Slave Labor!

We are really enjoying our time here in Wisconsin, visiting with friends and relatives, enjoying a "cousin's breakfast", (this is held every month at a local restaurant and everyone comes who is able), and anticipating the annual family reunion.


If you look closely, you can see a family resemblance.



A few cousins enjoying family memories and fun.

Although it is hard to believe, we actually are doing some productive work, "slave labor", for family and relatives. While at our daughter's we cleaned her yard, cutting limbs pruning trees, mowing, etc., hauling two huge loads to the recycling as well as cleaning out her storage unit and arranging things in her  large garage.
On to Fred's sister's where we helped clean out old metal, aluminum and hauled it to the salvage yard. Sis, as we call her, loves many the same things as I do - poking around old bookstores, resales shops, unique places to have a lunch (this time an Italian bistro), tea shops, etc. We both love old movies, reading, and tea time together. After that we left for Fred's brother's. He is handicapped and cannot walk very much or do hard labor. Guess that is where we come in - we helped build a wall around my sister-in-law Susan's many, many flower beds. She is an amazing gardener, with a love for iris' and lilies. God certainly knew what He was doing in creating so many flowers and greenery - Susan loving tends many of them. She also is a fantastic quilter, and presented us with a beautiful large lap quilt as an anniversary present. While there, we helped as much as we could, as well as visited their family. Their granddaughter left for Spain on a school trip - please pray for Autumn Preuss as she and the Spanish class travel abroad. The other granddaughter, Summer, received a presidents award for excellence while we were there - hooray for her.

Summer Preuss holding her presidential award

The wall in progress

A job well done

Pergola and one of many flower beds

Some iris'

Even flower beds next to an old shed

There is a strange purple flower that was imported to the area to help with soil generation. It got out of hand and spread throughout the area. Even though the flower produces a carpet of purple in the woods, it destroys everything in it's path. Hmm, does this sound like gossip, hatred, and prejudice???  We can change this destruction in the world to beauty, tranquility, and peace by just obeying God's word. His promises can turn ugliness into beauty.

The invasive purple flower

It can turn into a beautiful carpet of flowering beauty

We are now at our other daughter's, hoping to relax and enjoy our granddaughter and daughter for the week. Attended another Sunday afternoon soccer game. No great plans - just rest and relaxation, and a bit of slave labor on Friday.

Another Sunday soccer game