April Magic is over

I really like the month of April. Maybe it is because it is my birthday month, but mostly, I think it is because all kinds of new life becomes apparent. I love looking out of the windows in the morning, seeing all the buds coming out and then the leaves. The grass has turned green and the birds are sporting their new bright wardrobe. I love it.

We are having some guests this weekend, so I want to get out some springy flowers on the door, and a bright bouquet in the house. We have a missionary couple from Papua New Guinea coming for dinner on Friday evening, and Sunday we are a hosting home for our Hospitality Sunday at church. I seem to need special occasions to get things finished in the house, so it is a good thing to have goals!! I did get some more pictures hung, and got a start on washing the family room windows. That is always a daunting job, as it involves 9 windows with 4 separate panes per window.

Everett spent all evening working out in the yard pulling weeds and picking up around the deck. It is starting to look nice again. We also have some lawn repair from the house remodeling as there were big trucks and other digging equipment in the yard. All that is rather hard on grass and landscaping. It just takes time.

We had our last time for Coffee Break today. It was a nice time of fellowship, children singing, a skit, a testimony and song in signing. One of the gals in my class grew up in a home where both her parents were deaf, so she does a beautiful job of signing. It was all so lovely and bittersweet as I will really miss the gals in the class. They were a unique group in that they did not talk much, during class, but they were very faithful in attendance. We concluded that if they had not been enjoying the class they would have stopped coming too.

It is popcorn time, so will sign off!

It is so fantastic to wake up to sunshine and have lots of things to do. It is wonderful to have my health today, and I am realizing more and more how precious good health is ours to enjoy.

The heating and cooling guy just came to check the system, so it will be all set for the season. We just got a new furnace when we remodeled, so that should be good for quite a while. That was not something we were planning to get, but when they shut it down, b/c it had holes and could cause carbon monoxide poisoning, we did not have many choices.

Going back a bit to Friday we had an enjoyable trip to DeMotte to see Mackenna and Ethan in their school program. They did such a good job. It was fun to spend some time visiting and hearing about the things that they are busy with. They will be busy with Alex graduating from 8th grade, May 29, then spending over a week in Washington DC after school is out. In June she will be taking drivers training. It is hard to believe she will be 15 in June. How quickly they grow up.

We got home late afternoon on Sat. and then we got ready for the grand opening of the Grand Vollute Banquet Hall in Lowell. It is indeed a very grand place, and will be perfect for weddings, receptions and all types of meetings. It was impressive. The men wore tux' and the women were all dressed in their lovely dresses. We had good food, and for the wine lovers there was a choice of wines served with every course. We were treated royally for 4 hours.

Sunday we had a quieter day, and after church we went to Joel and Brenda for a great Mexican lunch. Very tasty! Emma was so excited to play on the deck, and loved having Papa with her.

We were very happy to hear that Phil had a good day yesterday, and the first day of chemo behind him. We are praying today that he will also do well as he has a more rigorous day of treatment. He is on our mind and in our thoughts and prayers all day long.

Master Suite

Our master suite is finally nearing completion since we received our new bedroom furniture. While the Amish are wonderful craftsman, they apparently like to take their time too :) Anyhow, we are grateful to finally have our own king bed - it sure sleeps like a charm!

View from master bath

View towards master bath and exit

I'm happy with the colors we chose.
So far, we think they are cozy and relaxing

Pretty Toes

It is time to bring out the sandals and take off the socks. I had the pleasure of getting my first spring pedicure; one of the few luxuries I allow myself. It was so very relaxing and felt especially good after being ill the last week. I am not on top yet, as I still get sweaty every time I exert.

I also did a little shopping while I was out. We have a black tie event this Saturday evening, and I had to get some panty hose for the occasion. I am convinced that guys have it easy. They are told to wear a tux, and all the pieces come with it. Now how easy is that. Then to top that off, Everett mentioned to a friend that he needed a tux and would you believe the guy had one in his closet that did not fit him, let Everett try it and it fit! I have been obsessing about this affair for over a month, and still am not sure about what to wear!

We are about to finish Coffee Break for the season. We have our last lesson tomorrow, followed by a program next Wednesday. Our class will have a brunch at one of the class members May 7, and that will be it for the year.

Everett's Tuesday night Bible Study will also finish the end of April. As much as we enjoy these activities it is a good thing to have a break. It is wonderful to start in the fall again.

