I don't seem to have my act together these days...
It was COLD last night! We have not had a freeze all this Fall, but ice came with a vengeance last night. There was frost on the grass and all of the shrubs. And the water in my glass bird bath was frozen. I need to bring it inside and put it in its traveling drawer for the winter. It was a surprise gift from my elder sister that I dearly love.
So I bundled up and went out into the icy morning, thinking it was Thursday, time for the lady's weekly gathering at the clubhouse. Still without coffee, it finally dawned on me why no one was there and the coffee pot wasn't on! Then I remembered I wouldn't be going anyway, because this Thursday is Menno Mission Society's monthly meeting...
Forry went into town with me tonight as he wanted to go to Lowes to look for a heat tape and insulation for the water pipe. Still not thinking straight, I told him that our Bible Study at Monroe House would be an hour and a half and he should be back by seven. Now how I thought something that started at 6 pm would be over by seven is beyond me. But at least the chairs in the entry area are a comfortable place to sit and wait.
I was there a bit early and had a chance to visit with our old neighbor Betty. She turned 80 this past month and was delighted to tell me that she had a new great granddaughter that they had named Charlotte Anne!
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
A Very Busy Day
Today was Forry's last post cataract surgery eye appointment. I had changed the time from 9:30 to 11:30, so we weren't in such a rush to get going this morning.
After his appointment, we drove out to Great Cuts on Sprague to get my hair trimmed. Fortunately for me, Becky, the one who cut off my long hair two months ago, was on duty. She took off about an inch and lo and behold, it was wavy again. She said she thought that the inch or so it had grown added just enough weight to my baby fine hair to straighten it. While we were there, Forry got his beard trimmed as well. He's still traumatized about how short his hair is, so it was off limits.
Next, it was off to find something to wear to our granddaughter's wedding. We looked at Ross, but had no luck, so went out to Macy's at the Valley Mall. I thought sure they would have some pretty red Christmasy tops, but no such luck. It was hard to find a pretty cherry red, most of the tops were an orangey red, not a good color for me. I finally found a true red shirt that I paired with grey slacks and a long grey tunic coat. Much more me than a lacey frilly dress. I lucked out on shoes as well - the lady in the shoe department remembered a pair of gray and black flats in a wide width that had been custom ordered, but never picked up. Since they were basically returns, they were 25% off!
The last stop was at Costco. By then, I was tired and left my list on my phone in the car. But, I actually remembered everything on the list! I sent Forry with their electric cart to get toilet paper and paper towels. I got everything else on my list, went to the check stand and waited and waited. Didn't know if he gotten lost, met someone and was talking, or? What a pain to be without a phone! I finally went looking for him...
We stopped in Ritzville to get something to eat and then headed on out to Menno for the post MCA sale meeting. Turns out the total is now over $122,000, the biggest sale ever. Over its 39 year history, our little sale has raised over 2.2 million dollars for world relief!
After his appointment, we drove out to Great Cuts on Sprague to get my hair trimmed. Fortunately for me, Becky, the one who cut off my long hair two months ago, was on duty. She took off about an inch and lo and behold, it was wavy again. She said she thought that the inch or so it had grown added just enough weight to my baby fine hair to straighten it. While we were there, Forry got his beard trimmed as well. He's still traumatized about how short his hair is, so it was off limits.
Next, it was off to find something to wear to our granddaughter's wedding. We looked at Ross, but had no luck, so went out to Macy's at the Valley Mall. I thought sure they would have some pretty red Christmasy tops, but no such luck. It was hard to find a pretty cherry red, most of the tops were an orangey red, not a good color for me. I finally found a true red shirt that I paired with grey slacks and a long grey tunic coat. Much more me than a lacey frilly dress. I lucked out on shoes as well - the lady in the shoe department remembered a pair of gray and black flats in a wide width that had been custom ordered, but never picked up. Since they were basically returns, they were 25% off!
The last stop was at Costco. By then, I was tired and left my list on my phone in the car. But, I actually remembered everything on the list! I sent Forry with their electric cart to get toilet paper and paper towels. I got everything else on my list, went to the check stand and waited and waited. Didn't know if he gotten lost, met someone and was talking, or? What a pain to be without a phone! I finally went looking for him...
We stopped in Ritzville to get something to eat and then headed on out to Menno for the post MCA sale meeting. Turns out the total is now over $122,000, the biggest sale ever. Over its 39 year history, our little sale has raised over 2.2 million dollars for world relief!
Monday, October 10, 2016
Indigenous Peoples Day
Talked with Daughter MM this morning about sending over a box of mail. Sounds like she's got a boxful again. BUT, we all forgot that today is a federal holiday, which means no mail service.
