Howse Press International

December 2007

"All the News That's Fit to Print"

The Howse Chronicles

“Mom, when will you be home?” I heard Franklin’s excited voice on my cell phone. “I am turning onto our street right now”. “Hurry up! There’s a Detroit Free Press reporter in front of our house, waiting for you.” I thought he was joking; …he wasn’t. Our computerized Christmas light display and website LivoniaLights.com attracted a photographer’s attention, to be featured in the Livonia Community section of the paper. (A rare opportunity to tell the community why we do it and share Christmas’s true meaning in a major newspaper.) See article in 12/16/2007 Free Press (Livonia Com.).

Never mind that our chintzy transmitter was kaput, its replacement between California and Livonia, the big star falling in the wind, icy water oozing over the processor in the newly built controller and many display parts not up. She wanted a picture NOW. So, for better or worse, we did. We hope the neighbors don’t panic over traffic, any tour busses and kids singing out front. This hobby is getting out of control with 48 computerized channels, appx. 15,000 little lights (only the electric co. knows for sure), over 100 extension cords for Mom to trip on, and roof lights that put Franklin in a panic, looking for Dad’s corpse when he couldn’t see him on the steep roof. For more information, see our web site www.LivoniaLights.com.

2007 began with months of physical therapy, to rehabilitate Connie’s shattered knee, then a second surgery for pin removal. I never knew driving again would be so exciting, or Franklin would be so scared. He was afraid to be my passenger for my first 2 mile trip, and said “If we die, we’ll die together!” True love!

This spring, we accomplished the impossible - FINALLY selling our old house. After much prayer, some friends came by and critiqued curb appeal and details we never noticed. As traffic improved, we added kitchen upgrades and a basket of artificial baked goods that made the whole house smell like freshly baked doughnuts! … They were so realistic someone tried to eat them. Scott was delighted to learn the wife of the couple that purchased our house was his former teacher!

Adding to the “excitement,” in Sept. we had a fire in our NEW house. The wiring in the stove, which came with the house, suddenly self-destructed. Thankfully, I was in the kitchen when it happened. There is nothing more unnerving than seeing black smoke coming out the front door and hearing firemen swing axes in your kitchen! Every cloud of smelly smoke has a silver lining. For us, it was the steady stream of people who cleaned every inch of the house, dry cleaning bedding and clothing, a new upgraded stove (cooks 180 Christmas cookies per hour per Franklin), a new paint job, flooring, etc.… To the kids delight, a new electrical panel (with capacity for an even BIGGER Christmas display!). That means Dad has to work more hours to pay the electric bill.

This summer, we became raisers for a golden/labrador retriever foster puppy named Bixby through Paws With a Cause (they provide service dogs to the handicapped). During Shawn’s birthday party, a week after her arrival, she joined one of the guests in the bathroom as the meal was being served. No one else knew she was there. Suddenly I heard a scream, “BIXBY!”, as she came running out. The details will be left to your imagination, but it was a mess!!!

In April, Connie’s mother, Laura, 86, joined us for a volunteer week at Spring Hill Camp in Seymour, Indiana, where she acted like a “Bionic Grandma.” She calmly surveyed the chaos, rolled up her sleeves and worked with the mice to help inventory dusty, dirty skates and unidentified widgets. She organized a huge craft area that looked somewhat like a scene from the movie “Air Bud,” where the dog went berserk tipping over paint cans. We had fun, too, while reaping the rewards of giving our time and talents.

Ever wonder where people you see on TV get ideas for MEGA-Christmas Displays? In August, Timothy dragged us to the PLANET CHRISTMAS SYMPOSIUM / CONVENTION in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As we met the “movers and trendsetters” for big Christmas Displays from as far away as New Zealand, we were humbled by the smallness of our low budget display in comparison. Timothy earned his admission by teaching a class on creating a Christmas display web site, and gained valuable tips for the light ministry.

