Catching Up!

I am sooo glad Justin and I went to get the Internet capabilities installed or instituted on this little laptop but am not so glad about getting the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) every little while. I am sure the laptop isn’t happy about having to restart so often either. In a few days I will be home again and on the main Internet access, and yes, I will contest my bill with Verizon. This was unacceptable! When I was at Linda’s house and piggy-backing on their Internet, there were no interruptions of service or BSOD incidents at all. To write my blog, I use Word and then cut/paste it into the blog site as fast as I can so as not to lose any of my valuable content. I think quite highly of myself!

Saturday I was delighted to meet my newer friend, Karen, and her husband, Jim, at the Charcoal Grille for lunch. Karen is the sister to my friend, Judy H., and we three ladies had dinner together in early November in Jacksonville when they were there for their brother’s wedding. It was great to meet Karen’s spouse and track the family line backward to people I knew and went to school with at FG and MLHS. Love those WELS connections! From there I went to Festival Foods to pick up a few things, including some more puff caramel corn before I leave for home.

My sister’s son and family were visiting from the Janesville area and we crowded, no exaggeration, into her 2^nd floor apartment for her grandson’s birthday party. The community room in Mom and Jill’s building had people using it already so we were confined to quarters, tight quarters, that day. We had about 15 people in there, 6 of whom were little boys! Jill and Lynn each have 3 grandsons---imagine that from a family of girls. Alayna loves to play with the kids and is so good with them. The cake turned our teeth a delightful shade of blue or black, depending upon our piece choice.

For dinner that night I made a hamburger, potato, and beans casserole which Mom was hungry for, since I made it for Stephanie and Jean a few weeks ago. It was not as good this time, without the strips of bacon for added flavor, but yet, was good enough for us. I think we watched NCIS that evening, Mom’s favorite crime show. She refers to the cast as being her family. I see many resemblances to the actual family!

Sunday morning was church, and with no Bible study being held, a group of us went to Perkin’s for breakfast. No waiting at 9:00 a.m.! Tommy and Linda were with us, as planned, plus Alayna and, of course, Lynn. My cousin, Larry, and his family was there for breakfast after church, too. I was so glad to see them! Now I saw his sister and he on the same visit! Cheryl works at ShopKo and we found her there on one shopping outing. Larry was going to see his grandma, Marie, who was in the hospital, after breakfast. 

After breakfast we came back here and then visited my Auntie Marie, battling pneumonia, at the hospital. She was doing pretty good, up in the chair and not in any discomfort, other than mad about being served an ADA menu. She is 92, for goodness sake, let her eat cake! She had Larry set the TV up so she could watch the Packer game. She is such a hoot!

Being my birthday, I fully expected a Packer victory but sadly, it was not to be! These past few weeks of being here I have enjoyed watching the games with my sister, Lynn, plus, one week, Kerry. As I told someone the other day, the game could have gone either way when it was tied up, but it went the other way than I wanted! Next week the Packers will play the Vikings again, this time at Lambeau. I expect better results there, since it will be my sister, Kerry’s, birthday!

Lynn paid for my breakfast at Perkins plus gave me a bottle of shower gel from Bath and Body Works. Oh, it smells divine! Linda treated me to a manicure the other day at Rose Colored Glasses and Dolly bought me lunch at The Green Street Tavern. I am fed, sodaed, and will smell good…I am all set!

Some photos

 Justin sent me this photo tonight taken of the full moon on the river

 My nephew, Sawyer, at his brother's birthday party today

Mom is modeling her new outfit, given to her by Lori and David for Christmas

...and more snow!

Not feet deep but enough to mess up my plans for today! I was originally planning to get the laundry done today and then head to my friend/cousin, Yvonne’s, house by mid-morning. Before I was to leave, though, she sent me a message saying that if I wanted to wait a day, she would understand. The guys on the radio were saying the roads were getting slick and since her home is in the country, well, another day might be better. I only hope there is one!!

My other plans included lunch with Linda and her sister, Georgia, at Time Out Restaurant. We still did that except without GA because she was working. Linda and I nearly had the place to ourselves since it was just noon when we ate. She had gotten out of work early in order to run some errands first, including paying the real estate taxes for the year, along with a lineful of other people with the same plan. I remember doing that when we lived up here yet.

Last May I had eaten at this place and had the best breaded perch. Oh my! The coating was almost like shredded wheat and when I asked for that today, the waitress almost laughed at me. She had never heard that description before and had to ask the kitchen manager if he knew what I was talking about. They offer hand-breaded perch and batter fried, and because they didn’t know which one I preferred, they gave me some of each! Very nice! I did like the batter-fried better, and guess the type I had in May was a fluke or something. I ate every bit of my perch and shared an order of onion strings with Linda. We sat in the window and watched the snow come down, and schnuddered. More customers did come in, but we sat the longest!

While I was there, my sister, Jill, called to warn me that the police scanner reported cars going in the ditches, etc. so instead of going visiting elsewhere, I simply came back to Mom’s. I likely could have made a couple more stops but for safety’s sake and peace of mind all around, I came home. It’s hard to believe that my time here is already coming to an end and some folks have not been visited yet!

