While trying to send a text from my cellphone I typed "Just want to be accurate."
Then I started another paragraph which included the name 'Shayanne'. I would type Shayanne and hit space. My cellphone would immediately self-correct to Shayne. I would go back and type Shayanne and again my cellphone would immediately self-correct to Shayne. I went to my settings to see if I could set it to accept what I typed and not self-correct everytime. I found nothing, nada, zip. I went back to my text and typed Shay Anne. The cellphone left that. Then I put the curser behind the A and backspaced out the A and the space and typed in a little a. My cellphone finally accepted the name Shayanne.
I pressed send and away the message went. As it was leaving the text I noticed the first paragraph had also been self-corrected by my cellphone and it now read "Just want to err accurate."
I went from very frustrated with the digital age to just laughing at it.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
It's a Wrap...
And this is how our Christmas progressed...
Sunday, December 22nd, after communicating with Andie, we learned that Bailey was hurling. Not just once but numerous times. She perked up a bit and then started again. Monday Andie told me she was still hurling but during the day she quit and seemed to be rallying quite well.
Monday, December 23rd, Jake left Chelsea to come to Sadieville after work. We anticipated him between 10 and 11pm depending on when he actually left work. Jake arrived in fine shape around midnight. We visited for a bit and all headed to bed by 1am. At 3am I was still awake. Geez!! This was to be my best chance for sleep with family coming.
Tuesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve, we had agreed Jake, Claude and I would sleep in until our bodies were ready to wake up. I was still up before the boys. Really wanted to sleep later than that but such is life. After we all were up, dressed and ready for our day, we drove to Waffle House for breakfast together. It was the perfect start for our day.
When we got back home I had a text from Andie, Hayden had been throwing up since 7:30am, multiple time just like Bailey. She and Michael would take him to an Urgent Treatment Center in Louisville where he would be diagnosed with strep. Prescriptions would be given for that and nausea. The Marx family was supposed to come to Sadieville for Christmas that afternoon. Now we weren't sure what to do. I assured Andie if they needed to stay home, we would work something out with bringing food and presents on Christmas. We had planned to have our big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Hmmm...
I went into Georgetown in the afternoon and picked up Papa and Tiny. Jake went with me. We got back to Sadieville and I prepared our big dinner. Claude, Papa, Jake and I sat down to the breakfast table to enjoy our nice Christmas dinner. It was good. I heard from Andie. Hayden stopped the hurling immediately after getting the anti-nausea meds. He was rallying. They were leaving their home and would head to Sadieville hungry and ready for Christmas. Papa was about worn out. I asked Claude to make more au gratin potatoes and I took Papa back to Georgetown. When I returned the Marx family was here and the Mini's waited to eat until I got home and could sit with them. So sweet.
Bailey brought out her new glasses and Andie took a picture of us as twins in our glasses.
The Mini's very cleverly asked me if they had a present to open like the pillows from last year. Children have VERY long memories. Last year we had all the grandmonsters here except Katelyn. I made a pillow case for each of them out of a fabric that was like them or something they loved. We bought them each a new pillow to go with their pillow cases. They opened these on Christmas Eve. I had not planned to do that this year. However, I assured the kids I was weak and would let them open one present. This year I purchased fleece fabric for each grandmonster in a fabrice that was like them or something they loved. I hemmed the edges of each. Hayden and Bailey opened theirs and were very happy to have these warm blankets to sleep in that night.
Sandwich hugs were given with Hayden between Bailey and Claude and it was time for the Mini's to head to bed. The adults stayed up a bit longer and then we headed to bed as well.
December 25th, Christmas morning, I set my alarm for 6am. I had to get Papa and have him out before the Mini's were awake and ready to open presents. They had been told by their mom that they were to stay in the basement Christmas morning until all the adults were ready. We provided bowls and cereal for them to have a treat. The kids tree had not been decorated due to the late arrival. They would be able to do that while the adults got ready upstairs. I got home with Papa and Tiny and they were eagerly awake and ready to enjoy Christmas with the family.
Michael came upstairs before his family. He had a Christmas surprise for his wife.
The Mini's were happy with this surprise as well.
Sunday, December 22nd, after communicating with Andie, we learned that Bailey was hurling. Not just once but numerous times. She perked up a bit and then started again. Monday Andie told me she was still hurling but during the day she quit and seemed to be rallying quite well.
Monday, December 23rd, Jake left Chelsea to come to Sadieville after work. We anticipated him between 10 and 11pm depending on when he actually left work. Jake arrived in fine shape around midnight. We visited for a bit and all headed to bed by 1am. At 3am I was still awake. Geez!! This was to be my best chance for sleep with family coming.
Tuesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve, we had agreed Jake, Claude and I would sleep in until our bodies were ready to wake up. I was still up before the boys. Really wanted to sleep later than that but such is life. After we all were up, dressed and ready for our day, we drove to Waffle House for breakfast together. It was the perfect start for our day.
When we got back home I had a text from Andie, Hayden had been throwing up since 7:30am, multiple time just like Bailey. She and Michael would take him to an Urgent Treatment Center in Louisville where he would be diagnosed with strep. Prescriptions would be given for that and nausea. The Marx family was supposed to come to Sadieville for Christmas that afternoon. Now we weren't sure what to do. I assured Andie if they needed to stay home, we would work something out with bringing food and presents on Christmas. We had planned to have our big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Hmmm...
I went into Georgetown in the afternoon and picked up Papa and Tiny. Jake went with me. We got back to Sadieville and I prepared our big dinner. Claude, Papa, Jake and I sat down to the breakfast table to enjoy our nice Christmas dinner. It was good. I heard from Andie. Hayden stopped the hurling immediately after getting the anti-nausea meds. He was rallying. They were leaving their home and would head to Sadieville hungry and ready for Christmas. Papa was about worn out. I asked Claude to make more au gratin potatoes and I took Papa back to Georgetown. When I returned the Marx family was here and the Mini's waited to eat until I got home and could sit with them. So sweet.
Bailey brought out her new glasses and Andie took a picture of us as twins in our glasses.
Christmas presents were opened starting with stockings. I will only share three pictures. One is Bailey opening a little purse with a puppy in it from Hayden. I love these sibling moments. The next is the wrapping to a present Claude gave me. The man is clever. The final is the Mickey Mouse ears the Marx family gave to Claude. While they were on their Disney cruise, Claude asked for Mickey Mouse ears. Such a cute way to fulfill that request.
I love homemade things at Christmas. This year Bailey gave us a candy cane with her thumb prints all over it. She also gave Hayden an ornament she made.
Playing with gifts while Claude made a big breakfast was the order of the day. This was supposed to be waffles, bacon and eggs. The bacon and eggs part went well. We had not actually made waffles ourselves before. Todd and Nissa made them for us at Thanksgiving and showed us the tips we needed to make them. How hard could it be? Right? Well, they stuck to the waffle iron. Claude needed more waffle mix. I headed to the basement and retrieved another box. It turns out the expiration date on it was 2009. Not good. I hurried back to the basement and got the blueberry pancake mix. It expired in 2011. Claude was a bit frustrated by now. He made french toast instead. Geez!!
Bailey showed Papa how a DJ works with her head phones on. The cute part was their was no music playing while she performed this pantomime. You would have thought she was listening to some great rock 'n roll music. However, there was no sound, just Bailey dancing and spinning imaginary platters.
We gave Bailey and Hayden gifts that we had as children. I found two little submarines you put baking soda in and then put them under water in the tub. They shoot to the top. Claude had this toy as a little boy and we got them for Hayden. Bailey got a loom that you make hot pads on. I had one of those. Bailey made her first hot pad while in our home.
Harry George the Elf made it to Sadieville. Hayden and Bailey remembered he should be there and found him in the dining room sipping on real orange juice.
