Bunco Night

Last night I had my small group of 5 girls over for dinner. Then later in the evening another small group from BFA joined our group for a fun evening of playing bunco(followed with prizes for winners and losers!)

Countries represented in this picture....Germany, Switzerland, Korea, Uzbekistan, Portugal, Croatia, France, Tunisia, Bosnia Herzegovina.....amazing!

Christmas Banquet

Here are Tyler and I - ready to attend BFA's annual Christmas banquet which happened on Saturday evening, November 24. Tim was unable to be here because he was in Ohio with Luke.


Tyler and his good friends

Olivia, Kyra, and Anna from my small group.

Luke at Taylor

On Tim's recent trip to the U.S. he was able to spend time with Luke at Taylor University(and then take Luke with him to Ohio for Thanksgiving). Here's Luke in his dorm room watching football with a friend.


Colors of fall on Taylor campus

Luke at Taylor continued...

Luke's work study is in the MAC lab of the Art department. He is available to assist students if they have computer problems or questions.

Luke's artwork - "Hunger"

More art by Luke - "Math Works" (notice all of the numbers)

Tim's Recent Trip to US

It was mom's birthday. Here she is with granddaughter Holly looking at birthday blessings.

Here's Dad with me and my younger brother Tom.

Seven of the nine brothers and sisters. That's Tom, Becky, Pam, Tim, Teddy, Jack, and Cheri.

Dad finding humor in his Uncle Remus book.


Tim with Dad

My wonderful small group at BFA

Kyra, Christa, Anna, Esther, Olivia - between the 5 of us we consume a lot of tea each week!

A visit from family

Ben and Mike Poffenroth were in our home this week - one of the stops on their 4 month tour of Europe and North Africa. We had a great time visiting with them and getting caught up. They are Tyler's cousins' cousins and my sister's husband's brother's sons! Ben is a former student of BFA.

"Up the Down Staircase"

This week-end our high school students "wowed" us with their amazing talent in the production of "Up the Down Staircase"

Overcrowded classroom, understaffed school

Joe Ferone(Tyler), hostile, handsome young man who, in spite of his synical attitude finally admits, "I'm tired of going up the down staircase!"

Student(and teacher!) in trouble with the Principal

Newcomer Miss Barrett confides in much more experienced Ms. Schachter.

Joe begins to soften and re-evaluate as he sees his teacher showing genuine concern for him.

Miss Barrett cares deeply about her students; she slowly earns their respect and ignites their enthusiasm for learning.

Cast of "Up the Down Staircase"

The lead actors in the high school play - Tyler and Christine

Fellow cast members

Proud mom and dad!

A Visit to Poland

This past weekend 5 ladies from BFA and myself went to Poland! It took us 11 hours to get there, but it was well worth it! We had a wonderful "retreat" together! I had never visited Poland before and it was amazing to think that this was the country my Grandpa had lived in before he immigrated to Canada in 1911.

A taste of Polish food - Gulash soup served in bread bowls! And of course the pickles!

We arrived in Poland on All Saints Day. We were in a very Catholic region and couldn't help but notice the tombstones in the graveyards covered with flowers and candles.

A Polish farm that we passed....

Polish pottery

We went shopping for Polish pottery which is very reasonably priced especially since Poland is not yet part of the EU.
Good thing our men weren't along! Can you imagine YOUR husband shopping for pottery?!