Yesterday afternoon Dick took Destiny swimming. I had just ordered two room-darkening mini-blinds from the Pennys catalog online. After Dick and Destiny left, I decided to take advantage of my rare "childless" state and go pick up prints I had ordered from Savemart. While on the road I thought, "I wonder if Penneys has the mini-blinds in stock that I just ordered online?" So after Savemart I headed to Penneys. The sales lady told me they don't carry the room-darkening blinds in the store, but she could order them from the catalog for me. I told her I actually just ordered them myself. She said, "Oh, you should always come to the store to make your catalog orders. It saves you the cost of shipping and handling." I said, "Really? I wonder if I could cancel my order and then order them here without the shipping cost?" She said, "Oh, I don't think you can do that." I walked away from the that department and thought, "Well, why can't I?" I headed straight to the catalog department and asked if I could cancel an order I had just made online. She said I certainly could, and she took care of it. When she asked me the reason, I said, "Because I found a deal I like better here in the store." Then I headed back to the drapery department and proceeded to order my mini-blinds again, this time without the shipping cost. When I told Dick what I had done, he said, "Cheap Mennonite." Oh well, every little $5.95 helps, right??!!
Last evening we went to visit my parents. My sister Mary Ellen was there too, and so was my uncle John Bender and his "friend". I was so mad at myself for forgetting my camera, because I'm sure my siblings would love to have a picture. Sorry! John Bender was my aunt Jean's husband. Jean was my dad's youngest sister, and yes, I was named for her. Last March (2005) Aunt Jean died at the age of 64. She had had a long history of heart and kidney issues and she died after a surgery to replace a heart valve. She was a lovely, vivacious lady and it was such a loss for John and their three beautiful young adult married daughters and all their grandchildren. Someone at John's church introduced him to a woman from Viginia whose husband passed away in 2001 (actually on 9/12/01 - can you imagine that - the day after 9/11?) So they have been getting to know each other, and last evening he brought her to meet my parents. The most striking thing about them is that both of their first marriages took place on exactly the same day - August 12, 1967!! Isn't that bizarre?
Well, I gotta get to work. I have a window project I'm going to work on this week.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Not steps, not black top, but a lovely garden
I finally remembered to take my camera to church this morning so I could take a picture of the flourishing flower garden out front along the road. When I was a child and attended this church, this part of the building facing the road was the back of the sanctuary and there were steps outside that led up to double doors. In the 60's there was a fire that gutted the building. When they remodeled it after the fire, they took away those double doors and steps and reversed the sanctuary, adding a lobby at the other end of the building as the main entrance. For years there was just plain black top between the building and the road. A few years ago some industrious people got rid of the black top and put in a tree, shrubbery, grasses, and flowers. It is becoming more lovely each year.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Jeremy's getting organized!!
Jeremy made me laugh this morning. He called before he left for work to "brag" that he and four others are going to Cocoa Beach for the weekend, and that last evening he made a LIST before he packed. just like I used to do, and he made barbeque for sloppy joes to eat upon their arrival, just like I used to do, and he made plans for most of their meals for the weekend so they wouldn't have to spend money eating out. I was properly impressed. You have to know Jeremy's normal tendency to do everything frantically at the last minute to appreciate what an accomplishment this is!!
This evening Dick and I took turns going to a viewing, since we didn't want to take Destiny to it. The viewing was for Mary Ellen Nissley, sister of John and Jay Nissley. She was only 51, but had a genetic degernerative disease called Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy. She and her husband and 8-year-old adopted daughter lived in Indiana, but her wish was to have the funeral at the church where she grew up, which was Erisman Mennonite. Her little girl is Vietnamese. She and her husband went to Vietnam to get her as an infant. She just had her 8th birthday two days after Mary Ellen died. It's so very, very sad. Dick and I have been good friends with Mary Ellen's brother Jay and his wife Elta, and her brother John and his wife Elaine for many years. We see Jay and Elta a lot, because their two adopted children are my students at school and I also give Alyssa piano lessons. But we seldom ever see John and Elaine, so it was so good to have a chance to catch up a little bit. We were such close friends for so many years. We were attendants in each others' weddings, we had our babies over the same period of time, we each adopted a child that was older than our biological children, we used to garden together at their farm when we lived in East Petersburg and didn't have room for a garden, our children played together, swam in the creek together, we lived at their house with their children for a week one time so John and Elaine could go on a vacation. I could just go on and on. In fact just recently Anthony was reminscing those days, and some of the memories were pretty wild and funny, especially eating "cow candy".
After the viewing we took advantage of a Sonic gift card that Dick had. We had never been there before - it's near Shaum's Corner on 272. You pull up to an order menu (there are a LOT of them), place your order, a girl on roller skates brings your food out to you, and you sit there in your car and eat it. I guess that would be a good place to go when you don't feel like fixing your hair or getting cleaned up to go out.
