HOT (HOT-HOT) TIME IN THE SUMMERTIME

I think everyone in the US can understand me when I say that this has been a really hot summer.  We, fortunately, have now had a break from the heat for several days.  So thankful.  Have tried, the last few summers, to tough it out and not put the air conditioner on (much) - but this year's heat brought us to our knees.  We were fortunate that our A/C for the upstairs (we have 2 central heating/air conditioning systems for our house) even ran.  It's been pretty unreliable at times!

Fourth of July was fun - a church friend who drives a semi cross country - picked up a truckload of fireworks on one of his runs.  He asked mom and dad if he could set them off out at the Atalissa farm and invite the church family out.  We had haystacks for supper (and some other yummy stuff) and then when the sun started to dip out of site - the show began.  It was very nice.  That is such a beautiful place to gather - out there on the farm.  Some call it the "cottage" - but to me it is the farm and HOME!! - not a cottage.  I think that is why I like it out there so much - because it is where I grew up.  I never lived at the house where mom and dad live now.  All the other kids lived at their current home.  (We stayed there when we first moved back to Muscatine - but I'm talking about as a kid.)

The farm was the setting for another event this summer - a farewell soire' for our little Kate - who has moved to Georgia.  She is now engaged to her boyfriend Chase and we look forward to their wedding, whenever comes around.  She has a job there - and Chase took a different position with the company he was with here in Muscatine.

Tonya - Mark's daughter - had a new baby our most recent "grand" addition to the family.  HIS name is Holden.  He is the (1. Dayton  2. Reese  3. Jaimee  4. Tanner  5.  Holden)  FIFTH "grand" addition!  Our family is growing!  But WAIT -- speaking of growing ... there is another little "grand" perking away over there in Orland Park ... Ryan and Rhiannon are expecting their 2nd child in February - one week before Jaimee's 3rd birthday.

We had a super fun trip to Pennsylvania/Maryland a month ago.  Deb and Jill (Randy's sisters) and their families live in Gettysburg, PA and Myersville, MD.  We hadn't seen either family for a few years (yes, I said YEARS).  Thanks to Rhiannon and Jill's expert planning service - Randy, me, Ryan, Rhiannon and Jaimee all climbed aboard the Kia Sedona Express and drove out!  We had hoped Nick could join us, but he couldn't get off work.

It was a long drive but not horrible (about 15 hours) - when we got there we were greeted by sisters sitting on the front lawn of Jill's house waiting for us!  What a sight for sore eyes!  It wasn't too much longer after we got there and it was  time for us to take our SEGWAY tour of the Gettysburg battlefield.  I rock at SEGWAY!!!  (I say that proudly because I'm not the most physically adept person that walks the earth ... and I knew if there was going to be a hiccup in the plan ... it would be me being involved in a tragic SEGWAY accident.)  I envisioned being on the front page of newspapers across the country because of the freakish nature of whatever doom would befall me on that SEGWAY! (and the accident would of course be caused by ME ... of that there was no doubt!)

But I Seg'd this way and that without a problem.  I want one!!!  I can see me now walking to the garage, stepping onto my segway and riding all the way to City Hall.  I'd seg right into City Hall, press the elevator button and ride up - segging again to my office.  It would be so cool - and I would LOOK so awesome doing it.  Alas!  that dream died when I GOOGLED THE PRICE of the Segway ... a mere $6000.  Not happening!  Sigh!

There were other fun things that we did - a boat ride through a cave and visiting.  We were so thankful that Deb and her family were willing to drive to meet us at Jill's so many times.  That was nice!  We loved every moment of our all to short time!

Last weekend we went up to Red Wing, MN - to Randy's 40th High School reunion.  Whoa!  That was a LOT of old folks in one location!  Uff da!  *smile*  But a good time was had by all.  Thank goodness Gene and Kathy Littlefield were there -- Kathy and I 'hang out' together when the guys have these things.  She's fun to chat with and lets the guys flit around and be social without their wife anchors!  Note the Mardis Gras beads ... they passed those out to the women, but I gave mine to Randy!

This is Randy and Clark (back) and Ken and Gene (front).

Dave couldn't be there ... but the guys called him and chatted a minute!

We drove to the Twin Cities area after the reunion was done - and checked into our motel - a GORGEOUS place.  We were so happy when we walked in - because our Friday night accomodations were not nearly that posh!  And imagine our discouragement when the guy said they made a mistake on our reservations and there was NO ROOM for us.  Here it is after midnight ...

