Christmas past

later Gator 

That time of year again!!!!

Wow....I feel like the cat on the hot tin roof....too much to wrap around my little brain.  Gary has been home now for a month and it seems like just a day or two.  We are constantly busy with one thing or another.  We are finally through with all the fall birthdays, but must start on Christmas soon as this is a big job when you consider our combined families.  

Gary's Mom turned 95 last week and passed her drivers test.  What a gutsy woman.  I would have wimped out long ago.  

We had our cousin's luncheon at Dixie's last week.   It is really nice to hear all the memories of the past and how we all seem to have a basic mid-western value system that must just come with the territory.  

Max had his 10th birthday yesterday...seems like yesterday that he was born.  Time goes by so quickly.  

Today we had lunch with some members of the church at a Mexican restaurant.  It was fun and Jake talked me into another web-can.  Gary was NOT happy, but look at that face....they are soooo cute.  They are only little once.   Soon they will grow up and not want to spend a Sun. p.m. with Grandma and Grandpa. 

We have another busy week ahead.  Walking with Vida tomorrow....I hope my knee will hold up.  All fall we have been walking 2 miles every day and then yesterday when Gary and I were walking at the Y....it just gave out on me.  Maybe I let it rest too long.   Who knows, but I need the exercise and will wear my support.   I have too much to do to have a bum knee.  I surely hope I can escape having to have a knee replacement like all people my age are doing. 

We have an important meeting at OES tomorrow night.  Tues. I have a dentist appt.  I can't remember Wed without looking at the calendar, but on Thurs. I have bridge club here with lunch served.  Now we are up to the week-end again.  The best time of the day is reading the paper and drinking coffee early in the a.m. and we actually are in the same room. 

Life is good and always grateful to have a nice warm house to live in and a dry bed to sleep in every night. Always grateful for Gary...he is my rock and tells me "everything will be okay".  

My love, 

Mom,wife, sister, grandma, and always a friend  

Fall back..spring ahead

Okay, I forgot to set the clocks back and here I am awake at 4:30 A.M. which is what we usually know as 5:30....

I love drinking coffee and reading the paper on Sunday mornings, but apparently the paper girl did not forget to set her clock back and she is still not here.  I will not complain as that is really a sign of "old age". 

Gary's Mom was here for dinner last night.  We should have company more often because it makes you actually cook.  She is not having Lighthouse help her any more since she got her $5,000 bill.   We worry that she does not eat very much and her speed is ....worse than slow.  I am amazed that she still wants to take her drivers test.  I think anyone who comes to renew their drivers tests in a walker should be disqualified.  What do I know....lately everyone disagrees with my philosophy.   The people who put the new roofs on the condos where she lives gave each owner a $100 gift card from Whitey's.   a pretty impractable gift for old people who wouldn't eat that much ice cream for the rest of their lives!!  Now she is in a quandry trying to figure out what she can do with it.   I suggested she donate it to the youth group at church, but that went right over the top of her head. 

I am taking shoe boxes to church this a.m. for "shoe boxes" for kids.   I kept 2 to fill up and will have Margie help me purchase for 9-10 year olds.  She should know what they would like.  

I think after church we should be home all day, but we have a busy week coming.  

Happy Anniversary to Beth and Dan, as I remember it was a nice sunny day in Nov. when they got married 23 years ago.  A lot of water under the damn since then.  So grateful that Dan is cancer free and back to normal.  He always makes me laugh....what is that about him????  Is he really that funny????

I think the paper is here.....later....

Love and Hugs, 

Mom 

Halloween

We have had some little trick or treaters, but not too many.   Jake and Livie were here this p.m.  Very cute as Darth Vader and Cat girl. 

We have been busy this week and I think Vida and I have walked every day this week!!!    Yah!!

I had lunch with Julie Wells this p.m.  She is the most spiritual person that I know.   I don't agree with her on all subjects, but  that's ok, I still like and respect her. 

Tomorrow I will help with a funeral service for a E.S. member. 

Well, I need to write the checks and pay the bills. 

