I Thought I was the Geek!

I got up on Sunday morning and the usual friendly face was gone! All it gave me was a blank stare . . . yes, ashen grey . . . I must say. It didn’t look good!

I know that in some instances it would be okay to call 911 – even if it is a Sunday, but I had to convince myself that this one could wait.

First thing on Monday morning I called the appropriate professional and explained. Is it a virus, I wondered? He couldn’t tell me until he could do his own examination. So the “ambulance” arrived and part of my life left the house.

A few phone calls later . . . and terminology I wouldn’t know how to repeat correctly . . . it was determined that the hard-drive had failed. Did he say “heart” drive? He explained what he needed to do and I, in turn, tried to explain what kind of care I was expecting.
Because it’s my baby . . . everything needs to be in its place. I don’t like surprise changes and I don’t want any lost toys . . . so how do I begin to explain.
“You know . . . (I’m trying to remember that face) . . . the third icon down on the second row . . . I need to scan photos . . . yes the little “e” has to be at the bottom." And so forth.

He told me that I’d need to re-install certain programs and would need to find the CDs. My heart sank.
First of all . . . where could they be? Who would have known that they would be needed again? Why didn’t anyone tell me they’re practically like birth certificates or vaccination records …. You need to hang on to them.

Secondly . . . I hate those things! You agree to contracts you don’t understand … you continue, then continue, then there's a huge warning. . . you agree to another contract . . . at this point you really need to be sure that you really, really want this, then click continue . . . oh, you need a number which you can’t find and then a password . . . how many passwords can person remember? And after all that . .. you need to remember where the CD went?

Another call . . . he asked about my deleted file . . . and about a password I never use . . . Can’t he just “hack?” (Now I sound like I’m getting desperate!)
I told him, “I’m sorry that I’m so dumb … and now you know everything about me.” I think he grinned over the phone. Maybe I should have reminded him that all those cute kids in My Pictures are my grandkids. I am a Grammy and that excuse is coming in quite handy!

The box with my life in it came back today. I had freshly baked cupcakes waiting and he installed all the programs I needed. Phew! And I think he ended up understanding exactly what I wanted. It’s a good thing the hard-drive was still under warranty!

From Riches to Refugees

One of the three factories that my great-great-grandfather started. This was part of the letterhead. I have no idea what it says. My great-grandfather was born in the Ukraine, which was part of Russia at the time, and he was very involved in the family business. His father had started a blacksmith shop that expanded into numerous factories, where they produced farm machinery, such as threshing machines, reapers and a multi-bladed plow which became very popular. My great-grandfather experienced very prosperous years in his father’s business and they employed about 600 workers, Russian as well as German Mennonites. In 1915 they were forced to sell everything for next to nothing. Inflation, anti-German feelings, and nationalizing of lands and estates, brought poverty overnight. Not only that, but the Russian government pursued those they believed to have a lot of money and so my great-grandfather, with his growing family, moved around a lot, for fear of being imprisoned, as his brother was. In 1930 he escaped to China with most of the family, being led by a guide during the night, as they crossed the Amur River on sleds. By that time my grandmother, who was the oldest, was just married and stayed behind. About seventeen years later the family met up in Paraguay. (You can read about my grandmother's experiences of when she was left behind here.)

My paternal Great-Grandparents, Gerhard & Elisabeth, before they lost all and had to flee for their lives.

How to Wear a Scarf

Ben and Kari came for dinner and after we were finished eating, I did what everyone who knows a blogger fears. I got out my camera. It was a perfect evening to get the scarf photos done. The only thing that would have made it better is if Kari had been able to wear of her own colors, but she was a good sport about donning some of my things and smiling for the camera. I always admire her great sense of fashion and especially the beautiful smile that accompanies her.

So, here I have a few photos of options for wearing a scarf. For most of them I have a photo and then a little cartoon instruction from a cute website Kari also sent me. Please check out the site as well, as I do want to give credit to Leigh & Luca for the drawings.