But they QUICKLY added that they had made us a reservation at the Fairfield Inn that was next door and the night's stay would be FREE!!  They were in the middle of remodeling (this was in Eden Prairie, MN) but the room we were in was done and it was okay - and AWESOME when you consider the FREE part of it!   SCORE!

The next day was extra fun too ... we met up with another of Randy's sisters (Joannie) and her family at the Mall of America where we had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe.  Joan and Kirk's little girls are adorable and it was so nice to see them.  We'd only met Scarlett one time - when we were invited to her ONE YEAR birthday party ... and she is six now!  Josie we'd never met.  So we felt very happy to spend time with them all.  We can't let so much time elapse ...

And then there is our Jaimee -- naturally I think she pretty much tops out the adorable meter ... here are a few reasons why ...



   

She's going through her "dress" phase ... loves to wear dresses!  And don't you love her little flip flops?  We got those (Jaimee and me) at JC Penney's cuz they light up when she walks!

Tomorrow we're headed out their way after church - it's been a month since we've seen them and it is time!  Gotta get our Pharr-phix!

Love to all!
V



HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME!

Gasp!  It's only ONE week. ONE week since my previous blog 'letter'.  It was nice to hear from a couple of you folks last week after my letter!  You've inspired me to "do it again".  Not a super exciting week - so be prepared for many deep ... long ... YAWNS ...  (did I make you yawn?) 

My dear SIL Bellie ... you are to blame.  She kept saying "are you watching the Casey Anthony trial?" and I'd say "no" -- she would tell me how interesting it was.  So for the last 3 days I've been pulling it up on You Tube to listen to some of the previous days trial - and now going to a website to listen as it goes on.  Not sure what it is about it that is so addicting ... but IT IS.  I can pull it up on the internet - and then put the window down and just listen at work.  Kind of like TALK radio!  So Bellie ... you got me!  *wink*   http://www.wftv.com/caseyanthony/index.html  This is the link of where I am listening to the live trial.  Pretty good coverage!

So last Friday I needed to go pick up the furniture for my afternoon job.  The common area furniture at Fulton Place gets lots of use (and dare I say ABUSE?) - after almost 5 years it was really really nasty.  Who knows what was on the seats?  And the back was ripped on the little sofa and ... I have $2000 in my budget to do things each year for the residents.  Last year we updated the computers and bought new computer room chairs.  This year ... furniture.

There is this place in Moline -- quirky little place with an odd little man that runs it.  But the furniture seems to be a fairly good quality and the prices are not too bad either.  We found this place after we bought our stuff last fall - and wished we had stumbled on them earlier.  Not sure we would have changed what we got, but ... who knows.

He has a lot of samples in his small space - but then tells you that you can get this couch in THAT fabric, etc.  So what I ended up doing was buying a love seat and 2 chairs (which is what we had there already) - I chose a textured microfiber and a kinda funky coordinating fabric for the seats and back of the chairs.  I usually don't really care for the feel of microfiber - but this textured stuff doesn't feel the same and has a more "luxurious" look to it.  I waffled on the coordinating fabric - should I get it all the microfiber?  Or should I get a coordinating "safe" patterned fabric.  I decided to go with my initial 'funky' choice and I like how it looks.  Lots of people have complimented the choice - saying it's really cool.

I upgraded the foam - it is supposed to be sturdier and last longer.  He said it's used in places like hotel lobbies, waiting rooms, etc.  Places that get some good traffic.  So we'll see!  It wasn't that much more and we really do need any extra 'umph' out of our furniture that we can get!

My new rule is (and I've been drilling this into the resident's heads for FIVE WEEKS while we waited on the furniture to arrive) -- no food, no drink and no sleeping on the new furniture.  They can eat at the tables in the common room, but not the furniture.  The sleeping rule was because on of our guys likes to lay on the loveseat and sleep - sometimes all night.  He has a little problem in his own apartment where he wakes up to go potty but doesn't make it further than the side of his bed.  So I'm pretty sure the spot that I had cleaned out of the carpet in front of the sofa might have been from him.

So with the talk of furniture.  Hmm?  We did get new furniture last fall.  And everyone who has been at my house (especially my family ... *smile*) knows I'm an ogre about my furniture.  NO PETS!  I love my new stuff and I know it will get ugly soon enough ... so anyway, last week we had a guy here talking to us about INVISIBLE FENCE (which we are not going to buy) for the dogs.  I remember looking at him as he was writing and talking to Randy.  The thought went through my mind ... "I hope he doesn't write on my furniture."

