An encouraging day

This has been a really good day in spite of my unfulfilled longing to be in Birmingham with the "B" Club. I had some really good rehearsals today. My Middle School Chorus is doing an older musical by Dennis and Nan Allen called The Gift. I think I can safely say it is my favorite Christmas musical. This is the third time I'm directing it, nine years ago and thirteen years ago. The songs are so dynamic, the accompaniment music is just gorgeous, but the drama is what sets it apart. Because it is an adult musical the vocal ranges are pretty extreme, especially for sopranos. A few weeks ago I was feeling really discouraged, quite sure I had bitten off more than I could chew this time. It seemed that by the time we had learned the last two songs they had forgotten everything we had practiced in the first several songs. But in today's rehearsal there were several times when I truly had goosebumps. The harmony was so beautiful.

This evening I called the girls at the "B" Club gathering in Birmingham. They were at the Cheesecake Factory. Kat passed her phone around so I could talk to each one, but they all sounded the same to me - that adorable southern accent. Of course I was the one that was hard to understand!! Those sweet girls were taking pictures of themselves talking on the phone to me, and Kat said there was a place at the table for me, silverware and all. It made me feel happy, but also like crying. In case I never explained the "B" - I think Tonja and Kat came up with it. It stands for BEAUTIFUL BABBLING BOISTEROUS BLOGGING BABES! So this morning I wrote words for a theme song for the "B" Club. It has to be sung to the tune of Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

Take Me Out to the "B" Club

Take me out to the "B" Club,
Take me out to the place,
Where beautiful, boisterous, blogging babes,
All get together to meet face to face.
Oh, they'll laugh and cry with each other,
As they talk and make quite a stir.
It will be a wondrous hubbub
At the old "B" Club.

As you know, Lisa started a blog this week. She's been trying to figure out how to post a video and finally accomplished it this evening. For some great entertainment (Sophie dancing) go here. Make sure your speakers are turned on.

Major leak

This morning as I was rushing to pack my lunch I thought there was too much noise from the water running down the sink drain. I looked inside the cupboard under the sink and noticed that the drain pipes had separated. It could have been a disaster, except that I keep a really big square Tupperware container down there which holds all my plastic container lids. It was also holding water to the very brim!! And then some. So just when I thought I didn't have a minute to spare, I was unloading all those lids, then taking bowlfuls of water out of the Tupperware container and into another dishpan in order to be able to lift it out without having a major spill. That reminded me of something that happened shortly after we moved here two years ago. That will be my story on Saturday, so you'll have to return then to read it!

Hey, check out Lisa's blog to see her huge Travelers Palm tree and the enormous flower it is producing. She has such a green thumb. Sometimes I don't even think she's related to me, but I know she is - I saw her come out!! She just got most of her genes from Dick's mother somehow.

I am trying to be content with the fact that I will not be going to Birmingham, AL this weekend. My four very best Southern blogging friends (Kat and Tonja whom I met before, and Tracey and Dianne whom I still never have) plus some others, will be having a "B" Club get together in Birmingham this weekend. If it were not just two weeks before my weekend of school and church Christmas programs, I WOULD be down there. Missing out on this is almost as hard as when I had to miss going to my niece's wedding in Idaho with my sisters in May - that time because of my Spring program. Boy, these programs just interfere with my social life, don't they? If I could just figure out how to make money from socializing, ha, ha!! But you know me - I just hate to miss out on anything. Heavens, when I'm together with my sisters I hate to even go to the bathroom for fear I'll miss something someone says!! So Tonja, you'd better take minutes again, because I DON'T want to miss anything!!

Ray went back to VA again today. He found out Thyda's ship doesn't leave until Monday, so he can actually get to spend some time with her this weekend. Unfortunately, this means he'll spend his 25th birthday next Tuesday all by himself. He said he told his officer that he felt like he had the whole United States praying for him the other week when he was waiting for his orders. Thanks to those of you who did intercede on his behalf.

My kitchen sink (and those 57 plastic lids in my dish drainer) are calling my name, so I guess I'd better go give them some attention.

My happy hunter

This was a happy day for my deer hunter. It looks like we'll be eating some venison this year. I know some of you can hardly stand the thought of an innocent deer being shot, so I won't go into any details or show any pictures. It's hard for me to think of it too. But in Dick's defense, there is an overpopulation of deer in PA, and when that occurs they come out of their natural habitat, roaming farmland and crossing roads and highways. There are many car accidents caused by deer, as one of our teachers experienced over the holiday. Imagine having your family of six all in your car, traveling 70 MPH down a four-lane highway and suddenly being struck from the side by a deer trying to cross. Scary and dangerous, to say the least. Thankfully they were not injured.