This evening Dick and I took turns going to a viewing, since we didn't want to take Destiny to it. The viewing was for Mary Ellen Nissley, sister of John and Jay Nissley. She was only 51, but had a genetic degernerative disease called Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy. She and her husband and 8-year-old adopted daughter lived in Indiana, but her wish was to have the funeral at the church where she grew up, which was Erisman Mennonite. Her little girl is Vietnamese. She and her husband went to Vietnam to get her as an infant. She just had her 8th birthday two days after Mary Ellen died. It's so very, very sad. Dick and I have been good friends with Mary Ellen's brother Jay and his wife Elta, and her brother John and his wife Elaine for many years. We see Jay and Elta a lot, because their two adopted children are my students at school and I also give Alyssa piano lessons. But we seldom ever see John and Elaine, so it was so good to have a chance to catch up a little bit. We were such close friends for so many years. We were attendants in each others' weddings, we had our babies over the same period of time, we each adopted a child that was older than our biological children, we used to garden together at their farm when we lived in East Petersburg and didn't have room for a garden, our children played together, swam in the creek together, we lived at their house with their children for a week one time so John and Elaine could go on a vacation. I could just go on and on. In fact just recently Anthony was reminscing those days, and some of the memories were pretty wild and funny, especially eating "cow candy".
After the viewing we took advantage of a Sonic gift card that Dick had. We had never been there before - it's near Shaum's Corner on 272. You pull up to an order menu (there are a LOT of them), place your order, a girl on roller skates brings your food out to you, and you sit there in your car and eat it. I guess that would be a good place to go when you don't feel like fixing your hair or getting cleaned up to go out.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Sam to the rescue
Earlier this summer Dick started a project out front of removing a built-up flower bed so he can put a walkway there instead. However, with the extreme discomfort of his hernia, he has never been able to finish all the shoveling away of the dirt. Sam had offered to come up and help him finish it. So this evening after work he came from West Chester and finished the rest of the shoveling in about 2 hours. He works in an office all day, so he loves doing physical labor for a change. What a blessing to Dick!! Thank you, Sam.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
I know this tomato plant isn't anything compared to the 12 plants I used to grow each year, or the SIXTY plants Jim and Carolyn are growing this year, but it's the first one I've had in at least 10 years, and the first time Destiny has ever seen tomatoes growing, so we're pretty excited about the six tomatoes that are hanging there!!
Happy Birthday, J'von
I know it seems like we're celebrating a birthday or an anniversary every day just now! Actually there would be even more this week if I had included the birthdays of Dick's dad, two of my neices, my nephew, and my neice's husband!! All in one week!!
Anyway, two years ago today J'von Collazo was born to our son Frank and his girlfriend Danielle. I think Frank called me at 3 a.m. to tell me they were leaving to go to the hospital. Well, of course, I couldn't go back to sleep after that. As the morning wore on and on and on, I finally decided that since I had business to do at the post office anyway, I would go to the Lancaster post office to do it, since that is right down the road from Women and Babies Hospital. Sure enough! Just as Destiny and I were walking out of the post office at 12:30, my cell phone rang and Frank said, "HE'S OUT!!" We were there within 10 minutes after he was born.
J'von is about as cute as they get. Below I posted several of my favorite pictures of him. Unfortunately Frank and Danielle aren't together anymore, which makes me very sad, because our whole family just loved Danielle. J'von lives with her, so we seldom get to see him. The last time we saw him at Easter, his obsession was football, football, football. He walked around with a football under his arm all the time. It looked so cute. He already was really into watching football games on TV!! For those those of you who are more recent acquaintances of mine, Frank was a football player for Manheim Central in high school, and now plays with the Lancaster Lightnings, a semi-pro team. So I guess it's in J'von's genes. And if it weren't, Frank would make sure it got there!
Anyway, two years ago today J'von Collazo was born to our son Frank and his girlfriend Danielle. I think Frank called me at 3 a.m. to tell me they were leaving to go to the hospital. Well, of course, I couldn't go back to sleep after that. As the morning wore on and on and on, I finally decided that since I had business to do at the post office anyway, I would go to the Lancaster post office to do it, since that is right down the road from Women and Babies Hospital. Sure enough! Just as Destiny and I were walking out of the post office at 12:30, my cell phone rang and Frank said, "HE'S OUT!!" We were there within 10 minutes after he was born.
J'von is about as cute as they get. Below I posted several of my favorite pictures of him. Unfortunately Frank and Danielle aren't together anymore, which makes me very sad, because our whole family just loved Danielle. J'von lives with her, so we seldom get to see him. The last time we saw him at Easter, his obsession was football, football, football. He walked around with a football under his arm all the time. It looked so cute. He already was really into watching football games on TV!! For those those of you who are more recent acquaintances of mine, Frank was a football player for Manheim Central in high school, and now plays with the Lancaster Lightnings, a semi-pro team. So I guess it's in J'von's genes. And if it weren't, Frank would make sure it got there!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Happy Anniversary, Lisa and George!