At the end I have two little videos that blogger would only let me post there and no where else!

(see video)

(see video)

Play around with these ideas and you will probably come up with some of your own.

To store a crinkled scarf, just twist it like a rope and loop it into a circle.

I'm Not Fond of Chocolate

Unless it's a thin layer of chocolate

overtop a lot of nuts and some gooey caramel.

I've been known to give away chocolates, still in their beautifully wrapped paper, not even checking to see if it's really chocolates inside.

But when I opened my Birthday gift from my sister-in-law . . .

I was quite excited!

And I've been savoring them . . .

one piece at a time.

It meant a lot to me that she remembered that I had enjoyed these when they were packaged up in little boxes as wedding favors a while back.

It meant something to me that she had taken the time to go to Costco across the line and get them for me.

And then, while she was watching me open the gift, just before I saw what it was, she asked,

"Have you lost weight?"

It's the little things that count.

Why do so many Mennonites come from Russia?

So, as I promised . . . a history lesson . . .

In the 16th century, the European state and religious structure, namely the authority of the Pope, was being challenged by the Protestant movement headed by Luther. If you have seen the movie, you will remember the agony this monk went through as he searched the scriptures for truth and courageously stood up against the false doctrines of the church. Upon being demanded to retract his teachings, he declared, "Unless I am being convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures ... I cannot and will not retract anything." Other priests followed suit in their search and complicated matters even more when they found that it was adults who were baptised on the confession of their faith. As this teaching and practice spread, King Charles V ordered these people to be put to death by torturing, drowning, burning or imprisonment. Many gave their lives or fled, leaving homes, property and farms. These people were called Anabaptists (re-baptizers) and were a threat to the social structure, because it was through infant baptism that an individual became a member, not only of the church, but of the state. It was during this time that a priest by the name of Menno Simons began to struggle with his belief and couldn’t help but be impressed by the lives of those who were willing to die for their faith. After his own brother was killed by government troops in 1535, he decided to make a public declaration and he renounced the priesthood.

For the next 25 years Menno ran from authorities while serving as an evangelist and strengthening believers with his writings. Having studied as a priest, he could understand the Latin scriptures and explain them to the average person. One of his favorite Bible verses was, “For no one can build a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) Menno Simons died in 1561, but his biblical beliefs lived on in these people who were by now being called Mennonites. Persecution eventually forced them to move to Prussia where they were allowed to stay because they were hardworking farmers who knew how to work the swampy land. Eventually, however, their religious convictions were threatened by increased pressure on their young men to join the army (something they resisted) and they began to look for a new place to live.

In 1786 two Mennonite delegates left Danzig by invitation from Catherine the Great to come and farm land that had opened up in the Ukraine. After this many followed in large groups, setting up colonies and villages, with their own schools, hospitals, banks, shops and churches. For more than 100 years, Mennonites were able to make a peaceful living in this area. They farmed and built mills and factories that produced bricks and machinery to be sent throughout the land. They were good for Russia’s economy but, because they were not allowed to proselytize, they remained a group to themselves, possibly growing more in number than in faith. However, considering the challenges of their day, they did not let go of their strong fundamental convictions and backed them up with practical Christian living.

It was about 1870 when, due to pressure from Russian peasants who became increasingly critical of the special privileges granted to the colonists, Russia revamped their military structure and the fear of mandatory military conscription caused many Mennonites to leave Russia for Canada and the United States. Those who remained negotiated a mutual agreement with the government, whereby their young men could serve their time in forestry camps. During World War I the service was expanded to include medical work and road building.

In 1918, Russia lost control of the Baltics, Poland and the Ukraine (which included many of the Mennonite colonies) to German forces. When Allied Forces made the German troops withdraw the Mennonite colonies were left undefended in the struggles that came up after that. While revolution and civil war raged in the land, they tried defending themselves, but this only made matters worse for them. It was during this time that Mennonites appealed to Canada and United States for help, and MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) was organized, bringing food and other supplies into Russia. Again, many emigrated to North America.

