I think I’d better hurry up and do my posting for my November’s project before everyone thinks I’ve cheated and did it in December!  This is a Whims Watercolor kit for a banner but I chose to make another table runner instead.  I am not sure why I did that either….I don’t use table runners any more than I do a banner but I think the runner is more practical.   

I love the poinsettias on the it.  It turned out pretty but I guess quilting it on the sewing machine isn’t the best way.  I am not sure what happened but after I got it all quilted it looked sort of wrinkly.  I can’t take it out so I’ll have to live with it and see if I can master the technique or quit.  Anyway, once there’s a candle or plant on it, it doesn’t look so bad.  I had fun doing it and I suppose that’s what counts.

I also made an apron for my daughter-in-law who happens to love chickens.  I thought this was too cute.

November was a full month.  Dr appointments seemed to take up a large part of my time but I can report that we did see a lot of healing in that time.  Jonny ditched his crutches and brace and began walking on his own with an exaggerated limp.  But each day, he got better and now his limp is barely there. 

Kaity loves playing with the crutches, walker, wheelchair and brace:

My stomach had some very severe bruising from the lap belt and it felt like two summer sausages in there.  Very painful to say the least.  But after I took a couple of muscle relaxants there was immediate relief.  A few weeks later they were reduced to the size of hotdogs.  Later I made the comment that they went from sausages to hotdogs to little smokies.    Yesterday, I realized they are no longer there although there is still slight pain to the touch on my left side.  It was from trapped blood, I guess. 

I still have a sore wrist.  There seemed to be glass still in it, so the doctor numbed it and tried to find it.  Finally, he just cut a hunk of the damaged tissue out and stitched it up.  So, it was pain all over again.  We aren’t sure if we even got the glass out at that, but I am hoping we did.

I had been needing to go to the chiropractor 2 or 3 times a week but now we are down to once every 3 weeks.  I am so thankful for His healing hand. 

Then Lavina started with pneumonia all over again.  Fortunately, we could see the handwriting on the wall and hightailed it to the doctor before it blew up.  Some medicine and a nebulizer did the trick.  PTL

For Thanksgiving our family went up to Silver Bay, MN to our son-in-law’s family; Herb Lattin’s.  They said they were just doing the basics but still ended up with at least 18 things on the menu.   Hmmm….wonders me what the full treatment would be like.    It was so good to be there again.  We enjoy being there with them.  Too bad Adam and Susana couldn’t be there too.  Elv and Arla Graber and family were also there.  Just the right size crowd.  The food was scrumptious, I especially enjoyed the Chutney.

Susan, Arla and I worked on a puzzle but we had to leave before it was finished.  I enjoyed seeing Adam’s cabin that Elv’s are finishing out.  Looks good.  Wish I had taken some pictures but my poor camera is definitely on its last leg.

We endured the 4 hour ride there and back each way crammed into our Cutlass Cierra.  Certainly a come down from our Ford maxi van but the gas mileage is heaps better. 

Here’s a picture of our cute little dog Pixie:

Now this week we are looking for Grandaddy’s to come and our daughter Kendra Lily is planning to come for a month from Guatemala.  I am soooo excited!!!

Well, until next time, may God keep you in His care.  Keep looking up!

I have finally decided what makes Thanksgiving Day right and perfect. 

In our pre-Guatemala days we got together with Vernon’s family and the Wilmer Layman (Grandad) extended family.  A few times we got together with another missionary family when we lived in Guatemala but for the most part we didn’t do too much. 

After we moved here we didn’t really celebrate the day until about 5 years ago when Herb Lattin and Susan Lattin invited us up to spend the day with them.  We have tried to go up every year since then except one. 

Yesterday, we again were there….enjoying the day with the Lattin’s, Cathy Carlson and Elv Graber’s family.  It was then that I decided that to really enjoy Thanksgiving Day you need family to spend it with you.

I am thankful for “family” away from family.  Just wish that Adam and Susana could’ve have joined us!

All of a sudden I thought of Gracie.  Why I don’t know.  I accidentally called Kaitlyn “Gracie” this afternoon.  It just slipped out.

Oh dear, I haven’t thought of that little girl for a LONG time. Not that I was missing much.  Just ask any of our 4 older girls about Gracie.  I can almost guarantee the name would evoke a face before they’d answer.  ( I asked #2 son if he remember Gracie….his response: “Ye-ah.” and a face.) 

