I am experimenting with this Picasa program. The car was a HIT!!! with all the girls.

New Art Work

I've had a bit of time to paint lately.  Here are a couple of my recent paintings.  The covered bridge is the Sam Wagner bridge in Pennsylvania.  The other painting is the sea of Galilee.  

Now for the snow scene here.  Only a couple of days ago this was the scene.  Now it is raining and the snow is turning to slush.

Hunkered down!!!!

The snow began to fall about 8:30 this morning. Most things have come to a stand still. Schools, businesses, etc. We had been properly warned. So glad we didn't have any appointments that we had to keep. So, we'll just enjoy the warmth of our home and wait for it to stop so our neighbor can use his snow blower to clear our driveway.

Shopping for Expensive shoes

After a visit to the foot doctor, it was determined that because of Morton's neuromas I needed to upgrade my footwear.  My choices were $400 orthodics, which might or might not fit the shoes I already have, or several pair of really expensive shoes.  Since he recommended I wear shoes in the house I opted for Mephisto sandals as a starter.  I have gone barefoot in the house most of my life so this is a major change for me.  Kind of like getting used to braces on your teeth.    I already have  Aravon shoes, which he recommended so I can wear them more than I have been doing.  My challenge now is to find winter boots that have the same type support.  This Dr. was so young, he could have been my grandson.  What does he know(no offense Kyle).  No, really, he was very impressive.  

We are bracing for a major winter storm tomorrow, then more snow on Sunday.  Just hoping to get it all over before Christmas.  

We were reminded of Grandpa Smith this week when Dad and I tried to take the cellophane paper off a slice of cheese.  We both worked at it, finally, getting the scissors to cut the thing off.  Don't know why they have the "child proof" everything!!

Different Games for Older Folks

When we were kids we played "pick up sticks". Now that we are older it is more likely to be "pick up pills". Before breakfast, when the body is struggling just to put the coffee on, Wayford spills his 60mg aspirin all over the kitchen floor. Now, don't ask me how that happened. He said, just a seniors moment. So here we are trying to make sure we have them all rounded up and corralled into their little bottle. Now, time to get the coffee going. So, this older lady takes the filter out of the coffee maker and makes an attempt to toss it in the recycle pail. Did I say the body was stiff? Anyway a quick toss toward the pail and ALAS it missed, spilling the old coffee grounds everywhere. So now the two of us have to clean up that mess. Well, we did finally get breakfast going. Had some wonderful french toast and now time to see what else we can mess up during the day.

Snowy windy weekend

Winter arrived yesterday. The cold windy conditions reminded me of Neal and Lita's wedding night in Oklahoma in 1976. We braved the cold last night to see the play "Sound of Music" performed by the students of Great Lakes Christian High School. It was well worth the effort. Those kids did a fantastic job. Several of the performers were kids from Tintern Church of Christ. We have seen them grow up. It is one thing to speak in front of the audience (which by the way was big) but it is another thing to sing a solo. They performed the play for the public three times and for the student body once. They much be exhausted tonight.

We are so looking forward to having all our family together for Christmas.

I've been tagged

I think that I shall never see

A sight more beautiful than a tree!

Of all the 2000+ pictures I have, this is my 4th picture of my 4th album.  Can you believe it?  I have many that would be much more spectacular,  however,  there is a story behind this one.  If you look beyond the trees you will see Summers' Mill.  On March 1 we went to Belton, Texas to  celebrate Bill and Alma's 50th wedding anniversary.  A bonus to being there with them, Neal and Lita also were there so we got to have some quality time with them.  This picture was taken during one of the walks we had with them.  The weather was great, just perfect for a stroll through the ranch.  I have pictues of the ostrich that Neal tried to "spook" but alas, it was not the 4th picture of the 4th album.  Now, it's up to Sue.  Sue, you've been tagged. 

Thank God for Drs.

