Mon.-Alli, Nathan, and I, made it the whole way out the lane and back. Red Stroller and coffee in hand. Cleaned out the fridge and made a big chicken curry with rice stir fry for supper. Michael helped Phil get the combine and Philip helped some guys get their corn in the grain bins. Phil combined for many hours and I delivered supper to him in a bucket. Susan and I watched a Columbo and hit the sack.
Tues.-I had Nathan for a little while so his mommy could clean the house. He fell asleep in his red stroller and took a nap in the shade-80 degrees here-for at least two hours while I mended and cleaned Freeman's humongous teddy bear that was given to him before he was born. Pat B. handmade it. I studied, too, and sat on the back steps. Alli came then, and sat near him, while I cleaned the outside fridge. Later I swept the garage and cleaned the butcher shop. I'm in a race with winter. It's so beautiful here. The trees are at their peak. Susan went to Jenny's in the eve. to practice basketball. Michael had school and was helping around the farm. Phil is combining here and will finish up tomorrow and head over to O'Brien's and then Happy Valley. They will be racing the rain that is to come tomorrow afternoon.
Wed.-Took Nathan for a little walk while his mommy ran to get groceries. He slept for about half an hour and then we played and caught up with Great Aunt Helen on the phone. She told me about her dancing escapades at her nephew's wedding and how her calf muscle popped and she has to take it easy for awhile. How pleasant her voice and her love and kindness. I tell you, I have the best sister in laws in the world. I have the best friends too. And the best family. My heart is full and overflows. I studied The Holy Spirit for awhile this morning, trying to condense months of study into 30 minutes for the Women's Encounter that is coming up. What do I want them to take away? That's the question I keep asking. That Jesus loves them. That the Holy Spirit has always been at work in the world. That now He is in us, never to leave us or forsake us. That He is our helper, teacher, guide, comforter. That He does not judge by the seeing of his eyes nor by the hearing of his ears. And that He gives good gifts that we are to use in love to build up the body. Oh God, what else? Teach me. Use me. I'm making a big roast and blueberry pie and I mixed up hot chocolate mix. It tastes a little funny and I'm concerned that there may be aspartame in it. The combine is still doing it's job and Phil works from Dawn to Dusk. Susan took the car out to Andy's because she smelled burning rubber. They looked and looked and finally found a plastic bag in the exhaust pipe. They didn't charge. She hung out with Shorty after their walk/gym workout and Shorty helped her with transportation. I'm headed out to church tonight for dinner and an Encounter meeting.
Thurs.-Susan and I combined our activities in Appomattox and as I was dropping her off at the gym, some electricians pointed out that I had a flat tire. They changed it and I went on my way with their business info to pass on to Phil. Got my eyes checked and had a list of things to do but my eyes were dilated and I could barely see, so I picked up Susan and she drove us to Tim Tolley's to get the tire fixed. We had to buy a new used one because I had ruined it by driving on it flat. We came home and I rested my eyes. Keli P. came and we went over to the storage unit on another parcel of land and loaded up her van. Came back and had supper and I got to see many pictures on her computer of her time in Zambia. She slept on the sofa.
Fri.-Keli and I continued with the unloading and reloading of her van. Michael M. came to see some furniture and we decided on his advice that it should go to Habitat for Humanity. Kelli took it there and we will load up the rest of her stuff when she comes back. Right now, it is sprawled out near cornfields. She gave me some boxes of beautiful stones that she found on her property in Colorado. I'm thrilled. Micah will love looking through them and so will Nathan. I want to figure out a neat way to display them. She also gave me a tall shelf which I put in the butcher shop to hold my grape juice jars. Phil and Michael are headed to the cabin for the weekend. Susan went to the gym and is now headed to the chiropractor, grocery shopping, and basketball practice. She'll come home for a few hours and then head to a friends place for the evening. I'm going to watch Nathan this eve. so Alli and Freeman can have a date at their house. I'm a little bit crazy about him. (Nathan was very uncomfortable and cried a lot because he had his oral inoculation yesterday and it upset his tummy. His parent's date didn't last very long...)
Sat.-Chai Time with Jenny was sweet and I loved my small group. Did a little shopping but couldn't work myself up to go into Walmart. Parking lot looked crazy. Came home. Tidied the house a little and watched Columbo with Susan and ate too much. Philip started the woodstove and headed to Lapp's for an eve. of Rook. Meredith brought me three bushels of apples and promises of more for the use of the truck to get 80 bushels. Time says 10 but we gain an hour by falling back in time at midnight. What a gift-this extra hour. Michael and Phil are enjoying their time at the cabin.
Sun.-Great service at church. Relaxed all afternoon watching Columbo movies and continued after Phil and Michael got home from the cabin. It's not quite 8 and it feels like 11. Stomach's been upset most of the day. Hitting the sack early.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Hertzler Doings~Oct. 20-26, 2014
Mon.-Walked with Alli and Nathan over at Happy Valley and visited our CA family. Said Good bye to the Lucas's. Susan got home from Makenzie's early this afternoon and went over to visit them. Shippey's and their friends, the Martins, came over for supper. Pizza, baked potatoes, seven layer salad, and hot fudge sundae cake and ice cream. Guys were working at the Abbey today and had a meeting at church and joined us later. Susan was at basketball practice. Michael was sleeping. He's feeling better but missed school today to sleep off the fever/virus.
Tues.-Alli took me to the dentist. Guys are working on the barn, Freeman on the shop. Shippey's left. Susan had basketball practice. I slept off the dental drugs from 4-9 and then slept through the night. The meat in the crockpot got completely dried out. Never once thought of it.
Wed.-Micah was here. We cut out his monk like Star Wars outfit and sewed it up. He loves it. He's a pretty good tailor. Went to church in eve. Jenny taught on the Holy Spirit in Revelation. So good.
Thurs.-Exercised in morning. Made a Thai dish with chicken, rice, cashews, fish sauce, and coconut milk. Took corn to Diane at church for the Helton's. Jr's Father passed away. Hung around church for awhile. Prayed in the sanctuary. Jesus said, "It's My church," and I stopped worrying. Talked to R. for awhile. Visited Judy. Went to Food Lion and Walmart. Alli called. Nathan's Dr. visit went well. He weighs now at 4 1/2 months what Freeman weighed at a year. Watched Columbo with Phil, Philip, Susan. Michael is at worship practice.
Fri.-Up early. Thawed cinnamon buns. Baked and iced them with cream cheese icing and caramel icing. Made 4 big egg casseroles and sausage gravy. Sent it all with Phil in the eve. for Men's Encounter breakfast tomorrow morning. Susan went to basketball practice. All of the guys are going to the Encounter this weekend.
Alli and Nathan came over in eve. We went for a gator ride and took beautiful fall and baby pictures over at Happy Valley. Alli gave Nathan a bath in the sink. He loved it.