Gracie was the oldest child of one of neighbors in El Novillero.  I don’t remember her age but probably about 4 or 5.  Her poor parents thought she was the best thing that walked the face of this earth and that little girl knew it! Every time she opened her mouth to say something, she’d look around to see who all heard her and tried to make sure that we all duly appreciated her wittiness.  We got tired of her extremely fast to say the least.

NOW–I think that Kaitlyn was one of the best things that ever happened to me……God spare us from having another Gracie.  Looks like I have a BIG job ahead of me.  I DO NOT WANT TO SUFFER THAT FATE!!!!!!

I know this is just rambling, but those are my thoughts this evening. 

Blessing to one and all, KimM

PS….KL, this post is dedicated to you.  I know just how much you loved being with the above mentioned brat.   

Hello again.  When I decided to try to make a quilt top each month, I had no idea that I would end up doing 4 in one month.  Actually, I thought I wouldn’t even get any done in October but was I ever in for a surprise.  I am glad that I had enough kits precut that I had plenty to work with.  I still  have about 3 unsewn kits  in my stash, but I didn’t feel up to tackling a Double Wedding Ring yet.

This first one is called Virginia Pinwheel.  Unfortunately, when I cut this one out, I hadn’t learned the lesson that lavenders and blues do not create enough contrast to really appreciate the pattern.  Therefore, the pinwheels do not stand out.  (There are a couple of quilts that I’d like to “do over” and choose fabric that have a definite contrast.)  It still is a pretty quilt top and I am sure it will be very pretty when its quilted.

The last one I got the idea from Accuquilt.  They frequently have patterns featured and this one they used the Parallelogram die.  I am not sure if they had named it but theirs is a wallhanging in 2 colors.  I decided to make individual pinwheels in assorted colors.  I made each one different so it was like a jigsaw puzzle to put together but once I got the hang of it, it went fairly fast.  I had done most of it in one day but then today I decided to add another row on the bottom to make it fit a twin bed.  That took most of my day because I had to find scraps that matched the bottom row and do more cutting.  I was very pleased with the end results.

When Susana was out here, a friend gave us 2 pickup loads of apples.  We borrowed Herb Lattin’s cider press and 2 of their children to help us.

It was cold and rainy so we set the press up here in the living room.  I am so glad for hardwood floors that clean up easily.    Amber and Abram had to leave after one day of cider making but we plugged on for the 2nd day.  We made about 70 gallons and decided we didn’t have the stamina to do any more so gave the rest of the apples away.

Since Jonny has a broken leg, when we found a wheelchair for $20 at the local secondhand store I bought it.  Now the family has been having fun! 

In this picture Vernon is popping a wheelie with Kaity while is Abram playing with the other wheelchair that our neighbor loaned us. 

P.S.  Vernon usually is better at most things but I can pop wheelies better than he can!   (I am not sure if there are any pictures to prove it though.)

I had already done a lap quilt for October (in September) since we had planned to be gone this month.  Since God made it very clear that our trip was not in His plans at this time; I have been trying to recuperate.  I have not been able to do much these past 2 weeks so I’ve been able to finish 2 more of my quilt kits that I had cut out.

So, here are the results.  One is Queen and made with the skillions of little samples that I got from Good’s Store for the Tropical Breeze fabric.  Most of those little samples were 2″ x 2.5″ so I cut them into 2 inch squares.  It took scads of them…over 1,000.  The solid white pieces are 5″ squares so that will give you an idea of the size.  The picture didn’t take as nice as I would’ve like.  I really would like a new camera!    Oh well, I think once its quilted it will be very nice.

Here is a close up:

The next one is another red, white and blue one.  If I don’t soon get that fabric used up folks are going to accuse me of being patriotic.  I am not so much, although I do appreciate the privilege of living in the US, but I do love the colors together.  It is a twin size. I can’t remember the name right now. Whoops, I didn’t notice that this was blurry until now.  Either I need a new camera or need new glasses.  I believe I need both!  (Actually, I am surprised how well I can see out of this 7 or 8 year old glasses!) 

I have already started a new one.  It is a Virginia Pinwheel. 