 Angelo playing his grandma's computer

I had planned a Dinner and a Movie night at Mom’s this evening but my sister, Lynn, won’t be able to make it. She is watching her grandsons at her home since Thursday afternoon, and because of the weather, has them one more night. She is all set with sufficient diapers for Angelo, and the two older boys are keeping busy with Pokemon cards and watching TV. Angelo will be the guy to keep occupied, and I wish her well. Maybe they went outside to build a snow man in that packy snow! I still made my casserole which Mom and I will enjoy after Jeopardy! is over. (I nearly wrote “Justin and I”---guess I miss my boy!) We won’t watch the movie though without Lynn, as she’s never seen “You’ve Got Mail”. Guess we will find something else to watch tonight instead.

Tomorrow I am meeting my friend, Karen, and her husband, at The Charcoal Grille. They are coming down from Green Bay and I am so excited! Karen is the sister of my friend, Judy Hutchens, and I had met her in person last month when she came to FL for their brother’s wedding. In the afternoon we are having a birthday party for my nephew’s birthday, if Jamie’s family feels healthy enough to make the trip from the Janesville area. They have been plagued with coughs, colds, and strep throat in their household. There is a nephew, Sawyer, whom I have never met, so I do hope they can make it.

I might run out of Saturday to go visit Yvonne….she might have to pencil me in for Sunday or Monday afternoon!

I am so gorgeous!

At least my hands are, anyway.  Linda and I went to Rose Colored Glasses yesterday to have our nails done.  Linda goes every few weeks for a nail touch up or a re-do as she wears acrylic ones. When I am in town, I join her at the salon and sometimes have a pedicure there. This was my first time having a manicure and it took two ladies to make it so!

Let me back up a bit, though. Our day began early with meeting Lori, David, and Dusty for breakfast at Fork and Knife. Mom, Lynn, Jill, Danny and I rounded out the group. Alayna couldn’t make it because she slept too late and didn’t see her text messaged invitation. We had a very nice breakfast together, saying ‘good-byes’ after we finished up. I was going to FG to help Linda with the bulletins and some of the others were going their own way too. Lori and family came to Mom’s and spent several hours here with her.

From church Linda and I met some friends at Harborside. Lynn was coming too, having been told of the time to be there by Linda. I was attempting to call Lynn to tell her what time to meet us but somehow my phone had gone into ‘airplane mode’ and I couldn’t dial out. Weird! When I got to the restaurant, I used their phone to call Lynn so she could come over. By the time I figured out my phone, the battery had died entirely. Ugh, so frustrating!

Linda had some friends she wanted me to meet so I once again dined with Angie, and met another lady friend, Chris. She is from First German and Linda attends the Wellness Center with her as well. Another friend, Debbie, was unable to join us (again!) due to an appointment. Her loss! They all exchanged gifts, having that mostly accomplished before Lynn arrived. I gave Linda her framed photo which Dee had modified for me and Julia framed. She loved it, and will use the little easel for displaying it at her office. Linda has such nice friends, and Lynn sort of knew them from the Center as well.

Linda and I have a joke about using our ‘spa voices’ at Rose Colored Glasses, and had agreed to enter whispering. Linda had to move her car over a few spots because of having the tires marked by the police. Must be a two hour limit or something. I stood on the sidewalk while she attempted to move the car, but she somehow set off the alarm, and didn’t know how to make it stop. So much for whispering at the salon! Finally she got it shut off and moved the car over, with me laughing on the sidewalk.

When we got inside, the owner, John, told us the ‘spa voices’ rule was suspended for us. Whew! Nicole, John’s wife, did tell us that a massage was going on so we were back to spa voices again. All the nail seats were taken but a temporary table was set up off to the side. John maneuvered it around so my back would not be to Linda. Nice!

I chose a color of polish similar to that which I had at Mom’s house in case I chip it. I do work so hard that my nails suffer for it! This salon is such a class-act, a real treasure in a small town. I wish more people knew about it, but it seems to always be busy. It was yesterday! The young lady who started my nails had another client come in, a first-timer, so a different young lady came to finish up. I loved it! They both admired my “Phantom of the Opera” ring and I told them the story of how Justin gave it to me for Mother’s Day about 8 years ago.

                      

When Linda and I left, she took me to church to get my car, and I came back to Mom’s. Lori and family were still here so I got to say ‘good-bye’ to them once more. Dusty was trying to connect with a friend he knew in town but was unable to do so, which was why they stuck around longer. Worked out great for me! They got home to Holmen by 9:30 pm, safe and sound.

Lynn had asked Mom and I to dinner at her house. Jill would have come along but had plans made to go shopping with a work friend in Appleton. Lynn prepared sauerkraut and pork which was quite delicious. First we watched Jeopardy! and then ate dinner. Afterwards we watched a DVD made at Lynn’s retirement party. Oh, was it ever nice!! Lynn had to take in photos from infant to adulthood and a slide show was presented of those who retired. I even showed up in a couple of the slides. It was very nicely done, and Lynn’s speech was brief as she struggled to maintain composure. It was tough for her but she did it! I was so glad to see it, and to hear the nice things folks had to say about her. Previously I had read her cards and seen the gifts that folks had given her, and now saw the DVD. What a treasure it is! As my grandma Sickles used to say, “They must have liked her!” She is right!

