Work & More Work

Tom and I had a very fun day right before I had to go back to work at the schools. We started by visiting Rowsters Coffee. It was started by Stephen Curtis, the owner of our favorite spot for many years in Caledonia-Essential Bean. Stephen has opened a new coffee spot in Easttown Grand Rapids. We enjoyed our visit and Stephen whipped up great drinks for us.

We then went into Grand Rapids for lunch at San Chez. I know there wasn't much time between morning coffee and lunch but we did walk around down town GR for a while too. The memory of that day will linger with me long into the cold weather.

Since that time we have been working hard. I'm working in three school districts-Hopkins, Caledonia and Byron Center. I've had to set a more predictable schedule so I know where to go. Monday/Wednesday/Friday I'm in Hopkins. I split both Tuesday and Thursday between Caledonia and Byron Center. It depends on which teachers I will work with. Makes the week go by very quickly.

We made a trip up to the Soo for Labor Day. Our trip home was made in a wild wind storm. The trip across the Mackinaw Bridge was scary. We saw many boats losing their covers and several RVs that had their awnings torn off while they drove.


Last Saturday was Middleville Heritage Days. We watched Tommy play softball. Then we watched the parade. It was all in the rain. Here we are waiting for Anna and Madelynn to come with the group from their church who were in Suessical the Musical. Fortunately, they got the bus and let the kids ride.

That's Madelynn waving to us in the rain.

Later, we went to the church for the performace. Of course, our granddaughters were wonderful. This is Anna & Madelynn.
Tom has been working on projects here at the house. This week is a major re-do to the garage. Although the structure is in good shape, the foundation had rotted away causing the walls to bow out. It was just a matter of time before the garage would be done. Travis Grummet, our neighbor, is fixing it. He had to jack up the garage, pour new footings and replace the bottom wall boards. We are very pleased with his work and he should be done this week.

Travis and Tom discussing the project.




Once the walls are strengthened we will be adding a new garage door. I should have a secure place to park during the winter.

Each project brings us joy because we can see the results of our efforts and it makes our new home better. We are really enjoying our move to the farm.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Emma C. Nason Children's Home

Image
Emma C. Nason Home A Children's home in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan When I first met Tom and was telling him about my family, I said that I had 22 sisters and brothers. But I went on to explain that I lived with my parents at a children's home where they were the directors. For our first year there, I lived right in the large bedrooms with the girls-about 10 of them. Then I was given my own bedroom. My parents had an apartment in the building but my sister Susie was the only one who stayed in it with them. The Emma C. Nason Home has a wonderful history in the Soo. Emma C. Nason was a woman who moved to the Soo in the early 1900's from New York. Her goal was to start a home for wayward sailors. I'm sure there were many of them in the Soo during that time. Nason's vision for this home must have changed over time and she actually established a home for unwed mothers on Ridge Street. So when the city leaders started a children's home, they named it the E
Read more

Living on the Ridge

Image
 I was reading this book last week and it got me thinking about …. This quote is from one of my favorite podcasts last week- What Should I Read Next? When I heard that, I realized that I say that frequently.  Right now, I'm studying the growing of oranges.  This is how I got to my current topic of study-growing oranges. So "I was reading this book last week and it got me thinking about how oranges are grown here in Florida."  The book was Oranges by John McPhee.   Found out we live on "The Ridge".  A prime citrus growing area in Florida that runs from Leesburg to Sebring.  We live just north of Sebring.   Oranges are fascinating.  Did you know that ....? Oranges from the top of the tree are sweeter than fruit from the bottom of the tree Oranges are sweeter on the south side of the tree There are sweeter sections within an orange.  The blossom end is sweeter than the other side of the orange. We have an orange grove nearby that sells
Read more

Never a Surprise to God

Image
It has been nearly two weeks since we received the phone call with Tom’s test results telling us that his biopsy came back showing cancer.  One week has passed since we shared the news publicly.  Telling everyone was difficult.  How do you find the words to say such a thing? Tom chose to be public with his news.  A good friend who has taken the cancer journey before us recommended a CaringBridges page.  She found the comments from loved ones very helpful as she faced her treatments.   We are using this blog and Facebook instead of CaringBridges but the effect is the same.  Tom and I have been overwhelmed with the response of family, friends-both near and far.  Current friends and those we have lost touch with over the years.  We’ve heard from our pastor and Faith Bible Church family,  classmates, friends from our life in Florida, a former co-worker of Eric’s from his time in Minneapolis.  The notes from all of you have been incredibly helpful and strength building. 
Read more