A birthday hang over

Today is the day after my birthday and I am still enjoying all the greetings and good wishes extended. My friend, Dolly, presented me with an extremely touching card and treated me to breakfast at Fork and Knife today. Loved our time together, but as I stated on Facebook, sadly, I had words left over. Two hours (slightly less) flew by for us, and even a few tears were shed. The mark of a good visit is shed tears!

My sister, Kerry, was expected this weekend but opted to wait until later in the week to manage a visit this direction. She might get an extra day or so, which will be her birthday. A cake for the two of us is in the air, so to speak! Jill and her son, Danny, are down-state this weekend to visit her other son and his family, which leaves me without a car to use. Lynn is our wheel-man for church and other outings until Jill returns. We are going to church this evening and again in the morning. Football tomorrow afternoon for which I am making the advertised recipe of Velveeta cheese-food and Ro-tell tomato dip for nachos. I am quite excited to try this, my first effort!

Back to the CHRISTmas Day celebration: Justin and I made the meatballs with sweet/sour sauce and two people made ham. There was cheese ‘n sausage as well, snacks, teeny hotdogs in bbq sauce, and a cookie/candy tray. Very nice selection! The boys enjoyed their gifts, except Gabe tossed one book I gave him off to the side. Humpf! Lori loves the book as well, suggesting it needs to be read to him in order to be appreciated. It is the story I used for the memoir writing class I held for the church ladies a couple summers ago—“When I Was Young on the Mountain”. Otherwise, they were happy, and we were, too!

The adults did our first ever white elephant gift exchange and it was a hoot. Some of the presents were goofy and some not, just unwanted or unneeded items. The one I got brought down the house, though, as it was a car magnet in the shape of an extremely muscular arm, like a body builder would have. If attached properly, it would appear that the driver of the car was a big hunky man instead of a short, chubby 56-year-old woman! Nice going, David! Justin’s donation was an ice scraper that fits over someone’s hand like a mitten, to keep it warm while scraping ice. We thought it was funny, but is actually quite practical.

On Monday, Justin and I went to visit my 90-year-old auntie, Marie, and my cousin, Barbie, who had stopped by. We had a very nice time with them, and my other cousin, Jon. Auntie gave me a framed photograph of the five Lahaie sisters, posing at a fireplace after Lynn’s surprise birthday party two years ago. Very nice and much appreciated! Auntie mentioned not having one single CHRISTmas cookie this season, “not a one!” As we drove off, Justin mentioned how sad he was about that and asked if we could go to the store for some cookies to bake. Sure! We bought a couple packages of break ‘n bake cookies, made them up, and were delivered the next day along with some leftover chow mein noodle chocolate candies Lori brought. She was thrilled and I hope she saved one or two for Barbie!

Justin was to be taken to the airport by Lynn and I (after she offered to drive instead of me alone in Mom’s car) on Tuesday, but then my sister and her husband offered to take him along as they were going back to Holmen. Nice! Justin and I talked it over and he was fine with it, although he had expressed the night before if they took him, he would not get to say good-bye at the airport. (I had not suggested this to anyone else, it was their choice to offer the ride) I left the decision, then, up to him, and said our farewells at Mom’s instead of me bawling at the airport. Lynn, Mom and I went to Sheboygan anyway as Lynn had a return to make at Boston Store. We went to the Christian bookstore next door to it and did a bit of shopping there. I was privileged to explain to the nice clerk in the store what Epiphany is, surprised that she did not already know.

The status of the young traveler, Justin, was updated via text message as he was extremely frustrated about delays leaving MKE. It seems the delay originated on the inbound flight from ATL and he feared missing his connection once there. It did all work out but far too close a time frame than he liked. His father picked him up at the airport and dropped him off at the condo. Justin had to work for his father the next two days and then for the landscaper on Friday.

After he was home, I enjoyed a great day having lunch with Linda, her sister, Georgia, and my sister, Lynn, at Harborside. What great food we had! I went with Linda across the street to the nail salon as the other two ladies went on their way. We had a great visit there, as usual when I am in town, and I even got a bottle of hand cream as a gift for making them laugh. Linda still cannot drive after her knee replacement so I took her home afterward. We sat and schnuddered for a couple hours and then the call came….

My upstairs neighbor/friend, Randy, called, hating to disturb me but, there is a leak! He had seen/heard Jessica out in her courtyard, upset because she had water coming into her place from above, and she knew I was not home. YIKES! Randy said he had met Justin down in the parking area 5 minutes earlier, so I called him to go back home and deal with it. Also, I called Hugh, my 2^nd floor neighbor, who would secure the key and get into my place before Justin got back. He had met Jeff (my downstairs neighbor) on the stairs so Hugh went to my place as Jeff went up to investigate the source of the leak. It seems the ice maker line let go in 504, leaked into their home, and then down into Jessica’s unit. But, their quick action seems to have prevented it from getting into mine. Thank heavens! Justin called to let me know it was okay and promised to check it again in the morning. This is getting to be too much already!

Once calmed again, I went to my in-law’s home for a family get-together with John, Mona, Sharon, Harv, Barb, and Allie and JR. Mona had all the standard holiday goodies, home-made, and I enjoyed it very much.

Since I had not gone home in between the day’s visits, I did not have the presents with me, so have made plans to distribute them next week. Mom would have to buzz me back into the building as she had the house keys so I left there at a reasonable hour in order to not keep Mom up late. Barb’s mom, Clara, had ended up in the hospital CHRISTmas Day evening so Justin and I were not able to see her before he left. I did see her in the hospital yesterday and today she is moving to my old place of employment, Shady Lane, to recuperate and get her strength back. She is in good hands there, as she worked next door at Park Lawn for 17 years herself!

Last night my family took me to Sheboygan to have my birthday dinner with Lisa and family at Shuff's Resort and Bakery. What a wonderful meal it was, and Lynn treated me. She also got me a small box of the hand-made chocolate covered cherries from Beernstein’s Confectionary. Talk about deliciousness! I am pacing myself on them to have them last a few days. She spoils me! Once home, I will include a photo taken with my camera phone, which is dark and unclear, but a photo nonetheless. It was excellent and want to go there again some time!