I want to share a few things from Jeremy this evening. In order to speed up the time it will take to get his degree in interior design he is now going to school full time, which means tight finances. He recently played piano at a wedding and earned enough money to buy himself a bike. He hoped to be able to get a bike rack for his car as well. Last Saturday he took some stuff out to the dumpster in his community. A lady was also there putting things into the dumpster from her car. She said, "You couldn't by any chance use a bike rack, could you?" He said, "Actually, I just got a bike and was hoping to get a bike rack." She said, "Well, I have one here I don't use anymore and I can't even lift it into the dumpster. If you can use it, you can have it." Jeremy said to me, "What are the chances we would both be at that dumpster at the exact same time?" I said, "That's God, Jeremy."

Today when we were talking he said, "Mom, you would be so proud of me. My Mennonite environmentalist roots are showing." He went on to say that something is wrong with his dryer, it takes a very long time to dry a load. So he has put four rows of clothesline on the balcony off his bedroom, enough to hang an entire load of laundry. He said he was thinking of taking a picture of it so I could put it on my blog. Ha, ha!!

I'm not allowed to have clothesline here in our community, but I do have one between the sun room and our shed, not noticeable from the street, and just long enough to hang our sheets. Ahhh, crawling into bed on sheets that have that wonderful line-dried fragrance. I should have added that to the list of things that make me happy that I posted a few weeks ago.

Well, I'm off to bed. Tomorrow will be my first rehearsals on the stage and I must get to school really early to get everything ready.

A surprise when I woke up

As I said last night, I needed to go to bed early, which I did. So it was a nice surprise when I woke up to discover that there was a comment on my last post from Lisa saying that she started a blog. But don't worry, folks, I will still be posting pictures of Sophie too - I'm not letting her have all the fun! Go to tropicalmexican to welcome her to Blogland.

And while I'm talking about that, let me encourage you to read Anthony's last two posts Being at Peace with being Nobody at his blog No Longer Driven. Be sure to read part one first. As usual, it's deep, honest, and very thought-provoking.

Last day of Thanksgiving vacation

Oh, this has been sooo nice. But back to reality tomorrow. Destiny and I had a good day. While she had a good time with The Girls of Grace (the new name for the girls' group at church) I went to the gym and then home to get ready for my doctor's appointment. After my appointment we came home and I pulled out our little fiber optic tree so Destiny would have something to decorate. Later I took her home and now I'm here by myself and ready for bed. I think I'd better call Ray and tell him I'm going to bed early and warn him not to call me and to come in QUIETLY when he gets home. This mother needs some sleep!

The girls had fun making gel candles, fancy soaps, and Christmas balls for folks at the retirement center where we sing monthly. They also were able to bring one of each along home.

Gotta love him

Because I took such a good nap yesterday afternoon and then drank a cup of coffee to wake myself up, I was not at all sleepy late last evening. I did some cleaning up around here and finally went to bed around 1 AM. Not to worry. There's still no school today and I can sleep as long as I want.

Or maybe not. I was rudely awakened by the phone. It seemed like the middle of the night and I just knew something bad had happened as I stumbled across the room to find the phone in the dark. "Good morning, Mother!" came this cheery voice, "I dropped Thyda off at her ship at 4:00 and I'm on my way home. I'm almost at Richmond already." I looked at my watch - it was 5:30 and I'm sure it never occurred to him that I might have off today and would want to sleep in. So I crawled back into bed and tried to go back to sleep.

Apparently I did fall back to sleep because I was awakened from a DEAD SLEEP again by the ringing of the phone. And it's Ray again. "Do you have school today?" I told him I don't. "Boy, I'm really hitting a lot of traffic now. I'm getting close to DC." I looked at my watch. It was 7:10. I told him he's hitting rush hour traffic and he'll probably be in a lot of crawling, sit still traffic for the next few hours. And I tried to go back to sleep again. This time to no avail. But you gotta love him, right?

So it's a rainy, dreary day here. Dick's probably sitting in the mountains of Juniata County quietly waiting for a poor, innocent deer to come along. Doesn't sound a bit fun to me.

I hope to go to the gym this morning for the first time since last Wednesday. There's a girls' craft activity to take Destiny to at 11, I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon (figures - a check-up right after I gained weight over this holiday weekend), and sometime after that I need to take Destiny back home to Lancaster. And then I need to FOCUS on the Christmas programs at school and church. Three marathon weeks coming up and then they'll be over - the school's program is Friday, the 14th and the church's is Sunday, the 16th.

I'm falling asleep as I type. Maybe I could go back to sleep now!

