Here's To Life!

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.

I usually divide the summer into parts - end of school up to my birthday - from my birthday to John's birthday and the 4th of July - until vacation - and until school starts again.  By that reckoning we are halfway through the summer - the 4th of July has passed - and we are leaving on vacation in three days. School ended late this year - on the 10th of June - had three days of vacation and then we started Vacation Bible School at church.  It was a fun week of evening chaos, learning, kids and church.  Had a good time helping out.  Celebrated my birthday in the middle of that week - though we had celebrated the weekend before with John and Sasha, Kristin and Scott.  Sasha left for China on the 16th. Celebrated my birthday a week later with a birthday lunch with Debbie and Patty.  Snuck in a trip to Rock Island, Kristin brought Scott so we did a fair amount of driving around, seeing the sights - which Marilyn enjoyed anyway.  Went out to eat and took pi...

April 1st - Saw a raccoon on the roof of our house as we drove past.   By the time we had put the car in the garage, the raccoon had crawled around to the back of the house and disappeared from our sight.   Thus began a week with the houseguest we did not want. When we put an offer on our house last May we had quite a surprise when the home inspection was done.    During the inspection, the way to the attic crawl space was opened.   The home inspector shone his flashlight into the corner and heard a low growl.   We immediately shut the opening and wondered what could possibly be there.   When we knocked on the wall we heard crying noises.   Turns out there was a raccoon with a couple of babies living in the attic crawl space.   Owners had to deal with the problem and get the raccoons removed before we could proceed with any further inspection and get to closing. So fast-forward to this April.   Here is the raccoon on the roof on...