1999

GREETINGS FRIENDS,

Praise the Lord and may the peace and love of Jesus Christ find you healthy and calm during this new millennium. We decided to can the Christmas letter and be a little different this year by sending a millennium letter.

Life goes on in the Northwest Scheid households, and it IS amazing. The big news this year is the boys began cleaning their rooms. All three boys have girlfriends (although they call them something else - just friends). Occasionally the girls are invited over to the house and viola! - the boys are embarrassed by the mess - so they clean it up. It's funny to see my three big boys actually responding to commands. Of course this is great for Nicole, her brothers must behave and be nice to her while she can still make messes. Soon enough it will happen - Nicole will find a boy and clean her room. Then Bobette will be the only one making messes.

Nicole is now 11 and in sixth grade. In answer to her prayers, we are part-time leasing a horse. I really didn't want to do this, but it looked like she was discovering crafts and I wanted to distract her. Of course I end up riding the horse while Nicole views the situation as renting a big friend that she can feed and talk to. Nicole also likes to just hang-out at the stable and socialize with the other little girls. As near as I can figure this is wife training for little girls - how to control big dumb animals and gossip behind peoples' backs.

The son formerly known as Josè is making a name for himself as a real funny guy. Everyone thinks heÕs hilarious as he frequently talks in front of large groups of people - usually about his dad. But I don't mind as long as he doesn't mind not driving until he's 21. Joseph went another year without a concussion in football, we are encouraged that he may turn out normal. Of course that could be because he hardly played football. He cleaned his room once last year, so we let him have a little nicer room. HeÕs been taking advantage of the situation by making a larger mess in a larger room- dead crabs, uncashed checks, dirty underwear, and his retainer all rolled together with cologne and bubble gum stuck in between. I pity the poor girl who ends up with him.

I'm not sure what he does for money anymore, but his girlfriend does claim to pay most of the bills. MichaelÕs high points last year were admitting I was right twice and buying a cute little Porsche for $260. This new car has really helped unite the neighborhood as many new community action groups have formed since he started driving.

Derrick is in his last year of college and is now trying to stay there another year to avoid the cold cruel world. He always has a nice big smile causing everyone to think he likes them. So people like him since he must have good taste. He is dating Elizabeth pretty much full time now and is taking a pre-engagement courses (he learns how to control women). However, his chances of marriage seem to decrease with every special occasion; his gifts were a fish, a crab, and a rat for the last three. Derrick asks very discerning questions and doesn't seem to take life too seriously. He asked me how I knew Bobette was right for me (she told me), and of course what is the meaning of life. Just a few questions while passing in the hall.

Bobette seems to speed up as she gets older. She is always on the go doing volunteer work, doing something with the kids or working at her new job. We had our third annual Bazaar, and it is getting a bit boring but at least there were no buses this year. It seems like a lot of effort just to get your wife to clean the house once a year. Bobette's interest in crafts has only gotten greater, it is a little like the Energizer Bunny, it keeps going and going, it goes from the bazaar to the absurd.

Retirement got a bit boring, so Bobette and I took to sharing a job at the church. It was pretty easy transitioning to a new job, and I haven't looked back at the Coast Guard much. Although there are many fond memories (which I feel like I can talk about now without being arrested). The new job is interesting working with people, and computers constantly in a pretty much female intensive environment. But of course I don't mind since Bobette is always there to protect me.

God bless you all and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts and the word of God dwell richly within you.

The Washington State SCHEIDS,1999