This is a very quiet week, this last week of the year.

I have been invited to Bart and Barb's for New Year's Day.    Will go to Mass on New Years Eve and spend the rest of the evening quietly with just Nicky and me.

I have been working on a quilting project, but my hands ache so it is going slowly.   Good thing I don't have an impending deadline.

Tomorrow will also be quiet.   Weather is supposed to stay nice through New Year's day.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A whole day at home.   Nobody here but Nicky and Me.  This was a bit odd as it is easy to get used to people in the house:)

I took my time with everything.   I worked on the President's Challenge wall hanging that I am doing for the Wichita Mountain Quilt Show in February.   I should finish by the weekend. 

It was a pleasant day with a lot of sunshine.  The warmth is supposed to continue at least through the New Year.

Talked to Richard and Brenda tonight.  They are fine and I always enjoy our talks.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was like a second Christmas today as Jim and Michelle and her brother (also a Jim) came and spent the day and dined with me. 

Thanks, Barb, for leaving dessert and for stopping by.  

I served a repeat of lasagna, salad, garlic bread and Barb's famous blackberry cobbler.

What a lovely visit,  Leslie called in the afternoon so got to talk to Jim and Michelle.  I love family.   Wish we were not so scattered around this wonderful country.

As I said, and Leslie agreed, we need to establish a DATE at a time that is fairly safe to drive from EVERYWHERE to have a family gathering.  It will be HERE at my place.  Which is somewhat central when we are dealing with Wisconsin, California, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

Anyway, it was a great visit.   Too long since the last one and it was nice to meet Michelle's brother.  We got all caught up and won't let that much time pass again.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A nice warm though off and on misty Christmas Day.    It was quite pleasant when Nicky and I took our walk.   No wind and very mild.

Before going to Mass I assembled the lasagna for our dinner.   I was on as usher at Mass this morning.   I was surprised that the church was not full to the rafters, perhaps everybody came last night to midnight mass.   It was a lovely mass at any rate.

Home again, Bret and I talked.   He is home in California with their little family.  So I am happy for him and always SO good to hear his voice.

Marlies, Bart, Barb, Tim, Amber and little Augie arrived shortly after 2PM and we had out dinner.   It was really good.   Barb brought salad and blackberry cobbler to accompany the lasagna and garlic bread.    I had not make lasagna for a couple of years and was pleased that it cam out tasting as I remembered.  Whew!

Nicky was a good boy.   He knew Bart, Barb and Marlies aa he likes kids, Augie was a pleasure to him.   He decided that Amber and Tim were OK too.   I loved having a toddler in the house.   What else is Christmas for.

Jim and Michelle and her brother, Jim will be here tomorrow.   Will have a repeat of today for menu.   Why mess with a good thing.

It will be good to see them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Dia DHuit

Mary

It was rather misty when Nicky and I took our walk this morning but cleared up nicely and got into the upper 40s so a good day overall.

I made the sauce for the lasagna today.   Am so looking forward to Christmas dinner.

I went to Bart and Barb's for supper tonight.  I know people don't use the word supper much any more, but that is what we had, not a big meal, just a nice light supper and an evening WITH people.

Tomorrow evening we will be at Adam and Lexie's for a Christmas Eve Santa Exchange.   Should be fun.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A whole day at home.

I baked my Mom's famous Christmas Wreath stollan today.   Boy is it good.   Mine are not as pretty as Mom's but you can't beat the taste.

Leah came this evening to clean the house for Christmas too, so I am getting there.   Tomorrow I will make the sauce for the lasagna.   That will give it a good time for the flavors to meld together.

Barb and I decided that we will be eating between 1 and 2 on Christmas.   We both will be home from church between 11:30 and 12 so that will work out well.   Sure hope the weather stays warm.   There are supposed to be storms but I hope that won't hinder out travelers.

Anyway, only two more days.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Things have warmed up considerably, but I am still cold.   I am sure it has something to do with the joint aches.

I made my Lizzies today.   This is, for those of you who do not know, a cookie that Mother made that is my favorite.  It is almost like a fruitcake cookie and So good.   You start by soaking raisins in whisky so if one doesn't like whisky , it probably isn't for you.   But I love them and will share.


I also have pretty much finished my Christmas Cards.  If you don't get one from me, please don't think that I don't love you:)   I just missed.   I have a call in to one friend who I seem to have lost his address.   I don't usually send cards to people that I will see.   This goes back to my ex mother in law Lily Johnston.  That was her plan and I like it.