As the frenzy of Christmas morning slowed, Bailey set to arranging the Nativities in the house. This is another one of those tender moments for me. Love how she gently arranges them as she thinks they should be set up.
We played with finger paints, watched Despicable Me II, and lots of other fun things. Papa's back started to hurt so I piled him in my car and took him back to Georgetown. When I returned Andie and Michael had made a good start on the Christmas puzzle. Andie left the puzzle and curled up to read the book she and Hayden are currently reading. Soon she was asleep. It turns out she now had the bug. She would camp out in the basement the rest of Christmas Day and all day Thursday. Michael had his cell phone at the ready. When Andie needed something she would send him a text and his phone would sound out with "Bazinga". Michael would go running and try and help Andie get through the hurling and trying to find something to settle her tummy.
Through all of this Jake did his laundry Christmas evening and Thursday morning. He would leave Thursday afternoon.
We never got the traditional Christmas picture with the family on the stairs. The Marx family wanted a picture of them in front of the tree. That didn't happen.
On top of all this the Marx family van had no heat. Christmas day Michael went out to test it and found it definitely was not working. Thursday morning he called Frank Shoop in Georgetown where we have our cars serviced. They would work him in. He drove to Georgetown, they kept the van and actually drove Michael bacl to Sadieville. Claude drove Michael back in, in the afternoon to pick up the van which now had a new thermostat.
This morning, Friday, the Marx family left. Andie had a hurl-free night but was still pretty rough looking when she left. Claude and I had agreed we would take it slower the rest of the day. I started laundry and curled up with my next installment of "39 Clues" that Hayden is giving me to read. I finished volume four this afternoon. Claude took down the lights in the back of our home and has curled up for the rest of the day to enjoy his Complete set of The West Wing which I gave him for his birthday in November. We have grazed on all that food purchased for Christmas and not finished.
We did finish the puzzle. Andie, Michael, Jake and I all spent time trying to finish this puzzle. Michael and I finished it Thursday night. Well...we almost finished. There is one piece missing. Can you find the place for the missing piece?
This has been the Christmas full of adjustments as stated in an earlier post. Through all the twists and turns, we still managed to have a good Christmas and enjoyed our family so very much.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
My Little Friend...
Claude brought in the mail just a little bit ago. There was a Christmas card for me. It was from Emerson. He is in Primary. He is a wonderful red headed kid with soft curls and a grin that melts one's heart. He sits with me during Sacrament meeting when Papa and Claude are not there so I won't be alone. He stays after Primary to help me put things away. He loves to participate. He is just a wonderful young man.
So, I looked at the envelope and found Emerson in the return address and smiled. Here is the envelope. Don't you think the post office had fun sorting and delivering this card. I love this! I hope it gave the post office some joy during this Christmas season.
On the inside of the card, Emerson wrote a note. Here is the inside of the card.
I cracked up at the 'Hay' at the begining. The remainder says, "It's Emerson. I just wanted to say hi. Merry Christmas. Sincerely, Emerson."
I shall treasure this little card from this sweet boy. This is the blessing of working with children. I am grateful for this blessing.
A couple of weeks ago Rhett asked me, "Were Adam and Eve ever babies?" Now, think on that for a moment. I marvel at these little ones.
So, I looked at the envelope and found Emerson in the return address and smiled. Here is the envelope. Don't you think the post office had fun sorting and delivering this card. I love this! I hope it gave the post office some joy during this Christmas season.
I shall treasure this little card from this sweet boy. This is the blessing of working with children. I am grateful for this blessing.
A couple of weeks ago Rhett asked me, "Were Adam and Eve ever babies?" Now, think on that for a moment. I marvel at these little ones.
Type II
Papa was obedient to not eating the sugar he usually consumes this last week. He fasted Thursday night and only had water after midnight. I picked him up and had him at Dr. Weckman's Friday morning at 8:45am.
Dr. Weckman talked with him. The nurse took more blood samples. The results were his blood sugar was at 161 which is a lot better than it was at 337 last week. We go back in one month to have him checked again.
When I got Papa back to his apartment, I cleaned all the sugar out of his apartment so it wasn't there to tempt him. I asked him if he wanted me to save it and have it on hand when the kids visit or to give it to the missionaries. He was very happy to have it go to the missionaries. I called the missionaries and dropped it all off with them at their apartment on my way to run other errands Friday morning.
The side note to this is that Papa's blood is not as thin as it should be taking the Warfarin for his Atrial Fibrilation. That Dr. Weckman will also watch.
And, we are off to go down the Type II Diabetes learning curve. We are to work at keeping it in line with diet for now. I am happy with that. It will be hard for Papa and he has a big sweet tooth. But he is also dogged about sticking to what he has to so I believe he will make his transition.
Dr. Weckman talked with him. The nurse took more blood samples. The results were his blood sugar was at 161 which is a lot better than it was at 337 last week. We go back in one month to have him checked again.
When I got Papa back to his apartment, I cleaned all the sugar out of his apartment so it wasn't there to tempt him. I asked him if he wanted me to save it and have it on hand when the kids visit or to give it to the missionaries. He was very happy to have it go to the missionaries. I called the missionaries and dropped it all off with them at their apartment on my way to run other errands Friday morning.
The side note to this is that Papa's blood is not as thin as it should be taking the Warfarin for his Atrial Fibrilation. That Dr. Weckman will also watch.
And, we are off to go down the Type II Diabetes learning curve. We are to work at keeping it in line with diet for now. I am happy with that. It will be hard for Papa and he has a big sweet tooth. But he is also dogged about sticking to what he has to so I believe he will make his transition.
Adjustment...
I am a grid person. This morning I just completed my grid for the family visit over Christmas. All arrival/departure dates, meals and snacks are entered. I'll post this 2013 Christmas grid on my refrigerator. Everyone will know what is planned so they can help with preparation.
I planned for family to come over a three week period the end of December and beginning of January. I had the shell of my grid ready.
Nissa called Wednesday to say she wanted to change her travel plans. There were reports of bad weather for her drive to and from Muskegon, Michigan. She would not come Friday after Paul and Aubrey got out of school. Then she would leave early Saturday morning in the hopes of being between storms. That was fine. I sent a text to Andie to let her know of the change. Andie confirmed Michael had a soccer game to ref on Saturday. This meant she and the Mini's would come over Friday night after their activities and be here to play with Paul and Aubrey Saturday morning before their dad came and picked them up. Good plan for everyone.
Thursday afternoon I get a call from Nissa on my cell phone. My quick question as I answered the phone was, "You are still coming aren't you?" I meant this in total jest. Nissa's answer, "No." Good grief! I asked if she was serious and she confirmed she was indeed serious. It seems the father of Paul and Aubrey was not going to come for reasons I choose not to share here. (I just read a book by Herodotus about Ancient Egypt. He says that a lot and I suddenly felt like an ancient historian as I typed that!) No visit them from Nissa and kids this weekend or the weekend of the 4th of January.
Okay, the really horrid part of this was that Nissa and Todd had just finished having an early Christmas with Paul and Aubrey since they would not be home Friday evening or at Christmas. Paul and Aubrey opened ALL their presents. Then they headed to bed. Then Nissa got the phone call from the kids father. Now they would be home with no presents under the tree. Good Grief!!
I sent Andie a text and asked her to let me know when I could call and we would talk. After explaining the situation to Andie, we agreed she would not come with the Mini's this weekend as they would be here in a few days for Christmas anyway.
It is all done. I got up early Friday morning and boxed the presents I could mail to Michigan and put that box in the mail before going in to take Papa to the doctor. The kids should now have a few items from us to open. Jake will take the breakable items back to Michigan with him after Christmas and he and Nissa will coordinate the delivery of these presents.
