Another full, fun weekend

Just warning you - we had another FULL, FUN weekend, I took a lot of pictures, and this post is long!! 

On Friday evening, after watching dire weather forecasts, we hit the road for Lancaster County around 7 PM.  It wasn't long at all till we hit the "dire" weather - hard, driving rain and sharp lightning.  At times the clouds were so low, and we kept watching them for that all-too-familiar funnel shape we had seen on TV over and over again last week.  Although, I have no idea where in those mountainous highways we would have gone if they had become funnel clouds.  Which they did not, thank God.

Once we got beyond Harrisburg we were pretty much out of the storms.  We had a very special package to pick up in Reading en route to Dick's parents' house where we were staying for the weekend - Destiny!!  It was probably 10:00 till we got there, but the household in which they live was wide awake.  She literally jumped into my arms when I walked in the door and practically knocked me over!  We were sooooo happy to be together again after four months.  I think she talked non-stop the 45 minutes from Reading to Manheim! And I'm sure we giggled ourselves to sleep, trying not to wake up Grandma Arlene.   I was telling her funny stories about Austin.  This is a picture Dick took of us on Saturday.  I have no idea what that light circle is, but I think it must be the glow of our happy hearts, hahahaha!!

Our Saturday was filled with one good thing after the next.  Breakfast with  Grandma Arlene, then a trip to the nursing home to see Grandpa.  He cried when he saw us, something he frequently does, and we have been told it is common after a stroke.  He was happy to report that he had eaten baked oatmeal for breakfast with no problem at all.  He is doing EVERYTHING possible to hasten the day when he can go home to stay.  I wanted to sing for him with Destiny, and asked her what song she would like to do.  She looked up the lyrics for Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandfather's House We Go on my phone, and we sang that.  Then I suggested Amazing Grace, one of Grandpa's favorites, and she found the lyrics to SIX verses of that song, and she wanted to do all six of them. So we did!

From there we went back to Grandma Arlene's for a wonderful lunch of chili and all the fixin's.  Then we headed for the Manheim Community Pool - their annual free swim day.  It wasn't as much fun as we expected.  We saw only two people that we knew, which made us realize how many years it's been since Jeremy's swim team days when we felt like we knew practically everyone there!  And the water was freezing cold!!  I dipped my toes in, and that was enough for me!  Destiny had a great time diving, but after a while even that got boring, because she needs friends to have fun with.  I love this shot of her on the diving board.

Next we went to our favorite Lititz Springs Park.  But I was overcome with extreme sleepiness and opted to take a nap in the truck while we were there.  It occurred to me that I had not had any coffee that morning!  Destiny was disappointed that there were not many ducks in the water.  We're still wondering about that.

From there we went to the Burlington Outlet in Lancaster.  Destiny's mom had gotten her a cute pair of Guess sandals at the Burlington Outlet in Reading, but discovered that even a size FIVE was too small for Destiny's growing feet!  We were hoping to exchange them for a bigger size.  However, they didn't have those particular sandals at the Lancaster outlet, but we found another cute pair that were exactly the same price and we were still able to make an even exchange.  I took this picture to text to Destiny's mom to make sure she liked them.  Gotta love technology! 

And by the way, we had to buy size SEVEN's!!!  That girl's feet are growing like weeds!

Then we went back to Manheim to eat at our favorite Subway.  I tried their orchard chicken salad sub this time.  It was okay, but I honestly think I make better orchard chicken salad, haha! 

From there Dick walked to Manheim Central High School to watch an all-star football game.   I got a call from Sam and Jenn who were just leaving a birthday party at her parents' house near Harrisburg.   We decided to meet up with them near the PA turnpike exit north of Manheim.  From there we went to the nearby lake at Grandma Mary's Gretna Springs community.  Once again there were no ducks, but three swans.  We just hung out in the lovely gazebo and mostly talked about babies (for some reason!)

When we said goodby I wanted a picture of them, and we decided on one that shows her cute baby bump!

 

Destiny really, really wanted to see Grandma Mary, so we stopped in at her house for a very short, but sweet "hello".  I didn't even get a picture.  We needed to head back to Manheim to pick up Dick from the football game.

Sunday morning found us at our home church, which was wonderful as usual.  However, being a holiday weekend, there were many people missing, including our pastor and his wife.  That was a huge disappointment to me.  I miss them so very much. 

We then had a very special event to attend - a hot dog roast in the back yard at Dick's parents' house with some of his brothers and wives, Grandma Arlene, AND  the guest of honor - GRANDPA!!!! 