Just some photos

This is a view from the back of First German Ev. Lutheran Church

 Angelo is modeling the Woody pajamas Justin and I gave him for Christmas

 I am sporting my fabric Green Bay Packer football helmet which I stole in the white elephant gift exchange!

Manny is wearing his Angry Birds hat I gave him for Christmas

A blessed Christmas Day!

Christmas Eve candlelight service last night at First German

My sister, Kerry, left early this a.m., but many of the rest of my family enjoyed the Christmas Festival Service at First German. (Last night Lori, David, and Dustin worshiped with us for the candlelight service but decided to sleep in this a.m. and not join us at church.) Lisa and her boys came up from Sheboygan this a.m., as well. The boys’ grandma, Lynn, was in the choir loft upstairs and they could see her when not holding her choir music. Alayna was in the balcony as well, joining the choir once more for the holidays.

Before this morning’s service, Mom pointed out to me in the service folder the proximity of the crying room---she knows me so well. I cried right there in the pew, like I always do! The hymns were so lovely, accompanied by the pipe organ and the orchestra (actually it’s a band since there are no strings) made up primarily of the grade school students. They play so well, it is hard to believe their ages! The music at my home church and school is excellent, and worship is done well. It just fills me up to overflowing worshiping there!

After church we came home to Mom’s, meeting Lynn here and joined by Lisa with her boys. We were expecting Lori and family to come over here once they finished breakfast at their hotel. Jill and Danny went to their apartment on the 2^nd floor and didn’t come up to Mom’s. The way it worked out, Lori did not show up until after Lisa had left and we had changed from our Christmas clothes! According to David, Lori and Dusty needed a nap after brunch, which made them later in getting here. At least she came bearing cookies and handmade candies so we forgive her late arrival. They had plans with David’s side of the family this afternoon and evening. If time allows, Lynn and I might join them at their hotel and enjoy a dip in the pool/hot tub. We shall see about that! I am getting used to these quiet evenings here at Mom’s but am also ready to spend more time with my sisters. I hope we can make that happen!

The “unopened gifts” Part II

The other day I wrote about the ‘unopened gifts’ which were being discussed on the radio program Justin and I subscribe to. The guest host, Joe Paggs, was talking about the sorrow of those parents in CT who would have to deal with the unopened gifts purchased for the children who would never again gather around the Christmas tree. Justin cautioned me not to listen to the first hour of the show (downloaded podcast) because of this discussion, knowing it would cause me upset. I also had to deal with unopened presents when Timmy died, his funeral being on his 5^th birthday.

Well, our family gathered tonight to open our Christmas presents in Mom’s community room. We were laughing and having a great time watching the kids unwrap their presents and so on. Then, after the two older boys were done and off playing with new gifts, Lisa helped Angelo open his. He is quite expressive and would oooh and ahhh over his cars and trucks. At one point, Lisa pulled an orange ‘Wiggle’ out of a gift bag and then a stuffed animal in a cardboard wrapper. Angelo grabbed the orange carrot-looking thing right away.

Lynn leaned over to Lisa and said, “That lion was Timmy’s…” She was presenting Angelo (Lisa) with ‘an unopened present’ which she had purchased to give to Timmy for his 5^th birthday. Lynn had had it on her shelf for these nearly 12 years and decided it was time to move it on to Angelo (Lisa) after reading my blog. Needless to say, many of us were in tears just like that (snap of the fingers). I am still so moved I can barely see the keys. Thanks, Lynn, for that wonderful gift, now opened and soon to be placed on Angelo’s shelf!

Collecting thoughts

The other night Mom and I watched “A Christmas Carol”, the version with George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. It had been years since I saw the story from start to finish, and it was good. I would see snippets of it portrayed at the Clay County Christmas but that hardly cuts it. Mom remembered seeing a much older version of this story when she was younger so I looked up the listing of men who had played Scrooge in the past. That is quite the lengthy list, including Henry Winkler and Jim Carrey.  Some of the stories were cartoon-style as well as the darker, spookier ones Mom recalled. This one with GC Scott went a long way to presenting the story of Christmas’s past, present and future. I am curious, though, what was done to help Tiny Tim and his illness after Scrooge’s conversion.

On another night the two of us saw “Driving Miss Daisy”, always a fun movie to watch. When the movie first came out in the theater, Mom and I went to see it. She did not often attend the movies otherwise, and saw more with me in Florida than she had in a long while. Sometimes others from church would join us for movie outings or just she and I would go. Besides seeing “Daisy”, we once saw “Fried Green Tomatoes” starring Jessica Tandy in each movie. As I told Mom the other night, the good news was “Daisy” was going be on. The bad news was it started at 9:00 pm when Mom is usually ready for bed. The two of us did manage to watch almost all of it before having to retire. It goes longer when there are commercials!

