December 31, 2008
New Year's Eve
Since this is my least favorite night of the year, I will wait until tomorrow to do my blog!
December 30, 2008
Fifth Night
Somewhere in the dim recesses of my mind, I think I've heard of a tradition called Fifth Night and finding an almond in a piece of cake. It might be something I dreamed up but we are going out for dinner tonight and I'm going to call it a Fifth Night Celebration. Actually, it is an early New Year's Eve dinner as Jack is driving tomorrow night and New Year's Day for some friends. So, tonight we are heading off to dinner with the gang - including Agnes Rose, who will probably woo the entire restaurant!
I am feeling very good after one full week on the medication....still a little fatigued but I still am not sleeping a lot at night. I've cut out the daily naps to see if that helps but it hasn't so far! Tonight I am going to try to stay up late and see if that will help.
Th above photo of Agnes Rose with Ava and baby Samantha, Virginia's granddaughters. It is wonderful to see our friendship go into the third generation....makes me feel like the past is merging with the future is some mystical way. Anyway, Danny and Melissa hosted a lovely "cousins" party and the little ones all got along. For those of you who don't know a whole lot of our history, Virginia, Eileen and I have been friends for almost 55 years. Our children have been close over the years as well. (Great Aunt Eileen can't imagine how her childhood friends are suddenly responding to names like "Grandma" and "Nana." However, we can still think of her as the ever youthful Great Aunt Eileen.)
Time to go!
Believe! Hope!
As always, love from me to you!
December 29, 2008
On the Fourth Day of Christmas
This may come as a shock to my high school Crones but our senior prom was 44 years ago tonight at the Hotel Pierre. Just thought I'd throw that in for a laugh!
Whatever had me laying low yesterday is gone and I am as fit as a fiddle today. I haven't even had a nap yet even though I did not have a very good night's sleep. I will be in bed early tonight for sure (I've been going to bed earlier and earlier - one night I am going to meet myself getting up in the morning!)
Christmas dinner yesterday was superior. I am going to try to post a photo of the Beef Wellington and Chef Joseph who looks a bit startled at the thought that we were going to cut into and eat his beautiful creation. We did and it was as tasty as it was beautiful!
Tonight Jack and I are going to have plain penne with good old marinara sauce (home made by the Italian grocery store man who cooks in the back of somewhere.) Hey, I made empanadas on Saturday for Kate and the gang so I did do some cooking. Kate ate the last of them for breakfast this morning.
Joe's sister, Cathy, makes the most wonderful orange biscotti and was kind enough to send me some. My family actually thought I was going to share them - well, I AM NOT sharing them. I have hidden them and will enjoy each and every one of them in secret. So, thank you, Cathy, I will think of you, Juan, Paula and Carlos each time I enjoy one of these special cookies - and I will remember what good times we have when we are all together. I am looking forward to more of those good times next summer either here at Juan's place in the Hamptons or in Wisconsin!
I also think Grandpa John DeMerit will enjoy knowing that Agnes Rose pointed at the angel on our tree and said "angel" (well, it was a little more like agiegl but we knew what she meant.)
The gang has gone off to celebrate with their "cousins", Eileen and Virginia's clan including three year old Ava and baby Samantha. They should have a great time as they always do when they get together.
Believe! Hope!
As always, love from me to you.
Whatever had me laying low yesterday is gone and I am as fit as a fiddle today. I haven't even had a nap yet even though I did not have a very good night's sleep. I will be in bed early tonight for sure (I've been going to bed earlier and earlier - one night I am going to meet myself getting up in the morning!)
Christmas dinner yesterday was superior. I am going to try to post a photo of the Beef Wellington and Chef Joseph who looks a bit startled at the thought that we were going to cut into and eat his beautiful creation. We did and it was as tasty as it was beautiful!
