Memories of...Caleb!

When your baby brother is 15 years younger than you, it is easy to have lots of memories of him. I remember when he was born quite clearly: a long night of watching Ben-Hur backwards (well, part 2 first and then part 1) because it was the first time we were left home alone all night, waiting til afternoon to know we had a brother, and visiting him later in the day. I remember when he sat up for the first time by himself. Of all the long hours of watching The Fox and the Hound, Old Yeller and The Lone Ranger. And all the years he wore cowboy hats, boots and his play gun in his holster. A real cowboy.

I remember a little boy, about 6 or 7, coming into my bedroom one day with C.S. Lewis’s The Last Battle in his hands. He wanted to know if he was right about what some part of the story represented. I, who had read the book 3 or 4 times, couldn’t remember that part and had to look it up. An avid reader, he read every book in Brian Jacques’s Redwall series a dozen times. And read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy in one week between his school work, sleeping and basketball and knew every detail of it.

Caleb was a researcher from a young age, bringing home piles of books from the library – one week on tigers, another week on elephants, another week on dogs. After reading the Al Terhune books over and over, he wanted a Collie. He hunted one down and Rosie became a member of the family, a lovely Collie who loves her master.

Today my baby brother is a US Marine. And we are all very proud of him.

I have to admit that when Caleb was born, I was rather hoping for another sister. I think I thought it would be more intriguing to say I had only one brother and all sisters. But God certainly knew what was best for our family. It’s hard to imagine what life would be like without Caleb; his teasing, and jokes, and stories, and simply being a wonderful brother.

Happy 19^th Birthday, Caleb!

Bits and Pieces

It’s a very busy time of year. We have quilters at camp until Thursday and then the last bunch for the spring arrive on Friday. While that hasn’t made my work load too heavy (thanks the Lisa and her quilt instructors), my work load piles up every day. This is the last full week before the end of early bird registration, so the online portal and mailbox are full of summer registrations. Mixed in are registrations for Mother/Daughter, family camps, Dads ‘n Lads, Men’s Advance and Senior Retreat. Saturday is our annual meeting. And here I thought I could get my FAQs on line before the month was out!

Yesterday and today I have/will get very little actual work done. Interviewing potential registrars took up much of the working hours. It’s rather interesting to be part of the process, weighing pros and cons for our five applicants. Meanwhile, Aaron and Bill are interviewing eight applicants for the Youth Program Director position. So, not a lot of work is getting done.

Yesterday I learned yet again how small a town Upsala is. In Camp Lebanon’s history, they have had two PO boxes in Upsala for one reason or another. Mail still gets sent to them. This time, rather than forwarding the letter to camp, the postal workers simply put it in my PO box. Probably is easier.

Meanwhile, wedding plans continue. This weekend I sat down and re-compiled all my to-do lists into one. I was happy to discover I really haven’t too much to presently accomplish. The big things that can be done ahead of time are complete. I just need to make some final decisions and place a few orders online. I hope to get all that done next week. A couple of things still loom: we would both like to find a reasonable place to live north of city since Ed works up there, rather than his present place south of the city. And I’m looking for a job. If you think about it, keep those things in your prayers. It would be wonderful to get them settled soon and be able to enjoy a lull in wedding-prep – one that lasts longer than three days.

The Race Continues

If preparing for a wedding is a marathon, I have reached the half way point. And am wishing I had decided to run a half marathon instead...

It's funny that no matter how many things I cross off my list, it never seems to get shorter. My binder of numerous lists has become so crossed out and re-noted, it is my goal this weekend to write up a new list of everything that needs to get done before I leave here in May. I have a feeling the list isn't going to be as long as I think. It just seems that way.

In truth, I've gotten a lot done. The invites have been out for nearly a month and responses are coming in. All the decor for the reception is bought and sits in boxes at my parents house. The menu has been compiled and will be shopped for in Pittsburgh. I even have most of the music ready to be played in the background. Sally is working on the cake...requests to bring cookies have been sent out. Ed has gathered enough women to provide platters. So, really, the reception is ready to go.

Then there's the wedding. Mom has my dress and is working to adjust it. My sister Grace ran a mile to gather the material for the bridesmaid dresses (wouldn't you know I selected material that was backordered, but Grace called up Joann's all over to get enough. Thank you, Gracie!!!!). I should be able to order the remainder of the guy's suits tomorrow. Ed's is in Pittsburgh waiting to be fitted and picked up. The music is done. We're about 85% on our way to getting flower girls (long story!). I know what flowers we will use, so those will just need to be bought in Pittsburgh. And I booked a photographer today! The deposit will go in the mail tomorrow. So, honestly, I guess there's just odds and ends to do (like my shoes!). See, I am better off than I thought.

I guess it's just other things I haven't quite got done. I'm not a procrastinator, so when something isn't finished, I get frustrated. Like I still need to reserve the pod from Uhaul to move my stuff. Ed and I are looking at moving somewhere besides his apartment, a place north of the city since he works in that direction. So, if that happens or not is up in the air. And I'm looking for a job there. Ive applied for many, but there's one in particular I would like if they're willing to stretch the start date out a little. But I know all of these things are in God's hands and they will all work out according to His plan, so I'm not worried. I just wish all the ducks would line up nice and neatly right now. Then I don't have to do anything for two months...

Hah!

Baristas, More Snow and Driving In It

This Saturday I achieved a new skill. Probably not one I can put on my resume. I have serious doubts that Starbucks or Caribou would hire me. But I did learn how to use an espresso machine. “Learn” is the operative word. Camp owns an espresso machine which we lug out and use during winter teen events and women events. For the past year, I have had several occasions to watch Andrea (who use to work in a coffee shop) it. But last weekend, Andrea was in Arizona and no one else was around to make the coffee. So, reverting to the code that you can fake just about anything, I became a barista. No one died. And no one complained. We’ll call that successful.