Not normally a fan of the Christmas-themed movies, I have seen a couple with Mom since I am here. She has already seen many of them, or variations of the same movie with different actors. The story is basically the same but the city or something is just different enough to make it a new movie. We did watch one or two together when there is simply nothing else to watch. They are alright, but nothing I can make a steady diet of. I so prefer my comedies or a good “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” to amuse me. But I am also a good sport and wish to be socialable with Mom. She also likes to watch “American Pickers” and “Pawn Stars” but those are on in the day time, I think.

My sister, Lynn, has been having treatments done with lasers on her eyes, first the left eye one week and then the other the next, in order to ease pressure in her eyes. She has the early stages of glaucoma and in order to avoid having to instill the drops for the rest of her life, she opted for this treatment. When she was in for her 2^nd eye this past week, the doctor measured the pressure in her first eye and determined the pressure was down, which is great news. It worked! 

We are all urged now to go have our eyes tested in case we have it too. My plans are to do that in January as I am sure I need glasses anyway. I hope my pressure is okay. Mom has been using the drops, various types of drops twice a day for years now, and what a blessing this type of procedure would have been for her, and others like her.

Kerry and Alayna agreed to babysit for the boys last night, at Grandma K’s apartment. I was making dinner which included a roast my sister, Jill, provided. At one point we had 9 people including the kids in Mom’s house. Good thing the boys are so well behaved or it could have been hairy! 

Besides the roast I made sweet potatoes and mac ‘n cheese purchased at Wal*Mart in the microwaveable containers plus cooked up the head of cauliflower I’d bought a few days earlier. Oh my, what a tasty meal it was! Angelo ate on the run, not wishing to sit down to dine but he did fairly well. He'd rather play than eat, it seems.

All three boys are getting over being sick, which caused them to miss their Christmas program at the church school they attend last Sunday. That is the 2^nd time I was here but not able to see the boys in their program. Might have to wait until they are in high school to see them! Gabe mentioned being sad about missing out on it, but he couldn’t come up with the song they were going to sing. It was a different melody of “Angels We Have Heard on High” but without the music, he could not sing it for us.
***

Kerry, Jill, and I went shopping a bit yesterday afternoon. I hadn’t meant to tag along but needed the ingredients for making the pretzel torte. Justin wanted me to make it ‘for the family’ so I will try my hand at it in the morning. Instead of using the Jello and fresh berries on top, I am taking the short cut of using a can of pie filling. Should do the trick nicely, I am sure. 

Justin asked me to borrow Linda’s blitzhacker from Pampered Chef but she suggested another tool from PP which would do the same or better job. I did bring it along from her house but Mom offered her rolling pin and I might use that instead. This is a major job---crushing the pretzels! One recipe I looked up said to pulverize the pretzels while another cautions against such a thing. Must find that middle ground! Wish me well on this!

A very good day

I just said to my mom and sister that I had a very good day today. Excellent, in fact. It started with worship, the last Sunday of Advent. We had a guest preacher at FG this morning, Pastor Schaefer's dad, who serves a congregation in Milwaukee. His sermon was about Mary, the mother of the Christ-child. Instead of singing the Song of Simeon after the sermon, we sang The Magnificat. The Order of Service was Divine 1 from the CW Supplement, printed in the folder as they do not yet use the CWS in the pews. The singing and the music is so wonderful in this church building---I could almost melt!

But today no melting was going on, and, in fact, the contrary was true, due to a problem with the boiler. I was so glad to have my coat on both during church and Bible study, which took place in the church basement. If I could have written while wearing my gloves, I would have tried. The congregation did get extremely wonderful news in the past few days as a generous donor has allowed them to worship this day entirely debt free! Wow! That warmed a few hearts if not our hands, and wet a few cheeks in joy.

Alayna, my niece, had gone upstairs to the school to obtain a Diet Coke for me which did not help to warm me during the Bible study. Pastor’s dad sat across from Linda and me, as did the new grade school teacher, Jennifer. We had several good chuckles and solid discussion during the class with him. The study was based on Romans, now at chapter 8, which talks about how the Holy Spirit knows our hearts and can express our prayers to the Lord when we cannot put our thoughts together. Also, the Lord will not allow anything more to happen around us outside His guiding hand and management. Great comfort in those passages---GREAT comfort!

After the class we came back here and got things ready for watching the football game. I had a little bite to tide me over until lunch because I had not eaten anything at church during the fellowship portion of the morning. We were going to have a buffet of our leftovers from previous meals but Kerry had also picked up Old Wisconsin brand Polish sausages which were simply delicious. I managed to squirt some of the juice from my sausage onto my red sweater but Kerry worked some magic with Dawn dish soap and cold water, and saved the sweater. Oh my! I was being careful and yet, it dripped!

 Go Pack Go!

A group of us watched the Packer game, Mom included, and what a grand game it was! The Packers just about shut out the TN Titans but in the last moments of the games, the Titans managed to score, the final being 55-7. Mom felt sorry for the poor Titans so got her wish for them to get a touchdown. The Packers even played their 2^nd string players which is likely how the Titans managed to get the TD they did!