In 1922 the Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics was established and, after a lengthy struggle for leadership, Stalin became the Dictator in 1929. Small farms were combined into large collective farms to be controlled by the government. Many citizens opposed Stalin’s policies and were sent to labor camps. This not being enough, Stalin began a program in which secret police snuck around and arrested people, often for unknown reasons shooting them or sending them to prison. Many Christians, including the Mennonites, became the targets of these atrocities. It was under these circumstances that those who could find a way fled the country to Canada and to South America. This time, the ones who stayed, did so against their own choosing.

In the coming months, I will tell some of the personal stories of my great-grandparents and grandparents as they lived through these times. Maybe you have a grandparent who could tell you some of your own history as well. I would encourage you to take the time to ask questions while you can.

Credits: Map above reproduced from the Mennonite Historical Atlas by William Schroeder and Helmut T. Huebert. The atlas is available on line and at Mennonite Historical Societies.
I gathered most of the historical information from several sources a number of years ago, for personal use.

On Being Mennonite

When I was a little girl, growing up in South America, my grandmother, who was born in Russia lived with us. She loved telling me stories about when she was a girl living in a mansion with all kinds of luxuries and how the wars came and changed her life. Mostly I got the feeling that her life had been very hard, and I didn’t always want to listen to the repetition of the sorrows she’d gone through. It wasn't until years after she died, that I became much more interested in the history of our family and I began to investigate. I wanted to finally be able to explain my very confusing background. I’m a Canadian by choice, born in Uruguay, and my first language was German because my grandparents came to South America from Russia!

The only way this makes sense is because we are Mennonite and Mennonites tend to stick together. We have been known to live conservatively and carry a whole bunch of culture with us. Because the name Mennonite is not only a religious but also an ethnic term, it is possible to be a Mennonite by name and not have any religious affiliation to a church. It is possible to be a Mennonite belonging to any other faith. It is also possible to not have the ethnic background and be a member of a Mennonite Church.

Mennonite congregations around the world generally have the same belief system, but they vary in their views as to how this is lived out, ranging from old order (plain people) to very conservative to moderate ways of life and worship. The core beliefs are centered on the teachings of Jesus and the authority of the Bible as the written and inspired Word of God. We believe in salvation by acknowledging the sacrifice of Jesus, believer’s baptism, and the taking the Lord’s supper in memory of His death for the forgiveness of our sins.

I have experienced the life in a church where what defines you is what you don't do. A place where our elders and parents tried hard to raise us in the best way they knew, not realizing that legalism was at the core. I have no bitterness about it, since it kept me out of trouble. But, I have also come to know more about grace . . . and that our faith could possibly be better defined by what we do do. Asking and allowing God's Spirit to work in us and through us to help us keep the right balance.

In another post I will go back to the beginning of the Mennonites

Nine Ways

I may be a Grammy, but when it comes to back to school shopping, I still like to get something new for the new season. There’s something that makes a girl feel special, no matter how old, when wearing something new.

Now, I don’t want this to come across in the wrong way . . .
I know that focusing on outside appearance is vain and all . . .
but I also know that what you wear can affect how you feel
for the whole day! I want to think of the outside as being
an expression of what's inside. I know that the more I’ve
come to accept who I am, the more content I feel about
my outward appearance.
The focus is not on making the outside beautiful so
that the inside feels good or accepted, but rather on
working from the inside out to reflect something beautiful.

So, the point of this post is to figure out how I try to avoid the “What do I wear?” scenario, and know that I have more than enough! I have found that it is very helpful to take the time to take inventory and lay out a number of options. Once I’ve taken inventory, it’s time to give away anything that I never wear, and add the two or three items that will multiply my options. By doing this I feel like some of my older things become new again. It may be as little as just adding a little sweater or a scarf.

