Check out my Slide Show!

Check out my Slide Show!

Showers of Blessings

What a wonderful shower it was...a baby shower for my neice, Candice. So many helped with it. Ann-Marie had planned the games..when people begin to arrive they were given a new name associated with a baby. For instance my name was bottle. For the entire evening, you were to call me bottle not Juliet. If anyone heard you say my real name they had to take off their name tag. Plus, you were also given a colored clothes pin and attached it to clothes. If you used the word BABY...you had to give your clothes pin to that person. The person with the most clothes pins at the end of the evening, won a prize. So we all had to be very careful in our conversations with one another.

The two other fun games were the regular bowl of cotton balls...with eyes shut, you would try to spoon them into a large bowl on your head from the spoon placed in the bowl on your lap. Remember that game? The other game was really funny. Everyone got a blank sheet of paper and after folding, put it behind their back and tried to cut out a baby figure with their own hands. You should have seen the different babies...skinny, fat, and of course some of them looked like a teddy bear.

Gifts, Gifts and more Gifts... so many great clothes, bed, beddings, highchair, etc. That wonderful child to come with certainly be well dressed. Candice, we all are so happy that a new member of our family will be coming soon. ...and a girl at that.

We had great food too! Fruit salad, Veggie tray, Turkey and Ham Wraps, Punch and especially the cake from good old Hilanders.

Thanks to everyone who took part...Betty Boehm, (Candice's Aunt in Texas), Charity and Colleen (Candice's sisters from TN) Cousin Ann-Marie and even Candice herself.

I'm looking forward to being a GREAT-AUNT AGAIN! Enjoy the slide show from the shower!

It's ALL over

WOW...64 people in all. First off I apologize for not getting everyones pictures. It's been a long time since I was in charge of a little one...my wonderful great adorable neice, Madyson. We had fun!! But now I know why moms don't get to take many pictures...your hands are not free to even hold a camera. Just enjoy the video and perhaps others that were there can show pictures of other family members. (We had so many that we had to hire an FBI Agent...AKA Brett) Thanks goes to Uncle Jimmy (Bob's brother) for the wonderful FBI caps he sent to Ann-Marie and Brett.

As always our Christmas Eve starts out with family members who can go, met at brother Scott's house to go caroling @ 4:00. Meanwhile back at the ranch..actually the church in Beloit, others prepare for the crowd. Tables and chairs to be set up, table cloths to be put on the tables, food to put out...etc. Thanks to Louise and Jeanine Gibson they kept us all in line and told us what to do and also what not to do.

When everyone finally arrive...we eat alot (more than we should). I especially like Judy telling her son Justin who had a plate in his hand..."Justin, remember there are people behind you!" I guess teens need to be remined of this on ocassions...such as this. Well anyway, we talk, we eat again and then we just kept talking. In between all of this there is the picture taking of anyone willing to having their picture taken.

Clean up is always fun...and Venita and Judy are two of the faithful few to actually stick around to clean the kitchen up. But this year we had great help from everyone.

In the video...Aiden is Brad and Paula's son...and I think Brad and Paula could be pictured on just about any magazine.

As always Santa appears bringing gifts for all the kids! Mother at 90 still reads the Christmas story...what Christmas is all about.

We all join in as Scott leads us in Christmas Carols...ending with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Lots and Lots of FOOD - FUN - FELLOWSHIP but never enough time to visit eveyone. POOF!! I'S OVER...that is until next year!!!

Christmas morning, Ann-Marie, Brett, Gary and I have a Quiet breakfast brunch. Open our gifts and just enjoyed the day. Brett and Ann-Marie headed off to Geneva to celebrate the rest of the day with his family. We sometime go, but this year we didn't. That's all folks. May the Lord richly bless us as we serve Him in the year 2008.

P.S. For more pictures, just click on BJ Blog. Thanks.

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Grandmother - Granddaughter

The other day my mother, Agnes Rehfeldt, phoned me to tell me that she had recieved a copy of the Rockford Woman magazine. "What a surprize it was to me to see my granddaughter, Ann-Marie sharing the same magazine with me."

Jeneice Smith had interviewed my mother for the magazine. So I just want to pass along to you these two different articles. Just go to http://www.rockfordwoman.com/ and read about these Famous people in my life. Click on Animal Magnetism for Ann-Marie and Children and Churches for my mom....you'll have to scroll a little before you see my mother's quotes.

P.S...the picture behind Ann-Marie was one I cross-stitched for her when she was in high school. I enjoyed doing it, but the bunnies ear gave me a hard time with those half-stitches.

Cousins

Having come from such a large family, I didn't know my first cousins very much. The only two I remember well were cousin Joyce and cousin George.

