We're very proud that Brent graduated from Muscatine Community College with an Associates in Science degree in agriculture. He works for BT Farms, where he did several of his internships. He also had had his own baling business this summer. When I saw his billing system I realized my boy is all grown up and doesn't need his mom anymore (for that!)
Good-bye to Grandma Brenneman
Good-bye to Grandma Brenneman
In December, Doug's mom Marie fell and broke her ankle. After stays in the hospital and local rehab she was just ready to discharge to the next stage when we got the call that she had died in her sleep. February 24, 2017. Good for her- sad for us. No good-byes. Leah Kileny, long-time friends from Israel, came to be with us. Here she helps Maureen tie Dad and Brent's ties.It's very quiet around the farm. I sure miss stopping by to chat and catch her up with what we're doing. Very hard to get used to - not having 3 generations together here.
A fun little outing mid-winter to a Journey concert. "Don't stop believin!"
So this happened this summer... ask Brent about it.
Doug and I took a quick trip to Dyersville to see the tractor museum and the Field of Dreams. Here we are at the baseball field. You can imagine which Doug liked best.
The cool thing about young adult kids is that they can do the chores!
A few months after Marie died, Doug suggested we fix it up a bit so the kids could move out of our basement.
The kids like being more on their own and we like the empty nest!
They are near enough to help with cows and pigs but everyone also has space. Win-win!
Brent's accident
I decided to spare you the graphic pictures. End of July Brent called us about suppertime to say he'd been in an accident, he was okay but the truck was t-boned. We jumped in the car to go to the scene (it wasn't far away) and Brent called again and said the same thing. He didn't remember calling us. When he called again in 2 minutes, we knew we would be going to the ER. We were not prepared to arrive to see Vickie's beloved white pickup upside down. Brent was hit by a drunk driver who left the scene. He crawled out a back window and called us. There were witnesses and the driver was soon caught. He doesn't remember anything before the ambulance ride. We are so grateful he wasn't seriously hurt. He's been doctoring for his back some, and it sounds like the drivers insurance should cover everything. We are so grateful for Brent's life.
Family Peer Support Specialist Training
In addition to training work-force peers, another team at work led a second round of training for family leaders to advocate for change for children with special needs.
It's been good to use some of my teaching training again.
Love the women I work with!
Employee Van Pool
Parking is so bad near the hospital where I work, employee vans are provided for a fee of course. After following the Wellman one to work numerous times, and realizing they drop off at my very building, I decided to be green and sign on. Now they actually swing into our circle drive and pick me up. At the very spot where middle school Brent waited with Grandma for the bus, I now wait (in the kids' house) for my ride. Ironic.
Our agronomist is published
Click on this link to read a post Mo wrote for her work. Very proud! If you have weed issues or want your soil amended, she's your woman! Clean Beans: are we dreamin?
Crops and Critters
It was a banner year for corn and soy beans. No one can believe the high yields, especially since the rains were spotty. Wish we had good prices for our crops but at least there were a lot of bushels. With a lot of fall rain, we were still at it in November this year.Cattle prices have come down quite a bit in the last year.
We are grateful that we raise pigs for an integrator so don't have to worry about the price of pigs!
We get them at about 19 days old and finish to nearly 300 pounds in 6 months. So we sort and load pigs twice a year. The kids have decided they are better at sorting with their dad than I am. :) So I no longer have to do that job. Not sad about that!
On a fine late October Sunday afternoon, on a high from leading a successful worship workshop at First Mennonite of Iowa City, I decided to stand on the couch to adjust the drapery back to its winter position. (The sun gets in Doug's eyes in the summer). Doug was sitting on his chair right next to me and said, "You're going to fall." And just like that, I lost my balance and fell backwards, catching my back on the STRONG wooden coffee table. Cracked some ribs. Wow- that's painful. Had to be off work a week and still cringing along 5 weeks later. Some potential solid questions to ask:
1) Why didn't I ask Doug to assist? 2) Why didn't I get a ladder? 3) Is it truly Doug's fault because he requires so much maintenance? 4) Will I ever learn my lesson? All valid questions. None of which make it feel better any faster.
Preaching back east
In November, I was pleased to be asked to preach for part of Salford Mennonite Church's 300th anniversary, celebrating women in ministry. I attended this congregation right out of college when I taught school at Penn View Christian School. I was well hosted by the congregation, and had reunions with friends while there. Even got in on the 30 year cookie bake tradition of some of my teacher friends from the 1980s!
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| Mini First Mennonite of Iowa City reunion with Joy Sutter, Sonya and Roger Stauffer-Kurtz. |
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| Me, Carol and Tim Martin Johnson, Monica and Dave Schroeder Christmas Around the World December 5-10, I went with Mom on a bus tour from Archbold to Omaha, NE. We visited a variety of ethnic traditions around Christmas. Here we are after our Medieval Feast. Also on the itinerary were treats from Lithuania, Sweden, Denmark. We also saw a Lewis & Clark national park presentation, Union Station's giant Christmas tree, a poinsettia tree at an arboretum, and a few other historic markers. Finished off with a marvelous Christmas pops concert with the Omaha symphonic orchestra. It was fun to be with mom and some folks from Archbold.  |
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