Such a roller coaster of change. There is great wisdom in learning to be flexible in life. Sometimes it is just not fun. Aubrey and Paul are frustrated they won't see little Elise. Plans Nissa and Todd made had to be changed. All will now be done in a different way but it will all work out. And that is 'adjustment'!! And...the grid is ready for Christmas.
I planned for family to come over a three week period the end of December and beginning of January. I had the shell of my grid ready.
- Nissa would come this Saturday so Paul and Aubrey could be picked by their dad for Christmas break. Nissa would leave Sunday morning early. The plot was on for a nice adult dinner with Nissa, Claude and me on Saturday evening.
- Next week Jake would arrive Monday night. The Marx would arrive in time Tuesday night for a big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Jake would leave Thursday late afternoon and the Marx's would leave early Friday morning.
- The weekend of January 4th, Nissa would return to pick up Paul and Aubrey from their dad.
Nissa called Wednesday to say she wanted to change her travel plans. There were reports of bad weather for her drive to and from Muskegon, Michigan. She would not come Friday after Paul and Aubrey got out of school. Then she would leave early Saturday morning in the hopes of being between storms. That was fine. I sent a text to Andie to let her know of the change. Andie confirmed Michael had a soccer game to ref on Saturday. This meant she and the Mini's would come over Friday night after their activities and be here to play with Paul and Aubrey Saturday morning before their dad came and picked them up. Good plan for everyone.
Thursday afternoon I get a call from Nissa on my cell phone. My quick question as I answered the phone was, "You are still coming aren't you?" I meant this in total jest. Nissa's answer, "No." Good grief! I asked if she was serious and she confirmed she was indeed serious. It seems the father of Paul and Aubrey was not going to come for reasons I choose not to share here. (I just read a book by Herodotus about Ancient Egypt. He says that a lot and I suddenly felt like an ancient historian as I typed that!) No visit them from Nissa and kids this weekend or the weekend of the 4th of January.
Okay, the really horrid part of this was that Nissa and Todd had just finished having an early Christmas with Paul and Aubrey since they would not be home Friday evening or at Christmas. Paul and Aubrey opened ALL their presents. Then they headed to bed. Then Nissa got the phone call from the kids father. Now they would be home with no presents under the tree. Good Grief!!
I sent Andie a text and asked her to let me know when I could call and we would talk. After explaining the situation to Andie, we agreed she would not come with the Mini's this weekend as they would be here in a few days for Christmas anyway.
It is all done. I got up early Friday morning and boxed the presents I could mail to Michigan and put that box in the mail before going in to take Papa to the doctor. The kids should now have a few items from us to open. Jake will take the breakable items back to Michigan with him after Christmas and he and Nissa will coordinate the delivery of these presents.
Such a roller coaster of change. There is great wisdom in learning to be flexible in life. Sometimes it is just not fun. Aubrey and Paul are frustrated they won't see little Elise. Plans Nissa and Todd made had to be changed. All will now be done in a different way but it will all work out. And that is 'adjustment'!! And...the grid is ready for Christmas.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Such a Nice Guy...
My hubby had a meeting to attend this morning in Berea, Kentucky at Boone's Tavern. Several weeks ago, after committing to attend the meeting, he proposed he get us a reservation for Monday night and we take a night away. Then I could have this morning to myself while he went to his meeting. I assured him I thought I could fit that into my schedule.
Yesterday, after attending to Papa and the City Commission meeting, we put our bag in my car and headed south to Berea. We checked into the hotel portion of Boone Tavern and had a couple quiet hours to unwind before our 6pm dinner reservation in their excellent restaurant.
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner served to us by Aaron. He was just a delightful server. I had a salad with fruit and cheese on Bibb lettuce. Claude had a salad on mixed greens with some kind of meat. For entrees I enjoyed a pecan crusted salmon with seasoned butter on top, asparagus and mashed potatoes. Claude had a pasta dish with seafoods in the pasta. For dessert I enjoyed a lovely chocolate cake with chocolate icing and Claude had the bread pudding. Dinner was yummy...we waddled to our room.
I finished reading my first book about Egypt in preparation for our big trip in 2014. Claude did some reading and flipped through television channels. I could feel all tension of normal life just flowing out of me throughout the evening. This was great.
This morning Claude got up and got ready for his meeting. I slept and snuggled in those wonderful covers until just before he left. Then after showering and getting ready for my day, I checked us out of Boone Tavern and toted our luggage to the car.
I buttoned up my coat and walked back through the Tavern to get to their gift shop. I had a coupon for a discount on their candy. Believe it or not, this girl with a sweet tooth bought no candy. Not one piece.
There is a door from the gift shop to the outside front sidewalk. I took that door and strolled down the street. There is one store I love with lots of homemade crafts of all kinds. I strolled through this shop at my leisure. Always before I was with a group where you need to sensitive to their time constraints or my hubby who just barely enjoys a little shopping. This time I could take my time and look at everything that interested me even a little bit. It was grand. I actually found items for Bailey's birthday next year and purchased them to tuck away.
I walked down the block a little further. There is another store that sells handcrafted items from around the world. Love these kinds of stores. Again I found some little items for birthdays and did it at my leisure. What a treat.
I next enjoyed a walk around the corner and down the sidewalk to the Log House store. It too is full of hand crafted items. I only purchased some spoon bread from Weisenburger Mills to share with our family coming in for Christmas.
A dark gray cloud heading toward me made me feel I should head for shelter. I walked back to my car and deposited my purchases, grabbed my craft bag and headed into the Tavern. I found a chair by a fireplace and nestled in to wait for Claude to finish his meeting. He had about a hour left. I enjoyed reading another chapter in my next book about Egypt. Then I crocheted until Claude came out.
We headed back to Sadieville. However, I checked the Internet and found that The Hobbit was playing at the theater in Hamburg Pavilion which we would pass on our way home. They had a showing right about the time we would be able to get there. Claude was agreeable so we stopped in Lexington to watch The Hobbit before heading home.
This was such a pleasant break from all the business of December. It just seems no matter how much I plan and prepare ahead so that December can be a relaxing time to enjoy events and feel the spirit of Christmas, there are always multiple additions to the schedule by well meaning people. It just makes the season rushed. Taking this breather for just this amount of time was just what I needed. How grateful for the Big Guy and his thoughtfulness in setting this all up and giving me some time to leisurely enjoy myself.
Now I shall go upstairs and enjoy the dinner he is cooking for the two of us while I get through the laundry. For this moment in time...life is good, very good.
Yesterday, after attending to Papa and the City Commission meeting, we put our bag in my car and headed south to Berea. We checked into the hotel portion of Boone Tavern and had a couple quiet hours to unwind before our 6pm dinner reservation in their excellent restaurant.
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner served to us by Aaron. He was just a delightful server. I had a salad with fruit and cheese on Bibb lettuce. Claude had a salad on mixed greens with some kind of meat. For entrees I enjoyed a pecan crusted salmon with seasoned butter on top, asparagus and mashed potatoes. Claude had a pasta dish with seafoods in the pasta. For dessert I enjoyed a lovely chocolate cake with chocolate icing and Claude had the bread pudding. Dinner was yummy...we waddled to our room.
I finished reading my first book about Egypt in preparation for our big trip in 2014. Claude did some reading and flipped through television channels. I could feel all tension of normal life just flowing out of me throughout the evening. This was great.
This morning Claude got up and got ready for his meeting. I slept and snuggled in those wonderful covers until just before he left. Then after showering and getting ready for my day, I checked us out of Boone Tavern and toted our luggage to the car.
I buttoned up my coat and walked back through the Tavern to get to their gift shop. I had a coupon for a discount on their candy. Believe it or not, this girl with a sweet tooth bought no candy. Not one piece.