I do write a Christmas Poem every year and try to share it with everybody.   If you did not get it, let me know.

Dia Dhuit

Mry

Another COLD day, though it did get up in to the low 30s here.    However, we are moving into the 50s and 60s between now and Christmas.    As a matter of fact it is supposed to be in the 60s on Christmas.   Chance of storms but no ice or snow storms or extreme cold.  SO I am so looking forward to our Jim and Michelle being here for the Christmas Lasagna:)

Everybody should have gotten their cheese today.  I got my order (which includes Bart and Barb's if they read this)   I also received presents from Bret and Janett and from Richard and Brenda which I will not open the wrapped things until Christmas.  (Love the shawl, Bret and Janett).

I saw Dr. Toy today and he says I am "Healed".   That means that I should schedule as I feel out of sync and do not need a weekly  appointment.   Good.

Spent the morning doing Christmas Cards.   Still have a small group but feel that I really made headway.  My dear ex mother in law Lily had the theory that if you saw someone, you did not need to send a card.  You could personally wish that Merry Christmas.  I like that theory.

Got a call from my Vikki today.   Wish I could spend a bit of time with her.  Now that Rhonda has passed, she feels so alone.  I am so happy that her son and daughter are so close to her and she has beautiful grandchildren that she dotes on. 

Also talked to my Suzi, my niece through Dick Kunert.   She and I want to go to Wales together.  I needed some "facts' from her and wanted to hear her voice.   Am I blessed or WHAT to have all these nieces and relatives all over the place that LIKE me.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Hi Everybody.

I had a communication problem yesterday, but, after talking to Richard and Brenda, have it all resolved again.

My friends, Joan and Richard Kramer, were here yesterday.   Joan is a member of my CWI group.  I do miss my friends in Wisconsin.  Joan did a reflexology treatment for me which has me so relaxed AND I have the prettiest feet in the world.

We went to the Museum of the Great Plains and then out to dinner.  It was an altogether wonderful day.   We had the BEST visit.  They are on their way to Arizona for a vacation.  I will miss them, even after only one day.

Today, I went to Mass in the morning and then spent the rest of the day just regrouping.

A relatively quiet week ahead.  So I can get ready for the busy Christmas weekend.

Bless you all.  Pray for safe travel for my friends.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I can now officially relax for Christmas as I have sent the packages of candy and etc.   It took almost an hour to get through the line.   I knew this as I had gone last week to pick up packaging and even then the line was awful.   The postal people were really nice, they used to be kind of grouchy but no longer, at least in Lawton. 

I saw Dr. Toy today too.  He is getting me in shape after my fall.

My friend Joan will be here tomorrow and is going to do a reflexology treatment on me.   I can hardly wait.  I know that this will be of great benefit as the cold is coming back in.

Next week, is very quiet for me.   I will be able to finish my Christmas cards and prepare for the holy day and the family gathering.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Was such a lovely day.  Colder than the gates of hell but a lovely day.

I drove to Duncan, my first time, with Robbi and Curtis from the Celtic Club.   Our member Loretta had made arrangements for us to tour the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center there to find out about Celts on the Chisholm Trail.   We got the full tour.   It is a marvelous heritage center with two movie presentations, many many displays, some interactive, some very representative of the time.    They also have a very impressive large art gallery.  

Got home at about 4:30PM.   There was a penance service at Holy Family and I had decided that I was going.  Robbi went with me.  It is nice to have someone with me at church. 

I finished wrapping the packages for mailing and will take them to the post office tomorrow after I see Dr. Toy.   Then my deadlines are met and I can relax.

It is supposed to get up to 70 degrees tomorrow and then drop like a rock on Saturday.  We may even get a dusting of snow on Saturday.  This has been a strange beginning of winter - temps like a roller coaster.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I am winding down this evening with a piece of Bobbie's Angel Food Candy.   WOW.
It was a busy day.   I went to the Wednesday Mass and then on to our final bible study of the year.   We are done until January 4th.
 Home again, I took care of my daily errands then went to see Dr. Toy for an adjustment.  I am better but the want s to see me on Friday to be sure that I am holding.

I did my grocery shopping after I left him,

I am exhausted.

Tomorrow is the Christmas Celtic meeting.  We are going out to Duncan to go to the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center,  We are goint to have a presentation on the Celts on the Chisholm Trail.

Dia Dhiut
Mary

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Just got back from Writer's Club.   We had a small Christmas party and will not meet again until January 10th.