Sunday Rest

What a wonderful day to rest from the daily routine we all get so involved in. I did wake up early and knew it was time to get up, as I did not feel sleepy. Since the first of the year, we were challenged by our pastor to read through the Bible. I would have never guessed that it would be such a motivator to get up early and read the Bible, but it has done just that. I did get up and did the readings in Daniel and Revelation. Both heavy books, but very good reading. I have chosen to read it in the Message and found that to be a real blessing. It has given me a new understanding and comprehension of the scripture. The schedule that we follow gives a New and Old Testament reading, so keeps it balanced and interesting.

We had a good service this morning, which included the baptism of Dennis and Brandi De Kok's second son Anthony Leon. It is so special to see young couples bring their children to church, especially when I remember the days when I took care of Dennis as a baby, for his mom Ruth. Ruth and I were the best of friends, and she took care of my kids so often too, until an aneurysm took her life at 30. That was a very difficult time, and I know she would have loved to see her grandbabies. He two sons are wonderful young men, with lovely wives and they each have 2 boys.

We also had a town meeting after the service to fill us in on the vision committee's work regarding the direction of our church. We were not able to stay as we had dinner at Brett's house, (we missed you Roxanne), to celebrate my birthday. THANK YOU KIDS, I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. We had home made reubens ( Brett boiled the corned beef), salads, fresh fruit, chips and Brett's wonderful carrot cake. It was all so delicious. Brenda, Joel and Emma were there, and helped with the food. Brenda and Joel had their 9th anniversary the 17th also, so congratulations to them too.

We totally relaxed and both took naps this afternoon. I slept much longer than I had planned, but I must have needed some extra rest because of the flu this past week.

Saturday Fun

What a lovely day to spend in the yard and in the house. We had lots of warm sunshine and it was pleasant what ever you had planned for the day. Everett began his Saturday as always; doing church books in his office. When he had finished and come back to the house we tackled a job that made me a bit crabby.

When ever we do a project together, he has his method of tackling it and I have mine. We have a new king bed and when we got it 2 weeks ago they told us to give it a 1/2 turn so I will be sleeping on the side Everett has been sleeping on and vice versa. Well, you know what it is like when you move a mattress with a dust ruffle. It inevitably gets all messed us. My idea was to lift the mattress and give it a 1/2 turn. His idea was to leave it lay and turn it, which of course we did, as he is stronger and just did it. Well, at that point I told him I wanted to say words to him he had never heard before!!! You can imagine what it looked like, a big old tangled mess. Then he proceeded to lift the back of the mattress and hold it up while I straightened the D R, then he laid it down and we fixed the top and it was all done. Believe it or not, it worked good. Still makes me a little steamed to admit his plan worked!! It did not make sense to me.

Actually that is the most steam I worked up all day, as I have spent the last week under the weather, and still am very weak. I did get the house cleaned, and the laundry done, but not with out a few time outs of sitting in my chair.

Everett and Joanne Veldman stopped in here for a few minutes before we went to dinner, so they could see what we have been doing around here the last few months. We are very grateful to be this far, and enjoying all the work that went into it.

This evening we had our birthday group dinner at Don and Joan Korhorn, and had a delightful time. Don and Joan provided the grilled hamburgs with all the fixings, and drinks and appetizers, and the rest of us brought, baked beans, potato salad, dessert and fruit. It was wonderful having the first picnic of the season. There is always lots of good conversation, and laughing. Friends are priceless.

It is brother in law Phil Stel's birthday today. He is still 5 years younger than me!! He turned 56! We wish him a blessed birthday, and offer fervent prayer for healing, as he will begin aggressive treatments for his mantle cell lymphoma on April 28. Please pray for him and Shirley, as they go through a very difficult time.

April's entry

At the rate I have been going this will be my entry for April. Hope you have not all given up on me, but if you have, you will never know!

It is most often the case that I can say all is well with us, and we certainly can not complain, but Everett and I have both been under the weather the last few weeks. Everett started with the scratchy throat, cough and cold/sinus symptoms, but mostly the tiredness. He still does not have all his energy back, but he is making progress. I came down with symptoms a week ago, but unlike Everett I had a high temp of 102.8 when I went in to the med center on Sunday, and they said I had bronchitis, so sent me off with an antibiotic. Thankfully since all the meds are finished, I am feeling so much better. It has not been too exciting to sit home all week, but taking care of myself for a few days, is better than trying to do more and paying for it. The lovely warm weather is also encouraging, and I have had the windows open to breathe in the fresh air. How wonderful.

We received some very difficult news a few days ago, when we got a call from Phil and Shirley. Phil( brother in law) had been having some tests and it was determined he is battling Mantle Cell Lymphoma- stage 4. He will begin chemo treatments Mon. the 28th, so please pray with us that the treatments will be effective and eradicate the cancer from his body, and strength for both Phil and Shirley as they deal with all of these stresses.