The Titans are the main rivals to the Jaguars, both teams being formed in the same year. The Jags did not fare as well as the Packers did today, but at first gave the NE Patriots a run for their money. Justin was at the game and said I would have been cold there, but for the most part, it was nice. His seats were in the sun which certainly helps to keep the chill from the bones.

This might be his last game as a season ticket holder as his buddies and he decided to invest in the NFL package from Comcast for next season. Two of the group will be living in the same house by that time, as Justin will soon be moving in with Ron and Sarah. Their closing is in January with Justin expecting to be moved out of my place by February 1. He had better start his packing in earnest now in order to be ready to go by then!

Anyway--back to our day--aside from the spot on my sweater, it was a great way to spend my Sunday. Kerry likes to cook and is making a version of stuffed chicken breasts for our dinner. I did a little bit of dusting in preparation for the Christmas gathering tomorrow, even though most of the activity will take place in the community room downstairs. Dusting the furniture and such at Mom’s is quite a bit different than tackling that project at my house. One-two-three and I was done. Things are ready for the festivities!

Delicious treats!

Here is a picture of my knee cap, a.k.a. patella, from Silver Valley Dinner Club last night

These packages were delivered to my door at the condo and were rescued by Justin. My neighbors are so kind to us there! I wonder what's in the bag???

The unopened presents

Watching the news, one of my favorite things to do, has been difficult these past few days with the coverage of the funerals for those lost at the school in CT.  Seeing the sobbing parents and the balloon launches are so evocative for me. At least it appears that all those who died had some sort of church affiliation which provides great comfort for those witnessing from afar, as I am doing. Only the Lord provides the Great Comfort that the world cannot even begin to offer those in mourning.

                 

The other day at lunch, with Linda and Angie, we were talking about Justin, of course. Angie had heard nice things about him from Linda and I wasn’t about to argue with her. As we talked, my phone rang and it was Justin calling me. He wanted to caution me about listening to the first hour of our favorite program as the guest host was talking about ‘the unopened presents’ those parents who lost children in the rampage will be facing. This means it affected Justin, and he well knows how things like this affect me. And did affect me for many years after Timmy died. His presents, some wrapped already and some not, were moved from home to home with us, until I at last decided to share them with others. My great nephews got the ones I had bought for Timmy’s birthday and I gave the wrapped ones to the preschool at church for those students to enjoy. Gulp….sniffle….It warms my heart how Justin watches out for mine like that, and that he is moved by the sentiment of the ‘unopened presents’.

A pajama party at Linda’s

Today I am spending the afternoon and evening at Linda’s, even staying over night! The terrible snow storm mostly fizzled here along the lake shore but inland, they got hammered! My friend, Yvonne, who moved back up here after living in TX for over 30 years has gotten bitten by reality in a big hurry. This a.m. she wrote on Facebook about being minus electricity for a couple hours that morning already, having several inches of snow, and having her smoke alarm reacting to the wood heater. She challenged her TX friends to give it to her and get it over with because she knows what they are going to say! Her dogs aren’t used to pottying in the snow either so that requires some getting used to.

 View out Linda's back doors

Linda and I went to Harborside for lunch, meeting her friend, Angie, there. It was very nice to meet Linda’s friend and she was nice enough to treat us! Speaking of nice, the kitchen staff was able to dig up some perch for us ladies so we all three enjoyed a perch plate lunch, with a shared order of onion rings. The snow was not snow but slush at this point yet and included some deep cold puddles along the curbs. Yech! From there, we went to Linda’s house to schnudder.

We watched a Christmas special she had recorded, while I piggy-backed on her Internet. No Blue Screen of Death there at all which means I am getting that only when using the Internet via Verizon and the little card they put in. Rats! Then we had dinner which she prepared---sloppy joes and cole slaw. Oh yum! Tommy wanted to watch a certain “Seinfeld” episode which his son in the Chicago area sent to him. We watched the episode about Festivus, the made-up holiday the Costanza’s celebrated. Next we watched the episode called “The Chicken Roaster” which is one of my favorites. Love it!

                                            

Linda and I are watching a movie called “Letters to God” which is about a young boy in the process of dying from cancer. He would write letters to God and mail them, and the story goes on to show how the letters affect others who read them. It is basically about the faith exhibited by this child and those around him, helping them to understand things like the sudden loss of a husband and slow dying of a son. The mailman came to faith and is turning his life around through this boy and his family (the Holy Spirit, of course, doing the work). It is a moving story and uplifting, just what Linda and I enjoy.

More entertainment was provided by their two new kittens, brothers, Zeke and Zach, who are most playful. Everything is a plaything to them, and Tommy showed me video he took of them terrorizing the Christmas tree when they put it up. He had even sprayed it with something meant to deter them, but it did nothing it was trumped up to do. Eventually Tom put the tree up on a table with sticky substance under the tree which the cats avoid. But that video was a hoot with them climbing up inside the tree and then back down again.

Linda took a picture of me all bundled up on the sofa with her Snuggie over me and two cats on my legs to help keep me warm. Fortunately the area where she lives was spared the horrors of the storm but periodically the snow and wind did come. Tom blew the snow tonight to keep the driveways clear so the ice wouldn’t form under the snow. I don’t miss that business one tiny bit and while it does look pretty from the window, it does not look so pretty when one is pushing a shovel!

Bracing for the storm

This morning the news reports were nothing but the pending blizzard coming our way, from across the plains’ states with a bead on Green Bay. Yikes! Up to a foot or even more of snow is predicted, driven by winds gusting to 50 miles per hour, a force to be reckoned with. I should be all set with soda stocked up for the couple of days affected, if I stay here for the duration. Tentative plans are being made for me to stay overnight at Linda’s house Thursday night but now I am apprehensive due to the storm. What if we can’t get out? All the local schools are already cancelling classes for tomorrow which does not bode well for our plans.

          

 Mom is mixing up one of her famous meatloaves. It was as good as I recall!

Mom and I went out to a doctor’s appointment this afternoon and then went back to Hobby Lobby to return her lighted garland. I was bothered by the fact that the store folks were not very good about making eye contact or any type of contact other than exchanging money and bagging up purchases. This saddens me…I like to make the effort to greet folks and we did wish them a Merry Christmas as we left. I know this season is tough in the retail business but smiling and connecting with folks would go a long way toward making for a better day!

Linda is looking forward to my meeting her lady friend, Angie, and if all goes well tomorrow, we will meet each other. We are having lunch at Harborside where I might possibly have perch, but if not, then, a wonderful steak sandwich. Oh my---the steak sandwich is as big as your head! And of so flavorful! I hear about Angie and some of her other friends and want to meet these important ladies in Linda’s life.

My sister, Lynn, is hopefully having a better evening tonight than last night’s was for her. She might be at choir rehearsal tonight or at home, resting her eyes. I called her once already today and don’t want to bother her again. The snow storm might keep her home from babysitting her grandson, Angelo, tomorrow but they may have school cancelled as well. Lynn was not sure who would be able to keep all the boys if there is no school and if she can’t make the trip down to Sheboygan. The other grandma is going out of town so won’t be available. If I weren’t such a coward about driving in the snow, I might go down, but I no longer know what I am doing when it comes to driving in a blizzard! Hopefully it will all work out for everyone.

Tonight for dinner we ordered food from Late’s Drive-In, my first taste of perch since getting here last Thursday afternoon. Not for lack of trying, though. Mom and I had perch sandwiches, and Jill had a pizza burger. Danny had a hamburger plus he and I enjoyed some deep fried cheese curds. Yum! I would like to get to Time Out for their perch and of course, the Green Street Tavern, at least once. My aunt, Marie, and her daughter, Barb, might be joining our group for breakfast on Saturday morning, again, weather permitting. Stay tuned for weather reports from the Frozen Tundra! The Packers are looking for snow shovelers to clean off the seats and rows at Lambeau Field for the game Sunday. So exciting! Go, Pack, Go!

The Ladies of the Evening

Also known as the Evening Circle at church, this group of younger women met for their Christmas party tonight and Linda invited Lynn and I to join her as her guests. Unfortunately, Lynn could not make it as she’d had an procedure done earlier in the day and was not up to socializing in the evening. Pastor was the only man who participated in the fun, with one of the games being to wrap a gift from start to finish, in teams of two, using only one hand each! Linda and I did okay but were certainly not prize winners! The duo of Pastor and Elizabeth managed to wrap their present and finish it off with a very nice bow, while ours was merely passable as a wrapped something or other! I was going to say it’s not as easy as it sounds but it didn’t even sound easy!

As part of Pastor’s devotion at the opening of the meeting, we said a prayer for those in mourning as a result of the CT shooting rampage. The ladies brought snacks to share and what a spread it was! Mom and I had eaten an early dinner, with me not realizing there was a bountiful feast waiting for me at church but I managed to have a few items of delight from the array. I knew most of those around the tables which always adds to the fun. What a delightful evening it was!

When Linda and I got back outside, it was snowing! Only a dusting, but snow flurries nonetheless. A major storm is predicted for the next few days, and when I heard this discussed on the weather report, I mentally did an accounting of the available soda cases at my disposal. Jill has two in her apartment, Mom has one more in her closet, and I have a 24-pack in the back of Lynn’s car. I had better haul that up here posthaste!

My greatest concern in regard to the pending storm is wondering if my sisters will be able to make from their homes to this city. One lives about 4 hours west of here along the Mississippi River and another on the western shore of Lake Winnebago. The latter’s car is less than trustworthy but she can come as far as the Park ‘n Ride and someone from here can pick her up. It’s still 45 minutes away from home but it’s easier on her car which is less than trustworthy. I just hope the roads are all cleared for safe travel for my peeps!

