Pre Deployment Leave

I know that many of you have not seen Christopher since Mom's services, so it has been more than 3 months.  With that in mind, there are several events scheduled while he is home and many people he would like to see and spend time with.  There are still days with no activities scheduled, and we hope to see many of you before Chris leaves to head back to NY on January 5th. Chris will go back to NY and then deploy from there sometime during the month of January.  I will keep this blog updated with Christopher goings on as well as For Little Debbie events.  I will not be able to post Chris's mailing address on a blog, so please make sure that I have your email address in order to keep you updated on that in particular. Mom is so much of who Christopher and I are today, and I think that keeping her "smiley jack" in our thoughts is just as important as keeping Deb in the front of our minds <3

If something is listed below and you don't know about it or weren't "formally invited", please let me know and I will provide you with the details. 

Saturday - December 22nd - Winter Solstice Party at Terry's (evening)
Saturday - December 29th - Goodbye Party at Jon & Deb's (afternoon/evening)
Monday - December 31st - New Years Eve Party (all night long)

Much love to all of you this holiday season.  Thank you again for your love and support, and Happy Holidays.

Holiday Distraction, and My Apologies

Ladies and Gents - 

I wanted to take a quick moment and apologize for the lack of posting these past 10 days.  I know there are always tons of excuses, but I promise I have a good one. Those of you that know my family obviously know that Christopher (little brother) will deploy in January for Afghanistan.  Those are incredibly hard words to type or say, and my heart aches at the thought of saying goodbye.  BUT - He is home, in the 610, for 21 days.  Those 21 days have been my Christmas Insanity Motivation and with the exception of 2 gifts that UPS is holding hostage, I am done Christmas shopping.  I set a goal way back before Halloween that I would spend every available moment with Chris while he was home, and not in lines or fighting traffic at the mall. Being without Deb and Mary Elyn this Christmas is providing challenges I never knew we'd have to face. Tomorrow I take my dad's house hostage as he has absolutely zero Christmas decorations and the Christmas tree is still on the back porch, waiting for the stand, lights, and decorations. I hope a little Christmas cheer can find it's way into the Moyer household tomorrow and make the heart ache a little easier.

I hope you'll forgive what will likely be light posting over the next 18 days, and I'll catch back up just as soon as I can. I haven't forgotten about Gone With the Wind, but am trying to find a venue that is convenient and casual and will allow the most people possible to participate.  

As a thank you for hanging in there, here is my favorite family shot from Christmas a few years ago: 

Love, Jessi

February 2013 - Schwenkfelder

A few more specifics on the February event are listed below - I will be going through the year this week and next and then will post updates, questions, and requests as they come up. 
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I am excited to schedule a trip to the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center for February! I know this will not be interesting to many people outside of my family, but there are several items Mom discussed donating for years that I feel should be completed.  There was also an article recently published in the Schwenkfelder magazine that included Louisa (my great-grandmother), and I am very interested in learning what other information they may have.  As far as I'm concerned, Mom held all the knowledge I learned about our family, so I will be armed with a notebook and camera for this trip so I don't forget any important details! 

A little back story on the Heritage Center and some information on the Central Schwenkfelder Church is below. 

From the Library's website - 

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of the Schwenkfelders and the history of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Perkiomen Region. The Heritage Center offers educational programming and tours, exhibits, workshops, and events throughout the year. 

Exhibits that will be in place in February include "Modern Design in the Valley", focusing on furniture design and "The Art of Rebecca Ross" which features Rebecca's art focusing on traditional symbols and symbolism.   

This is Central Schwenkfelder ^

Courtesy of the Church's Website - The Central Schwenkfelder Church Mission Statement -

 "Love God. Serve Others. Grow Disciples."

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I can't wait to see what we can learn from the Heritage Center and what we can give them to continue their research and teaching process! 

Love, 

Jess  

 

January 2013 - Gone With The Wind

A few more specifics on the January event are listed below - I will be going through the year this week and next and then will post updates, questions, and requests as they come up. 

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January - 
 
The dinner and wine portion of this is because that is what Mom and I would do about once a year when we watched Rhett and Scarlet battle it out.  Well, wine in the last few years since I stuck to Coke in high school.  I've read the traditional version of the book, and that is my favorite.  My second favorite is the book Rhett's People, which is the same story, but written from Rhett's perspective.  I found this very interesting, but less exciting since I obviously know the ending.  The movie is my least favorite as it is so very long, and much more difficult to stop and start than the books are. 

Without a doubt, my favorite line is - 

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." 

I had hoped Kevin and I would be in our own home by January, but thanks to the wonders of a leaking roof and us being picky, I may be seeking an alternate venue for hosting.  I know that Gone With The Wind is an almost 4 hour movie, so tentative plans (regardless of venue) are as follows: 

 - Start the movie drinks and appetizers at 6pm
 - Add in dinner around halfway at 8pm
 - Finish with dessert around 9pm 

I am hopeful that I can get at least 6 - 8 people to watch with me, and help spread the workload of food and beverage as well.  I am looking at the 19th or 26th of January if a Saturday would work for everyone? 

Love, 
Jessi