What wonderful memories that wooded back yard has for all of us!  We actually used to set up our tents and camp there!

 Dad had just a two-hour pass from the nursing home, so too soon it was time for Arlene to take him back.  And he cried all the way to the car.  It just broke my heart.  He wanted SO BAD to be able to just stay home. 

That time is coming soon, I am very sure.   I wish I could be there on that day to take pictures.

Before long we also needed to pack up our things, because there was still more activity ahead!  We first of all took Destiny to Frank and Darla's house in Ephrata.  She was happy to be there, and they were getting ready to leave for the pool, so it made saying "goodbye" an easy thing.  Oh, I just want to show this picture of her in the adorable dress I found at Salvation Army!  She just loved it.  And I love HER!!  We had the best time together, and I miss her already.

 

After dropping her off, we went to a "Zimwit" gathering at my step brother Roy's LOVELY home.  What a perfect place to host a cookout! 

 There were many more "Zims" than "Wits" there, because Doris's family had a pool party to attend, and of course, the majority of the Witmers live too far away.  I really enjoyed getting to know two of my step brother Marvin's daughter-in-laws.  They live and have ministries in the city of Reading.

What a dream of a back yard!

I'm sorry I didn't even get a picture of the "matriarch" of the Zimwits - Grandma Mary.  We all love her so very much.

Dick and I made the two-hour trip back home last evening.  I had fun talking to Lisa on the phone during the drive back.  They started their road trip yesterday, and were in Charlotte, NC last night.  They lived there for one year (ten years ago), and had just gotten a quick picture of Lisa standing in front of the beautiful house they owned while there.  Right after they took the picture they got a text from me, "So did you see your house yet?"  The timing was too funny!  Our family spent a very memorable Easter weekend at that house ten years ago.  Good, good memories.  Today George and Lisa will meet up with Ray and Thyda in Richmond, VA for lunch.  And then on to Jeremy's in DC for a few days.

Dick has to work today.  I won't have Austin, but I've got lots to do - VBS music to prepare and cleaning to do in preparation for our visitors next week.

Summer buzz cut, hard work, lots of good news

I wasn't very happy with the job my girl at Empire Beauty School did on my hair four weeks ago.  I was already feeling shaggy.  So I decided to go on a day that I knew she wouldn't be there, and try someone else instead.  I went in this morning, and told the girl assigned to me that I needed to be trimmed up a bit, that I don't like when I have to push my bangs to the side to keep them out of my eyes.

Well, I walked out of there an hour or so later feeling like I'd just gotten my summer buzz cut.  Yikes!!  I won't need to be pushing my bangs out of my eyes for a loooong time!  I felt pretty upset, but I guess I'll get used to it.

Dick has just put in two days of HARD LABOR, digging up plants from Lori and Anthony's flower beds and transplanting them here.  He's sunburned and sore.  Our plants don't look like they appreciate being transplanted.  Hopefully they'll get over it and perk up.

We had several items of good news for our family this week.  First off, Miki's son, 15-year-old Bjorn has been chosen to represent Sweden in an American football tournament in Canton Ohio this summer!  Here's a picture of the big spread about him in their newspaper today.  I think I'm a pretty proud grandma!!

And today Sam and Jennifer found out that their baby, due in October, is a boy.  I just have to remind Sam that even though it's a boy, he will not be able to throw football with him right away, hahahaha!!

And more good news!  We will be getting visitors from Florida!  On Sunday Lisa, George, Sophie, and Nilla Bean will be leaving on a two-week road trip.  They'll be visiting Charlotte, NC where they had lived ten years ago, Washington DC (Jeremy), the Philly area (George's family), Manheim (the grandparents), State College (US!!!!!), and Atlanta (my sister Rose's family).  I'm so looking forward to it!

And more immediately, I'm looking forward to being in Lancaster County this weekend with Destiny (finally!), and lots of family, and seeing Dick's dad's progress first hand. 

A GOOD update about Dad Stauffer, an anniversary, library fun

I realize I have been terribly neglectful in my updating about Dick's dad.  Why is it easier to remember when things are going bad than when they're going well?  Anyway, THINGS ARE GOING WELL!!  So well, in fact, that on Saturday the nursing home gave him a pass to go home for a couple of  hours!!  They had worked hard at helping him to learn how to get in and out of the car with the help of his walker, and they disconnected the feeding tube as they usually do for three hours each morning.  When he was home he was able to go up the one step from the garage into the mudroom without any help from Arlene!  And he practiced getting in and out of their bed!  I just cannot tell you how happy the very thought of it makes me feel!  He has been motivated and working very hard in his therapy sessions.  Gradually he is being able to swallow more and more things.  The goal is that he would go home in about four weeks or so without a feeding tube!  Hallelujah!!!!!

