Category Archives: Family

All tied up wrapping gifts

December 11, 2020Christmas, Columns, Familysusanmanzke

I shouldn’t have waited until the last minute to wrap our Christmas gifts. It became a tradition to finish after midnight, just before our rug rats woke up.

In those early years, I took on this task alone. Bob usually slept through this elf’s work. In later years, Bob helped, too. That relieved some of my seasonal stress.

These days I use bags, usually decorated Christmas bags, but in a pinch a paper grocery bag might slip into the mix.

Happy wrapping.

The Christmas season begins

December 10, 2020Columns, Familysusanmanzke

You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

Our children knew they should be good but being kids they often forgot.

Rodolph showed up on our television that night and if I remember correctly, Santa stopped at our home at the appointed time, too.

I seems it’s parents who have to watch out.

The chickenpox saga continues

December 9, 2020Columns, Family, Friendssusanmanzke

I was stuck home for weeks when my children had chickenpox. Becky brought it home and one after another they all caught it, even little Rachel. Ugh!

When Bob and I finally got a break to go to a Christmas party, I turned into the worst guest because the pox continued to haunt me.

Right now the virus that haunts the world today has replaced chickenpox as the subject of discussion. It too has gotten old when talking with friends or listening to the news.

My Christmas wish is that the current virus will soon be under control. Until then, stay masked and at a distance.

A pox on you

December 8, 2020Columns, Family, Storiessusanmanzke

As a mother, I always tried to find special treats for our children. One outing was the opportunity to see a Green Bay production of the Nutcracker. Well, everything didn’t go as planned that year.

Chickenpox didn’t have an immunization shot back then. Parents today are lucky they can avoid this spotty, itchy pain.

In my youth, parents would bring their kids over to a neighbor’s home, just so they would catch chickenpox. I wonder who came up with that brilliant idea.

A late thanksgiving message

December 4, 2020Columns, Familysusanmanzke

As I go over old columns, I never know what I’ll find. Thought I had seen all the early thanksgiving columns but I came upon another and I’m sharing it here today.

Here’s a thank-you for all who came before us.

All those who gave up lives elsewhere and came to the new world gave us a lot.

Thank you to all the grandparents and great-grandparents who wanted a better life for all their offspring.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person