I am quilting Kaity’s little quilt but haven’t done any for awhile as my right arm was too sore.  I hope to get that done yet this month if I can. 
I didn’t realize how badly I was hurt in the wreck but I sure know that I am not as young as I used to be.  While Jonny is making big progress every day, I am still limping about clutching my sore back or stomach; whichever is hurting the worst at the moment.  I had a rough night last night..I finally took some pain pills this morning.  It even hurts to sit.  I have some rolled vertebrae, and maybe some twisted muscles in my stomach.  The chiropractor believes my pubic bone may have separated too.  It feels like it.  I just pray that it won’t last for years.  I do want to thank God for His protection and my friends for their prayers.  

Now, I wonder how many October quilts I will actually get done! 

Here is more pictures of our van and other stuff.

  My glasses went flying.  Fortunately, I have some from years gone by to use.The ill-fated cake plate!

Another shot at the scene.  Officer, Vernon and Marvin talking to Jonny.

Left front fender and light.

Interior from 2nd bench seat where Jonny and I were seated.  The cake hit the seat first and then the ceiling.

Picnic stuff.

Blood from Jonny’s nose.  He went through this window onto the ground.

Left side.  Looks like it rolled on the nose mostly.

Vernon was in the front passenger seat.

How did Vernon escape with only a bruise and a scraped elbow??!!

Driver’s seat.

See the cake splatters?

More cake splatters. 

Must’ve gone out the driver’s window.

Now, how did the left side of the van escape any injury?  It doesn’t look as if it was ever in a wreck!

Kaity’s sweater and shoes.  Mostly cake and icing.  Her shoes are yellow from the cupcakes.

Jonny still has to do school.  Math U See.

He is learning to motivate better each day.  We are so glad he is not in a body cast.

This is all folks.  Hope it wasn’t too boring.  Have a good day. 

Since I had a birthday yesterday, Vernon invited Ted Miller’s family to join us for a picnic at the ski slopes at Christy Mountain.  We had an enjoyable time together as we always do.  We parted company around 4 as Ted’s had to do chores.  We also had communion scheduled last night….having the feet washing in the morning.  I was thinking that I’d have a little time for a nap before leaving for church.

Well, we went south at Bruce on E and over on P and Ted’s continued on 8 through Ladysmith.  Both of our families were wondering if we would met each other at the intersection of P and 27.  We didn’t as God planned something else for our family. 

About 2 miles west of the intersection, Vernon saw a deer in the field to the right of us and was pointing it out when Tiana got distracted and left the road.  I think if she would’ve just driven straight on, we wouldn’t have rolled, but she tried to get it back onto the road, ending up rolling us 2x.  It landed almost right side up with the right side about 3/4 over.  Most of us either fell out or crawled out the broken windows.  I was strapped in the middle of the second bench seat and know I didn’t hit anything while rolling. 

Rose had made a cake for me and I was holding that in my lap.  It apparently flew out of my grasp and up and out the driver’s window.  There is cake and whipped cream all over the driver’s door inside and out.  Vernon and Kaitlyn was splattered with cake too.  Weird isn’t it?  I got some bad cuts on my forehead and right arm and I feel its from the cake plate.

Jonny fell out when the van stopped and the impact broke his right femur.  He was transported to Marshfield for surgery and will have 3 nails put in to keep the bones together.  He will need to be there until at least Friday.  But this way he won’t be in a body cast.  He’s in a lot of pain.

I am not sure how I ended up getting hurt the worst but the seat belt did a number on me.  I am dreadfully bruised across the lower abdomen and hips.  I think the seat belt was trying to cut me into half!!!

As some of you know, our family has been facing some fiery trials from the devil.  I had been praying that God would do anything that would help in this situation…so I really feel this is answer to my heart’s cry.  Please pray that this will be a positive experience for us. 

One thing for sure, its answer to our prayers about driving our van to Guatemala in the next week or so.  :-S

Today, we are just trying to rest up from our traumatic experience.  It is something that I hope never to experience again but I was amazed that I didn’t panic when it happened.  I knew God was with us!  What a calming thought.  Also, for the record, there was no time to beg God for forgiveness for anything….had anyone of us died it would’ve been so final.

We appreciate you prayers on our behalf.  Thanks,

Some of you knew that we are planning to go to Guatemala for a visit.  We had planned to leave around the 19th of Sept. but with Darlene Kauffman’s death we postponed it.  Now our date is Oct. 3.  If God doesn’t put another roadblock in our way. 