Yesterday, it snowed. ALL DAY!!!! It was soooo lovely! For me, there is nothing in life more peaceful than sitting inside and watching snow fall. As the snow from December, January and February has been melting away, it’s been quite sad. After all, it is only March. I’m not sure I’ll confess to the others up here, but I was praying for more snow. And we got 8 or 10 inches yesterday! (I’m still holding out for 12 to 15 sometime between now and May, but we’ll see!) It’s been lovely to see a world of pure white again.

And also precarious. Yesterday, I did go into work in the morning because the roads were mostly clear. And they were. Three hours later, that was not the case and I went home. Except for a couple of times when I had to share the road, I kept right to the middle. This year I have experienced whiteouts while driving and driving on 2 inch thick sheets of ice for miles on end. Yesterday, with the snow falling and no plowing since 8 or so that morning, I experienced having no clue where the sides of the roads were. And it is extremely difficult to drive through a world of whiteness – it plays with your vision and blurs your sense of distance. Sometimes, I wasn’t sure if I was in the middle of the road or not! And then today, I decided the weather was warm enough (25) to go for a run. Let’s just say that trying to keep my footing on the icy roads left my time a little off – but I did it!

They're Back Again!

My life at Camp Lebanon has come full circle. It's Spring Quilt time again! The first group of ladies came in last weekend. I didn't see a lot of them. I did a little bit of registration Friday night, but then I went home. I'm glad I didn't have to work last weekend. I spent most of Saturday sleeping - I almost got through winter without a cold!

But this weekend I will work. Somewhere around 120 women will be here, surrounded by mounds of cloth and sewing machines. They'll talk about colors, and patterns and all their unfinished projects. It's amazing how many of these ladies don't finish what they start. We have quilt samples hanging up every quilt season - more than half of them are not quilted or finished.

This season Jaci, who manages our store, is trying to get some ideas of favorite quilt slogans to put on a shirt in the fall. Some come from themes over the last 25 years that quilt retreats have been going on here at camp. But I came up with my favorite yesterday: "Quilters - they cut corners."

From a registrar point of view, quilt season can be infuriating. Quilters want to come as early as they can, but most of our sessions don't start until Friday afternoon at 4. (Which has never stopped the influx from starting at 2.) But we do offer two sessions that have early bird Thursdays. We have a fee for that which includes dinner Thursday evening and then breakfast and lunch Friday morning. I have to use two hands to count how many quilters want to avoid paying the fee for the early bird but try to slip in for lunch (or breakfast!) on Friday. Really? Do you actually think we're that stupid? Or blind?

I have to say that last weekend's quilt session cleaned up very nicely. Everyone paid their fees! There's nothing like a clean cut to make me feel like I do my job. This weekend won't be half so nice. I can already tell and I haven't even put the money into my database. We had a few slip in early on Thursday that didn't pay for it. Others that came early Friday...more that added last minute things. Trying to balance it all out won't be fun next week.

Oh, well. At least I'm feeling better so I won't suffer as I work this weekend. I might even get some personal things done when they're doing nothing but quilting. And on Monday, I intend to get through a long to-do list in St. Cloud - more wedding stuff! It never ends...

My Nephew

Well, I did get a lot accomplished when I was home last week: patterns and materials chosen, centerpiece things ordered, music selected and all kinds of things. But, of course, the rest of the time was spent with the Jay – the cutest nephew in the world!

Yes, I had to share him. With four other adoring aunts. And grandparents! And I took tons more pictures than I could post here, but here’s a few samples:

  

Jay doing his hair for the upcoming wedding.

Jay and Aunt Grace laughing.

Jay and Aunt Jenny playing the pianos.

Jay, Aunt Abby and Mama receiving the biscuit cook-off award. (Katey won.)

My Sisters

When I tell people I'm one of eight kids, their eyes get wide. 99% of the time, the next question asked is, "Which are you?" Followed by, "How many girls and how many boys?" When I say six girls, two boys; I get different responses. Some are "Your poor brothers" as if they didn't give back as good as they got. Or "Six girls! How many bathrooms did you have?" as if we lived in our bathrooms and not our bedrooms. Honestly, you'd think having eight kids was up there next to the Seven Great Wonders of the Ancient World.

When you're one of many, you don't really think about how many of you there are. It's just your life. As you get older, you kind of get an idea of how many eight can really be. But by then, you're all off on separate ways and don't see each other much. It's been nearly six years since all eight of us have been together. With a brother deployed, even my wedding won't bring us all together. But this weekend, the six of us girls were all home for the first time in four years. And, yes, we ran out of hot water.

I decided to go home and get some wedding things done not long after I became engaged. I thought Easter, but with it not being until late April, I decided to go when Abby was on spring break. Then Katey decided to come, too (and bring the nephew! - pictures of him later!). So, we have spent a long weekend scratching things off from my list and generally enjoying being around each other.

I am very blessed with multi-talented sisters, and I am realizing that more and more as I prepare for this wedding. We tasted cakes with Sally who will be making my cake. We went to Joann's with Grace who works there and knows quite a bit about fabric and such (for bridesmaid dresses, etc.). Jenny works at Joseph A Banks so I went there to order suits, ties, shirts and all that. Plus she is my pianist, so we went over music and settled on that. Plus she made my posters for the reception. Katey helped okay my centerpieces, threw me a surprise shower and asked questions I hadn't entirely considered yet. And Abby (the baby) made sure all of us are falling into line and nothing gets done without her approval.

It's been a productive weekend. And I am very blessed with the sisters God has given me.

Abby, Jenny, Grace, Katey, Sally and me!