Tonight Jack and I are going to have plain penne with good old marinara sauce (home made by the Italian grocery store man who cooks in the back of somewhere.) Hey, I made empanadas on Saturday for Kate and the gang so I did do some cooking. Kate ate the last of them for breakfast this morning.
Joe's sister, Cathy, makes the most wonderful orange biscotti and was kind enough to send me some. My family actually thought I was going to share them - well, I AM NOT sharing them. I have hidden them and will enjoy each and every one of them in secret. So, thank you, Cathy, I will think of you, Juan, Paula and Carlos each time I enjoy one of these special cookies - and I will remember what good times we have when we are all together. I am looking forward to more of those good times next summer either here at Juan's place in the Hamptons or in Wisconsin!
I also think Grandpa John DeMerit will enjoy knowing that Agnes Rose pointed at the angel on our tree and said "angel" (well, it was a little more like agiegl but we knew what she meant.)
The gang has gone off to celebrate with their "cousins", Eileen and Virginia's clan including three year old Ava and baby Samantha. They should have a great time as they always do when they get together.
Believe! Hope!
As always, love from me to you.
December 28, 2008
Sleepy Sunday
The gang arrived here last night and we were happy to see Joe, Karen and Agnes arrive safely. The weather was pushing 60 degrees - so unlike December weather.
If I am to be honest in this blog, I have to tell you that I have started to react a bit to the Magic Pill. Although it may be my medication for diabetes (which I added back to the regimen on Friday) I really had a rough evening and night. Today I am totally exhausted and feeling a bit queasy (although that may be the cookies I ate getting even!) In any event, I am going to make this a very short blog and head off to bed. The kids, ha, kids, will be making Christmas dinner today so I will stay out of the way. The best part of Joe cooking is that he cleans up afterward! (And the meal is always delicious!)
Karen and Joe met some of you at church this morning and I thank you for asking for me. I know your prayers are helping me in many ways. Jovanna, don't forget to send the blog link to Susan! It always amazes me how many of you read this blog. It is such good therapy for me and even better therapy when I know you care enough to read it.
Thought you would enjoy a photo of Gingie Girl having her first taste of hot cocoa! Mmm...nothing like hot cocoa on a cold winter day! (I'm sorry for the placement but am too exhausted to try to move it.)
As always, love from me to you!
December 26, 2008
On the Feast of Stephen
I am glad that if good King Wenceslas looked out today, he would not see a lot of snow deep and crisp and even. The rain seems to have done a good job of removing most of the snow.
This blog will be written intermittently through the day as I am sharing my computer this week with Kate. Yesterday, I posted my Christmas blog on her website by accident and she discovered it late last night when we returned home from Virginia's! It is good having the Guru of Blog here in the house as she quickly corrected my blunder. She also rearranged the photographs on my computer so that I can actually find them. Not finding them had become a problem when I wanted to send one along to accompany an entry.
I could not sleep again last night and spent 2ish to 5ish watching tv. Except for the sleep issue, which has been going on for months even though I have medication to help me sleep, I feel great. I am thankful for each day that I do not have any side effects and hope this keeps up. Even though I had little sleep last night - and no nap yet today - I have more energy than I have had for a long time. Maybe it is the after effect of the hilarious and food filled Christmas Eve gathering at the DiLollo's house or the joyful feeling of being surrounded by so much love and concern at Virginia's yesterday - whatever it is, it is working and I am thankful. And, this Sunday we will be celebrating again with Karen, Joe, Agnes, and Kate. Joe is going to make Beef Wellington and all the fixings with his sous chefs, Karen and Kate.
One of the most fun happenings was the arrival of a large, stuffed cow wearing a placard which reads "Eat More Chiken" which some of you may recognize as the slogan of Chick-Fil-A which is my favorite fast food chicken and the chain has not reached past the Mason Dixon line yet. W and Shirley managed to get the store mascot - wearing his Santa hat - and mail it up to me. It makes me laugh every time I go through the living room where she moooves about - either on the rocking chair or dozing near the Christmas tree. I'm sure you will be seeing lots of udder photos of Chik on this blog as she is my own personal mascot!