Sat.-I kept Nathan while Alli went fishing with Camo girls. I need to keep him more often. He slept on my lap for about an hour and a half. We took two walks in the stroller. He loves being outside. In the afternoon I tidied the house and made some food. They came back in the eve. and we watched another Columbo and had supper. Just before they left, I took the red exercise band and waved it around and said, "Choo, choo, choo!" at Nathan who was sitting on his mommy's lap. He laughed and giggled for a long time and I have two videos to prove it. It was wonderful. Then, he showed some assertive creativity and wanted to have the band himself and he spent some time examining it. I am listening to assertiveness CD's and had just heard the term 'assertive creativity' and it was fun to see Nathan exhibit it so well. It's 10:15. The guys just got home from Encounter. I can't wait to hear all about it. I am so happy. I am finally caught up with my blog.
Sun.-Wonderful morning at church. Men shared about how God met them at the Encounter this weekend. Went to Ruby Tuesday's with Steve and Dianna. Came home and watched a few Columbo's and hit the sack early.
Tues.-Alli took me to the dentist. Guys are working on the barn, Freeman on the shop. Shippey's left. Susan had basketball practice. I slept off the dental drugs from 4-9 and then slept through the night. The meat in the crockpot got completely dried out. Never once thought of it.
Wed.-Micah was here. We cut out his monk like Star Wars outfit and sewed it up. He loves it. He's a pretty good tailor. Went to church in eve. Jenny taught on the Holy Spirit in Revelation. So good.
Thurs.-Exercised in morning. Made a Thai dish with chicken, rice, cashews, fish sauce, and coconut milk. Took corn to Diane at church for the Helton's. Jr's Father passed away. Hung around church for awhile. Prayed in the sanctuary. Jesus said, "It's My church," and I stopped worrying. Talked to R. for awhile. Visited Judy. Went to Food Lion and Walmart. Alli called. Nathan's Dr. visit went well. He weighs now at 4 1/2 months what Freeman weighed at a year. Watched Columbo with Phil, Philip, Susan. Michael is at worship practice.
Fri.-Up early. Thawed cinnamon buns. Baked and iced them with cream cheese icing and caramel icing. Made 4 big egg casseroles and sausage gravy. Sent it all with Phil in the eve. for Men's Encounter breakfast tomorrow morning. Susan went to basketball practice. All of the guys are going to the Encounter this weekend.
Alli and Nathan came over in eve. We went for a gator ride and took beautiful fall and baby pictures over at Happy Valley. Alli gave Nathan a bath in the sink. He loved it.
Sat.-I kept Nathan while Alli went fishing with Camo girls. I need to keep him more often. He slept on my lap for about an hour and a half. We took two walks in the stroller. He loves being outside. In the afternoon I tidied the house and made some food. They came back in the eve. and we watched another Columbo and had supper. Just before they left, I took the red exercise band and waved it around and said, "Choo, choo, choo!" at Nathan who was sitting on his mommy's lap. He laughed and giggled for a long time and I have two videos to prove it. It was wonderful. Then, he showed some assertive creativity and wanted to have the band himself and he spent some time examining it. I am listening to assertiveness CD's and had just heard the term 'assertive creativity' and it was fun to see Nathan exhibit it so well. It's 10:15. The guys just got home from Encounter. I can't wait to hear all about it. I am so happy. I am finally caught up with my blog.
Sun.-Wonderful morning at church. Men shared about how God met them at the Encounter this weekend. Went to Ruby Tuesday's with Steve and Dianna. Came home and watched a few Columbo's and hit the sack early.
Hertzler Doings~Oct. 13-19, 2014
Mon.-Playing catch-up. Wash. Summer/fall switch-arounds going on. Visited Nathan. Helped Suz with Happy Valley. Catch up conversation with Lindsay.
Tues.-Still playing catchup. Had a wonderful time with Lisa H.-DDF-at Baines complete with coffee and scones. She and Paul are leaving for the south-visiting family and book tour. The weather is war, wild, wed, and windy with warnings for tornadoes.
Wed.-I found my $2.00 original painting artist on the web. She's a teacher and artist extraordinaire. Bought matching frames for that picture-8x10-and three 5x7 frames for the Nantucket cards I purchased at the Whaling Museum. I have them set up on some furniture in the living room. I caught up with Naomi on the phone. Her girls are getting hardwood laminate laid down in their beautiful city home. I shopped in Appomattox while Susan's car was being fixed and she was at the gym. Shippey's and Lucas's have arrived. Taught on the work, fruit, gifts, and exhortations of the Holy Spirit. A guy who was working on power lines drove by and just came in. It was great to have him. He goes to a Holiness Church in NC.
Thurs.-Nathan cut his first tooth. Second one coming soon. Had some kidney/back pain. That AZO stuff you can buy at Walmart really works. Went out to Farmville. Got 'A Tree for Peter' photocopied by Sarah W. at Longwood Print Shop. It's for the Banton's. I read the story on Lindsay's old ipod I think, and she is making CD's of it and the girls will be able to read along with it. She is making a copy for Nathan as well. Visited with Jenny, Ruth at the bank, Judy and Logan, went to Belk, Walmart, and the Smoker's. New baby arrived home today. Went back out with Phil to Lowe's and Belk. Stopped in at Smoker's again with a gift for Mommy instead of baby. Got to hold him earlier.
Fri.-Tom and Kathy came over to go out to eat for supper and stayed with us and helped us eat ours. Chili and Corn quiche. So good. Susan left to go to Makenzie's for a long weekend. Walked with Alli and Nathan. It's been nice to see Alli's dad, Rob, painting over at Happy Valley. Nathan likes him. Philip put new siding around the bottom of the double wide. It's newly insulated underneath and this siding will help keep the cold out in winter and the cold in in summer.
Sat.-Trying to study, "The Knowledge of the Holy," by Tozer, but can't get past the first page. Made over 100 cinnamon rolls and froze them unrisen. Michael passed his stagecheck. He has now shown himself as a proficient commercial single engine pilot. He flew with someone he never flew with before. It's really testing his teacher's ability to instruct and his ability to learn.
Went to "Almost Elton John" concert in the eve. at the Pocahontas Park with the Lucas's, Shippey's, and Martins. 'Elton John' almost, has been a friend of Dan's since childhood. We got front row seats and backstage passes and got our pictures taken with him. He is a dear man, humble, sweet even, and too busy to have a wife and family. It was great fun but it was a Hops festival and many people, women especially, were showing the effects of too much beer.
Sun.-Great service at church, relaxing afternoon with Phil, Alli, and Nathan. Freeman is at Gary C's wedding in Pa. Watched Columbo. Four-wheeler is back home. Michael has a 101 temp and upset stomach. Tried out new essential oil-'Plague.' Rubbed it on the bottom of his feet and diffused it with steam. This has been another busy week after a very busy week and I am writing this at least a week later by looking at some very sparse notes.
Tues.-Still playing catchup. Had a wonderful time with Lisa H.-DDF-at Baines complete with coffee and scones. She and Paul are leaving for the south-visiting family and book tour. The weather is war, wild, wed, and windy with warnings for tornadoes.