So in anticipation of this trip, I did my October project.  This one is Plaid Lap Robe from Creative scraps: Quilting with Bits & Pieces  (House of White Birches).  This one is for paper foundations but after trying one block or triangle in this case, I decided I wasn’t comfortable with that method so I made templates and cut them out with the rotary cutter.   It is smaller than I had anticipated.  42″ x 48″.  Interesting but I doubt that I’ll ever do another one. 

Have a good Lord’s Day tomorrow.  I am supposed to teach Sunday School so I hope I am over the flu by then. 

When we got the phone call that Darlene (Mrs. Harold) Kauffman had passed away at MAM headquarters early Wed. morning, Sept.14th, I had trouble believing it was for real.  We ladies sat around after church discussing funeral plans as far as the meals went, but no one mentioned lodging for anyone.  Once the viewing and funeral plans were tentatively made, phone calls began pouring in.

So, without really delegating a lodging committee, I became it by default.    First, Stephan Gingerich called from Guatemala to see if it would suit for his parents, Mark and Norma to stay with us while they were up for the funeral.  Would it????!!!!! I would’ve been dreadfully disappointed had they not come here and it pleased me to know that they requested to stay with us.

I called to Maryland and talked with Mama Doris and told her to plan to stay here if she could come.  It wasn’t long until Sharon Eby, also from MD called to see if it would suit us for her and Duane to stay here.  Sure.  

Then, it was Verton and Anne Miller from Arkansas.  But they weren’t sure if they were coming so I wasn’t to save space for them.  OK.  Who’s next? 

Sharon called back and said that Ian and Dorcas Alpires from Salisbury, Md was coming too.  Now problem.  Still had enough beds. 

Vernon called Melvin Kuepfer from Ontario and told him he was welcomed to stay here.  I thought he could sleep in Marv’s bed.  

Next, Mark’s daughter Sarah called and she planned to come and surprise her parents.  Now, how could I even think of placing her anywhere but here?  Sarah and Janelle

It seemed I barely had time to put the phone down when Edgar Frey’s wife Sadie called and said that they were bringing Melvin plus Mervin Kuepfer, Elizabeth Weber and Katie Jantzi.  

Ohhh—I couldn’t say no to Mervin….he is a very special person to our family.  He and his wife Norma, spent 3 months in Novillero with us in 1997, encouraging us when we were at a point of discouragement.  He could sleep in Marv’s room too.  And….. Elizabeth, Mark’s youngest sister…..she’s been my friend since we were about 10 years old.  She HAD to stay here too.    I decided that we were full up so the others could stay with Ted Miller’s.

I had just made those arrangements when Leighton Zook’s wife called and said that they were bringing Mark’s oldest son, James and his wife Sylvia.  Oh my, Leighton has been one of Marvin’s good friends since Leighton’s served at MAM in the mid ’90′s.  Also, there was James’….no way could they be parceled out to another place.      James, Silvia, Sharon and Norma

But, I was running out of room!  Then Sharon called and said that Wilmer Lehman was with them.  So, Marv’s room was filled and he took the couch.  Actually, he usually does anyway. 

Wilmer and Mark

I called John and JoEllen Weaver who gladly hosted the Zooks.  Leighton’s parents, Tim and Kathy came down and joined them there and we also sent Ian’s over there too.

Last of all, Verton’s called and needed a bed too.  I called a couple other places but it didn’t suit them so we quickly cleaned up Jonny’s old bedroom downstairs and took a bed down and fixed up one more bedroom. 

Mark’s and Verton’s came Saturday and the rest on Sunday afternoon.  Duane’s load arrived just as we were returning from the fellowship meal at church.  I served supper to our guests and we all enjoyed our mini MAM reunion.  Some of these people we hadn’t seen for years!

By the way, Norma shared what on her heart to the ladies’ SS class, Verton had the men’s class and Mark preached so we all got a break. 

The viewing was held at Shiloh Sunday evening, although it was nip and tuck for the body to arrive, what with Independence Day in Guatemala and getting the body released from the Airport, etc.  The family couldn’t just take the casket, it had to be released to a funeral home before it could leave the airport in Chicago.  Its a good 6 hours from here to Chicago and the body wasn’t released until 10 AM.  The funeral home here in Ladysmith had to give another funeral home the authority to get the body.  Red tape.

It drizzled all day Sunday but Monday dawned clear and absolutely gorgeous.  After a breakfast of pancakes, lil smokies, bacon and juice…(and of course, the Guatemalan coffee) we all headed over for the funeral.

