Dec. 22-27

From a snowy and cold MO,

The past few days have been full, but then we are seldom bored. On Friday, Dec. 21st, we joined long time friends at the home of Bernard and Sandy for a carry-in. Sandy usually has no idea ahead of time what will be on the groaning board. She and Bernard provided sliced ham and marvelous bread - plus other additions while the rest had quite an assortment of dips, appetizers (one made of wonton shells and a crabmeat filling), vegetable casseroles, and of course plenty of desserts. I would guess most of the attendees go back to our early marriage days - with one attendee probably only a baby at that time. We gathered about 6:15 and all were probably home and in bed by 10:00 !!! - old fogies that we now are.

We watched lots of basketball and football over the weekend. On Monday we decided to make a very quick trip to Cabela's (something Jim needed desperately) and then on to a new shopping area north of the river called Briarcliff. Our main need for going was that we were almost out of the girls' dogfood - we don't feed them just any old kind - and I had gotten on-line the night before and discovered two sources north of the river - usually we go to either a shop on off of Johnson Drive or we go to 135th and Metcalf - all for two spoiled little girls.

When we returned home, we baked the turkey and eventually took the meat off the carcass. In the meantime I fixed my usual sweet potato casserole. Ron and Mary picked us up on Christmas morning - about 11:30 and we headed to Stan and Helen's - they are good about taking in orphans for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The table was groaning under the weight of the food and we we were groaning when we finally called a halt.

Jim and I opened Christmas gifts on Christmas morning. The girls are not nearly as interested as Shah (our cocker) or Lady & Falstaff (our Westies) during the gift opening process. In fact the Westies one time had presents in our backyard when we returned home from school - so all presents had to be elevated. Trixie doesn't leave already prepared bows on the packages so we removed these so as not to tempt further exploration.

It seemed we had several errands to do on Wednesday and Thursday. We were at WalMart earlier enough yesterday that we didn't have to go through long lines - and the same for WalMart.

We went by the Social Security office this morning and confirmed that Feb. 1 was the first day I could go in and see about being added to Jim's Medicare package. I can't make an appointment until after January 1 (appointment cannot be made more than a month before the actual sit-down appointment).

Trixie is currently spread across my lap with her head on my left arm - gently snoring. She is quite at peace with the world.

We have no active plans for upcoming days - other than getting the tree down within the next week and our usual daily activities. Snow is predicted again tonight - thank goodness we are on a list of snow removal. Jim clears an area for the girls to go out our sliding glass door and on to the backyard, but he at least didn't tackle the drive way the last snow.

Be safe.
B.

Dec. 13-21, 2007

From what is almost like a spring day - only snow is on the way!

We have been rather occupied since our return from LA. On Thursday (13th) we made a trip to Liberty so that Jim could have his hearing aids checked. We had two or three places to go - Sam's, Kohl's, and somewhere else that has slipped my mind. We ate as usual at O'Charley's.

We have spent a couple of evenings in the truck listening to Texas basketball on XM radio. At least tomorrow we will be able to watch the game on tv. Eva has an XM radio that she can move from her car to the house - and we are toying with checking into that possibility. Jim also listens to SC football games on the XM when they are not on tv.

Monday was a full day. I had the computer work for Mobile Meals and Ruth joined me to do the xeroxing. She is an absolute dear. At 10:30, the girls had much needed haircuts - somewhat to their dismay, but to our pleasure. Trixie had picked up a few snarls in her hair while at the kennel, and didn't enjoy our trying to get it unsnarled - or cut out. I had my first meeting with the board of New Horizons that evening - this will take some reading of the books for me as it is a whole new field. Afterwards, we went to El Toro for supper - Jim had a taco salad with chicken rather than beef and I am not sure the name of what I had, but it was delicious and will have it definitely again.

Over last weekend, I read DAR essays and on Tuesday met with others to choose winners. Actually the ones submitted were overall easy to read so it wasn't a chore.

On Wednesday of this week, Sandy McG hosted a brunch for the Thursday morning breakfast ladies. We had the brunch catered and the food was delicious - multiple types of sweet breads and appropriate butters to go with them, one hot fruit casserole, one egg/cheese casserole, and one potato/cheese/ham/egg casserole. No one should have left hungry. The egg/cheese casserole was probably my favorite and I need to try to get the recipe for it.

