Winter wonderland

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

*

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.

*

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.

*

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!
*
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 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.
*
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!
*
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!
*
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.
*
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!!!!
*
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!!!!!!

We got out!!!!

Hey, you guys, just because I am snowed in doesn’t mean you can stop commenting! Sorry, didn’t mean to go off on you like that---must be the stress of being home-bound….
*
But, today we got out and hit the town, first having a family breakfast at Perkins, enjoying my usual, potato pancakes! I saw and talked to a few people while there, including one woman with whom I attended high school, except she was a couple years ahead of me. She is now a teacher at MLHS and has my nephew in three of her classes this semester. I told Karen how I connected with another classmate of hers, Russ, and told her to check out facebook.com to see who else is waiting to be found!
*
After breakfast, two of my sisters, Lynn and Jill, plus Mom and I went to Kohl’s, which was absolutely swarming with shoppers. Everything was on sale, it seemed, and Mom was able to accomplish much of what was on her list to buy. I even found something for Justin while there but the rest of my time was spent talking to people I knew, including a lady I worked with at Shady Lane years ago. It was so nice to see her again, so nice! Later, I met the sister of another friend I recently connected with on facebook and told her how much she reminded me of their mother, now gone to heaven. Her husband backed me up on that, so I didn’t feel badly about making the comparison. They were not surprised that Dee Dee was on facebook, and loved it that we found each other again.
*
After making our purchases, we stopped at the Dollar Tree store to re-supply our household with gift boxes and bags to wrap all the presents. Such great fun that store is, again, a busy place on this date after the storm and before CHRISTmas. Justin told me that today he was going to be playing touch football with his friends; Joanne reported she was heading to the beach with her visiting family, and the Rosses claimed they were beach-bound today too, as the temps soar near 80 above zero. Yeah, well, everybody sunbathing today---I am going out for perch tonight----so there!

*
Before I sign off though, I want to report receiving a special e-mail from dear little friend, Rafi, in Mexico City. His father actually is the author, and he kindly invited me and my friends in Casa Maya to come to stay at their home next spring. I won’t be able to join Judy R. and her group as it conflicts with Linda’s visit and our opera outing in February, but I wept at the very invitation and joy of it all! What a wonderful CHRISTmas gift it is, to be remembered by friends in far-away lands!

Now that things are settled down some.....

…..I can replay a few events from before I left Orange Park. Wednesday night was Advent worship so Lynn and I arrived at church about 15 minutes early, although not as early as I normally would have been there. It’s always different when one has company, the changes in schedules or the lack thereof, in my case. Those who knew Lynn greeted her warmly and she distributed the hugs sent down by my mom to her lady friends at Good Shepherd. Gretchen is always so tickled to see Lynn, and Ethel as well since they got to know each other on the Alaska trip in 2007. A few of the attendees thought I was already gone to WI and gave me grief for thinking I’d left without good-byes! That’s what they get for not having Internet service and following the blog!!!
*
The Pioneer group was just finishing their project and meeting when we got there so I got to see some of the folks there who don’t usually attend the Advent services. Earlier in the day Lynn and I had gone to Cracker Barrel where I had a plate-cleaner meal of meatloaf again. I told her I had a couple little fellas at church I’d like to get something for so after lunch we went in to the store of C.B. where I found some cute little stocking stuffer things for Colby and Caleb. I particularly am fond of Caleb because he reminds me a great deal of Timmy, but, he, of course, is charming without being a look-alike! A couple weeks ago he showed me a Webkins toy in the form of a cardinal which was much more attractive than the bat he showed me at Halloween! I wrapped up their little gifts and expected to simply put them in the mailbox for another time, but there they were, in person!
*
I got to say special good-byes to the Pioneer peoples then, including Jennifer, who runs the show (sorry, Rick!). When it was time for church to begin we went in and got Lynn settled while I went in back to take attendance. Robbie and Brian were singing a duet, our opening gathering rite, and it was just beautiful. We had a good number of people at worship which brought me joy, all of us, joy.
*
The biggest blessing was having my dear friend, Leanne, become a member of Good Shepherd. She had her friend from work and now church, Linda, stand beside her as well our other two new members, the Harris’s. Carolyn is an avid scrap booker so she’s welcome in that circle, too! All those folks plus Judy J. and me were at Leanne’s little birthday party last week at Cracker Barrel. As soon as they went up, my tears were flowing. Twice we went through Bible Information Class together, and we’ve spent countless hours discussing the Word, answering questions and such that she just didn’t comprehend, due to her previous religious background. And now, there she stood and made her public confirmation! After church Pastor said he looked back at me and then he got tears in his eyes also! He said, “You should have been standing up there, too, with Leanne,” but I assured him that would NOT have been a good thing, to have me blubbering all over the place. It will be such a privilege to be able to attend the Lord’s Supper with her after all this time where she abstained. Praise be to God!
*
At the Fellowship portion of our evening, the hugs and farewells began in earnest. Lynn was greeted once more, had conversations with many people who knew Mom and/or Lynn while I hustled around. First, I had to hand over the giant box of battery-operated candles to Suzanne who needs them for the children’s worship service on CHRISTmas Eve. Then, Cliff chased me down with a ceramic tile and caulk samples of which I made quick work of choosing a color for our new classroom building. Earlier in the day I’d worked with Mike Kelley on the wall and trim colors, which I thought was already “cut” and dried decisions. In the hustle and bustle, Judy C. approached me about whether or not I’d still be supplying the flowers on Sundays when no one signs up, which has been my custom. I take the bouquets to the cemetery to dress Timmy’s marker, but if I have to cut my expenses, that purchase might be one I’ll have to let go. I told her to go ahead for January because two of the Sunday would be mine already, Timmy’s death anniversary and his birthday/funeral. February would be one of mine also because of his baptism birthday. As we spoke, almost nose to nose, the tears welled again and she apologized for causing me to weep. I explained that I’d already started without her, so she shouldn’t feel badly. It’s emotional to say good-bye to loved ones, you know?
*
As Lynn and I were heading out the door, all business taken care of, I had two more guys to wish a Merry CHRISTmas to, being Joe and Gordy. I told them I’d see them at the end of the year, as we have worship on New Year’s Eve, and Gordy said, “I don’t know why you have to go in the first place!” I told him I have to go see my people and he said, “Your people are here!”. And, he was not wrong………….
*
I’d gotten and given hugs all night, but then Kathy gave me a wonderful present to send me on my way----a bottle of Firefly Tea-flavored vodka, dressed in a knit keeper. She hand-made the card, poured her love into it. Such a special gift, so unexpected, but will be greatly enjoyed. In fact, later that evening I had a glass with lemonade and Firefly mixed in it! The choir had begun their rehearsal when I stuck my nose in, and The Maestro gave permission to anyone who hadn’t said good-bye yet to do so. Talk about a disruption! Thanks, Maestro! And bye church family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
*
Yesterday’s e-mail, opened here at Mom’s, brought a lovely note from Ed, my new best friend from Publix, who was the guy who got me the tickets for the Packer/Jaguar game. He said he knew where we were sitting on Sunday and when the Champion’s Club was introduced and walked on the field pre-game, he waved our direction, in case we could see him. Ed said, “I was thinking of you when I walked out on the field” which I find just delightful, and I did mention to Lynn and Justin that Ed was part of that group on the field, so, yes, I was thinking about him, too!