Today was Anthony and Lori's eighth wedding anniversary.  We have such fond memories of that day right here in State College.  Here's a picture of our family on that day, minus Miki's family, of course.

Back row:  Sam, Frank, Jeremy, Ray.  Front row:  Dick and I, Lori and Anthony, Lisa and George.  Destiny is floating there in the front!  Actually, she was sitting on a clear pedestal, haha!

I have some cute pictures below from my trip to the library with Austin yesterday.  His most favorite place is the cushiony reading area.  Of course, he's not a bit interested in sitting there and reading, but in jumping from cushion to cushion.  At first there was a girl sitting there deeply engrossed in her book.  She was in his way, so he planted himself right in front of her and kept saying,  "All done?  All done?"  Eventually she was all done, and then he had the cushions to himself.

After all that fun, a young library aide came and said,  "Oh, these pillows are not for jumping!  There is concrete under the carpet and he could hurt himself."  

Well, it certainly wouldn't be the first time!  But we packed up and left soon after that.  She just doesn't know that this is a two-year-old that is so coordinated that he can go right up a flight of stairs without holding onto the railing, one foot per step.  

When he saw my camera he said, "Cheese", but his eyes happened to be closed.  Doesn't it look like he's saying, "Dear Jesus"?  You should hear him repeat prayers.  There is just nothing sweeter than hearing a little one saying,  "Dear Jesus, I love you, Jesus."   Except maybe,  "I love you, Grandma", hahahaha!

Needing my fixes!

I went to church three times today.  How's that for sounding religious?  Haha!  We went to our regular 8:15 AM service at Fillmore UM and sang with the choir.  Dick had to leave before it was over to go to work, and I had to leave before it was over to go to Houserville UM to practice with their worship team.  I substituted for their pianist at their 10:30 service.  One of their songs was Shine, Jesus, Shine.  Boy, I hadn't led that one in years, and it's as awesome as it ever was!

I came home, made some yummy turkey burgers, and then sacked out on the sofa.  I slept for TWO HOURS!!!  I woke up feeling like a complete zombie.  I needed coffee after that.  Guess who's not going to be able to sleep when she goes to bed tonight?????

This evening we had a prayer and praise service at Fillmore, the first such service they have ever had.  I led the praise and worship (Dick played guitar with me), and our pastor led the prayer time.  It was a small group, but they are such strong, enthusiastic singers, it sounded like a lot more.  And the prayer time was intimate and beautiful, just what many of them needed.  Very much a family atmosphere, which is such a precious thing to me as I continue to struggle with missing so many people.

Next weekend we'll be going to get our "Lancaster County fix."  I got that term from Verna Clemmer, the person I sat with two weeks ago at the church I visited.  She and her husband moved to Lewistown from Lancaster County six years ago.  She said her homesickness for Lancaster County is much better than it used to be, but she still has to get her "Lancaster County fix" every now and then!  

But speaking of fixes, I'm ready for my Austin fix tomorrow!  Lori sent me a little video today of Austin asking to go to Grandma's house.  Talk about melting a grandma's heart!!!  I'd show you the video, but I can't figure out how to convert it into something I can post here.  Just take my word for it, he made me homesick for him after just two days apart, haha!! 

The changing skies

This morning as I drove to Anthony and Lori's house it was dreary and raining AGAIN.  The sixth day in a row.  I felt like posting on FB,  "Rainy Day, chapter six."  

But by this afternoon the rain and clouds had cleared away and I took the following picture, posted it on FB with this caption, "Did clear blue skies and green mountains ever look this good?"

Dick came home from work early (there were no jobs there to do anyway) and mowed our high grass and planted more of the plants he had dug up at Anthony and Lori's.  Then he grilled chicken breasts and we ate on our side porch for the first time this season.  As we ate we saw dark clouds start to gather over the mountains.

A while later Dick called me to check out the rainbow in the sky.

Before long there was rain coming down by the buckets.  A neighbor boy went by with his scooter and a small umbrella!

Then it cleared up again, and we went to Lowes to buy some more Round Up.  Just as we got home - you guessed it - another downpour, along with thunder and lightning.  It just can't get finished!!!!!!

According to Accuweather, we're to get plenty of sunshine this weekend.  I'll believe it when I see it!