Making applesauce

Dick left right after church for the hunting cabin. I took a good nap this afternoon while Destiny watched a Christmas movie on TV. Then this evening we did something we've been planning for several weeks. We made applesauce. Years ago I used to make a LOT of applesauce every fall. But it's probably been 10 years since I made any. But I did keep my applesauce maker when we downsized two years ago, just in case. A few weeks ago Destiny asked me if I have something that makes juice come out of apples. I said I have a thing that makes apples into applesauce. She said she had noticed it up on a shelf in the sunroom and was wondering about it. She then asked if we could make applesauce sometime. I decided that would be our special activity when Grandpa goes hunting.

First we cut the apples into quarters. Destiny can handle a paring knife now, so she was able to help.

Next we cooked the apples till they were soft.

Not too delicious looking, are they?

Next I put together the applesauce maker and put the cooked apples into the hopper. Destiny turned the handle.

Here comes the applesauce!

Destiny looks like an old pro already!

Ummm. Nothing like warm, freshly made applesauce.

Fun and disorganized

What a day. I feel so disorganized tonight. I can tell I'm not used to having lots of people in and out of the house like I once was. I was serving egg sandwiches, coffee, and tea, trying to give my blog a new look, making food for Dick to take along to the hunting cabin, taking calls from Jeremy as he progressed through the making of his first turkey for a Thanksgiving party he and his roommate are having this evening, getting better Mapquest directions to Norfolk for Ray and Thyda, saying goodby to them, going shopping for tights for Destiny, and eating WAY TOO MUCH. Not only do I feel disorganized, I feel stuffed and miserable. I gotta do better tomorrow. But it was so much fun to have everyone here.

Dick got our Christmas greens and lights strung on our front porch. I love the feeling of standing out there after dark. It just feels reverent.

Ray and Thyda left around 3:00. She said, "I feel like a lady for the first time since April. It's the first I've worn high heels, a nice coat and scarf." She has to report to her ship tomorrow evening and she will be going out to sea for the first time, not returning till December 20th. Ray doesn't have to report to duty until December 6th, so he'll be coming back home in a day or two.

Sam and Frank had fun playing in a flag football tournament at Lancaster County Bible Church today. Apparently Frank's supervisor at work goes there to church. Hey, if God can use football to get them to church, I'm all for it. Sam went to visit a friend in Harrisburg tonight, so the house is down to the normal three of us. And tomorrow Dick leaves for hunting after church, so things will get real quiet around here.

Black Friday or Good Friday? (for me it was good)

Last night I got pictures from Lisa that really cracked me up. Check this out.

Oh, no! Remember that little girl that rides her bike too fast? Now she has another set of wheels!

What?? A boyfriend already too?? And she's still at the wheel, isn't she?

Uh-oh, looks like he's baling out and she's mad, ha, ha!!

Up here in the cold north I had a lazy day of hanging out with the kids. This afternoon Sam and I went to the Verizon store while Ray and Thyda went to the AT&T store, after which we met up at the favorite eating place in Manheim - A&M Pizza. Their subs are the BEST! We had a lot of fun. It's almost impossible to not have fun with Ray along. They have to leave already tomorrow. Destiny will be so very sad. She just loves Thyda so much.

I gotta hit the sack. With all these young adults in the house it's hard to keep a normal schedule!

Our Thanksgiving Day

We had some of our boys here in shifts today! Earlier I posted the pictures from our meal with Ray and Thyda and Sam. Later this evening Frank was here with J'von. Sam sat down with Frank and had his second meal!

These two guys both joined our family in August 1994, each of them from Reading, PA, even having lived as roommates at one point in a youth residential facility. We were joking when I took this picture. I said, "Here, let me take a picture of my two handsome Reading boys." Frank said, "What, we weren't born in Manheim?"

To Destiny's disappointment, J'von was sleeping when he arrived.

She tried patiently for a long time to wake him up. She kissed his cheek, tried to show him her favorite stuffed animals, read him a book.

When he was about half awake she showed him her play cell phone. That got his attention. He's Frank's son alright!

When J'von finally got fully awake they had a great time playing with playdoh.

Isn't he the sweetest thing? He really is too. He has such a sweet, pleasant personality. Destiny just adores him.

Dick, Destiny, Sam and I had a slow-paced day of cleaning and cooking and watching football. The house smelled SO good from the turkey, stuffing, yam pudding, and baked corn. We finally ate around 5:00 after Ray and Thyda got here.

I forgot to take pictures, so after we were finished eating I made everyone sit down at the table again so I could take some! Here's Sam and Destiny.

And here's Dick and I with Destiny. Oops - look what she did with her eyes for the picture!