Our youngest brother, Timothy and his wife Judi have the youngest first cousins who are still in school. Awhile back I wanted to let other first cousins that don't live in town to see a newspaper clipping of Jeffery and Justin. But as you all know my scanner wasn't working. This clipping was taken in the fall. Jeffery is only 6'4" and Justin is shorter...6'2". They are both great in sports. Last night Gary and I were watching the sports...low and behold they said Justin name..slaughter the pronouncing of the name Rehfeldt...it was a basketball game. Rockford Christian against Maranatha School. Rockford Christian won!!!

Enjoy the photo! Justin is in front and Jeffery is to the right.

Help is on the Way

The other day I got two e-mail from paypal, saying two different people were sending me money. "Hurray" should have been my first response...but I'm thinking, "I have nothing on e-bay to sell."

A hurried call to my neice, Candice, who help me set up both my accounts with paypal and EBay, telling her I didn't know what to do...that really nothing new to most people. Since she works on the weekend was was able to come to my rescue and clear the matter up for me. We think it may have been a scam of some sort and paypal will check that part out.

While we were working on the problem, Gary came in the computer room and asked Candice if she wanted to stay for supper. We were just having meatloaf and I wasn't sure she would like it. But it turns out that she does.

While getting the supper ready, I asked Candice if BJ, her brother would be free to join us for supper. She phoned him and he was able to join us. Now since I have my computer geek nephew here....I'm thinking...I have a scanner which I can't seem to get it to work. "Hey BJ, could you take a look at my scanner and see if you could get it to work?" Now what GEEK would say NO when you offer them to look at your scanner and computer.

Well to make a long story short, he got my scanner to work and also did other geekish things to my computer. (I don't know if geekish is a word, but it my word.)

I just want to thanks to my neice, Candice and nephew BJ for helping out their old aunt.

In the pictures from the scanner....for those who don't know Candice and BJ..Candice is the good looking blonde in the first picture and in the other pictures...BJ is standing in the middle.

Snow Bunny

Yesterday the snow was just beginning to come down. It was just starting to get a little dark out. I decided to lower the blinds...just outside the computer room window I saw this rabbit just standing there. I wondered if I got my camera would he still be there? When I got back he was still standing there like a little statue...he even looked my way as if to say "What are you up to?"

Well, I actually think that he was posing just for the camera. I know that Ann-Marie will enjoy this picture. It would make a great Hallmark card.

Trip to Missouri

Jan and I had such a good time at Michael and Danielle's. It was so good to see them and the wonderful new addition to their family Makayla. She is so sweet and cute. Bryant was in school all day and Mackenzie went only half a day. We got to spend alot of time with Danielle, Bryce, Madyson and baby Makayla. My sister has go much eneregy...I couldn't of done all that she had done. First I'm not a cook and she did all the cooking. And as always the food was so GOOD! She loves being a GRANDMA! She enjoy reading and singing to her Grandkids and they love every bit of it. I on the other hand would sneak away to read or get in an afternoon nap. However on Thursday, I told Mackenzie ,"I'm going to make Grandma take a nap while you and I do a craft."
She was willing and Jan finally got a well deserved nap. Michael is such a great dad...at night I felt like I was off duty. He just takes over with the help of his Mom. Danielle was such a great help to me when Jan went on a field with Bryant. I guess I'm the one that is helpless without the help of other people.

I did enjoyed the time I got alone with Madyson and Bryce...and especially when I got to hold Makayla. They are all fun to be around. Mackenzie and I had fun playing soccer ball..of course our way of playing it. Bryant reminds me of Michael..I love Bryant's facial expressions! We would have stayed another day longer, but Darryl phoned and said the weather would be bad for traveling on Saturday.

All in all the trip went GREAT. The only drawback was me getting a bad cold. I'm still not to full recovery but I would make that trip again.

Thanks to Danielle and Michael for always opening their home to Gramdma and Aunt Juliet. We always have fun. Plus we got to celebrate Mackenzie 6th Birthday!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is November 22,2007..Thanksgiving Day. Last night we got a little snow. Just enough to cover the ground. This morning I took a picture from my kitchen window of our back yard. It looks like the end of autumn and the beginning of winter. Although that tree looks like it not ready to give way to the winter season.

Gary and I just want to wish all those who read this blog a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! We all have so much to be thankful for.

Blurred Friends

Becasue someone else took this picture...it is really bad. But after all my blog by no means is perfect. But I was so glad that Sally could join us, I want you to see us all...even if it is very blurry.

Lang Sale

So many things happened this past week and I'm trying to spread them out so the blog doesn't become so overwhelming. Last Thursday, Betty, my sister Jan and I went to the Lang Sale that is now done in New Berlin, WI. As always Betty drove. I'm glad she is a very good driver.

I found out from my sister that when I do a slide show of any event, she is not able to see it because for some reason or another the computer will not allow it...huh? So I'll show these picture individually.