So . . . I got a pair of new jeans, a cowl neck shirt and a pair of flat shoes for less than $100.00.
Then I went to my dresser and closet and pulled out one T-shirt, two older blouses, one shirt and two little sweaters for my “nine options” to wear with nice jeans. I could add just a skirt, and my options would multiply, but nine pictures is enough!

Then I shyly asked my H to be my personal photographer . . . his job description just expanded.


. . . and it was kind of fun . . . aside from the fact that he couldn’t take that smirk off his face. Maybe he knows something I don’t know . . . and he’s just waiting to let me find out from my blog friends . . . just how silly this is. Or maybe he was just happy to have some proof to pull out for me the next time I say, “I have nothing to wear.”

The Mountain Top

When it comes to mountain scenes, I am my father’s daughter. As a young girl, I lived in a city that, literally translated, means “I see a mountain.” My dad enjoyed telling me that. When we moved to Canada, he chose the West Coast, for no other reason, really, than the mountains. So, it just came naturally that I loved the mountains. And it just so happens that it was on a hike as a teen-ager that my, then future husband, first showed signs of being interested in me. He was eating on orange and stuck the peel in my back pocket. Interesting way to show that he had his eye on me, but it started something.

This past Saturday we got in the truck and headed east to try a new mountain. He showed me the peak from the highway, “The one on the very left . . . that’s Mt. Cheam.” he said.

It wasn’t long before we took the Exit, drove through the farming community and up, toward the mountains. We turned onto a forest service road and four wheeled for almost an hour on a rough road with many cross ditches and pot holes, passing kids who were having the greatest time on their dirt bikes and ATVs. This already felt like a workout!

By now the mountain top was looming quite close, I thought.

We began our walk with ease.

The wildflowers, the meadows, the clear blue sky …

. . . it was breathtaking! This is when I say, “I love hiking! There’s nothing I’d rather be doing!”

But the trail got steeper and the realization that the reward of seeing the top would not come easily, hit me in much the same way as the start of labor pain reminds you what it was like the last time. “Maybe the view is good enough already. If I take one more step, I’m going to die!” is sort of what went through my mind. Besides, it was very hot! My Gr 11 Geography teacher was wrong, the temperature was going up! We found a shady spot and had our lunch.

Somewhat revived, we continued . . . and then I saw it! The actual tip that we were headed toward. I don’t think I took a picture at this point, but can I just say it was not unlike the looming disappointment I felt with the realization that I may never make it!

The trail got very steep and finally I just sat down on the slippery shale, and told him he should go ahead - wave at the top – I’d take a picture!
I sat there for maybe five minutes, taking pictures of the mountain ranges and trying to convince myself that there really could not be much more to see than what I was seeing right where I was! Then I looked up and he wasn’t too far away . . . waving, no, beckoning for me to come! Suddenly I was strong, even with the backpack!

It was only a few minutes . . . and I would have missed this!! Who could have known what was on the other side of where I was sitting?

7,000 feet above sea level . . . it’s a speechless feeling!

We had dessert. (of course!) He ventured just a bit higher to the final peak, while I soaked in all I could of the mountaintop experience . . . the one I almost missed by four minutes!

They Call them Winter Pansies

I’ve become aware of the fact that I can prolong the flower view just outside my kitchen window with winter pansies. The ones I planted in the Spring were quite dead with the amount of summer sun we’ve had, but I wasn't quite ready to have empty window baskets. I love how you can enjoy them from the inside as much or more than from the outside. So I went out to the greenhouse once more. The young lady there told me that this variety lasts the longest of all the flowers, even through some frost at times.
I was happy about that, since these window baskets are even kind of protected! Which reminds me . . . I didn’t tell you about something. After checking out several places and prices on a large porch awning, we decided to get a smaller (roller) awning where the BBQ is so that we can still barbecue in the rain. Then my H designed a few frames for two of the other windows and had them crafted by an acquaintance. Next he ordered extra material from where we got the one (real) awning and had the frames covered by someone he knew of in the tent business.
So, for less than the one large awning over the deck would have been, we now have a roller awning on one side of the patio where we can move the table under if we have to and a bonus of the two kitchen windows! With newly filled window boxes, we will see if we can enjoy the summer feeling just a little longer . . . even in the rain.

