Down Memory Lane--45 Years Ago!

I can't believe I haven't posted for so long! I've had things I wanted to share, or at least make a part of this journal, but life has gotten in the way.

Speaking of life, how do you catch up on 45 years of living with 31 other women? We made a valiant attempt, and were actually quite successful.

This past Friday and Saturday my West Sub nursing class met for our 45-year reunion. Apparently we've only had 2 other reunions--one at 5 years and 10 years--and I wasn't able to attend those. So how do you go about meeting and greeting and relating to women you haven't seen in 45 years?

Above are the 2 girls who were my roommate/suite mate our senior year. Judy (in the center) and I were roommates and Mary was in a single room with a shared bathroom between us. Judy and I stayed with Mary, instead of at the hotel, since she lived close, and it gave us a chance to really catch up on families, joys, sorrows, etc.

(We had small groups or "rotations" that went to different areas together. This was my rotation. There were 8 of us, and 7 of us were here. We called ourselves the "great eight"!)

I need not have worried about relating with these women. It was as if we had seen each other yesterday. West Sub was a christian school, affiliated with Wheaton College at the time that we were in school. However, that does not necessarily mean that everyone is a christian.

But as I listened to each of these women speak several things were evident:

1) We had all worked at our nursing careers, some more than others. Many, like me, are retired; more that I would have thought are still working; and some only worked a few years in nursing, because of husband's careers, mission work, etc.

2) We have all had many joys and blessings in our lives--family, grandkids, etc.

3) We have all had heartaches and trials--chronic illness, cancer, death of spouses and/or children, challenges and heartache with our children, etc.

4) BUT, as I listened, every one of them gave God the praise and glory for His love, His grace, His guidance and direction and His faithfulness. It was truly amazing.

We graduated with 63 class members. Six of them are deceased. So out of a possible 57 classmates, 32 of us were there. We felt like it was an amazing turnout. And what a spiritually uplifting and encouraging time it was!

We ended the reunion by singing our class song, which was based on Isaiah 26: 3 You will keep in perfect peace him (her) whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.

A Presidential Experience

It seems I've been so busy, I've had little time to do any posting. So I may just have to post several things in the next couple of days.

My first cousins on my dad's side (Gisel's) have been getting together every summer for a few days. We had decided not to have a reunion this summer, but just couldn't break the habit. So we decided to go to Springfield Illinois for a couple days.

We arrived on a Tuesday afternoon and after checking into our hotel, decided to go downtown to eat. Somehow I failed to get a picture of the restaurant; It was called "Augie's" and was quite different. Each entree had specific sides that came with that entree. I finally chose Salmon--I'm not usually crazy about it--but it was very good.

The next morning after a very good (and free) breakfast at the hotel we headed downtown for sightseeing. Our first stop was at the Lincoln Home. While we waited for our tour, we browsed in the gift shop at the welcome center and watched a couple very interesting videos. Then we were able to take a tour of the home Lincoln lived in while he was in Springfield, with his wife Mary, and their boys.

Eating is one of our main events, so to build up our strength we ate at a little cafe and had delicious salads and sandwiches.

We were headed to the Lincoln Presidential Museum, but this railway station was across the street. It is where Lincoln made his farewell speech before leaving for Washington D.C. for the presidency. As it turned out, he never made it back to Springfield.

The Presidential Museum was absolutely amazing and enlightening. There were many things I didn't know about Lincoln. I was particularly impressed with his courage and ability to stand up for what he believed in spite of fierce opposition. I also didn't realize that the Civil War went on for several years. When the war was finally ended, he and Mary were relaxing in a theatre when his life was taken. So he really have a very difficult presidency the entire time he served.

We, of course, had to have the traditional picture taken with Lincoln and his family. We fit right in, don't you think?

That evening, they were having a special tour of the Governor's Mansion. It was to start at 5:30 pm with a tour and then there was to be a musical presentation by the "Lincoln Troubadors".

The tour was very interesting--the furnishings were beautiful and many things had been preserved or restored as they were when it was lived in by the governors.

President-elect Lincoln and Governor-elect Yates joined us at the mansion. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to go back in history and have our pics taken with them.