Well, guess what I discovered AFTER he left.  A 1/2 inch black (blue?) inch mark on the seat of my loveseat.  OH NO!  Well, not to fear - we protected our investment when we bought it with >>>>drumroll<<<< INSURANCE for furniture that covers if something happens to the furniture.  So we begin the process to basically find out how to remove the ink from the leather.  Come to find out (from the insurance company) that ... they can't help us.  Why? We do NOT have insurance on our leather furniture after all.  We have insurance only for cloth furniture.

Those of you who know what "going Ludke" means will understand ... Randy "went Ludke" on the poor insurance and later store people.  We didn't buy any cloth - why in the world would we have an insurance policy for cloth?  The store finally got the situation squared away with the insurance people - and we now DO have coverage and a "technician" will be contacting us shortly ... which reminds me, I think today was the "shortly" that they implied!  Oh well, it's Sabbath - won't worry about it now.

It seems like it's one thing after another the last few months in the demise of all property owned by ... US!  And now it is the water softener.  Water softening for us is not really an option.  It's a necessity.  My dishes are WHITE and my hair feels icky.  So we had the "Hey Culligan Man!" man come ... YOWSERS - for only $XXXX and your first born son - you can buy one, or for only $XXX and a fatted lamb you can rent one.  So we're looking elsewhere.  We did learn stuff from the "Hey Culligan Man!" man ... we have 20 parts of something hard water and our water has an odor to it that has to be treated with bleach periodically.  So basically we learned the 20 parts of something thing - the rest we knew.

Last Sunday was Dean and Edyth Wooten's 50th wedding anniversary celebration.  CONGRATS to them - and to their family ... it looked so pretty with all of the beautiful peony displays.

This is me pinching Dean's behind.  He pinched mine about ...

well, a LONG time ago ... thinking it was the bottom of his beloved! 



Jaimee and Ryan spent the week in Arkansas at Ryan's mom's house.  Sounds like there was lots of swimming at a pool in town and they had kitties which Jaimee loved!  The word is that she lost one of the kitties - at least when they left they still couldn't find it.  She would carry them here and there - putting them in laundry baskets, trash cans, on the bed, etc.  So did she put it somewhere?  Or is it hiding from her?  They drove all night last night, getting home about 9:30 a.m. today.  After a bath, some clean clothes, breakfast and an episode of Mickey Mouse Club - Jaimee retired to her own little bed for a FOUR HOUR nap!

Hope you all had a great week.
Much love to all -- Happy Sabbath!
V

SUNSHINE AND SAUNA

Used to be I'd try to 'blog' a letter to everyone on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.  Now it's almost a quarterly basis.  I'm not sure why - maybe because life has such a monotone hum to it that seems useless to tell about it!

None-the-less, I will try to tap-tap-tap a few thoughts as a greeting to you all!  (Then it will be YOUR turn to tap-tap-tap back!)

Our most recent "fun" was last weekend.  Our little Jaimee came to visit us for the weekend.  It is the second time we've done this since they moved to Orland Park last year.  The adults drive to Princeton, IL and make the switch ... one of us trading a quiet car ride for a car full of life! and visa versa.  This time I drove alone to meet Rhiannon and Jaimee ... and our great weekend began.

Randy couldn't come - as we had scheduled to have his dog neutered that day.  We NEVER have to go through her being in 'heat' again.  Oh my ... ugh!  With Nick's Ti here - and being a boy - it was TORTURE for him and for us the whole time.  He wailed and howled and whined and ... while she wasn't making all the noise and being obnoxious she wasn't doing anything to change his mind either!  We decided NO WAY were any of us enduring that again.  She did very well - we were afraid she would be in a lot of pain.  Maybe she was, but other than sleeping a lot while the anethesia was still in her system - once she woke up she never really acted all that uncomfortable.  They did laser surgery and her wound looks a lot smaller and neater than Rhiannon and Ryan's Rory dog looked.  That little dog was very uncomfortable when she got her surgery.

So J and I rode together - I hoped she would nap on the trip (she's been taking nearly 3 hour naps of late) -- she slept ONE hour.  Despite that lack of sleep she was an angel for the next couple of days.

Jaimee knows that Gwranma and Gwranpa live in Ma-tine.  And she was very happy to be going to Ma-tine, though I think the poor little 2 year old must think Ma-tine is about a thousand hours away from Orland Park.  She's so ready to stop by the time we get her here. 

