Retirement 101

No one teaches you how to prepare to be retired. Friends will tell you that you will be amazed that you ever had time to work. Well, I am totally enjoying retirement, having time for family and friends, and praying that God will lead me to my next mission as I look for part time work.
I was blessed to be able to work with my friend Linda, a wonderful harpist, at a luncheon for retired professionals. Listening to Linda play the harp is a thin slice of heaven.

Being together for Mom's 80th birthday in September was a treat. I thank God for the blessing she has been in my life and for the legacy she is preparing to leave.

Being with Mom, Kate, Glenn, Cile, Kari and Jonathan at Chris' White Coat ceremony was a once in a lifetime opportunity. See lots of pictures of the family and the ceremony at Kate and Chris' blog: www.chrisandkateborders.blogspot.com

It's wonderful to be able to be intentional about what I do, whether it's reading a book in order to be able to work with a family, or cooking a huge batch of meatballs and sausage (I used to start that at 7 or 8 PM and work until midnight). Now, I can start at 10 AM and be done by 3 or 4!

Although I'm still 'blog-o-phobic', I wanted to get in a few words and capture some memories of the trip to Alaska with Mom and Kate and Chris. It was beautiful beyond my wildest expectations. Alaska is also one of the 4 destinations on my personal 'bucket list'. The other 3 places are Italy, Africa and Israel. Who knows what the future will bring.

Thanksgiving is approaching; I have so very much to be thankful for. There are so many pictures and stories to fill in the gaps. I want to take blogging one step at a time, one day at a time. My prayer had been to retire with my body and brain in tact, Thank you, Lord, for letting that happen. Give thanks with a grateful heart....

Happy Birthday Jon

Having Eli here was a wonderful way to celebrate Jon's 27th birthday! Here's what Jon looked like several years ago, along with Jon's sister.... Kate.

t
Here is Jon today, a godly man with a wonderful wife and child.

It is truly a blessing to spend time with children and grandchildren. The card I gave Jon had the verse.... This is the day the Lord has made, WE will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24. I chose that card because I used to sing a song of that verse to Jon as I woke him up in the morning. What a blessing to have such wonderful memories... Memories of the past and hopes for the future... Barbara does have hope!

Eli came, he saw and conquered our hearts!

I promised Jon that I would do a post in less than a year since my last post. Here it is, I am blessed and highly favored to be a Nonna to Elias Jonathan Scofield.

Preparing to be a 'Nonna'

Rarely do we have the privledge to step back, and observe ourselves on the brink of taking on a whole new role in life. That is how I feel right now. Jon and Jess are expecting Elias Jonathan any time now. He was named Elias, meaning: The Lord is my God. What a wonderful legacy with which to start life!

It has been such a pleasure watching Jess progress through her preganancy and Jon prepare to be a Daddy! Having a 'man child' will be wonderful for Jon and Jess. I know they have several hopes and dreams, and I look forward to being a small part of the picture.

I am over my case of 'BLOG-O-PHOBIA', a condition of comparing yourself to others and being reluctant to blog, because it won't be as good as your family and friends' blogs. The pictures will be coming soon.

I look forward to blogging about the highs and lows of the past year... my new church, my friends, my family, and the insight God has given me into His wonderful creation. Ponder the following verse...

The Lord, your God, is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will comfort you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Dulcimer Madness

Saturday, January 17th was the annual Dulcimerfest! Although it was bitter cold, 4 of us made the trek from New Jersey to PA!

The top picture shows Nina Zanetti, this year's National Dulcimer Champion and Sue Carpenter, a former National Champ who came all the way from Texas to the festival.

Carol Walker (new bride of Toby Walker!) was one of the teachers. I especially enjoyed her class on playing hymns.

Happy New YearL 2009

Hard to believe it was 9 years ago that we all waited to see what would happen when the clock struck 12 on January 1st in 2000. Well, here we are, 9 years older and wiser, I pray.

It was a Christmas to remember... with friends and family.

Photos to follow....

Catching Up....

Lots of fun events this fall...Old friends, new friends, a wedding, our yearly church retreat, a Thanksgiving weekend Singles' Retreat (America's Keswick) and my brother's 50th birthday. I'm really going to try to be more regular about blogging in 2009...Kate is teaching me to organize my pictures! Lots of fun plans for Christmas and New Year's...that will be blogged about!!

Old Friends... sat on the sofa... like bookends! The fall of 2008 provided a great opportunity to get together with friends from Washington, New Jersey. Although it has been over 10 years since I lived there, getting together with Jewel, Diane, Carol, Joyce, Ann, and Sharon (taking the picture) was wonderful. Looking back, looking forward, and knowing we are truly blessed, right where we are...

Getting together with friends from St Mary's was also wonderful. We got together right before the election in November. Although we could not solve the prolems of the world (although we gave it a good try...) we enjoyed wonderful food, rekindled friendships, and vowed to keep in touch...

"Children of the King" is the name of our 'group' that performed at the retreat in November. Thank you, Michael, for using your technological expertise for the music and powerpoint!














Joseph turned 50 in September. Robb rented "Casa Havana" in New York City... I met lots of Joseph's co-workers from Ronald McDonald House.

Kristen and Ben got married in September, we celebrated at the Towers in Rhode Island. Having time with Tom and Nina, Justin and Keren and beautiful Ariel was precious. "Is there a doctor in the house?" Yes! best wishes to both Kristen and Keren as they join their respective medical practices.