We made it!

Lynn and I arrived safely, soundly, and not the least bit warm in WI, right on time. Although we left Jacksonville nearly an hour behind schedule, we still managed to make our connection in Atlanta via a great deal of huffing and puffing. On the first leg of our journey, Lynn had the entire row to herself while I shared a three-seat row with one man. I told him he could lie down if he wanted to and he found that quite amusing. He introduced himself formally as we landed and we wished one another CHRISTmas blessings before parting company. “Ron” graciously offered to retrieve my bag from the overhead bin, not even knowing if I had one up there! Gotta love it-----and him!
*
My friend, Judy J. took us to the airport this a.m. because I’d asked her before asking Joanne to do the honors. She was Johnny on the spot with picking us up at the appointed hour and we had a great visit on the way to the airport. I made sure Lynn ate something before leaving to avoid motion sickness or anything else during our trip. I also ate an English muffin rather early in the day which is not a good idea since then I become hungry, as though the muffin begins the process of feeding. Normally I don’t have anything until closer to 10:00 a.m. or so, unless I have lunch plans. So, I was hungry as we waited for our delayed flight!
*
Oh, and of course, I set off all the bells and whistles AGAIN while going through security because although I remembered to remove my stainless steel bracelet and put it in my purse, I forgot the one thing that trips the alarm every time--------my cell phone! Darn it! I was sure I put it in my purse but nope, back through the line I had to go, fish my phone out and drop it into the plastic bin and then try again. The man behind me was chuckling because he saw where I kept it and I joked to him that I should put it in my purse like other people do. He said, “I don’t!!!” to which I replied, “Good point!” Later I saw him in the concourse and he winked at me, because we shared a laugh.
*
Lynn wanted to get a coffee at the Starbucks and I went in search of a bottle of water---------nah! Gotcha! I went in search of a bottle of Diet Coke for on the plane. Bottles are simpler to handle than is a cup with lid, as far as I’m concerned. While waiting for Lynn I spotted my downstairs neighbor, Jeff, also getting a coffee. He is off to Ohio to drive his parents back to Florida to their “winter” place. What a good boy he is! He says its been a couple years since they enjoyed their place in Florida and he is making it possible for them in 2008. We wished each other well and parted company. (I didn’t mention this the other night but his wife, Tracy, came upstairs to very cordially twist my arm about serving on the Board of Directors for The Palace. Of course, my answer is ‘no’ but a soft ‘no’. I’d hate to compromise my status of being the 'peace maker' in my little Palace community instead of being a rabbel rouser!)
*
Back to the traveling: Lynn and I found our luggage down stairs in the airport and made our way to the parking garage to find her car parked there oh so many days ago (7). All the cars have the same grey matter spattered all over them, making the car colors all the same. It was cold in the car but she had some blankets to cover my legs with and her heater took care of warming us both. Without much ado we headed toward “home” and arrived at Mom’s, being greeted with the aroma of baking meat loaf. Mmmmm! We stopped at the Kwik-Trip before heading to Mom’s so I could pick up a couple 12-packs of water------nah, soda, again in case we are truly homebound by the snowstorm tomorrow. So, I am all set to wrap presents tomorrow and play a couple games of Scrabble with Mom, enjoying my time in extremely cold Manitowoc! Bring it on!