There is a door from the gift shop to the outside front sidewalk. I took that door and strolled down the street. There is one store I love with lots of homemade crafts of all kinds. I strolled through this shop at my leisure. Always before I was with a group where you need to sensitive to their time constraints or my hubby who just barely enjoys a little shopping. This time I could take my time and look at everything that interested me even a little bit. It was grand. I actually found items for Bailey's birthday next year and purchased them to tuck away.
I walked down the block a little further. There is another store that sells handcrafted items from around the world. Love these kinds of stores. Again I found some little items for birthdays and did it at my leisure. What a treat.
I next enjoyed a walk around the corner and down the sidewalk to the Log House store. It too is full of hand crafted items. I only purchased some spoon bread from Weisenburger Mills to share with our family coming in for Christmas.
A dark gray cloud heading toward me made me feel I should head for shelter. I walked back to my car and deposited my purchases, grabbed my craft bag and headed into the Tavern. I found a chair by a fireplace and nestled in to wait for Claude to finish his meeting. He had about a hour left. I enjoyed reading another chapter in my next book about Egypt. Then I crocheted until Claude came out.
We headed back to Sadieville. However, I checked the Internet and found that The Hobbit was playing at the theater in Hamburg Pavilion which we would pass on our way home. They had a showing right about the time we would be able to get there. Claude was agreeable so we stopped in Lexington to watch The Hobbit before heading home.
This was such a pleasant break from all the business of December. It just seems no matter how much I plan and prepare ahead so that December can be a relaxing time to enjoy events and feel the spirit of Christmas, there are always multiple additions to the schedule by well meaning people. It just makes the season rushed. Taking this breather for just this amount of time was just what I needed. How grateful for the Big Guy and his thoughtfulness in setting this all up and giving me some time to leisurely enjoy myself.
Now I shall go upstairs and enjoy the dinner he is cooking for the two of us while I get through the laundry. For this moment in time...life is good, very good.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
My Very Own 'Wise Man'...
Saturday,
December 7th, after the evening session of Stake Conference, the lady near us
turned to Claude and said, "Would you be willing to participate in a live
nativity this year? We need some people with beards. I have the costumes but I just can't make the beards." Claude said he would.
This Saturday, December 14th, we went to Lexington in the morning for Claude to learn about his costume and rehearse.
Tonight was the Nativity Festival. This is put on by our stake, the Lexington North Stake, and the Lexington Stake. There were three large rooms with creche displays in them. There were two large rooms with crafts for the children. The stage in the cultural hall had a manger scene on it and the live Nativity would be acted out there at 4:30pm and 4:45pm. While this was going on different musical groups performed in the chapel. At 5pm a children's choir would do a performance and the live Nativity would move through as they sang about the different characters in the Nativity. Then the finale would be the huge choir singing at 7pm. Refreshments were served after this performance. It is a very big deal and many in the Lexington community who are not members of our Church attend.
I wanted pictures of my own personal 'Wise Man'...and...here he is. My, he is handsome!! And, he is wearing purple!!
They went through this live Nativity twice. There is a recording that tells the story interspersed with musical selections. The characters actually say nothing but come in when their music is sung. They move on stage a bit. It is all very touching and reverent. Here are shots of my 'Wise Man' in each of the performances.
This Saturday, December 14th, we went to Lexington in the morning for Claude to learn about his costume and rehearse.
Tonight was the Nativity Festival. This is put on by our stake, the Lexington North Stake, and the Lexington Stake. There were three large rooms with creche displays in them. There were two large rooms with crafts for the children. The stage in the cultural hall had a manger scene on it and the live Nativity would be acted out there at 4:30pm and 4:45pm. While this was going on different musical groups performed in the chapel. At 5pm a children's choir would do a performance and the live Nativity would move through as they sang about the different characters in the Nativity. Then the finale would be the huge choir singing at 7pm. Refreshments were served after this performance. It is a very big deal and many in the Lexington community who are not members of our Church attend.
I wanted pictures of my own personal 'Wise Man'...and...here he is. My, he is handsome!! And, he is wearing purple!!
Now, for the truth of the need for these pictures. Claude is running for Magistrate in 2014. I just feel like I need to post on his Facebook page something about, "If you want to have the perfect 'Wise Man' as your Magistrate, vote for Claude Christensen." There, I have totally burst that Christmas feeling. But it is going to be a great post. And, if you could have seen those little children clinging to the stage and saying, "Look mommy, it is Mary and Joseph and the Baby Jesus" you would have felt that Christmas spirit.
Shaker Village 2013...
We enjoyed it so much last year, we decided to do it again this year.
Shaker Village is just an interesting place to visit. Love going there in the summer and visiting all the buildings and learning how these people lived, worshipped and worked together. Now I'm just thrilled they have added Christmas events as part of the Shaker Village experience.
We had this Saturday evening as our only available time to go. So I made reservations for dinner at 5pm. There was music in the Meeting House from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. We would enjoy that first, then have a very nice dinner together.
We checked in at the Trustee's Office and got our stickers saying we could participate in whatever.
We were a little early for the music so we went to the Centre Family Dwelling and roamed the main floor. I have been in these rooms many times but there is something a little different each time. This time they had things about the men in the Shaker community in one room. Across the hall there were displays about the women who lived in the Shaker community. Very interesting information.
Then we headed to the Meeting House to be entertained.
We walked back to the Trustee's Office for dinner. The Jingle Bell Shuttle was still running although it was really misting and he was not supposed to. It still made a great picture.
We shopped in the craft store next door until close to time for our dinner seating. The Overtones came into the Trustee's Office and sang by the Christmas tree as the dining rooms were prepared for the next round of dinner guests.
We were shown to our table and given menus and we started the decision process of which of these wonderful meals to choose. After our order was placed and we were served all kinds of bread and veggies for an appetizer, I realized it was getting darker and the view through the huge windows was amazing. However, other diners were sitting in front of the windows so getting a full shot of outside with window all around would be just about impossible. There was one window available so I told Claude I had to try.
I tried to use the window as the frame to look at what was outside. That just didn't work. It was dark enough I needed a flash and a flash showed a light spot in any picture. I had one spot that I just couldn't get around in the picture. Then I looked at the screen on my camera and realized it was the candle hanging on the all behind me reflecting on the glass in front of me with the winter scene behind it. It was just a multi-layered kind of picture and I took several in hopes of getting one that wasn't too blurry. The candle reflection in the center of this picture is actually layered over the Centre Family House. I just find this picture fascinating and am really happy it worked as well as it did.
Claude and I totally enjoyed our dinner and managed to add dessert to the top of it. We waddled to our car and moaned a bit on the way home. But it was such a delightful evening. Even with the light rain and the cold. It felt very much like a December at Christmastime in Kentucky long, long ago.
Shaker Village is just an interesting place to visit. Love going there in the summer and visiting all the buildings and learning how these people lived, worshipped and worked together. Now I'm just thrilled they have added Christmas events as part of the Shaker Village experience.
We had this Saturday evening as our only available time to go. So I made reservations for dinner at 5pm. There was music in the Meeting House from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. We would enjoy that first, then have a very nice dinner together.
We checked in at the Trustee's Office and got our stickers saying we could participate in whatever.
We were a little early for the music so we went to the Centre Family Dwelling and roamed the main floor. I have been in these rooms many times but there is something a little different each time. This time they had things about the men in the Shaker community in one room. Across the hall there were displays about the women who lived in the Shaker community. Very interesting information.
Then we headed to the Meeting House to be entertained.
The Overtones were the musical group. They are a really good barbership quartet. They state that between the four of them they have over 200 years of vocal music education and experience. They sang traditional barbershop quartet music, Happy Birthday to a man in the audience, Christmas music and finished with 'My Old Kentucky Home'. It was delightful.