Today Wayford was examined by a couple of neurologists in regard to his Bell's Palsy.  It was amazing to observe all the tests the Drs. went through.  The professional way they conducted themselves was awesome.  It  has not changed the diagnoses of Bell's Palsy but they determined to do further testing to make sure there is not an underlying cause for the palsy.  So an MRI will be forthcoming.  Also, electra????? to determine the way the nerves are still responding, to predict the further improvement of the muscles in his face.  Wayford said "My dad didn't check a horse over that well before he bought it."  They even had him walking barefoot in the hall, on his heels, one foot in front of the other (I think that was to see if he had been drinking!).  I knew he should have washed his feet.  My mother always made us wash our feet before we went to bed because "You never know if you might have to go to the hospital in the middle of the night!"  See!!  It could happen!.  

We are excited tonight because it looks as if our entire family will be together again at Christmas.  The last time that happened was in about 1996.  We are praying for good weather, and  for everyone to stay healthy.

Lectureship week-end

The Great Lakes Christian College Lectureship began on Friday night and ended at noon today with a joint service between some of the churches in the Beamsville Area.  The Tintern people were to be commended for providing classes and baby sitting for the children all day Saturday and during worship this morning.   The theme for the lectures was "That you may believe" taken from the book of John.  The presentations were very helpful.

Wayford is still struggling with Bell's Palsy.  We are documenting his progress ( or lack of progress) with a digital camera.  He is now in his fourth week.  At this point there may have been a slight improvement in his speech and his eye irritation.  It is so slight it is difficult to measure.  Even though it is annoying, we hear of so many more difficult things to deal with.  It has curtailed his public speaking for the time being.

Second Sewing Class

Now that we have become somewhat familiar with the sewing machine, making a buttonhole, (both with machine and by hand), sewing on a button , etc. we are ready to see how to lay our pattern on the fabric. Josiah,who is using a camouflage material, was anxious to use his scraps to make a head band. He and Cassie and Mattai got their garments cut out. Next sewing class they will sew and Emily and Lenie will cut their garments out. The foyer of the building makes a great place to sew. The lighting is great!

An exciting privilege

We were privileged to host a young couple overnight last night who were coming to Beamsville to visit with a family who had a death in their family.  Pat and Nadya attended church with us this morning and then we all had lunch at Tallman's who were hosting their life group today.  They interacted with people so well.  Nadya is from the Ukraine and found people who had other connections with people from that part of the world such as Geoff and Doreen.  It was wonderful to have them in our home.  Thanks, Roger, for directing them our way. 

Reunion

Two of our fellow "pilgrims" , Hardy and Vera, who went to Israel with us, came to visit friends in St. Catharines and met with Eric and Kathy and Wayford and me at Tim Horton's  for coffee last night.  We had so many things to reminisce about.  We concluded that each of us would go back to visit Israel if the opportunity presented itself.

Wayford is struggling with Bell's Palsy.  Hopefully he will fully recover.  At least this has stopped the hemi-facial spasms, for now at least.

Fall foliage tour

One of my dreams was to take pictures of covered bridges.  I don't know why but they just fascinate me.  We began a tour last Thursday with Barry and Jean and returned home on Saturday.  We toured back roads, up and down and around curves.  The scenery was beautiful.  Our search for bridges was eventful  Jean had detailed directions for finding these bridges(of course they would be in remote places and not on the interstate highways.)  We only had to stop a couple of times to ask for directions.  If I had been up on my GPS I would have known to put in the latitude and longitude but didn't even think of doing that, as if I would know how anyway.  We did have to back track several times but eventually found all the ones we were looking for except for one.  These bridges were built in the 1800's and are still useable.  The creeks they are spanning are as beautiful as the bridges are.  We also saw the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania and the Letchworth State Park in New York.  

My First Sewing Class

In response to a request from two mothers of Bible Day Camp students I began a sewing class for 5 children on Tuesday.  The oldest is about 13 and the youngest ( a boy) is about 7.  These families are not from our church family but one of them has sent her children to BDC for several years and just counts the days until we host again.  We are planning to make lounging pj's.  Josiah wanted camouflage and since I had a piece of camouflage that had been given to me, I gave it to him.  He couldn't have been more excited if I had handed him a $100 bill.  We did not get into cutting and sewing Tuesday but did practice staying on line using the machines.  We sewed buttons onto scraps of fabric, practiced making buttonholes by hand and on the machine.  They had a great time.  We will meet every other Tuesday.  Hopefully next time we get together we can cut out their pj's.  My students are Cassie, Emily, Laney, Mattea and Josiah.  The girls have a goal of making a prairie dress(my be a bit advanced but at some time in their life perhaps they will be able to do that) Josiah wants to make a Darth Vader costume????