Wisdom 101

As students are going back to school, I wanted to share some notes taken from a recent sermon by Pastor Lee Fancois. While I'm sitting here, thinking of how to put it all together, I'm reminded of 1. Corinthians 13:2 "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge . . . but have not love, I gain nothing."

• Wisdom is never merely intellectual, but always practical. Knowledge can tell you the shortest distance, between two points, but wisdom will know the best route.


• The person who has wisdom is humble and listens to advice.
  Proverbs 11:2 “With humility comes wisdom.”
  Proverbs 13:10 “Wisdom is found in those who take advice.


• Wisdom is always relational in its application. If we don’t apply what we know to be true, then we are not wise.


• God’s wisdom is always counter intuitive to the word’s wisdom.
  James 3:17 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, good fruit, impartial and sincere."


• Wisdom is directly proportional to our relationship with God.
  Psalm 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

There are plenty of tests to determine how smart you are, but tests don't determine how wise you are. (LF)

Love Hurts

Tears are running down my face as I stand by the sink, preparing the last meal before heading to the airport. Once again, I'm struck by the fact that one could never be prepared for this part of life. Would I have signed up for this mothering thing, had I read the fine print?
On this day I feel with the momma who is leaving her child at the kindergarten door, trying hard to smile, but feeling all of her five-year-old’s apprehensions and wondering how she, herself, will make it through the next three hours. The years, they fly, and the boundaries grow. First overnights, summer camps, parties and the car keys. Little by little we give, hoping we’ve taught them right.
I also feel with the Mom who has run around for the last few weeks, making sure her barely eighteen-year-old has everything she needs to live in dorm at a college, four hours away. She wonders why she is buying to have her move. Where have the years gone? Will she remember to separate darks and lights? Will she eat right? Who will tell her to be careful? The questions keep coming and emotions are barely held in check.
I thought this would be the last of its kind. After all, she’s grown up. But, as students are heading back to school, my daughter and family are heading back to a country far away. Twenty hours of flying. Yes, there’s the Internet . . . but no cuddles with the little ones, no pancakes with sugar, no stories with chatter, no watching movies and eating popcorn. No mother-daughter shopping days or lunches. No Christmas around the tree. No, many things.

Goodbyes hurt. I became a Mom and felt like the babe in my arms was mine. I loved like never before. In fact, maybe I didn’t even know what love was before I had a child. It surely wasn’t like playing with dolls. This child had feelings and those feelings became mine. Love gives all and then lets go even though the feelings stay. And this too, because we love. Yes, love hurts.
But if I’d have to do it all again, I would.


Just one of the reasons I would .

Remember Bedspreads?

I had to pull out an old photo taken when we were trying to sell our house in 1987 – just in case you need a reminder of what a bedspread is. Sometime in the last 20 years, bedmaking has become easier with just straightening out a duvet. Sometimes we opt for a duvet to sleep with plus one that is just decorative. The more, the better, right?

I grew up with duvet covers - as opposed to sleeping with a top sheet. My mom actually sewed covers for our comforters because I don’t think they were even available to purchase. So, naturally, when I first had to sleep with just a sheet and a comforter, I did not like the way it messed up. My H’s background was the same and so my Mom continued sewing covers for us and each of our kids as well, sewing together two flat sheets to match a fitted sheet. Then there came the day when you could buy ready made duvet covers in the store – imagine that!! Enough time has lapsed now and everyone has learned how to put on a duvet cover, right? If not . . . did you ask? . . . I have a free lesson for you.