I tried to use the window as the frame to look at what was outside. That just didn't work. It was dark enough I needed a flash and a flash showed a light spot in any picture. I had one spot that I just couldn't get around in the picture. Then I looked at the screen on my camera and realized it was the candle hanging on the all behind me reflecting on the glass in front of me with the winter scene behind it. It was just a multi-layered kind of picture and I took several in hopes of getting one that wasn't too blurry. The candle reflection in the center of this picture is actually layered over the Centre Family House. I just find this picture fascinating and am really happy it worked as well as it did.
Christmas for the Child in ALL of Us...
Friday, December 13th, the Scott County Public Library brought "The Polar Express" to Sadieville for the second year in a row. Sadieville has the only red caboose in the county. Well, actually the only caboose in the county. Our City Hall is really the old train depot. What a perfect match to enjoy "The Polar Express".
Friday morning Claude and I delivered our Christmas ornaments to our neighbors. Then we drove over to downtown Sadieville to check out the snow and ice needing removal before the big event in the evening. Yike!! There was a lot of snow and ice needing removal. It turns out the man who could usually be called upon to help keep this under control in our little city had knee surgery and had been out of commission. Hence, the build up. Particularly in front of the door to City Hall we wanted everyone to use.
I set to work with a shovel on the decking around the caboose. Claude started on the sidewalks in front of the caboose and Warring Pavilion and then headed to the front of City Hall. I shoveled the snow and we placed rock salt all around the caboose. Claude shoveled the front of City Hall an layered the ice melt on the ice there. It was about 3-4 inches thick in places. Then we headed to do our duties for the day. I took Papa to the doctor and Claude handled things in his office at home.
I got home about 4pm. We headed back to Sadieville to work on the ice which, hopefully, would be easier based on the work done in the morning and the sunlight and temperatures being just above freezing during the day.
The decking around the caboose cleared off very well for me. A lot of ice was movable for Claude at City Hall but there were still inches of ices to be pounded and loosened. He and Cindy Foster, our city clerk, were pounding away the entire time I finished the caboose. Then I took my heavy duty shovel and proceeded to help them. Cindy got the orange cones and placed them indicating where people should walk. After yeoman effort, we were set for the arrivals for the first reading of the Polar Express.
Claude and I had not eaten during the day and, after two stints for shoveling and breaking ice, we were ready for something for dinner. We drove back to the house so I could change my socks and shoes which were soaked through. Then we drove to the Wendy's at the Pilot station and had a nice dinner.
We missed the arrival of Santa. I would have loved to have taken pictures of that. Our local fire department brings Santa in the fire truck with our Police Chief, Bobby Bruner, leading the way in his police cruiser with lights and sirens flashing. So much fun for the little kids.
There were four readings scheduled for the Polar Express. They can handle about 20 kids with one parent for the group of kids in each family in the caboose. Last year we had three readings. This year people were requesting tickets before any announcements were made about getting tickets. Based on that, it was determined to increase to four readings at 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm. The day these free tickets were available they were gone immediately. Then it was learned there were many Sadieville kids who were not able to get tickets. So a quiet 8pm showing was added for these kids.
The kids gathered in City Hall (the old depot). Santa was there in a rocking chair by the Christmas tree to allow each child a chance to sit on his knee and have their family take pictures if desired. We provided candy canes from him to the kids. The Friends of Scott County Library manned a table with hot chocolate and cookies. One of the ladies even had song sheets so caroling could happen. The conductor would come to the door and tell the kids it was time for the next reading. They would gather at the door of City Hall and with his conductor lamp he would lead them across the street and up the little hill to the caboose. "The Polar Express" would be read to the kids. Then, as they exited the caboose, Santa would be there with a basket full of bells. Each child would receive the first gift of Chrismas, a bell with a red ribbon, just like in "The Polar Express". Then the conductor would lead them with his lamp back to City Hall for hot chocolate and cookies.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the evening.
It was a delightful evening. Looking at the pictures you can tell all ages of children from infant to grandparent had a great time. At the end, Bobbie Bruner took Santa to his police car and they left Sadieville until next year.
This is such a successful event the ladies from the library are considering a Friday evening reading and then a Saturday afternoon reading in 2014. We are grateful they started this for the children in all of us. Such a fun thing to do at Christmas time.
Friday morning Claude and I delivered our Christmas ornaments to our neighbors. Then we drove over to downtown Sadieville to check out the snow and ice needing removal before the big event in the evening. Yike!! There was a lot of snow and ice needing removal. It turns out the man who could usually be called upon to help keep this under control in our little city had knee surgery and had been out of commission. Hence, the build up. Particularly in front of the door to City Hall we wanted everyone to use.
I set to work with a shovel on the decking around the caboose. Claude started on the sidewalks in front of the caboose and Warring Pavilion and then headed to the front of City Hall. I shoveled the snow and we placed rock salt all around the caboose. Claude shoveled the front of City Hall an layered the ice melt on the ice there. It was about 3-4 inches thick in places. Then we headed to do our duties for the day. I took Papa to the doctor and Claude handled things in his office at home.
I got home about 4pm. We headed back to Sadieville to work on the ice which, hopefully, would be easier based on the work done in the morning and the sunlight and temperatures being just above freezing during the day.
The decking around the caboose cleared off very well for me. A lot of ice was movable for Claude at City Hall but there were still inches of ices to be pounded and loosened. He and Cindy Foster, our city clerk, were pounding away the entire time I finished the caboose. Then I took my heavy duty shovel and proceeded to help them. Cindy got the orange cones and placed them indicating where people should walk. After yeoman effort, we were set for the arrivals for the first reading of the Polar Express.
Claude and I had not eaten during the day and, after two stints for shoveling and breaking ice, we were ready for something for dinner. We drove back to the house so I could change my socks and shoes which were soaked through. Then we drove to the Wendy's at the Pilot station and had a nice dinner.
We missed the arrival of Santa. I would have loved to have taken pictures of that. Our local fire department brings Santa in the fire truck with our Police Chief, Bobby Bruner, leading the way in his police cruiser with lights and sirens flashing. So much fun for the little kids.
There were four readings scheduled for the Polar Express. They can handle about 20 kids with one parent for the group of kids in each family in the caboose. Last year we had three readings. This year people were requesting tickets before any announcements were made about getting tickets. Based on that, it was determined to increase to four readings at 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm. The day these free tickets were available they were gone immediately. Then it was learned there were many Sadieville kids who were not able to get tickets. So a quiet 8pm showing was added for these kids.
The kids gathered in City Hall (the old depot). Santa was there in a rocking chair by the Christmas tree to allow each child a chance to sit on his knee and have their family take pictures if desired. We provided candy canes from him to the kids. The Friends of Scott County Library manned a table with hot chocolate and cookies. One of the ladies even had song sheets so caroling could happen. The conductor would come to the door and tell the kids it was time for the next reading. They would gather at the door of City Hall and with his conductor lamp he would lead them across the street and up the little hill to the caboose. "The Polar Express" would be read to the kids. Then, as they exited the caboose, Santa would be there with a basket full of bells. Each child would receive the first gift of Chrismas, a bell with a red ribbon, just like in "The Polar Express". Then the conductor would lead them with his lamp back to City Hall for hot chocolate and cookies.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the evening.
The Lead in His Golden Years...
This week has brought a drastic decline in my father's health. The man who walked a mile at break-neck speed in the morning and again in the evening every day except Sunday when he got to Kentucky has seen a huge change in that. Over the last year his walking has gone from one mile once a day in his neighborhood or at the Pavilion to a half mile in his neighborhood to a quarter of a mile in his neighborhood. Papa has also really started to lose his balance. If he stands still for very long, he will lean forward mostly but sometimes to either side.
