I wanted everyone to know that on Monday Morning I was rear ended on the way to work. I am ok and I now know how to fill out paperwork for a vechicle accident in a Weitz Company Vehicle.
Author Archive for Josh
I fianlly had my camera when the turkeys were in my way on the way home. here is my proof that I am not crazy, but the Turkey’s are.
So Elise got chosen at school to shoot free throws at the Ankeny High School Womens Basketball Game. So tonight Jacob, Elise, Cameron and I went to the game. Elise did not play until halftime so the first 2 quarters went by. I have never seen Basketball played quite like that. The score at the end of the 2nd quarter was 20 to 12 Ankeny and I am sure that people were on the ground more than there were points on the board. I think that the girls were playing tackle basketball. There were 10 fouls by the 2nd quarter as well. Elise shot some baskets as well as 2 students from every class at Crocker Elementry, so there were Kids covering the basketball floor. I took some of this time to look at the High School surroundings. I have been informed that most High School students go to the game to meet friends and not to watch the game. When I was in school I went to play in the Band and watch the game not hang with friends.The stand was filled with teenagers talking on the phone and texting on cell phones. There were people moving all over the p[lace and you couldn’t watch the next quarter of the game. I am mostly anti-cell phone and can not understand the need for one prior to having a career, but I am judgemental and want to think that High School is simpler like I remember it, but I am afraid it is no longer. As I move to my 10 year High School Reunion this summer I am glad that I was not in High School today and I hope it changes by the time my children are there. I am sure that it probably will, but who knows if it will be for the better.
On a Simpler Note it snowed as we left the game and We all caught snowflakes in our mouths and ran like the wind. That was truly the best part of the evening.
It is Christmas Eve. Daddy was driving from Christmas Eve service at church (First Christian Church Muscatine Iowa) with his father-in-law Dan Clark and Jacob, Elise and Cameron. Sarah Rummery (my-sister-in-law), Scott (my brother-in-law) and Jean (my mother-in-law) were in the car behind. Daddy was listening to Elise tell about how we were gong to spread magic Reindeer food around the yard for Santa’s Reindeer when we got home and what to our wondering eyes did appear,but a lone deer dashing across traffic with no fear. All Cars were stopped and to my surprise a deer came at us with fire in her eyes. We think that it saw the headlights a gleaming and the temptation to jump them could not be resisted. So up on our Van hood Reindeer hoofs landed and no sooner than this happened she left with a clammer. We sat astonished not quite knowing what was the matter. A third deer came passing with out any harm and off we continued laghing it off. We arrived at the Clarks and examined the damage a front driver panel dented and a story to tell. Becca listened and with a frown said something about “Deer’s loving Thrap vehicles and that it was inevitable.” (I was one of he few Thraps’ to not have yet had a Deer Vehicle collision, but no more)
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Laugh
I am in Kansas City and there are several things that I would like to point out. I came on Thursday morning and went directly to where I needed to go (Mapquest is a blessing) after my first meeting I had a lunch provided by the trainers. It was fancy vegtables (which I like, but they were all to big, Baseball bat sized zuchini, so the flavor was off), Meat (which ended up being meatloafs), mashed potatoes and gravy and chicken and noodles. The last two items were the only palatable thing for me. They had us in a banquet hall with napkin wrapped silverware, multiple forks the whole bit. Did I mention this is a Construction Conference. Maybe I am an Iowa contractor and we are different, but I like simple, fancy tasted like crap! Also at this convention they have 16 different kinds of Coffees, and hot water to make your own hot chocolate. Throw me a fricken bone here!!! They gave us a snack on Thursday afternoon. German Chocolate Brownies and Rasberries. The best thing yet. The rasberries were so big I grabed more of them than I did of anything else. The meeting got over at 5:00 so I went to the Hotel. Hotels are just expensive. $58.00 for one night in a Red Roof Inn and they wanted to charge me for wireless internet and the TV had no AV connections so I couldn’t play GAMECUBE! I then wanted to go eat. I have never been to Ruth’s Chris and Sean Hannitty rants about them all of the time so I thought I would find it. It took me 30 minutes to find it. I arrived in jeans not knowing what to expect and it was probably the fanciest place I have ever eaten. They sat me down and handed me a menu. I look for meals and they have none. You order allecart (sp?) which would be fine if a side of mashed potatoes wasn’t $8.00!!! I tried a steak and was glad that it a least was filling. I was the only one alone and that was sad and made me wish I had money and time to spend with my wife and could feel comfortable in a place like that, but I know if I had money I would still take my wife to Outback and get a meal for $14.00 instead of two sides for $16.00!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t think I could ever or would ever want to feel comfortable spending that kind of money on dinner. I can cook! I felt a little better when I saw several couples come in wearing torn jean shorts!. I left the restaurant thinking it should be easy to get back, but alas One Way Streets are my down fall and without Map Quest printouts I was lost. It took me 1 hr and 25 minutes to find my way back to the hotel! I stopped and asked directions and the lady at Walgreens told me that East was North. That really got me screwed up!!! Once I figured out she had been wrong and finally got out of residential neighborhoods I found my way back. Did I mention I hate big Cities!!! I laid down at 9:00 and decided to watch some television. I watched Shark, Good show, and then flipped through the channels. Little to my knowledge that Premium Channels meant porn after 10:00. I quickly shot past this, appalled that this was coming into my room and I didn’t even ask for it. I ended up finding the Island with “Obi-Wan” Ewan McGeggor and Scarlet Johansen. I watched that untill 11:00 and went to bed. My body woke me at 4:00 to change Elena and she was not there so I went back to bed till the wakeup call. I watched Saved by the Bell and got ready for another day of conferences. We will see what today brings. Hopefully not fancy food.