The Waiting Game

Took our computer in on Friday because the fan was making a noise (computer only one year old, just out of warranty) should have bought a Mac!  The computer man said, "Bring it in.  I will fix it on the spot."  So, we go for lunch, come back and lo and behold something happened to the mother board!  Should have bought a Mac!  Holiday weekend.  Check on Tuesday, had to order the mother board and it had not come in.  "Should be in any time and when it comes in it will only take 20 min. to install." Check Wednesday morning.  Still waiting on Purolator to deliver the part.  About noon, we go for our swim, call after the swim, should be there any time and it will only take 20 min. to install it.  We go for lunch, getting lots of fast food these days!  He is to call my cell phone when it is ready.  At 2:00 we call again.  It will be ready in about an hour.  Remember it only takes 20 min. to install it!  We drive to his business and wait, and wait, and wait.  About 3:15 it is ready.  Hooray!  The mother board was under warranty but the fan was not.  So 6 days and $60 later we have our computer back and working well.  Should have bought a Mac!

Thanksgiving part 2 or is it part 3?

Linda and Marcia prepared our Thanksgiving dinner tonight.  Lindelle joined us for dinner.  It was a really fun evening, remembering things that happened many years ago.  He has a remarkable memory.  It was good for all of us to have dinner together.

The surprised look on Marcia's face is that we were able to get our timer to work (after several failures).  Guess who the cook was (the apron is your first clue.)

Beautiful Thanksgiving Weather

We were invited to join Doug and June's life group today which meant a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner prior to the Bible Study.  We are looking forward to another big dinner tomorrow.  Wow!  We might even celebrate American Thanksgiving in November!! Gobble! Gobble!  Following the life group there we came home for a bit of a rest and then went to our own life group where refreshments were served.  Guess we better not get on the scales after all this eating.  

Our weather is spectacular.  We even used the air conditioner in the car today.  We would just like the weather to stay like this until Christmas.  

Now for a little baseball.

Shopping Spree

We are trying to get more money flowing to help the economy.  We each bought a new pair of walking shoes today.  We really needed them.  (Ouch!)  Our old ones have walked many miles.  

Our computer is in the shop.  We took it in to have the fan oiled and wound up getting a new mother board.  It is still under warranty.  

Looking forward to turkey dinners this week-end.

We're rooting for the Rays.  Getting lots of baseball these days!!!

photos of ancestors

I ran across these pictures. I thought others might like to see them. The gentleman in front in Lawson and Cecil is standing on the left of the picture. The lady is Lawson and Cecil's mother Bessie.

I hope they are clear enough for you to see. The one of Bessie was very dim. I was pleased to get it as sharp as I have.

I have been cutting my roses back (sigh)getting ready for the winter ahead. They grew so much this year I had to use a big tool to cut through the stem.

A brand new blog

I decided to go a different route with my blog.  I liked the format Roger and Sandra and Lita were using so I wanted to give it a try.  It looks like there are more options with this blogspot.  

After a bountiful dinner at church,  Wayford and I both read with our international students.  I took my computer and showed my reader pictures taken in Israel and a map with names we had been reading about the past few weeks, hoping to make it come alive for him.  Wayford used the same with his reader last week.  Tonight his reader was disturbed about a disagreement he had with his parents.  Dad has a difficult time understanding his reader but his reader loves him so much.  He gives Dad a hug when he sees him and acts really fond of him.  My reader is so polite.  He holds the door open for me, carries my bags, bows when he sees me.  How nice!!!

We are making plans to go to Pennsylvania on a foliage tour with Barry and Jean next week.  We plan to leave on Thursday and be back on Saturday.  Wayford preaches here on Sunday.