Christmas Merry!

Yesterday we gathered at Grandma's to celebrate Christmas. It was so much fun and made me so thankful for family. We ate ham, mashed potatoes, carrots, and did not eat salad and olives that I forgot to take out of the fridge. Jami made a gingerbread triffle and Tessa made cheese bread and cranberry muffins with butter sauce. We did used gifts again this year and I've come to the conclusions it's way more fun than new gifts, AND... I got rid of lots of clutter!

Ugle Christmas Sweater

We had an ugly Christmas sweater competition. Matt even had a tie that played Jingle Bells. We voted and 1st prize went to Tyler(4th from left). I think it was the wierd necklace and smary way he combed his hair that won it for him. Matt, the tall guy, won 2nd prize. Grandma had the heat turned up so high, we couldn't wait to get out of the hot things. John spray painted a green Christmas tree on the back of his.

Festivus!

Tyler and Jami planned a whole fun Festivus for our gathering. The kids and I watched a lot of Seinfeld and Tyler has become an addict of sorts since leaving home. So this will only make sense to those who watch and like Seinfeld. Tyler made a Festivus pole and we each got a card containing the above notice that a contribution had been made to the Human Fund. Everyone received a "Fucilli person". Since Matt is tall, he got one made out of spaghetti. My gift was a "Coffee Table Book About Coffee Tables", complete with hinged legs that fold up. Other gifts were: a high pressure shower head, a box of muffin stumps, Pez dispenser, a puffy shirt, big woman's glasses, box of Junior Mints, and a portrait of Kramer. It was so funny, I thot my stomach would never be the same from all the laughing. Later we played the Seinfeld game. I must appreciate all the thot and work that went into it!!!!

Christmas Day

It's been a nice, mellow Christmas. Wednesday night John and I went to church. It was a great service with music to warm the soul! Then we discovered that restraunts were actually open Christmas Eve---who knew?!! So we stopped at Red Lobster for a healthy helping of garlic and butter. Christmas Day I did a puzzle--center pic--, tried a new recipe, and made Chinese food for Melanie, Hope and all the kids. Only one stocking was hung this year since Tanner's the only one left here. If I wasn't such a last minute girl, I could have done stockings for everyone, but the thot overwhelmed me. Trevor and his friend built themselves an ice fishing shack, complete with a pail for a wood stove. Bottom center Matt and Jami(fine actors) are warming themselves by the stove. Sunday we get to do more Christmas fun with a meal and exchanging our used/white elephant gifts. Hope everyone's Christmas was joyful. To think that God Almighty sent His Son here just for us!!!!!

The Little Princess

Pucca the princess came to Matt's birthday party and was great entertainment. She wasn't bothered by the crowd at all. See that little purse next to her? Jami's taught her how to carry it around and she just prances with it so proudly in her mouth. Oh she's cute!! Just the kind of dog one would expect Jami Small Town Royalty to have!

Matt's Birthday

Tonight we celebrated Matt's birthday. It was snowing and the roads weren't good, but we made it. It was a quick party so everyone could get home. Tessa made huge amounts of stomboli and salad and we had snicker salad and angel food cake with berries. He's modeling one of the pajama pants and boxer shorts I sewed him and slippers Tessa gave him. Had an old window frame that I put black and white photos in that Tessa took at Matt's grandparents' farm. And that is Matt's mom who birthed our tall boy 26 years ago. We are blessed to have Matt in our family!

TIMBERRRRRRR!

This is what I came home to today. John heard it fall and then when he picked it up, he grabbed the top and the other 2 sections came apart. I would just as soon sweep it all into a bag and forget it--what a collosal mess! Yuk!
Today I went to the library and spent some happy moments browsing. Got a few books and dvd's. I will probably have to watch one tonight since Survivor is over and CSI is a rerun and no ER. Or I should do some Christmas baking.
Good thing my ornaments are cheap plastic. HO HO HO!

And the Oscar goes to.......

Cherished memories! We spent all our Christmases in Amery as the kids were growing up. We'd usually go for about 4 days of good family fun, good food, and making of memories. Almost every year all the cousins would entertain us in some manner. And this was the Christmas story acted out by Megan and Nicki as the angels,Tessa and Tyler as the shepherds, Matt as Joseph, Tara as Mary, and the baby that year was Trevor so, naturally, he was baby Jesus. It appears Mary was feeding him red licorice to keep him quiet. Life is good now, but sometimes I long for the "good ol' days".

I'm excited that I am going to mentor a young lady who goes to the university. Can't wait to meet her and start the adventure of walking side by side thru life. It's always fun to see what God has purposed and what He will accomplish if we are obedient!

