Advent Week Three

I am so grateful for Sundays when Mike does not go to the Matthews shop to work, and we get to spend time together. The Christkindlmarkt in Carmel was our destination that afternoon and we had a delightful time despite the cold. 

Pyramide and the crowds, a German village and train, ornament of the Magi, 2019 Christkindlmarkt mug

Oh, the memories that surfaced from nearly 50 years ago when we were first married and lived in Germany. Then I picked up a magazine in the Kulturecke (culture corner) and read all the way home, articles about Nurnberg and Vienna, Austria, cities where we lived in those early years.

Monday evening at Stephan's we continued the Jesse tree ornament project. Can you label each one?

We had a significant snowfall at the beginning of the week. I was grateful that it did not keep me from traveling to Winona Lake Tuesday. I visited Mother and attended her care plan conference. She is doing her best to hang in there and enjoy what she can at her age and with her limitations.  However, there've been moments of confusion lately. We're grateful for the caring people who look after her, and for a new roommate, someone she knew from church. 

Milder days followed. I spend a lot of time at the computer. This was the view one day, the snow gone and a colorful visitor at work, also pecking away.

Most writing has to do with the Christmas season--the wonderful connections and communication that takes place this time of year. And, of course, preparations for the holidays take up most of my time. However, our little group of writers still got together on Friday, shared finger foods and another delightful chapter by one of our members.

Immediately after, I rushed to the nearby elementary school for Rebecca's performance in the Christmas program. Parking was crazy and the gym was overcrowded with all the doting family members, grandparents, and great grandparents (that's me!). 

I followed Rebecca's Kindergarten class to her classroom and met her teacher, whose parents serve on the current O.M. ship and have stayed in our home!

Rebecca and Mrs. Shively

Did you know that Saturday was National Short Girl Appreciation Day? I didn't till after the fact, but it was a very appropriate day to act as one of Santa's elves that day to and help deliver Christmas gifts and food to struggling families. Our church has been involved in this program for many years, but this was my first time to participate in the very well organized process--choose a name, buy appropriate gifts; join a fun evening of gift-wrapping with friends, and cookies; a morning of delivering to homes, our CARriages filled to to the max.

We are not hosting the whole family at our house this Christmas; perhaps that has allowed me to be involved in other experiences. Add to that the fact that Michael is gone most of the time. 

Sunday afternoon, we stopped by the shop and he showed me what he's been working on as the deadline for build-season draws near. Hopefully everything will be in order and working by January 4 so they can take off running.

Michael installed additional heaters and built a whole dust collection system with intakes for each machine.

Heater; dust collection system

After all the rest of the stuff was brought in from storage, everything needed to be sorted and allocated. So, the place was a mess again, after the initial very presentable look for the open house events.

Machine shop 

I was impressed with the organization achieved so far.

Assorted materials, belts pulleys, and wheels

And I asked a lot of questions about the machines accumulated over the years--an impressive amount of tools.

Mill; wood band saw
sand blaster, powder coat spray booth and oven

To think that only three years ago, the shop moved into a newly built facility in Madjax. We trust there will be no more rushed seasons like this. We are really appreciating the closeness of the new headquarters, only 10 minutes for us. Unfortunately for several other mentors, it's their turn to make the longer drives.

Wishing you all a joy-filled Christmas!