Well, we have now had our first winter storm of the season. It started at about 12:30 with a light snow that continued and got worse as the afternoon wore on.

I fell twice. Ice is hidden under the snow and I managed to find two patches. I did not hurt myself fortunately. I have this fear of breaking something. Then we would really be in trouble at this house. So, I have to be extra careful. I found some things that Dick got for me last year that are supposed to clamp on boots and provide traction on ice. I will put them on tonight and use them in the morning. I sure hope they work.

The Christmas Tea was indeed wonderful but the attendance was way down because of the storm. We went back and forth about calling it off and ultimately decided to go ahead. There were only about 16 stalwart souls there. Jim Wilsing put on a wonderful show and spent quality time describing the tin whistles and flutes that he brought with him. He played my whistles and said that they are not bad for inexpensive ones. He said that they make good "pub "whistles. Of course, If I ever get serious about learning to play, I will get a better one.

The brown bread and soda bread went over big.

I was glad to get home though.

I am planning on getting the out of state packages done tomorrow and mailed on Monday or Tuesday. That is always the "deadline" thing. Everything else can really wait. Did I tell you that Bart and Barb's Christmas Card. It is a picture of them. They look just wonderful. Barb has lost a lot of weight and looks great. Bart looks happy. That makes me happy.

Hope I can get out to church tomorrow morning.

Love

Mary

Another cold day. We woke up to 19 degrees AND snow on the ground. Chelsea and I had a comparatively good walk, though we did not go TOO far because I was nervous. With the light covering of snow and the extreme cold, I could not see the patches of ice which made it quite dangerous.

When we got back, Dick was back in bed, so I had breakfast and then cleaned the kitchen. Boy was that floor dirty. I took my shower too and never woke Dick up so he really needed the sleep.

After he got up, we went over to Brantmeier Ford and bought an Explorer. We won't get it til next week but we have it all ordered and Dick is pleased with the purchase. I am too. The Explorer is a bit bigger than the Santa Fe and therefore rides smoother. It also is not as gas efficient but we do not drive as much as we used to either, so it will all even out for us.

I had lunch with the girls at Dairy Queen and then stopped at KMart to buy a jacket. With a 50% sale and a $5 certificate I did OK. When I got home, I rested a bit then baked some Irish Soda Bread and straightened out and put away as much clutter as I could. By next week I should have the boxes ready to mail and all the other packages wrapped and under the tree.

We are supposed to be getting a big storm tomorrow. I MAY cause us to have to postpone the Christmas Tea Music Program. Beth and I will decide in the morning. I hope everything holds out til 5PM.

That is all. Dick was happy, we had Kraft Mac and Cheese with smoked sausage cut up in it for supper.

Love

Mary

When I got up this morning at 6:30AM it was 15 degrees outside AND there was ice all over the road. Needless to say, Chelsea and I did not go far. I can take the cold but will not go far on ice. As I "explained" to Chelsea, if I break something we are in real trouble in this house.

SO, I cleaned the bathrooms and took my shower so I could get to Mother's by 10AM. She had an appointment with Dr. Nytes to have her hearing aids checked. Then she and I drove out to Gibbsville to get Christmas cheese boxes. I picked up some curds and baby Swiss for us too.

We went to Firehouse Pizza for lunch and then home.

I had plenty of time to get my picks for the football league in and spent some time on Christmas. I dipped th buckeyes and put lights on the front porch. I am quite proud of myself. I actually have the lights coming on at dusk, now if they go off at dawn, I will really be pleased.

Now I am watching the game. I picked the Packers. I really had to, but so far it does not look too good. We did allright on our first possession with a field goal. Since then the Cowboys answered with TWO field goals and have now intercepted and gotten a touchdown. OW!!!

I am so tired, that I may not be able to stay up for the whole game, I think I will put a radio in there and try to get the game as our bedroom TV died. Usually I am glad of the quiet but don't like to miss the game, even if it is only bits and pieces of it. We got our Christmas card from Bart and Barb. I am SO delighted. It is a picture of the two of them and they both look great. I will call Barb tomorrow to let her know how much I love it.

Tomorrow we are going out car shopping. I am also going to look for a new winter jacket.

Another busy day. Take care.

Love

Mary

I finished the Christmas Tree today. It is beautiful. Of course, I have never yet seen one that was not.

Mother tells a story about an ugly tree.

This happened years ago, when my Uncle Roman and Aunt MaryAnn lived in Sheboygan Falls, after the war and before Uncle Roman went back into the Air Force. Aunt Maryann did all the shopping, all the decorating and all the baking for Chistmas, except for the Christmas tree. She told Uncle Roman that he was going to do it that year and he agreed.

Well, the night before Christmas (trees were often and usually decorated the night before Christmas back then) Uncle Roman was out a bit late and perhaps imbibed a bit to much with his friends. Aunt MaryAnn was not bothered at all, at least outwardly. When he got home, the tree was still waiting. Aunt MaryAnn went to bed and Roman was left to it. He decorated all right. Mother said that it was the most gawd-awful mess you ever saw. But MaryAnn did not change an ornament. It was what it was and Christmas came any way. She is the most serene person I know. (Mother said that she couldn't have left it that way but MaryAnn did.)

We shopped this morning. Then I mixed up and rolled buckeyes. Tomorrow they will be dipped. That sounds kind of weird doesn't it. But that is what will happen. They will be dipped.

I hope to send the out of state packages early next week. Tomorrow Mother and I will go to Gibbsville to order the cheese boxes.

