2018 Week 41: Breaks, trips, celebrations

Several family members were on fall break--Karen (teacher Burris Middle School); Elijah (Delta 8th grade); Zion and Jude (Royerton, 3rd and K); Kayla (dance instructor Cornerstone for the Arts).
Kayla and Matt took off for a vacation in Tennessee. Aunt Jeannie and Nana took turns watching Rebecca, and abuela (that's me) provided transportation to and from pre-school three days, and together with abuelo, to Basics Jr. family night.

Playing a game at Basics Jr.                                                            Ready to go to Kiddie Kampus

We almost didn't make it to Basics, however--suddenly our vehicles were stuck when the garage door spring broke. We made a few calls, and after a while Jimmy and Skye left work and came to the rescue to help lift the heavy door. Thank you, guys!

Monday was Jude's birthday and we remembered the day he joined our family six years ago.

The two younger grandboys were with us Wednesday night, their parents had to work. So Thursday, they joined in our art club activity of the week--painting pumpkins from Leah's prolific volunteer vine.

I'd promised an Ivanhoe's visit afterward. 

Proof of promise kept 

Stephan, in Holland, MI, was also having fun with pumpkins, cutting them up. Notice the titles he gives each piece: 

"I towed you so!" "Great blue orange heron" "No need to be Koi, Roi" "Catch n' flies" "Jeff Gourd-on gets squashed in turn 1"

 (He's such a cut-up!)

Meanwhile, we were on a mini vacation in Louisville, Kentucky. Can you guess what we were doing by the shoes we invested in?

Looks scary, but it was a very friendly and happy place. We joined our friends Don and Shirley Hunt (our former country line dance teacher) at an annual event they attend on the way back to their Arizona home.

Memories of a year ago kept coming back all weekend long--my sister-in-law Sharon's passing and her memorial service. Here is my favorite photo during the last years of her struggle. We had gone for a walk/romp with one of the dogs. Sharon loved her animals. They brought her much joy and she made great friends at the dog park.

Still more to share. Come back next week.

2018 Week 37: Birthday in Amish Country

Field of scarecrows at Amish Acres

 Sister-in-law Diane had a brithday this week. Sunday we took her out to eat and then had her favorite German chocolate cake to share with family in the afternoon.
"Oops! I forgot to buy candles. No problem, I have a number six candle and five toothpicks."

Tuesday 9/11, her actual birthday, Diane and I enjoyed the Amish Acres getaway package  which includes: an overnight stay at the Inn; a tour of the historic Amish farm and schoolhouse; a buggy ride; a wonderful family-style meal; a performance of the musical Plain and Fancy in the Round Barn Theatre; and plenty of shopping opportunities.

The birthday girl "as pretty as a peacock"

 I have some photos for the highlights of our week. Life is very full with all the routine activities but nothing to show for those. Michael installed a new CNC machine at the robotics shop. He continues to go back and forth with the many steps and setbacks of the satellite program. And he must care for the bees, keep up with house and yard maintenance. Probably his big accomplishment of the week was the completion of the upgrades to the recumbent--electric assist, and a more comfortable seat. He coulda/shoulda been more carefull while handling the fiberglass because since then his hands and eyes have been irritated.

We did get out a couple times: Wednesday evening a lovely dinner and fun new game with friends. . .

. . . and Friday, an evening of dancing with old friends.

Thursday was art club, the last paint-by-number. Obviously the package I ordered is of lesser quality paper and paints, but we enjoyed the hour together each week working on one same project.

The last two, appropriately fallish

I thought the left over paints and designs would keep the boys busy when they came Saturday, however they preferred blank paper. What do you make of their art samples?

In an attempt to wear them down keep them busy, we planned a series of activities. First we set off to explore the woods.

First stop--the slack line

Last stop--the hunters' seat

We each carried a bag in case we found treasures. I found rocks to paint. Some special finds were only to admire and not carry back. How many interesting things can you see?

