Merry Christmas from the frozen farm...

Read it again...it says frozen farm...not funny farm!!!!

We made it thru these past rounds of freezing rain...only lost our electricity three times over the past weekend, but we've been good ever since 2:30 Saturday afternoon. We did get to see Amy Grant and Vince Gill at the U.S. Cellular Center in Bloomington on 12/20. It was a "warm and quiet" concert. Many Christmas songs, they talked, more songs, and we all sang Christmas carols together at the end. (My only complaint is the seats there...not very comfortable at all.)

And, if there is a little room on your prayer lists, please add a couple of requests. My brother Dan (who lives in Colorado) lost his job after 25 years. But at least he got 8 months of severance pay while he tries to decide what to do next. To add to the situation, his wife, Lisa, just lost her stepdad in Texas on Saturday, and Matthew (Dan & Lisa's oldest son) is having a bad bout with gall stones. They could all use a few more people lifting them up in prayer right now.

Celebration news!...my twin nieces Sarah & Amanda graduated (last Saturday) from Western Illinois University; both graduated with their Bachelor Degree in "Studio Art and Music Business". They had their own art show on December 16th at Macomb; didn't get to go because of the weather; hope to see pictures on Christmas Day.

We're anxious to celebrate Christmas with three grandchildren! The presents are wrapped and under the tree, food is being prepared to share with family, and just enjoying the tree as it sparkles with all the lights. Remember the reason for the season...the Christ child came for you and for me. Happy Birthday Jesus!!

John & Joanne

More pics...

Rett's First Birthday

Rett is now a year old; yesterday he had both sets of grandparents, five great-grandparents, and his aunt Beth, uncle Craig, cousins Colby and Cale helped him celebrate his first birthday. Jen made a monkey cake; she did a great job. There were even cupcakes that had little monkeys on them. He received some new toys, clothes, a radio flyer wagon, and a new plate made by his mommy. Beth and Craig were down for the weekend. Grandma Jo babysat Saturday so that they could go xmas shopping. John and I sang in our annual Christmas cantata at church on Sunday morning, then went to celebrate with Rett. Just about got all the shopping done; just need to do a few more things. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

It's December and it's cold !!!

Colby making her first cut out Christmas cookies. She even has her apron on!! I have a future baker on my hands.

We've had at least 5-6 inches of snow. It's blowing and drifting. Tonight the wind is really blowing. John harvested the last 12 rows of corn Saturday before it snowed Saturday night. We've been richly blessed this year by the high prices for corn and soybeans, but, of course, they've also gone way down now. But....the price of fertilizer has not. We just got our last bill and the price has gone up about 400%...that's right I said 400%. So all that good money we made on soybeans and corn this summer...it's a good thing we saved it...is now going to pay for the fertilizer for next year. That's how it goes!!!

Family news on my Dad...he was scheduled for knee replacement surgery December 12th but that now has been postponed. His blood was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down; his hemoglobin was at a 6 when we took him to the hospital about a week before Thanksgiving. He had gone into BroMenn to have pre-op blood work done when the hospital called his Doctor; the doctor put him in the hospital right away. He ended up being given 4 units of blood. I knew he had been looking really tired and had no energy but I blamed it on him not wanting to walk on his knee. He's looking much better now. New operation date is pending upon how his blood builds itself back up in the next four weeks.

We had a good Thanksgiving weekend. Mom & Dad, Beth's family, Jen's family, and our friend Kevin Niles came out for supper that night. Brit and Jen celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary on Thanksgiving Day also. Then the next day Beth & Jen & I made Christmas cookies and candy. Everyone had goodies to take home. Mr. Rett stayed all night at grandma Jo's house so Mom & Dad could celebrate their anniversary; they were also able to put up their Christmas decorations without any help from Rett.

I was able to get up my decorations Saturday afternoon just in time before the snow. Still don't have the Christmas tree decorated but it's up and plugged in! Judy Sullivan and I were going to go Christmas shopping Monday, but that got postponed till next Monday in hopes of better weather. It really was a good thing because my shopping list was not in good shape; hope it'll be ready next Monday.

Hope everyone is doing well and had a good weekend, and that you'll be able to get out and get your Christmas shopping done.

Joanne

Family Pictures November 2008

Here's your first look at our family pictures that we had taken on 11/2/08. Craig is the tall son-in-law holding Cale; he's already caught up to Rett who is being held by Brit (even though there's 4 1/2 months difference between them. Then there's Miss Colby who was not having a particularly good day that day but in this picture, there's a little bit of a smile

Happy Monday!!

