The Old Colliers

2011 - Where Do I Begin?

2011-01-31T03:28:00.000-08:00

My sincere apologies to those reading this. My intent several years ago was to blog a little every week to share information about the Old Colliers. I have not done that and again I am sorry.
My beautiful wife of 36 years, Susan, has been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and is currently on Hospice home care. I continue to work and preach and spend as much time with her as possible. Our son Ben (35), has been making trips from his home in Atlanta, Georgia to help around the house and visit his mother.
I am beside myself as to why all this has happened but will tell you that I believe God is still God and He is in control. Praise God!
Over the past year I have reconnected with some old high school friends and have even made a couple of new friends. More to come, stayed tuned....

Now and then and 2010

2010-01-03T19:19:00.000-08:00

Nearly one year has gone by and I continue to tell myself "you need to write on your blog". This is the new year so what do you say....2010 - We begin again. Updating old blogs in a short manner, our sons molther in law, Sherry Henry, got better and my mother in law did not.
I rejoice at Sherry being up and going again and I have mourned along with my wife Susan the death of her mother. Alice Mouros was a special woman who spoke her mind and let the chips fall where they may. Since her passing I often think of this or that she would do or say. I am a better human being for having known her. Sleep well Mom.
I know I have written about the family automobiles and I will probably stop that because I seem to trade them in rather quickly. The 1997 Chrysler Sebring convertible is gone and was replaced by a 2007 Toyota Yaris and then in a short while it was traded for a 2008 Ford Focus. I go through cars like a baby goes through diapers. Hopefully I will hang on to this car.......oops, there I go making a promise I probably will not keep. Let's see shall we? I also changed jobs in the past year. The Four Winds Casino decided I was not worthy of them and as I was being asked to move on I did. I am a Field Support Rep for redbox, the video rental company with over 22,000 kiosks nationwide. I love the job and am entrusted with the care of several dozens machines in a 60 mile area.
So there, you are up to speed as I begin in 2010. Begin to try and lose weight. Begin to try and take better care of a quickly aging body. Begin again to serve God. Begin again to seek answers to questions that have no answers. O.K. that didn't even make sense. Time to wrap it up Bob.
Say Bye.

News Updates and Tidbits

2009-02-20T12:09:00.000-08:00

Georgia - Son Ben's mother-in law, Sherry Henry is home from the hospital. Although now at home Sherry continues to need prayers for a lengthy recovery period. Remember Sherry and the ones that love her.

Moscow - Son Harry visited the USA last month spending nearly a week here in Indiana. We loved having him and observing his Wii skills. He took a computer back with him along with gifts from America that included a stuffed Donald Duck, a Care Bear, Chocolate, and a new pocket watch. We also received gifts from Harry and his Russian family including silk ties, a beautiful scarf, candy, and cologne. During his visit Harry spent time with his daughter, Alexandria, and her brother Dennis. Lots of fun for them and for grandma and grandpa too.

California - In talking with my friends in California I realized that birthdays happen in February for them. Bob Mollenhauer celebrated 89 on February 5th and Von Dean will be ?? on February 25th or 26th depending on what birth certificate you look at. True friends for over 40 years. All the best to you both.

Indiana - Susan and I continue to feel our age but not act like it. Susan visits her mother, Alice, everyday at Holy Cross Care Center. Mom is struggling to maintain her daily routine. She is on dialyasis three times a week and the procedure leaves her very weak.
I continue to work at the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Michigan in the Players Club.
It seems all I have time and energy for at home is shoveling snow and more snow. Come on springtime.

Son Harry Marries Katya Marchenko

2009-01-30T15:15:00.001-08:00

Our son Harry recently tied the knot with lovely Moscow native,Katya Marchenko. The couple met on the internet and eventually met in person when Harry traveled to Russia to begin a teaching assignment with Language Link International. After a year together, they made it official and were married on January 16, 2008. Congratulations to the very happy couple.

Pray for Sherry Henry

2009-01-30T15:09:00.000-08:00

Sherry Henry is our son Ben's mother-in law. The other day Sherry was rushed to a hospital in Augusta, Georgia for tests. Doctors are still undecided on what the problem is and Sherry remains in the ICU. Please take a moment from what I know is an already busy schedule to say a prayer for Sherry. God answers prayer. Enough said. Thank you

We Have A New President

2008-11-11T00:36:00.001-08:00

Okay, Okay... so it isn't Brett Farve. I guess my wife Susan's vote didn't count as much as she was hoping. Seriously though, congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama. As I watched him on CNN yesterday visiting President Bush at the White House I thought he really looked presidential. Hey, the two men were wearing almost matching dark blue suits and red ties. Susan and I voted about a week before the election at the county court like some many others did. People standing in line with us actually asked us who to vote for. Are you kidding? You don't know who you are voting for? Give them credit for showing up and casting their ballot for whoever moved them at the moment of decision. The presidential transition promises to be a smooth one. It should be. They have over two months to get it together. In 1963 President Johnson had two hours. Well, enough about this. Congratulations again to President-elect Obama and better luck next time Senator John McC...,how soon we forget.