Our first stop was to go for a golf cart ride.  Randy has a friend with a golf cart and so Jaimee, Randy, and I rode the golf cart.  Jaimee got to steer.  Thank goodness for wide open spaces!  She looked SO pleased with herself.  A little scared, but thrilled at the same time! 

Then we came on home.  We played marble-works ... that is the thing with tubes that fit together and you drop marbles in the top and they roll, spin, jump - whatever - all the way to the bottom.  The kids had that when they were little, so we pulled it out for her.  Mostly she let me play with it (trying to build something viable) while she pulled the rest of the toys out of the baskets! 

It was so hot.  Felt like it was about 1 degree for every one of Jaimee's perceived hours of travel - when in reality it was in the mid 90's.  So hot.  I finally broke down and turned the a/c on - and thankfully when we went up to bed the upstairs a/c worked.  Sometimes over the winter it leaks out enough freon that it needs charged.  We were very grateful that it worked for those 4 or 5 days of hot and hotter weather.  It's now off - and while we are not enjoying the extreme humidity (the sky has a haze to it from all the moisture hanging in it), we are thankful for the coolness of the air.

Late Friday evening - just before Sabbath - Randy and I took Jaimee to the Mississippi Mist - a beautiful fountain on the riverfront made especially for little ones to run and play in.  She enjoyed it - though the air off the river and the sun setting did give her a bit of a chill.

Sabbath afternoon after a VERY VERY long nap we (Jaimee and I) went back down and met my brother Mark and his little grandson Dayton.  Dayton seemed to love running in the water, but Jaimee preferred not being in it.  It surprised me that she didn't.  It was nice to spend the time visiting with my brother.  I think we're both pretty much in love with our little people!

Here's Mark helping Dayton wring out his soggy wet towel.  (Towels are prone to becoming soggy when they are tied around one's neck - Batman/Superman/Super Hero style! - then they get too heavy to be of any use when you have to fly away on a moment's notice to save the world!)

This the only thing I took a picture of Jaimee doing at the Mississippi Mist, enjoying a fruit juice bar (Dayton had one too):



You can see the rusty/red color of the fountain area - and in the background the Mississippi River. 

Gwranpa and Jaimee played in the basement for a little while just before bedtime Friday night.  I ran down when I heard them both calling for me.  (One was saying BRING THE CAMERA and the other was saying GWRANMA.)

We are looking forward to our trip out east in a few weeks.  It's been far too long since we've seen Debbie and Gary (and family) and Jill and Mike and Abbie.  We're going to do a segway tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield.  I think that sounds fun - unless you need to have some sort of athletic abilities to ride a segway -- like superior balance or something ... then it might be a little more taxing!  They have a pull cart that Jaimee will ride in behind her daddy or someone.

There were several things listed on Jill's email to Rhiannon (she is our little agenda planner - sorry I didn't get back to you via phone Deb ... I had just gotten J and it takes about all my concentration to manage a 2 y/o -- not like it was when I had my own little ones.  I'm out of practice!  So anyway, that's why I asked Rhiannon to get ahold of you!  And you guys -- don't feel like you have to entertain us all the time.  Okay?

Perhaps we can visit with Joan and Kirk and girls for a little bit in August.  Randy got notification that his Class of 71 (that's far less painful than saying 40th class reunion) reunion is The first weekend of August.  Do you have time for us?  Maybe we could throw an air mattress on a floor someplace for a night?  Randy has really been missing "home" and this is a great excuse to head north!

Our little Kate (Gail's girl) is moving to Atlanta.  Her Chase has already gone there for his job - and she is following.  We have a farewell soire' next weekend for her.  It feels like she is still too little to make those kind of big decisions on her own!  Sigh!

Wyn and Andy are house hunting.  We were privileged to accompany them while they looked at a couple on Thursday.  Both houses were good homes and they could be happy in either one.  One had lots of that old-time character with woodwork and stained glass windows and some beveled glass windows (which I love because they create a prism effect when the sunlight dances across them at just the right angles).  We definately are praying for God's guidance as they choose a home - either here in Muscatine or in one of the surrounding towns.  (I'm partial to having them close ... but there are other factors besides Auntie V to consider! -- as Kate (see above) is demonstrating! *smile*)

Okay - looking at the clock I see that I should have been in bed awhile ago.  Even on Sabbath I have to plan to get up and get moving!  We pick up a gentleman at the nursing home to take him to church (which in a way is a good thing because it keeps us reasonably 'on-time').  Also tomorrow is potluck, so I have to load up my food and such before we go. 

