A WARM Day

It almost got up to 60 degrees today.   Almost a heat wave.   Bart and I went out for breakfast this morning.   Barb and Marlise, her mom, had errands to run.    Barb always helps her mom on Saturday mornings.   Bart and I went to a restaurant called Jimmy's Egg.   I had sweet potato pancakes with bacon and an egg.    So good.   Bart had Eggs Benedict.    I wanted to go to breakfast with him because that was a tradition with us when he was in high school before he got his car.   We always enjoyed that time together.

We got home at about 10:30.    Jim and Michelle came down and got here shortly before noon.  We had a nice afternoon catching up.   Barb and I fixed a late lunch of steak, barbeque beef, salad and beans.   Then we had a wonderful cheesecake with fresh strawberries for dessert.   They had to leave about 4PM to be home before dark.     Jim has a bad back and knee and the ankle, we know.   Yesterday he slipped off a ladder trying to take Christmas down.   He twisted things so is very uncomfortable.

We are thinking of going to Ok City next Saturday and will hook up with Jim and Michelle at a huge flea market if we do.     Barb and I went to the store to pick up a couple things that I needed to make some bars that Bart wants me to bake.   Got home in time to get to Mass at 5: 30PM.    Fascinating Mass.   It was Bi Lingual.   Some parts were in English and some in Spanish and the sermon was translated.  Loved it.   Then at the end of Mass we had a couple celebrating their 50th Anniversary renew their vows.    I think this is a very active church.

So the day is over .   Tomorrow will be rather quiet, but I am planning on going to service with Bart and Barb tomorrow.

Time to wind down for sleep

Dia Dhuit
 Mary
 

Oklahoma

I arrived here safe and sound.   The trip was OK. (notice my little pun.)   I  was picked up by Rite Way at 3:30AM to be at Mitchell Field for my 6AM flight to Dallas.  When we arrived, I traipsed and took the shuttle to the gate assigned for the next leg of my flight - straight to Lawton.  I grabbed a snack and some coffee and after an hour or so, the airline in their wisdom decided to move us to another gate halfway down the hall.   Bart was waiting for me in Lawton and we headed to the house after stopping for lunch.

We spent a quiet afternoon.  Barb got home in the late afternoon.   We ordered pizza for supper and all went to bed early.   This was Barb's first day back to work since her surgery and she was totally exhausted.  Today Barb had to work again, and Bart and I stayed home and computered and watched TV and I hugged and petted doggies and kitties to my heart's content.

Tomorrow we will get out a bit before cold weather comes in on Sunday.  Jim and Michelle may come down.   Jim slipped off of a ladder taking down Christmas lights.   If his back is OK (there I go again.) they will come.   Otherwise, we will see how we can manage in the next week I am here.

Anyway.   I am so happy to be here.  I love all my kids so much. I am really the luckiest girl in the world.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Merry Christmas

Hope your holiday has been as lovely as mine.   I was able to get packed and a bit of cleaning done around here so that when I come back there is not a mess to contend with.

The limo company called.  They will be picking me up at 3:15AM, which gives me a whole extra hour to rest.

Went over to Bobbie and Bill's at about 3:30PM.  Roxie was a very sad kitty.   She meowed all the way but seemed quite content when we opened the carrier at Bobbie's and after making sure that everything was where she thought it should be settled down very well.

Richard and Brenda arrived shortly after I did so we had a fine visit and opened presents over appetizers and some drinks.   Then a great dinner and more visiting with Christmas carols in the background

Home now and will try to get some rest before my pick up in the morning.  You will hear from me either tomorrow or the next day.

I hope your day was a nice as ours.  

Nollaig Shona Duit

Mary

Christmas Eve

Cold again today and the roads were slushy and kind of slippery.    I spent the morning cleaning things up so that everything will be mostly in order when I am gone.

I went to Mother's at about 11:30AM with her lunch.    We had Gumbo and Risotto with pumpkin cupcakes for dessert.    I also brought her a tuna sandwich for her supper.     I took care of her current bills and then we had time to visit too.  Shirley Carpenter dropped in for a bit.   She is a good friend.  She brings communion to Mother almost every week.

I gave Mom her present too.   A nice bottle of wine.   She looked very pleased.

Then when she got sleepy, I came home again and wrapped  the rest of the presents and finish most of the packing.    Tomorrow I will finish the packing and clean the kitchen floor before I leave.   With this weather, it needs at least a rinsing.

I went to the 6PM Mass for Christmas.   I was a communion minister which is always so important to me.   I feel so close to God when I can share him.

The music was beautiful.   We had the folk choir singing and leading us.

Until tomorrow.   And let me wish you a Merry Christmas Eve.

Nollaig shona duit.

Mary

Monday

I can hardly believe that there is only one day left until Christmas. 

This was a lovely Monday.  Bible Study at 9:30AM.   We are, as I said, doing the study of Acts.  We are just at the beginning.   One of the questions was "What pressures do Christians today experience that might lead to a silencing of convictions."   Pretty interesting question at any time in history.

Mom looked beautiful today.    The Nurse came while I was there.   We paid the bills after she left and still had time to visit before the Meals came.   Tomorrow and Christmas are no Meals on Wheels days.   I am taking her meals tomorrow and Christmas is also covered.

I finished wrapping all but one present that I still don't have -- EWWW-- getting nervous.   I talked to both Bart and Bret today.   My package from Bret arrived today.   I can tell what two of the packages are but will not open until Christmas morning.   Roxie and I will enjoy that.

So, until tomorrow. 

Nollaig Shona Duit

Mary

Hi

The past two days have been spent Mainly at home, though Saturday, I went to Mass and then at 7PM down to the Art Center to enjoy their presentation of A Celtic Christmas.    It was very well put on and worth seeing.   The show featured, as they put it, Traditional Celtic and English Christmas Carols.   There was a chorus, consisting mainly of children,  three feature soloists and three musicians accompanying.   I loved it.   I went with my neighbors Pat and Roger Cook and after the event we went over to the new wine bar in town called POURVINO.   It is quite the place and I hope it stays open.  Pat's grand daughter works there.  Pat and I have decided that we will go back for one of their "flights of wine" along with a meal one evening.   It was fun.

The promised snow came during the night and bless the Lord, I was able to stay home all day.    Mark and his crew have plowed us out so tomorrow I will have no trouble getting to Sheboygan Falls.    I did part of my packing today.   Roxie is suspicious.  

Tomorrow will be a pretty normal Monday.   Tuesday, I will go to have lunch with Mother and bring her something for her supper.   I will bring her Christmas present also.   I am getting her some wine.   I have also renewed her Reader's Digest large print.

So.  The wait for Christmas is almost over.   It is bitter sweet this year.  I am so glad that I will be with my children, at least four of them during the holidays.   It will make it special and give new memories, I know.

Bless us every one.

Dia Dhuit

Mary