Wed.-I found my $2.00 original painting artist on the web. She's a teacher and artist extraordinaire. Bought matching frames for that picture-8x10-and three 5x7 frames for the Nantucket cards I purchased at the Whaling Museum. I have them set up on some furniture in the living room. I caught up with Naomi on the phone. Her girls are getting hardwood laminate laid down in their beautiful city home. I shopped in Appomattox while Susan's car was being fixed and she was at the gym. Shippey's and Lucas's have arrived. Taught on the work, fruit, gifts, and exhortations of the Holy Spirit. A guy who was working on power lines drove by and just came in. It was great to have him. He goes to a Holiness Church in NC.
Thurs.-Nathan cut his first tooth. Second one coming soon. Had some kidney/back pain. That AZO stuff you can buy at Walmart really works. Went out to Farmville. Got 'A Tree for Peter' photocopied by Sarah W. at Longwood Print Shop. It's for the Banton's. I read the story on Lindsay's old ipod I think, and she is making CD's of it and the girls will be able to read along with it. She is making a copy for Nathan as well. Visited with Jenny, Ruth at the bank, Judy and Logan, went to Belk, Walmart, and the Smoker's. New baby arrived home today. Went back out with Phil to Lowe's and Belk. Stopped in at Smoker's again with a gift for Mommy instead of baby. Got to hold him earlier.
Fri.-Tom and Kathy came over to go out to eat for supper and stayed with us and helped us eat ours. Chili and Corn quiche. So good. Susan left to go to Makenzie's for a long weekend. Walked with Alli and Nathan. It's been nice to see Alli's dad, Rob, painting over at Happy Valley. Nathan likes him. Philip put new siding around the bottom of the double wide. It's newly insulated underneath and this siding will help keep the cold out in winter and the cold in in summer.
Sat.-Trying to study, "The Knowledge of the Holy," by Tozer, but can't get past the first page. Made over 100 cinnamon rolls and froze them unrisen. Michael passed his stagecheck. He has now shown himself as a proficient commercial single engine pilot. He flew with someone he never flew with before. It's really testing his teacher's ability to instruct and his ability to learn.
Went to "Almost Elton John" concert in the eve. at the Pocahontas Park with the Lucas's, Shippey's, and Martins. 'Elton John' almost, has been a friend of Dan's since childhood. We got front row seats and backstage passes and got our pictures taken with him. He is a dear man, humble, sweet even, and too busy to have a wife and family. It was great fun but it was a Hops festival and many people, women especially, were showing the effects of too much beer.
Sun.-Great service at church, relaxing afternoon with Phil, Alli, and Nathan. Freeman is at Gary C's wedding in Pa. Watched Columbo. Four-wheeler is back home. Michael has a 101 temp and upset stomach. Tried out new essential oil-'Plague.' Rubbed it on the bottom of his feet and diffused it with steam. This has been another busy week after a very busy week and I am writing this at least a week later by looking at some very sparse notes.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Hertzler Doings~Oct. 6-12, 2014
Mon.-Still in Nantucket. Woke up at 7. Naomi was out on sofa because she had felt 'ruchy.' After breakfast we walked around town and did some shopping. I got a t-shirt for Nathan that says, "I still live with my parents." I bought myself a peach sweat shirt with the work Nantucket in white across the front. We bought our tickets for the ride across. We had lunch down at the harbor. I had a Thai chicken salad. It was so hot that Ashley took off her sweater and was plenty warm in her tank top. We sat on the front porch of the Robert's house and enjoyed our chocolates, chocolate 'cigars', coffees, and Chai Lattes. I laid down on the outside sofa and Naomi snoozed on the wicker chair and the girls read and relaxed and we all enjoyed the busy hum of people's voices and passing cars of this small vast island. Reluctant to leave, we stood in line to board the ferry to cross back over to Hyannis. (The name of this town was the butt of many jokes all weekend.) The girls and I stayed outside on the ferry for the crossing over. It was warmer and less wet than our earlier trip. It seemed to me that men kept coming out to look at Ashley. Finally, I aimed my camera right at one of them who was looking right at us and zoomed in. They stopped coming out to stare after that. She denies it all but I'm pretty sure that people thought I was the guardian of two movie stars. The girls had a certain beautiful flare about them and I can't blame people for taking pictures of them. I'm sure I took the most of anyone. I talked with Ashley about my thoughts about the difficulties that the blind man had after he was healed by Jesus. Now he could see the squalor, he had to work and be responsible. He could no longer beg. Ashley said, "But think of all the beauty he would have missed if he couldn't see." And the beauty of sight is worth the pain of seeing and the responsibility of working.
After we landed, the girls got the car while Naomi and I stayed with our luggage. Naomi loaded the car with the strength and organization of one so skilled as she. We hit the road around 6:30 PM and arrived home sometime after 1 AM. We played rhyming games, etc on the way home. We had played some IQ games on the way up. The rhyming game is one that I would play with my mother. The one person says the riddle-something like say 'Seafood Platter' and the answer has to rhyme. "Fish Dish." It was fun. We avoided nearly an hour of traffic jam but following Lauren's navigational skills. We got lost in Queens for about three minutes but our GPS rescued us quickly and brought us out through the lower level of the GW Bridge and as we passed all those stuck in the upper level-having just recently been there ourselves-one of the girls called out, 'Good bye Suckers!'
We all spent the night at Naomi's. Actually, I think Lauren went home. She lives about 15 min. away.
Tues.-We said good bye to Mabe and Ashley as they left in the morning. Naomi and I had coffee while she humored Tink by throwing him his new now-squeakless toy. He would fiercely growl at her while she tried to take his green rubber bone from him and then she would throw it and say, "This is the last time." She did this for awhile. Then we took off towards New Holland, stopping at Good's where we both purchased the same black sweater. We went to the bank, the Amish Walmart, to Stoltzfus' Meatmarket where I saw a video of a classmate of mine-Myron-whose family owns and runs the meat market. We bought a breakfast of milk and two 9 inch apple fritters. We went shopping at the outlets and had Mexican for lunch. We made out like a bandit shopping especially with Naomi's anointing for shopping. Things were 50-70 percent off and then we had a 10% off coupon. (I brought home a suitcase of new clothes from both shopping excursions.) We ended our big shopping day by going to see Ashley and Krissy's 4 story house on the outskirts of Lancaster city. It was built in 1905. We had stopped at Target and filled two three photo frames for Ashley and Lauren and gave it to them before heading out for supper at a local authentic Thai restaurant. Mabe joined us before we went and Krissy was there too. I love their house. They have painted it and decorated it and are about to tear up the carpet and put down hard wood laminate. Ashley downloaded several hundred of my photos I think. They are going to make a creative memory book or something like it. Back to the Thai restaurant. I ordered Chicken cashew and it was so spicy. Our waiter was from Malaysia. We had a nice little chat about Thailand. We walked back 'home' several blocks. Ashley informed me that I am no longer her mother's best friend but that I am now her best friend. I felt sad when it was time to say good bye to the girls. Naomi and I went back to her place. I tried on different things to make lots of different outfits. I'm 56 I think and I am trying to pay more attention to what I wear. It's about time, most likely. Hit the sack around 11:30 and it was nice to fall asleep to a windy thunderstorm.