Over the last two weeks, Papa has complained about his hip area hurting really bad. Now, with his nice new chair his back has been better. So the complaints about his hip seemed out of the ordinary. This last week he has taken to using the cane he kept from Uncle Murray all the time.
Last Monday, the 9th of December, I went to his apartment to take him grocery shopping. He just didn't feel like it. I assured him I was happy to do that for him. I have done this at least twice before recently. The Kroger he shops at is the huge Market Place kind. It is like walking a football field to get bananas at one end and milk at the opposite end of this store. In addition, Papa's memory is very bad and he gets confused about where he is in this store. I have taken to following him around and keeping him straight. So Monday, I did his shopping for him and brought it back to his apartment.
Wednesday, we were going to take a DVD of country music to the nursing home. I called Papa Tuesday evening and asked if he would like to take fresh flowers in Christmas colors to put on Mimi's grave before we went to the nursing and also have a bite to eat for lunch while we were out. He thought that was a good idea.
I called Papa Wednesday morning to remind him. He often forgets. When I got to Papa's apartment he had, had visitors before I got there. When they left, he just completely forgot it was Wednesday and we had plans. I found him stretched out in his chair and not ready to go out in the cold air at all. I reminded him of our plans and he got up and got dressed and ready to go.
We drove to Frankfort on the back roads and he totally enjoyed the ride. It was a clear, beautiful day even though it was very cold. We had a nice lunch at Zaxby's. Then we drove to the cemetery and put the new poinsettias on Mimi's grave. I love the location because I can pull the car right up to the side of the road and her grave is right there. Papa can sit in the car and have his moment without having to get out in that cold air.
Then we headed to the nursing home and played the DVD. When I dropped Papa off at his apartment he was worn out but happy with his day.
Thursday I was in Georgetown again and we checked out this cane he is using. It seems the rubber tip that should grip the surface was worn and duct tape had been Uncle Murray's solution. I took Papa's cane and, after getting bananas for Papa, went to a medical supply store and bought new tips for his cane. We are both much happier with this now much needed device. Papa was in greater pain than the day prior. I again suggested I call his doctor and see if he wanted to check him out or if he had another doctor he thought I might take Papa to. Papa agreed this time which indicates the amount of pain he was in. I left a message on the nurses phone and then headed back to Sadieville. The nurses called me later in the afternoon, I explained the situation, she said I should first bring Papa to Dr. Weckman. We scheduled an appointment for Friday at 2:30pm. I called Papa and told him to be ready and I would get him to the doctor.
Friday morning I called Papa to remind him. He was happy because he thought the appointment was for Monday. Goodness.
I got to Papa's apartment at 2pm. He was not ready. He got distracted by a television show that was 'really, really good'. I got him going and took care of letting Tiny out and some other items while he got dressed. I thought we were not going to get his shoes on him. He ended up wearing his slippers. We did make it to the doctor on time.
Dr. Weckman was really good with Papa. He asked questions about what Papa was experiencing. We explained the balance issues, the pain in the back and I insisted on a checking of Papa's memory. Dr. Weckman did one of those reflex tests on Papa's ankle. Papa felt nothing. Dr. Weckman tried a reflex test on Papa's knee. Papa felt nothing. Then Dr. Weckman said he was going to try a different tuning fork. This gave Papa a chuckle. Imagine our surprise when Dr. Weckman came back with a real tuning fork for middle C!! He whacked it a couple of times and then held it to the wall and, sure enough, we heard a perfect middle C. Then he whacked the tuning fork again and placed it on Papa's ankle. Papa felt nothing. Then he whacked the tuning fork again and placed it on Papa's knee. Papa felt nothing. Then he whacked the tuning fork again and put it on Papa's hand and Papa really felt that. Dr. Weckman then explained that Papa has peripheral neuropathy. This is nerve damage in the nerves which come out from the central nervous system (brain and spine). It can be caused by a variety of things. These little nerves send messages to the brain that tell it you are starting to lean and need to move your feet for balance. Normally this is instantaneous and you really don't pick up on any problem. For Papa his nerves are not sending the signals at all or not fast enough and he leans with the potential for falls. The problem...Papa has atrial fibrillation and takes warfarin, a generic of Coumadin. Because of this drug he cannot take the medications normally given for neuropathy. AFib wins out over neuropathy.
Then Dr. Weckman had Papa stand without his cane and face me. I was to catch him if he fell. Hmmm... Dr. Weckman touched a spot on Papa's lower back and asked if that hurt. Papa adamantly stated that was exactly where it hurt. Papa has arthritis in his spine and hips. There is a certain nerve running across this spot and that is where all Papa's pain in this hip is coming from. Geez...we had the back getting so much better with the new chair and now we have a hip issue that truly affects his ability to walk.
Dr. Weckman said Papa can increase in Tylenol intake to a certain level and absolutely no higher. Papa is to walk even if it hurts, otherwise he will lose the ability to walk. He also has some stretching he can do. Fortunately his chair will allow him to get his legs up straight and do that stretching in his chair.
It was a good visit and we learned some things that might help and also that this is just part of his aging and we just have to live with it.
Saturday Claude and I were gone most of the day. I called Papa while we were out Saturday to be sure he was okay and it was alright for Claude and me to continue our day. He was okay. He was in a lot of pain still. I told him I would get him for church today if he felt like going. At that point on Saturday he was not feeling like going out.
I called Papa this morning and he sounded A W F U L. I went to his apartment after choir practice and he was much better. I think the increase in pain medication was beginning to kick in. It was good to see him more alert and sounding so much better.
This getting older is tough. Caring for an aging parent is just hard work. You love them and do your very best but it is just hard physically, emotionally and mentally. I feel like I am in my 80's already. Not a complaint, just a fact. May my children watch my care of my parents and deal kindly with me if my later years are this hard to get through. Such is the cycle of life.
Over the last two weeks, Papa has complained about his hip area hurting really bad. Now, with his nice new chair his back has been better. So the complaints about his hip seemed out of the ordinary. This last week he has taken to using the cane he kept from Uncle Murray all the time.
Last Monday, the 9th of December, I went to his apartment to take him grocery shopping. He just didn't feel like it. I assured him I was happy to do that for him. I have done this at least twice before recently. The Kroger he shops at is the huge Market Place kind. It is like walking a football field to get bananas at one end and milk at the opposite end of this store. In addition, Papa's memory is very bad and he gets confused about where he is in this store. I have taken to following him around and keeping him straight. So Monday, I did his shopping for him and brought it back to his apartment.
Wednesday, we were going to take a DVD of country music to the nursing home. I called Papa Tuesday evening and asked if he would like to take fresh flowers in Christmas colors to put on Mimi's grave before we went to the nursing and also have a bite to eat for lunch while we were out. He thought that was a good idea.
I called Papa Wednesday morning to remind him. He often forgets. When I got to Papa's apartment he had, had visitors before I got there. When they left, he just completely forgot it was Wednesday and we had plans. I found him stretched out in his chair and not ready to go out in the cold air at all. I reminded him of our plans and he got up and got dressed and ready to go.
We drove to Frankfort on the back roads and he totally enjoyed the ride. It was a clear, beautiful day even though it was very cold. We had a nice lunch at Zaxby's. Then we drove to the cemetery and put the new poinsettias on Mimi's grave. I love the location because I can pull the car right up to the side of the road and her grave is right there. Papa can sit in the car and have his moment without having to get out in that cold air.
Then we headed to the nursing home and played the DVD. When I dropped Papa off at his apartment he was worn out but happy with his day.
