I've not posted for awhile - life has been pretty routine around here with nothing special going on in our lives. I have been busy as usual with my quilting and generally "playing" with my sewing machine. We both have the pleasure of retirees who can do "what we want when we want"! It's great, but can also be a little boring at times.

 

As you may have heard, the Wetzels are moving to Jacksonville Florida. Jerry will leave next Monday or Tuesday with a truck-load and Angela will go after Christmas. He has a job with State Farm at the Corporate offices in J'ville and Angela is working with the company in transferring to a job there also. They are very excited, and we are praying for a smooth transition and settling in. It will be quite an adjustment for them and for us.

 

Here are a few pictures - I'm really into the Christmas Season this year.

 

 We had a surprise dinner party for Ang and Jerry - inviting 3 couples for dinner. We were able to squeeze 14 around our table that seats 12 comfortably. Had delicious (if I do say so myself) Italian Beef with a variety of side-dishes. Also had peppermint ice cream with home-made hot fudge for dessert along with caramels, p/b rice krispie balls, and thumbprints.

 I got some new decorations for the mantle this year.

 Family by the tree - not the greatest picture but it'll have to do.

 The gang: Angela and Jerry, Jay/Heidi Kiefer, Brandon/Sonia Endress, and Dave/Poppen.

And last, but not least: Heather and Trenton. For those of you who haven't heard the latest with Heather - she was recently promoted to the position of General Manager of a brand-new Chipotle restaurant which will be opening for business in a couple weeks. She has been driving to Peoria every day for several weeks and is interviewing/hiring her staff as well as getting everything finalized in stocking the new store and all that goes with it. And then - there's Trenton. We are just getting to know him and finding him to friendly, pleasant, and might I say "handsome".

Big Rack

Mike had a last-minute opportunity to take a hunting trip to Alberta, Canada this week - and this is what he came home with!!  He said it is his "crown jewel" of his hunting years.  It has fifteen points (could be sixteen if you count a little knob on one tine) and measured 186 on the Boone and Crockett scale.  He thought he missed it on Monday as he looked and looked but couldn't find it; however, on Wednesday when the magpies were chattering constantly in an area near where he was, he went to investigate and there was his deer.  Needless to say, there wasn't much meat left - but that rack was still intact.  I picked him up last night in Atlanta and he was a happy man.  :-)

Cooking Class

Last night I read Kelsie's very interesting post on her blog about a cooking class in Thailand - interesting enough that I'm posting the link here for anyone who may have not remembered that she is blogging about her time there.  Sounds like she is having a fascinating time and truly getting an educational experience.

Mary Lee goes to Guatemala for a week, starting next Tuesday, so she may have adventures to share also.  Her trip is sponsored by her college's education department and they will be working in schools.

Happy Monday to you all--

Christmas Dinner

 

The children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of EJK are invited to join us on Saturday, December 15th, at noon for the annual Christmas dinner at the homeplace in Gridley.  Our special guests will be Lynn & Mim!  If you are planning to come, please let Carol know.  You are all welcome. 

Perry & Carol

The Future

Many of you know that 10 days ago I was notified that my job would be eliminated the end of February. You may also know that I have worked with/for my very good friend for the past year. Her position was eliminated immediately that day. This has certainly rocked my world.

Having 3 ½ months is good in that I have some time to prepare, but it also makes for some awkward and uncomfortable times at work.

There are many things I’ve been reminded of in the past 10 days, and much of it is the result of a post that Dad wrote recently. Because of his faith that he lived in front of his family and taught to us, I know that God is in control. I have seen him walk through troubled times with a strong trust in God.  Ann reminded me that this did not take God by surprise even if it did me. Many have reminded me that God is faithful, God loves me, and God will walk through this with me.

I have also been reminded from every immediate family member that they are behind me as well. One sweet thing of having adult nieces and nephews came in a text message from one who said to let her know if I ever needed anything—what a switch when I am used to doing things for them!

My life right now involves still going to work every day and trying to finish out my time in a way that honors God and shows the work ethic I have learned from my heritage, look for another job, and figure out financial issues. That means looking through my house and selling extras—realized as a single person I have 3 couches!!! Since I can sit on only one at a time two are going on craigslist.

Thanks for your prayers and the kind thoughts you have already shared with me on this road that took an unexpected curve.

If that doesn't beat all-----

Many of you have heard of the man who was so in love with his Cadillac that he wanted to be buried in it.   The time came and his wishes were being fulfilled.   As the Cadillac was being lowered into the grave with the deceased sitting at the steering wheel someone was heard to say,  "Boy, that is really living."

No joke, yesterday our local newspaper had a picture of a coffin with an AVID fisherman inside being pulled to the cemetery in a fishing boat with  his best friend driving the truck pulling the fishing boat.    If any of you want evidence we can send you the the photo.

Grandma's Kitchen

Here are a couple of photos from the past in Grandma's kitchen. I have many memories of that kitchen, including good meals, and hours of doing dishes, just Grandma and me, where she would give me lots of advice along with some good family gossip. It was a special time.

Looks like they are also enjoying "kitchen time."

This was always one of my favorite pictures. Obviously, Cathy was having her dress ironed,
 and she was not too happy about being caught by the camera in her little slip! So cute!

Fifty-seven years ago

Fifty-seven years ago!

'Twas a Friday night, November 4, 1955, when I made the greatest decision of life.  The Lord gave me the insight to see how lost my soul was and helped me to repent and believe on Him, Jesus Christ, for my personal salvation.  To this day, I have never doubted what He did on my behalf.  He provides: first, an eternal home in heaven; second, peace within; third, direction in life!  And, of course, much, much more as the years go by.  In this case, a lovely, sweet Christian wife and family!!!

We've had the joy of a Christian life all these years and certainly recommend to all people a surrendered life to the Lord.  It's worth it all!!!  I have found that life is not just a daily living but life is really serving in a meaningful manner the Lord and fellow man.  I recommend Him to all.  The Bible says:  "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17.

And for your momentary devotion read Romans 5:1-5, a very meaningful scripture.  Love all you all!!!

Uncle Lynn

An Unusual Morning

The sponsors of two lovely mansions built approximately in the 1820's, long before the Civil War offer  special presentations from time to time.   Today it was "Mourning Traditions During the 1800's" and a friend who enjoys historical offerings attended with me.  Here are a few things I found unusually interesting as we moved about the house from room to room.

1.  First we met Cassie, the slave cook.  She had a monologue in which her husband had just died.   Slaves were buried at night so as not to take time away from their work for the master by day.   Services were held later whenever convenient.

2.  Next stop was the living room with a coffin holding a doll.  To show respect the windows were covered with black, the piano was draped with black, family photos were turned backward or draped with black--everything very somber.

3. The baby's mother was dressed in deep mourning--solid black for a year and a day and second stage--solid black with a little white for the next year and a day.   Black dye for clothing was erratic until it was learned that adding a little arsenic caused the black to stay true.   Many women died from inhaling arsenic and the thinking was that she died of a broken heart.

4.  Because many women died in childbirth, large women were more desirable for marriage because it was thought they were more likely to survive having children.

5.  If a wife or other close kin died, men had to wear mourning garb for only six months.   The fact was it was not considered good in those days to be a slave, a woman or a poor person!

6.  Special funeral food recipes were provided.   In the wealthy homes special white dishes decorated in black were used during the mourning period.   When you yard sale or go antiquing, look for black and white dishes with "Wreath" on the back and you might have a real find.

7. And these are just a few of the tidbits my friend and I learned this morning.