Wed. Had coffee and yogurt parfait with Naomi and Tink. Repacked my bags. Said a sad good bye. Arrived at Mom and Dad's soon after 11. Had a nice catch up chat with Susan on the way. Mom served a great garden lunch of tomato, onion, kale, and cheese sandwiches, buttered beets, and homegrown watermelon. I did some wash and visited with Karen. We took a long walk up into the woods while Jonathan helped his Uncle Paul with firewood. Later, I watched Karen make whoopee pies and ate one. Jonathan is quite the little worker. He showed me how he scoops the poop in the barn. He knows what he's doing, too, and he'll only be four years old in December. He works with his dad, uncles, grandpa, and visits his grandma and aunts, and goes to preschool several mornings a week. He has a precious mama and has a wonderful life. Mom had another great supper from their garden-carrot salad, green beans from Karen's garden, ham, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and bread and butter with homemade jam. After supper is when Karen and I watched Jonathan work in the barn. Mom and I visited for awhile and then Linda came down and we talked for several hours and Brads joined us after he got back from wherever he was. I took a bath after they left and turned out the light before 11.
Thurs.-Celebrated Karen's birthday by going to Claires in Morgantown with Debra, Shirley-Debra's Mother, Mom, Karen, and Jonathan. Karen and I each got about 3 fried potatoes covered in about a pint of dried beef gravy. I kind of rolled around all morning. Jonathan showed me the farm-chicks, heifers, calves, lawn mowers, raspberries. First we helped Mom pick and shell pole limas. I went over and spent more time with Jonathan at his house. He plays with his tractors and dump trucks in K's flower garden. Had a lunch of limas and watermelon with Mom and then went back to Karen's for a pb whoopee pie. Lydia Virginia, Jeff and Karalee's baby, now 2 months old. came with her mother for the afternoon. Karalee was working on a sewing project. Mom and I took care of Lydia. She took a nap in my arms in my bed for at least an hour. She's the cutest little thing. I only took about a hundred pictures of her. Jonathan came over for supper and some of the eve. His daddy took his mommy up to Yoder's for her birthday. After supper, they came back and watched a little movie. I went over to Debra's and got a physics lesson from Brads which I actually understood about 20%. Brads, 15, and I took a moonlit walk up the lane to the woods and beyond and talked nonstop. What a dear young man is he. As I got ready for bed, I could hear Mom and Dad's radio. Hymns were singing them to sleep. I am so thankful for this family and this Hertzler farm. It is good to be reminded about what is important. Amen.
Fri.-I went to the drug store for Anne before I went to visit her. It was through several trials and errors that I realized I had given them her maiden last name instead of her married name. We had a breakfast of Shady Maple bagels with cream cheese and Ferne Kraybill's rhubarb blueberry jam, coffee, and homemade grape juice. We had a nice visit and it was good to be around David. We took lots of photos. I met Mom on the way home at Goodville Fabric. I bought 6 yd of red plaid fleece and 6 yd of camouflage fleece to make Michael and Philip fleece blankets. We had some late lunch and then I visited a little with Debra and Brads before they went wedding groomsmen suit shopping. Visited with Karen and Jonathan, Mom and Dad, and then packed a little. I read Dad's writings about Hopewell's history. Had supper-veg. soup, broccoli salad, tortilla circles, and pumpkin custard. Dad recited his favorite poem-"The Little Birds of God." Phil, Philip, and Susan arrived around 8. Joe, Karen, Jonathan, and Brads were here to greet them. Paul came a little later. Had mint tea, brownies, and pumpkin custard. Paul, Phil, Mom, Dad, and I, sat around and talked awhile longer after the other's left.
Sat.-Oct.11-Phil and I had a hurried breakfast with Mom and Dad. Delicious blueberry baked oatmeal. Then we connected with Philip, Michael, and Susan at Joe and Karen's to head to Petra for Steve and Katrina's wedding. How wonderful to see Nathan, Alli, Freeman, Rosalee and her family, Abie and his family, Alan and Carol and Kelly and her family, Aunt Esther-93, and Sissy, her daughter, Uncle Paul and Aunt Ann. Wonderful meaningful wedding service. The groom was teary eyed when he walked out and was openly weeping as Katrina, (my niece) walked down the aisle. When the wedding was over, the bride and groom dismissed us by rows and greeted us individually. They had a long limo waiting outside and after pictures, walked amidst well wishers blowing bubbles as they pretended to get in the limo for a photo op and then went back into the church for more photos. We all went over to Shady Maple and had appetizers, a full course meal, and salad bar. We sat with Alan, Carol, Kelly, Armand, Noah, and Gracie. Our kids sat together with Abby. Their request and Rosalee made sure it happened. We headed home-Susan, Phil, and I-around 3. Michael visited with Grandma and Grandpa before he headed home. He left early this morning to arrive in Pa. in good time for the wedding. Philip stayed up another day. We got home around 9.
Sun.-Church. Columbo mystery DVD's. (Debra loaned them to me.) Sitting, sleeping, resting. We're all very tired.
After we landed, the girls got the car while Naomi and I stayed with our luggage. Naomi loaded the car with the strength and organization of one so skilled as she. We hit the road around 6:30 PM and arrived home sometime after 1 AM. We played rhyming games, etc on the way home. We had played some IQ games on the way up. The rhyming game is one that I would play with my mother. The one person says the riddle-something like say 'Seafood Platter' and the answer has to rhyme. "Fish Dish." It was fun. We avoided nearly an hour of traffic jam but following Lauren's navigational skills. We got lost in Queens for about three minutes but our GPS rescued us quickly and brought us out through the lower level of the GW Bridge and as we passed all those stuck in the upper level-having just recently been there ourselves-one of the girls called out, 'Good bye Suckers!'
We all spent the night at Naomi's. Actually, I think Lauren went home. She lives about 15 min. away.
Tues.-We said good bye to Mabe and Ashley as they left in the morning. Naomi and I had coffee while she humored Tink by throwing him his new now-squeakless toy. He would fiercely growl at her while she tried to take his green rubber bone from him and then she would throw it and say, "This is the last time." She did this for awhile. Then we took off towards New Holland, stopping at Good's where we both purchased the same black sweater. We went to the bank, the Amish Walmart, to Stoltzfus' Meatmarket where I saw a video of a classmate of mine-Myron-whose family owns and runs the meat market. We bought a breakfast of milk and two 9 inch apple fritters. We went shopping at the outlets and had Mexican for lunch. We made out like a bandit shopping especially with Naomi's anointing for shopping. Things were 50-70 percent off and then we had a 10% off coupon. (I brought home a suitcase of new clothes from both shopping excursions.) We ended our big shopping day by going to see Ashley and Krissy's 4 story house on the outskirts of Lancaster city. It was built in 1905. We had stopped at Target and filled two three photo frames for Ashley and Lauren and gave it to them before heading out for supper at a local authentic Thai restaurant. Mabe joined us before we went and Krissy was there too. I love their house. They have painted it and decorated it and are about to tear up the carpet and put down hard wood laminate. Ashley downloaded several hundred of my photos I think. They are going to make a creative memory book or something like it. Back to the Thai restaurant. I ordered Chicken cashew and it was so spicy. Our waiter was from Malaysia. We had a nice little chat about Thailand. We walked back 'home' several blocks. Ashley informed me that I am no longer her mother's best friend but that I am now her best friend. I felt sad when it was time to say good bye to the girls. Naomi and I went back to her place. I tried on different things to make lots of different outfits. I'm 56 I think and I am trying to pay more attention to what I wear. It's about time, most likely. Hit the sack around 11:30 and it was nice to fall asleep to a windy thunderstorm.