Thursday I was in Georgetown again and we checked out this cane he is using. It seems the rubber tip that should grip the surface was worn and duct tape had been Uncle Murray's solution. I took Papa's cane and, after getting bananas for Papa, went to a medical supply store and bought new tips for his cane. We are both much happier with this now much needed device. Papa was in greater pain than the day prior. I again suggested I call his doctor and see if he wanted to check him out or if he had another doctor he thought I might take Papa to. Papa agreed this time which indicates the amount of pain he was in. I left a message on the nurses phone and then headed back to Sadieville. The nurses called me later in the afternoon, I explained the situation, she said I should first bring Papa to Dr. Weckman. We scheduled an appointment for Friday at 2:30pm. I called Papa and told him to be ready and I would get him to the doctor.
Friday morning I called Papa to remind him. He was happy because he thought the appointment was for Monday. Goodness.
I got to Papa's apartment at 2pm. He was not ready. He got distracted by a television show that was 'really, really good'. I got him going and took care of letting Tiny out and some other items while he got dressed. I thought we were not going to get his shoes on him. He ended up wearing his slippers. We did make it to the doctor on time.
Dr. Weckman was really good with Papa. He asked questions about what Papa was experiencing. We explained the balance issues, the pain in the back and I insisted on a checking of Papa's memory. Dr. Weckman did one of those reflex tests on Papa's ankle. Papa felt nothing. Dr. Weckman tried a reflex test on Papa's knee. Papa felt nothing. Then Dr. Weckman said he was going to try a different tuning fork. This gave Papa a chuckle. Imagine our surprise when Dr. Weckman came back with a real tuning fork for middle C!! He whacked it a couple of times and then held it to the wall and, sure enough, we heard a perfect middle C. Then he whacked the tuning fork again and placed it on Papa's ankle. Papa felt nothing. Then he whacked the tuning fork again and placed it on Papa's knee. Papa felt nothing. Then he whacked the tuning fork again and put it on Papa's hand and Papa really felt that. Dr. Weckman then explained that Papa has peripheral neuropathy. This is nerve damage in the nerves which come out from the central nervous system (brain and spine). It can be caused by a variety of things. These little nerves send messages to the brain that tell it you are starting to lean and need to move your feet for balance. Normally this is instantaneous and you really don't pick up on any problem. For Papa his nerves are not sending the signals at all or not fast enough and he leans with the potential for falls. The problem...Papa has atrial fibrillation and takes warfarin, a generic of Coumadin. Because of this drug he cannot take the medications normally given for neuropathy. AFib wins out over neuropathy.
Then Dr. Weckman had Papa stand without his cane and face me. I was to catch him if he fell. Hmmm... Dr. Weckman touched a spot on Papa's lower back and asked if that hurt. Papa adamantly stated that was exactly where it hurt. Papa has arthritis in his spine and hips. There is a certain nerve running across this spot and that is where all Papa's pain in this hip is coming from. Geez...we had the back getting so much better with the new chair and now we have a hip issue that truly affects his ability to walk.
Dr. Weckman said Papa can increase in Tylenol intake to a certain level and absolutely no higher. Papa is to walk even if it hurts, otherwise he will lose the ability to walk. He also has some stretching he can do. Fortunately his chair will allow him to get his legs up straight and do that stretching in his chair.
It was a good visit and we learned some things that might help and also that this is just part of his aging and we just have to live with it.
Saturday Claude and I were gone most of the day. I called Papa while we were out Saturday to be sure he was okay and it was alright for Claude and me to continue our day. He was okay. He was in a lot of pain still. I told him I would get him for church today if he felt like going. At that point on Saturday he was not feeling like going out.
I called Papa this morning and he sounded A W F U L. I went to his apartment after choir practice and he was much better. I think the increase in pain medication was beginning to kick in. It was good to see him more alert and sounding so much better.
This getting older is tough. Caring for an aging parent is just hard work. You love them and do your very best but it is just hard physically, emotionally and mentally. I feel like I am in my 80's already. Not a complaint, just a fact. May my children watch my care of my parents and deal kindly with me if my later years are this hard to get through. Such is the cycle of life.
The Ice Man Cometh...
The weekend of Friday, December 6th through Sunday, December 8th can only be described as 'real wintery'.
Friday morning we were privileged to receive rain in the morning into the afternoon. We were fortunate it was only rain and we were able to get to Georgetown and be sure Papa had all the fresh groceries he needed, pick up our newly refurbished chair, have a nice lunch together, get some errands done for Claude and make it back home before any ice came down. However, by 4:25pm on Friday, this is what the ice looked like on our deck.
Just a few miles down the road in Georgetown, Papa had no ice to speak of. We were grateful all our ducks were in a row and we were ready in case we lost power. We did not lose any power.
A friend, Lee Hansen, had passed away. His visitation was at the Church Friday evening. We opted out because of the ice.
Saturday, December 7th, we awoke to a nice covering of ice all over the roads and trees and grass. None was to come down during the day. Trucks treated the roads and we were able to feel more comfortable about heading into Georgetown for Lee's funeral. I was to play the organ and Claude was to lead the singing. We were also taking food to feed the family members after the funeral. We were grateful for the clearer roads. We just felt bad for Mindy because there were people who could not get out because of the ice. A funeral is a hard thing at best and we truly felt for Mindy dealing with Lee's in such lousy weather.
We also had the Saturday sessions of Stake Conference to attend in Lexington. Claude had meetings beginning at 4:00pm. We just went to the funeral in the Jeep and then on to Lexington. I sat in the car and read until 5:15pm. I was to play the organ for the 6pm session. It got a little cold but I held up okay. It was actually nice to have quiet time to read with no interruptions. The announcement was made that the Sunday morning session, which usually begins at 10am, would begin at 1pm so road crews would have a chance to clear roads. However, we were advised to use our own judgement based on the conditions where we live. The geographic area of our Stake is from Frankfort, Kentucky into Lexington, north past Sadieville by about 9 miles, and east toward West Virginia. A lot of us are living in the mountains of eastern Kentucky and these were to get more ice and snow than around Lexington. Claude and I made it home before the weather got bad again.
Sunday we enjoyed trying to sleep in a bit. Then we watched weather trying to determine how bad the roads were between us and Lexington. Claude began getting texts from his friends who handle the roads in Georgetown and Scott County. Their texts were about cars sliding all over I-75 and the advice was not to get on the highway. We opted to stay home. I was not feeling really perky anyway so we settled in for the afternoon.
Sunday evening we had a Ward Christmas Gathering. We were to be at the church by 6:30pm. Everyone was bringing Christmas treats to share. Claude and I were to furnish the punch. I was to play the piano for the singing mixed in the little program that was performed. At 8:00pm everyone was to go in the chapel to view the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional together. Claude and I covered the punch and refreshments and music. Then we bundled up and came home to Sadieville to watch the broadcast on our television.
There has been talk this will be a very bad winter. If this is the start before the actual date for winter to begin, the prognosticators just may be right!!
Friday morning we were privileged to receive rain in the morning into the afternoon. We were fortunate it was only rain and we were able to get to Georgetown and be sure Papa had all the fresh groceries he needed, pick up our newly refurbished chair, have a nice lunch together, get some errands done for Claude and make it back home before any ice came down. However, by 4:25pm on Friday, this is what the ice looked like on our deck.
A friend, Lee Hansen, had passed away. His visitation was at the Church Friday evening. We opted out because of the ice.
Saturday, December 7th, we awoke to a nice covering of ice all over the roads and trees and grass. None was to come down during the day. Trucks treated the roads and we were able to feel more comfortable about heading into Georgetown for Lee's funeral. I was to play the organ and Claude was to lead the singing. We were also taking food to feed the family members after the funeral. We were grateful for the clearer roads. We just felt bad for Mindy because there were people who could not get out because of the ice. A funeral is a hard thing at best and we truly felt for Mindy dealing with Lee's in such lousy weather.
