Monday morning comin' down

Sounds morose almost, doesn't it? Justin and I are waiting for my sister-in-law to collect us from Mom's house so we can enjoy a nice lunch together before we head out tomorrow. Alayna needed the car for a short while and Mona offered to pick us up. Little Missy, as we like to call Alayna, will be watching my friend, Linda's, grandkids for a bit this afternoon since Linda has a nail appointment, and then the bunch of us are going to spend some time at her new house. Mom, Justin, and Alayna haven't been there yet and Justin wants to see it before we head back to Florida.

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It's been a busy day already----Lynn, Alayna, Mom, and I went to visit my Auntie Marie who lives exactly one block south of Lynn, they even have the same house number, one street apart! I get a big kick out of her, she's so lively yet for a lady her age. Auntie may be about 86 but seems quite full of fun yet. She misses her lady friends who have either passed on or moved into nursing homes. Alayna and I had to leave but Mom, Lynn, and Auntie were going to have lunch somewhere. Maybe we'll run into them out and about! Lynn had to walk back home to get her car, refusing the ride offered. Justin, like his father, is in the shower as I write, even though our driver will be here in less than 5 minutes........

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I'll have more to write later when we get back here from Linda's, so check in again this evening. We'll have to pack our bags tonight and have them ready for when Lynn picks us up at 6:30 0r so in the morning. Justin is really looking forward to getting back to Internet land, lamenting that he's behind in his "tech" updates. Oh, yeah, me, too! I am lamenting having to work on the financial junque for Court when I get back, it really burns my biscuits that I must upset my entire household and schedule for this, but it is in my best interest to do so. It's all about protecting myself, my assets, and my future, and mainly, my joy!

A football weekend and then some!

On this foggy, drizzly afternoon, Justin and I are sitting at Mom's watching the Florida State Seminoles play against the Wisconsin Badgers in Orlando. The fans in the stands are wearing tank tops or T-shirts instead of the layers like they would here, or rain gear, as the case might be. Neither of us are fans of these teams, ironically, but still, it's a FL team vs. a WI team, in our "home" state!!! I can't help but think about Gordy, lying in his hospital bed, recovering from the surgery needed to repair his fractured hip. He is a die-hard Seminole fan, and I hope he's alert enough to watch the game today. While I feel terrible that Gordy is in a bad way, I can't help but feel badly for his daughter as well, as she is always the go-to person concerning Gordy, and he's really been keeping her hopping in 2008!

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Earlier I referenced the weather, and its nastiness thereof. It's been wet in the air all day long, starting already when we went for breakfast this morning. Lynn came down to Mom's to pick us up, meeting Jill and Danny at Toby's Diner for some down-home cooking. It was chilly in their dining room, though, and not conducive to sitting around chatting. The temperatures are hovering around 40 degrees above zero, but now it's raining lightly and the fog is so dense, you have to feel your way down the road! It makes the scenery downright eerie in appearance.

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After I started a roast cooking in Mom's oven, Justin and I set off for the afternoon to visit some friends and family. We had to wait until the weather allowed, and when it did allow, we couldn't see where we were going. Last night I bought a huge bag of salt which Justin and Alayna spread around Mom's car, on the walkways, and in the parking lot. Of course, it wasn't necessary with the warming temps but at least the thickest of the snow and ice is gone for now. The two of us went to visit my sister-in-law's parents for a bit, and got to meet some of Barb's cousins who were also there visiting. We had a nice visit and as soon as I have access to a computer where I can download my photos, I will do so. They've been part of our lives for nearly 35 years, at least in my life. They are so darn cute, even though they are older, still spunky.

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We took a couple cookies from Clara's to deliver to Arno, our next stop. He was in the dining room when we arrived and the CNA escorted him, making him use the walker, to the room for our visit. It is incredibly sad how much he's gone downhill since I spent time with him in September. His 'dreams' are so real to him that he thinks they are true, and I'm not 100% sure he even knew exactly who we were. Once he talked about Justin and me as though we weren't us. This was not the man from September, but is what he's become following his surgery and time spent in this care facility. At some point he must have fallen and hurt his back, causing a compression fracture, but the Home has no record of it occurring. Mona is quite upset with the staff about this, thinking they should have been more aware of what was going on with him. Anyway, it is just so sad to see him like this.

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From Arno's Home we drove the rest of the way to his "old" home to drop off the presents for tomorrow's exchange. At first we couldn't tell if anyone was home because the garage door was closed, but JR answered the door, so we were in!!! Mona had plans this afternoon to do something with her brother and I knew this so had no intention of hanging around

Our original plan was to also visit my sister-in-law, Sharon, this afternoon but sort of changed our minds after seeing Arno. Justin will be spending tomorrow afternoon with her at his other family's CHRISTmas celebration so she won't be totally forgotten. I write to her every month and my cousin, who is Sharon's caregiver, reads the notes for her. Since I can't be around here to visit, except for today, ahem, ahem, I try to stay in contact that way. Sharon is blind which is why she lives in a group home facility.