Our anthology is available on Amazon Kindle at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXXNMDJ 

It is called Aerie of Assembled Works by O.W.L.S.   and costs $2.99.   I have a short story and 5 poems in the book.  Hope you will buy, critique and spread the word.

Spent most of the earlier part of the day getting packages ready to mail.

Two more Christmas parties to go:)

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Today was a busy day of what is turning out to be a very busy week.    This morning, I finished the baking for the Christmas packages.   This afternoon, Bart and I went out and about to do several errands.   Then this evening was the Wichita Mountain Quilters Christmas Party.

I picked up Barb at about 6PM for that.  One of our members hosted at her home and it was a potluck.  I brought cranberry bread.   It was lots of fun.    We played a couple of fun games and exchanged presents.   It was a takeaway exchange which does get fun, but the highlight of the night was the very last gift.   It was an "adult" coloring book and just watching the three gals on the couch checking it out - page by page:) was worth the whole evening.  

Had a great time.  

Tomorrow night is the writer's club meeting.  

We are all bringing something to share also.   Should be fun too.

Dia DHuit

Mary

A nice Sunday.   The cold spell has lessened.   It is still cold but not in the 20s or teens.

I went to the 8:30AM Mass.

When I got home, I baked cranberry bread.    Now I am ready for this week of Christmas gatherings for all of my "groups".  All of them will be suspended until after the first of the year.

Tomorrow I will bake the Hello Dollys and then be ready to get packages ready to mail.

Jim and Michelle and her brother, Jim, will be here for Christmas barring an ice storm.  So that is ONE package I won't have to mail.

Sure am looking forward to seeing my boy.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just came back from a Christmas Party potluck at Bart and Barb's church.   I really enjoyed myself a lot.    Good good.   An evening out.   Hung out with nice people.  AND my first Christmas Party in Oklahoma.

I am tired so going to bed.

Dia Dhuit
Mary



Oops forgot to publish last night.

Mary

Whew   What a busy day.

I had Bible Study at 10AM this morning and had to be home by noon because a friend of Marlise, Bob, was coming over to see about installing my grab bars in the bathrooms.   

They got here at about 12:45 and I had to leave at five to two for my chiropractor appointment with Dr. Toy.    He got two installed and found that I needed two of another size, so he is coming back in the morning to finish.

Dr. Toy did some work on my back and neck and I am kind of a mess.   The fall did not do me any good.  I will go back next week to be sure that I am stabilized again.   He takes good care of me.

This evening I went to Mass.   Tomorrow is a holy day,  the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.   We are supposed to go to Mass on holy days as well as Sundays.   I decided that I would rather go to this vigil mass than tomorrow.  It was interesting.  A mixture of Spanish and English.  I loved it.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Cold again today.  

Actually, no matter what I did, I was cold until I went to writer's club.   For some reason, the
Cameron building was warm.   Which is a good thing.  I hate to go to bed cold.

The writer's club was interesting.  We will have our anthology available next week sometime as a Kindle on Amazon.   I will send all the details as soon as it is online.   I am excited as I have a short story and several poems in the work.   We had a couple of good reads also.

Bart and I went shopping for grab rails for my bathroom, then the guy, a friend of Marlies, said he should come to check what I need first.   No big deal.   He and Marlies will be here tomorrow and if I don't have the right thing, I will take them back and get what I DO need.

He also took me out to the grocery store.   We had lunch at Arby's - I was hungry for a Rueben.   He said they had them and it was not bad.

So a busy day and another scheduled for tomorrow.

Yea.   I hate too many days without stuff to do.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It is cold and going to be cold for the next week or so.  Aren't we blessed to have warm homes to live in?

I was home all day.   Put up some more Christmas decorations and wrapped some presents.

Tomorrow, I am going to Wichita Falls with Bart, he has some errands there and they have a good grocery story:)

My wrist and my other joints have been really sore this afternoon.  Must be the cold and damp.

Til next time.   Take care of yourselves.

Dia dhuit

Mary

My very FIRST time as an usher at church.   It was an adventure.  Everybody was very helpful.   Lots of tiny details but not too bad.   I was listed as "Head Usher" which would have set me into a panic except that there are only four of us and it is just a matter of greeting people before mass and then several chores during the service itself.

I had dinner along with Marlies at Bart and Barb's.   How nice to eat a meal and spend an evening with people to talk to.     It gets much too quiet of an evening here.

So another week begins.   Not much scheduled but I have several goals that I want to accomplish.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary