Can you believe this? We are again facing another day or two of snow and freezing temperatures here in the northland. The good news is that Alayna and I were able to safely drive to Milwaukee and back to fetch my boy from the airport. We allowed extra time for driving since we weren’t sure how the roads would be and arrived almost exactly at the moment his plane touched down. He was found with little difficulty because he was wearing his garish orange Gator hoodie and he said he could pick me out easily because of my very red coat!
*
The roads were the worst in Manitowoc County but improved condition-wise as we traveled south. On the return trip we stopped at McDonald’s to get some food and got immediately onto the road to head back home before it got dark. Justin laughed because even though his plane landed at 2:03 in the afternoon, we still had to “worry” about it being dark before getting home. The roads going back north were quite clear and we flew, as it were, at speed limit all the way. Either the sand/salt trucks cleared the way for us, or the sun helped take care of the accumulated ice, but regardless, it was a carefree ride coming back to Mom’s. I can’t say the ice melted from the sun, though, because the temps were at -2!!!
*
My mom heard an obituary on the radio---yes, they actually read the obits over the radio here---where some of the survivors live in Green Cove Springs and Orange Park! I am going to have to look them up when I get back, although I doubt they’d remember me. Most people remember this family because they lived on a main street and had 100 kids—a slight exaggeration, but they had more kids than anyone else we knew. Not members of our church or anything, just that we knew of them and their large family. That’s enough to warrant a phone call when I get home!
*
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Green Street last night with my in-laws, John, Mona, JR, and Allie. JR is the young man from West Point Academy, home on leave, and Allie is my beautiful young niece, now in high school. John and Mona were the couple taking care of my father-in-law until Arno had to move into assisted living due to his failing health. I hope to go see him one of these days but am waiting for the weather to clear and for Arno to start feeling better physically. He’s experiencing some back pain and his medications cause a bit of “delusional” thinking, and I’m afraid I’ll send him over the edge with my visit!!!
*
Justin, Alayna, Mom, and I bundled up and drove over to church to help assemble and disseminate the newsletter this a.m. Linda called for able and willing hands so off we went in the deep snow. Again, nearly impossible to get out of the back door to the parking lot here due to no snow being shoveled and I have determined to call the owner of the building to let him know the situation. The good news was the dumpster was finally emptied yesterday---we are thankful for the small things in life! If only we had a shovel here, Justin would be willing to shovel just so his grandma could safely come and go.
*
More good news! Mom called the manager of the building and he’s sending someone over to shovel. Late this afternoon I had to stop at the local music shop to buy a gift certificate for my brother-in-law, a regular customer at this shop, leaving Mom and Justin in the warm car while I made the transaction. After that we headed to the Capital Civic Center for the Lutheran High concert. We arrived quite a bit early but intended to do so in order to have ready parking to this downtown theatre. Mom can’t walk much without her walker and in the snow; it’s a no-brainer to arrive early. To our delight, the doors were unlocked and we could stand inside out of the elements. The nice usher, who used to be my 7th grade teacher and music director at my church allowed Mom access to the sofa inside the lobby so she didn’t have to stand very long. Once they allowed those waiting to go into the theatre, Justin and I gathered Mom and headed in, saving a seat for Lynn. The concert was fabulous, such talented, gifted musicians and wonderful teachers at my alma mater! And, I got to see soooooo many people I knew, as we seated ourselves near the entrance for greeting purposes. My mama didn’t raise no fool!
*
After the concert Mom, Justin and I headed to Copps to buy some things we needed for CHRISTmas Eve and Day as we are invited to homes both days. We also picked up food to make for supper, brats and a pasta dish Justin likes. Oh my, the house smells great with the aroma of cooked brats! We are lying low the rest of night, expecting even more snow overnight. My sister, Lori, and family are due in tomorrow from across the state so we watched the local weather for her and gave an update. She thinks they’ll be okay to travel and we’ll hope for the best. My other sister, Kerry, isn’t so sure she’ll try it, coming from not so far away, but has to be back for work on Friday. She can’t miss work and is concerned about the wintry travel conditions.
*
I am trying to make connections with the rest of my in-laws but between their goofy work schedules, other family obligations, and a complication for the weekend, I may not be able to spend time with them. Nuts! I don’t care if they have my name in exchange or not, I’ll hate not being together at CHRISTmas! Saturday would have been an open date for me but there is a complication affecting that. Nuts again! This weather and work schedules really make it difficult to get together. I told Barb, my sister-in-law, that I might get to see her folks but not her this visit, and she said, “That’s entirely possible!” Barb and Harv live north of this town in an unknown burg known as Green Bay so it’s not like it’s blocks away. In good weather it is a hop, skip, and jump, but in wintry weather, not so much!
*
I got some sad news while in the concert this afternoon. My dear friend, with whom I just spoke yesterday morning, Gordy, fell and broke his hip today and finds himself spending CHRISTmas in the hospital! I guess he’s going to have surgery but the doctors are hesitant in the local hospital because of coronary issues. Tomorrow I’ll call his daughter and get the scoop, but tonight the phone was ringing off the hook as folks wanted to make sure I knew about Gordy. Keep him in your prayers, please. And to all, a good night!
