Hertzler Doings~Nov. 16-22, 2015

Mon.-Catching up. Resting. Watching Downton Abbey with Susan. Out to Appomattox for groceries and coffee with a friend.

Tues.-Made some things to get ready for Thanksgiving since I'll be sleeping for a half a day next Tuesday since I'll be going to the dentist which reminds me, I need to get someone to take me. I made mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and crescent rolls and froze them. I froze the rolls before they rose so that when they thaw, they can rise for baking. I made some cranberry jam. I cooked cranberries and threw in some sugar and then added a pack of cherry jelly and it is so good. I mixed it with cream cheese and have been eating it with crackers. I froze two containers and will use it for the rolls on thanksgiving or for a side. I read this wonderful idea that you should take sour dough bread, spread brie and cranberry jam on it, add turkey slices, and toast it like you would toasted cheese. I am looking forward to the day after Thanksgiving. I also cooked a bag of beets and skinned them. And made two bear roasts. I typed up the notes from Encounter because people were asking for a copy. Phil and Susan went out to the Babcock House for lunch. I didn't see Nathan and Alli yesterday or today but I will tomorrow, Thursday, and Saturday. At least those are our plans.

Wed.-Had a nice morning with Susan and a nice afternoon/eve with Alli and Nathan. I made a Christmas gift for Nathan today. It will be a pillow bed once I get four pillows. I bought material and sewed it in such a way that four pillows can fit into it. It has John Deere tractors all over it and I got it at Joanna in Sarasota, Fl. It was 40% off and the material is nice and soft. The way it showed it online was to sew four pillowcases together. Susan asked if I'd make a really big one using body pillows since she and Philip usually end up on the floor on blankets when we watch movies. Caught up with Lindsay a little today. I could just keep the phone on and talk with her all day if it were possible. Some day, there will be something invented and we'll be able to watch a large screen and see what each other is doing and talk with each other whenever we want. I'll be able to watch her homeschool and she'll be able to watch me watch Downton Abbey. Oh, the joys. I think I will start the Narnia Series again. It must be close to winter. I read it every year. I went out to Lowe's before 8 today and got 3 gallons of paint and 2 of primer so Robert can paint tomorrow. Which makes me realize that maybe Gina and her three boys and Alli and Nathan and I might have to come up with plan B.

Thurs.-Gina and her three boys came over for several hours. Alli and Nathan came over. N didn't know what to do when I held the baby. He was broken hearted. But he did really well all in all and the little boys were nice to him. After N went home the sun came out and we went for a gator ride. I held Lucas, 4 months old, and Gina held her twin 20 month old boys, Wade and Mason. She is such a good mama.

Fri.-Fun morning with Susan. We caught up a little and she made up my eyes and then got ready for her weekend away. I cleaned the house, did wash, and went to Adrienne's home. Ashley and Elizabeth came over and we made cinnamon rolls and donuts. Farmville had it's first tree lighting tonight. Had a great time with these sweet girls who love Jesus and are going places with Him.

Sat.-Jessica came over and I showed her how to make napkin plates. Susan had a good time at the VMI ring ceremony and ball last evening and today she is going to their football game. (AB) Phil and Philip both shot a nice big buck in Illinois and Philip also shot a doe. Michaels been working on cleaning up the man cave.

Sun.-Am enjoying the marriage class with Bob and Muryl. Pastor Bill had a really good sermon on gratitude. I had awaken this morning with the thought, "Entitlement and Gratitude stand miles apart. Each begats their own." Did some shopping after church so I wouldn't have to go out tomorrow. A lot of church people go shopping after church. Susan was here when I got home and we caught up some more and then she went hiking with Jody B. I went over to Alli's and watched the new Cinderella movie which is really very good. Nathan was so precious and sometimes he sat with me. I ordered some Christmas gifts from Alli's new business. (Damsel something or other-I can never think of the quip.) Came home and read some of Brennan Manning's Memoir. Dogs were barking like crazy. Restless night. Nearly full moon.