Aunt Nita - haven't heard from you in a bit.  I know you were having a rough go of it - hope you are getting your strength back.  Miss hearing from you.  Kathy - you have sent a couple of things recently - thanks.

Take care all -- much love.
V

PS  Have you noticed the weather patterns?  More and more I am convinced that Jesus will be coming back soon.  Remember ... He loves us all and wants us all! 

NOT EVEN GOING TO TRY ...

... to fill in the gaps that is! 

Not sure what's going on.  Life seems to whirl by at a breakneck speed most of the time.  Always running to get from one place to another and yet, when you go to put it down on paper.  Not that much has happened.

The most noteworthy thing (in our little lives) is that our baby girl is now 2 years old.  She is going to be one sorely disappointed little girl though when next year rolls around.  You see THIS year her mommy and daddy took her to Chuckee Cheese on her birthday and she got a couple of birthday surprises. 

Then Mama and Papa were anxious to be with her for her birthday.  So the Sabbath after her birthday we got up and drove to Davenport for church.  From there we headed east to Orland Park, arriving about 3:30 p.m.  We spent a few hours with the kids and after Sabbath we went to a restaurant for supper before we headed home. (Yes, that same night.)  We couldn't resist asking the restaurant to sing Happy Birthday to Jaimee.  So they did (complete with giant brownie and ice cream and a great big candle!).  When they got done Jaimee said "Again!"  But they didn't do it again.

And now this weekend we are gathering at my mom and dad's house for a pizza and cake gala event ... still with this 2 year old in mind.  So like I said ... next year when her birthday rolls around and it only lasts ONE day ... she's gonna be mighty disappointed that it isn't a 2 or 3 week ordeal like when she turned TWO!

The good thing about the 2 or 3 week birthday ordeal for Mama and Papa is that we get to see the kids more often!  Like I said we drove over the first weekend, then Jaimee and Rhiannon came this way last weekend (so Rhiannon and I could go to a craft show in Des Moines on Sunday), and this weekend the whole Pharr-phamily is coming here for the weekend again.

Did I say craft show?  I should have said CRAFT SHOW!!!  It is Iowa's Largest Craft Show ... at least that's what their little brochure said.  With over 300 (??) crafters.  But then as they list all of this particular craft even organizer's Iowa shows they show one in Cedar Falls at the UNI dome with over 350 crafters.  They must be talking square footage size?  I don't know.  But it does make one yearn to head to Cedar Falls just for comparison sake anyway!

For the last ... while ... but especially the last 6-8 weeks my poor old body has felt like the body of someone who is not nearly as young as I am.  I pop like a popcorn popper everytime I get up and move.  I limp - to the point that my boss, who never seems to care enough about anything in my world to comment, said "why are you limping?"  He noticed!"  So I've been going through life with a snap-crackle-pop-pop-pop and a limp-slide-limp (don't limpy people usually drag a leg around too -- well, maybe you can erase the slide portion of that description ...)

Thinking maybe our ever so comfy bed wasn't all that comfy anymore we bought a memory foam mattress topper.  A deep luxurious ONE inch deep.  (Stop laughing -- I TOLD Randy we shouldn't buy it.  I TOLD him we should shop around.  But he liked the price.  Grrr!)  But we both seemed to get up in the a.m. a little less stiff.  So we shopped (this time we DID shop) and have ordered a better foam topper at 4" of  memory foam.  It should be here Monday.

I ramble don't I ... sorry!

All that mattress topper talk made us think that maybe we should stop in at Slumberland where we bought our family room furniture to get a copy of the warranty we were supposed to have.  And while there we talked to the sales girl and she showed us the Temperpedic mattresses.  We were curious.

It was just like in the three bears ... this one was TOO HARD!  this one was TOO SOFT! and this one was JUST RIGHT.  She had us lay there on the JUST RIGHT one for a few minutes.  THEN she used this magic wand and made the head of the bed lift a few inches.  It felt so yummy.  The the magic wand raised the foot of the bed a teeny bit too.  Felt like we were sitting on a softened pad of butter.  All smooth and luxurious and ... we sat there and we sat there.  All the while she was telling us how our backs were relaxing.

Then it was time to lower us back to flat.  Slowly, simultaneously ... our heads and feet went down.  As it lowered she said "can you feel this in your back?"  And I'm thinking YES! (ouch!) YES! I can!  I got up and my back felt like the whole cast and crew of Cirque de Soleil had walked on my back.  I felt like a twisted (but still smiling politely at the nice lady) pretzel woman!  I limped, I shuffled .. I probably even DRAGGED my leg.  My whole lower back and out into my hips felt horrible.