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Instead of going to see Sharon, we went to Kohl's to exchange a shirt Justin got for CHRISTmas and make some additional purchases. Mom's bathrug is shedding blue fuzzies something fierce and since her birthday comes up in January, we decided to replace her bathmat as a birthday present. It's hard enough for her to see to clean the way it is, and to have a bathmat adding to the mess just doesn't make good sense. Justin also got the rest of his exchange gifts for tomorrow's gathering. Upon leaving Kohl's, we drove to Copp's where he ran in, said 'hi' to my friend, Cindy, in the bakery and got us some more sugar cookies. We no longer needed to go to Walmart because of shopping at Kohl's so he asked if I'd take him to the bookstore downtown to get the new Harry Potter book. He'd not put it on his list for CHRISTmas so I drove him, peeling away the fog as we went. Now he's a happy boy with a new wallet to replace the shirt we took back, football, a Harry Potter book and sugar cookies!

Second CHRISTmas Day

Merry CHRISTmas everyone! Today is a calm one weather-wise, but tonight, we may not be so fortunate. The good news is that the temps are above freezing, finally; the bad news is that what’s melted and may come down will probably freeze and make for some very dramatic driving!

Yesterday morning was an awesome, awesome CHRISTmas Day service at First German, a single worship time which means instead of two services, as on Sundays, all who wished to attend did so at one time. That made greeting all the more delightful because otherwise I see only those who attend early worship on Sunday mornings. It’s almost like two separate churches, early service and late. That’s just the way it is. Anyway, the Festival Service was mainly all singing, congregational and choral, the pipe organ as well as the extra-sized orchestra as the college kids were home from school and could pitch in. Pastor mentioned that even some parents of the congregation joined the young people on their instruments and made a glorious noise to the Lord! Singing “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” with the orchestral accompaniment is just our way of singing “Happy Birthday” to the Savior King!!!

Lynn and Alayna sat with the family in the pew and simply went up front in the church when it was time for the choir to sing, as the loft was filled with the orchestra. It was good to actually see them sing instead of merely hearing them. Linda, too, of course, and other familiar faces. One of the ladies with whom I used to sing many years ago was sitting across the aisle from me, no longer a choir member, and I told her after church how fun it was to sing together again, even though we weren’t in the choir. We used to have so much fun, lots of giggles, when Mom paid me $2 a week to sing in the choir!!!

After worship, too, I spoke to the director of music from MLHS, telling him how much I enjoyed the concert on Tuesday night. I also told him of trying to get the drawl-prone little ones in G.S.’s Sunday school to sing “Go, Tell It On the Mountain”. He laughed and said he could only imagine how that sounded, and I told him that no matter how hard I tried to get them NOT to say “mowntaaan”, when they got into that refrain, all bets were off!

An aside: in communicating with a long, lost but recently reconnected friend in northern IL via facebook, it came out that she already has five grandchildren, and she’s younger than me!!! I told her that if Timmy hadn’t died, I’d yet have a child in grade school, which, when you think about it, seems bizarre. I guess the writing about Sunday school brought that little conversation to mind…….My mom got a CD with mainly Pachelbel’s Canon in D on it, and it’s playing right now in her living room as I write this---and it reminds me of Timmy’s “nap music”, which was Canon in D.

Kerry arrived at Mom’s in time to attend worship with us and made us so happy! She at first sat upstairs in order to see her little girl, Alayna, aged 16, singing with the choir, not realizing the choir was sitting in the “general population” downstairs. Eventually she came down and sat with the rest of us---four of my mom’s girls plus three of her grands all in one pew!

Once back from church, I got several phone calls including one from my friends, the Douglases, back in Orange Park. Carol wanted to wish us Merry CHRISTmas and tell about their worship services at G. S. Three of her grandsons were in the children’s portion of the service on Eve, as well as the rest of their Sunday school classes. She said all went well, and that they had 40 people in church on CHRISTmas Day. She said we were missed and just wanted to touch base with me. I love them! The Maestro played the entire service on the organ which was a nice touch…..Justin asked if he pulled out all the stops….a little pipe organ humor, there. I also placed a call to a busy household in Winona to speak briefly with my friend, Judy R. and her family. All were busy preparing for the feast but stopped to chat with me. I even got to say Merry CHRISTmas to Jer Bear, Judy’s hubby. The joy, love, and warmth came over the phone, both to them and from them! A mutual friend of Judy’s and mine, Kari Hahm, at First German, sent a telephone hug to Judy and family. Kari is dear friends with one of Judy’s daughters, and if you are friend of the daughter, you are friend of the mom, too! Kari and I share a love for the Ruserts, between Winona, Manitowoc, and Orange Park!!!