I know it's been a while...

September and October were very busy; two of the weeks I was working "all week" as Janet took some vacation time. We had water in our basement one weekend (9/14) and we're just now getting all items back to where they need to be (also installed more shelving to get things up off the floor). I've been doing cakes here and there (birthdays and a small wedding reception).

Took my Mom & Dad to Kentucky for about four days at the end of September. Went to visit my Dad's sisters; visited with cousins; visited four or five graveyards down there. Got to see my paternal great grandparents grave site for the first time. You may think it wierd but I did enjoy going to the graveyards and reading the tombstones. A lot of the names were familiar because I had heard my folks talk about them. Then we ended up in Indianapolis on the way home to visit Dad's other sister and his brother. And get this...we ate at the Beef House going down and coming home. If you've never ate at the Beef House (located just off I74 just east of Danville in Indiana) you have got to try it!!!

Once a month I head up a team that cooks "supper" for people at church on Wednesday night. There are four teams and we each have a different meal that we cook throughout the month. Mine is ham and cheesy potatoes plus other items. Have had really good turnouts.

Spent most of a week in October at Beth's when Colby contracted mouth & foot virus which is contagious. She couldn't go to daycare so was able to go and help out so Beth & Craig wouldn't miss too much work; both are very busy. Cale is growing by leaps and bounds; he's six months old already and has almost caught up with Rett; he's going to be a BIG boy!

Brit and Jen are finally moved into their very first house in Peoria Heights. Cute little house; I think they're really going to enjoy the house and the neighborhood. Although I know Grandma and Grandpa Dunaway are really going to miss Rett not being there all the time, he's only 10 minutes away from them.

John is still trucking very steadily; gone a lot especially to Iowa picking up equipment and bringing back to Illinois. He finished harvesting beans last night....YEAH! Now on to the corn.

I'm trying to weather proof the house today...taking down the screens, clean a few windows, cleaning out the garage, etc. I've gotten a lot of sewing done...and some embrodiery work. Thanksgiving dinner will be at my house this year; the girls and I always make many batches of xmas cookies on the day after...always look forward to that.

We had family pictures taken yesterday; this year is our 35th wedding anniversary (6/23/08) so I really wanted to have a family picture taken especially since didn't have one with the boys. And yes, there will be xmas cards with the photo. I'll try to post pictures the next time I blog.

Have a good November and remember to enjoy Thanksgiving and the fall leaves even if you've already started your xmas shopping!!

Joanne

Girls' Weekend (sort of!)

The "Nafziger girls" had their fall weekend early this year. Jen and I went up to Beth & Craigs (without baby Rett) this past weekend. On Saturday we girls (plus baby Cale) went to the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles. Colby got Daddy all to herself for the day!

It is a huge flea market; covers the whole fairgrounds. Some crafts and antiques but I think I like the Third Sunday Market better. But what was even more fun, we found a Joann Fabrics in St. Charles and we spent an hour in there. Huge selection of fabric plus lots of items like you would find in our Hobby Lobby or Michaels.

John is still putting in many, many hours of trucking. Today he went almost to Minnesota to make a delivery and is in Waterloo tonight to pick up a tractor in the morning and then come home. The weed mower is finally fixed so it's not so bad around the farm as it was. Second cutting of hay is done; that's probably it for the season.

I'm working all this week as Janet is on vacation so I'm trying to hold down the fort...I can just hear the tears of sympathy (ha ha!!).

I'm planning on taking Mom & Dad to Kentucky about the last of September and then come back thru Indianapolis to visit relatives. The leaves might be pretty about then...maybe.

Doing a few cakes here and there and have several sewing projects in the works. Trying to work on using the embrodiery feature. It is so cool !!

That's all for now from the Nafziger house.

August Update

August farm happenings...oats have been cut, straw has been baled, the weed mower is still down for repairs...weeds are going to take over the whole farm!!! Corn Daze in Minier was celebrated; John and I help hand out free sweet corn.

VBS was held at church with the theme of Jerusalem Village...I was the candy maker on two of the days. Made some candy with the ingredients of sugar, butter, honey, and bread. It actually tasted pretty good but don't think I'll make any more of it as it took 15 minutes worth of stirring. My hands ached for days. Jennifer helped me in the "store" those two days; then went to Beth's for the weekend. She's gone back to school (teaching high school math at Stillman Valley), the kids are in day care about 5 minutes from home. Craig is making the rounds of corn fields. Brit & Jen are still looking for a house in the East Peoria area. Maybe they'll find a house in time for Jen's 27th birthday on the 29th.