*
The roads were the worst in Manitowoc County but improved condition-wise as we traveled south. On the return trip we stopped at McDonald’s to get some food and got immediately onto the road to head back home before it got dark. Justin laughed because even though his plane landed at 2:03 in the afternoon, we still had to “worry” about it being dark before getting home. The roads going back north were quite clear and we flew, as it were, at speed limit all the way. Either the sand/salt trucks cleared the way for us, or the sun helped take care of the accumulated ice, but regardless, it was a carefree ride coming back to Mom’s. I can’t say the ice melted from the sun, though, because the temps were at -2!!!
*
My mom heard an obituary on the radio---yes, they actually read the obits over the radio here---where some of the survivors live in Green Cove Springs and Orange Park! I am going to have to look them up when I get back, although I doubt they’d remember me. Most people remember this family because they lived on a main street and had 100 kids—a slight exaggeration, but they had more kids than anyone else we knew. Not members of our church or anything, just that we knew of them and their large family. That’s enough to warrant a phone call when I get home!
*
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Green Street last night with my in-laws, John, Mona, JR, and Allie. JR is the young man from West Point Academy, home on leave, and Allie is my beautiful young niece, now in high school. John and Mona were the couple taking care of my father-in-law until Arno had to move into assisted living due to his failing health. I hope to go see him one of these days but am waiting for the weather to clear and for Arno to start feeling better physically. He’s experiencing some back pain and his medications cause a bit of “delusional” thinking, and I’m afraid I’ll send him over the edge with my visit!!!
*
Justin, Alayna, Mom, and I bundled up and drove over to church to help assemble and disseminate the newsletter this a.m. Linda called for able and willing hands so off we went in the deep snow. Again, nearly impossible to get out of the back door to the parking lot here due to no snow being shoveled and I have determined to call the owner of the building to let him know the situation. The good news was the dumpster was finally emptied yesterday---we are thankful for the small things in life! If only we had a shovel here, Justin would be willing to shovel just so his grandma could safely come and go.
*
More good news! Mom called the manager of the building and he’s sending someone over to shovel. Late this afternoon I had to stop at the local music shop to buy a gift certificate for my brother-in-law, a regular customer at this shop, leaving Mom and Justin in the warm car while I made the transaction. After that we headed to the Capital Civic Center for the Lutheran High concert. We arrived quite a bit early but intended to do so in order to have ready parking to this downtown theatre. Mom can’t walk much without her walker and in the snow; it’s a no-brainer to arrive early. To our delight, the doors were unlocked and we could stand inside out of the elements. The nice usher, who used to be my 7th grade teacher and music director at my church allowed Mom access to the sofa inside the lobby so she didn’t have to stand very long. Once they allowed those waiting to go into the theatre, Justin and I gathered Mom and headed in, saving a seat for Lynn. The concert was fabulous, such talented, gifted musicians and wonderful teachers at my alma mater! And, I got to see soooooo many people I knew, as we seated ourselves near the entrance for greeting purposes. My mama didn’t raise no fool!
*
After the concert Mom, Justin and I headed to Copps to buy some things we needed for CHRISTmas Eve and Day as we are invited to homes both days. We also picked up food to make for supper, brats and a pasta dish Justin likes. Oh my, the house smells great with the aroma of cooked brats! We are lying low the rest of night, expecting even more snow overnight. My sister, Lori, and family are due in tomorrow from across the state so we watched the local weather for her and gave an update. She thinks they’ll be okay to travel and we’ll hope for the best. My other sister, Kerry, isn’t so sure she’ll try it, coming from not so far away, but has to be back for work on Friday. She can’t miss work and is concerned about the wintry travel conditions.
*
I am trying to make connections with the rest of my in-laws but between their goofy work schedules, other family obligations, and a complication for the weekend, I may not be able to spend time with them. Nuts! I don’t care if they have my name in exchange or not, I’ll hate not being together at CHRISTmas! Saturday would have been an open date for me but there is a complication affecting that. Nuts again! This weather and work schedules really make it difficult to get together. I told Barb, my sister-in-law, that I might get to see her folks but not her this visit, and she said, “That’s entirely possible!” Barb and Harv live north of this town in an unknown burg known as Green Bay so it’s not like it’s blocks away. In good weather it is a hop, skip, and jump, but in wintry weather, not so much!
*
I got some sad news while in the concert this afternoon. My dear friend, with whom I just spoke yesterday morning, Gordy, fell and broke his hip today and finds himself spending CHRISTmas in the hospital! I guess he’s going to have surgery but the doctors are hesitant in the local hospital because of coronary issues. Tomorrow I’ll call his daughter and get the scoop, but tonight the phone was ringing off the hook as folks wanted to make sure I knew about Gordy. Keep him in your prayers, please. And to all, a good night!