Today our daughter Lisa and her husband George are celebrating their 8th wedding anniversary. I have such fond memories of that day. Miki and Kris and their children were home from Sweden, all our boys were home and on their best behavior. (!!) George used all five of our boys as groomsmen. They made a very handsome line up that got to this mother's heart. Lisa had Miki as her matron of honor and she looked so lovely. Katrina and Bjorn were flower girl and ring bearer and they stole the show. We had the wedding at the chapel at Willow Valley and the reception in Willow Valley's Palm Court which was so convenient and beautiful. We had lots of musical variety. Lisa's favorite teacher, Frank Rittenhouse, played the organ, including some duets with our nephew Joe Stauffer on trumpet and our son-in-law Kris on flute. Jeremy sang "I Will Be Here" and I sang "The Lord's Prayer". At the reception Anthony's band played. Lisa surprised George by singing a song to him with Anthony's band. The whole balcony of Palm Court was lined up with spectators during her song. What fun! Kris provided background piano music while we ate. He's so incredibly gifted, he just sat there and played song after song and after while he started playing jazzed up Christmas carols! For one song he played piano with Anthony's band and you would have thought he always played with them. He's such a ham. Jeremy and I each sang another solo at the reception. Mine was "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof. I just love that song.
It was so much fun that night with all the kids home (except Lisa and George, of course!) We just didn't feel like going to bed. I remember Ray just loved wearing a tux so much he wanted to sleep in it! He could hardly wait to wear it to church the next morning.
I miss those days when it seemed so much easier for all of us to be together.
It was so much fun that night with all the kids home (except Lisa and George, of course!) We just didn't feel like going to bed. I remember Ray just loved wearing a tux so much he wanted to sleep in it! He could hardly wait to wear it to church the next morning.
I miss those days when it seemed so much easier for all of us to be together.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Happy Birthday, Katrina!
Today our granddaughter, Katrina Lindmark, is celebrating her 13th birthday. On that day, 13 years ago, I was working as a waitress at Kreider Dairy Farm Restaurant. Sometime in the wee hours of the morning we received a call from Sweden that Miki was in labor. I went to work and waited and prayed and waited and prayed and waited and prayed. I remember how I would be walking food to tables, breathing prayers to PLEASE give Miki strength and endurance. It seemed like a VERY long morning. Finally sometime after lunch there was a phone call for me. I literally RAN to the office and was so, so delighted to learn that little Katrina Annette Lindmark had entered the world.
That was before the world of internet and email, so it took a while until we actually saw a picture of her. The first we saw her was that Christmas when they came here for several weeks. What FUN we had with her at five months of age. We borrowed a video camera and got LOTS of footage that I still enjoy watching.
Sometime after that I wrote a song for her. (I think I intended that I would write a song for each grandchild. I guess I have some catching up to do.) I'm going to be brave and write the lyrics below.
A SONG FOR KATRINA (by Jean Stauffer, Jan. 1994)
Oh, Katrina, grandchild of my heart,
Listen to this story right from the start.
How God brought about His plan for a woman and a man
To meet, to love, to marry, to bring into this world
A little bit of sunshine, a precious little girl.
Long ago in America another precious girl
Was confused and abused and on her own, with no one to care.
But God looked down with compassion and gave her a new home.
He brought her to our family and lifted her despair.
Long ago in Sweden there was a precious boy.
His daddy's death just broke his heart, he needed someone to care.
But God became his father and gave him a reason to live.
This boy became a strong young man with convictions that were rare.
The girl became a young lady with a desire to serve the Lord.
There was a call from Sweden, and she answered it with a team called YES.
The very first day she met the young man, and as the months passed by,
They both felt another call from God, and they answered with another YES!
The young lady returned to America, the young man followed suit.
We met our future son-in-law and we loved him from the start.
They had a lovely wedding, then to Sweden they returned.
Two years later you were born to them and brought joy to all our hearts.
As you grow older, Katrina, I want you to know,
There's a loving God in heaven with a plan for you - He really cares.
As you have heard, He did great things just to bring you to life.
You must be a very special child in answer to our prayers.
Oh, Katrina, grandchild of my heart.
I will always love you, our souls will never part.
That was before the world of internet and email, so it took a while until we actually saw a picture of her. The first we saw her was that Christmas when they came here for several weeks. What FUN we had with her at five months of age. We borrowed a video camera and got LOTS of footage that I still enjoy watching.
Sometime after that I wrote a song for her. (I think I intended that I would write a song for each grandchild. I guess I have some catching up to do.) I'm going to be brave and write the lyrics below.
