Dear Friends and
Family,
The
weeks & months have flown by in another very different year! And 2021 is
almost over! We got our first 2 Covid vaccinations
in February and March, then the booster in November. We wear masks as needed
and have stayed well. We
attended too many funerals this year, many due to the Covid pandemic.
Dan
had a fall off a short step ladder in early March that resulted in a badly
bruised hip but thankfully no broken bones.
Meanwhile, I enjoyed some physical therapy for my painful knees.
We
drove to Fairhaven, MA for granddaughter Megan’s baby shower in May, staying in
a bayside cottage, near Marcy. Ben & Megan’s baby Ember Lynn was born May
30! She’s awfully cute!
This summer we replaced most of our
main floor with hardwood – it looks beautiful and changes the whole look of our
home. In preparation, I asked Dan to paint the 2 main floor bedrooms. What a great
refresh after 14 years in this house!
Dan made it easy on me for his
birthday and Father’s Day, choosing his own new gas grill. We’ve certainly
enjoyed the benefits!
Erica
moved in with us for 5 months; over the summer she worked for Salt & Smoke,
a local barbecue restaurant (we didn’t mind the perks!), while still looking
for work back in Columbus, OH. She applied for and earned an assistant manager
position at one of 5 huge food service buildings at Ohio State University,
moving back there in late August.
We harvested an incredible stash of blackberries once again (gave away lots and froze a bunch too) but had only a handful of apples (à no apple butter) this year. We’ll hope for a better harvest next year! Dan takes wonderful care of our home, yard, and gardens!
Having missed last summer’s cancelled shows at The Muny in Forest Park, we were glad to be able to see 5 musicals this year and look forward to a full summer of 7 shows next year. We got to several Cardinals games and didn’t miss many Food Truck Fridays in Tower Grove Park either – good summer fun.
Ben & Megan were married in November 2019, but never got to have their wedding/reception until 10/11/21 – it was a lovely ceremony outside, in a farm/barn setting, with a wonderful dinner following.
With
the upside-down markets for vehicles, Dan decided to sell his 17 year old pickup (for more than it was ordinarily worth) and we ordered a new 2022 Toyota Tacoma
(in June). We knew we’d have months to wait, but now this "last-one-we’ll-ever-need" is being delivered around Christmas!!
We’ve
gotten more involved at Belleville First Church, singing in the worship team,
joining a small group for Bible study and fellowship. It’s great being back on
the Illinois District, attending the annual Lay Retreat, renewing friendships,
and (Dan) assisting the District Superintendent with some computer and web site
topics.
We
celebrated Thanksgiving 3 times – with Dan’s sisters, at home with Erica, then
with Monica and family.
I’ve been knitting baby sweaters and blankets; sewing baby blankets and a small patriotic quilt, and some Christmas gifts. More knitting and quilting to come, I’m sure (especially with 3 great-grandchildren under 3 so far…)!
Life is good! God
is good! Praying for our friends and family – for good health and a healthy
reliance on God, who gives all good things!
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