Here's To Life!

Had a great time in North Carolina - visiting vineyards, historic sites and going to a wedding!  The weather was wonderful - fall colors were beautiful.  The occasion for our trip was the wedding of Steve and Sandi Winter's daughter, Stacey in Greensboro, North Carolina.  We decided to make a little mini-vacation and certainly enjoyed ourselves.  We flew into Charlotte, rented a car and explored a bit of the state.   Drove from Charlotte to Lexington where we stopped at Childress Vineyards.  Did some wine tasting and had a delicious lunch in the Bistro overlooking the vineyards. Childress Vineyards Then we drove to Winston-Salem where we stopped at Old Salem, originally a Moravian settlement.  Wandered around the village, taking pictures, going into some shops and a bakery.  There were  school groups there as well as others enjoying the beautiful afternoon. Old Salem    Our next stop for the weekend was ...

Old Main behind the leaves Tredway Library  Enjoyed a great day wandering around Augie's campus and a few other Rock Island places.  The weather was cool, the sun was bright and there was a fall feeling in the air.  We walked down by the slough path - there was a lull in the regatta slough races so we wandered up the other side of the slough.  Walked to the top of the path and discovered new residence halls - Parkander North and Parkander South.  Walked back down the path, wandered into Old Main and Denkmann Library - both buildings we spent lots of time in while we were students at Augie.  Had lunch at Brew by the Slough - the coffee bar located in the library building.  Continued our walk on the other side of slough - from down campus to up campus - wandered past Westerlin Hall and walked by Ryden House which was Ruthven House when I lived there my senior year of college.  Drove around Rock Island a little bit afterwards - by Sunset ...

Confirmation For many of us, confirmation meant an extra class at church every week for two or three years, sermon notes, and an examination by the church council either publicly in church or at a council meeting.   Robes, pictures, corsages, hair dos, new dresses or suits for the big day.    While going through confirmation we were also asked to acolyte on a regular basis, if we were lucky we went on a confirmation retreat.    My 8 th grade confirmation class consisted of 27 kids – 17 boys and 10 girls.   We met each week after school at church for instruction – which was probably just as hard for my dad, who was the pastor, as it was for all of us.   27 squirrelly kids can be exhausting.   My dad expected sermon notes – and to his credit, read them all, commented on them and handed them back to us.   After confirmation Sunday, of the 27 kids in my confirmation class only about 10 of us stayed involved in church, becoming the nucleus o...

Both of these pictures are from my 8th grade year.  The top one is my confirmation class from St. John's Lutheran Church in Jersey City.  The other picture is my 8th grade graduation class from the Lutheran Parochial School in Jersey City.  I pulled out my confirmation picture the other day for an article I wrote for my church newsletter on confirmation and scanned it to put in the newsletter.  The graduation picture was next in my photo album so thought it would be fun to scan that as well.  Such a contrast between my two 8th grade classes - in church and in school.  I never really thought about the fact that my Sunday school class was bigger than my grade school class.  I was the new person in each group too - just having moved to Jersey City the summer before my 8th grade year began.  Lots of differences from my life in Aurora - it was hard being the new kid.  Plus, I am an introvert - I was shy and it was tough fitting in.  I am...

Well, what a way to end the summer.  Had some pain in my wrist - went to the doctor right away - since I had a feeling it was carpal tunnel syndrome.  Turns out, yes, that was it.  So a brace for my left hand - to be worn 24/7 for the most part for a few weeks - and then at least at night after that.  I have been good about wearing the brace and my hand feels much better.  Still wearing the brace at night - will continue to do that for a while. The Sunday before school started was a hot Sunday - we had an outdoor worship service and a picnic outside afterwards.  It was a nice day - but hot.  Came home and sat in the coolness.  Monday morning - the first day of school - I just did not feel well.  I was subbing for Richard though - who had been sick for the past week - so made it in to school.  At first I thought I had the flu - and not the 24 hour kind - I just couldn't seem to shake whatever it was I had.  I got through the days -...

Vacation has come and gone.  I have two weeks and one day before the first day of school - so do I try to get done everything I thought I would do over the summer that I haven't quite gotten to - or should I continue to do what I have been doing - reading, relaxing, and doing minor things around the house.  Well, I think I will continue as I have been - reading books and doing some things around the house We have done some fun things as well.  My women's group got together with our spouses on a Saturday evening for a very relaxing dinner.  We had the food catered - it was very good - that way we could all enjoy the evening.  It was a pleasant night to sit outside for food and conversation.  The next day, Sunday, Paul and I had Nancy and Bill and Laurie over for dinner.  Again, it was a lovely day to sit outside and enjoy the company.  We did barbecue and had a few salads for sides. I have been to school twice to see what they are doing in the ...

A few pictures from our vacation this summer to Quebec province and Old Quebec City.  We enjoyed ourselves sightseeing and eating the local cuisine.  We drove up the St. Lawrence River for a bit, walked around Old Quebec City and had a great time.