We also had a couple of reindeer dragging a sleigh filled with gifts around our front lawn since Christmas Eve. I think they are looking for the large wild turkey that was here on Thanksgiving or perhaps they had herd about the chiken lovin' cow who recently moooved in. Anyway, I slipped out late last night and caught them before they got away.
Jack works really hard to put up the outdoor decorations each year and I think it is time I acknowledge how much I appreciate his efforts. It is not easy to get these decorations down from an attic that is only accessible from a door in the garage ceiling which takes a very tall ladder to reach. I don't know how he does it every year. The gifts in the sleigh are a new addition this year - pretty clever, I think.
I'll be posting more photos as time goes on since Kate has given me some really good instructions and organized my photographs so I can find them.
Incidentally, since this blog is read all over the world, Happy Boxing Day to my pals who are celebrating it today! Raise a glass to my health, would you, please?
Believe! Hope!
As always, love from me to you!
This blog will be written intermittently through the day as I am sharing my computer this week with Kate. Yesterday, I posted my Christmas blog on her website by accident and she discovered it late last night when we returned home from Virginia's! It is good having the Guru of Blog here in the house as she quickly corrected my blunder. She also rearranged the photographs on my computer so that I can actually find them. Not finding them had become a problem when I wanted to send one along to accompany an entry.
I could not sleep again last night and spent 2ish to 5ish watching tv. Except for the sleep issue, which has been going on for months even though I have medication to help me sleep, I feel great. I am thankful for each day that I do not have any side effects and hope this keeps up. Even though I had little sleep last night - and no nap yet today - I have more energy than I have had for a long time. Maybe it is the after effect of the hilarious and food filled Christmas Eve gathering at the DiLollo's house or the joyful feeling of being surrounded by so much love and concern at Virginia's yesterday - whatever it is, it is working and I am thankful. And, this Sunday we will be celebrating again with Karen, Joe, Agnes, and Kate. Joe is going to make Beef Wellington and all the fixings with his sous chefs, Karen and Kate.
One of the most fun happenings was the arrival of a large, stuffed cow wearing a placard which reads "Eat More Chiken" which some of you may recognize as the slogan of Chick-Fil-A which is my favorite fast food chicken and the chain has not reached past the Mason Dixon line yet. W and Shirley managed to get the store mascot - wearing his Santa hat - and mail it up to me. It makes me laugh every time I go through the living room where she moooves about - either on the rocking chair or dozing near the Christmas tree. I'm sure you will be seeing lots of udder photos of Chik on this blog as she is my own personal mascot!
We also had a couple of reindeer dragging a sleigh filled with gifts around our front lawn since Christmas Eve. I think they are looking for the large wild turkey that was here on Thanksgiving or perhaps they had herd about the chiken lovin' cow who recently moooved in. Anyway, I slipped out late last night and caught them before they got away.
Jack works really hard to put up the outdoor decorations each year and I think it is time I acknowledge how much I appreciate his efforts. It is not easy to get these decorations down from an attic that is only accessible from a door in the garage ceiling which takes a very tall ladder to reach. I don't know how he does it every year. The gifts in the sleigh are a new addition this year - pretty clever, I think.
I'll be posting more photos as time goes on since Kate has given me some really good instructions and organized my photographs so I can find them.
Incidentally, since this blog is read all over the world, Happy Boxing Day to my pals who are celebrating it today! Raise a glass to my health, would you, please?
Believe! Hope!
As always, love from me to you!
December 25, 2008
December 23, 2008
Quick Blog
Am home. Long day. Did not have adverse reaction to Magic Pill. Am exhausted, however, and am heading to bed. Just did not want you to worry. Miracles may happen if we believe hard enough! Remember Tinkerbell!
Believe! Hope!
As always, love from me to you!
Believe! Hope!
As always, love from me to you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)