August 19, 2011
Dog Days of Summer
This post is just for dog lovers. If they are like me, they like to see cute pictures of other people’s dogs as much as their own, so here are a few photos of the dogs I’ve spent time with this summer.
Starting with the cutest of them all of course:
Our friends’ dog named Jorja (Shih Tzu):
One of Bella’s playmates that live in the apartment complex is Joe (Cocker Spaniel):
This is Sam and Annie. Bella hasn’t been able to play with them yet, but I like playing with them when I am visiting my friend (Dachshunds):
David and I had the pleasure of taking care of a friend’s dogs for a few weeks: Orion, Hera and Letto (Pit bulls):
This is Sammy, one of my favorite dogs in the apartment complex (Jack Russell Terrier):
I think this cute puppy’s name is Gracie. I’ve not had opportunity to play with many puppies, they are cute! (Beagle)
Ok, back to Bella, this one is just too cute :)
This is Winston. Beth Anne’s dog. He’s a charmer, and good friends with Bella (Mutt):
And just today Bella was able to play with Bruster, Joe and Trixie:
Bella is one content dog!
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Things we have been up to this Summer (Part 2)
The biggest part of my summer has been taken up by loving on, and building a friendship with a gal in our new Bible study.
Beth Anne was pregnant and having a really rough time of it. Gall stones on top of other issues. She was in a lot of pain, and on a lot of pain meds take the pain away. The doctors wanted to wait with an operation until after the baby was born. Beth needed someone to stay with her while her hubby was in class, so she wouldn’t have to worry about falling asleep while watching her 4 year old.
Ayden is a typical 4 year old bundle of energy! His favorite thing to do is play outside, so we would go out as much as possible.
When I wasn’t playing outside with Ayden I was usually in bed with Beth and our two dogs. That was my favorite part, just talking with Beth. It was very relaxing.
After weeks of just managing pain, living in bed, and eating a very strict diet, the pain was unbearable, and I took Beth to the hospital to get things checked out, again. What an afternoon that was! Beth learned a LOT. The biggest thing she learned is that half of the pain she was feeling wasn’t the gall stones, but were contractions! This was a turning point for Beth. The next time I visited her after this hospital visit, she was night and day different. From being in bed and grumpy about pain, she was up and making supper for her family and smiling! It was great to see!
Unfortunately, she had to wait through another couple weeks of contractions before baby Michah decided to show up. But show up he did!
Ayden loves his brother! (and is still a 4 year old bundle of boy energy!)
And Beth is better and smiling. Although she has had a rough couple of weeks since the delivery. Thankfully her dad was here to help out. She had surgery and the road to recovery had a few complications, but she is back to smiling again today. And I look forward to becoming great friends with the “new” Beth Anne! :) (Love You Beth!)
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August 15, 2011
Things we have been up to this Summer (Part 1)
I had a fantastic time at the Spoon Carver’s Gathering, and I think David did too. I was one of the demonstrators this year, and had a lot of fun being a bit more involved. Usually I get pretty shy and like to do a lot of watching, but it was kind of hard to stay behind the scenes when people come up and ask me questions about what I’m going to be talking about, etc. It was good for me :)
(David took photos of me during the demonstration.)
I throughly enjoy looking at other people’s spoons. Every time I get home from a Gathering, I pour over my photos and wish I had taken more so I could get more details of the spoons. Here are a few of my favorites.
(Photo by Ron, MVAS Director) These are by Jarrod. I am pleased to say that I bought two bowls and a plate from him this year, and David and I love them. If you want to read more about them, check out Jar of Wood.
Work by Tom
Work by Mary Lynn
Work by Karen
Work by Rich
Harley Refsal was another of the demonstrators. He spent time talking about the history of the Scandinavian spoon. I love hearing about the back ground of wood spoons. It gives carving more depth.
This photo is actually from last years Gathering, I didn’t get as good of a photo this year, and if I am correct, David took this one. Jarrod was another demonstrator again this year, and demonstrated bowl carving. I really enjoy his work.
One of my favorite parts of the Gathering, besides coming home remotivated and excited about carving, is the relaxed atmosphere and fellowship of people with similar interests. If you are a spoon carver, come join us next year! First weekend in June. Milan, Minnesota.
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June 08, 2011
A Massive Catch-Up
It’s not for lack of activity that I haven’t been updating our web site. It’s been a crazy spring for us. Here is a little bit of why:
Less than two weeks after I arrived home from Grammie’s Funeral, David and I drove to:
To join my family to work with Christian Reformed World Relief Committee’s (CRWRC) Disaster Response Services (DRS). My parents help DRS twice a year or more, and love it and wanted us to join them for a week. We worked for a week getting a new house ready for a woman and her children.
David spent the whole week figuring out the electrical stuff for the house.
I helped paint.
We defiantly enjoyed the warm weather!
Loved visiting Jon and Eryn, even though it was brief.
And got a fly by Visit with Lynda!!!!
After we returned home, I should have been quick to share photos and all that, but quite frankly, I was tired, and pregnant. So I didn’t do a whole lot of anything.
Unfortunately we had another miscarriage. Not just a miscarriage, but a long, drawn-out affair that might have included twins. We didn’t talk about it much, because I didn’t want the attention and sympathy. But God! Is good and I am healing emotionally too.
I turned my new energy into usefulness and cleaned out our guest room.
And spring brought me into gardening. I found out that our stair landing gets an extra 2-3 hours of sun, so I’ve planted tomatoes down there as well a few other things.
I also spent a month and a half finishing up old spoons and making a new batch.
We spent a week and a half taking care of a friends dogs. That was an adventure, but I love them!
And this past weekend was the Annual Spoon Carver’s Gathering. It was a blast!
To see more photos of the Spoon Carver’s Gathering check them out on Jar of Wood
Also, for those of you that are interested, I am keeping a some what daily photo blog here.
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