Trick or Treat TEST

Whitley's 2008 Candy Stash is featured up above. Not bad for a gal who has to walk up the sides of mountains for her loot! I came across a little candy trivia that I thought might be fun to play. Try testing your skills below:

1. How many pounds of candy did the average American consume in 2002?

2. What year was Lemon Heads invented and manufactured?

3. How many flavors does Dum Dum suckers experiment with before deciding on a new flavor?

4. How many pounds of candy corn do Americans eat every year?

5. What year was Dubble Bubble gum invented?

_____________________________________________________________

ANSWERS:

1. 24 pounds

2. 1962

3. 400

4. 20 million pounds

5. 1928

This Family is "Stickin Together" at Halloween

This is Whitley & I in costume

This is Whitley's costume

Well, we have a 12 year old in three more days. I really do not know how the time escaped us. It seems like one minute we're ringing in the New Year and before you know it's summer break. Now here we are at the end of October!

For the past few weeks, we have been racking our brains about "what to wear for Halloween". My daughter has always been very gracious about donning my crafty concoctions, but this year we were at a loss for not only ideas, but time. Then, the epiphany came; we were going to be stick figures!!!

Perhaps you have seen those little stick figure families on the back of mini-vans and SUV's: the dad, the mom, the child, and even the dog! Well, why not translate the idea into a Halloween costume. All it took was 15 minutes of time, a roll of packing tape and 20 packages of glow-n-the dark light sticks. With a little snipping, twisting and taping we became a walking glow-n-the-dark minivan bumper sticker!!!

I really can not tell you how much fun we had, and how much fun people had watching us postulate and pose. It was a beautiful, balmy fall evening...a rarity as it us usually snowy and icy here in the mountains this time of year. It was so much fun driving down the road and seeing people gawk and slam on their brakes as these neon stick figures cruised by. People yelled out. "Hey, I like your costumes!"

Our inexpensive little digital Kodak camera will never do justice, but John was able to take a few pictures of Whit & I. Oh how I would have loved to capture all three of us on film. We ended up closing a dark evening on a very bright note! Hope you had fun too!

25 Things My Mother Taught Me

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside.I just finished cleaning.'

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock youinto the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.' Because I said so, that's why.'

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck,you're not going to the store with me.'

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in caseyou're in an accident.'

7. My mother taught me IRONY'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.'

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM .'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.'

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don'texaggerate!'

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE .'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.'Stop acting like your father!'

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don'thave wonderful parents like you do.'

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.'Just wait until we get home.'

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .'You are going to get it when you get home!'

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze thatway.'

19. M y mother taught me ESP.'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?'

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running tome.'

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.'You're just like your father.'

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?'

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

25. And my favorite:My mother taught me about JUSTICE'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn outjust like you.

Obituary for Odelia Ricko- by Elaine Ricko-Barnes

HEAVEN HOLDS A PLACE FOR THE FAITHFULLY DEPARTED

Mrs. Odelia Ricko departed this earth Oct. 19, 2008, being 88 years, 10 months of age. She passed in the care of the Hospice Community Care Unit at Geisenger Hospital South Wilkes-Barre, PA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Aloysius Ricko, in 1989; and grandsons, Eric Frank Kammer, in 2001 and Brandon Jon Gabriel, in 1976. She had remained sound of mind, faithful, stable and strong till her journey on this earth ended, and now rests in the House of the Lord.

She was born Odelia Gabina Tapia, on Dec. 7, 1919, in Las Vegas, N.M., at the home of her grandparents, Clemente and Simona Garcia Chaves. A journey made especially for her birth. She is the daughter of the late Samuel and Gabina Chaves, Tapia and the eldest of four children. Her families’ heritage dates back to the early Spanish Colonial Settlers of the Spanish Empire of what is now New Mexico. They have been documented living there since the mid 1600s. She was bi-lingual in Spanish, for this was the language spoken in her childhood home. While living in her hometown of Trinidad, Colo., she worked as a secretary for Trinidad Junior College.