Linda and I attended ladies’ Bible study this afternoon, held in the Heritage Hall at FG. They were just finishing their look at Deuteronomy and we rolled directly into Joshua. The leader, Kathy W., is using the notes from her deceased husband, a pastor, used for a book he had written. This would be one blessing of living up here---being able to be part of these studies! Weather permitting, Linda and I will be attending another study at Kathy’s home on Thursday night, looking at Isaiah. They are nearly to the prophecy we know well at this time of the year, “…for unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given…”

My sister, Lynn, is undergoing procedures to reduce the pressure in her eyes caused by glaucoma. Our mom has this same problem and must use eye drops, more than one type of drop, twice a day, ease the pressure. This newer procedure uses a laser to reduce the pressure, her first eye being done a week or so ago. Today she had her 2^nd eye done and is experiencing the same discomfort as after the first one---tenderness around the eye and almost constant tearing. However, the doctor measured the pressure in the previously treated eye and declared it was reduced, so yay!!! She will have an uncomfortable couple of days but in the end, will rejoice to not to have to administer the drops. Lynn encourages us all to go and have the pressures checked in our eyes, and I will do so in January when I get home. I need some glasses now, I am sure, at least that’s what Justin says. He claims there are such things as ‘computer glasses’ and if so, I like it!

Mom and I have a load of wash going right now, needing to do two loads altogether. This is a downside of apartment living---not having access or connections for your own laundry equipment. It is a nearly two dollars per load. I don’t know how much it costs me to wash and dry clothes at my home, perhaps it does amount to that much. My water bill is rolled into the condo fees and I am responsible for the electricity so it would be hard to tell. Guess that is the least of the troubles people have in this world, right?--- having to tote ones laundry to the laundry room…The good news is that if anything goes wrong with the equipment it is up to the management to get the repairs done. Whew!

         

This sunrise was snitched from my neighbor's Facebook page, taken this a.m. Just to remind me of what is going on back home!

My Christmas presents were delivered here via the Internet and UPS. All I have to do with them is apply the wrapping paper and take them downstairs to put under the tree. Our family gathers in the community room on the first floor of this building on Christmas Eve which can nicely accommodate us all. Such a blessing it is! Lisa is the only one with a large enough home for us all, in Sheboygan, so it’s easier to just meet here at the home of two of our family members to do the celebrating. Plus, some of us will attend the candlelight service at 8:30 that evening at FG. It will be lovely!

Lynn was planning to go to Lisa’s to watch Angelo but found out Lisa now had the sickness her kids had on the weekend. She was staying home with Angelo so Lynn called to ask us to breakfast. Yes! We went to Perkin’s where I had my Senior portion of potato pancakes and bacon. I still have not had any perch! Normally when in WI I do little besides church and perch, so I am behind my routine! Perhaps tomorrow I will swing by the drive-in and get a perch sandwich and deep fried curds for lunch!

Chili today, not tamale

Here is a picture taken of Yvonne and me at church yesterday, using her phone camera. It was quite wonderful to see her again, and her in-laws, my cousins, as well!

Mom and I are eating dinner in tonight, with me making a nice pot of chili for us to enjoy. It has been that kind of a day, a chilly chili one!

This morning she and I met Lynn at Hobby Lobby as Mom was in search of another string of lighted garland for her porch railing. She felt it was dimly lit in the portion where it goes up and into her flower box attached to the railing. An extra string, she felt, would allow for extra length to wrap the wooden box. While she did that, I looked at some items for my little nephews as stocking stuffers. H.L. is a good place to find unusual and fun items, which I did!

This ham is so wonderful, from Festival Foods, coming with complimentary buns. I love my buns complementary! We also had some cheese curds with the sandwiches and nibbled from the goodie box I picked up at the bake sale yesterday.

The kettle of chili is brewing on the stove, no fire trucks needed this time!, and it smells amazing in here. Mom and I will eat during Jeopardy!, I think, or right after it. I can wait since I am yet full from our lunch! (plus my caramel puff corn from Festival!) 

Later tonight “Driving Miss Daisy” is on TV but the bad news is it begins at 9:00 pm. Mom’s eyes close right after 8:00 so watching such a movie won’t cut it. Last night we watched “A Christmas Carol” with George C. Scott as Scrooge and it was nice to watch together. I think Mom stayed awake to watch most of it, but it did get done at 9:30 pm. Without the commercials, it might have been done sooner but that’s how the movies get paid for!

I'm hungry today!

Here is some good eatin' for today:

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 
II Peter 1

Such good words flowed through Peter’s pen from the Holy Spirit, and how richly they reward us now!

As the nation collectively mourns the tragic loss of life in CT and other areas of the country where murders have taken place, we can take comfort from these words. We have great and precious promises to help us escape the corruption of the world which is filled with evil desires.

                

Today’s worship was extraordinary for me, so greatly appreciated and necessary at this time. The theme was “Rejoice” and the pink candle lit on the Advent wreath, representing joy. It is also known as the Shepherd candle. It was wonderful to hear the pipe organ well played and the singing--oh my!

The Order of Service used was Morning Praise, which is so lovely. I cried a bit during the Te Deum when the text speaks of the ‘white robed army of martyrs praise you’, since the readings and tone of the service pointed that direction as well. The Epistle lesson was from Philipians 4, which is the chapter selected from my funeral sermon. “Rejoice, I say again, rejoice!”

