Hi, my name is Jackie. I am a middle aged woman, married, with two kids and three grandchildren. My husband, Don, has his own construction company. I work as an office manager and keep books for an oil company. I'm also the treasurer for my township. I am an officer for an FCE club here in our area. I'm also involved in the Midwest Deutsche Oktoberfest that is held in Ellis Co, KS (see link). I'm on the Ellis County Historical Society as a board member and have been an officer in the past. I have also helped my mother, Virginia Slimmer and the Ellis County Historical Society put together and give bus tours (since 2003) of Ellis County Kansas and surrounding counties. I've been involved in tracking down Tigers, since 1999; that are roaming free along the Saline River here in Kansas (see link-Tigers N Kansas). I'm also trying to collect information and pictures (especially from the past) of the Saline River Valley area in Ellis County Kansas (see pictures links to view some of what I have). I have also been collecting information and pictures of the Codell, Rooks County Kansas area (see picture and history information links to view some of what I have done.) I'm also involved in trying to help preserve and save historical items. Sometimes in my spare time, when a storm brews up I like to go take pictures.
Our oldest, Barb, works for the State of Kansas. She was married to a great guy (John) in May 2003. Her main interest is her family, home and computers.
Our youngest, Mike, graduated from vo-tech in May of 2003, as a certified welder. He decided to go into the field of welding/construction. His main interest are his family, sports and wildlife.
We live in the country (CLEAR OUT IN THE BOONIES) on a farm, 5
hours from the nearest BIG city!! Our nearest town is 18 miles
away.
The whole family loves to travel and spend time together. My
main interests are: genealogy, gardening, traveling, reading, collecting history of the area that I live in and near, love to horseback ride, love to cook (but hate to clean up the mess!!), and make/build my own Christmas decorations. The Christmas decorations that I make are not the little ones you see on trees or in the home, they are lifesize or larger!! We decorate our whole farm for Christmas. We were part of the bus tour for the Ellis County Historical Society in 2003. Things we have are: santa's workshop, northpole, train, complete manger scene, elf workshop, carolers (music going so it looks like they sing), santa with reindeer and Mrs. Claus, guitar, banjo, windmill, fireplace with stockings (fire looks like it's burning), plus we string lights on our two homes, the fences, the barn & carrel fences, and on several different trees around the farm. Our decorations basically cover 4 to 5 acres. We have everything up and lite the weekend following Thanksgiving Day and we finally shut everything down after New's Years Day. We do have people from all over come and drive thru. And we don't charge like other places do!!
Our last year was 2008. I've scanned some pictures of it and put them on another page. (see links titled Christmas Farm...on Main home page)
YES, I'M CRAZY!!!!
Below are some of my favorite links/web sites.
My Family Tree
Slimmer Lineage
ROOTS-L
Midwest Deutsche Oktoberfest
Tigers N Kansas
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Better Homes and Gardens
Las Vegas
GARDENING:
National Gardening Association
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TRAVELING:
Okoboji, Iowa
Kansas City
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