Election 2008

2008-10-07T18:36:00.000-07:00

October 7, 2008
As I write this I am one of millions of you who are watching the 2nd Presidential Debate. So far both candidates agree that America is in the worst financial shape since the Great Depression. One says fixing the problems is hard and the other says it's easy. Both agree they have the answers for what America needs. It seems that both agree that the other one doesn't know what he's talking about. Both are campaigning for a job while taking time away from the government job they already have and are getting paid for. Humorist Will Rogers said "We have the best politicians that money can buy". I agree. I also have trust issues with someone I have never met calling me his friend. Fellow American is o.k., but friend is stretching it a bit. Is health care a right or a responsibility. Both candidates agree they disagree on that one. Both men are running their campaigns promising change. Hopefully the change they promise is different from the long presidential race which goes on and on with each one pointing the finger at the other and 30 seconds ads that are negative not positive. Finally both John McCain and Barrack Obama. agree that we live in the greatest country in the world.
Repulican, Democrat, Independent. Conservative, Liberal. Hawk or Dove. We are all Americans and we have a right and responsibility to vote on election day. Enough said. VOTE !

Losing a Friend

2008-09-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

I have lost a friend. I didn't misplace him, or forget where I left him, he died. Joe McMaster was more than a friend he was like a father figure to me. In 1966 when I first met Joe ( I called him Mr. McMaster back then) he was a hard working man living in the suburbs of Detroit. He had four children and I was friends with his two oldest boys, Angus and Jim. One night I was invited to dinner and the relationship of friend and guide took off from there. He was a man full of energy and life. He loved to bowl every week and he loved to watch hockey anytime. I was privileged to be part of a number of family events over the years.

Joe leaves behind a lovely woman, Betty, who like so many other widows will carry on somehow.

His four children and many grandchildren will cherish the memories of great times they shared with Joe. I guess I'll keep on moving forward as well knowing that my life was made better by having had the pleasure of knowing Joe. One last thing I'll mention and that is that Joe was a Christian. He was a beliver and follower of Jesus Christ. He believed in the resurrection and God's coming Kingdom on earth. He didn't just believe it, he lived it and that made Joe very special. Good Bye Joe! See ya

Susan Visits Grandkids

2008-09-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

September 22, 2008......Longing to see her grandkids in Georgia, Susan, who doesn't like to fly took a Delta flight to Atlanta to spend a week down South. A great time and lots of memories were the result. Here you see a picture of Susan and son Ben enjoying an NFL game between the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons. Falcons won.

LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE

2008-08-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

August has been a month full of surprises. After more than four years and tons of paperwork, doctor visits, testing, and more paperwork and more testing, my beautiful but not always patient wife, Susan, won her appeal for disability. After the lawyers fee and bill paying we made the decision to replace the '97 Chrysler LHS with a smaller car that would be better on gas. After a number of test drives in slightly used cars (P T Cruiser, Rio, Spectra,Corolla, and more) we made the decision to go all in and buy a new car. Our journey took us back to where I bought my very first car (some 40 years and 40 cars ago), Gates Chevy-Toyota World. We selected and test drove a Yaris (what does that mean?) We loved it and the 35 miles a gallon it gets. After little bargaining (dealers are stingy on new car discounts) we signed up for a pretty little silver one and then just as we were about to sign on the dotted line Susan found out that a Yaris in Barcelona Red was due in a week. " I want a red one", she said. "Why not", I said and that's all there was too it. As you can see by the picture it is definitely red. The old Chysler LHS did not get traded in. Instead it was turned into a much needed ride for two of our grandchildren, Dennis and Alex. They are letting their mom drive it for now being that they are only 6 and 4 years old.

Smart kids. Yaris,(I still don't know what that means) welcome to the Old Collier Family.

Can you really Love a car?

2008-07-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

I got a new car about a month ago. Well, new to me car. I love this car. I drive down the highway feeling special. Special because this car is mine. Oh sure it belonged to someone before me but as it gracefully aged the owner tired of it and made the decision to buy a new Lexus. Before,a trusted servant of its master and then suddenly without so much as a warning the tires are turned in. The sleek aging body still with plenty of life, a stereo with tunes left to play and a fully functional 2.5 V6 engine now sits quietly alone on the back lot of a dealership and is known to others only as Lot # 97821.
Would it be rescued and saved and loved again or would those who make those decisions not even notice.
Well, someone did pay attention to the orphaned ones on the back lot and when the little white convertible was spotted a deal was made immediately. One person glad to be rid of the once everyone's dream car and another person equally glad because this was THE car. The one they had been looking for all their life. "It's beautiful", I said. "Don't you want to know how much it costs?" said the dealer who was too casually dressed in shorts, a Hawiian shirt, shoes but no socks. "I'll buy it", I said. "Don't you even want to take it for a test drive first? the dealer said leary of my intentions. "May I", I asked excitedly? "NO, the dealer plates are all out right now." "How much with tax", I asked. " I'll have to look it up" he said and then I knew what was about to happen. "Uhhh, it seems the price is a little low, uhhh yea, here on the sheet it's marked wrong." Don't know how that could of happened." "Yea, that car is about two thousand dollars underpriced." " About two thousand," I said. "Yea, two thousand, two thousand more exactly." What was I going to do? He already knew I loved the car, that I wanted to buy it. I was sure he was moving in for the kill. There was only one thing he hadn't figured on. "Well, uh, I'll have to talk it over with my wife." "She's already told me I can't spend that much." "I'm sorry." "Hold on now," said the man who knew all to well how a third party can kill a sale. " I might be able to come down a little." "Really, how much?" "I'll split the difference with ya." "Wow, that's sounds good." "Then we have a deal, let me get the paperwork started," he said eagerly. "Well, I should call the wife first." "She wanted to look several other places." "O.K., O.K. you talked me into it." "The car is yours for the price on the windshield. "Throw in some floor mats," I asked? "You're good," said the dealer who was now glad to just break even.
So, I now own a breath of happiness, a joyful delight, a beautiful automobile with miles and years to give. I own it, or does it own me?

Checking In

2008-06-21T07:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my mother-in love left the hospital by ambulance and was transported in quick fashion through downtown South Bend to check in at her new rehab facility, Holy Cross. As I thought about it I realized that we all check in, so to speak, everyday of our life. I call my sister and tell her that I'm just checking in. I go to work each day and punch the clock telling my employer that I am checked in and ready to work or at least starting to count down the minutes until check out. While driving I stop at an intersection and check in to see if the coast is clear so I can proceed. I ask co-workers and others I meet during course of the day, "how are you or how ya doing?" That too is a form of checking in. I check the TV schedule to see if there's something I want to watch. I check in with wardrobe as I leave work to see if my shirts are back from the cleaners. There is one check in I sometimes skip or inadvertently miss and that is checking in with the manufacturer of this place we call earth. God looks forward each day to spending time with me and sometimes admittedly I blow Him off. Don't get me wrong. I love my Creator and He blesses me every day ,but I'm busy. It's like the poet Robert Frost said: "I've got places to go and promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep." Am I too busy for God? My answer often times is yes, but I promise Him on the run to check in soon. Stop!

Did I just say I'm too busy for God? Am I crazy? How can I possibly be too busy for God. He formed me, and breathed life into my soul. He watches over me. He cares for me like nobody else possibly can. His love is unlike any other because it is everlasting.

The next time you hear the phrase "checking in" take some time to check in with the One who loves you. On second thought why wait, do it now.

Grandma Louie

2008-06-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

Although most of our family call her Grandma Louise her real name is Alice Lousie Charters-Hartman-Mouros. Alice is a dear woman of 84 years and so she belongs here on The Old Colliers blog.

Last week while visiting her daughter she broke her hip. At the hospital the surgeons said not to worry they would perform surgery. Well, following surgery Alice was not responsive. She couldn't talk or move or communicate. A feeding tube was inserted and that's when Alice did move, she pulled it out. Restraints were added and for several days things looked pretty dismal to say the least. Did I mention that Alice is a fighter? Well, Sunday morning she was back talking, moving around, asking questions and wanting answers. The nurses were smiling, we were smiling and Alice was hungry.

Mother Alice lives with the Old Colliers and we love her dearly. We are most happy to report that she is moving towarde recovery more each day.

Keep at it Grandma Louie. We love you

Dad

2008-05-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

My Dad slipped away from me in early March this year. I was not ready to say good-bye although I was given ample time and opportunity. Instead of enjoying the last couple of months I spent with him during daily visits to the hospital I kept wanting him to get better. Get up and walk and start being healthy. He did try and several times I thought I saw a break through coming but then he finally tired of trying or was not able to try anymore and he gave up his earthly body. He looked great at the funeral home all dressed up in his favorite pin-stripe suit. He didn't talk to me though and that's what I wanted. I wanted him to say goodbye. He didn't say goodbye. Good bye Dad. I love you.