The Lincoln Troubadors were SO good! They sang acapella and sang songs of the era. One of the guys came down to aisle to our row, and enlisted sister Lou to go join the singers. He seranaded her with the song "Aura Lee". We were laughing so hard, because she truly did not want to be there! Fortunately, we were able to capture it on camara.

The trip was great fun and was actually somewhat educational as well. I would certainly recommend the Lincoln Presidential Museum. It was well worth the time spent to go through it.

Tea And Crumpets

Several days ago, a friend and I decided to go out for lunch. We sort of wanted to go to someplace a little different. She said she knew about this tea house downtown. She didn't know exactly where it was, but was sure we could find it.

After driving Miss Daisy (AKA Judy) all around downtown, she finally called another friend who told us where it was. When we got there, we noticed that there was another teahouse across the street, which is really the one she was thinking about! But we decided to try this one, called "The Peony House" . It was a very relaxing and fun experience. It was started by two ladies a few years ago, and they wanted to keep it true to English traditions. They make everything themselves from scratch. And they have many kinds of tea. My tea was called "very berry" or something like that. It was very good.

We first had a salad--several to choose from; then sandwiches on a croissant--also 5+ to choose from. (I had a broccoli slaw salad, and she had a bacon, lettuce tomato salad; I had chicken salad sandwich and she had turkey walnut; we both tried a little of each other's choices) They were very good. Then they brought us each a "pastry plate" that had five different little pastries, including an English scone, a shortbread, a cookie, a little tart with chocolate filling and a cookie. She also brought 3 different toppings to try with the scone and shortbread--lemon curd, a strawberry topping and an english cream.

It was quiet and small with lots of atmosphere. They also sold paintings, hats, tea cozy's, etc. and had lots of art work on the walls.

It was a little pricey (we thought) but for a one-of-a-kind place, it was worth it. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

I would love to go again and try some of the other salads and sandwiches. Anyone for tea and crumpets?

Our Terrific Goalie!

Recently I went with my sister Lou and hubby Rog to Michigan. The real purpose of our trip was to attend a memorial service for a cousin who had battled cancer for several years. The service was in Ann Arbor.

However, that afternoon we stopped in Chelsea, Michigan to see some of Lou's friends, and to see their son Brian and his wife, Sharice, and T.J. (high school senior). T.J. was attending a hockey clinic there. It was almost imperative that we stay long enough to watch him play in the hockey game.

It was held here, at the Arctic Coliseum, which is really sort of impressive. It has two full ice rinks and has a restaurant on the upper level. You can watch the games or activities while you eat.

Sharice, Lou, Rog and Brian (and I) enjoyed visiting prior to the game. OK--either Brian is really tall or Lou is really short!

T.J. is a goalie and is really good. He's played hockey for several years, I believe. Below is a short video clip. This is my first attempt to post a video, so hopefully it turned out OK. There is a brief space where it's just ice--must have been an amateur photographer!

It was great to get to see him play. I had seen him since he was quite a bit younger. I know Mom, Dad, G-Ma and G-Pa are very proud of him!

Walking to Win--Or Is It Walking to Lose?

About 15 months ago I made a commitment to lose some weight.At that time, my two sisters agreedto be accountable for 10 weeks. I decided I really needed to exercise, and so I bought a pair of good walking shoes, and started walking. I actually also got a membership at a fitness center. Of course I also changed my eating habits. I just tried to cut out sweets, regular pepsi ! and tried to limit fat. As a result I was able to lose 20 pounds in those ten weeks. Since that time, off and on I've tried to lose a little more weight. I've definitely fluctuated up a few pounds (or several pounds) and then been able to get back down. But I haven't been able to get below my initial weight loss.

This past week, I decided I really needed to make an all-out effort to lose about 5 more pounds. (I have a 45-year reunion of my nursing class coming up in August, and you know, you just want to try to look your best). I have been walking about 2 miles about 3-4 days a week. So about a week ago I decided to walk every day and really watch my food intake. I had maintained my low weight, but not gone below. Yesterday, I decided I needed to increase my exercise. So I walked 3.25 miles yesterday morning. (I went early as I knew it was going to be 90's with high humidity.). This morning--I was so excited--I was down one pound from my lowest weight! Well, I got so inspired, that this morning, bright and early, I walked 4 miles. It remains to be seen if this strategy is going to continue working.