Oh Christmas Tree

I finally put up a nice little fake tree. Still needs a tree skirt and some presents under it. Last night we went to the church Christmas celebration which was wonderful with cozy atmosphere, great food, music to make the heart sing, and a table full of nice people. We've been going to Bethany since before Tessa was born and whenever I'm at church I look around and find great comfort in seeing people I'm familiar with and have known for a long time--and some not so long. The bond in the body of Christ is joyful and comforting! I love the part of the body I belong to!

Name that item

I have moments when I know things I didn't consciously know I knew. The memory bank will spit forth information and I'll think, "Wow, I didn't know I knew that!" When I stopped at a garage sale one day, I walked right to this little metal cup thing and as I was paying for it, the lady selling it asked if I knew what it was. I replied of course, it's a cup for mixing flour and water to make gravy. I got in the van and wondered how I knew that. Now I think my mom must have had one for making gravy. I used it to make gravy and it worked great. And it's not huge like the Tupperware thing for that purpose.

Last minute

On Friday I went to a friend's house for ideas for a Christmas ornament because I had an ornament exchange party to go to on Monday night. Here it is. Lots of hand sewing, but I got it done--12 of them!
I got another idea so bought the necessary stuff and will make those this week to tuck away for next year. How unlike me that will be--actually having something done way ahead of time. The same friend just happened to have a dessert recipe for me too--Thanks Val!

Jami's gift

Tyler got Jami a new puppy for Christmas. Her name is Pucca and she is an awfully cute, tiny ball of fluff! Jami's been wanting a little dog for a long time and she's been hinting to Tyler......Looks like he got the hint--what a nice guy!

Sister Grandma

One of the cutest and most pleasant guests at Thanksgiving in Amery was Isaac. He is son of Tara who is daughter to my sister, Becky. He is so mellow and happy. Had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving. The food was great and fun to just be with family. Becky and I got in a few games of Upwords. We have an ongoing tournament that has been going on for years. When one of us dies, a winner will be declared. We also played Loaded Questions which is always good for laughs. Nephew Christopher played with us and was quite a hoot. In a few weeks we can go back and do it again!

Give it a hand

It's been my hand all my life. Pretty amazing when I think of all this hand has done in 56 years. It's had painted nails almost non-stop for 42 years. It loved doing schoolwork. It hated washing dishes. It loved to sew and still does. It's been held by John for 37 years--it's held by John as we pray together. It's raised 4 kids--feeding, nuturing, teaching, spanking, tickling, comforting. It is scarred from raising rabbits and scraping it on the cages. It held the hand of my daughter as we snorkeled together in the Carribean. It wears a ring bought on the cruise trip Tessa and I took. It tells a story of a blessed life!

One less body part

This morning Tessa had her gall bladder removed. She had a bad attack Sunday night and a trip to urgent care confirmed it was the gall bladder. Surgery at 9 and here she is about 2 and then home. Modern medicine is certainly terrific! Matt got a full page of color photos of her internal organs that the little camera took during surgery. Even her uterus--the furture home of my grandchildren ;)
So this Thanksgiving I'm thankful that she came thru surgery...Love that girl!!!

Purse

This is the new pattern I tried and made 4 of. It has pleats and a big pocket inside. I really should keep one for myself since my garage sale purse is looking a little ratty. 2 were brown with blue paisley and another was black with pink polka dots.

The hunt is on

Deer hunting started early yesterday morning. Tyler got this 10 point buck. He wanted to hunt agan without buying another license so he gave it to a neighbor after cutting the head off. Maybe he'll mount the whole head and hang in the living room. I'm sure Jami would be all for that! Today Tanner got a doe, but didn't want to pose so pictures to follow later for everyone who enjoys looking at dead deer.

Gottcha!

Last night as I was on the phone with Mary, this bold guy walked on the counter and stared at me and then scurried over to look for food. I know the mice exist, but I don't want to see them. Tanner set a trap with peanut butter and jelly and he had his last supper. Peanut butter traps have not been working the last few years, so the trick must be the jelly!

At this pace....

At this pace, I'm going to lose readership--couple hundred maybe.
My days are filled with making purses and cooking and doing buttons. I'm trying one of my new patterns for a purse today--it has an experimental look if ya look close. As I took the pattern pieces out of the envelope, I told John I still get that same thrill that I got in 6th grade when I started to sew and got a new pattern. Never has taken much to thrill me.
I need to start thinking about what to make for a Christmas ornament exchange party coming up soon. I have a lot of buttons and was thinking they'd be fun to do something with. Then my friend Rae blogged about boxes she'd made with buttons on top. I'm hoping a good idea will come to me in the middle of the night when I get my really good ideas (if I can remember them).
Birds are at the feeder looking for food so I'll get a breath of outside air and feed them.
The goofy calf who started out crippled died while I was in Amery. Blind Boy is still living. I found an old bell to tie on him when he gets loose so he won't get lost. A bell tinkling should really make him nuts!
Well....that was.....I don't know...