On Wednesday afternoon, I joined the CMS faculty for their annual Christmas social. Three other retirees were also there - Mr. O'Dell, Doug L., and Kay G. Sandy McG was on her way to see the newest granddaughter and to spend the night there. I am not sure where some of the others were.

On Thursday morning, Pat and I were the only ones to show up for breakfast. She also called me about 4:00 and we had coffee at HyVee. That evening, I went to the wrestling meet with Savannah - Jim stayed in front of the tv.

Jim forgot about his Friday breakfast and took off late - after I reminded him. I decided to also head out for breakfast and ended up at HyVee for a breakfast much larger than I usually get - but it was just what my mind and stomach needed - true comfort food.

I have made what is called "King's Ranch Casserole" today and currently have it in the crockpot - will put it in the oven a little bit later. We are joining our old group of friends tonight at Bernard and Sandy's. We used to get together after football games - Jim and I usually headed home about midnight, but others often went out for breakfast the coming morning. We no longer get together after games - as we go home and go to bed! We are gathering about 6:15 this evening - and figure we will be in bed by 10:00.

I haven't seen any weather forecast today, but winter weather is supposed to join us again on Saturday. Jim decided to scoop out the driveway the last time although we have someone contracted with to do it for us. He kept complaining about the cold each time he came in and I am afraid I wasn't sympathetic. I saw the "contractor" this morning at HyVee and he indicated he had come by our way to clear off the driveway. I reminded him of Jim's bull headedness - and foolishness. He suggested (with a smile on his face) that maybe I needed to get handcuffs for Jim - and suggest doing something "kinky" rather than shoveling snow. I went to WalMart this a.m. to see if they had such things, but struck out - had decided to add a pair to his stocking. Since I struck out, I told Jim about the handcuffs and he had a good laugh.

We are heading to Stan and Helen's on Tuesday to join them for a Christmas meal. At some point this coming week, we are hoping to get to Kansas City as we are beginning to make a list of things that we think we need.

Be safe.
B.

Dec. 12

That was a goof - hit the shift key rather than tab - oh, well I am getting old.

We have had a relatively quiet time since our return from Austin - until we flew to Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 7. We had an excellent flight, had no hassles at the car rental place - in fact was assisted by a young man formerly from St. Louis, moved to the LA area while in upper grades, returned to MU to play football, and now works at Enterprise. He was a delight to visit with and compare thoughts about the MU rip-off!

I am not going to try to tell our adventures in LA in any chronological order - and even then I know I will leave something out - so please forgive my poor note taking.

You know how I love to eat and we covered most of the continents with this outing - Brazilian food with Tim and Risa, Persian food with Margaret and Catherine, Italian food with Tom, Linda, Carolyn, Catherine, and Margaret, vegetarian food with Tom and Linda, Chinese food with Margaret and Catherine, etc. We ate an early breakfast on Saturday with Tom and Linda - can't remember name of place, but it was right next to the Pacific Ocean - then later we had the vegetarian lunch with them - about 2 blocks from the ocean. We also went to a California Pizza Kitchen with Margaret and Catherine - much better than the frozen variety that we get around here - and this place was maybe two blocks from the Palisades. Jim and I made it to my beloved Omelet Parlor for the Merlin omelet that I so enjoy - while Jim had a waffle with fresh fruit on top - much to his delight.

Tom picked us up at 6:30 (LA time) on Saturday morning to drive us down to Hermosa Beach. I've already mentioned breakfast and then we also saw the new digs for Carolyn. She and her dad will have several projects as they get the home more to their liking. Linda had a dental appointment so Tom drove us to the nearby marina as he wanted to take us out for a boat ride in their new boat. The waves were too rough on the ocean (very rough) so we stayed within the boundaries of the marina, but it was still a delightful time. The range of boats are from inflatables to large cabin cruisers. Afterwards we met Linda for a light vegetarian meal - Jim had chili and cornbread while I had a soft taco - then we split apple crisp. Tom and Linda returned us to LA later that afternoon - Tom and Jim napped in the middle. Tom and Linda also showed us where Pete Carroll's daughter lives (on the beach) and the place that Pete Carroll is building just a few blocks away - also on the beach.