Hertzler Doings~Nov. 9-15, 2015

Mon.-Got some groceries. Made mashed potatoes and apple oatmeal cranberry bars. Made a trifle with Cool whip with the bars and took that and the mashed potatoes to Dianna's for an IF gathering. I think there were 40 women there. We had a huge Thanksgiving meal. And great fun. Even though it was raining cats and dogs. Steve went and got my car for me so Alli and I didn't have to get soaked. We drove carefully on the way home.

Tues.-Catch up day. Working on email, ordering gifts on Amazon and CBD and Melaleuca, blogging, Encounter, etc. Cleaned both bathrooms well. Roger here to work on dining room drywall. Jamie here to give Susan hot water in her shower. Phil cutting holes on floor for heat/air ducts. It's so nice to be getting more room and a new bathroom. It sure is a messy process. Alli and Nathan are coming over and since Corey returned my gator, we'll get to go on a ride. It's not raining any more.

Wed.-Thurs-Busy days with Nathan, Encounter prep, cooking, baking, washing clothes, packing for my overnight with Judy, listening to a very large fan drying out the drywall in the addition. What a beautiful day. I need to get out in it.

Fri-Sun.-Wonderful weekend with Women's Encounter at church and enjoying its' aftermath.

Hertzler Doings~Nov. 2-8, 2-15

Mon.-Woke up early. Phil took me to Lynchburg Airport. Am spending the week with Naomi at her house in Sarasota. Due to weather, long story short, I missed my connecting flight in NC. Spent 8 hours at the airport but I was able to finish up my session for Encounter. Instead of getting to FL around 11, Naomi picked me up around 7:45 in the evening. I thought of heaven. How we go through all this stuff and then God picks us up and we're at our destination and all of our trials are forgotten because we've finally arrived. Naomi's house is adorable. She is such a great decorator. We each have our own bedroom. I'm going to look at the house next door. It's for sale. Watched my first ever 'Downton Abbey.' Ate muffins and fruit while we watched.

Tues.-Naomi's foot was all bit up from fire ants that attacked her yesterday while she stood innocently on their nest. These are mean buggers. Her foot and ankle are swollen and she's got blisters all over her toes. We went shopping at Target and bought fans, a pillow, sewing tape, etc. Then we went to her cousin Val's shop and ordered the best salad I've ever eaten. We brought it back home with us and watched some more DA. We went to Siesta Key Beach-#1 beach in USA and watched the sunset. I took some beautiful pictures. Then we walked around St. Armand Circle, shopping for jewelry, etc. and then ate at the Cuban restaurant and had another great salad and warm bread and butter.

Wed.-Ate breakfast with DA. Went to a consignment shop, to the beach with an umbrella to shade the sun, went to Yoder's and had fried chicken, potatoes, and salad. Went to the mall and got my ears pierced. We ate Yoder's pb pie and watched more of DA.

Thurs.-Went shopping at Kirklands-Naomi bought a mirror. I got some tractor material to make N a pillow bed. We ate at the Asian restaurant and later had ice cream in Sarasota-hand dipped-coffee and chocolate for Naomi and coconut and white chocolate raspberry for me. We went to a gift shop nearby and it was one of the best. I got Christmas gifts for the girls. Watched more DA after sitting on a beach bench and watching another wonderful sunset.

Fri.-Looked at the house next door. Went to the Beach. Went to Lowes and Target. Had dinner at the mall and watched the new 007 movie. Quite violent. I don't need to see it again.

Sat.-Naomi went to the drive in at Yoder's and got us coffees and sticky buns. Oh my word. We watched more DA and I got packed and Mabe's sister, Sarah, came and she drove us to the airport. I said good bye and they kept on with their day of fixing some things in the house and buying a piece of furniture for 'my' bedroom. Naomi spent the night at Sarah's and flew out of Clearwater the next day. I had uneventful flights and Phil picked me up in Lynchburg and then we went to Golden Corral and Lowe's to get things for the new bathroom. It was great to be in sunny Fl. and it's good to be back home, even though it's cold and rainy.

Sun.-Church. Rest. Freeman came over to shoot his gun and Alli and Nathan came after his nap.