Making Memories

Grandson, Jacob Walker, and his wife Nicole came to visit us July 20 - 22. The same day they left, we traveled to Michigan to visit our daughter and son-in-law, Joanne and Michael Mruzek. While in Michigan we enjoyed:

• a great day at Greenfield Village.
• a tour of Jo and Michael’s “home-in-progress.”
• gourmet meals cooked by Jo and Michael.
• time with Grandson, Kyle Donovan, and his wife Kristi.
• time with Granddaughter, Megan Fuller.
• holding and playing with Great-Grandchildren, Sophia & Greyson Fuller and Mackenzie Donovan.
• shopping in historic Tecumseh, MI.
• a craft fair in Ann Arbor, MI.
• Sunday worship at St. Andrew Church in Saline, MI.

On July 28, we motored to Chicago where we visited with Daughter-in-Law, Nancy Powers, and Granddaughter, Katy Powers. While in Chicago we:

• had a delicious lunch at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center.
• went to the site of the new Salvation Army Freedom Center.
• enjoyed delicious cherry pie cupcakes at a downtown bakery.
• got a new recipe for “Hoosier Pie.” 

Late that afternoon we traveled to Bourbonnais, IL, to see our son, Merrill Powers, who was teaching a one-week class at ONU. While in Bourbonnais we:

• toured the ONU Campus.
• talked with a young man who is on the Chicago Bears staff.
• saw where the Bears train (no Bear sightings, though).
• enjoyed dinner at a restaurant of Merrill’s choice.

On July 29^th we arrived home. Tired, but happy!

Thankfulness

Every day I am thankful for the family God has given to me: loving, caring Hubby, four wonderful, thoughtful children, two delightful daughters-in-law, two model sons-in-law, thirteen incredible grandchildren (and their sweeties), and five beautiful great-grands. I am extremely blessed!

Great-grands: Emma Powers reading a story, Sophia Fuller with her new puppy, Mackenzie Donovan and her doggie dressed up for Halloween, and Olivia and Sawyer Walker at the park. 

Naming Blogs

Who knew it could be so difficult to name a blog? Well, not me!

When I decided to start a blog, I had no idea that selecting a blog name would present a gargantuan challenge. While I’m sure that others more educated in the ways of technology than I know all about the basic rules for naming one’s blog, I did not realize those rules existed. Nor was I aware that there are blog naming tools on the internet that will generate names for the less creative who, despite their ignorance, decide to enter the world of blogging.

Because I’m me, and usually like to do things independently, I disregarded all suggestions I found on the internet and created my own list of potential blog names. There were twenty-nine. Then I carefully analyzed my twenty-nine possibilities. This process caused me to eliminate most.
• Not “me”? Gone!
• Antiquated? Gone! (Who writes a blog with pen and ink?)
• Perhaps unwanted connotations? Gone!
• Not creative enough? Gone!

When I finished with my analysis, there were five names left. So I went to the internet and “Googled” each of the five names. To my surprise I discovered that I’m not at all creative. All five of the remaining possibilities had been previously chosen by others as names for blogs, Ezines, or online newsletters. With the five finalists now eliminated, I still had no name for my blog.

So what do I do when I have a problem but no answers? I turn to family, of course!

“Very Verla” was the immediate response I got from my sister-in-law, JoAnn. Her reasoning? Alliteration captures attention and, put together, the two words signal that the blog is “me.” I liked the reasoning, even though I don’t care a lot for my unusual first name and would not have thought to use it as a part of my blog name.

My name is not a family name. In fact, I’m the only one in the family who was stuck with has the name, Verla. Going back several generations, one finds lovely ladies names in my family: Sarah, Anna, Jane, Mary, Angeline, Elizabeth, Katherine, Martha, Lauretta, Judith, Suzanne, Adeline, Amanda. But Mom and Dad were creative. No old family names for them! So, somewhere, and without even having the internet, they found the name, Verla. It became mine.

So, thanks to the newest “sis” in our family for the name of my blog. (I added “joie de vivre” to reflect the tone of the writing.)

JoAnn in Colorado - October 2010