Later Gator, 

Pat 

Margie's birthday

How I remember the morning Margie was born.   I remember apologizing to the Dr. for getting him up so early.   She was born at 4:15 a.m.  Margie's dad insisted we not go to the hospital until after midnight so we did not have to pay for another day, and then he begged the Dr. to keep me one more day in the hospital so he could go to the football game.  Just a small rut in the road in the journey of life and I am sure he would be sorry today. 

So many things have changed since 42 years ago.   My mom and dad were still here, we were living in Geneseo, I did not know then that I would spend 18 years working at John Deere and I would have 2 more husbands.   I am so grateful every day that I am where I am today.  I still have things to learn, but I am as happy as one could be on this earth.  I have 3 really great kids...who who are so smart and well adjusted in spite of all the trials they had to live through.  I would have done better if I had known better.  Enough reminiscing...... 

Gary has taken his mom to the beauty shop....you know you have a keeper when he is nice to his Mom.   He is really looking so good.....we went to the diabetic Dr. last week and he lost another 5 lbs.  I don't know why it bothers me so much that he is the same weight as me, but it does.   He tries to assure me by saying "I can still get my arms around you".....Oh what to do!!!!  

I am finally over my cold and now Max is sick.   We missed his piano recital last night.  What a talented boy.  Thanks to his mom and dad that they expose him to much intellect.

We voted yesterday early....at the court house and still had to wait in line.   We each voted secretly and coming home we found out that we voted for exactly the same people.  You know how that saying goes.  We are beginning to be more alike than different. Of course, most of the candidates did not have anyone opposing them!!!  

Later Gator, 

Much love to Margie on her special day. 

Mom 

one week later

My breathing was not the warm weather or my asthma.   I have a really bad cold and had to cancel everything on my list this week.  (mostly drs. and dentists)   I feel a little better today and will rest until Friday as I want to go to Max's piano recital and then Margie's birthday on Sat.  

I have been thinking a lot about Dan, as he had surgery yesterday to remove some moles that looked suspicious.  It is always a worry when you have to wait to hear the results.  We will pray that everything will be okay and it will be a warning to take better care, if needed. We all take for granted everyday that when we get up that we will feel good and be healthy.  

Tim and Fumie left on Mon.  The twins are really cute, but you need lots of energy to keep up with them.  I think I need to ask the Dr. for some holiday pills......one day at a time.  

I have not heard from Von Maur about the Christmas wrapping job, but I am having second thoughts about it anyway.  It may be for the best, not sure if I could keep up with everything else that I have on my plate.  

We really need to get new carpet in the living room, but have not seen how hard we were hit on our 401k.  Gary is ready, but now I am holding back.  Oh what to do or not to do and does it really matter????

Wishing you well and can't wait to see you on Sat.  I miss you all. 

Love, 

Mom 

The Dieter's Dairy

Ok...I confess I have been on "Seattle Sutton" for the last 6 weeks!!!!   Have I lost any weight?   well, yes, 8 lbs.  I think I could continue on SS for a very long time, however, it is quite pricey and I still have to feed Gary!!!!   When our economy went to pot, I quit......   Now I will have to struggle to keep off the 8 lbs. and perhaps lose more. 

I have been struggling with my breathing the last week or so, but I think it is is in the air and this warm weather is just not right for this time of the year.   I have the air on...but today it has finally cooled down.  Vida and I walked our usual 2 miles and it seemed nice outside.  

Max was here yesterday, but you hardly know that he is around,  pretty quiet and does not require a lot of attention.  Margie looked very sick when she came to pick him up.  I hope she is feeling better today and does not go to karate for a while. 

Gary got an email from Tim saying they would arrive on Fri. about 1:00 p.m. I still don't know what the plans are for the week-end, but I have put it out of my mind.  It is what it is!!!   I think we will shop for birthday gifts for the twins this p.m. I have a dentist appt. before that.  We have a star meeting tonight.  Thurs Dixie, Carol, Sandra and I are going to Naperville on the train. 

Gary is finishing his ferris wheel...he wants to display it in his room on the coffee table.  Sure hope the twins don't get near it.  There are lots and lots of hours on the ferris wheel.  

We seldom see Jake and Olivia any more....I guess they are too busy.  Maggie and Jane are busy also.   Everybody is busy!!!

Later Gator, 

P

p.s.   Gary's mom is having 24 hour care since she fell in the closet.  I think she likes the attention.