Working from home

Derek is working from home today. I think that's a blessing for many reasons. First, the weather is supposed to get bad. And, we have two unreliable vehicles right now. I blogged a bit before about what Derek used to drive (Rusty) and his current ride the GPA (Grandpa's Park Avenue).

Last week Derek started driving the van to work because he thinks one side of the GPA's breaks are going out. He had finally fixed the heat but now the breaks need help. So to be safe, I stayed home bound and he drove the van. Fine with me. I have plenty to do!

Recently, we've been noticing the coolant low light for a while in the van. When I say "noticing" I mean Derek is aware of the problem and trying this and that while hoping it will go away. I on the other hand, see the coolant low light and think it's the washer fluid. Apparently, I remember nothing from Auto Shop nor can I read and understand! Then, Saturday, the heat started acting funny, and then stopped which wasn't very funny with the freezing temps.

So Monday, Derek decided between heat and bad brakes or no heat. Since he drives all the way to South Bend for work, he went with the heat so that meant bad brakes on one side. He did make it there and back with only a few incidents - he almost went through Great-grandpa's garage door when he was dropping off Jesse in the morning on his way to work. And then on the way home, he went into a field. Luckily he just kept going and drove right out.

Needless to say, it was nice for him to stay home today!!! Here he is with his co-worker/secretary.

We got to have lunch with Dad, Joan, Christine and Brian. As I write this, they are headed to Indy to fly to Texas to celebrate Christmas with Brian's family where it is about 100 degree's. (That sounds nice right now but I wouldn't trade it for a White Christmas.)

Oh and here's a picture of Rusty. He didn't make it. He was parked the other way at the top of the driveway. The tornado blew him around and he is sitting on the phone box or some kind of utility type eye sore in the yard. His frame was broke. Poor Rusty!

Stickel Christmas

This is Derek's mom's side of the family. We spend a lot of time at Great Grandma & Grandpa's. Here are some pictures from the day.

This is Jesse last year. (Note the chair and green yard.)

This is Jesse this year. I guess he likes that spot and notice the bright white outside. This is much different than last year!

This is what Emma looked like last year at Christmas.

Here's Emma this year. (Note the brown face she had all day. I couldn't keep her out of the chocolate chip cookies!)

The Kids Table :-)

Here they are - all the great-grandchildren. (We claim the oldest and youngest)

The original 4 grandkids
The two who started all this - Great Grandpa & Grandma, with the kids. So wouldn't Great Grandpa & Grandma be the trouble-makers?

And here's Emma sending an email! Look at those patty's. She looks as though she knows what she's doing!

Christmas with Dad & Joan #1

Saturday, we went to my Dad's for dinner. Joan's daughter, Christine, and friend Brian were here visiting. After dinner we went to the Mall to visit Janelle and walk around. Janelle works at The Body Shop so be sure she helps you if you go in there! Derek was actually thankful he went in there. On one of his trips, he learned how to get the perfect shave at the store, The Art of Shaving. (It's all about the prep work guys.) Anyways, they had just what he had been looking for!

Emma is going be a future shopper. She couldn't get enough of Christine! She pulled Christine through the Mall with Christine's purse on her shoulder, hand on hip and a definite swing in her walk. It was too cute!

And how about this for a big brother? How many 12 year olds would sit on a "baby ride" with their sister in the middle of a crowed mall?

Funny Pictures

I can't resist a baby butt crack!


Our cat, Buttercup, likes to lay on the dryer when it's going. When I put the clothes in the dryer, she was sprawled out on top. When I returned to fold - I was a little surprised!


This picture isn't really funny. I've wanted to get these "Debbie Meyer" green bags to see if they actually work. So here's the start of my experiment. What's funny is that I didn't even keep track of when I started and I will end up forgetting to follow up. Does anyone else use these bags and what do you think?

For really funny pictures try Rob's Random Ramblings - Funny Picture Friday!

Winter Storm #1

Here are a couple pictures from this past Friday's storm. We got a lot of ice! The coolest thing was that there was thunder and lightening. Jesse was ALMOST disappointed there was no school because they were having their class party of course. (Okay, he was a little disappointed.)

I put down Winter Storm #1 because we are supposed to get some more ice tomorrow. But with this one, everything was fine at our homestead until yesterday morning. Around 7am our power went out. Not a big deal except it was extremely cold! I couldn't get Derek up but that gave him a boost out of bed. He was up in a flash straight to the garage to hook up the generator!

We purchased this generator, oh, quite a few years ago. That last big ice storm to hit Nappanee. We were out of town when it had hit and when we got back about 3 days later, our house was still w/out power. The thermostat said57 degree's. I think we actually called Denny Martin at home to see if he would open up and let us buy a generator. He did and 3 hours later we had some heat and lights. Derek headed to get gas or food and saw some Nipsco trucks in Martin's parking lot. He tracked the men down at Pizza Hut and asked where we were at on the list. We weren't on their list but they came to the house and fixed it in 10 minutes!

So, we've have had this generator for years. We have lugged this thing with each move. We even tried to sell it a few times - no luck. As I write this, I think the generator was in the shed when the tornado hit. I'll have to add a picture. This thing is indestructible! I think we'll have it forever. So, after this last move, we decided to keep it. And, as a permanent member of "Derek's Collection of Guy Things" he'll now jump at the chance to use it!