I've been taking sewing lessons on my new machine. Have made a couple of projects...one being a little jumper for Colby. Am getting things ready to make a T-shirt quilt for Jen; my Mom made one for Beth after she got married so I'm going to attempt one this winter.

The pictures in this post are from end of July and into August of the grandkids. Notice the picture of Colby...she had just gotten some new playdough and we were "making food".

July Update

First cutting of hay is up and in the barn. Weeds are have a great growing season and so is the poison ivy; it has invaded my flower bed!! We lost Tilly, our blonde Australian Shepherd dog. She got into something and was just gone. John wanted to get another dog right away for Tiggy but I'm thinking let's wait until next spring. We're still negotiating.

Got away for a couple of days with my friend Ellen; went home with her to Terre Haute and visit with her mom and brother. Ellen just lost her father about two weeks ago. Was able to attend the funeral; then she and I went down and spent some time with her mom this weekend. Had nice visits with other members of Ellen's family, enjoyed the scenary as we traveled, and ate too much food!

John is playing in the Danvers Town Band every Sunday evening at 7:00. There's two more concerts left...just come to the foot of the water tower in Danvers -- that's where the park is. There's food starting at 6:00...usually lots of homemade pies.

And I just got my new sewing machine...my gift to myself upon retiring. Am taking lessons to learn how it works (it's really a computer!!) and how to use the embrodiery and quilting functions. Hope to have it mastered so I can start doing some serious sewing this winter. The picture of Rett at the top was taken on the way home from picking up my new machine. TTFN

Father's Day Weekend & All the crops are planted!!!

Colby loved blowing bubbles one afternoon out on the deck. It was really windy and all she had to do was hold up the wand and the bubbles went flying.

Beth, Cale, Colby, Jen, and Rett sitting where Colby wanted the picture taken!

This is great-grandpa Lennie with the two boys, Cale and Rett on Father's Day. John was out planting beans and finally got done Tuesday. All the corn and beans are planted...PTL !!!

Family Get Together

Sunday, June 8, we traveled to the Rochelle's Lutheran Church and watched as Cale was baptized. We then went to Beth & Craig's house for lunch, playing with the kids, watch Cale sleep, and have cake!! Here are some pictures of Beth, Craig, Colby, and Cale.

Brit graduated from Lincoln Christian College & Seminary with his masters degree in Christian counseling yesterday. He and Jen are looking for a house in the Washington-East Peoria area so it will be a shorter commute to his job at the Peoria Childrens Home in Peoria.

Grandma and Grandpa went and visited baby Cale today. He's a keeper!!!

Cale Everett Kleinschmidt is here!! He made his appearance at 5:19 a.m. this morning (4/25/08) in Rockford, Illinois. He shares his initials with his daddy, Craig Eric Kleinschmidt and his middle name comes from his great-grandpa Nafziger. He was 7 pounds 11 ounces, 20" long and everyone is doing fine. Papa John and Grandma Jo will be traveling to Rockford tomorrow to see him. Also on this day we were privileged to sing at the funeral of our sweet Christian sister, Judy Devine. She was the Sunday School teacher for both Beth and Jennifer when they were in the 2 and 3 year old classes at Minier Christian Church. We will miss her tremendously but know she is healed now and celebrating in heaven right now!!

Farm update: oats are planted!! The grass needs to be mowed but then everyone's does. Farmers are going to town working well into the night getting the fields ready to be planted. John says we had a thunderstorm in December which means a late frost in May so not to be in a hurry; sometimes those "wives' tales" are pretty close to reality. Brit started his new job as a children's counselor in Peoria so Grandma Jo is going to help out with babysitting duties with Rett. I'll work 2-3 days a week in Minier and babysit the other two days. That is, until Baby K makes his appearance which is still scheduled for April 29th. Beth, Craig, and Colby are biding their time until the new member of the family arrives!!

April 12, 2008...my first blog...Joanne is now officially retired from State Farm but still working three days a week for a financial office in Minier. I love my four-day weekends! We're waiting on spring; John needs to get hayseed planted. Old man winter just will not give up. We're also waiting on baby boy Kleinschmidt. He's scheduled to make his debut on April 29th in Rockford, Illinois. A granddaughter and two grandsons...John finally gets his boys!!! We're also having another graduation in the family...son-in-law Brit will have his masters degree in Christian Counseling on May 10 from Lincoln Christian Seminary. They're waiting on a job and then will be searching for a new home -- no more apartment living!!