It's getting close. Going home, that is. The hoagie buying spree is all set. The hotel arrangements have been made. The Sunday service is all in order. Saturday's foray into the Philly diner with 40 other Drexler's is all set as well. And I finally made the arrangements for the tour of the school (Downing) for those in the family who were interested. It's at 7:45 a.m. Let's say quarter to 8, that sounds later, right? Well, most folks can just tumble out of their sleeping bag and head across the street. I'm not going to be able to do much at the school because there is no elevator, and I can't do stairs. I MUST however get myself to the top of the gym/cafeteria. And I really wanted to get up to the top floor so I could see where the old Principal's office was, which then became a teacher's lounge. Don't know what that room is now, but I recall it as being a glass room, like a sun room.
When I talked to Pat Watt's, Downing Secretary, (nice lady, by the way, thanks Pat for all your help today), she wasn't following what I was saying about that room, so perhaps in some renovation of the school, that room was done away with.
It's going to be an fun-filled, fast-paced, adventurous, giggly, tear-infested, sappy, tiring three days. All this work -- a year's worth on this end, and much more on Mt. Calvary's end -- for three days of family.
We're praying for health, safety in travel, and financial aid (from above, God is able to provide) for those who need the aid. God will provide. He is faithful, and we're all counting on Him.
I can't wait to see cousins whom I haven't seen for at least 20 years, probably longer. I can't wait to see folks I haven't seen for over 35 years. The last time I saw most of these folks they were early 20s, now we're all mid- to late-sixties. I can only imagine the changes. I hope I recognize some of the visitors.
We're (the family) all so thankful for this opportunity, and really believe it is a God-given opportunity. A chance to enjoy each other's company one more time. How good is God! And, I make no apologies to those readers who don't agree with me on the God thing. I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able....
Mom and dad, we'll miss you. Wish you could be with us. This is to honor you both for all the years of service to a small NJ church in a small NJ town. 100 years! Amazing!
ttfn
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
I'm losing it
This is a picture of my mom and her four children. I figure I'm about 8 in this picture. Probably in third grade. In order, left to right: Deb, me, Mark, Mom, on her lap, Carl.
I dialed my old home phone number (the 931 area code number) wanting to talk to my mom. Of course, I realized what I was doing in time to quit before the number went through. Duh!
My mom is with Jesus and has been for over 20 years. I was just thinking about her and was going to wish her a happy mother's day -- something I did NOT do very often when she was here on this earth. I feel bad about that. Mother's Day was not a holiday we celebrated very often in our house. Maybe that was because it just wasn't one of those days that was advertised very much (no TV) back then. There were no Hallmark stores. The local 5 & 10 didn't have mother's day cards, and unless my mom's birthday fell on the day after mother's day, I didn't even think about it.
I was also thinking last night about how often my mother went to school functions for me and my sister and brothers. She never joined the PTA -- it cost money she didn't have, but she went to the PTA meetings. She helped the PTA ladies with their events. Poor mom. I know she felt she needed to join PTA but she couldn't, so she helped when she could.
I recall vividly my mom sitting along the wall in my 1st grade (2nd grade) classroom, while we students put on a Christmas play of some sort. I had a small part. And my mother was the prettiest lady along that wall, except for perhaps Mrs. Lott -- the pastor's wife of the Lutheran Church across the street from our church. Mrs. Lott (Linda's mom -- one of my best friends at that time) was really a beautiful woman. I always thought that. But my mom was right up there with her.
I was so proud to have such a beautiful mother. And I always wondered if the kids whose moms I thought didn't measure up in the beauty department thought the same thing about their mother.
Aren't our own moms the most beautiful moms in the whole wide world? I think they are.
ttfn
Saturday, May 1, 2010
I'm just bubbling
You all can't imagine. I've been bubbling in my soul all day.
First I was reading Karen Kingsbury's novel, Take One, and one of the children in the story told every one to PUSH -- PUSH stands for Pray Until Something Happens.
Well, I've been praying for so much regarding the 100th anniversary celebration in the past few weeks and I'll let you all in on just what.
First and foremost, that God will be glorified, and those who come in contact with any Drexler will know that we're different from the world.
I've been praying for health for all of us, Drexlers and church people. No broken bones, no lost teeth, no falls, etc., and I've been praying that God will provide the finances for all who are coming. That's a biggie since my son, Phil, is still out of work. I've been praying for safety when we all travel east.
There will 37 of us at dinner on that Saturday, and many more that I'm aware of at the lunch/dinner the church is having on Sunday.
