Weekend news!

Well, I spent this weekend at Camp Friedenswald in Michigan at a Women's Retreat. It rained all weekend, seemingly without stopping, although there were a few short reprieves. But, nonetheless I had a great weekend. I was able to get together with some friends from our church in Markham whom I haven't seen in a while. It felt like a family reunion.
I took the opportunity (because of the rain) to start knitting a new sweater. I made one for Katie last spring and decided it was time to knit one for August. Next will be me and then Bret. I guess I'll be looking forward to more rainy days!

I can do anything!

You must all be wondering...what has happened with the washing machine...surely Angela won't survive a whole week without one! And you're right I probably couldn't but I didn't need to! My handy hubby was able to diagnose the problem--the mechanism that registers when the door is closed was broken. So, I went to a nearby repair place and bought the appropriate part. Remarkably it stated on the bag, "easy to install." I thought to myself, "I'm a relatively intelligent person. I should be able to figure this out!" I read the instructions, examined the placement of the old part, and installed it myself!!! Words can't begin to tell you the joy that comes from fixing your own washing machine! Okay this may sound a little crazy to some of you. But I've gotten used to letting my handy hubby fix stuff like this! Anyway the washer is good as before and I am now certain that I can do anything I set my mind to!

Life as Usual...

Well, piano lessons are underway, school has been in session for a couple of weeks and the routine of "life as usual" is back in swing. Today I was startled out of my usual laundry day (everyday seems to be laundry day) humdrum routine by the realization that my washing machine was not spinning out the water. HMM... That was not part of my plan for the day. Tonight I spent some time wringing out my clothes by hand and emptying the water out. I guess we'll have to figure out whether we can fix it or have to replace it. We've had it for about 8 years now, so I guess with daily wear and tear or wash and wring...it's done its duty. We'll see...

Here's what we did for the 4th

I thought some of you may enjoy these pictures of our 4th of July weekend, spent with friends at a cottage on a lake in Michigan. We had a wonderful time with all our friends. August loved going tubing and both kids spent a lot of time swimming. I swam across the lake and back with some really good sports who came along to keep me company! (Thank you guys!) It was probably our most relaxing and fun experience this summer!

I've Been Tagged!

My DEAR friend Emily was GRACIOUS enough to include me in a game of Tag! Thanks SO MUCH!!! So what does this mean? I guess I have to answer a few questions about myself to entertain you all...and, of course, tag five friends--Sorry! ;-)

So...here goes nothing!

Rules: Answer 8 questions and Tag 5 people!

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
Well, August, 1998 I was in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada preparing for a 2 year assignment with Mennonite Central Committee in Cartwright, Labrador, Canada. (Google it if you're curious) I was also pregnant with our now 9 1/2 year old, August.

2. Five things on my to do list?
Laundry (I could be doing this forever!)
Schedule piano lessons for August and Katie
Finish installing a brick border around our house
Weed my garden
Prepare for Women's Retreat (in Michigan at Camp Friedenswald) Yay!

3. Snacks I enjoy?
Almonds
Ice cream
Dark chocolate
Salt and Vinegar Chips

4. If I were a Billionaire what would I do?
After taxes---I suppose I'd buy a nicer--but not insane--house, put some away for retirement, and give a bunch away to good causes. August thinks I should also buy a new trampoline (a tree fell on ours!), and maybe some more pets (I think not so much).

5. 3 Bad Habits?
Playing Solitaire (for stress relief)
Chewing hangnails when I'm nervous/stressed
Not putting things back where they belong (Bret submitted this!)

6. Places I've lived?
Illinois
Wisconsin
Labrador
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Indiana
British Columbia

7. Five Jobs I've Had?
Dishwasher (you can get paid for this!)
Children's Librarian
Family Therapist
Emergency Mental Health Counselor
Mom

8. Five things many people don't know about me?
I love flannel.
I would usually rather be at home.
I broke my ribs while trying to canoe in 2006--and I haven't canoed since.
I don't know how to text message.
I love baking bread and cookies--but hate doing dishes!

So my friends, I say TAG, YOU'RE IT!!!:
Bonita S.
Rachel L.
Lucia W.
Lee Ann D.
Heidi N-S

We spent part of a day this summer climbing a lovely old tree over a lake at a park in Normal. We enjoyed a community theatre production of "Charlotte's Web" and a picnic supper in the park. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the summer! The fairy princess loves to dress up whenever she can! She practices her curtsey and other poses she learned in ballet! We enjoy the show she puts on for us!

We visited the Wildlife Prairie State Park this summer with Matthew (our nephew) and Bret's dad. The kids enjoyed the opportunity to get a close up look at some wildlife which is indigenous to this region. The Park cares for injured animals found in the area and keeps animals which cannot be transitioned back to the wild. They have a family of wolves, herd of bison, and numerous elk and deer.