Rain, rabbits, and an old friend

Today the heavens over State College opened up and the rain came down by the buckets.  It was a literal illustration of the songs we sing asking God to open up the sky, to let it rain, to pour out His Spirit upon us.  

I took Austin to the library for story hour.  They were reading stories about rabbits.  He wasn't interested in the stories, but he was VERY interested in the real rabbit in the room.  Once he spotted it, there was no pulling him away.  He loved touching its soft, thick fur and seeing its nose twitch.  And even though touching gently is something he finds hard to do, he was doing a very good job of being "nice" when he touched the rabbit.

This evening I met up with my friend Yvonne for dinner.  We had not seen each other for a couple of years, and we recently reconnected via Facebook.  She is in State College for a conference.  Wow, we had so much catching up to do!  

We were amazed to realize that it's been 25 years since she and her husband moved from New Jersey to East Petersburg, which is where we lived at that time.  Time truly flies! 

The joy of the Lord (??) good weather (??) is my strength.

Another rainy week.  Sigh.  I wish my mood and motivation were not so affected by the weather.  I've decided that I still have a long way to go to be able to honestly say,  "The joy of the Lord is my strength."  I'm afraid a more honest version would be,  "The joy of good weather is my strength."   Ridiculous, I know.  

But in good or bad weather, there's always Austin.  We got a good laugh when I was taking his shirt off before his nap and it stuck on his head like a hat.  

 Today, after he was finished going potty, he was determined that he had to wipe himself, no help from Grandma.  He kept saying, "Wipe da bum.  Wipe da bum. Wipe da bum."  It struck me so funny, I could not stop laughing, and the more I laughed, the more he laughed.  He's just way too cute.  

Here's another bright spot - the flowers Anthony and Lori gave me for Mother's Day are still almost as beautiful as new.  I'm amazed how long they're lasting - even the one rose on the upper left.   

I've been working on music prep for a prayer and praise service we will be having at Fillmore UM on Sunday evening.  I'm so looking forward to it.  I was also asked to sub for the pianist at Houserville UM on Sunday morning.  It's nice to be busy doing music (but not as crazy busy as I was for many years.)

Weddings and music and just a little sleep

Yesterday morning we drove the hour-and-a-half to Shiloh Church of Christ in Danville, PA for Alicia's wedding.  It wasn't to start until 3:00 in the afternoon, but we had lots of practicing to do.  Jeremy arrived from DC soon after we did.  Things went a bit rough at first, but we pulled it all together.  We sang The Prayer as the parents and grandparents were being ushered in, but I had forgotten to give my camera to anyone, so I don't have any picture.  Maybe I'll be able to post a video of it sometime.  I just love singing with Jeremy.  We both have the strong "Witmer pipes" inherited from my dad, and we didn't even need microphones.  It helped that it was a big, old church with good acoustics. 

The other song, Smile, by Kutless, was giving Jeremy fits.  It just wasn't his style.  I was going to be playing piano while he sang it, and Alicia's uncle was playing bass guitar.  We worked and worked on it, and then while I ran to the bathroom, Jeremy sat at the piano and started doing the song, and ended up "getting" the song SO much better when he could play as he sang it.  I totally understood.  We are so much alike.  There's just some kind of ease and "feeling" that comes when we can play piano while we sing.  Unfortunately, he doesn't have a piano at home to practice with.  Anyway, we decided right then and there that he would accompany himself for that song, and he did an excellent job.

Dick took pictures afterward for me, and I forgot I had the flash forced off, so they didn't get very good.  But look at Alicia's dress and train!!  It was AMAZING!!!  She was just gorgeous.

I think this is such a funny picture.  Isn't it a little early in the marriage for him to be doing this??  Hahahaha!

Meanwhile, on Facebook I was seeing pictures posted from the wedding we were missing in Powder Springs, GA.  My heart was so there.   Here is my niece Katie with her new husband Matthew. 

And my sister Rose's whole family.  Back row:  Bob and Rose, Katie and Matthew. Front row:  Maribeth, Julia, Olivia, Christy, and Matthew.  Yes, there are two Matthews now.  And believe it or not, the groom Matthew has a sister Katie!!!   As you can see, Bob and Rose will be having a whole lot more weddings in the years to come!