Lori, David, and Dusty made it safely from Holmen, arriving at Lisa’s house in Sheboygan just ahead of us. The ride down was perfection, no icy spots or snow covered roadways to hinder travel. We could smell the turkey roasting before we even climbed onto Ellison's front porch! Mmmmm! Lynn made her delicious mashed potatoes and Jill made a salad called, get this, Prange Salad! It’s a pasta salad with a dill seasoning and was simply wonderful. I’ve requested the recipe so I can make it every time I get lonesome for my friends, the Pranges! Of course, it’s probably named after the store but I can think it’s named after my friends instead, because it makes me feel better!

Lisa’s boys were adorable, of course, as they greeted us at the door with light sabers. Each has a colored Star Wars saber which makes a whooshing sound as it’s swung. Great fun for two boys in small quarters! After lunch and dessert we finished opening our presents, as we’d already begun the night before at Jill’s house before the candlelight service. As an early birthday present, Lori and family gave me a fabulous pink and white tie-dyed shirt with a handmade matching bracelet. Besides that, she gave me a lovely silver necklace which says: Live well, laugh often, love much. Couldn’t have said it better myself! She told me I’ll have to take care of it because it’s real silver and will require the loving care of the jewelry cloth she gave me last year…….I just have to remember where I put it!!! Lynn, who had Justin’s name, got him the perfect wireless mouse for his computer. We know it’s perfect, because he described it and sent the link to my computer when she was at my house. She said, “Buy it!” so I did. She liked the idea of it because it would be easy to pack in his luggage for the ride home again. I really don’t think he expected to get it from her, and is happy he did!

Last night, after the festivities, the Schippers went to visit with his mom and some family, before checking into their hotel room. Once there, Justin, Lynn, and I went over there and played a couple rousing games of Apples to Apples. Justin got me a travel version of this same game so I was more than happy to play with them. One round Justin knew I’d pick his card because the one he threw in was titled “Pez dispensers”. “Seinfeld” wins again!!!! The category was “Humorous” so Pez dispensers worked perfectly.

Lynn dropped Justin and me off at Mom’s around 10:00 pm as all were pretty well pooped out, them after a long drive in a.m. plus the long day besides. The weather was already kicking up as we drove home, but regardless, plans were made to have breakfast at Four Seasons at 9:00 a.m. We met without any driving problems, even Mom came along for this outing. The streets were a bit slippery but not wildly so.

After meeting Schippers and Lynn for breakfast, the ladies and Justin went to WalMart to shop, as he had one last present to buy, MINE!!! Our store was out of what he wanted so he waited until he got here to get me “Mamma Mia!” on DVD. He’d not gotten anything for his father either so he did that while out and about today. That side of the family won’t be getting together until Sunday but we’ll need to drop off our presents beforehand. We’d originally planned to get together with some of them tonight but our plans got changed due to the dinner tonight plus a birthday party on Mona’s side of the family. More complications!!!

This evening is the Hahm’s farewell dinner so I got a card in which to write a few lines, plus one for the pastor who is remaining. He needs encouragement, too, now that he’ll be serving this huge congregation by himself. Let me rephrase---he’ll be the sole pastor serving this congregation, with the assistance of the parish boards, teaching staff, and, of course, the Lord! It will prove to be an emotional evening, certainly, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Winter wonderland

Well, we woke to a white CHRISTmas, just like the ones we used to know............

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Early in the morning my sister, Lori, called to report they were aborting their plans to head this direction, at least for today. The roads they use were already snow covered and slippery, so for the sake of safety, the plan is to try tomorrow instead. I only want them to be safe but on the other hand, I am greatly disappointed they won't be here tonight for the present opening. There is no rule that all the presents must be opened tonight, we can do some more tomorrow at Lisa's house. My sister, Kerry, hasn't yet decided if she'll try coming today---told me she is playing it by ear. A man was killed yesterday on the same highway she uses to get here so she's pretty freaked out about having an accident and such.

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Lynn came and took Mom and me with her to have some coffee and refreshments at a locally owned shop. I like going there to have their sugar cookies, and since Copps disappointed me last night, today I'd have fresh ones! It was pretty snowy out there, that is for sure, but gave Lynn little trouble trying to maneuver the car. Let's say it wasn't bad enough to prevent us from going out! I got a nice supply of sugar cookies and Mom bought Justin a scone for his breakfast. Lynn offered to take Justin to WalMart so he could finish his shopping but he declined, saying he'll just give it to me later.......I wonder if that type of thinking would fly if reversed? He would just rather stay in and watch "Harry Potter" movies with Alayna than get dressed and go out, I think.

