Aunt Colette's Funeral

Dan, Nicole, Cathy, Marge, Jeff, Me, Mike, Marilyn, Tom

Dear Jack,

Here is a picture of my side of the family at the funeral of Aunt Colette.

Nephews are Well

Dear Jack,

I went to see my Aunt Colette today. She lives in Garfield Heights. It was a good trip, and she is in great health for 95 years old. Her granddaughter may have cancer, so keep Erin in your prayers. She, Colette, does not know it though. I was shocked beyond all belief when I read her graduation card to me... my aunt gave me $50. Lilia, her Ukranian maid, gave her a shower, and then we went downstairs to a cook-out thing they were doing. I felt bad eating the hamburger because it was pink in the middle.

After visiting Colette, we drove back to Ashtabula, and Grandma went to a hair appointment. I took a nap, we ate dinner, and then I went to visit my Ex-Sister-In-Law Terry and my nephews Joe and Kris. They have really grown up. Kris is going to be a heart breaker... has the dimples and blue eyes. They've been getting into trouble. I'm told that mostly it's been Joey, but Kris too. Both are on house arrest for breaking and entering, although Kris swears he was trying to get Joey and his friends out of the house. Who knows for sure. I did have a good time with them, although it was Kris who spent the most time with me. We played Chess and talked about goals and life and stuff like that. He says he wants to be a cop, and is taking an joint-enrollment class on law. He says if that falls through he wants to be trained as a hairdresser. Hairdresser? Then he gave a "gay acting" display of how he would be... and now I wonder. He also said he's giving up on girls, he had one in middle school, and they just seem "too damned expensive."

Regardless he exhibited very mature discussion and thought. Joey did too, but was not as keyed at visiting. I don't think he has the patience to just sit and talk. He does look like his father, before big Joe gained weight. Terry was also proud to show that she got a degree in dentistry assistance. For a long time she has been working at this, and now she has something that will really move her forward. Joey is getting a job at Burger King in Ashtabula. All in all, it was a good visit.

Ohion For a Week

Dear Jack,

Well yesterday I left with my grandparents on a trip to Ohio. We stopped at a villa in Westminster, SC. That was cool. We drove the rest of the way through NC, VA, WV, and PA before hitting Youngstown. It was a pretty easy trip, I slept a good deal of the way.

I hope to see my first Daniel... Daniel G... . He was my best friend till I moved to Georgia. I haven't talked to him in four years due to college and not being able to get up for a visit.

I also hope to see my other grandmother and my aunt Colette. My nephews are in trouble with the law, and I hope to get a hold of them too.

On a nervous note... I need to raise 12,000 more dollars to go to seminary. The problem is the majority of the deadlines were past when I got the information to apply. It doesn't appear that much help will be coming from Atlanta or my parish. That means I have to look elsewhere, and there is little else to look. I'm hoping FAFSA will offer some type of loans.

Yet as this door may appear to be closing, it is not closed yet. Furthermore a window may be opening for a Christian Ed Youth Minister position. That would give me time to raise the money if needed.

I am not sure how often I'll be posting, hopefuly more than not.