We had snow today. None is left on the ground but it came down for a couple of hours.

Barb called tonight. She had something to share with me. I am so happy to have her as a daughter in law.

Hope all is well everywhere. We are fine today.

Later

Mary

A cold and WINDY day. Chelsea and I walked very fast this morning to keep ahead of the cold.

Dick and I had to be in Sheboygan for his blood test at the anti coagulation clinic at 8:45AM. He is within the parameters again so we are very pleased. Do you know that we do not have to see a doctor until the week after next? We are SO delighted by that.

We got the car washed and then stopped at Walgreens to pick up bandaging supplies and items for the Advent Calendar wall hanging. We have to be ready to start that on Sunday. Would you believe that? Time is just flying.

I am watching the finale of Dancing with the Stars so will keep this short. I really do like that show. In case you don't know. Marie has been eliminated and it is down to the Spice Girl, Mel B and the race car driver, Helio.

I am going to put another poem of mine in for you. I did this recently from a memory. Some of you will relate. For others it is a world that existed when I was a child.

Our Kitchen

by Mary J. Kunert

The fire in the old coal furnace
In the old farm house
Barely lasted until dawn,
Winter being what it is.
Poor Mother had to get up in the cold
And trek down to the basement
To throw more coal on the ashes.
Then she shut the doors to the kitchen
And lit the oven.
We, her munchkins, woke one by one,
Left the cozy caves of our quilt topped beds
And stumbled down the stairs
To the warm cocoon that she had prepared.
We huddled, all of us, in that place
Eating our breakfast and drinking hot chocolate
Until the newly stoked fire sent its fingers of warmth
Through the house and we could again

Venture forth.

Enjoy your Wednesday. We are shopping.

Love

Mary

Except for the market, this has been an up day, all the way.

We started out with an exhilarating walk for Chelsea and I at 6:30AM. It was only 32 degrees but again - no wind. What more can one ask for.

Our first major "event" was the trip to see Dr. Siddique. He confirmed that the artery work was exactly what he had hoped for. After some prodding we got the reaffirmation that he does need vein work to completed the repairs. He is booked through January so we are scheduled for up to eight procedures to correct that. The first is for February 15. These require only and hour and he can go home right afterwards. So we are encouraged that they will not be as hard on him. When these are done, we believe that the wounds on his legs and feet will be able to totally heal. Pray that it is so.

This afternoon, I went shopping at Hobby Lobby and a couple of other Mall stops with Kate Herman. We got the frames that I have been needing for a "surprise" for my brothers and sisters and to frame properly the Courtney print. I also got a battery for the Connemara marble watch that Dick got for me a couple of Christmases ago.

Finally I picked up Chelsea's refill of her furosimide. She is set for a while now. Poor little girl. Today I visited out front with the neighbor across the street. She lost a grandson last week and I swear that Chelsea knew that she needed some comfort. Chelsea is not exactly cuddly but she very willingly let her pet her. I think she knew she could help.

Tonight I put ONE box of ornaments on the tree. Two more to go. I also found places for two of the Nativities.

I don't think I shared this poem with you. If I did you will just have to read it again. As we are getting into the Christmas season, I remembered writing it early this year.

Tomorrow Dick gets a blood test, but the rest of the day is free.

Here is the poem. I hope you enjoy it.

Love Mary

BOY CHILD

Did He spin in circles
His arms outstretched
His face towards the sky
A smile on his lips
Calling
Mama, Mama
Look at Me?

Did He bring home a puppy
A kitten or a toad
And say in a breathless voice
A smile on His lips
Begging
Mama, Mama
Can I keep him?

Did she tuck Him in
Kiss His cheek
Inhale the sweet moist smell
Of the Boy Child's hair
Whispering
Jesus, Jesus
I love you?

Sunday is almost over. It was quite nice and quite relaxing. I took Chelsea for her walk at 6:3o and then went to the 8AM Mass.

When I got home, I warmed up the leftover egg strata for our Sunday breakfast. I will hang onto that recipe.

I spent the day making another batch of fudge, wrapping presents and going to the History Museum to pick up three items that I got on silent auction. One of them was a wreath that is now hanging on our front door for the holidays.

I talked to Nora this afternoon to find out a few things I needed to know for the wedding. I have now decided what I will wear and what I will bring for a present for Bing and Stenn. We are all so happy for Stenn. Bing is just lovely and we are eager to have her part of our family.

Tomorrow night is the finale of Dancing with the Stars. I really do enjoy that show. I can't figure out who I feel should be awarded the prize this year. The three finalists especially the Spice Girl and the Race Driver are REALLY good and Marie isn't half bad either. Will have to wait til Tuesday to find out the results.

I was reminded of how bad my ex husband was at dancing. He was just not good at all. One night at a party, his Aunt June decided that he should learn to dance and she took him into another room where she could work with him. Before she gave up he managed to trip her and they fell into a fireplace, fortunately unlit, and she ended up with a black eye. She gave up.

All my love

Mary

Bart and Barb will be picking me up at the airport in Dallas so I have an added bonus to this trip. I hope that Timothy will join us. Nora specifically mentioned that if he will, we would want him to attend either/or both, the rehearsal dinner and the wedding and reception. I hope he will.

I also talked to Barb this afternoon and relayed that information to her.

That pork we had last night was just as good tonight with potatoes and gravy.

We have been enjoying Christmas music since 4PM. First the Celtic Women Christmas, then Angel Voices, a boy's choir and now the three tenors. This time of year does spoil us.