Where to Begin?

I've been reminded that I've neglected the blog for far too long...  Our computer is giving us fits but I'll go ahead and do an update without pictures.

We've survived the birthday season!  Matthew celebrated his 25th and Katelyn her 13th birthday on June 25th.  Nathanial celebrated his 22nd birthday on July 26th.  And Rachael finished out the season with her 17th on July 27th.

Matthew wasn't supposed to start at his new job until July 2nd, but was called out to Bath early for some training and then started 'officially' at the radio station the last week of June.  He still is without a car so there have been a couple of trips out to Bath and back to bring him home for a couple of weekends.  He has found a car, but is saving up for the down payment...hopefully, he'll have that done by the end of this month.

Matthew loves his job at the Family Life Network.  He has been given an additional duty of writing and producing the "Kid's Korner" segment which airs on Saturday mornings.  They are still in the production phase of his scripts, but they will be aired starting in September.  He's also been working on promotional spots which air throughout the day on the regular radio broadcasts.  It's really neat to be at work listening to the radio and hearing our son's work (and sometimes voice) come over the airwaves.

Nathanial and I made a trip to Lanham, MD to visit the school where he plans on getting his master's degree.  After talking with school representatives and viewing the campus once again, Nathanial is certain that this is the school he wants to attend.  Due to financing he's decided to do one class via the internet and another via module (40 hour intensive course done in one week on campus) course for the fall semester.  He'll be living here at home during this semester and hopes to be able to attend on campus classes starting in January.  He's looking for a part-time job closer to home (than Binghamton, which is a 45 minute commute) to help pay for his schooling so he doesn't have to take out loans.  We're in the process of making a quiet, study room in the attic for him to do his coursework, which will someday become either Wayne or my work studio.

Wayne continues to deal with new and puzzling medical symptoms.  He underwent a CT scan of the brain this week and we should be getting the results within the next few days.  His oncologist/hematologist says that his blood work doesn't reveal any issues that would explain his symptoms, but he is concerned and wants the neurologist to examine Wayne asap.  That appointment is scheduled for Monday.

We've both been busy trying to make items for the Unadilla Artisan Guild.  Wayne has done several glass pieces, a couple of hooked rug projects, and he's written and submitted an article for a rug-hooking magazine.  I've also finished 3 quilts--one of them a special commissioned piece which was a memory quilt made out of t-shirts of a lady's deceased husband.  I've been spinning yarn when not quilting, but there is never enough time to tackle all that I have on my 'to do' list.

Last week Marc and Rachael went on a week long bike trip with a local Youth For Christ group.  They biked from Oneonta, New York to Lake Ontario.   Thankfully, the heat wave decreased somewhat for the week and they had good cycling weather for the most part.

As a special trip for Katelyn (during the week without her big sister) we went to Niagara Falls.  The last time she had been there was when she was 3 years old.  We had a great day of 'hanging out together' and toured a bit of the neighboring towns.  Lewiston, NY is a pretty little village right on the Niagara River and has quite a history.  (When I get our computer to cooperate, I'll download the pictures to the story)

Jonathan found a butterfly egg on a dill plant several weeks ago.  He determined to hatch the egg and raise the caterpillar to become a butterfly.  Last weekend "Louie Bob" went from the caterpillar stage into the pupa stage.  Our butterfly farmer excitedly examines the jar every day for any changes and is sure to inform the rest of the household if there is ANYthing to report.

The garden is producing well.  We've put up all the corn, the beans are just beginning to produce, and the broccoli, carrots, cukes, peppers, and zucchini have kept us well fed.  The tomatoes are loaded, but have yet to ripen.  We've also robbed a potato plant for some new potatoes.  It's wonderful eating fresh veggies again!

For the past 4 years I have tried to grow luffa gourds.  This is the 1st year that I've been successful.  I have a wonderful trellis full of developing luffa.  Once mature, the inner part of the gourd is dried and cured and can be used as a sponge.  I plan to pour some of our goat milk soap into the sponges so we'll have a new item to sell at the shop--pre-soaped luffa sponges.  (Pictures to come!)

Thanks for your patience with my negligent blog updates.  Pray that our computer starts mending its ways!