Saturday, September 23, 2006

27th Birthday, health and wealth...friends by the score


Well, today was my birthday. Yes, I'm now 27, and many people have reminded me of the fact that I'm nearing 30. Why is it the people insist on rounding up, instead of just letting you be the age you are?

Yesterday, one of my paras surprised me with a rose and card for my birthday. It is beautiful shade of purple, and has opened so big! After school, Kym and I went to get our hair cut and then out to eat. It's always an exciting day for me when I can get my hair cut! ;)


Today was very restful...I can't remember the last time that I wasn't rushing here and there on my birthday. I was actually able to take a nap (well, maybe not really...I had a few phone calls during the time that I was lying down), or at least lie down for awhile. Heidi called after I was up, and we were able to talk for about 40 min. It always makes me happy to hear from them. Tonight I went to the Tabor/Bethel FB game (very disappointing) and Dad and Mom treated me to BBQ chicken from Whitestone youth group. All in all, it was a great day.

Tomorrow we gather as a family at the reservoir again. I'm thinking it will probably be pretty cold, so bring your warm jackets and lots of fire wood! :)

Monday, September 18, 2006

Winfield!




This last weekend was a wonderful time of relaxation for me. I always look forward to Winfield weekend, it's better than Christmas for me! It was hot, dry and windy, but it didn't stop the enjoyment of good music and friends. The Presby church had quite a showing this weekend, Arlin and Maretta, Jon Huber and Eliane Kipfer also joined us on Sat. Here are some of the pictures from the weekend!

Friday, September 08, 2006

Family reunion


Last night I went to North Newton and spent the evening with my German family. Ruth, Uli, and the kids have been in the States for several weeks, and wanted to get together before flying home early Sat. morning.

We went out for icecream at Brahms (aren't American portion sizes amazing?) and then brought our treat back to Ruth's parent's house to enjoy. We spent much of the evening telling stories about the year I was there. It was wonderful to be together again, laughing about the many little things that small children do/say; and also the funny things that the adults do! ;)

It was so good to see the kids again. They've grown up so much in what seems like a very short time. Matthew is in music gymnasium now! Norah is going to be entering an exciting year of 4th grade. Johannes arrived after my time with the family, but I've really enjoyed getting to know him as well these last 2 visits. It was also good to hear about Ruth's current projects (a new book about crafts!) and Uli's new job (he's now "chef").

It will be a little while before I see them again (hopefully next summer in Germany), but I'm hoping that we can keep in contact through e-mail and telephone calls.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Weekend workers



Yes, I realize that it isn't the weekend anymore, but I didn't have a chance to post this weekend, so you'll get it now.

Happy Labor Day to those of you fortunate enough to have had the day off. It was great to be able to spend a day somewhere besides the school environment.

On Friday after school, I packed up the cat, and headed for Hesston. There were a few amusing (now) things that happened before I reached Hesston. I needed to drop off a check at the bank on my way out of town, and while doing that, my cat decided to make a run for it. After several minutes trying to catch it, (and being the laughing stock for the bank employees that were plastered to the drive by window) I was about ready to leave it behind. Thankfully, when I pulled around the corner, Manje had decided that maybe her freedom wasn't all it was cracked up to be and allowed me to scoop her up and throw her into the car.

I spent the weekend enjoying the company of Mom and Dad in Hesston. While there we had several wonderful meals (thanks Dad for your smart shopping skills!), went to the Cosmosphere in Hutch for their new show "Lewis and Clark", ate at Anchor Inn (yummy, yummy), stained and sealed the new windows for the house, and started ripping siding off of the house. We didn't end up resting as much as we could have, but I enjoyed working beside mom and dad and spending time talking and laughing together. I'll try to get some of the pictures up later this evening.

I hope that you all had wonderful weekends as well!