Ted Miller moderated, Victor Ovalle had devotions, and Phil Wenger (Harold’s granddaughter’s husband who is a minister at Beloit, WI) preached.  Another grandson-in-law Ezra Martin lead the singing.  Then, Mark, Duane, Melvin, and Urie Sharp gave short talks.  Oh yes, Harold also got up and spoke too.

It was a very nice service and we were glad to see so many people we knew.  Juan and Luky Ovalle, Luky’s sister, Flor and Freddy, Lloyd Mast’s, Tim Korver’s,  oh there were many. 

Mark’s were the only ones to stay over last night.  They left this morning after we served breakfast to them, Harold and Victor.  They took Victor along with them to Beloit to make connections to the O’hare Airport tomorrow morning.  We enjoyed every minute of our time together.  But after they left and the weather became cloudy and drizzly again, suddenly I realized that I was exhausted.  I actually took 2 naps today!  I must’ve been running on adrenalin. 

Someone said something about us being about to host 15 people and my reply was that I’d rather be on the lodging committee anytime than to be on the food committee.  Now, THAT would scare me! 

PS.  Just for your info….Marv and Jonny slept on couches, Vernon and I in Lavina’s room and the girls camped out in the semi.

Maybe I can add photos later.

Well, I am here again, trying to post yet another blog.  As usual, my mind isn’t really in gear to put together a nice interesting post.  I’ll try my best but am not going to guarantee anything.  I do hope that I don’t bore you.

Since I knew that we were planning a trip to Guatemala next month, I thought I’d better be cranking out my September’s Quilt this month.  So, I grabbed the last kit that I’d cut.  This one is called “Scrappy Stars” from A Treasury of Scrap Quilts by Nancy J. Martin.  I decided to do a lavender and purple version of that one.  The original was 60″ x 60″ but I used 3 and 1/2″ squares instead of 2 and 1/2″ that the pattern called for.  Also I did 20 blocks instead of 16.  Now, I have a queen sized quilt.  It went together very fast and I got it done in 3 days.  As usual, Vernon and I disagreed on its beauty.  I love scrappy quilts (which is a good thing since I have all those scraps left over from the store and our dresses) while he prefers only 2 or 3 fabrics in a quilt.  He thinks this is too busy.  I had thought it wasn’t too bad since I only used lavender and purple.   Oh well, we do agree on the comfort of the the quilts after they are finished and on the bed.

Vernon announced yesterday that he wants to leave on Monday.  I am glad to finally have a tentative date to shoot for but suddenly I feel a little panicky.  There is so much to do before then. 

Our neighbor gave me 6 Walmart bags full of cucumbers on Sat.  I started a batch of the cinnamon ring pickles but that takes nearly a week from start to finish.  Today, I did a batch of relish but decided there was no way I could do them all so called Gary Bear’s girls and asked if they could use them to sell at Farmer’s Market.  So glad they did. 

Now our older girls and Jonny are picking the apples on the next lot.  It is an old tree that belongs to the village.  When we moved here I thought they were crabs but the children assured me they were sweet and delicious.  We have been pruning the tree and making applesauce for the last 4 years.  This year, Vernon sprayed it and that took care of the worm problem.  I plan to thin the fruit and see if we can end up with bigger apples.  This year they are slightly larger than golf balls.  Some folks probably wouldn’t bother but we really like the flavor of the applesauce it makes.  And the apples are free so that is a plus too!

Our Concord grapes are starting to ripen but will not be ready to pick for canning juice until after we leave.  I sure hope that Melisa will be able to take care of them for me.  I would hate to lose this crop.  I have been trying for 30 years to have my own grapes and finally I have some only to be gone when they are ready for harvesting.  I am sure there is at least 2 bushels of grapes hanging on.

I have started a list of things that need done before we go….that should help me stay focused.    We plan to be gone most of the month.  A Mexican bought a semi cab and is hiring Vernon to drive it to Mexico.  Our son who lives in Guatemala has a load of farm equipment to take down so we plan to take a loaded trailer on down for him.  

Today is Kendra Lily’s 22nd birthday.  Wish we were already there to help her celebrate.  Our family’s tradition is to have pizza, Root beer, Mt. Dew and Pringles for our birthdays.  I sent a can of Pringles, a small bottle of each of the pops with someone from Guatemala that was up for Mark Andrew’s wedding.  At least she can have a Taste of Home for her birthday. 

Well, until next time, may God keep you all in His care.  Keep looking up!