My dad and Grandpa went on a family history trip recently in Illinois and my Grandpa Gerald Thrap met Gerald Thrapp.
“We asked if he knew where the two “p” Thrap had begun. He said that his grandfather Charles Corwin Thrap lived in Blandinsville with our Great Grandfather Charles Albert Thrap. Charles Corwin got tired of getting the wrong mail, so he added another p to the end of his name to end the confusion.”
It sounds like a good way to end confusion as well as cause confusion in the future generations.
Becca and I made apple pie today from apples provided by Grandma and Grandpa Widmer. Delivered by Sarah and Scott. Went to get ice cream for it and while there I found a rack of ribs for 6.45. BONUS!!!!
On the way to work I passed 10 wild turkeys on one half of the road. This is the 2nd time I have seen them in this spot and each time I wish I had my camera. alas I still do not have real proof, but It still was really cool to see wild turkeys!!!
My Mom had a roast of sorts for my Dad on his birthday. Here is what I said.
‚ I never really understood my father until I became one. I know many people say that, but it is true. When you are young you don’t understand how annoying children can be. Now, I mean that with understanding. Children need repetition and repetition to an adult can be frustrating. I mean green eggs and ham is still funny, but only because I haven’t read it for the last 15 nights in a row. And Uno isn’t nearly as fun as Rook, and I don’t know how many times I have said No red and yellow are not the same color and 9 and 8 don’t match. I mean patience is something that all parents should be given so that they appreciate what they have while their children are young. I know the things that I remember about my times with Dad are going to be different than his, or anyone else’s, but that makes them even more special. Several traits that I know I have inherited are snoring and falling asleep during conversations. Becca can attest that after 9:00 it is hit and miss on whether we should start talking about something. I have fallen asleep in conversations more than I can count. I remember Dad doing the same thing. On the flip side of that I remember Dad being ready to take on the world at 4:30 in the morning, something else I can do.
Fishing, Breakfast on Birthdays, Experimental Food, Shower Singing, Taco Tuesday Gadgetry, and Church Service are all things that we can relate to.
Fishing up at Oak and during the Spring are things that I will always remember. Dad would always grow a beard at Oak and Jason would always catch the most or biggest fish. Dad never let on how frustrating it can be when the person fishing with his pole tip in the water or not paying attention catches fish. I now experience similar things when fishing. Cameron catches the most fish and pays the least amount of attention. He has even caught a Walleye with a bobber and worms 8 feet off shore. I don’t think I have caught one trolling using sparkle tails with a guide.
In Muscatine, I remember that Dad would take me to the Sports Page for Breakfast on my Birthdays. When it closed I believe we changed the tradition to the Country Kitchen Breakfast Buffet, but this one-on-one time was truly special. I don’t remember any conversations, but I know I remember the experience. If we couldn’t do breakfast we would do lunch or dinner at Peking still my favorite chineese restaurant. Watching Dad eat Hot Mustard was a treat.
Thrap Dip different everytime due to the experimental ways in which it is created. I know I have the basic recipie, but it never tastes the same. I do have the same trait of Experimentation, though it is usually with Dixie Dust, Cajun Seasoning or Garlic. Dad is always modifying foods to spice them up or make them more interesting. I will always remember Ravioli, Beffaroni, Chili and Corn. He would mix these cans of food and serve them Looks Gross, but tastes great. I haven’t tried it since, but usually it is because I don’t have beefaroni.
Veit Veit in Fair and The Iron Rod, were Dad classics that could be heard from the shower or just while walking through the room. Good King Wenceslas has become one of my year round songs, not yet in the shower though.
When Spring Break came Mom came up with Dad taking us to Taco Tuesdays as a way to have one-on-one time and cheap taco’s. Dad would have us come and we would eat with his work group and we would feel special. I have been to Taco Tuesday’s since and Taco’s aren’t 2 for a dollar here so times really have changed.
All Thrap Children remember going to school and having to answer the awkward question about Not having a Nintendo and Not being able to watch TV because it was locked. We remember Dad’s attempt to apease the video game need by bringing home pong. We remember the Chunky Cheese Keys and how they always seemed to be hidden in the same place. I also remember rewiring the TV that was locked to my Fathers dismay. I now wish I had a lock for the TV and know why Nintendo was not required for growing up.
I remember Liver and Onions at the Restaurant Dappers being the meal of choice after Muscatine Ward Temple trips. I remember The Big Blue Van and the White Stamler Van using CB radios to communicate while traveling to Chicago. I remember having a tire blowout and changed on the interstate and still making it in time for our Baptism time because we had left with plenty of extra time. I remember Dad coming home and telling us that he would be working at the temple during the month and I remember how impressed I was that he went to his employer and they understood and allowed this service. I remember the time that Mom and Dad spent as tour guides in Nauvoo at it’s Open House. I remember how proud I was to be on Security while he lead a group through. I also remember how special it felt to see my father speaking as a stake leader as a Visitor to the Iowa City 1st Ward.
While my memories are more general than specific I know that I have learned much from my father and that I hope that I can learn more about him and his example as time continues on.
I am so excited that Benji won last night in “So You Think You Can Dance.” Heidi and Travis were equally as good, but Benji reminded me of myself when i was younger and I danced. Performance was everything. If you could confince the audience that you were having fun they would be entertained and I really think that Benji had the same attitude. it also made me want to start dancing with my wife as we age. I think that it would be fun. It also reminded me of Stricktly Ballroom, which i recomend for those who like dance movies. ‚