My Salute to Christie

What an honor it has been to get to know this beautiful young lady! And I'm looking forward to many more days and birthdays to get to know her better. Two things I know about her that are so important to me--she loves Jesus, and she loves Andy (oops! Andrew). For those things I'm so grateful!

She also loves hypothetical questions. So to commemorate her birthday I will ask this one for all who would like to ponder on it: If you could relive any of your birthdays, which one would it be and why? Or another question for those of the proper age: What do you remember about your 23rd birthday?

I'll answer the second one first. I actually don't remember my actual birthday, but I do know that it was around that time that I became pregnant with Heidi. At that time in my life, I was living in a mobile home in Belleville, substitute teaching a lot, getting to know lots of friends like Joyce and Mark, Ken and Roy, Carl and Shirley, and Duane and George.

As for reliving a birthday: I think it would be my 45th. I remember a surprise gathering at Joyce and Mark's house with my friends and family around. Unfortunately, I was feeling terrible, but I didn't want to spoil all the fun. I later found out that I had pneumonia. I'd like to relive that birthday--feeling better!

Christie, I hope that years from now you will remember your 23rd birthday fondly, and that you would love to relive it because it gave you so much joy!

Note to Self

Note to self: Don't ever try to take a picture of yourself again!

(No matter the angle of the picture, I looked all nose--- so I cut it off! If you really want to see a picture of my nose--I have a locket that Joyce gave me years ago that has a great view of it.)

Here are some other pictures of people that I love that turned out a little better.

One day last week Quinn had a bit of a clothing malfunction that required him to wear his Grampy's shirt. The hat was his own addition.

Opa and Jane stopped in Sunday evening! It was fun to visit with them.

Look At Me!

I was going to post a picture of myself this morning. But I decided this one might look better. I decided to follow in my buddy Joyce's footsteps (or should I say hair roots) and let my hair go gray. And so as not to look like Cruella DeVille until it grows out I got my hair highlighted. It's taking me a while to get used to it, but already I can see the gray popping through so I guess it's worth it. Hopefully every gray hair on my head tells a good story!

In other news, I'm waiting for Heidi to blog some good news! :)

A Bright Start

This cloudy morning started out brightly for me. We had a wonderful "Armed Services" service with the message delivered by Oliver Washington, a chaplain in the US Army who admonished us to be "armed and dangerous" with the full armor of God. It was a terrific message! The children's choir did a wonderful job of singing "God Bless America" with a second verse that I added "God Bless America, those whom You love. Grant them faith in our Savior. Fill their hearts with Your love from above. In the name of the Father, and the Son and Spirit, too, God bless America to trust in You! God bless America to trust in You!" The congregation then sang the first verse with us again. The adult choir also sang a beautiful anthem "I Worship You, Almighty God". Then I got to read Andy and Joyce's blogs! What a great way to start the week! Blessed "Son"day!

What's It Like Outside?

It's 5:00 o'clock Friday afternoon, and I haven't seen the light of day since last evening. I've been sequestered in my windowless Resource Room since 7:00 this morning--first with six students throughout the morning and then with 16 pages worth of "Progress Reports" for nine students. But I'm almost halfway finished!! I've completed them for one school. The 10 student reports from the other school will just have to wait. My brain is done in! I have no idea if its sunny, rainy, warm, cold, or snowing outside, so "Farewell"--I'm off to find out!!

Blogger Block Again

Amy said she had a "Title" Block. I'm afraid I've had a total "Blogger" Block. Nothing has been "springing" into my head of worth to anyone. I have enjoyed everyone else's blogs, however, and so I'll post this one to show that I'm still here! It's that time of year when I have to start Progress Reports again. It seems like I just did that!! That means I have to come up with something different to say about the same thing. So my brain is putting off any kind of writing. I've gotten very good at procrastination. Have a good and productive day, everyone!

Tom's Project

A couple of years ago I bought Tom a weathervane for Christmas. This winter he has been working on building this cupola for it. Today it went up. I think it turned out great. He used mostly leftover materials. The louvers were from bifold doors that were up in our attic, the shingles and siding were left over from the garage, and the paint from was from Andy. (By the way Sherwin-William's Duration paint is awesome.)

When I got home today, it was up! And Ron was in our driveway! It was good to see you, Ron!

Aren't They Great? Aren't They Grand?

This is my great (or is it grand) niece, Bethany? Isn't she beautiful?

She belongs to Ted (my nephew and godson) and his beautiful wife Sarah.

This is my goddaughter niece Katy. I hadn't seen her for 14 years. I have missed her. She is next to my great (or is it grand) nephew, Noah, who belongs to my niece Amy (my very first Baby Love). She was born when I was a teenager and she is the biggest reason I love babies so much. I love her now that she's all grown up with 4 babies of her own, too.

Here is my other goddaughter, Anne. She is a talented and beautiful actress, wife, and organizer. We missed seeing her husband, Aaron, who was back in Boston studying and working hard.Finally, here are four generations of people that I love!What a treat it was to see everyone. WE'VE GOT TO DO IT MORE OFTEN!

This and that of our weekend!