Plus, I got exciting news of some people who will be coming to church on Sunday. News I didn't expect, and I shouted a loud "Hallelujah" and Alan wanted to know "who else is coming?" Isn't that fantastic. I guess I have a "someone else is coming Hallelujah" that he recognizes.
I'm bubbling when I think about it. And I just know I'm going to embarrass myself and dear Alan by giggling through the church service. That was something I did as a child/teenager/young adult and I'm afraid that giggle bubble will erupt during the church service that Sunday. I may have to stay outdoors (weather permitting) that day.
Anyway, I'm bubbling. Lori's BLOG is keeping track of how many more days, and we're heading east real soon.
ttfn
First I was reading Karen Kingsbury's novel, Take One, and one of the children in the story told every one to PUSH -- PUSH stands for Pray Until Something Happens.
Well, I've been praying for so much regarding the 100th anniversary celebration in the past few weeks and I'll let you all in on just what.
First and foremost, that God will be glorified, and those who come in contact with any Drexler will know that we're different from the world.
I've been praying for health for all of us, Drexlers and church people. No broken bones, no lost teeth, no falls, etc., and I've been praying that God will provide the finances for all who are coming. That's a biggie since my son, Phil, is still out of work. I've been praying for safety when we all travel east.
There will 37 of us at dinner on that Saturday, and many more that I'm aware of at the lunch/dinner the church is having on Sunday.
Plus, I got exciting news of some people who will be coming to church on Sunday. News I didn't expect, and I shouted a loud "Hallelujah" and Alan wanted to know "who else is coming?" Isn't that fantastic. I guess I have a "someone else is coming Hallelujah" that he recognizes.
I'm bubbling when I think about it. And I just know I'm going to embarrass myself and dear Alan by giggling through the church service. That was something I did as a child/teenager/young adult and I'm afraid that giggle bubble will erupt during the church service that Sunday. I may have to stay outdoors (weather permitting) that day.
Anyway, I'm bubbling. Lori's BLOG is keeping track of how many more days, and we're heading east real soon.
ttfn
Friday, April 30, 2010
The excitement builds
You know when you go "Home" it's always a nice thing. "Home" on this earth will always be that tiny house in Runnemede. And the anticipation of heading back there is tickling me in the gut. Yes, tickling me. That's what it feels like when I think about this trip I'm going to make and all the family I'm going to see.
God is so good to provide this opportunity for the Drexler clan to get together as a family and enjoy each other's company -- family we haven't seen for years, some family I haven't seen for over 20 years. My brother, Carl's, family I haven't seen, it seems like, forever. I have seen my brother -- I met up with him on one of his road trips a few years ago. But his children were babies -- well, under 10 -- the last time I saw them, and now they're in their 20s and 30s.
What is so neat about this is that all the cousins and second cousins will be able to get together in a swarm and enjoy each other's company. I know my children didn't have much interaction with their cousins when they were small, since we only got to Runnemede once a year, if that often, and so the children would get to visit with some of their cousins then.
And then there were those yearly Thanksgiving visits to my brother, Mark's house, so my children could play with his children. They'll all be there (in Runnemede) all grown up, and their children will be playing with my children. Do you see why I have that tickling feeling in my gut?
And I am determined to walk around the block. Yes siree, I am. If it takes me two hours, I shall walk around the block, take pictures, and think about what it was like 50 years ago, and what it's like now.
A lot has changed, yet a lot remains the same. Anyway, I can't wait.
I pray that we have health and good travel to get us there, and that God will grant us ALL a time of respite and reflection and enjoyment of each other's company for that short time we'll all be together. And yes, I'm praying for great weather so the children can run around outdoors and enjoy the "climbing" trees, and other outdoor things I enjoyed as a child. I'll be there to guide them. I'll sit on the back step and watch them and wave, and point out things for them to do.
Somebody bring a can for "kick the can."
ttfn
God is so good to provide this opportunity for the Drexler clan to get together as a family and enjoy each other's company -- family we haven't seen for years, some family I haven't seen for over 20 years. My brother, Carl's, family I haven't seen, it seems like, forever. I have seen my brother -- I met up with him on one of his road trips a few years ago. But his children were babies -- well, under 10 -- the last time I saw them, and now they're in their 20s and 30s.
What is so neat about this is that all the cousins and second cousins will be able to get together in a swarm and enjoy each other's company. I know my children didn't have much interaction with their cousins when they were small, since we only got to Runnemede once a year, if that often, and so the children would get to visit with some of their cousins then.