( click on colage to enlarge)

1. Lay out your duvet/comforter on the bed and check its dimensions. It it’s square, it doesn’t matter. If it’s rectangular in any way, check to see which end or side (shorter or longer side) will line up with the duvet cover opening. Keep that in mind*
2. Turn the duvet cover inside out, keeping in mind if it’s the long or the short end that has the opening.
3. Extend both arms into the duvet cover and, from the inside, grab the far end corners of the duvet cover (opposite the opening)
4. With your hands still in the far end corners grab the matching corners of the duvet/comforter (opposite end from where the opening would go)*
5. Holding fast to the two corners of the duvet/comforter with your gloved hands, flip (it’s a rotation of the wrists – sorry no pic) and shake out the cover along with the duvet, raising your arms high. If it’s a large duvet, you may need someone else’s hands to help stretch the cover down over the comforter while you keep holding up the top corners. You can also try this while laying it down on the bed or the floor, but make sure the corners stay put.
6. Once the duvet cover is stretched over the entire duvet, tuck the leftover two corners (the ones on the opening side) into the cover. Grab these ends from the outside and shake to smooth.
7. Button, Zipper, or tie the opening end closed.

I like to change the top duvet cover up for the Fall and lay a folded accent quilt across the foot end of the bed. Take a look at the bedroom as though you’re just visiting and see how you can make it more inviting. Maybe change the lamp or pictures ... try doing a trio of square photos or art over your headboard or leaving it plain and hanging one over the nightstand. Get rid of any clutter that has collected on dressers or the floor. This will make dusting and vacuuming easier and your bedroom will be a nice place to retreat to.

Airing Out

When the idea of posting about this came to me, I had a certain kind of picture in my mind of old European houses with their down pillows and comforters hanging out of the windows, but when I checked on-line for pictures, all I found was information about airing out the beds. I’ll spare you the details of why this is necessary, but believe me, it is! You will never again have to give an excuse for an unmade bed --- you are simply airing it out! The advice I read was to throw back the covers and open a window for at least an hour first thing in the morning. The above picture is another way - a recent shot that my friend, Marg, sent me.

So, back to what I wanted to post about. The end of summer is the perfect time to strip beds down to the mattress, vacuum the mattress before turning it over, wash what you can and air out what you can’t. I don’t know if it’s the way I was raised, but I’ve always loved the smell of anything that has been dried outside and find that the “almost Fall” sunshine is especially nice. At this time your comforter is probably still packed away somewhere and if you didn’t get a chance to hang it out or spread it out on some lawnchairs before summer, now is a good time. If it’s a polyester filled duvet, you can wash it on gentle cycle, dry it in the dryer for a bit and then hang it out for that fresh scent.

Now, about the pillows ...

1. Remove the pillow cases and protectors to wash them separately.
2. Put two pillows in the washing machine to balance the load. I don’t know how the front loading machines work, maybe there is no balancing act there.
   Set the cycle on gentle and fill with warm or a mixture of warm and hot water.
   Use about half of the amount of laundry soap that you would for a normal large cycle and add two capfuls of bleach in the appropriate dispensing compartment. Rinse twice if you feel it’s necessary.
3. Place in the dryer for one hour. Fluff in-between. Some people add tennis balls to help with that. Continue drying and airing them out in the sun if you can or keep drying until you are sure they are completely dry. This is very important.

I don’t buy expensive pillows, so sometimes they clump up in the wash – if that happens I just go and buy new ones! Not much lost. But if the pillows wash well, as most polyester and feather pillows do, it almost feels better to put your nose into a freshly washed pillow than a new one.

You can also handwash a pillow in the bathtub and roll it up to squeeze out the water. When you are sure it’s well rinsed and squeezed, roll it up again in some large towels and step on it, to get as much moisture out as possible. Put it in the dryer for an hour or two and then in the sun for a day. I’ve always been amazed as to the bleaching effect the sun has on stains and so it is a bonus if you can turn your pillows (or duvets) to face the sun where most needed.