The sale itself, went really good. We got there at around 8:00 a.m. and of course they don't let the people go till 9:00. But we were inside so it really didn't matter about the weather.

We met my friend, Sally, who lives in New Berlin for lunch at Armeli's. The picture of the four of us is not good...we had one of the waitress take the picture and it look 3-D. Sally's sister Suzette Williams..now Sherman taught at Berean Christian School. The real funny thing about Sally is that Darryl was her teacher when she was a student at Winnebago.

Enjoy ...just forgive the pictures. I'm still learning about my camera.

K-K-K-Katie

While at my sister Jan's, we had supper Wednesday night. Sometimes, she invited our nephew Jon to join us. Well this time Jan also invited a friend of his ...Katie. Now she is just a friend..at least that the story for now. I must add that she is a very very sweet girl.

Growing up at the Rehfeldt's home, my Dad use to sing K-K-K-Katie. Beautiful Katie. You're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore. When the m-moon shines over the mountain, I'll be waiting at the K-K-K-kitchen door. We'll just wait and see what develops.

Love, Juliet

P.S. the address for Louise is: Mrs. Louise Berg, Willows Health & Rehab Center, 4054 Albright Lane, Rockford, Il. 61103...so if you find time, just send her a get well card. THANKS!

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Update...Louise Recovery

Well before I left for Watertown on Wednesday, on Tuesday I went to see Louise after her surgery. Everything went great. Louise's daughter, Tammy and Louise's husband Bruce were there to see her before she went to surgery. When I arrived, she was just getting settled in her room. Lunch was served..if one wants to call broth, jello, ice chips lunch.:) She got real sleepy so Tammy and I left.

When I arrived back from Watertown with my sister Jan and her husband Darryl, we headed for Wesley Willows. Jan and Darryl stopped at River Bluff to pick up our Mom. Louise was sitting up and in good spirits. Cari Berg, Louise daughter-in-law who works at Wesley Willows, was helping Louise get settled in. I got there first and then Mom, Jan and Darryl arrived. (Jan and Darryl had dropped me off at my home to get my car.) We had a great visit and you can see from the pictures that everyone..Louise and Mom seem to be much much better.

Check out my Slide Show!

Big Bald Eagle

Well Ann-Marie and I decided than when Brett arrived at my house, we would get a picture of his new hair cut and that big fluffy Michigan Jacket. It's not all that Bald ..I mean Bad! Ann-Marie was finally able to get him to smile. Doesn't he look SCARY?...until he gave us a smile.

Sneaky David

Sneaky David

This summer when Mom had her family reunion..VanHeeran side..it was mostly OLD people. I know because I'm leaning towards that direction!! But anyway it is always nice to meet her side of the family.

This year it was only David, Gary and I that came with Mom. Enjoy brother Dave's attempts at trying to sneak up on Mom.

Update on Mom/Grandma

Well yesterday I took my MOM to see Dr McCarthy. He had x-rays taken of her shoulders and hips. He is the doctor who happen to replace both her hips at the same time. The shoulders are shot, but the hips are still good after all those years. Now you can see why it is so hard for her to get out of a chair. But she is still doing it. She get therapy at Riverbluff.

On Tuesday Louise will have one of her hips replace. She will be having her stay at Wesley Willow.

Just keep them both in your prayers.

Anderson Japanese Gardens

Well it's October 31, 2007 and thanks to my sister-in-law, Venita, Gary and I had a complimentray pass to the Anderson Japanese Gardens. Today the weather was great..plenty of sunshine and a nice soft breeze.

Just so you have a little information about the picuture. ".West Waterfall took three years to complete. It is built of 800 tons of boulders and 250 cubic yards of concrete. A 20 ton steel wall serves as its base. Fourteen hundred gallons of water circulate through the waterfall each minute."

In the Tea House is a hanging scroll known as a Tokonoma..it reads "Each day a good day"..I know your thinking :I WISHED EACH DAY WAS A GOOD DAY!

Well enjoy the pictures as much as Gary and I enjoyed the day at the Japanese Gardens.

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Prayers and Praises

Last Thursday we left for Rockville, IN. for vacation. Unbeknown to us, my mother went into the hospital the next day. My sister, Louise (who has been in alot of pain due to a hip joint that is now bone on bone..OUCH) came in from Brodhead, WI every day to attend to her needs. Others also came in to check on her.

Mother has gotten real weak and needed medical attention. When we got back on Monday, I was able to give Louise some relief and see Mom on Wednesday and Thursday. She would have gone home on Wednesday, but they needed to give her some blood that day. On Thursday, I got her dressed and in a chair. After lunch, they took her back to River Bluff. She is still weak and now she needs the help of others to get her dressed. She will be using a wheelchair till she gets her strength back. Her mind is still sharp! That's a PRAISE!!!