We also visited Florida, where the kids found a 5K race in West Palm Beach, and we arrived 13 hours early! We were there at the posted 7 o’clock time, and realized the park was deserted. We finally located an employee who said “Oh, no! It’s at 7 PM., not AM.!” We took a 12 hour fun break, and when we returned, Timothy set a course record winning the race and even merited a newspaper article in the Palm Beach Post titled “Vacationer beats 700- plus at Dreher Dash”.

After several years of persuasion, Franklin and several long-time friends finally convinced Ken, Shawn and, Timothy to participate in long-distance bike riding. The initial trial was a weekend, 60 mile Michigander bike trip. They negotiated that without incident, but on the next attempt, a 55 mile one-day trip, Ken, exhausted near the end, slipped on gravel into an old concrete viaduct and moaned for the next week. Lance Armstrong he is not! Meanwhile Franklin is pushing to go on an even longer ride.

Scott fulfilled his dream in June, graduating from Livonia Churchill High School, after six long years and many challenges with his autism. He reveled in the All-Night Party, and soaked up his graduation pool/computerized light display party, where he received a personally signed picture from Paul W. Smith of WJR, his favorite radio station. Now he is learning to rise at 5:40 a.m. to work at the Plymouth ice arena restaurant, followed by Schoolcraft College classes.

Shawn made huge strides in athletics this year, qualifying for the State Cross Country Championship. He was the first Livonia Stevenson male qualifier in 4 years. The state meet was held on the MIS speedway grounds. Five teammates arrived on the cold November day with the letters “H O W S E” painted on their unadorned chests (see photo). Thanksgiving Day he finished 3rd out of over a thousand finishers at the famous Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K in downtown Detroit. Academically, after struggling freshman year, he’s now earning nearly all A’s. His business elective has an “Apprentice Competition” in which the teacher FIRES students. If Shawn wins, can he skip college to accept a $200K/year Donald Trump job??

Timothy survived his freshman year at Hillsdale College, and is much more relaxed. We have progressed from 3 calls home daily to one every 3 days (except, of course, during the Christmas season!), and he is doing much better in his classes. Cross country season went well. At the recent banquet coach called him a spiritual inspiration. His favorite stress reducer statement before every competition since January was “Only x days till Christmas!!!”

Franklin always has a book in front of his nose, and loves playing his trumpet. He enjoys Jazz and Concert Band, German and Accelerated English at his Middle School. He is even considering playing in the high school Marching Band. While he hasn’t studied much Chemistry, you wouldn’t know it when he’s in the kitchen. His wackiest concoction yet was a spice/sweet pickle/raisin/grape cake on Dad’s birthday. (Dad loved it but the guests frowned at the “tasty pickles” in the cake!)

Technical Management Services: Ken continues spearheading the consulting practice providing support services primarily to the cable & telephone industry. This year he focused on E-911 and Directory Listing issues which included launch of a new commercial cable telephone product at Comcast. Timothy began billing some time to the business providing expertise focused upon website design.

Ken’s father is still living on his own. We plan to celebrate his 94th birthday on December 29th. The children are grateful to have two special grandparents to celebrate family memories at Christmas.

This Christmas, we are blessed that both Shawn and Franklin made a public commitment via baptism and a short speech before our church to live their lives under Godly principles and trust in Jesus for forgiveness of their Godly shortcomings. We are excited for them. If everyone followed God’s plan, the world would be a much happier place. No locks on the doors, adultery, rebellious kids, or blasphemous language. Instead, honesty, commitment rather than lust for the opposite sex, stable marriages, kids honoring parents, neighbors and co-workers demonstrating love for even those who do wrong to them. Life on earth could be “heavenly”.

This year, we encourage you to build your life on the Christian principles which laid the foundation of this country and even the annual numbering of our calendar. From the halls of the Supreme Court to every dollar bill, “In God We Trust” has been our country’s motto. This season, be strong in your faith and respectful of the faith of other Christians. Resist compromising the joy of the season for Christians with the evasive “Happy Holiday” greeting and boldly say “Merry Christmas” to those who celebrate Christ as foundational to their faith as well as those who share the contagious joy of love and giving which is key to the tradition of the season.

The Howse’s – Ken, Connie, Scott, Timothy, Shawn, and Franklin