Tuesday, August 5, 2014

JEAN TELLS OF ELMER AND ANNA'S MOVING DAY

The day started when Grandmother Olive did not want to go. Her arthritis was bothering here and she couldn't figure what use she could be.   I tried to talk her into it, but couldn't.  What finally made her give in his Susan and Katie telling it wouldn't be any fun without here there.  Grandmother asked what she could do?  The girls said watch them.  So Grandmother agreed to come which saved the day.

The second thing you should know is Anna and her sister Hannah are complete opposites.  Where Hannah is skinny as a rail, Anna has some meat on her bones.  Anna is not heavy, but weighs more than Hannah.  Anna is taller than her twin sister.  Hannah is a quiet person where Anna says what she says.  Anna likes to clean barns.  Hannah likes to clean house.  Anna likes to work the fields.  Hannah would rather bake pastry.  Anna is a take charge person.  Hannah is a great follower.  Outside of her house, Hannah feels most comfortable behind a counter selling in her store.

So when we walked into Anna and Elmer's old house, Anna was sitting with her head in hands exhausted.  Hannah didn't know what to do.  Hannah said their Mother hadn't arrived yet.  So Grandmother Olive took over.  First Grandmother told me take Anna to our house, give her some peppermint tea and put her to bed.  This was great as Elmer had wanted Anna out of the house so he could put some things into the new house without her knowing.  I had used canning as an excuse and Anna was going to do it, but we arrived at her house before she got to ours.  Anna had wondered of all days why I had picked her moving day to need her for canning, but being polite as she is, Anna didn't say anything to me.  I found this out later.

Grandmother ordered Hannah over to the new house to tell the men where to put the furniture.  Hannah said she didn't know where to tell them.  Grandmother Olive asked her if her house was set up like her Mother's.  Hannah thought for a minute and said yes.  Grandmother said to do Anna's just like it and when her Mother came she would send her over.  She also told her to set up the bedroom and kitchen first.  They were the rooms most needed.  Off went Hannah.

As people came in, Grandmother gave them orders.  The men on loading the wagons.  The ladies on packing boxes.  She even talked Anna into coming to our house for the tea and a few hours rest.  When Elmer came in from the barns, Grandmother told Elmer what happened and told him to get to the new house because over at that house were two buggies and a delivery truck there when we had passed on the way to the old house.  Elmer said it would take days to move.  Grandmother said it may take days to you, but your moving today.

I don't know everything they happened, but on the way to the old house, about five hours later, we stopped at the new house.  Anna saw all the new items Elmer had for her.  I thought she was going into shock.  She couldn't believe all the new items that Elmer had in there.  I will let her tell you about them except one.  He bought her a new wood burning stove.  Someone had to test and no one wanted to be the first one.  Anna was a bit nervous about it so she let Grandmother do the honors.  Grandmother Olive was in her glory.  She had David and Elmer make sure the vents and lines were clear and set up right.  When she got the okay.  Grandmother set up the wood burning stove.  Anna was surprised that she could find her way around her kitchen.   They made some quick rolls to test the oven.  While they were baking Grandmother told Anna to go check her old house to make sure everything she wanted was out of it.  Anna said they couldn't be, but when she got to the house - they were.    Anna and I were laughing wondering what Grandmother Olive had done to get everyone to get everything out of the house that day.

We got to the new house just as the rolls got done, perfectly.  Grandmother Olive told Anna to ask her Mother where anything was she couldn't find.  Anna's Mother knew where everything was.  We all enjoyed some ice tea along with the rolls with homemade butter and homemade jams.  

John, Elmer and Anna's son, had moved his items out of the old house to his house.  So he was planning on staying there.  The only ones staying in the old house were Hannah and her husband.  We all wanted Elmer and Anna to enjoy the first night in their new house by themselves.

So many people had bought casseroles.  Grandmother Olive put one in the oven for Elmer and Anna.  With Anna's permission sent some with John to his house.  We took the rest over to our house to put in our barn freezer.  Anna or Elmer could come and get them as they needed.

As John still has the electric in his house one of the Englisher ladies told him how to bake the casserole in the electric oven.

So we all left.  The next day Hannah and her husband moved to Elmer and Anna's new house to spend the rest of their time here.  A few days later, Anna and Hannah got cooking and invited all of us: Amish, Old Order Mennonite and Englishers to their house for a picnic dinner to thank us for helping them move.  They said it couldn't have been done without Grandmother Olive who blushed and said they could have done it without her.  But they kept saying they couldn't have.

There new barn is going up this week.  Elmer wanted to know if Grandmother Olive would direct the animals moving over like she did the people. Grandmother turned him down.  We all laughed.

I am sure Elmer and Anna will have a lot more to say about their moving next week.  Anna said she has not forgotten about the herb questions she has been asked and will answer them in coming weeks.  Unless I am needed before, I will be back on August 25th.

Be with God,
Jean

23 comments:

Tom said...

Talk about a "take charge woman!" Tom The Backroads Traveller

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Tom,

From what I understand she is a "take charge woman!" when necessary.

MArilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

I think I better proof read better. Elmer was NOT in a bar, he WAS in the barn. I changed post. I told Elmer what I had and he laughed.

Marilyn

Countryside Reflections said...

What great news. It seems like such a short time ago that Elmer was telling us he and Anna were thinking of moving to a smaller one story home, and now they're already settled in. I'm especially happy for Anna to have the home she wanted.

It's wonderful that so many friends, neighbors and family help each other. Grandmother Olive is a gem !!

Doreen

Bonnie said...

I always enjoy reading your blog...although I usually don't comment...but I couldn't help but laugh when reading of Elmer teasing Grandma Olive. Good time. I think your blog shows us what good can be accomplished when family, friends all work together. Thanks for letting us peep in. God bless

Bonnie M. said...

I just read some comments from yesterday and discovered you already have a Bonnie who comments. Since I am a different Bonnie I guess I'll change my ID to Bonnie M. that way you'll know the difference. God bless

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Doreen,

I am glad Anna got the house she always wanted and I am sure she is too.

It is great that so many people help them move. Grandmother Olive is a take over kind of person. Her family loves here, but some find her hard to live with. Jean said for some reason Grandmother Olive fits right into their household. She knows when to take over at Jean's and when not to. They work out fine.

I will see that Jean gets your message.

Marilyn

Vickie said...

;) How wonderful!

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Bonnie M,

We have two Bonnie's and two Carol's that comment here.

Elmer has a sense of humor, that's for sure. I thought that was funny, too. It is great that friends help one another.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Vickie,

I think it is wonderful, too.

Hugs to Mabel and Henry from
Pierre and Marilyn

Willow's Quiet Corner said...

Too bad we can't get Grandmother Olive to run for president! :)

Moving is hard work! I'm amazed they were able to get it all done in one day! That's some wonderful directing!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jean, G'mother Olive-wise, caring, an organizer, and certainly seems to know how to delegate what needs to be done! What a blessing! So glad that Elmer's surprise worked out for Anna, too Wish I could have seen the look on her face! I hope all will go as smoothly when the time comes for Hannah+her husband build their home.
Many hands make short work-so goes the saying. As Christians come together to help others all the glory is given to The Lord! And the Christians then continue to grow deeper in their faith in Christ daily. What a joy! Blessings to everyone, Carol

Bonnie C. said...

What a wonderful story I hated to see it end. What an exciting day you all experienced, and especially challenging to Grandmother Olive. I actually had a video of what was going on running through my mind as I read this.
Hello to Bonnie M. I'll sign my post Bonnie C.

Bonnie C. said...

Marilyn - This is off the subject of moving, but I have a question to ask. Our Amish neighbors in the Norwood, Norfolk area of St. Lawrence County have an especially hard time of finding drivers to take them on trips to Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana. They need a driver with a 10 to 15 passenger van when they travel long distance. My husband and I frequently take them where they need to go, for free, but we are not able to leave for a week and travel to the Midwest. If we were younger, I think it would be great fun. Do you know of drivers in your area that would be able to help them out. Hope you have an answer for me. Bonnie C.

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Everyone,

I will see that Jean, Grandmother Olive, Elmer and Anna Get your messages.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Bonnie C,
Do you have any idea how far they are from Canandaigua or Rochester, NY? I will call David and Elmer to see if they know anyone. If I had a vehicle that held that many, I would do it once in a while, but my car isn't that big.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Bonnie C,
Do you have any idea how far they are from Canandaigua or Rochester, NY? I will call David and Elmer to see if they know anyone. If I had a vehicle that held that many, I would do it once in a while, but my car isn't that big.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

I wish you would post a picture of the new house, and would love to see faces to all the names, although I know that cannot happen. Maybe a picture of the new stove??

Bonnie C. said...

Hi again Marilyn, Rochester would probably be a four hour drive from here. We are about two and a half hours north of Syracuse .. up around the St. Lawrence Seaway. We are up in the very Northern part of NY state .. not too far from Canada. Thanks again for listening. Bonnie C.

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi,
I will see what I can do on about pictures. They don't want an outside picture of their house taken. Maybe I can get a picture of the stove. I couldn't take it until this coming weekend, if they let me.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Bonnie C,
I contacted Elmer and David. They said they have the same problem. What they usually do is to bus from here to Ephrata, Pa and then take another bus from there. Sometimes they Amtrak it - if it goes near there. They will ask around and see if they can get someone, but that is a long way to your area and then another about eight hours to Pennsylvania. I'll let you know if they find someone.

Marilyn

Bonnie C. said...

Thanks Marilyn, We are going to put an ad in the papers and see if we can get a list started of anyone who would be interested in being drivers, then the Amish could pick and choose who they want. Bonnie C.

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Bonnie C,
That would be a good job with someone who was retired or unemployed but wanted to earn a little extra money. Having driven Amish and Old Order Mennonites, I know they pay you. I have refused them, but have money hid in my car after I dropped them off.

Marilyn