As we were leaving the sanctuary, I spotted my friend/cousin, Yvonne, leaving with her in-laws. She recently moved back to this area from TX and we had not seen each other in the flesh for many years. We can ‘talk’ every day but it’s still nicer to do so in person! My plans this week include going to see her new home and spend some time visiting. I hope she will throw a log or two on the fire!

The parent/teacher group was hosting a bake sale so Jill, Danny, and I went right from worship to the tables. I am well stocked now with baked goods which might hold me for the duration. “Might” is the key word there! Nothing like good, home-baked delights to please the palette!

         

From the bake sale I went downstairs to the Heritage Hall for Bible study, getting there just in time for the class to get underway. The study is in Romans, and I was again well-fed with time in the Word. How I cherish these Bible studies! I did so enjoy it and look forward to the next opportunity to study, especially with my friend, Linda, and my family there beside me.”’Tis good, Lord, to be here!”

Visions of sugar cookies in my head

The day today began with a trip downtown to Manitowoc Coffee for our breakfast. Mom and Lynn customarily go every Saturday, and today Jill and I tagged along. Since I don't drink coffee, Diet Coke was my beverage of choice along with a sugar cookie decorated to look like an ornament. Oh my, so delicious! I also bought a Rice Krispie treat and a molasses cookie to take along back to Mom's.

                             

Jill had ordered cut-out cookies from a local bakery so Lynn took us along to pick them up. I went in with Jill and bought a half dozen more of the same cookies I just had at the coffee shop. Plus, I chuckled a bit as I ordered it, a marble rye! I had a choice of a round loaf or a regular loaf, so I chose the round. The young lady came back to report she had no round ones. Are they just messing with me, or what?  A regular loaf is just fine, thanks, a seeded rye will do.

From the bakery Lynn drove us all over to Wal*Mart. I needed to pick up a few things and we ended up with a rather full trunk between us four ladies. She has Angelo's car seat in the trunk besides so we had to work around it. What's fun about going to such a store is seeing people that I know there! 

At the store, I picked up a few menu items to make dinners for Mom and I during my stay. That makes for heavy grocery bags to carry from the car to the apartment. Jill secured a rolling serving cart for us to tote our purchases upstairs. Good! I noticed one of my bags was starting to tear so I am glad for the cart. Such a thing would come in very handy at The Palace!

This afternoon I got a phone call from my friend, Twila, in FL. She was calling to see how I was after hearing that horrible news from CT. She said "for some reason you came immediately to mind..." and we agreed what that reason was. I have the most marvelous friends who make me rich without measure! 

My mom is going to mix up a meatloaf for our dinner this evening, "if I remember how to...", she said. I trust it will come back to her, as she was the maker of the best meatloaf to my memory! Right now I get almost comparable meatloaf at Cracker Barrel, but am anxious to have a piece or two of Mom's recipe. Having the oven on will also help to warm the rooms a bit, as it's rainy and damp outside today. At least we had a day and a half with sunshine!                    

Last night's concert at the Civic Center was simply marvelous.  Besides the excellent musical presentations, it was great to see so many people there that I knew. Tommy Drill, the official Greeter for the City of Manitowoc, was saying hello to my mom and Lynn, but then interrupted himself with shouts when he spotted me coming up the ramp. That was heart-warming! One lady I had sort of been looking for I never did find, though. Judy S., I was looking for you, too!

The MLHS students are quite talented and as one mom told us today, 'well rounded', mostly because they need to be! Being a smaller school, kids must participate in more things they ordinarily might not. Athletes playing in the band, artists singing solos, and so on. Amy, the mom I spoke with, said today how it wouldn't be so busy if they didn't have to go to school besides! 

Joy tinged with sorrow

Mom and I just got home from the Manitowoc Lutheran High Christmas concert, the kick-off to my season. The concert was marvelous and to God be the glory! It is normally a week later but the venue was solidly booked. This brought me to town earlier this year. And away from my Justin a week longer. I am sure he's okay without me...

My travel yesterday was flawless---the flights on time and even better, arriving in MKE nearly a half hour early. I waited only moments for Lynn to get there and after a slight misdirection leaving the airport, we were on our way. Lynn and I had lunch in Mequon, with some wonderful onion strings served with our sandwiches. Half mine came home with me to Mom's. 

                                               

Last night for dinner we met up with Lisa and her boys at Pizza Hut, with Jill and Danny along, and Mom, of course. I ate half my Personal Pan Pizza and Mom ate half of hers, so we shared a to-go box for our leftovers. In my first day, actually a half-day, I had two such boxes in the fridge!

It was so wonderful to see my little nephews again, and have their hugs. This is especially true after the horrible tragedy which took place in CT this a.m. Again I will point out the lack of ability folks have these days in dealing with their problems, as well as the seeming lack of the Lord's presence in their lives. Those of us who are believers can count ourselves blessed to know Him and have Him know us. Let's all offer prayers on behalf of those who suffered a terrible loss in their lives from this killer. "...even so, Lord, quickly come!