We got home from the reception last evening at 10:15.  I found out Jeremy had not yet left the reception, and he was planning to drive the whole way back to DC yet last night.  So of course, I went into worried-trying to pray-mother-mode.  And it didn't get any better for a while either.  His GPS took him on crazy mountain roads to get to route 81 and there was thick fog.   I finally fell asleep when he got closer to Harrisburg and the fog was a bit lighter.  Then I woke up at 2:30 and wondered if he was home yet.  Sure enough I got a text right then,  "I'm home."  Ahhhh.  Then I could sleep.  

But alas, my phone rang at 6:00 AM  It was Judy from church asking if I could play piano for church this morning because she had a high fever.  Boy, that put me into high gear!  We went to church at 7:30 so I could see what songs were on the list for this morning and practice a bit.  It went fine.  Instead of a choir song, Dick and I did an acapella trio with another guy from the choir.  

And now, on this cool, cloudy, drizzly day, I am ready to curl up and take a much needed nap.

A funeral and two weddings

This afternoon I sang at a funeral at Fillmore UM. Our choir director's 58-year-old neighbor man took his own life. He did not have any church affiliation or local family members, but his sister from Ohio came to take care of things. Judy (our choir director) talked with the sister, found out she's a Christian, and asked if she'd like us to host a memorial service for him at our church. I love Judy!

So that's what we did today - held a memorial service for someone we didn't know. There were four family members there, some neighbors, friends, and former co-workers - not a big crowd.  Our pastor facilitated the service in such a warm, loving way.  It felt really good to be a part of something so unusual, but very meaningful. 

Today Dick and I will be traveling east to Danville, PA for Alicia's wedding.  Alicia has been one of Jeremy's good friends for about ten years, was a part of our church family back home, and is kind of "one of our girls."  Jeremy and I will be singing "The Prayer"  together and I'll also be accompanying him on another song.  Dick will be the videographer with one of Anthony's camera's.  Jeremy and I haven't practiced together yet (yikes!!), so the plan is to meet at the church several hours early.  I'm excited to spend the day with him.

Here's a good picture of Dick with Alicia at another wedding several years ago.  Today it's her day!

Meanwhile, I am once again missing a niece's wedding that other family members are traveling to the Atlanta area to attend.  Several years ago I could not go to my niece Jill's wedding in Idaho and could hardly stand to miss out on all the family fun.  And now it's my niece Katie, my sister Rose's oldest daughter.  I can hardly stand to think about the rest of them together down there without me.  My sister Barb from Idaho can't go either, or my brother Dick or my stepmother Mary, so I'm taking a bit of comfort from that.  But yesterday Doris's family was driving down, Betty's family was flying from New Hampshire, Mary Ellen was traveling there after a week's vacation in Mobile where she used to live.  Like I said, I can hardly stand to think about it.  I'm the kind of person that wants everyone to stop talking while I go to the bathroom so I don't miss anything fun, and now they're all down there having a days' worth of fun without me, hahahahaha!!

Here's a cute picture of Katie and the man she will be marrying today, Matthew.  Aren't they the cutest couple?? 

Katie just graduated from college this week and she's getting married today.  I told her that someday she'll be able to say to her kids,  "When I was YOUR age I graduated from college and got married all in the same week!" 

Beautiful Bellefonte

Today I took Austin to the park in Bellefonte, about 5 miles from here.  Bellefonte is a historic town built on steep hills with a canal running through it.  The park is by the canal.  While I have driven by it many times, I had never actually stopped there.  What a LOVELY park!!  Of all days, I did not have my camera in my purse, so I had to settle for cell phone pics.  

I took the following picture when I was at a traffic light, because it was cracking me up.

On the way to the park Austin asked for a tissue.  Well.  He has a new obsession - getting the boogers out of his nose.  I'm serious.  He will blow his nose until the tissue is in smithereens.  Often he will twist a piece of the tissue and put it up his nostril and then bring it out and check if there's anything on it.  Then he'll put it up again and twist it around, bring it out, check for boogers.  I took a video of him doing that in bed last week, but I never posted it, because probably only a mommy and a grandma would be interested in watching that for five minutes, hahahahahaha!!  

I've decided this must be the lilac capital of the world.  Everywhere I walk or drive I see gorgeous trees showing off big, full lilac blooms.  Every time I go outside I can smell the ones next door.  Dick did get permission to cut some and they look perfect in the flower arrangement from Anthony and Lori.  So I get to smell them in here too. Here's a picture of a tree I passed today.  It's actually small compared to many around here. 

My dear hubby has been slaving away outside today turning  up grass, roto-tilling, digging out big stones in preparation for flower beds.  He's going to be feeling more aches and pains than normal tomorrow, I'm afraid.