11, 2013. He was in the hospital from 11th to the 14th then transferred to the rehab for recovery.  He is still in inpatient rehab and recovering slowly.  A few complications but all is going well now. I hope he will be home soon.

As of November 20, 2013, we have our first great granddaughter. Her name is Lillyanna Elyse, she weighed 9 lbs and 10 oz and was 22 1/2 inches long.  Lot's of black curly hair and beautiful.

We pray all is well with you and your families.  We are in Texas for the winter. 

We hope all have a Blessed Thanksgiving and we pray for all our military espescially for Tiffany in the Mid East.

Love,

Trudy

Tiffany Minot to Middle East

We went to Minot, ND the first 2 weeks of Nov. to see Tiffany off.  She has been deployed to the Middle East.  We enjoyed Nate and our 2 grandchildren Kaely & Joshua after Tiffany left.  We got to view the B52s take off all together during an exercise.  Brought back memories for me (when I was stationed at Loring AFB, Maine working on B52s).  We had good weather during our stay.  Got home the night of the 18th.  17 1/2 hrs 1144mi trip in one day wow.  Good roads made that possible.  Tiff will be over there until mid next year. 

Take care all
Stan

Runnells Historical Society

The old Latter Day Saints church (where some of us attended when we were so small/young) has now been purchased by the  town of Runnells and made into a Historical Society.  It has been an interesting adventure to watch come to life.  Some of us "De Joode's" are members.  Barb and Bill McGrean are active and helping to make the old building come to live.  Just thought I would share some pictures (taken by Barb) for all to enjoy. 

The church was purchased in 2010 by the town of Runnells.  Carol Elam (Melvin De Joode's daughter) is the president for now.  There has been a lot of work put into getting the building in shape to become the Historical Society for Runnells. 

 

The long wool skirt belonged to our great grandmother (West)  It was always stored in the old round wooden box.  A quilt had been started with the squares of wool pieces but never finished. 

The old metal lunch box was carried by Art De Joode when he worked in the coal mines.  Art was working in the mines when he got the news that Orpha had just delivered twins (Beverly and Barbara), and he said he just started working harder...

 I remember the cream pitcher (bottom shelf) was a gift that the old lumber yard gave to his customers.

The old clock that hung in the Runnells School assembly sitting on a bookcase.  Remember how we all use to watch hoping it would soon be time for the bell to ring and get out of school.

 

And then, there were the class pictures taken every year.  The pictures are in a folding glass case that you can scroll through and view. Third from bottom - Orpha Jane Harmison (De Joode).  Orpha graduated from Runnells High School and there were seven of her children that also graduated from the same school. 

Third from bottom (Norma Jean De Joode - Wyant).  As you can see, Norma was the Secretary and Treasure of her class.  The oldest of Art and Orpha's children.

Helen De Joode - Eiselstein second from the right top roll.  Grace De Joode second from right top, and Audrey Harmison second from right in second row are our first cousins. 

Trudy De Joode - Hauserman second from left top row.

Carolyn De Joode - Richeson second from right bottom row.  Carolyn was valedictorian of her class.

Dick De Joode second from right top row.  Dick was the King of the football team during his senior year.  Beth Ann Hammer was the queen,  My first cousin Stanley Harmison is the last one top row. 

Phyllis De Joode - Connett first one in the third row down.

Marian Jane De Joode - Adams first one third row down.

Donna Lea De Joode - Miller third from left in the bottom row.  Fourth one over in the second row is another first cousin Raymond Harmison. 

And then Southeast Polk school was built and the rest of our family graduated from there.

It will be interesting to see what else appears at the society in the small town or Runnells.  Looks like a few of us help make some "history".  Enjoy

A Mysterious and Special Place

One of our adventures this fall in Texas is La Sal del Rey which is about a 45 minute drive from us here in Leisure World -  a unique place in Edinburg, Texas also known as The King's Salt.  Dick and I enjoyed the adventure of the one mile hike each way to view the salt lake which includes about four million tons of salt and was once part of an extinct island sea.  The lake has a circumference of five miles, is a mile long, and normally ranges from two to four feet in depth.  It may dry out completely, or, if much rainfall, be more than ten feet deep.  The bed consists of rock-crystal salt.  Does not connect with any other body of water. If you would throw something into the lake, it can be recovered a day or two later encrusted in sparkling crystals.

This part was dried up for now, but in the background you could see the water.

Along the path, you can view different types of trees (this being a bean tree). 

Sitting over a solid dome of salt estimated at 4 million tons. Exactly how the massive salt deposit originally formed remains unknown, but it is probably a remnant of an ancient seabed. With salt crystals that are 99 percent pure sodium chloride, the lake can be 10 times saltier than seawater. Salt blocks removed from any spot in the lake are quickly replenished, often in two or three days.

Even though the walk might be tiring to some, we felt it was a worthwhile adventure to see.  Come on down and we'll show you around....

DONALD WAYNE DE JOODE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DONNIE,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

THINKING OF MY HANDSOME BROTHER DONNIE THIS MORNING AND HOPE HE HAS A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY TODAY (27TH), AND MANY MORE.  IF I WERE IN CARLISLE, I WOULD TAKE YOU OUT FOR LUNCH.  I HAVE TWO FRIENDS WHO HAVE A BIRTHDAY TODAY ALSO.  ONE I AM TAKING OUT FOR LUNCH.

LOVE YA LOADS BROTHER - SIS PHYLLIS AND BROTHER DICK