Considering how hard and long it rained last night, it was pleasant to wake up to clear blue skies. It's been a bit breezy and cool, but still a gorgeous day. We have had a few visitors at the bird feeder today, mostly sparrows. Late this afternoon, there were a bunch of robins. I assume they are migrating through. The swallows that were so plentiful in the early evenings have definitely moved on to warmer climes.
I got a couple loads of laundry done, which of course, nessitated the draining of the gray tank. Seems like there are always chores that need to taking care of.
Considering how hard and long it rained last night, it was pleasant to wake up to clear blue skies. It's been a bit breezy and cool, but still a gorgeous day. We have had a few visitors at the bird feeder today, mostly sparrows. Late this afternoon, there were a bunch of robins. I assume they are migrating through. The swallows that were so plentiful in the early evenings have definitely moved on to warmer climes.
I got a couple loads of laundry done, which of course, nessitated the draining of the gray tank. Seems like there are always chores that need to taking care of.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Sunday
We were up early, had breakfast, got our stuff organized and headed for Menno. It was raining when we got up and rained off and on all the way to church.
It was raining again as we headed home and it has continued to rain all afternoon and evening. We watched the PBR from Nampa, Idaho and we're delighted to see JB Mauney back and winning.
And then we watched the Presidential debate. It was said this morning in the sermon about the Prodigal Son that we are living in a pig pen. Watching the debate brought the point home.
It's still raining.
It was raining again as we headed home and it has continued to rain all afternoon and evening. We watched the PBR from Nampa, Idaho and we're delighted to see JB Mauney back and winning.
And then we watched the Presidential debate. It was said this morning in the sermon about the Prodigal Son that we are living in a pig pen. Watching the debate brought the point home.
It's still raining.
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Another Day
Another quiet day today. It was raining when we went to bed again last night. This morning was clear with just a skiff of clouds, but by late afternoon it had clouded over again.
We didn't do very much today, we got our showers done by noon, but that was about as ambitious as we got.
We didn't do very much today, we got our showers done by noon, but that was about as ambitious as we got.
Friday, October 7, 2016
Rain
The rain woke me up a bit after midnight. I think I heard it off and on again throughout the night. However, by the time we got up, it cleared off. We had some gusty winds early this afternoon, then it quieted down.
The maintenance crew was back at it today, blowing out the sprinkler lines. They started yesterday, but there's a great deal of lawn and therefore a large number of sprinklers. It's kind of fun to watch. They're using a large air compressor that blows out one set of about six sprinklers at a time.
At least the birds have finally found the new bird feeder. We've had a few visitors today. I'm still waiting for the quail to show up...
The maintenance crew was back at it today, blowing out the sprinkler lines. They started yesterday, but there's a great deal of lawn and therefore a large number of sprinklers. It's kind of fun to watch. They're using a large air compressor that blows out one set of about six sprinklers at a time.
At least the birds have finally found the new bird feeder. We've had a few visitors today. I'm still waiting for the quail to show up...
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Wednesday
I went into Moses Lake to join the Menno ladies for Bible Study tonight. I ran a couple of errands first (rescued Leslie's Tigger that got left at the motel'), and still had a few minutes to chat with Vic before time for class. We have quite a crew of Menno folks who are now living at Monroe House, so it works well to have our group meet there instead of at the church.
Regan gave us an update on the sale receipts from the weekend's Mennonite Country Auction. It looks like the total is now over $120,000!
Earlier today we were able to Skype with Granddaughter Havela and our little Great-Granddaughter Kahlyn. It is so much fun to see how our little one has grown. We'll be seeing them in just a couple of weeks. I can hardly wait!
Regan gave us an update on the sale receipts from the weekend's Mennonite Country Auction. It looks like the total is now over $120,000!
Earlier today we were able to Skype with Granddaughter Havela and our little Great-Granddaughter Kahlyn. It is so much fun to see how our little one has grown. We'll be seeing them in just a couple of weeks. I can hardly wait!
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Rest and Laundry
We've stuck pretty close to home the last couple of days resting up. I did get the laundry done yesterday and washed the bed sheets today. I am still debating whether or not to put regular sheets back on the bed or go ahead and put my new flannel sheets on. Guess I better make a decision pretty soon as it's almost bedtime...!
We did go over to Tonnemaker's Fruit Stand this afternoon. I replaced my stock of tomatoes and peppers. I was delighted to see that they had bins of winter squash today. Since baked squash is one of Forry's favorite foods, it's always good to see them come on the market. There were still some melons available and about six varieties of apples.
We were excited to see a large flock of Sandhill Cranes in a harvested corn field as we went by. There must have been over a hundred of them. We have seen several flocks flying and circling overhead, but this is the first flock we've seen on the ground. They are gathering for their migration and they are gorgeous to see.