After World War II broke out, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she was employed by the War Department. It is here she met her future husband, Leo Ricko. After they wed in 1946, she and Leo moved to his hometown area in Luzerne County, Pa., and set up housekeeping. They quickly settled into the City of Plymouth and began raising their family. There she remained for the entirety of her life.She enjoyed her trips back home to Trinidad, Colo., to visit her family with whom she remained extremely close and forever missed.

Her whole life she only knew hard work. Mrs. Ricko retired from the Leader Nursing Home in 1985, where she was employed as a nurse’s aide for 13 years. Prior employment consisted of work in the factories.

She was a devoted member of St. Vincent’s Church in Plymouth. Later, after having to switch, she transferred to the newly formed Congregation of All Saints Catholic Church.

In 2004, she traveled to Trinidad, Colo., to attend The Trinidad Historical Society’s Indoctrination of the Tapia Family into The Century Family’s of Las Animas County. Her grandparents, Jesus and Juanita Benevidez, Tapia arrived in Trinidad, from New Mexico, before 1880. She has been an active member in the Daughters of the American Revolution since 2006. This honorable recognition came through Spain’s financial support for the cause, among the Militia Soldiers located at the Santa Fe Presidio, Spanish Colonial New Mexico. The obligation included the participation of her third great-grandfather, Manuel Mares in 1781 and 1785.

While every heart knows its own sadness, her journey on this earth was not without trials and tribulations. But she managed them with grace and dignity, stemming from her strong faith in God. She was an extremely strong individual who loved life and never questioned the cards she was dealt. And when the end was near she just left it in God’s hands. She never complained. She was especially blessed with excellent health, a hopeful and cheerful disposition, loving family and devoted friends. She passed on to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren the courage, pride and strength of her Spanish heritage.

Odelia is survived by her children, Mrs. Nadine Ricko Kammer, Kingston; Mrs. Elaine Ricko Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Leo Ricko, Leesburg, Va.; John Ricko Samuels, Golden, Colo.; six grandchildren, Traci Kammer Goldberg, Jamie Kammer, Jessica Barnes, Whitley Samuels, Elijah Ricko and Emily Ricko; two great-grandchildren, Samuel Goldberg and Jaren Golderg; and her brother, Samuel Tapia, Trinidad, Colo.

Her final resting place will be next to her husband, Leo, in St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Larksville. Odelia will be missed greatly by her family, friends and neighbors.

Our family would like to thank the angel nurses and staff of Hospice Community Care. You made mom’s last moments on Earth peaceful and comfortable. She passed with respect and dignity. Something very important to her.

In her memory and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice Community Care, 601 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston, PA 18704. Thank you.

Funeral Mass will be held at All Saints Catholic Church, Plymouth, on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 9:30 a.m.

Services for Odelia Gabina Tapia- Ricko

Service for Odelia will be held:

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
9:30am - 11:00 am
All Saints Parish
66 Willow Street
Plymouth, PA 18651

Arrangements are being handled by:
Kielty- Moran Funeral Home
87 Washington Ave.
Plymouth, PA 18651

1-570-779-1901

A Tribute to My Mother-In-Law

In Loving Memory of Odelia Gabina Tapia- Ricko

December 7, 1919 - October 19, 2008

October 19th, 2008, Odelia Gabina Ricko

awoke to her last autumn dawn.

A life that began December 7, 1919 in Las Vegas, NM would take her from the RockyMountains of Colorado,

to the Woodlands of the East.

She lived through numerous wars,
The Great Depression and was a Daughter of the American Revolution.

As a young woman,
she worked in Washington, D.C., where she met her husband, Mr. Leo Ricko. They soon settled in the borough of Plymouth. Pennsylvania.

Four beautiful children came forth from this union.

Through every step of the way,
her beauty and strength illuminated as brightly as autumn foliage.

Faith anchored her roots.

Strength and dignity were her clothing.

Loving, supportive friends and family were her branches.

Weeks ago the breath of a Northeastern wind whispered,

“Let go; it’s time to go home.”
She surrendered herself to the hands of God and slowly, she floated away like the waltz of a leaf making its descent back to the earth.

Her branches now weep. Their tears fall upon her. Autumn's long shadows are closing and the stinging bite of winter has come too soon.