And then there were those yearly Thanksgiving visits to my brother, Mark's house, so my children could play with his children. They'll all be there (in Runnemede) all grown up, and their children will be playing with my children. Do you see why I have that tickling feeling in my gut?
And I am determined to walk around the block. Yes siree, I am. If it takes me two hours, I shall walk around the block, take pictures, and think about what it was like 50 years ago, and what it's like now.
A lot has changed, yet a lot remains the same. Anyway, I can't wait.
I pray that we have health and good travel to get us there, and that God will grant us ALL a time of respite and reflection and enjoyment of each other's company for that short time we'll all be together. And yes, I'm praying for great weather so the children can run around outdoors and enjoy the "climbing" trees, and other outdoor things I enjoyed as a child. I'll be there to guide them. I'll sit on the back step and watch them and wave, and point out things for them to do.
Somebody bring a can for "kick the can."
ttfn
Monday, April 26, 2010
Shoes
As I've mentioned before, the house in which I grew up didn't have much closet space. The home had one small closet for clothes about 4 feet by 1-1/2 feet deep, and a medium sized storage closet in the hall which was 1-1/2 feet wide by 4 feet deep. The storage closet housed the vacuum clean, the Bissel cleaner, and winter coats. The other closet housed my mother's clothing and my sister's and my Sunday dresses.
I would play for hours on the floor of that closet, even with the door closed, in the dark.
However, this is about shoes.
Because there was so little closet space, shoes were stored under our respective beds. My shoes were under my bed, by sister's shoes were under her bed, and my brothers shoes were -- well, I can't remember where they were because they had a trundle bed, and I don't think you could store shoes there. Perhaps they were under the bureau. Anyway, my mom's shoes were on her side of my parent's bed, and dad's shoes were at the foot of their bed.
Now days no one would think of putting their shoes under their bed, would they? I don't have shoe racks in my walk-in closet or any other closet for that matter, and I have always stored my shoes in my closet (since I got married -- before that I didn't have a closet, I had pegs), just neatly lined up on the floor. I watch H>V and shoe racks in closets seem to be a must have.
The big question of the day is: What is wrong with storing shoes -- neatly aligned -- under the bed?
ttfn
I would play for hours on the floor of that closet, even with the door closed, in the dark.
However, this is about shoes.
Because there was so little closet space, shoes were stored under our respective beds. My shoes were under my bed, by sister's shoes were under her bed, and my brothers shoes were -- well, I can't remember where they were because they had a trundle bed, and I don't think you could store shoes there. Perhaps they were under the bureau. Anyway, my mom's shoes were on her side of my parent's bed, and dad's shoes were at the foot of their bed.
Now days no one would think of putting their shoes under their bed, would they? I don't have shoe racks in my walk-in closet or any other closet for that matter, and I have always stored my shoes in my closet (since I got married -- before that I didn't have a closet, I had pegs), just neatly lined up on the floor. I watch H>V and shoe racks in closets seem to be a must have.
The big question of the day is: What is wrong with storing shoes -- neatly aligned -- under the bed?
ttfn
Monday, April 19, 2010
School days
My sister and I were talking yesterday and she reminded me of something that I had forgotten about school.
We were wondering whether Downing school had put in a cafeteria or if, as I was thinking, the children that could still went home for lunch, and the others brought sack lunches like I did when I was a child.
We were also wondering about bus service. When I went to school, only the kids that lived out in the Sunset area came in by bus, and, of course, they HAD to stay for lunch. I wonder if because of the times that changed and those who live closer to the school are now riding a bus. I know where we lived in Cincinnati, the children rode a bus and the school was only 1/4 mile away. Seemed like a waste of tax money to me. Let them walk. It would be good for them. Apparently, because of the threat of child kidnapping, they had to have bus service for the close-in children as well as those who lived outside the state required 2-mile radius. The use of bus service for children who lived within the 2-mile zone was up to the school district. I digress.
Then I recalled that there was a kitchen in Bingham -- I went there for several years between attendance at Downing -- and on rare occasions Aunt Nelly would cook. Even though it was a good 15-minute walk home, I usually went home for lunch. After I got my bike, I could do it in five minutes. I didn't like staying for lunch. I don't know whether it was because it was boring, or whether it was because of bullying, although I could give as well as take back in those days, even though I was probably the smallest kid in the class.