Mystery

I looked out the window and there he was standing atop the big round bale as if he dropped from up above. Don't know how he did it. Then he got down and got his back legs caught in the feeder. He was bellering and the horse in the background was terribly upset cuz he always knows when something is wrong. Fortunately for me, Trevor was here and got him unstuck.
It's been a busy week. I made 11 purses so am happy I got to be creative. And today Hobby Lobby had McCall's patterns on sale for 99 cents so I got 5 purse and 1 apron pattern. Can't wait!

Move Complete!

This weekend we finished the big move. We had more stuff to sift thru and move and did a quick cleanup of the old house. John came up with a trailer and we hauled back a piano, dresser, and tables for Tessa and washer, dryer, stove, and table with chairs for Tanner in case he buys a house. I hope Anna and Albert will be happy in their new abode. I really like the place. I'm sure it was all hard for them because of the swiftness and having to get rid of things but sometimes dejunking can be very freeing.

Becky had Thur. and Fri. off so we did a trip to Stillwater and saw "The Secret Life of Bees". Also made a trip to Rice Lake and visited Patty who was my very best friend 6th thru 9th grade.

What a Beautiful Day!!

This is the perfect fall day. This morning John and I drove along the Apple Blossom Scenic Drive. I started to dismantle the screen porch. It's not a fun job while the snow is blowing in. As
soon as I get a pan of apple crisp in the oven I plan to sit outside and finish a book while getting an extra dose of vitamin D.

Yesterday I got lunch at Culvers and went to visit an 87 year old lovely lady. Back when the kids were little we shopped at Red Owl which later became Econo Foods. There was always a white haired lady handing out samples and she was just a bright spot. You could tell she loved people and she would talk to the kids. One day Tanner wanted to buy a lawn mower that was in the paper when he was maybe 11 so we went to get it and there was this sweet lady! I sent her a note afterwards telling her what a bright spot she had been when we saw her in the store and that if she ever needed help or anything to call. She had had a heart attack so called and asked if we'd wash her windows. Tanner, Trevor, and I went and did that. Then I lost touch after she visited her daughter for a while. A few weeks ago she called and said she was rereading my note(from 7 years ago) and wondered if I'd come visit. It brought to mind "God is always at work around you" from Experiencing God. If we aren't watching, we may miss it. We had a delightful visit and I will make a point to visit regularly. And what do our notes or words of encouragement mean to people that we don't even realize. I know they mean a lot to me and I save them a reread them. God is so good!!!

Moving Day

John and I and Tessa and Matt went to Amery Sat. morning and moved my parents from their large old house to a duplex in town. In 24 hours we managed to get almost all the furniture out and most everything else and put nearly everything away in the new place. Sister Becky, her husband Tim and son Matt were also part of the moving crew. I really liked the new place and could have moved in myself. I think they'll like living there--all on one level--open and cozy. I'll be expecting calls asking where we put things--hopefully I'll remember. Before we left the old house Sat. night, Matt and Tessa took a bunch of stuff no one wanted and put it out at the end ofg the driveway next to the road with a free sign. My parents were aghast! How embarrassing! We came back the next morning and all was gone. So they put more stuff out. My dad went back the next morning and most was gone so HE PUT SOME STUFF OUT!!! If you know my dad--this is unbelievable--but cute.

Still living

One of these days I am going to return to blogging. It's been a blur of a week and now we are returning to Amery early tomorrow morning to move my parents into an apartment. All night last night I was dreaming of packing and moving each room and woke up feeling exhausted from my night labor. Til then....

Away I Am

I'm at my parents' in Amery, WI. They've both had some health issues in the last week and the ever-dutiful daughter who lives here in Amery, is having a weekend with her kids and grandbaby, so I am here to watch over, cook a little, etc. I brought sewing with and buttons to do. Made a clinic run with Mom this morning.
Tomorrow we may go look at some apartments so they can move out of this big house which we think is making my mom sick.
I'm feeling a little chubby! But happy......

Happy Birthday

Today we celebrated Tyler's 23rd birthday at Grandma's. Sitting next to John are Kevin and Sara, who are our newly adopted family members that like to come to family functions at Gram's. I was worried there wouldn't be enough cake so I made a chocolate and a pumpkin from scratch. Both were good but I needn't have worried about not enough. Tyler went home with a lot of cake....and bean casserole(poor Jami).