And he did on Sunday. Our church was without power as well but still stayed open to have service in a smaller, warmer area than the sanctuary. We went. Shortly after worship started, the power came back on. We had left our generator running. So afterwards, we headed home, unplugged it and were just about ready to leave to head to Great Grandpa's when the power went on and off a couple times. Well, it was on when we left. Upon returning, we were on CR 52 and saw every house go dark! So, we got home, lit candles, powered up the generator and about 20 minutes later the power came back on and has been on since.

We are still leaving things in place until this ice melts and especially since we're supposed to get more tomorrow! Winter is here!!

Here's our shed before our tornado.


Here's our shed after the tornado.

Here is our trusty generator (midde of picture). It landed behind where the shed was, along with some of our neighbors furniture and other items.

Christmas Pageant Pictures

Stickel Reunion

After we got our tree, we stopped by Raymond's for a Stickel Reunion (Derek's Mom's Dad's side). It was so nice to get together. - Thanks Aunt Ester!!

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This is also Emma's only visit with Santa. When we were blessed with Jesse 12 years ago, Santa was a major part of Christmas. Things will be different with this one. (Sorry about that Jesse!!) Here' s a very good blog by Steve Gall with comments on what I'm talking about.

Let the season begin!

These pictures are from 11-30. To date, our lovely tree still has only lights on it. After blogging, I hope to find some time to decorate it!!

Happy Birthday Jesse!

Jesse turned 12 this week (12-9-08). I can't believe it!! Here he is way back in 2002 getting ready to ride with Great-Grandpa.

This past weekend we went to Chicago. Saturday we hit the Museum of Science and Industry. Here's Jesse now at the farm exhibit . . .

After the museum, we stayed at a hotel, went swimming, got a Chicago style pizza and watched a movie. Sunday we visited a couple lego stores and headed home. We had a wonderful time!!

Here are some more pictures . . . . (Sorry, I can't figure out why it's one per line)

It's a great time for all ages!!

God does!

Okay, last post for today. I've had a couple on my mind to do and now that my headache is temporarily gone I'll get busy!

Some of you know I attend a bible study in Goshen. (BSF Bible Study Fellowship) After becoming a Christian, even though we started going to church I still had this hunger for more. You know how you may invite someone to something and they come up with excuses, say no thanks or look at you like you're crazy? Not me - finally someone asked me to BSF and I was so excited! I really didn't know much at all about the bible or how to even really study.

I blogged earlier a bit about BSF. Well, I am back in class and a leader for the 3/4's class. And after a 2 year prayer, there were finally enough leaders to open up the 2's class which Emma now attends. This is really awesome because Jesse never got to go. The day class only goes up to 5/6's and he was in Kindergarten. So I'm so excited to finally have a child in the program.

I go to class on Monday which is for leaders only so we're prepared to lead on Tuesday's. Emma goes and stays with 2 ladies while I'm in class. At first she was not happy about this but she now has a crush on Miss Ginger and goes willingly. Her class on Tuesday is another story! She still cries at first but eventually stops.

What I wanted to share is what she is learning . . . Later in the day after week two, I was asking her questions - What did you do? Did you hear a story? Did you sing? Then I thought of the main truth for that day which was "God always keeps His promises". So I said, "Emma, who always keeps His promises?" And her sweet little answer was, "God Does". How awesome is that?!!!

There are about 7 two year olds in a class learning God's truths each week. Even though there are MANY tears during those two hours, seeds are being planted. I appreciate those two brave ladies - Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Hess!! Emma knows that God always keeps His promises. She also sings "God is so Good" and "Trust and Obey".

I'm excited to see what she continues to learn. I know that our family has been very blessed since I started attending! So remember, when you're hesitant to invite someone to your church or even a bible study - remember my story! Because of my friends obedience, a family has been changed and a two year old is now singing praises to God!

And if any of you are looking for a study to start the new year, try BSF. I attend the Goshen/Elkhart Day Women's Class - Tuesday's from 9-11am. They will be having introduction classes on January 6th and 13th. It's held at the Beulah Missionary Church on Old CR 17 just off the Bypass. (There are also evening classes for Men, Women and School age children. The info is listed on the website.)

Wrestling

Just wanted to blog quick about wrestling.

We had talked about wrestling last year but it was right after football and we needed a break. Since Jesse broke his wrist this past summer he wasn't ready to do football and thought he'd try wrestling. We had heard it could help him be more aggressive in football.

But, when it came time for wrestling, of course he didn't really want to do it. The little stinker said he wanted to wrestle to get out of football! Well, being the mean parents we are, we made him wrestle. I thought it was organized very well. But it is definitely not the sport for Jesse. And I'm kind of glad. There's a lot of waiting for a 10 second match!!

Here's the couple pictures I have . . . .

First is of Jesse the last time he actually wrestled. He didn't wrestle a couple times because they didn't have enough kids his size. Unfortunately for him, the boys were quite a bit bigger than him when he did wrestle.

And next is Emma tackling her cousin Landry. I think they both may have a future in wrestling.