We did go over to Tonnemaker's Fruit Stand this afternoon. I replaced my stock of tomatoes and peppers. I was delighted to see that they had bins of winter squash today. Since baked squash is one of Forry's favorite foods, it's always good to see them come on the market. There were still some melons available and about six varieties of apples.
We were excited to see a large flock of Sandhill Cranes in a harvested corn field as we went by. There must have been over a hundred of them. We have seen several flocks flying and circling overhead, but this is the first flock we've seen on the ground. They are gathering for their migration and they are gorgeous to see.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Sale Update
In spite of pitifully low wheat prices, people were incredibly generous on Saturday. It looks like the total of the auction, the meals and the various booths is going to be over $116,000. Plus whatever the kids' collection of coins for My Coins Count comes to with Saturday's donations. With the two $1000 matches, they are going to be very close to $4000!
It is incredible to see how so many people come together to make this all happen! It warms your heart to watch even the youngest children carrying chairs and fencing. They're encouraged to participate and no one castigates them for getting in the way. And it's not just local people either. Participants come not only from the five Washington State Mennonite churches, but from many other states. And not all of the volunteers are church members. Many folks come to the sale once and then return year after year to donate or help out. The auctioneers donate their time to make the auction work.
Donation of sale items, especially quilts, come from all over. We had maple syrup from Canada and olive oil from California. And then there's the food, everything from hamburgers and sausage sandwiches to green bean soup and groundnut stew, New Years Cookies (raisin fritters) to barbecued ribs, kraut ranzas, pie and homemade ice cream. If you went away hungry, it's no one's fault but your own. Plus there was pulled pork on Friday night for the workers and pancakes and sausage for Saturday breakfast.
All of this becomes a donation for world relief.
It is incredible to see how so many people come together to make this all happen! It warms your heart to watch even the youngest children carrying chairs and fencing. They're encouraged to participate and no one castigates them for getting in the way. And it's not just local people either. Participants come not only from the five Washington State Mennonite churches, but from many other states. And not all of the volunteers are church members. Many folks come to the sale once and then return year after year to donate or help out. The auctioneers donate their time to make the auction work.
Donation of sale items, especially quilts, come from all over. We had maple syrup from Canada and olive oil from California. And then there's the food, everything from hamburgers and sausage sandwiches to green bean soup and groundnut stew, New Years Cookies (raisin fritters) to barbecued ribs, kraut ranzas, pie and homemade ice cream. If you went away hungry, it's no one's fault but your own. Plus there was pulled pork on Friday night for the workers and pancakes and sausage for Saturday breakfast.
All of this becomes a donation for world relief.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
A VERY Big Day!
It indeed was a VERY big day. We were up by six and on the road again by seven. It had rained during the night, but it looked clear with just a few clouds on the horizon. The forecast was for wind and there were gusts off and on all day. But overall, the weather was nice to us.
Thank goodness our good friends Leslie and Bill came over from Seattle with intentions to help with the sale. Indeed they did! Forry took on the task of handing out auction numbers while Leslie and Bill entered them into the Auctria program on the computer. I ended up mostly greeting people, answering questions and making public address announcements.
The new software program really worked well. Having almost real time feedback on auction item bids made settling up almost easy. The only glitch we ran into was a couple of people who got auction numbers and immediately bought an item, before we even had a chance to enter them into the computer. We had a separate line for credit cards and payments went swiftly!
I think we are going to end up with a very respectable total for this year's sale. The auction alone raised over $48,000! I'm sure we are going to end up with a total very close to $100,000 by the time all the booth sales and meal monies are added in.
A very good day indeed! We thank everyone who came to work and to buy. These dollars raised for Mennonite Central Committee's world relief programs will make a big difference in the lives of many people!
Thank goodness our good friends Leslie and Bill came over from Seattle with intentions to help with the sale. Indeed they did! Forry took on the task of handing out auction numbers while Leslie and Bill entered them into the Auctria program on the computer. I ended up mostly greeting people, answering questions and making public address announcements.
The new software program really worked well. Having almost real time feedback on auction item bids made settling up almost easy. The only glitch we ran into was a couple of people who got auction numbers and immediately bought an item, before we even had a chance to enter them into the computer. We had a separate line for credit cards and payments went swiftly!
I think we are going to end up with a very respectable total for this year's sale. The auction alone raised over $48,000! I'm sure we are going to end up with a total very close to $100,000 by the time all the booth sales and meal monies are added in.
A very good day indeed! We thank everyone who came to work and to buy. These dollars raised for Mennonite Central Committee's world relief programs will make a big difference in the lives of many people!
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