We've been experiencing the Asian Beetle plague for many days now. Between them and the flies I could lose my mind. I can sweep up piles several times a day. Someone said I was being a little dramatic when I called it a plague.....they don't live here!

Tomorrow I get to lunch with a friend and get a haircut!

Tyler's 23!

I might be in a blogging slump or my life is a little boring. I've cut way back on running since gas drains the bank--and if you don't go anywhere, how exciting can life be? I was going to Ryan's (Matt's brother) birthday dinner tonight but it turned out to be at 5:30 instead of 6:30 and I couldn't get all my chores done cuz I found out too late. Was looking forward to it--bummer.

I went and got groceries instead.

Today was Tyler's 23rd birthday. We'll celebrate on Sunday. He brought garbage out to the dump tonight so I got to see him and gave him my first attempt at a herbal hot pack. It turned out well--fits around neck and down shoulders.

Tyler was born on a Sunday and was my smallest baby--a bit under 9lbs. He had such big eyes. I wondered if he'd ever grow into those eyes. He did and is a handsome young man who is a very nice person. Tessa was happy to have a playmate and someone she could boss an mother. One year--he was 2 or 3--on his birthday she dressed herself and him up in pretty dresses and they both posed under the happy birthday sign.

Saturday

John is working tonight so I'm having a quiet night at home. Probably exactly what I'd be doing if John was home.
I spent the morning taking in garage sales. I'm thinking time is running out for sales and it was a beautiful sunny day. I found a dresser for my sister, some books, a life jacket, a set of glass candle holders(one of which crashed to the ground in the parking lot), and 4 little antique salt shakers(about 2 inches tall).
I'm going to make a bunch of different hot/cold herb packs so I bought a 20# bag of rice and spices and herbs.
I was hoping the new movie "American Carol" would be in Winona but will have to wait.

Life

Saturday night we went to a 30th anniversary party for friends, Andy and Cindy. It was a nice evening for being outside, visiting, and eating good food.
Monday I hung out with Loretta doing computer stuff with her new laptop. It was fun. Up until last month we exercised together 3 times a week. Then I got a herd. I missed keeping up with her and realized how much when I spent the day with her. I love her heart for the Lord and she's fun.
Today I did an errand for Tanner and then went to the library. What a treat! I got the next book in a series I'm reading, a Chinese cookbook, 2 quilt books, and a book by Eudora Welty who friend Mary recommended. I feel so happy and like I have a pile of treasures after spending time at the library. Then I come home and look thru the treasures and I'm happy all over again. One of the quilt books was written in the early '70's and it has stories told by women quilters from as far back as the late 1800's. I finished it already--very interesting.
I got a diet book in the mail for a diet I'm going to try. There will be no dieting in Heaven :0!!!!!!!
Maybe I'll take 2 months to read it......

Poor Boys!

Today John and I put little rubber rings on the calves' marble sacks so they will become steers rather than bulls. This was the first time I got to participate in this event. John used his rodeo skills to lay them down and hold the back legs and I got to do the rest. Other years we've let the calves get too big and then someone comes and does cutting and pulling and there's blood. Didn't want that to happen to the babes! So I learned a new skill today--one I hope to not use too often. They all look like it didn't phase them much.

Sunset

Has anyone noticed how very early it gets dark these days? Those long summer nights seem to be a thing of the past. This was at 7pm Sunday. Yesterday morning when John and I were out feeding the herd we saw the sun coming up--it was huge and orange. I'm a house person so this calf feeding is good for me cuz it gets me out to breathe air and observe the beautiful world God made. I'm having a hard time with so many hours of dark--I'm used to staying up til 12 and now by 9 I'm thinking it MUST be about bed time. I'm sitting under my happy bulb which is sposed to simulate sunlight(what a farce). But I'm happy!!!

I got it...

I've had this on my fridge for a long time. This was all a nice thot but I don't think I really GOT it until Matt went to prison. Those were some dark, tough times, but I can honestly say I wouldn't trade them for anything because of all God did. I grew closer to my Heavenly Father than I had ever been, I grew to trust Him more, saw His grace at work, knew His love and that deep down joy no matter what (count it All joy), and the praise goes to Him for all He did.
Sometimes if something bad happens now I have to get hold of my thinking and remember---
He has taken me thru thus far and He will faithfully take me thru this too. And that's the wisdom for today.

Ready to cook

And there's all the mammies behind her wearing their aprons. I just love her!!

My new friend

I'm so excited! I have a new friend and here she is. Someone made a paper mache dress form and I got her for $1. I got the cute rocker for $1 too! It doesn't take much to thrill me. I also got an old full apron and it fits her perfectly--she's wearing it now. So it was a fun morning garage saling with Johnny!

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