Wed. Had coffee and yogurt parfait with Naomi and Tink. Repacked my bags. Said a sad good bye. Arrived at Mom and Dad's soon after 11. Had a nice catch up chat with Susan on the way. Mom served a great garden lunch of tomato, onion, kale, and cheese sandwiches, buttered beets, and homegrown watermelon. I did some wash and visited with Karen. We took a long walk up into the woods while Jonathan helped his Uncle Paul with firewood. Later, I watched Karen make whoopee pies and ate one. Jonathan is quite the little worker. He showed me how he scoops the poop in the barn. He knows what he's doing, too, and he'll only be four years old in December. He works with his dad, uncles, grandpa, and visits his grandma and aunts, and goes to preschool several mornings a week. He has a precious mama and has a wonderful life. Mom had another great supper from their garden-carrot salad, green beans from Karen's garden, ham, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and bread and butter with homemade jam. After supper is when Karen and I watched Jonathan work in the barn. Mom and I visited for awhile and then Linda came down and we talked for several hours and Brads joined us after he got back from wherever he was. I took a bath after they left and turned out the light before 11.
Thurs.-Celebrated Karen's birthday by going to Claires in Morgantown with Debra, Shirley-Debra's Mother, Mom, Karen, and Jonathan. Karen and I each got about 3 fried potatoes covered in about a pint of dried beef gravy. I kind of rolled around all morning. Jonathan showed me the farm-chicks, heifers, calves, lawn mowers, raspberries. First we helped Mom pick and shell pole limas. I went over and spent more time with Jonathan at his house. He plays with his tractors and dump trucks in K's flower garden. Had a lunch of limas and watermelon with Mom and then went back to Karen's for a pb whoopee pie. Lydia Virginia, Jeff and Karalee's baby, now 2 months old. came with her mother for the afternoon. Karalee was working on a sewing project. Mom and I took care of Lydia. She took a nap in my arms in my bed for at least an hour. She's the cutest little thing. I only took about a hundred pictures of her. Jonathan came over for supper and some of the eve. His daddy took his mommy up to Yoder's for her birthday. After supper, they came back and watched a little movie. I went over to Debra's and got a physics lesson from Brads which I actually understood about 20%. Brads, 15, and I took a moonlit walk up the lane to the woods and beyond and talked nonstop. What a dear young man is he. As I got ready for bed, I could hear Mom and Dad's radio. Hymns were singing them to sleep. I am so thankful for this family and this Hertzler farm. It is good to be reminded about what is important. Amen.
Fri.-I went to the drug store for Anne before I went to visit her. It was through several trials and errors that I realized I had given them her maiden last name instead of her married name. We had a breakfast of Shady Maple bagels with cream cheese and Ferne Kraybill's rhubarb blueberry jam, coffee, and homemade grape juice. We had a nice visit and it was good to be around David. We took lots of photos. I met Mom on the way home at Goodville Fabric. I bought 6 yd of red plaid fleece and 6 yd of camouflage fleece to make Michael and Philip fleece blankets. We had some late lunch and then I visited a little with Debra and Brads before they went wedding groomsmen suit shopping. Visited with Karen and Jonathan, Mom and Dad, and then packed a little. I read Dad's writings about Hopewell's history. Had supper-veg. soup, broccoli salad, tortilla circles, and pumpkin custard. Dad recited his favorite poem-"The Little Birds of God." Phil, Philip, and Susan arrived around 8. Joe, Karen, Jonathan, and Brads were here to greet them. Paul came a little later. Had mint tea, brownies, and pumpkin custard. Paul, Phil, Mom, Dad, and I, sat around and talked awhile longer after the other's left.
Sat.-Oct.11-Phil and I had a hurried breakfast with Mom and Dad. Delicious blueberry baked oatmeal. Then we connected with Philip, Michael, and Susan at Joe and Karen's to head to Petra for Steve and Katrina's wedding. How wonderful to see Nathan, Alli, Freeman, Rosalee and her family, Abie and his family, Alan and Carol and Kelly and her family, Aunt Esther-93, and Sissy, her daughter, Uncle Paul and Aunt Ann. Wonderful meaningful wedding service. The groom was teary eyed when he walked out and was openly weeping as Katrina, (my niece) walked down the aisle. When the wedding was over, the bride and groom dismissed us by rows and greeted us individually. They had a long limo waiting outside and after pictures, walked amidst well wishers blowing bubbles as they pretended to get in the limo for a photo op and then went back into the church for more photos. We all went over to Shady Maple and had appetizers, a full course meal, and salad bar. We sat with Alan, Carol, Kelly, Armand, Noah, and Gracie. Our kids sat together with Abby. Their request and Rosalee made sure it happened. We headed home-Susan, Phil, and I-around 3. Michael visited with Grandma and Grandpa before he headed home. He left early this morning to arrive in Pa. in good time for the wedding. Philip stayed up another day. We got home around 9.
Sun.-Church. Columbo mystery DVD's. (Debra loaned them to me.) Sitting, sleeping, resting. We're all very tired.
Hertzler Doings~Sept 29-Oct. 5, 2014
Mon.-Busy day packing for upcoming trip to Nantucket. Arm day. Walked/ran and then walked later at Happy Valley with Alli and Nathan. Susan is busy super cleaning her room. Went to the gym also and got groceries earlier in the day. Nathan seems to be teething and in pain. Dear little guy. I have 6 bags packed for my upcoming week and a half. A bag and a half for Nantucket. Plus my purse. A bag for overnight at Diane's and then Naomi's. And a bag for when I'm staying in Pa. plus a toiletry bag.
