Week 42

I have concluded there is no normal week. Each is full of new adventures, and even routine activities hold surprises.

Sunday
Stephan spent several hours carving the oak stump. 

Monday
After exercise sessions at the Gray Barn, I usually go over to the Red Barn to see what's happening there. I was finally able to snap a picture of handsome grandson Skye (on right) hanging out with his friend, and busy on his cell phone, of course.

Tuesday
We got a call and visit from long time friends from afar and, of course, we ate lunch at Ivanhoe's.

Karen and Fred

He was best man at our wedding 41+ years ago. They are true global nomads that have lived in several countries and continents and have finally settled in Arizona.

A couple weekly two-hour painting classes produced another completed project. I never know what I will end up with--always a fun surprise. Who will get this one?

Wednesday
I spotted Stephan's dragon among the many unglazed pieces in the pottery studio. He was visiting one time and played around with the clay.

Happy Little Dragon

It was a busy place that day. This is what I saw when I first peeked in. Mike is in there somewhere going crazy with so many students. Fortunately, some of the older ones know what they are doing.

Thursday 
Ever since my visit last week, I've been playing Words With Friends with my ninety-year-old mother and she is winning! However this one strategically placed short word gave me a 67 point advantage and I won that game.

Friday
Grandparents' Day at Elijah's school
He has the same teacher his older brother had at a former school.

Mrs. Fredrerick and Elijah

First Grade Music Program

Mike worked all day every day on the heating system of the new house. Most days parts and pieces were delivered here. He also made frequent trips to Muncie for more. A complex system, indeed!

My outstanding accomplishment of the week was to reread most of the circa 100 letters I wrote to my BFF over a period of twenty years (9 - 29). It's like reading your diaries from childhood on through adulthood, non stop. The timing and urgency of this letter scanning marathon was due to the fact that I was going to see my brother and SIL for the last time before they return to Argentina. They will hand carry the treasured letters and return them to my dear friend Mirtha.

Saturday
DIL Karen and I ran the Taylor Homecoming 5K at 8 a.m., and then I drove up to Winona Lake for  a noon meal in Mother's little apartment--as a despedida (farewell) to Ivan and Kim.

Karen stayed back and enjoyed the hot tub. We call her the "hot tub lady".

 

Eight or nine Hoyts gathered. We looked at many digitized slides, commented, laughed, shared, told stories and ate wonderful food.

Three of the five siblings with Mother

And, as always, took more pictures! Here are a couple Mother/Daughter pics.

Mother and Rita

Kim and Tina