We also had the Saturday sessions of Stake Conference to attend in Lexington. Claude had meetings beginning at 4:00pm. We just went to the funeral in the Jeep and then on to Lexington. I sat in the car and read until 5:15pm. I was to play the organ for the 6pm session. It got a little cold but I held up okay. It was actually nice to have quiet time to read with no interruptions. The announcement was made that the Sunday morning session, which usually begins at 10am, would begin at 1pm so road crews would have a chance to clear roads. However, we were advised to use our own judgement based on the conditions where we live. The geographic area of our Stake is from Frankfort, Kentucky into Lexington, north past Sadieville by about 9 miles, and east toward West Virginia. A lot of us are living in the mountains of eastern Kentucky and these were to get more ice and snow than around Lexington. Claude and I made it home before the weather got bad again.
Sunday we enjoyed trying to sleep in a bit. Then we watched weather trying to determine how bad the roads were between us and Lexington. Claude began getting texts from his friends who handle the roads in Georgetown and Scott County. Their texts were about cars sliding all over I-75 and the advice was not to get on the highway. We opted to stay home. I was not feeling really perky anyway so we settled in for the afternoon.
Sunday evening we had a Ward Christmas Gathering. We were to be at the church by 6:30pm. Everyone was bringing Christmas treats to share. Claude and I were to furnish the punch. I was to play the piano for the singing mixed in the little program that was performed. At 8:00pm everyone was to go in the chapel to view the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional together. Claude and I covered the punch and refreshments and music. Then we bundled up and came home to Sadieville to watch the broadcast on our television.
There has been talk this will be a very bad winter. If this is the start before the actual date for winter to begin, the prognosticators just may be right!!
Friday, December 6, 2013
2013 Christmas Letter...
Claude has done it again in a style that is totally Claude. Below you will find the Reader's Digest Condensed version of our year as seen through the eyes of Claude Christensen. Enjoy!
Just when you
thought it was safe to check your mailbox…it’s bacccckkk!
Things That Are New: Cell phones; the left-rear tire on her car; carpet steam cleaner; his sweater and hat; …
THE CHRISTENSEN FAMILY CHRONICLES
Circa 2013
Eagle
Bend Achers - Crop Report 2013: It’s a good thing I don’t have to garden for a
living.
Things
That Are The Same: The lemonade-fueled
view of Eagle Creek from our deck…Things That Are New: Cell phones; the left-rear tire on her car; carpet steam cleaner; his sweater and hat; …
Selfies – For lack of a better idea 2013 began as usual
with our annual We Came – We Saw – We Ate “Lord of the Rings” marathon and food-fest
on New Year’s Eve and morning. This was
followed by some extended hibernation and a bottle or so of Tums. Then, once again, due to mutual good behavior
and a general lack of energy to try anything new, we extended our marital
contract for the 43rd consecutive year. This year we went ALL OUT and traveled to
Dayton, Ohio for a several day celebratory adventure. Why Dayton? Why not? Turns out there are more cool things to see there
than you might expect. We may have to
take back some of what we said about it.
A quaint holiday dinner at Shaker Village capped the holiday season in
fine fashion in 2012 and will be repeated along with a dinner trip to Historic Boone
Tavern this year as well.
Like buttermilk,
yogurt, and pearls we needed to be cultured -- hence: March – Frankie Valli and
the Four Seasons (*****); June - Cirque Du Soliel (****); July – Eagles (again,
*****); August – Potter’s Field (****); September – Vince Gill (*****); and November
– Manheim Steamroller (*****).
Dayton worked out
so well that our globetrotting duo took an 8-day ride over the pond and through
the woods to the Emerald Isle. Yup, off
to the land of the Wooly Jumpers (sheep), Blarney Castle, soda bread and lamb stew
it was for us. Don’t know if this is the
highlight for the year, but it comes mighty close. As the great philosopher Jake put it so
succinctly, we traveled to the one place in the world that looks most like
Kentucky. We ate lots of soda bread and
lamb stew, climbed the stairs and kissed the Blarney Stone, bought some really
cool (well, warm) sweaters, and climbed many a castle step in search of oxygen. A most enjoyable time was had, thousands of
pictures were taken and we decided we liked going to pubs.
Ireland was
followed by a quasi-romantic spring trip to the blooming Dogwood Trail in
Paducah, a trip to the homeland (Louisiana) in June, and a dinner run to West
Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina in mid-summer. Of course a plethora of trips west to Marxland
and north to Tylerville to count the grandkids (no change to report -- again) dotted
the calendar as well, including the one when Grandma Bonnie came to play. Seems like we eat out a lot doesn’t it…
With all of the
above, you might wonder when we found time to govern Sadieville, lead the
Homemakers Club, chase 70 or so kids around every Sunday, keep track of the
ancient ones, and prepare for our next big civic adventure. Well, hard work and an over developed sense
of duty prevailed and we did see to the important governing and caregiving
duties that came our way. In a few days,
and through no fault of our own, we take on some new and additional assignments
including service as President of the County Chamber of Commerce and the
Executive Board of the Kentucky League of Cities, and then there’s that pesky
election. Next year promises to be
well…. interesting, and just wait till we share where we’re going next yearJ
Take The Last Train To Tylerville - Our Michigan contingent continued uninterrupted. Nissa and Todd continue to sell cars one part
at a time and hang around on the Michigan Upper Peninsula when time
permits. The Katester graduated from Muskegon Community
College with a degree in “whatever” and transferred across the street to Baker
College where she will pursue a teaching degree, or so we’re told. Paul continues to spend all his time being
Paul and has emerged as a budding artist and musician, finally unhiding his
talents in that area. Then along came
Aubrey. Well, the Aubs is coming into
her own as an adult-in-training and stole the show, STOLE I tell you, as the
best Flapper Girl in her high school production of Thoroughly Modern Millie,
then she snagged, SNAGGED, a part in a local community theater production of
what I can’t remember. She too is
showing signs of promise, and may turn out completely normal when all is said
and done. They all
came to see us a time or two which we like, particularly since they became
useful.
Marxland - Father Michael continues to climb the ladder of success in officiating
Futbol (soccer) when not otherwise occupied selling hotel rooms to unsuspecting
travelers. Andie has rejoined the
workforce full-time at LaGrange Elementary and together they tag-team chasing
the Mini’s about in their numerous social and developmental activities. Master Hayden, an extremely “interesting”
young chap delights us often with his unique take on life and living. He’s now developed the ability to
self-diagnose and can alert Mom at the earliest onset of pending infirmity,
with stunning accuracy. Hayden ran his
first 5K this year keeping up with dear old Dad quite well. Then we come to Bailey… She is more of a “visual” specimen in terms of
trying to describe her. It’s more of a seeing-is-believing
thing. Moving briskly between the human
and animal realms of existence she entertains and delights. We’re hoping when she does settle on a
permanent persona, she lands on the human side.
One and all they traveled to the tall water over Thanksgiving to be with
their extended family on a Disney Cruise.
The pictures thus far indicate a good time assuming the Mini’s don’t
find their way to the ship’s controls.
The World According To Jake – Published again,
the last carrier of our family name successfully published some poetry and
short-stories, when not “writing for dollars” at his paying job. He continued to develop and hone his literary
skills which are getting pretty good, although I MIGHT be a bit biased. When he dons his alter ego as a NASA flight director
he waxes cosmically philosophical about space and time. This year he made yet another journey to the
NASA flight center near Cleveland (yes, Cleveland, who knew…). When not working or writing we have no idea
how he spends his time, other than camping out at the library or taking hikes
across the Michigan countryside. Rumor
has it he will pay us a visit over Christmas which we look forward to as
usual. I don’t know if he is our most
interesting offspring or not but he is definitely in the running.
You are to be
commended for your perseverance and ability to stay focused through the whole
newsyletter, We’ve had better readers, but not many. Hopefully you got everything you deserved
this year. WE ARE OUTTA HERE! The Christensen’s !!!
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