Tues.-Too much stuff is in my life! Whatever I bring I have to lug 1/4 a mile uphill from the landing harbor in Nantucket. I've gotta lighten up, literally. Susan took me to the dentist today. My filling was fractured and he thinks my tooth is too. Took a long nap afterwards until Susan woke me up to give me her incredible pureed vegetable soup complete with shredded cheese and sour cream. I finished packing and decided to use my new PJ top-a black flowy thing-as a dress shirt for Nantucket with my leopard print scarf. Packed up the car. Went to Lynchburg with Phil to drop off a check and have some Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream. He got coffee with Heath Bar crunched into it. I wanted the pumpkin ice cream but they were out so I had the chocolate made the same was as the pumpkin pie. I told him my mother used ginger snaps instead of graham crackers and I heard and saw a lightbulb go off in his head. "That would be good," said he. Came home. Tidied the house. Got more things ready. And took a bath all before 8 o'clock. Gotta get that sleep while the clonopin is still in my system. I've been thinking about being thankful again, recording my thanks, and recording the songs and the verses on my mind. Last night, in the tub, I sang over and over at the top of my lungs, "Thou art my hiding place" and "The Lord is my keeper." Tonight, I'm thankful for the soaring guitar player flying with his music, Philip, so happy about a questionable word I used today-"Now I can say that word,"-Freeman posting pictures of Nathan driving the pettibone with Phil, Susan, highly motivated, cleaning her room from top to bottom, and Phil, driving the gator in the dark, checking on his traps, ever patient with his drugged up wife. And tomorrow-I'm headed out to spend some time with my best friends in Pa. I may get homesick before this week and a half are up but I'll just focus on each day. I asked Phil what he is looking forward to while I am away and he said, "You coming back." He had asked me what I was looking forward to doing in Nantucket and I said, "Riding the moped behind Ashley on the beach, visiting the Lighthouse, eating out, walking everywhere, etc." So I returned his question. Oh-Jeanne G. nominated me for a fun blog reward of some kind. I printed her comment and have to figure out now what to do. Good night sweet world.
Wed.-(writing this weeks after the fact-having taken some notes)-Left home around 7 and arrived at Diane H's around 5. Stopped at a mall on the way and bought a gray silky top and a black sweater. Also stopped at Cabela's and bought a fleece jacket and flannel shirt. Using my Cabela points, I only owed 33 cents. When I got to Diane's, she wanted to take me shopping. We went to Stein Mart in the Corvette with the roof down and we shopped and she bought it all and wouldn't let me see the prices. We also went to Soma and she got me two of those. With the heat blasting and the cold wind blowing and lots of new clothes, we had an exhilarating time. Had supper of chicken salad, etc. after 9 and visited with Zack and his college friends. Slept all night in the guest bed.
Thurs.-Breakfast of eggs, ham, cheese, and coffee, while discussing everything in the whole wide world including the link between emotions and physical health. She is doing a study on it. She packed me a lunch and she headed to work and I headed to Naomi's. Arrived around 2:30. (Just writing about all this makes me so happy again.) I showed her my new clothes. We walked to Mary S. and I picked up a Shaklee product. Tink peed on every property. Naomi served me Pumpkin Latte coffee that she had made from a recipe in Good Housekeeping. We had pizza on top of pizza that we picked up at the Italian restaurant at the corner in Blue Ball. Ashley and her friend, Lauren, arrived soon afterwards and we packed up and left for Nantucket around 6:30. Ashley bravely drove through NYC traffic and we arrived at our motel on the mainland around 1:15 AM. The regular Glick motel was full so we drove a few blocks to Double Tree ?(can't read my own notes) where a very friendly front desk man gave us cookies, water, and a toothbrush and toothpaste for Lauren. I said many words I don't usually say in our short travel. Turns out that the air on the way to Nantucket brings out the best and the "worst" in me. But it was fun. Had a few hours of sleep.
Fri.-Had to hustle, dragging our suitcases for half a mile or less to find the ferry. The ride on the ferry was thrilling. We were outside. I faced the wind and Nantucket and the spray was glorious. I felt like I was leaving the past behind and starting anew. Like being born again. After we checked in to The Robert's House, dragging our suitcases over uphill cobblestoned streets and side walks, we went shopping and had lunch. We had a little tray of crackers, cheeses, cranberries, fig jam, and bread for an appetizer. I had fried potato cakes. Naomi got a salad and French onion soup and the girls had lobster bisque. I took many pictures of houses, flowers, and my girls. I am thoroughly happy. The prices here are too pricey but we found a thrift shop. I found an original painting by M. Joyce Zeigler. It's entitled 'Swimming Party' and it was in a cheap frame. It was priced at $2.00 and the check out lady raised her eyebrows and looked at me when she saw it. "I know!" I said. Since then, I've googled the artist and I see that I am really fortunate. I've bought a beautiful frame for it and it's in our living room now along with framed cards of Nantucket and the shaker basket I bought at the thrift and the tiny little pitcher with flowers from my garden. I bought two starfish later on and picked some shells and these are in my basket in front of my $2.00 Canadian Geese Swim Party. We went out to eat that night at a great place. We had fried dill pickles for an appetizer and I had chicken, mashed potatoes, spinach, honey glazed carrits, tomato bisque with toasted cheese, and a Caesar salad-all for $25. We have a lovely place to stay. When you walk up several flights of stairs, there is a number 33 on the door. That was my father's auction number. Our only complaint was that we couldn't lock the door from the inside and if we locked it from the outside, the people inside tend to panic because they can't get out.
Sat.-I slept on the sofa for reasons I won't explain but Naomi did the same then for the next two nights. I guess we're getting too old to sleep in the same bed together what with snoring and restless legs and late night phone calls from certain peoples husbands. ;) We had breakfast in the basement at our establishment. Naomi went in her fleece jammies and some people really really gave her the 'look'. But she knows who she is and it didn't bother her a bit. But Ashley, her 25 year old daughter, was a little embarrassed. You see, we had to walk a little ways to the other house to get to our breakfast. Ashley came up and put her arm around her mother and every time we passed someone she said, "Don't worry; we'll find your family." Have I mentioned that her jammies were a loud shade of turquoise and that we ourselves were loudly talking and laughing and retelling the funny stories about how Naomi put the word 'shady' in Shady Maple when she thought the man standing behind her out of sight but not out of touch was her husband. We told the story of the gracefully flowing toilet paper that got stuck in the top of my pants and how we strolled among thousands of no longer bored vacationers on the boardwalk and how two sister fought it out about who would be the one to tell me. They told Naomi and she turned me around for our other friends to see and they both helplessly collapsed on the nearest bench having been overcome by laughter that I can only hope heals them in some way. We told about the little gift that attached itself to Ashley's briefcase right in front of her whole college class and how she denied truthfully but unconvincingly that this attachment was indeed not hers. And the time Morgan set her back pack on the grate in her college room and somehow managed to get the large metal flap connected to the bottom of her back pack and how she walked up to the front of the room and clanked it down loudly in front of her professor. Realzing now why her back pack was so clumsily heavy she said, "Oops, excuse me," and traipsed back the long pathway to the naked vent and banged its missing piece into the hole that had been exposed. And the time Susan threw me under the bus as a 3 or 4 year old, telling the pediatrician, "Michael's wearing underwear, I'm wearing underwear, but my mommy's not wearing any underwear." "Oh, the things we learn," said he. Or the time she said to a full dentist office waiting room as my hand was in my purse, "My mommy's got a gun," and the time she said to the pediatrician after she passed gas and smelled up the room and then he walked in-"My mommy just passed gas." And my all time favorite story of Naomi's when she had just a few articles of clothing on and the girls told her that their neighbor was on the phone and she scooted downstairs and in fact, he was standing at the door and was not on the phone. "Oops," she cried, (why is this their favorite statement?) and she scooted right back up and put on some pants and a shirt. All the while the neighbor was laughing. And she laughed too. I mean, what else can you do at a time like that?