We went to see Incredibles 2 at Taylor University where we met up with Kayla and Rebecca.  Afterwards, of course, we had to go to Ivanhoes for ice cream. The clown sundae is the young'uns favorite.

All three boys were here (sorry, Elijah, no photos) so Sam and Kristie could have a special birthday date. Today, Monday the 17th, is her big 40 birthday! "Blessings, dear one, in this new season of life."

Thursday, September 20, I am scheduled for right eye cataract surgery. Not sure what recovery will be like nor when I'll be back to blogging.  The second surgery is planned for October 2.

¡Hasta pronto!

2018 Week 32: Pleasures and Surprises

Sunday, the 5th, was a special day in many ways. We look forward to our worship service at church every week. Unfortunately Michael was still not up to going out. He also missed Kayla and Rebecca's summer dance recital in the afternoon.
Rebecca was in three of the classes her mother taught--a first.

Teacher Kayla was also a first-time Bollywood dance student.

Nana Leah was on Rebecca-costume-change duty. It was fun to have Aunt Jennifer and Grandma Judy there too.

We had surprise visitors that evening--good friends we hadn't seen in years. We first met them when he taught line dancing.
We haven't done that in ages, and then they moved away to winter in Arizona.

Don and Shirley Hunt

Recently Shirley came across a couple of art pieces I had asked her to frame. She was learning the skill at the time. Somehow they lay forgotten in her Indiana basement, and thus survived our housefire! In the meantime we also totally forgot, and sadly cannot even remember when, where, or who gave them to us. However, we are grateful to now enjoy the beautifully-framed art in our home, which is beginning to look like an art gallery.

Sunday Karen celebrated her birthday with a pool party. She invited teacher friends to bring their families and enjoy it with her.

Fun in the pool continued Monday. We went early to Stephan's weekly dinner so we could enjoy the water. Michael took this picture to prove I finally made it into the water. The temperature was perfect!

I received another photo taken at the writers' conference Karen and I had just attended. Interestingly, the roaming photographer captured the moment that was the highlight of the event for me--a one-on-one with a couple who own Bold Vision Publishing. Their encouragement and clear direction have inspired me to get up earlier most mornings and focus on the book I am writing abut my growing up years in Argentina. 

Speaking of Argentina, there was some encouraging news this week:
ABCNews Opponents of bill to legalize elective abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy in Argentina celebrate on the streets of Buenos Aires after Senate rejects proposed legislation. https://abcn.ws/2KKhThS

Thursday was set aside to visit Mother. As I walked into the Health Center, I paused to look at the art posted on the bulletin board. What a surprise to notice her name on this stunning watercolor. The Grace Village residents are so privileged to have a well equipped Art Care Studio and the gifted teacher who brings out the best in each of his students no matter what limitations  they have.

Mother hasn't recovered her voice. Alan purchased this sofisticated multi-featured apparatus that allows her to punch in the words and it speaks for her. The first sentence she wrote said:

"I'm so thankful I didn't lose my voice when you were kids."

When I left in the afternoon, she was eagerly reading the first five chapters of my book.

There was a prestigious conference going on in Winona Lake that brings together the seven branches of Brethren groups descended from Alexander Mack (1708). I stopped by to check it out, especially interested in anything that would help me research the Grace Brethren missionary efforts in Argentina. I did not linger in the conference sessions as they were not relevant. However, I met volunteers working the reception area who led me to the person who deals with digital archives and showed me how to access abundant resources online. I also perused a bound volume of denominational magazines from the year 1946, a fascinating experience. I recognized so many names and places and look forward to reading informative stories and details from the era I am writing about.

Michael is trying to grow a few herbs and things in a new arrangement in trays attached to the deck rail.

The Muncie Koch kids, and teacher Karen, all started back to school this week.

Jude (K), Zion (3rd), Elijah (8th)

Any unexpected pleasures and surprises in your week?