There - that's better!

Of course, the most excitement was finally having Ray and Thyda home! The drive from Norfolk took longer than they expected, but they finally arrived sometime around 4:30 or 5:00. Ray was his CRAZY self, as usual. Thyda said she's going to have to get used to him again!

I wanted a picture of them kissing. He said, "It feels funny - kissing in front of my mom." I said, "My word, Ray, you're married!!"

Thyda wanted to get a picture of Ray and me together. First he cuddled up to me and made me laugh, then he sat bolt upright, military fashion. I gave him my sternest look (and it IS a stern look - just ask my students!). Ray saw me out of the corner of his eye and said, "Don't look at me like that." Did it remind him of the times it was necessary for me to give him that look??!!

They had to leave now to go spend time with her family. We're waiting for Frank to show up with J'von and Adrias, so I'll post pictures of them later.

Thank you, Lord

Tonight I want to mention some things that I'm thankful for. They will not be in order of importance, but in the order in which they come to my mind.

1. For the way God answered the cry of our hearts for our son Ray to be given orders to VA. Even as I write he is about to land in Norfolk where his wife will meet him. As a wedding gift to them I reserved a room at a hotel for them tonight and then tomorrow they will be driving here for our Thanksgiving celebration. THANK YOU, LORD!!

2. For my family and Dick's family and all the love we share as well as the fun and laughter.

3. For a husband who cherishes me and is a rock I can depend on.

4. For our children and grandchildren and the wonderful, fun, crazy, meaningful times we have whenever we're together.

5. For our church family and all the love and support they give us.

6. For how much better I feel physically since I lost 13 pounds and am working out regularly.

7. For a job in which I can use my gifts and passions.

8. For all the friends I have made this year in the wonderful land of Blog.

9. For the cross and what Jesus sacrificed there for me.

10. For worship and the sweetness of being in the presence of the Lord.

Have a wonderful, fun, thankful day tomorrow, everyone! I know I plan to!

Vegging out

I actually have had a VERY laid back evening at home. I did a good, hard work-out at the gym after school, came home and made a big pot of my homemade vegetable soup, and have "vegged out" at the computer ever since. Tomorrow morning I have two periods in a row of Middle School Chorus and that's it. We get out at 11:30 and are off until Tuesday. That feels too good to be true!

Ray called the other evening and said the Navy will be flying him to VA tomorrow after his morning graduation. He and Thyda will be home for Thanksgiving! Is that good news or what??

Lots of pictures again!

This will be a picture blog again. Here are the people from my family who were at our get together last evening.

My dad and stepmother with Barb and John behind them.

My late sister Janet's husband Elvin with his new bride Pauline on the left, my brother Dick and his wife Nancy on the right.

Dick, Destiny, and I with my sister Mary Ellen.

My sister Doris's family!! Doris and Dale have six children. Their oldest daughter Kim is second from left on the front row. Her husband was not there, but her son is standing behind her, her stepdaughter is also behind her and her neice is beside her. Doris's second daughter Marcy is in the wheelchair with her baby on her lap and her husband behind her. Doris's only son Corey is in a grey shirt on the back row beside his wife in a black dress. They are expecting a baby in June. Sitting beside Doris is daughter Gina, standing beside her is daughter Greta with her boyfriend, and the girl in pink behind Doris is youngest daughter Ellen. Doris and Dale's whole family lives right here in Lancaster County, which makes the rest of us a little jealous!

Destiny liked sitting on top of this stack of chairs. I think it made her feel like a queen on a throne!

Marcy and Scott are such good parents to their precious little Paityn Lily. Scott is privileged to be able to work from home a lot, so he's a very involved dad. It was obvious last evening that she is a daddy's girl!

Trust me - the sound of our singing was a whole lot better than this picture turned out to be! Barb's husband John is an awesome tenor and it was so good to have those two joining in our family singing again.

The Witmer Trio, now in our fifties. If you want to read about our humble beginnings check out my story here.

On Saturday Jeremy called to tell me he was doing something not at all in keeping with the "Stauffer tradition". He was decorating and putting up his tree WEEKS before Christmas. Having grown up with a music teacher for a mom, he was used to last minute decorations and trees - except for the years Lisa did it for me. Where are my gifted decorators when I need them? In Florida, of course. Guess I'll just have to move down there if I want help with my tree!

On Saturday Dick weathered the cold dampness and finished our ramp and a temporary handrail. Lori wondered last weekend if we're expecting to grow old here. I said not really, but I wanted our house to be more easily accessible for my neice Marcy and my dad and the older ladies at church. Now I just have to have time to have them over!!