Christmas 2022

Merry Christmas! 

This year was consumed with planning for, paying for and building the new shop with a little house on the side. Brent and Doug took the old farm house down with the excavator we bought. They said, "It'll be cheaper if we do it ourselves. Then we can sell the excavator when we're done." Teresa and I know these guys- that toy is never leaving this farm!

It was hard to see the family home go down. Harold had told us we would need to do it- the foundation was crumbling, the roof needed major repair, the walls had little insulation, the windows were needed replacing... but still. 

The other loss was the garden. Four generations of Brenneman women have gardened in that spot, and the soil worked up like a dream. I had a year or so to get used to the idea. It came down to saving a huge sycamore tree or losing the garden. So, I dug a garden north of our house, and bought myself a garden shed. I actually like it so close to the back porch- easier to keep weeded. 

The dirt work was done in May, the floors poured in June. We decided to bite the bullet and put in-floor heat in both the floor and the house. They say it will be money well spent. 

 

Checking out the pond at Missouri Airbnb

Daisy and I went to puppy kindergarten. Mostly it's to train the people, I think. I had her kennel trained, but one day when I was away for work, Doug let her sleep in the bed with him, and that was all she wrote. She is a sweet little cuddle buddy, and mostly snuggles up to Doug, who must be warmer. She still uses her kennel to nap, but at 10:00 pm she goes to the bedroom door and barks!

Daisy loves her cousins!

My sister Rachel and her two bassets, Stella and Sienna, met Daisy and me halfway at an Airbnb cabin in Missouri. A great time was had by all. Glad for hosts who allow dogs! 

The new garden did surprisingly well. Maureen and I make salsa together- she makes hers too hot for me! But when it comes time for pickle beans, we get a few boxes from the Amish auction so we have enough ready at the same time. I bought my string bean seeds from the Amish, and she assured me they were bush beans, but they were ALL pole beans. Family doesn't like the beany pole beans. You don't suppose that was planned so we'd buy their produce do you!?!

Doug is so happy with his warm new shop. When I asked him what it's like to work on machinery without being cold, he said he hardly knows how to act! 

            

These two are like pigs in mud, setting up the new shop. Teresa aptly points out if they put a couch in there, we may never see them again! 

I continue working full-time at the University of Iowa, Division of Child and Community Health, Stead Family Children's Hospital. My work largely entails leadership education for families of children with disabilities. This year I trained 3 new trainers so we have a team of 7 now. Succession planning! It's rewarding work, and I have good people to work with. The benefits alone drive people to work at the University, and I feel fortunate for those AND enjoying my work. Since the pandemic, we are allowed to work 3 days at home per week. The washhouse is a fine office. Except with the cow/calf pairs are disagreeing with each other. My workmates are more amused on Zoom calls than I am!

We paid off the hog barn! Hard to believe 
it was 10 years ago we built it!

Finished up being MYF sponsors this year.
This year I'm learning to be song leader at church!

 For the first time, we gathered without Mom. We met at an Airbnb for "Christmas in June". We had plans to meet in the summer instead of the holidays before Mom got sick, so we gave it a try. Mom leaves a big hole in our family, but it was good to be together. We do enjoy each other. We had a ping pong tournament, and divided up some of Mom's remaining recipe books. I commissioned a song from the Steel Wheels in memory of Mom, and we debuted it while we were together. Not everyone could come, but we were glad for those who could. I realize I'm not good at getting group photos of family events! 

But we had BIG events to celebrate: Ron turned 60, Rachel turned 50, and Mike and Theresa were engaged. So, everyone got a cake!

Here is Mom's song by The Steel Wheels "Song for the Living" 

Doug and I got to use Brent and Teresa's camper as "rent" for parking it on the farm. Had to see what all the fuss is about. The kids go quite often in the summer. 

Michael and Theresa got married!

We had SUCH a good time in Indianapolis November 12. It was worth the 10 year wait. Great food and the DJ got us all out on the dance floor and we had a blast. It was so good to see family we hadn't seen since before COVID. 

 

I can see the sunrise from my kitchen window 
now! The shop/house is set back to the north
father than the old farmhouse was. 

May you know God's richest blessings in the new year!