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Justin got the ironing board and iron out for me to do his shirts and slacks. It's more important to me that he looks nice than it is to him, and I don't mind doing it. Actually, ironing warmed me up a bit! Randy came to pick up Alayna and take her home as they have some housework to do before she comes back over to Jill's for the late afternoon/early evening. The choir is singing before the candlelight worship at 8:00 pm so she has to come fully dressed for church, and try not to drip bbq sauce on herself at the gift opening! I can't wait to see Lisa and family tonight, I hope they can make it from Sheboygan safely. I can't believe I've been here since Thursday night and haven't seen them yet!!! This weather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Justin and I are looking forward to the worship tonight, to hear the choir and orchestra, and again tomorrow for that song service....the rest is merely icing on the cake, or rather, icing on roads!!!

We just got plowed out and more snow is on the way!

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!
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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!!!
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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!
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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!!!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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 Lord's Supper Carving

This beautiful carving is displayed in the church narthex at First German Lutheran Church. When seen in person, one can pick out facial expression and depth of this lovely piece, which was donated many years ago by one of the members. This congregation is more than 150 years old, and my mom has been a member here all of her 84 years. The pastor pictured on the right is the one who is leaving at the end of this month, and Justin and I will have the privilege of attending his farewell dinner and last service here. Sort of makes the bad weather worthwhile.........sort of.

So much for seeing Gabe in his CHRISTmas service!

Sorrow of sorrows, disappointments heaped upon disappointments…..there was absolutely no way we could get to Sheboygan to see Gabe in his first Sunday school CHRISTmas service today. The primary reason I came so far ahead of the holidays was to attend that special major event in his life, and mine, which made me all the sadder.
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Instead, we bustled about here getting ourselves ready for worship at First German which thus far hadn’t cancelled services this morning. Alayna went out ahead of time to start the car and clean the windows off, somehow managing to rock and maneuver the car toward the side door to pick up Mom and me. We could open the door from the building about 12” before the drift stopped it but Alayna took the broom from Mom’s car and swept a path as best she could against the wind so we could get out. Oh, brother! My friend, Jennifer, from church, you just have no idea what it’s like to negotiate in the weather like this! I hope you never will, either!
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The good news, of course there is always something good to be found, was that First German was using the Morning Praise Order of Service today. I love being part of this service, and then the choir was singing the psalm today so Alayna was going to be able to participate after all. Linda was up in the choir loft but Lynn was not, as she was still snowbound. Linda and Tom got out because "Mr. John Deere" came to the rescue and got their driveway plus probably six more in the neighborhood cleaned out before dawn. Tommy loves his new toy---can’t wait to see what he does with it in the summer time!
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After worship was Bible study, with a look at Genesis, which is always quite interesting. Linda, Lynn, and Alayna are going through the same study on Thursdays with Kathy Wedland, making them doubly wise regarding this book. Linda asked if we wanted to go have breakfast since we were already out and about, so she drove us to Country Kitchen. When we got out of the car there, parking right by the door, the wind was so powerful it took our breath away. Alayna had control of her grandma so she wouldn’t tip over but wow, what a strong wind, icy at that! On the radio, Jill said as we drove over, it was a 30 degree below zero wind chill effect which might account for the chilled bones we had.
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As we enjoyed our breakfast, Alayna casually mentioned having to be at work by noon so we had to hustle finishing our meals and paying the bill in order to get her to work. Linda dropped Mom and me off at church for her car and then brought Alayna back here to Mom’s so she could change clothes. At church, the wind blew the door shut before Mom had her leg in and she couldn’t push the door hard enough to get the leg into the car! Finally, the wind rested enough so she could maneuver the car door, or I’d have had to go around and pull it open once more. Linda took Alayna to work just as Mom and I pulled into the parking lot, taking any available space. We had to navigate through the tire tracks Linda's car left to walk to the door, all the while being slapped in the face with icy wind and snow. Gotta love it!!!!
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As I sit here writing, I glance to my right in order to look out the window but the entire pane is covered in ice. The door to the lobby was blocked open with snow but when we got home, I pushed it around with my foot in order to get it mostly shut. This apartment building management is shameful to say the least but we are most thankful for the man with the plow to come make a path for us. He doesn’t do the shoveling, only the plowing portion of the clean-up. We can’t even take the garbage out to the dumpster because it’s heaped full from not being dumped in a couple weeks. What should be an automatic weekly thing is now on the “when the tenants call to complain” basis. Ugh! The common area floors are filthy and I might even go out later and sweep a bit because I can’t stand it. This is why I toyed, already last September, to sell my condo in FL and move up here to get my mom out of this ‘lack of management’ establishment. We all regret now that we made such fun of the in-house manager when she was still alive and running the joint, because this place was well-kept and neat as a pin under her reign of terror. Of course, living through this wretched winter weather the past couple days has really changed my mind about moving here, and I can’t help but wonder if my Florida friends had anything to do with managing the weather here for me!!!!!!