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It has been a busy and eventful time around here, though our embryo transfer work is modest in this economy and at this time of year. Even though slow, it has been steady, and we are paying our bills with gratitude!
The relaxed pace is something Larry and I both enjoy. He continues to keep busy with vineyard and winery planning. There are plans for converting the barn into the winery and tasting room. There is also the zoning and licensing process. He has spoken with the zoning officer, and turned papers over to an attorney in preparation for the approval process. The current project is to get the vines pruned, hopefully before the end of the month. He has also spent quite a bit of time trying to find some of the vines he wants to plant this spring . . . he had ordered last year, but was recently notified by the nursery in California that there was a problem with the grafts and they won't be available. He doesn't want to lose another year of projected production so . . . we'll see.
I seem to keep busy as well. I wonder where the days go. Well, I know they often start at a slower pace, with a little reading or journaling, writing email and checking facebook! There is still office work and data entry, and lab catch up that I can hear calling if I bother to listen! Currently the squeaky wheel is getting all the 2009 stuff ready for the accountant who shows up on Monday. We also enjoy having the children and grandchildren drop by . . . what a blessing that they are so close by!
Larry and I felt quite privileged on Christmas day, as our children who live locally each invited us to visit. We had brunch at Fran and Steve's, a mid-day feast with Nathan and Terah, and supper at Sarah and Scott's! A first for us, and very special.
We enjoyed having our family Christmas gathering down at Fran's on January 2. Reuben and Donna and the boys stayed with us, and it is always fun to have them here. What a fun time at Fran's!
The older grands enjoy being together and they were off at various corners of the house entertaining one another.
We had one nasty misfortune when little Ori, toddling toward his daddy, dived into the stone hearth of the fireplace. He got a cut and a nasty bruise on his forehead.
Seems Fran and derma-bond are required companions at our family gatherings lately.
Starting last summer, we decided to spend a day with each of the older grandchildren for their birthday. I took Jade to the Strasburg Railroad in August. In September, Levi and Larry went to Clyde Peeling's Reptileland. Max and Larry went fishing in October. This month was Noah's turn. He and Larry spent an afternoon at the Farm Show. We think they are having fun and we hope we are creating some good memories!
Mother and I are planning a trip to Phoenix early in February. Yes! This "dream" trip evolved quite unexpectedly for me. In fall of 2008 Larry was part of a team from the American Embryo Transfer Association who planned a good will and promotional trip to Russia. Tickets were purchased. Then there was a political episode in Georgia, and the trip was cancelled. We "ate" the tickets, so to speak, but after some negotiation, Larry was given a non-transferrable voucher for most of the costs. The team went back to Russia this fall, but for various reasons, Larry decided not to accompany them. So he has this voucher to use. When his brother Don was here from Hawaii in November, he encouraged Larry to visit, saying that American Airlines flies into Kona. Since now is a slow time, Larry has decided to go to visit Don. He will also be doing some hunting with Kimo (you may remember us telling about the young man who stayed with us while helping put the roof on the barn/winery and had the accident with his ring finger). I was welcome to join him, but decided I'd rather visit my sister in Phoenix, as well as two dear friends, one in Yuma and one in Tucson. I've also contacted a high school friend who is also in Phoenix. In talking with my sister Christine, she mentioned how much she'd like Mother to visit. So it turns out that I will drive to Ohio on Friday, Feb. 5, then Mother and I will fly to Phoenix together. The dates are Feb 7-15. (Larry's flights are Feb 7-16). I am looking forward to another memorable experience! It feels like such a gift when "wouldn't it be nice" becomes a reality!!
Our church has been without a lead pastor since last August. The chosen candidate was with us last weekend and the congregation had various opportunities to meet her and her family. A vote is scheduled for this weekend and I fully expect her to receive strong affirmation. She seems like a good fit with our faith community. Are we getting old when the new pastor graduated from LMH with our daughter? :-) Yes, she grew up in this area, but has lived in Pittsburgh and Atlanta during her adult years.
I am looking forward to this Saturday afternoon, when a delightful mix of my friends are coming for a lia sophia show (led by Sarah, of course!). We will have some food, Larry is providing a selection of wines for sipping, a couple of the spouses are coming along and will keep him entertained. It's an excuse for a party!! (Shameless promotion: it is also the best sales deal of the year for anyone who enjoys lia sophia jewelry. Buy one at regular price and get TWO MORE EXPENSIVE items at half price!! If any of you want to check it out, go to http://www.liasophia.com/sarahhaines where you can view the catalog, or email Sarah at hainessc@gmail.com and she can help you.) We didn't grow up encouraged to wear jewelry, but as I've gotten older and freer and had daughters who enjoy pretty things, I have begun to enjoy wearing jewelry too!
The last weekend of January, as has been our tradition for 25 years, we will be going to Spruce Lake for the winter weekend retreat with folks from Etown Mennonite where we were members for many years. We look forward the opportunity to re-connect with these friends who have been an integral part of our lives and with whom we share many memories. The trip up and back with Irvin and Kathy Peifer is always fun, and the Saturday afternoon hike to the top of the mountain is also a highlight. It should be a bit easier for me this year, as I have fewer pounds to drag along!!
As I come to the end of this letter, along with gratitude for the many good things in our lives, I am sobered by an awareness of many who are suffering. Not only the international horrors of earthquakes and war, which are of a scope beyond my ability to comprehend, but the devastating consequences of each individual loss we have experienced in our own communities. There have been several deaths among our church family in the past couple weeks. We are aware of the added loss for Jill and her sister. There have been more diagnoses of serious illness among our circle of friends. And so we hold all these things together, suffering and joy, grief and celebration, grace and mercy and love.
And the greatest of these is love,
Marilyn