It's in the 60's. I know I am writing this past and present but hopefully you will understand that although I am writing this in the past, it was in the present that I jotted down notes. We got slowly ready for our day after breakfast, relaxing in the process. We went to Brandt Point Lighthouse and then to the Whaling Museum where we saw a 45 min. movie about the history of Nantucket. I bought myself some gold basket earrings and cards to frame.
Oh-All during our time with Ashley and Lauren, the affectionately called us 'Ninny Muggins'. Which means 'Old People.' We went to Nix Pub again for supper and the girls had oysters-one dollar a piece, and we shared Naomi's Nacho chips. I had Caesar salad. There was a guy at the bar with his 10 month old daughter in a front loading knap sack. We all thought he was so sweet. His wife joined him later. It's nice to see a man take care of a baby. Naomi loves my black hat. Later that night, we had some hot chocolate and went to the book store. I am not sure what this means but my notes are: "passing lots of gas, burning matches, carting cameras." I own up to the camera note and the burning matches note but I'm quite sure the other note was about someone else. You know who you are. Naomi and I watched an Agatha Christie movie. It was too scary so we watched The Voice, which wasn't scary at all.
Ashley said to me today, "Your soul is the color of light pink roses." So is yours, Ashley. So is yours.
Sun.-After a breakfast of chocolate crescents, coffee, cereal, yogurt, vanilla breakfast cake, and fruit, we rented double mopeds and rode all over the island. Went to Siansun light, Brandt point, the winery, a great grocery store near the winery, the beach, the oldest house, a beautiful church, and had lunch at the only existing working windmill in a certain area of space-is it the US Naomi? We sat on the bench and ate food that Naomi and Ashley provided-sharp cheese cubes, crunchy purple grapes, pita crackers, pistachios, goat cheese with pesto sauce and tomato paste, and peach sparkling cider. We came back and regrouped and walked to the beach and took some sunset pictures and ate at a Mexican Place. On the way home, I jumped behind a big tree and jumped out at Lauren, creatively shouting, "BOO!" which scared her so bad I laughed so hard I peed my pants. The poor cop stationed with his bike at the corner may have done the same. Suddenly Naomi realized that she had left her purse at the restaurant so Lauren, having recently been scared, took off at a run and retrieved it, much to Naomi's relief. Meanwhile, Ashley and I kept on heartlessly laughing and reliving the pleasures of giving Lauren a fright. Ashley, having done this earlier. Later that evening, Naomi and I looked at hundreds of photos that we had taken and the girls sat down in the lobby and visited.( I called Phil. He had taken Alli, Freeman, and smiling Nathan out to Chinese for lunch. Michael and Philip were there. Susan, Julie, and Colton went to the Richmond State Fair. Michael was playing with the worship team at Jesus Jamz. Philip was walking the properties.) Lauren said, "In my circle of friends, I'm you." The girls visited in the lobby again. Naomi read. I watched 'National Treasure 2' and accidently ate my quarter pound of salted caramel chocolate fudge during the most intense scenes.
Tues.-Too much stuff is in my life! Whatever I bring I have to lug 1/4 a mile uphill from the landing harbor in Nantucket. I've gotta lighten up, literally. Susan took me to the dentist today. My filling was fractured and he thinks my tooth is too. Took a long nap afterwards until Susan woke me up to give me her incredible pureed vegetable soup complete with shredded cheese and sour cream. I finished packing and decided to use my new PJ top-a black flowy thing-as a dress shirt for Nantucket with my leopard print scarf. Packed up the car. Went to Lynchburg with Phil to drop off a check and have some Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream. He got coffee with Heath Bar crunched into it. I wanted the pumpkin ice cream but they were out so I had the chocolate made the same was as the pumpkin pie. I told him my mother used ginger snaps instead of graham crackers and I heard and saw a lightbulb go off in his head. "That would be good," said he. Came home. Tidied the house. Got more things ready. And took a bath all before 8 o'clock. Gotta get that sleep while the clonopin is still in my system. I've been thinking about being thankful again, recording my thanks, and recording the songs and the verses on my mind. Last night, in the tub, I sang over and over at the top of my lungs, "Thou art my hiding place" and "The Lord is my keeper." Tonight, I'm thankful for the soaring guitar player flying with his music, Philip, so happy about a questionable word I used today-"Now I can say that word,"-Freeman posting pictures of Nathan driving the pettibone with Phil, Susan, highly motivated, cleaning her room from top to bottom, and Phil, driving the gator in the dark, checking on his traps, ever patient with his drugged up wife. And tomorrow-I'm headed out to spend some time with my best friends in Pa. I may get homesick before this week and a half are up but I'll just focus on each day. I asked Phil what he is looking forward to while I am away and he said, "You coming back." He had asked me what I was looking forward to doing in Nantucket and I said, "Riding the moped behind Ashley on the beach, visiting the Lighthouse, eating out, walking everywhere, etc." So I returned his question. Oh-Jeanne G. nominated me for a fun blog reward of some kind. I printed her comment and have to figure out now what to do. Good night sweet world.
Wed.-(writing this weeks after the fact-having taken some notes)-Left home around 7 and arrived at Diane H's around 5. Stopped at a mall on the way and bought a gray silky top and a black sweater. Also stopped at Cabela's and bought a fleece jacket and flannel shirt. Using my Cabela points, I only owed 33 cents. When I got to Diane's, she wanted to take me shopping. We went to Stein Mart in the Corvette with the roof down and we shopped and she bought it all and wouldn't let me see the prices. We also went to Soma and she got me two of those. With the heat blasting and the cold wind blowing and lots of new clothes, we had an exhilarating time. Had supper of chicken salad, etc. after 9 and visited with Zack and his college friends. Slept all night in the guest bed.
Thurs.-Breakfast of eggs, ham, cheese, and coffee, while discussing everything in the whole wide world including the link between emotions and physical health. She is doing a study on it. She packed me a lunch and she headed to work and I headed to Naomi's. Arrived around 2:30. (Just writing about all this makes me so happy again.) I showed her my new clothes. We walked to Mary S. and I picked up a Shaklee product. Tink peed on every property. Naomi served me Pumpkin Latte coffee that she had made from a recipe in Good Housekeeping. We had pizza on top of pizza that we picked up at the Italian restaurant at the corner in Blue Ball. Ashley and her friend, Lauren, arrived soon afterwards and we packed up and left for Nantucket around 6:30. Ashley bravely drove through NYC traffic and we arrived at our motel on the mainland around 1:15 AM. The regular Glick motel was full so we drove a few blocks to Double Tree ?(can't read my own notes) where a very friendly front desk man gave us cookies, water, and a toothbrush and toothpaste for Lauren. I said many words I don't usually say in our short travel. Turns out that the air on the way to Nantucket brings out the best and the "worst" in me. But it was fun. Had a few hours of sleep.