Now here's some facts about my sister, Louise you may not know. For 26 YEARS she has not had any alcohol...that great because she use to be an alcoholic. On September 27th she took laser treatment to her quite smoking...it's been a month now and she is doing great. On November 13, she will have hip surgery. Louise, who so often cracks us up with laughter said, "Did you know that they have laser treatment for losing weight? After my hip surgery, I may go for those treatments!" (I'm thinking, if those treatment work, I may go too);) Louise may not know it, but along with my MOM she is one of my heroes.

We as Christians know that it is the grace of God working in our lives everyday. But when I see people lives in action as these two, I just remember what Dr. Culbertson, President of Moody Bible Institute when I was a student..."It's important that you end well!" No matter what happens in life, keep living for the Lord.

So please be praying for Mom and Louise in getting their health back.

Check out my Slide Show!

Check out my Slide Show!

COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL

Well as always, vacation goes real fast. We took at bus tour of the bridges ..taking what they call the RED ROUTE. The place we liked most on this trip was Bridgeton, IN. We only got an hour and most of us would have liked to have stayed longer, but the bus waits for no one...well actually there was a couple who almost missed it. We waited ten minutes longer than we should have, but they finally showed up.

Saturday Camille, Andrew, Brigitte, Gary and I headed for Turkey Run State Park. The kids wanted to hike. In fact Andrew had purchased a walking stick the day before in Rockville. It's really a neat thing to have when your hiking. We took a difficult trail..went across a suspension bridge..narrow paths, climbed many stairways. Kids enjoyed the different caves we ran across. At one point, they had a three levels of ladders to climb. NOOOOO with my phobia of heights that was not for me. It was time to turn back anyway..Brigitte is only 5 and I know her legs were getting tired. I told them to go ahead, but Camille said it was time to start going back.

If you ever are able to visit this park, you will truly LOVE it. They have about 11 different hiking trails and the accommodations look great.

In the evening with the help of Andrew finding twigs, we managed to start a fire. Brett kept the fire going by fanning the flames. We were able to roast marshmallows and make those famous s'mores. MMMM Good.

Sunday Gary and I were all alone...he said that it was too quiet and he missed everyone. However, we did enjoy that Bears game. WOW what an ending. Go Bears!!!

Well, it good to be home. We had good weather and are very thankful that eveyone got h0me okay. Enjoy some of our photos.

Uncle Brett and Brigitte

For some reason unknown to me, Brigitte is not afraid of that TALL Man...Brett. She just walks right up to him, smiles and enjoy being around him.

She likes going on vacation with him.

WHY READ A BOOK?

Here's something to chew on while I'm away on vacation. Have you ever asked yourself at times why you don't read more books? Now I know there are many types of reading...some for just the pure pleasure..funny, romantic, or perhaps true stories of people lives. Then there are the many books dealing with theology...

At our church, we have a ladies group in which we are reading Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes..a great book. I'm on chapter 6..Discipline of Mind (Submission's Education) "Do not confirm any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

Here we go..First paragraph.."The human brain has an astonishing capacity! It doesn't miss a thing. Capable of giving and receiving the subtles input-from imagining a universe in which time bend to creating the polyphonic texture of a Bach fugue or transmitting and receiving a message from God Himself-it accomplishes feats no computer ever will."

Did you understand ALL of that! Well I'm not a music major and I needed help in understanding at least 2 of the words in that paragraph. First word: polyphonic. Now here's the fun. Grab that wonderful book called The American Heritage Dictionary and look up that word. Polyphonic- (now remember this is going to give me the meaning of that word) ADJ. Mus. of pertaining to, or characteristic of polyphony. HUH???? Now you know what is next..ya look up polyphony...Mus Music with two or more independent melodie parts sounded together..now we are getting somewhere.

Next word for me fugue..I took the dictionary second meaning. A pathological condition during which one is apparently conscious of his actions but has no recollections of them after returning to a normal state.

Like I said before this is only the first paragraph!!!

My advice or is it advise is to keep reading, but keep that dictionary handy. Okay I took the time and will follow my own advise to keep a dictionary close at hand.

Take Care and while I'm on vacation, I think I will keep my theology books at home:)

ER

Well every parents nightmare is hearing that your child has had an accident. Well , Gary and I had the grandkids in Jansville, Wi for a fun event. Brett was in Geneva helping his dad. My tracphone rang and it was Brett.."Is Gary there?" So instead of telling me that my daughter had been in an accident, he tells Gary. I think he thought I might freak out! ME PERHAPS!!

Thankfully she ended up with two very bad sprains..one ankle and one wrist/

For more info read her blog.

Enjoy the picuture, because I know that she won't.:)

Fun at the Berg Farm