THE WHITE OUT

It has been snowing for 2 days.  Not just spitting flakes....I MEAN SNOWING.  The storm was big enough that they named it....JONAS.  I made it out today to the drugstore & P.O. but couldn't make it up the drive and had to leave the Toyota at the bottom of the hill in our driveway.  Here's

  Here's a picture of Ben & Allie's house in Richmond.  Don't know when we are going to get out of our houses.  I think we all agree, two days is enough.  I can't complain though.  

We woke to really painful news this morning.  DONK's THEATER in Mathews collapsed under the weight of the snow & ice on the roof plus forcing winds.  I don't even know what to say about it.  It has been such an integral part of so many lives including our family's.  Jeffrey, Lynda and all are in shock.  

Thank God no one was in the building.  I have so many photos and wonderful memories of special times spent there. Jeffrey was a regular every show.  

Other things have happened.  We sent Jennifer (Long) a floral bouquet for her first day of student teaching in a NC elementary school.  Comcast is hopefully going to run a cable to our house so we can get rid of the evil Verizon.  Ellen has decided to stay and finish out her undergrad at W & M instead of moving to a smaller school.  

Oh....and I have got to figure out how to raise $14,000 for the Nablus group from Palestine to come to WORKCAMP 2016.  My brain is "fuzzy, snowy".  

KEEPING MY PROMISE TO WRITE

Yes....heaven is getting a bit crowded.  We found out yesterday that Sister James Regina aka Sister JR passed away in December. We really miss the ladies in blue at camp.
I went to Toano to visit Sheila and it was wonderful.  We had a wonderful visit....laughing - crying - eating.  Time flew.  I hope that I can make regular visits there....I love her company.
Allie has an appointment with Crater Hospice next week.  Apparently the group has a Reiki person on staff, but they possibly need another practitioner to do both volunteer and paid sessions.  Exciting.
Also exciting, more and more refugees from Catholic churches are registering for Workcamp 2016.  Covert operations by parents and others are getting them in.  It's really amazing.  And I am thankful for trusting people.

A FAREWELL OF SORTS

It gives me such joy and happiness that my Allie and Ben are together.  If any two people were meant for each other, it was them.  This pic was taken last Christmas (I can tell by the garland in the window).  Now they are married and snug as a bug in a rug!
Today was a bit challenging.  It was the memorial service for Glenn Plott.  Years ago I could hardly have imagined this day.  I just knew that he and Sheila were going to be around forever.  When I walked into the church I was so glad to see Linda W, Jerri S, Christina and the gang waving me in to sit with them.  The service still wasn't quite closure for me....I am sure once I have some one on one time with Sheila, that will happen.
John has First Christian tomorrow....I plan on meeting Al for grocery shopping or whatever. She now has an official FB page for her Reiki practice.  It's very exciting and I am so very proud of her!
It's good to be quiet for the rest of the day and evening.  I have to admit, Glenn's service was emotionally difficult.  As Allie says tho.."it's a funeral!"  Tomorrow I'll be packing up our "Christmas tree de Mexico".

A WEDDING, BABIES & A NEW YEAR

I vow to write on my blog this year.  There have been too many precious things that have and are happening.  The main one....I have a new son!  Yes, Allie and Ben had the grandest of weddings on November 7, 2015.  I am so thrilled to have Ben in our family.  He is a wonderful young man.  

The two of them now have a home in Richmond Virginia.  It's a beautiful old Victorian home and as soon as I can get the pics off my phone I will post them.  Ben is now employed by Afton Company in Richmond and loves his work and job.  Allie has completed all of her schooling and is now in a Reiki apprenticeship to begin her own practice.  She babysits little Zoey Portyrata while she goes through her apprenticeship.  Again, more pictures to see in following posts! I'm thrilled they are so happy!


John is serving as interim pastor of First Christian Church in Petersburg and enjoying it.  It is a fine change from "that church before" and he is loved and appreciated so much by the congregation.
Workcamp is beginning to take off for 2016.  There have been a few changes. the biggest being the Catholic Diocese of Richmond has decided after 28 years to no longer participate.  Long ugly story, but to be honest, I am glad it worked out this way.  Most of the kids are coming to camp next summer under the umbrella of another group or church.
This past year was one of great loss for our family.  Those that passed away:  my uncle Bill Morton, dear friend Roger Green, Allie's loving mentor Ethel Marie Lee, my dear old high school friend Mohammed Ihsan,  Katie Barksdale's little baby girl, handyman &; friend Charlie Curtis and the biggest blow of all - Glenn Plott.  We will be attending his memorial service this Saturday in Williamsburg.  I really want to spend some time with Sheila.
Lots of baby news this past year.  Brad & Sarah have little Sadie, Al & Ben's little niece Zoey, Holly's little Frankie, Jess's little Sawyer and pregnant awaiting are Joseph &; Leah, and Rose & Dan!  Quite a growing clan of little ones!
Our dear friends in Palestine are facing difficult challenges as the Israeli government continues pushing down the brutal road of Zionism.  I now have a page where I just publish news from the other side of the wall.  I will publish the link in a following post.
So, this past year has been full of ups and downs.  I am thankful for both and cherish what is about to happen in 2016!