Fri.-Had to hustle, dragging our suitcases for half a mile or less to find the ferry. The ride on the ferry was thrilling. We were outside. I faced the wind and Nantucket and the spray was glorious. I felt like I was leaving the past behind and starting anew. Like being born again. After we checked in to The Robert's House, dragging our suitcases over uphill cobblestoned streets and side walks, we went shopping and had lunch. We had a little tray of crackers, cheeses, cranberries, fig jam, and bread for an appetizer. I had fried potato cakes. Naomi got a salad and French onion soup and the girls had lobster bisque. I took many pictures of houses, flowers, and my girls. I am thoroughly happy. The prices here are too pricey but we found a thrift shop. I found an original painting by M. Joyce Zeigler. It's entitled 'Swimming Party' and it was in a cheap frame. It was priced at $2.00 and the check out lady raised her eyebrows and looked at me when she saw it. "I know!" I said. Since then, I've googled the artist and I see that I am really fortunate. I've bought a beautiful frame for it and it's in our living room now along with framed cards of Nantucket and the shaker basket I bought at the thrift and the tiny little pitcher with flowers from my garden. I bought two starfish later on and picked some shells and these are in my basket in front of my $2.00 Canadian Geese Swim Party. We went out to eat that night at a great place. We had fried dill pickles for an appetizer and I had chicken, mashed potatoes, spinach, honey glazed carrits, tomato bisque with toasted cheese, and a Caesar salad-all for $25. We have a lovely place to stay. When you walk up several flights of stairs, there is a number 33 on the door. That was my father's auction number. Our only complaint was that we couldn't lock the door from the inside and if we locked it from the outside, the people inside tend to panic because they can't get out.
Sat.-I slept on the sofa for reasons I won't explain but Naomi did the same then for the next two nights. I guess we're getting too old to sleep in the same bed together what with snoring and restless legs and late night phone calls from certain peoples husbands. ;) We had breakfast in the basement at our establishment. Naomi went in her fleece jammies and some people really really gave her the 'look'. But she knows who she is and it didn't bother her a bit. But Ashley, her 25 year old daughter, was a little embarrassed. You see, we had to walk a little ways to the other house to get to our breakfast. Ashley came up and put her arm around her mother and every time we passed someone she said, "Don't worry; we'll find your family." Have I mentioned that her jammies were a loud shade of turquoise and that we ourselves were loudly talking and laughing and retelling the funny stories about how Naomi put the word 'shady' in Shady Maple when she thought the man standing behind her out of sight but not out of touch was her husband. We told the story of the gracefully flowing toilet paper that got stuck in the top of my pants and how we strolled among thousands of no longer bored vacationers on the boardwalk and how two sister fought it out about who would be the one to tell me. They told Naomi and she turned me around for our other friends to see and they both helplessly collapsed on the nearest bench having been overcome by laughter that I can only hope heals them in some way. We told about the little gift that attached itself to Ashley's briefcase right in front of her whole college class and how she denied truthfully but unconvincingly that this attachment was indeed not hers. And the time Morgan set her back pack on the grate in her college room and somehow managed to get the large metal flap connected to the bottom of her back pack and how she walked up to the front of the room and clanked it down loudly in front of her professor. Realzing now why her back pack was so clumsily heavy she said, "Oops, excuse me," and traipsed back the long pathway to the naked vent and banged its missing piece into the hole that had been exposed. And the time Susan threw me under the bus as a 3 or 4 year old, telling the pediatrician, "Michael's wearing underwear, I'm wearing underwear, but my mommy's not wearing any underwear." "Oh, the things we learn," said he. Or the time she said to a full dentist office waiting room as my hand was in my purse, "My mommy's got a gun," and the time she said to the pediatrician after she passed gas and smelled up the room and then he walked in-"My mommy just passed gas." And my all time favorite story of Naomi's when she had just a few articles of clothing on and the girls told her that their neighbor was on the phone and she scooted downstairs and in fact, he was standing at the door and was not on the phone. "Oops," she cried, (why is this their favorite statement?) and she scooted right back up and put on some pants and a shirt. All the while the neighbor was laughing. And she laughed too. I mean, what else can you do at a time like that?
It's in the 60's. I know I am writing this past and present but hopefully you will understand that although I am writing this in the past, it was in the present that I jotted down notes. We got slowly ready for our day after breakfast, relaxing in the process. We went to Brandt Point Lighthouse and then to the Whaling Museum where we saw a 45 min. movie about the history of Nantucket. I bought myself some gold basket earrings and cards to frame.
Oh-All during our time with Ashley and Lauren, the affectionately called us 'Ninny Muggins'. Which means 'Old People.' We went to Nix Pub again for supper and the girls had oysters-one dollar a piece, and we shared Naomi's Nacho chips. I had Caesar salad. There was a guy at the bar with his 10 month old daughter in a front loading knap sack. We all thought he was so sweet. His wife joined him later. It's nice to see a man take care of a baby. Naomi loves my black hat. Later that night, we had some hot chocolate and went to the book store. I am not sure what this means but my notes are: "passing lots of gas, burning matches, carting cameras." I own up to the camera note and the burning matches note but I'm quite sure the other note was about someone else. You know who you are. Naomi and I watched an Agatha Christie movie. It was too scary so we watched The Voice, which wasn't scary at all.
Ashley said to me today, "Your soul is the color of light pink roses." So is yours, Ashley. So is yours.
Sun.-After a breakfast of chocolate crescents, coffee, cereal, yogurt, vanilla breakfast cake, and fruit, we rented double mopeds and rode all over the island. Went to Siansun light, Brandt point, the winery, a great grocery store near the winery, the beach, the oldest house, a beautiful church, and had lunch at the only existing working windmill in a certain area of space-is it the US Naomi? We sat on the bench and ate food that Naomi and Ashley provided-sharp cheese cubes, crunchy purple grapes, pita crackers, pistachios, goat cheese with pesto sauce and tomato paste, and peach sparkling cider. We came back and regrouped and walked to the beach and took some sunset pictures and ate at a Mexican Place. On the way home, I jumped behind a big tree and jumped out at Lauren, creatively shouting, "BOO!" which scared her so bad I laughed so hard I peed my pants. The poor cop stationed with his bike at the corner may have done the same. Suddenly Naomi realized that she had left her purse at the restaurant so Lauren, having recently been scared, took off at a run and retrieved it, much to Naomi's relief. Meanwhile, Ashley and I kept on heartlessly laughing and reliving the pleasures of giving Lauren a fright. Ashley, having done this earlier. Later that evening, Naomi and I looked at hundreds of photos that we had taken and the girls sat down in the lobby and visited.( I called Phil. He had taken Alli, Freeman, and smiling Nathan out to Chinese for lunch. Michael and Philip were there. Susan, Julie, and Colton went to the Richmond State Fair. Michael was playing with the worship team at Jesus Jamz. Philip was walking the properties.) Lauren said, "In my circle of friends, I'm you." The girls visited in the lobby again. Naomi read. I watched 'National Treasure 2' and accidently ate my quarter pound of salted caramel chocolate fudge during the most intense scenes.
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