She leaves behind her loving family: Daughters Mrs. Nadine Kammer (Ron)- Kingston, PA, Mrs. Elaine Barnes (Bruce)-Scottsdale, AZ. Sons, Mr. Leo Ricko (Sara)- Leesburg, VA and John Samuel-Ricko (Jamie) – Golden, CO, 6 Grandchildren and 2 Great-Grandchildren.

She was preceeded in death by her husband, Mr. Leo Ricko –Plymouth, Grandson Eric Kammer –Kingston and her sister, Mrs. Josephine Cordova-Trinidad, CO

PHI THETA KAPPA INDUCTION

A little luck never hurts either....Jamie won a drawing for the PTK school bag All new PTK inductees entered their signatures in a log; a tradition that has been done for almost a 100 years.

This is the graduation regalia: It contains a PTK stoll and a blue and gold cord

This is a friend and study partner from Anatomy & Physiology--Jen

Jamie is waiting in line to light a candle. The white rose stands for purity.

Students with 4.0 were asked to step forward for a Certificate of Achievement from the College President.

Well, it seems appropriate that I should do the blogging since I was the photographer. It was a big night for my wife. It was a night that celebrated two semesters of hard work. It won't be long until she will have another semester down and from the way things are looking, she hasn't budged on the Honor Roll. Providing everything goes well, she should graduate next December.

After that, she will do 21 months of clinicals.......and after that, she hopes to go into anesthesiology. Her goals are years in the making but as long as she has the energy and drive, I am more than happy to support her! Congratulations and keep up the good work!

BLAH-GING

Blogging without pictures is BLAH-GING in my opinion. I really do not know when they will fix the problem so bear with my plain old rambles.

This week was tough. We spoke with John's Mom over the phone, but she is very, very weak and can only speak a few words. We are thankful when she told us that she has not had pain and is comfortable as can be at this time.

Whitley was a pill again this week and might soon be learning that her folks mean business. We sold her Guitar Hero on Craiglist because she lost a $25 school planner and a $15 thermos. Thankfully, it sold for $50 to cover the losses.

John had a big project at work this week that is labor intensive. While he was gone, some guys broke a machine that he had designed to pull off conveyor belts that are 6 ft. wide and as long as a football field; you can imagine how heavy those belts are. Since repair parts could not be brought in expeditiously, they are back to the old way, cuting the belt in 6 ft. sections for removal.

I had two tests this week and another coming up this Friday. Midterms are the following week. Come on Christmas; I am ready for this semester to be over with! Bear with me this semester as my blogging will continue to be minimal...especially since there are no pictures.

It has been a cold, foggy weekend and the snow just started to fall here at the house about an hour ago (8:30 pm), so October 12th makes our first official snowfall! I enjoy the change of seasons and the thing I appreciate about winter is that it makes us slow down a bit and spend time inside with our family.

Before you know, little kids will be knocking on your door for treats and Thanksgiving is coming just after that. May the season be safe and enjoyble!

Phi Theta Kappa

Lots of great news! Last night I found out that I am officially going to be inducted to Phi Theta Kappa. The induction consists of a formal candlelighting ceremony that will celebrated with friends and family on October 15th at 5:30-7:00pm. With the news of my induction I received another academic scholarship of merit that reimbursed me for all my textbooks this year! I am rejoicing over God's provision and abundant blessings!

Another piece of great news is that Anesthesiology is once again, a contending area of study for me. I had recently ruled it out, as there are no schools for this discipline in Denver. However, I learned last Friday that there is a college that is just about to receive their accredidation to teach this area of study! I am so excited and I just can't believe how well things are working out!

It is always nice to have good news to share! I hope something made you smile today too!

NOT ABLE TO POST PICTURES

Pictures are worth a thousand words. Good thing I post several every now and then or I'd be writing a book every few days.

Unfortunately, Blogger has redone many things on their site and I am currently not able to upload any pictures. A little thing called a widget is malfunctioning and they are working on correcting the problem.

In the meantime, please excuse my plain old ramblings. I have lots of neat pictures in store for the future!