Eventually 24 hours later it had relaxed a little (I think I got a back spasm or something) -- but today I went to Sharon Goddard's chiropractor.  He does a thumping machine technique.  I think it is better - not sure if it is 100% better, but I don't feel like I'm limping.  His treatment was an hour long.  He seemed to be able to identify (without me telling him) the places on my body that were tender.  Then he used the 'thumper thing' to pop the little bits and pieces of me into different shapes. 

He said my coccyx was messed up.  Then he said my something else (in my lower back/hip area) was messed up.  Said I had three ribs out of place in the back and one out of place in the front (huh?).  My jaw was out of whack a little (thump-thump) - said that was probably causing me headaches.  I had had a WEEK long headache the previous week.  But I didn't tell him that.  Randy says he's a "quack".  People can't use thumpers to heal people.  But ... Sharon says he helped her.  And I guess time will tell if he helped me.  I know for at least the last 8 hours I haven't limped and my back feels better.

Oh my ... I better stop.  The kids will be here soon.  They thought about 9 or 9:30 p.m.  I'll have just enough time for a few little girlie squeezes and hugs before she goes to bed.  And then I'll have to head that direction too.

Take care everyone! 
Love ... V

ALMOST FAMOUS and other stuff!

Hey all!  Been awhile since I last authored an original Ludke-ville!  I had to go back and re-read the last one so I'd know where and when it was!  Almost a month ago!  Talked about our get togethers and Randy singing for church with Jaimee.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YToi4tYRz4

What's been up?  Hmm?  Well ... it's Iowa.  It's January.  It's cold!!!  (As in VERY -- went outside yesterday and thought "ahhh it feels so good!"  Looked at the thermometer.  It was 21 degrees.  A full 30 degrees warmer than the previous day!)  Seems like so many are saying how they want to move away.  I agree it's cold.  But I suppose no matter where you are there are good things and not so good! 

And yet - life goes on.  Stuff happens!  Randy had a birthday.  I am gonna have one this week.  Nick has one on the last day of the month.  We're all growing older right in front of your eyes! 

There was one PARTY WORTHY January birthday.  Reese, JoDe and Josh's (JoDe is my sister Joy's daughter) little girl turned FOUR YEARS OLD!!  The party was at Gr'ma and Gr'pa Hinkhouse's house.  Pizza, cake and presents ... what more could you ask for?  We enjoyed catching up a little with Josh's family. 

Our Pharr-away family (Ryan, Rhiannon, Jaimee Pharr) were able to be home the weekend of Reese's party.  Jaimee had been asked to do special music for church.  She practiced and knows Twinkle-Twinkle, Arky-Arky and Jesus Loves Me.  But being only 22 months old ... sometimes what you practice for and what you get aren't exactly the same!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I99myekU55M

Randy and I have gone to two of Griffin's (sister Gail's son) high school basketball games.  I'd never been to a high school sporting event, so it was fun.  At 1/2 time they take a $1 from people and let them shoot the basketball.  Guess you win a prize from Taco John's or something if you actually hit it.  I told Gail "come on!", she didn't want to.  But she ended up coming down.  We both shot.  My shot didn't hardly get farther than the end of my fingertips (yes, I'm THAT good!).  Gail was closer.

This last Tuesday we went again and this time we noticed that where as LAST TIME there were no other females in the shooting line - THIS time there were quite a few teen age girls.  We started something!  So we went down and I got almost UNDER the basket and shot.  I hit the backboard and it bounced back.  I grabbed it quick and reshot -- nothing again.  Gail on the other hand stayed at the appointed spot and she shot!  She hit the RIM!  Oh ... it was awesome!  I wish so bad it had gone in. 

As it was we figure we are almost famous!  When we were done shooting a little kid came up and gave me the "high-5" with KNUCKLES!  You know only COOL folk do the knuckle 'high-5'!!    And as we walked back to our seats we could just feel everyone looking at us with pride and admiration.  (You remember it your way - I'll remember it MINE!)  Yup!  We are ALMOST FAMOUS my sister and I!

Speaking of sisters.  Our dear sister Bellie (Mark's wife) learned last night that her Tita that lived next door to her parents had died.  My heart has had a lump in it's throat all day thinking of how she must feel - being so far away from the Philipines at such a time of loss.  We love her to bits, but it isn't the same - I'm sure - as her family there.  Please remember her and her family in your prayers.