I recall that once a year they had a PTA dinner. It was always spaghetti, and I recall Aunt Nelly sweating (not really) away in the kitchen making the dinner. The dinner was held in the room adjacent to the kitchen. The kitchen was in the basement, and that adjacent room was an auditorium of sorts. It had a stage at one end, and then there were two doors that went into the kitchen in the other end of the room. When I was at Bingham it was used for a classroom, Grade 4, Mrs. Kline. That was before the addition in the back was finished. When that was finished, I don't think it was used for a classroom any more, but for an assembly room.
Still no library.
I wonder where the two older schools house libraries, or if they do. Aren't they required in schools now days? And are cafeterias also required?
When I head home and visit Downing, I'll get you all caught up on those things. In case you're interested.
We were wondering whether Downing school had put in a cafeteria or if, as I was thinking, the children that could still went home for lunch, and the others brought sack lunches like I did when I was a child.
We were also wondering about bus service. When I went to school, only the kids that lived out in the Sunset area came in by bus, and, of course, they HAD to stay for lunch. I wonder if because of the times that changed and those who live closer to the school are now riding a bus. I know where we lived in Cincinnati, the children rode a bus and the school was only 1/4 mile away. Seemed like a waste of tax money to me. Let them walk. It would be good for them. Apparently, because of the threat of child kidnapping, they had to have bus service for the close-in children as well as those who lived outside the state required 2-mile radius. The use of bus service for children who lived within the 2-mile zone was up to the school district. I digress.
Then I recalled that there was a kitchen in Bingham -- I went there for several years between attendance at Downing -- and on rare occasions Aunt Nelly would cook. Even though it was a good 15-minute walk home, I usually went home for lunch. After I got my bike, I could do it in five minutes. I didn't like staying for lunch. I don't know whether it was because it was boring, or whether it was because of bullying, although I could give as well as take back in those days, even though I was probably the smallest kid in the class.
I recall that once a year they had a PTA dinner. It was always spaghetti, and I recall Aunt Nelly sweating (not really) away in the kitchen making the dinner. The dinner was held in the room adjacent to the kitchen. The kitchen was in the basement, and that adjacent room was an auditorium of sorts. It had a stage at one end, and then there were two doors that went into the kitchen in the other end of the room. When I was at Bingham it was used for a classroom, Grade 4, Mrs. Kline. That was before the addition in the back was finished. When that was finished, I don't think it was used for a classroom any more, but for an assembly room.
Still no library.
I wonder where the two older schools house libraries, or if they do. Aren't they required in schools now days? And are cafeterias also required?
When I head home and visit Downing, I'll get you all caught up on those things. In case you're interested.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Applesauce is a dessert
Tonight, my husband, Alan, and I went out to Bob Evans to eat. He made it in and out again without falling down. Quite an accomplishment.
But, that's beside the point. Alan ordered meatloaf and changed out the green beans for apple sauce.
He left the apple sauce until last, and just before he started to eat it, he asked me if I wanted dessert, and he thought he did. I pointed to the apple sauce, and said, "Dessert."
He replied: "Apple sauce is not a dessert, it's a vegetable." Since when.
When I was growing up, if we had apple sauce, it was a dessert. It wasn't a garnish, and it wasn't a cake, as I'm sure he enjoyed it, since his mom made a fabulous apple sauce/raisin cake. And it wasn't a salad. And it wasn't a "vegetable." Apple sauce in our house was a dessert.
My mom dressed up canned apple sauce (not the stuff she canned, which we gobbled up in a couple of months, but the stuff that came in a can in the dead of winter) with cinnamon sprinkled on the top. I know it was one of my favorite desserts, and my father seemed to enjoy it, although he had to have a couple of butter cookies with his apple sauce.
So, I can say with all certainty, that apple sauce is a dessert!
ttfn
But, that's beside the point. Alan ordered meatloaf and changed out the green beans for apple sauce.
He left the apple sauce until last, and just before he started to eat it, he asked me if I wanted dessert, and he thought he did. I pointed to the apple sauce, and said, "Dessert."
He replied: "Apple sauce is not a dessert, it's a vegetable." Since when.
When I was growing up, if we had apple sauce, it was a dessert. It wasn't a garnish, and it wasn't a cake, as I'm sure he enjoyed it, since his mom made a fabulous apple sauce/raisin cake. And it wasn't a salad. And it wasn't a "vegetable." Apple sauce in our house was a dessert.
My mom dressed up canned apple sauce (not the stuff she canned, which we gobbled up in a couple of months, but the stuff that came in a can in the dead of winter) with cinnamon sprinkled on the top. I know it was one of my favorite desserts, and my father seemed to enjoy it, although he had to have a couple of butter cookies with his apple sauce.
So, I can say with all certainty, that apple sauce is a dessert!
ttfn
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