A SONG FOR KATRINA (by Jean Stauffer, Jan. 1994)
Oh, Katrina, grandchild of my heart,
Listen to this story right from the start.
How God brought about His plan for a woman and a man
To meet, to love, to marry, to bring into this world
A little bit of sunshine, a precious little girl.
Long ago in America another precious girl
Was confused and abused and on her own, with no one to care.
But God looked down with compassion and gave her a new home.
He brought her to our family and lifted her despair.
Long ago in Sweden there was a precious boy.
His daddy's death just broke his heart, he needed someone to care.
But God became his father and gave him a reason to live.
This boy became a strong young man with convictions that were rare.
The girl became a young lady with a desire to serve the Lord.
There was a call from Sweden, and she answered it with a team called YES.
The very first day she met the young man, and as the months passed by,
They both felt another call from God, and they answered with another YES!
The young lady returned to America, the young man followed suit.
We met our future son-in-law and we loved him from the start.
They had a lovely wedding, then to Sweden they returned.
Two years later you were born to them and brought joy to all our hearts.
As you grow older, Katrina, I want you to know,
There's a loving God in heaven with a plan for you - He really cares.
As you have heard, He did great things just to bring you to life.
You must be a very special child in answer to our prayers.
Oh, Katrina, grandchild of my heart.
I will always love you, our souls will never part.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
A gorgeous day
What a gorgeous day we had! After church Dick grilled chicken breasts and we ate on the deck. It's usually too hot to eat out there, but today it was just perfect.
I guess this is our summer for outdoor concerts. My sister Mary Ellen asked us to go with her to Coleman Park in Lebanon to hear the Talley Trio this evening. The setting there is so lovely, especially in weather like we had today. Southern Gospel music is not our favorite style, but we enjoyed the evening. I so enjoy being able to spend time with Mary Ellen after so many years of living so far apart. Destiny had a little girl to play with this evening, so that made it a bit more relaxing for us.
The Tour de France bike race is huge news around here. The winner is Floyd Landis who originated from Lancaster County. They have had his dear parents on the news all the time this week. They are so dear - conservative Mennonites from Martindale Mennonite Church. They have no TV in their home, so they go to their neighbors to watch their son's big race!
Tomorrow our granddaughter Katrina turns 13. I will post some pictures of her then.
I guess this is our summer for outdoor concerts. My sister Mary Ellen asked us to go with her to Coleman Park in Lebanon to hear the Talley Trio this evening. The setting there is so lovely, especially in weather like we had today. Southern Gospel music is not our favorite style, but we enjoyed the evening. I so enjoy being able to spend time with Mary Ellen after so many years of living so far apart. Destiny had a little girl to play with this evening, so that made it a bit more relaxing for us.
The Tour de France bike race is huge news around here. The winner is Floyd Landis who originated from Lancaster County. They have had his dear parents on the news all the time this week. They are so dear - conservative Mennonites from Martindale Mennonite Church. They have no TV in their home, so they go to their neighbors to watch their son's big race!
Tomorrow our granddaughter Katrina turns 13. I will post some pictures of her then.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Want some gooood granola?
About the most exciting thing around here is that I made home-made granola for the first time in YEARS. Now those of you in the Witmer and Stauffer families who remember that home-made granola understand why that's exciting. I just had a bowl of it. Yummmm! It's just as good as I remember it to be. I ground up some flax seeds to put into it, which I never had done before, since I read everywhere that they are a good anti-cancer food.
Lisa and George were at the beach today (Sophie's second trip there) and sent a bunch of cute pictures.
Jeremy had a second interview at Norwalk Furniture yesterday and was offered a job, which he decided to accept. He sent his resume there in May, so it's been a long, slow process. Needless to say, Lazy Boy Furniture Gallery was shocked when he gave his two-week notice and he felt bad about that. But Norwalk offers better pay and benefits, as well as much more opportunity for design work in addition to sales. So we're happy for him, except for Anthony, who had his plans for a certain sofa from Lazy Boy at Jeremy's family discount!! You can check Norwalk out at www.norwalkfurnitureidea.com. It's a really neat website.
Lisa and George were at the beach today (Sophie's second trip there) and sent a bunch of cute pictures.
Jeremy had a second interview at Norwalk Furniture yesterday and was offered a job, which he decided to accept. He sent his resume there in May, so it's been a long, slow process. Needless to say, Lazy Boy Furniture Gallery was shocked when he gave his two-week notice and he felt bad about that. But Norwalk offers better pay and benefits, as well as much more opportunity for design work in addition to sales. So we're happy for him, except for Anthony, who had his plans for a certain sofa from Lazy Boy at Jeremy's family discount!! You can check Norwalk out at www.norwalkfurnitureidea.com. It's a really neat website.
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