I was going to post some pictures today that I took in my mom's apartment after the memorial service, but I forgot to load them into the computer. Monday, Monday! The Woehlke girls went home after spending 3 nights with us (or was it 4?). Their hardwood floors are finished and the smell is gone. Poor Lucy was sick while she was there (I guess she caught the stomach bug that Sophie had earlier.) Yesterday, I should have caught up on laundry, vacuumed, and numerous other things, but instead I sort of "vegged out" and I installed my new phone and read up and all the in and outs of making calls, changing ringers, filling the "phone book", set up the answering machine, etc., etc., etc. If I just remember how to answer the phone and retrieve messages I'll be doing well. Saturday we got our taxes done, and we're celebrating! Compared to last year we are much more in the "black". We discovered that I had made a huge mistake on last year's taxes, and thus paid much more in estimated taxes than we needed too. Consequently, we're getting much more back, and we'll also receive a check in the summer because of our amended return. Yayyyy! Have a great week, everyone!

A Case of Mommyitis!

See this sweet, happy little face?

It hasn't been such a happy face lately unless this face is very close by. Lucy has developed a serious case of mommyitis. She is one unhappy camper unless Mom is right there with her. Tuesday night, Scott and I tried to sooth her while Mom was at a preschool meeting and there was no soothing until Grampy came and managed to help her fall asleep on his shoulder. We're hoping she outgrows this phase pretty quickly since Bob won a trip to Hawaii and they hope to go at the end of April! We love you, Lucy!

Enough, please!

The snow was beautiful this morning, but enough is enough. The ride to work was slow, and treacherous. I saw at least seven cars that had spun out! I'm ready for spring. What was it that happened with the "Puxatawny Phil" on February 2nd?

Back to Reality

I have spent so little time at home the last week and a half that I decided I needed to stay home this morning and get some things done like this pile of laundry--

After I took the picture and went to load it on my computer I realized I had this last picture of Dad that I had taken in my camera. I had forgotten that it was there. This was taken on their 64th wedding anniversary, February 20th--eight days before he died. Even though it's not the greatest picture of him, I'm sure glad I took it. I'm so glad that Tom and I spent that evening with them.

Now, back to reality--laundry, cleaning, getting ready for visitors. I'm not sure if Andy and Christie are staying here Sunday night, or perhaps Pat, or whomever. I do know that I will have some houseguests during the week. The Woehlke's will be staying here while their hardwood floors are being sanded and refinished. It will be fun to have them. Have a great Saturday everyone!

What Day Is It?

It's only been 39 hours since my dad passed away, but it seems like much longer. Having only worked 1/2 day in the last 8 days, my brain is all mixed up about what day it is.

Yesterday was spent with some of the details involved after someone dies and with some other "passing the time" events. Mom, Jeanne, Tom, Rich, Sheila and I planned Dad's memorial service, we straightened up the apartment, Avacare came and picked up all the "stuff" of hospice care, we pored over lots of old pictures and letters and memorabilia from Dad's life. (I was most intrigued by and touched by one of the letters that my dad had written to his mother while he was in the army. Many years later she had made comments on his letter and sent it back to him. Just Tuesday, my dad, in one of his coherent times, had told the story of some of the events in that letter.) Heidi came over so that she will use her "gift" to assemble a picture board to show people at the memorial service the "snapshots" of my dad's life. Emily came over to share some hugs and thoughts. My wonderful supportive friend, Joyce, came on the dark rainy roads to share water, flowers, pizza, and comfort.

Today, more time spent with Mom, more details and more memory sharing. Pray for Tom this weekend as he will be on overload. He is preaching at Waltz Saturday night and Sunday morning, and preaching for my Dad -- both events will be emotional and difficult for him.

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

As Jeanne and I sang "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me", Earl Ernest Saville, 89, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 with his wife and family by his side. He was born in Braddock, North Dakota on May 14, 1917 to Ernest and Sarah (Jepson) Saville. Earl’s parents were homesteaders on the Dakota prairie where they raised nine children. Earl graduated from North Dakota State University in 1940, served in the army, and began his career as a research chemist in Chicago, Illinois. There he met and married Doris, his loving wife of 64 years. His family grew and his career in the paint industry moved him to Ohio. They retired to Tecumseh, Michigan where they resided for 21 years before moving to Brecon Village in Saline in 2005.

Earl enjoyed farming, gardening, inventing, and keeping his mind active with research and stimulating discussions. He strived to motivate his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to use their imaginations and think creatively.

He worshipped his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as a member of Christ Our King Lutheran Church of Saline, Michigan.

Earl is survived by his wife, Doris (nee Toneman), son Richard Cadwalader (Sheila) of Pinehurst, North Carolina; daughters, Jeanne (Pastor Mark) Zimmerman of Norton Shores, Michigan, Pamela (Pastor Thomas) Schroeder of Milan, Michigan, and Patricia Hershey of Medina, Ohio; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and one sister, Vernae (Charley Olmstead) of Bismarck, North Dakota and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his young son, Robert; parents, Ernest and Sarah; and seven brothers and sisters.

Because of his love of research, Earl chose to donate his body to the University of Michigan Medical School, with arrangements made by Ochalek-Stark Funeral Home.

A Service of Christian Remembrance will be celebrated at Christ Our King Lutheran Church in Saline, Michigan on Sunday, March 4, at 5:00 pm. The family has requested memorial considerations be directed to Christ Our King Lutheran Church, Saline. “Death is Swallowed Up in Victory!”