Walking....

I was released from my crutches today! That is the good news...
the bad news - The Tippy has not crested and it's still raining....and the lakes are still rising.
Pike Lake in Warsaw is devastating....We are praying for dry,sunny days...
My prayers continue for Megihann and her family... what a hero this mother is!

Lord willin'.....

and the creek don't rise.... anymore! I'd say we are well above flood level !

High Water!

What a difference a day makes.... In one week, we've had snow - the lake has been frozen....
Yesterday the temps reached 64 degrees.... and we have now about 3+ inches of rain.
We rarely see "flood warnings" in Kosciusko county, it seems the sandy, loamy soil and all the lakes make a good sponge. Sadly, just a few miles from us - a young mother, Megihann Leininger got stuck on a flooded rural road just a few miles from us and two of her 5 children died. Megihann was one of the first friends we met after we moved to Kosciusko County. We met Megihann and her sister at the bar in Mentone and I was affectionately drawn to them because they were about the age of my daughers. We haven't seen her for several years.... but my heart aches for her and her husband, Greg. We'll be keeping them in our prayers.

Back to Life... Back to Reality!

I went back to work today... nearly two weeks after my surgery. I'm still supposed to be non-weight bearing ... I'm supposed to be hobbling on crutches and I have not been released to drive...but I'm able to focus and do the consulting that my job requires. I still can't make it up the stairs to my office - but I was able to sit in my chair with my foot elevated, and get through all of my emails, complete a few new year tasks and review several policies. I worked all day... and I'm looking forward to getting back on the road, but I'm so grateful to have job that I am able to continue to do while I'm recovering.
I'm proud to be a part of an AMAZING team! TRS Rehab Services!
http://trsrehab.com/
http://www.trilogyhs.com/

Ramekin of Butter!

I had prepared Cornbread for our dinner tonight and realized that I didn't have any butter. I did still have some Whipping Cream that was not outdated left from holiday cooking.
I remember vividly being in Mrs. Brown's second grade class at JCKnight Elementary School in Jonesboro, Indiana. We were taught in that public school classroom to memorize Luke 2 and the 23rd Psalm, we were taught cursive writing and we were taught how to make butter. I was amazed at the way the butter formed in the glass peanut butter jar as we each took our turn shaking the jar and passing it down the row of students. I'm pretty sure that Kenny Pearson passed the jar to me - and I probably passed it on to Brian Powers. We were really making BUTTER!!! Mrs. Brown had made home made white bread and after we were all done shaking the cream into a solid substance- we were all able to have a piece of the home made bread with the delicate yellow spread. I thought I was tasting a little piece of heaven that day.
So - when I realized I didn't have any butter, but I had the left over whipping cream...
the sounds and sights and smells of JCK and Mrs. Brown's second grade class came flooding back to me. Bruce and I both took turns shaking a jar - while the beans warmed and the cornbread cooked. I placed the butter in my new LeCreuset ramekin that Katie gave me for Christmas - and I served it with our Cornbread. Once again, now 40+ years later... I experienced little taste of heaven. Home made butter!

The BEST Essentials!

Essentials = My Family!!!!!!!

It is always a fun time when Katie and Tyler come up to while away Phil's second shift hours.
Pizza - Waterford discussions - Bridge to Terabithia - Baby planning - Leftover Christmas cookies - Slumber Parties!!!! These are the Essential things!

BB & Pottery!

What a wonderful day! I've been couped up with Cabin Fever in the house since my surgery on 12/26. My hometown Best Bud, Nicki - came from Marion to pick me up and take me to Winona/Warsaw for lunch and a few hours of painting at the Pottery Bayou http://www.villageatwinona.com/pottery-bayou.asp this afternoon. I love painting pottery - brushing on colors that you know will look completely different on the finished piece; creating an item in your head....and the excitement of seeing it when it comes out of the kiln, shiny and finished! I also love my friend - Nicki... whom I have shared secrets and thoughts ... wishes... heartaches... hopes ... dreams.... broken dreams.... excitement.... worry and nearly two decades of friendship. I cherish this dear friend of mine....this friend my children call "Aunt Nicki" - this friend that has been there for me in the worst of times and the best of times....this friend that I can paint pottery with and finish each others sentences. This friend that can be painting by my side - and nothing has to be said. Silence - and love. I'm so thankful for Nicki, My BB!
This friend is ESSENTIAL in my life....

Deep Freeze

The lake is frozen today -

This is the first time this year it has been frozen in the morning...

and remained frozen all day. It also has a covering of snow on it...I love the peacefulness of the frozen lake. It's so still and quite. After it develops a pretty thick layer - it begins to groan.
It is such an unusual sound. I remember the first time I heard that sound - the winter of 2003, our first winter as residents. It is an eerie - and yet calming sound.

Winter is a different place here - we have company...and are surrounded by people in the summer....but the cold and quiet is not as inviting as the warm sun and the summer fun of the lake. That is part of the appeal for us though - the diversity of it all.

There was a small open spot that in the lake this morning....and there must have been 10 coots huddled together in the small open water. I saw two Tundra Swans flying over the lake this afternoon. It won't be long, and we'll hear the loon ushering in Spring... and the lakers will soon follow - so for now, I will enjoy the peace and quiet......

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker!

Recovering isn't so bad when the birds are hungry! I can see the bird feeder while I'm sitting with my foot elevated and on ice. The recent heavy snow has brought many appreciative, hungry birds to my feeder today! A Yellow Bellied Sapsucker has had my attention all day long!
A few of today's highlights includes:

Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Redbreasted Nuthatch
Tufted Titmouse
Junco
A Pair of Cardinals
American Goldfinch
House Finch
Purple Finch
Black Capped Chickadee
Red Bellied Woodpecker
Blue Jay
and a YELLOW BELLIED SAPSUCKER!!! http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/collections/birds/bird177_2.html

Happy New Year

January 1, 2008 -
We have about 10 inches of beautiful snow. The weather is perfect for a cross country ski outting... however, I'm on crutches - have ice on my foot and will be in a cast shoe for the next eight weeks. I have to think about the positive though, and appreciate that fact that it is January - rather than May... I do believe I would rather give up Cross Country skiing for riding my bike and kayaking.

We love living in Kosciusko County because of the activities available to us. Winona Lake has a wonderful mountain bike trail and there are so many lakes to enjoy great kayaking.
The county roads offer the perfect balance of hilly and scenic roads for country road bicycling.
There really aren't groomed cross country skiing trails, but the countryside alone lends itself to a good day in the snow. http://www.kcgov.com/

I'm looking forward to our 6th year as residents in Kosciusko County - I am looking forward to 2008! We have made good friends here - and enjoy our life. It is truly a place where you can appreciate the essentials in life. I am looking forward to the birth of our second grandson, Trevor James. I am looking forward to continued growth of the great company I work for, TRS Rehab.
I am looking forward to Bruce completing his associates degree in the fall of 2008. I am looking forward to hosting more family gatherings at Yellow Creek Lake.
I hope that 2008 brings some travel - and some wanderings. I hope that 2008 brings a healthy new baby.... and general good health to all.
I hope 2008 brings a focus on healthy living and increased exercise and activities with decreased injuries and ailments. I hope we can finish a few unfinished projects - and I hope we can continue to enjoy our happy marriage and life together.
I hope to spend more time with my beautiful daughters - and their families. I'm looking forward to this year, this 50th year of my life.
I'm looking forward to truly focusing on the essentials for Living Life ZESTFULLY!!! Welcome 2008!