Better 12 hours early than late

Written by Joel Klaassen Tuesday, 17 March 2009 13:59

Sometimes it’s hard to get it right. This past Friday I had a meeting set up for 7:30. So I got up early and went to the meeting and waited for 20 minutes. Each day actually has two 7:30s and I got the wrong one. Better that I was 12 hours early than 12 hours late.

n

I won’t mention the beard contest again after this: I disqualified myself by shaving it off last week. Didn’t wish to go to my father-in-law’s funeral looking like a derelict.

n

We’re doing our part to keep the economy moving this year. So far we have purchased 17 airline tickets.

We have figured out how to avoid the extra fees for checked luggage and have managed to travel with carry-on only, so far.

It is a brilliant move by the airlines to charge for...

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No one else quite like this man

Written by Joel Klaassen Tuesday, 10 March 2009 13:52

There will never be another one like him… one of a kind. Those are a few phrases that others have used to describe my father-in-law Ennis Unruh, who died this past week. I agree completely with those sentiments.

I have known him for three-fourths of my life and for more than half of his—and he was always very good to me.

When I first met him as a 17-year-old, I was a bit intimidated. I was really only interested in his daughter then. The fear soon went away and I was always welcomed at the Unruh household in the early days—just as long as I didn’t stay too late.

He was a self-made man and wasn’t afraid to try anything. I admired those qualities. He knew when to hold them and when to fold them.

He was a charter member of the...

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Scraggily for a good reason

Written by Joel Klaassen Tuesday, 03 March 2009 13:46

My wife wants me to wear a sign around my neck that says I’m in a beard growing contest so that my new scraggly look has an explanation for the public. It’s best to grow a beard when you’re sick and indisposed for a while so no one has to see it during the early stages.

In the back of my mind I’m thinking I may not make it to the end of June judging. I have a couple of trade shows and conferences in between where the hairy look would be detrimental.

n

The power outage last week didn’t affect everyone. While our computers didn’t work for about an hour I walked over to Baker Bros. Printing to see if they knew any more than I did about no power. I heard a manual typewriter clicking in the background and found that Jim...

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No sign of recession in Atlanta

Written by Joel Klaassen Tuesday, 24 February 2009 13:54

We just spent a few days in Atlanta with the Camelis and had a great time as we always do.

I kept looking for signs of a recession but couldn’t find any. The airports were crowded and parking lots full as usual. I think the Atlanta airport was even more crowded than in times past.

The Camelis’ pizza place was having some of its best days ever while we were there, but then maybe no one gives up buying great food at any time.

n

It was our first chance to meet Wolfie, the mutt from the pound who has been a new member of the household since the boys returned home from the Marion County Fair visit last summer. He is a frisky and friendly guy and well-behaved, for the most part.

n

Nancy looked in the boys’ bedroom when we arrived...

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