I thought I needed some additional inspiration, so I decided to see what the Lord had to say about walking. Most of these do not actually refer to physical walking, but while I'm at it, I really should try to get my spiritual walk in shape as well.

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise..

Psalm 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.

Isaiah 30: 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.

Isaiah 40: 31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, and they will walk and not be faint.

Micah 6: 8 And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

A Special Visit

I have been trying to arrange a visit for Nichole's kids for a long time. It seemed like every time I tried to set a date, something would come up that they couldn't go. I was beginning to think that the aunt who is keeping them didn't want them to go for some reason.

Nichole's counselor really wanted her to have a visit from the kids to see how they respond to her, before she gets released. So I finally had a "comin-to-Jesus" talk with the aunt and with the kids dad, and said Nichole really needs to see her kids. Do you have any conflict on July 6th? They said they had no conflict and we arranged for me to take the kids and their dad to see Nichole.

She had not seen her kids for almost one year; at that time they were 1 y/o and 2 y/o. (in the picture above)

They are now 2 and 3 years old, and as you can see from the pictures, have really changed.

I thought this was so adorable. Nyla has a look that says, "Do we really have to do this?"

We had a great visit, and the kids did warm up to Nichole, although it took them a little time, especially Nyla. As you can possibly tell, R.J. is very out-going and responded well to her. But Nlya did sit on Nichole's lap while we attempted to play Candy Land.

We visited for 2 hours (which is the limit) and then started home. It's a 3 hour drive from the kids home to the prison, so I knew they were getting a little tired. We stopped as soon as we left the prison and ate lunch; it was about 2:30pm and we hadn't eaten lunch, although we had some snacks at the prison. At the Burger King, Nyla wanted me to hold her. I think it might have just been a little overwhelming for her.

They slept for most of the way home, but were restless and a little grumpy the last 50 miles. I'm not used to being around little kids that much, but gave them some books, animal crackers and drinks in sippy cups, and we did very well. (I had seen them several different times, so they kind of know me).

I was so pleased that I was finally able to take the kids. I know Nichole was so excited and loved every minute of it. (She e-mailed me and said, 'after you left I felt kind of sad and overwhelmed, and I had to sit down and cry a minute'.) But she was so, so grateful that I was finally able to bring the kids to see her.

Matthew 25: 34-40 Then the King will say...For I was hungry...I was thirsty...Iwas a stranger and you took me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we ...see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, yu did for me'.

Summer Days

I do a weekly e-mail for my Sunday School class with prayer requests and praises. I try to include a "Thought for the Week" in it. This week my topic was "summer is here". So I decided to include those thoughts here.

You can never appreciate the shade of a tree unless you have sweat in the sun (Unknown)

In winter I get up at night and dress by yellow candle light;
In summer, quite the other way; I have to go to bed by day.
(Robert L. Stevenson)

Summer Is:
Beautiful flowers, Balmy breezes, and walks in the park
Riding bike, baseball, and kids swimming in pools and beaches
picnics, warm starlit nights, and fire flies
barbeques, and the smell of freshly mowed lawns
family vacations, going fishing, and eating ice cream and watermelon
gardening and canning and freezing veggies and fruits.

What do you think of when you think of summer?

Speaking of gardening, and preserving fruits and veggies, here are a few pics of my garden.

Overview of our garden

My flowers are just starting to bloom

Lettuce, carrots, beets and sweet corn

tomatoes, kholarabi and green beans

squash

My red beets don't seem to have done as well this year, but I was able to get six pints of pickled beets.

We have several different kinds of apple trees. We make applesauce from the Yellow Transparent and the Lodi

The cottage cheese containers and the yellow butter containers all have applesauce in our freezer. I felt bad that I didn't take any pictures during the process of making it.


The plants in my garden are looking good. It just seems like this year it is taking a long time for them to actually have produce ready to eat. We have had lettuce, beets and radishes, and some kholarabi. And we finally have green tomatoes on the vines.


I was thinking that my garden is kind of like some of us. Sometimes we don't always bear fruit like we should for the Lord. However, just like my garden, it's never too late to start producing.