We met Margaret on Saturday - late afternoon - and we eventually headed to downtown LA to see "The History Boys" - the stage production. Margaret thought she had second row seats, but it turned out the AA row had been removed so we were on the first row. This play (has also been a movie) is very thought provoking as it rather challenges your thinking on some social issues. The play was quite well done and we returned to the apartment about midnight.

On Sunday, we met Tim and Risa for lunch. They love a Brazilian restaurant within a couple of blocks of their new digs. The food was excellent and I would have no problems in returning there on our next visit. Tim and Risa have moved out of apartment one in the family apartment house and now live on South Bentley. Their new digs are of an early Spanish design - arches go from room to room, lots of light, space for Tim to have his bug trapping plants, etc.

On Sunday afternoon, many of the family gathered to hear the band/orchestra that Catherine so enjoys playing in. The group is affiliated with the Santa Monica Community College and has a large range of age of people playing in it - high school to "old geezers." I learned of a new musical instrument - something called a piccolo trumpet. I thought the program had a misprint that the soloist was going to play both a piccolo and also a trumpet, but the instruments are combined. The soloist had been Catherine and Carolyn's band teacher when they were at SAMOHI. Afterwards we gathered at the Italian restaurant for a great meal. Jim and I opted to split a piece of double fudge cheesecake - and both of us didn't sleep well due to the overload of chocolate - we were wired for action. Actually Margaret finished the piece off for us.

We made a couple of trips to the Third Street Promenade - Friday evening and again on Monday. We decided to go easy on lunch on Monday and ended up at the Brentwood Market - what Aunt Clara referred to as the Brentwood Food Line! This market is located in a very plush area. We split a scone and had some coffee. Then Jim drove on Sunset Blvd. towards the ocean - a very winding row with lots of very pricey homes visible.

Monday evening, Margaret and Catherine joined us as we set off for Westside Pavilion and the book signing. Catherine suggested the Persian restaurant - Darya - and the food was excellent. I don't think I've ever had meat so tender and the rice caught our attention in a very positive way - am thinking it was called Balsami - or something close to that. I'll need to check our stores to see if I can find it.

The book signing was at the Westside Pavilion. Risa co-authored a book - CINESCOPES - and the signing was near the Barnes and Noble store. Thankfully, with Margaret's help, we had found some copies of the book before going as the book quickly sold out. If you like movies - either avidly or so-so - the book is a lot of fun. You select 10 of your all time favorite movies (a list is in the back if you can't remember) and add up the codes that are provided - then go to the appropriate chapter(s) to see how the authors would define your personality.

There actually was a rather good crowd at the book signing and we met a few of Tim and Risa's friends. I kept wondering where Alpin was - and he and his wife arrived after a long drive from Riverside. He was beaming with pride of his wife to be as well in delighting in Risa's book signing - a memorable event. Alpin Hong is a gifted concert pianist that we have had the delight to hear play - first at Tim and Risa's wedding and later at two outings in the Kansas City area. He refers to Jim as "Tim's Uncle Jim" and always has an enormous hug for us.

Jim will be upset if I don't mention that after the inital cloudiness, the sky cleared off and we could see Catalina quite clearly - both ends and the middle. Surfers were also plentiful in the ocean on Saturday morning, but even though the waves were high, they are called "crashing" waves so a surfer doesn't get a long ride on them.

We arrived at LAX at the appointed time on Tuesday morning for our return. There was no mention of a flight delay so we proceeded through security (Jim had a terrible time both in KC and our return from LAX). It turned out that the flight was delayed waiting for the incoming plane, but at least it had not been cancelled like so many others. Rather than getting to Kansas City a little after 2:00, we arrived about 3:30. We had packed our carry on back pack in case we had to stay all night in KC, but Jim decided to drive on back to Chillicothe. We arrived in town about 6:00.

We drove in to Bill and Mary's (good neighbors) and picked up our accumuled mail. Mary also brought out a large container of chili for our supper - even asked if we needed crackers - I had those already. It was nice not to have to worry about fixing supper or getting out on the ice and snow to go somewhere.

Jim has been to both breakfasts this morning and I have mainly puttered around here. We pick up the girls about 11:30 - they will have had baths and should be ready to see us.

We go back to Liberty tomorrow (Thursday) as Jim as an appointment with his audiologist for a yearly check-up of his hearing aids and to see if they need to be reset.

Until next time.
B.