We're still looking for a 2nd vehicle.  We decided not to keep the YACHT.  It was an amazing car with LUXURY written all over it.  I mean it cushioned your bottom, it warmed your bottom, it did everything except scratch your bottom.  The delay in finding something has let Randy hone in on some more specific types of autos that he likes or doesn't like.  I think he still has it in his mind's eye that he likes the amenities of the YACHT.  I doubt he'll be able to get all of those things, but we can hope!

Next weekend after church, we're going to drive over to Orland Park and see our Pharr-away family.  We are really looking forward to it!  

Better get back to my laundry.  After working in our bedroom and bathroom for a couple of hours earlier today - I came away with quite a pile of laundry.  Have the bedding washed, just need to get it back on the bed.  Ahhhh!  Love clean sheets.  I think they make you sleep better!  But bedding aside, there are still plenty of loads to do! 

Take care - keep warm - while you're confined inside - drop us a note! 
Remember Jesus loves you - and is coming soon!
V

WEDDING RECOLLECTIONS

This isn't a new post - it's harks back to a December 21st - 8 years ago ... Rhiannon and Ryan's wedding.  I was cleaning out my computer files a little bit ago and came across it. 

Wedding Recollections


I survived! The reception hall and the church are cleaned up. My garage stall is full of things I need to sort and find a place to put. I have cake I have to cut up and store in the freezer. So there are still several things to do - but for the most part our wedding is over.

Friday was rehearsal and other than being an emotionally charged mess - it went well. It all seemed so chaotic and wild and everyone was saying my name ... "Vonda ..." "Vonda ..." But we got through it and were able to get home and pick things up here a little bit before Randy picked up my 18 pizzas for our REHEARSAL pizza dinner! We got the pizza and pop all here before Sabbath and enjoyed a giant pizza feed with many people here. It was fun.

Sabbath we went to church - Randy sang in the Christmas program, so that was kind of nice (he sang Joseph’s Song ... He likes that song because Joseph sings "not bone of my bone - or flesh of my flesh ... And Randy can relate big time to that!") My sister in law and I made two HUGE lasagne’s and some rolls and my good friend Gloria had made two peanut butter pies (which everyone loved) and cookies and breads and we added all that to the church potluck and fed our guests that way. The school gymnasium was full!

We came home for what seemed like a brief time - and then it was time to begin getting the bride ready for the wedding. She and I went up early to the church and got her pretty dress on her. She just looked so pretty (remember this is MOM talking! *smile*)

The decorations, when all in place in the church were very beautiful. My sister in law Debbie was such a help. She just stepped in and took over putting up the decorations I had prepared and did a fantastic job. I was able to put out some of the things and then when the photographer started Randee and Ryan's private 1/2 hour photos - Randy and I ran home (5 minutes) and changed and got ready and then went back up to the church. I had been having the same dream for several nights - that I had gained 40 pounds and my dress wouldn't fit. So ... was relieved to find that not only did I NOT gain 40 pounds, but the dress still fit! Whew! (My husband cleaned up real good too and looked handsome to me in his tux.)

My Nick looked pretty cute in his tux as well. But I think the one who was the best looking in his tuxedo was Colton -- 2 years old. He was just precious.

I was extremely emotional during Friday's rehearsal - but Saturday I wasn't nearly as teary and actually felt pretty calm. Randy had mocked my tears and emotional state (though he DID really pitch in and help me so I wasn't so stressed that last day or so). When our daughter arrived in her spot to take her daddy's arm to begin their walk - tears welled up in both of their eyes. I caught a glimpse of them as Nick signalled it was time for me to walk with him down the aisle to my seat. I mouthed "I love you" to her and we went. My Nick looked so tall and handsome (again, remember this is MOM talking!) and I took his arm and he took me to my seat.

Then the guys came out onto the platform, and the flower girls began to come down the aisle - sprinkling petals all the way. Colton -- 2 years old was just precious, acting very much as we 1/2 way expected a baby to act in a wedding. The little flower girls were sprinkling their petals along the way and somehow Colton got distracted from his walk to the front and began STOMPING on the petals all the way down the aisle. STOMP - STOMP - STOMP ... oblivious to the fact that the bridesmaids had started down the aisle toward him. It was funny!

The girls in their purple dresses came in with their bouquets. Having had them in our home for the last couple of days we knew how much these young girls LOVE each other (there was no designated Maid Of Honor as they are all such good friends) it was kind of emotional to know they were, in a way, losing one of their girl gang - or at least there would be a change in the dynamics of the group!