Allie's Bridal Shower & Tea

I have left this page quiet for too long.  To catch up on the happenings would be impossible.  So, I am loading photos of different events :) Glenn & Sheila, this is mainly for YOU!!! xoxo Perhaps after the wedding I can get back to blogging daily or weekly.  Here are photos of Allie's bridal shower & tea!  So much fun!!!

Blue Willow Tea Room

Allie & Bridesmaid Ellen leaving the house

Allie and her dear Aunt Paige
Allie hairpiece is mine from my wedding day

Bridesmaids Holly, Lizzy, Jenn, Bride Allie, Ellen & Abby
Rose was in Wisconsin & Paul was in NYC

Talented Holly made Allie's garter!!

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Aunt Janet, Me, Elaine, Allie, Paige & Susan 

WHAT TO WRITE? WHAT TO WRITE?

Well, I lied.  I promised myself to get back to writing regularly, but it just didn't happen.  Now there is so much to share I don't even know where to begin!  It's going to be pretty random.
The biggest theme running through our lives is the wedding preparations.  We've bagged lavender to throw, picked out tablecloths, gathered vintage plates for the reception, made the table numbers, and the list goes on.  The major happening though was THE DRESS.  Al met Paul in NYC for the final try-on.  It is so beautiful.  She rode the train up to Penn Station and stayed at an old,old hotel.  I want to post the pics so badly, but alas, everyone is going to have to wait!

My Uncle Bill passed away early in the year, so we all gathered up in the mountains to celebrate his life.  Ben and Al stayed in Roanoke and I stayed with Susan.  I love the picture below of all of us gathered at the church.
                                                                                                                                     

There have been births and deaths.  We just attended a sorrowful graveside service at Blandford yesterday.  Katie Barksdales little 3 month old girl died unexpectedly from SIDS.  I drove to Warrenton to be with the Mills/LeFever kids....their mother passed away very unexpectedly.
There are SO many babies to be born:  Brad & Sarah are having a little girl, SADIE.....both of Al's friends in Richmond are having babies this summer, Ben's brother is expecting a little girl again around the end of the summer.  Cindy Hass is expecting in October.

We had a chance to visit Glenn and Sheila a couple of times.  Paige, Allie and I had lunch in Williamsburg....we hadn't seen her since over a year.  '

The gang from Palestine won't be coming to workcamp this summer because it is just too dangerous....ISIS is hunting Christians and killing them.
I had the chance to visit the Federal Prison and witness a program called Letters from DAD.  You can read about it on my facebook page.

See, I'm already tired of writing and I haven't even covered an iota of the things that have happened.  Oh well....more later

THANKSGIVING OVER, HERE COMES CHRISTMAS!

The house is abuzz, yet it's not hurried or rushed.  Thanksgiving was such a good day.  It was John, I, Al, Ben, Ellen, Kent, and their grandfolks.  As you can see by the pic, Ellen and her grandma Ellen cooked the turkey and some pies.  Al and I did the rest.  We had so much fun in the kitchen together, and I am definitely not one to linger in the kitchen!  We ate until
we were totally stuffed.  Then Allie and Ben headed to Richmond to see the Portyratas .  Jenn came over with Jackson so we lured him with toys into taking steps around the house.

John and I took a ride earlier in the week down to Toano to see Glenn & Sheila.  We shared Subway and lots of good conversation.  They are both in their 90s and still just as in touch with the goings on in the world as ever!

Last night Allie was making wedding favors.  I can't say too much about them because we don't want to give away the idea!  Let's just say it involved a beautiful "P" rubber stamp and a calligraphy pen.
The boys are anxious to cut wood, but the chain saw isn't cooperating.  It's off to the repair shop now and am thankful that it's still under warrenty!
Today is Sunday.  John is getting ready to visit another local church.  He's been going to a different church each Sunday....seeing old friends and getting inspiration.  Me...I'm still worship at the Church of the Inner Springs.  Oh, and I'll be heading to the grocery store soon before the after church rush for chicken!