And then ... "The song" began "here comes the bride" ... And we all stood. And as I turned to see my Randee, there in my line of view were my precious parents standing there looking toward where she would come. Dad with his barely seeing eyes and my mom so pretty ... On THEIR 50th Anniversary ... It was an emotional moment.

And then I could see her. She had gotten to where she needed to turn and come up the aisle. My niece adjusted the long train of her dress and she started down. And her daddy’s eyes and her eyes were both glazed with tears (and SMILES on their faces). When they got to me they stopped and I stood by my husband as ‘that boy’ came to get my girl. The pastor asked who gives this woman (woman???) -- and we said "we do". Then we hugged and kissed our baby good-bye and he kissed his mamma as well (yes! She came and was there!! PRAISE GOD!!)

They proceeded to the front where they kneeled together as Pastor David Lincoln began the service with a prayer. The sermonette was wonderful - serious, with a light hearted touch and just wonderful. (David grew up in our Muscatine church and is about my age, so we’ve known each other for many years. He was a farmer for a number of years and felt called into the ministry. He is a wonderful minister and drove from near Des Moines several times to be a part of our wedding. We were fortunate to have him officate. )

He pronounced them ‘man and wife’ and the singers sang "From This Moment" as the kids did their unity candle. One of the bridesmaids was able to step in for our missing vocalist and the song so good you would never know that they hadn’t always planned to sing together. And in a way it was more special because Amber was Randee’s former roommate and a special friend. As the song finished and Uncle Mitch returned to his seat and Amber returned to where she was standing - the bride and groom turned to face the congregation. It was at this point that Pastor Dave was to introduce them to the assembly ... And he FORGOT - he just stood there. So you could see Ryan kind of whispering and the light bulb come on in Pastor Dave’s eyes ... Ooops! And he made some jovial remark that made everyone laugh and it wasn’t so much a boo-boo as it was a HIGHLIGHT and he introduced them and told Ryan he could kiss his bride. It was so sweet!

The groomsmen and bridesmaids and flower girls all walked out, followed by Randee and Ryan -- and they ushered their guests out of the church which was really a neat thing! Thanks to whoever of you suggested that! It really was cool. They got to meet and greet their guests.

I had a good friend who took ‘charge' of the reception and so I knew that was in good hands and didn't need to go there and check things out. She had all the trees plugged in and the candles lit and the luminaries out and lit. The soup was on and warm. She made sure the cakes got set up in the proper spot and everything was in readiness for the guests as they arrived. We had one section for the bride and groom and another for the 50th anniversary.

The weather wasn’t bad - and we probably would have been okay with food that wasn’t warm, but the soup served in BREAD BOWLS was a hit. I heard over and over and over what a neat idea it was and how delicious the soup was (thank you sister Joy!!) . You would have thought I had invented a bread bowl - I was pleased that everyone really enjoyed it so much. My sister Gail did the punch and it was a slushy yummy mixture of fruit juices, strawberries and 7-UP. Not only was it tasty, it was pretty too! That was all I tasted that evening ... punch, because eating anything was NOT going to work with my nervous stomach (a FIRST!!).

The kids toasted each other or whatever you call that when the intertwine their arms and sip their punch. And they fed each other wedding cake. They looked so happy!

I had panicked and bought a sheet cake. BAD idea! I had more than plenty of cake, but I think mostly it was because the soup and soup bowls was so filling.

Mom and dad seemed to be having a good time with many guests of their own and many that were ‘shared’ guests (church family, family and friends).

We had music available to play in the background, but it was pretty loud with talking - so we didn’t keep the music on very long. We did play the "Chicken Dance" a few times. And once Randee, Randy and Uncles Mike and Gary all got up and did it together. It was funny. It was to be a commemoration of them all turning 50 in the next few months. Randy goes down on Jan. 7 and then Gary in February and Uncle Mike in April. 50-50-50!! So we all got a kick out of that. When they turned 40 - we had the 40 Y/O Olympics and they did cartwheels, sumo wrestling and other zany competitions to show they still had "IT"!

For me one of the biggest blessings of the reception was when Amber and Sammy - who were both in the wedding party - stood up and got the crowd’s attention and each did a toast to Randee and Ryan. They talked about their friendships and all - and most importantly both recognized God and asked for God’s blessing on their newly married friends. I thought it was such a beautiful testiment to these really good kids and their relationships. I was proud of them.

About 10-ish the Bride and Groom exited and probably within an hour or 1 ½ hours - the party had totally broken up and we did a bit of clean up and then came home ourselves.