Dec. 5-14

From what is becoming a very cold MO!

We actually have had quite tolerable weather until today - it was 51 degrees about 9:00 when we headed out for breakfast and it is now almost 5:00 p.m. and it is in the low 20s - with the low tonight to be around zero! Oh, well.

We have been rather active these past several days - or at least active for us. We have taken in two home boys basketball games (5th and 12th). The first game looked closer to a football game, but the boys seemed much more polished on the 12th. The latter game was also interesting in that the girls' dance team (15 to 20 members) had somehow corralled the same number of high school boys to dance along with them at halftime. It really was quite good and I thought it probably took a lot of courage for the guys to participate. I guess this was done last year, but we didn't venture out much at night because of so much ice.

Jim has completed the second week of therapy and a little progress is being shown, but he feels he hurts as much - if not more - than after heart surgery and his hip replacement. Of course he over does his own "therapy" at times and this may account for some of the pain.

Last week I went to the middle school annual "Christmas" gathering. I always look forward to this. It was an icy afternoon, but I managed safely to get there and to return home. The goodies are always great. There aren't too many teachers still at the middle school who were there when I retired 13 years ago, but I still know some of the younger teachers.

The Thursday a.m. breakfast group had their annual brunch at Sandy's on Thursday morning. We had a total of 18 present. It was quite a "gaggle of geese" until the food was served. Sandy is such a gracious hostess.

Christmas packages have been mailed and all Christmas cards/letters have been mailed, unless we hear from someone that I had not sent a card or letter. I always feel much better when this is done. Yesterday we put up our tree and the decorations are on it. I so enjoy the lights in the evening - something quite calming about them.

We went to Trenton on Friday to get a couple of tins of popcorn - only to discover that PopCorn World is closed. I don't know if it is because of poor crops this year (lots of flooding) or it the economy is the reason. As a result, when I got home I called the pecan place in Texas for a substitute order.

Jim has therapy three times this coming week, I have a haircut, and the usual envelopes on Friday.

I have a cousin and her husband who left their home in Canada yesterday to begin their drive to Marceline. Her father died in August and they are spending the holiday with her mom. They will probably arrive either tonight or sometime tomorrow. I hope to spend some time with them over the next couple of weeks.

We are going to Stan and Helen's for Christmas Day. I will be taking my infamous sweet potato casserole and will add something else depending on menu needs. Helen is well aware of my cooking limitations so she won't take much of a chance on me.

We have two birthday girls today. Abby and Trixie are having a fourth birthday. It doesn't seem possible that early next year that we will have had them four years. Oh, yes, they had a hair trimming about 10 days ago and the groomer suggested that we have the vet check to see if they might need their teeth cleaned. The latter was done on Tuesday.

Be safe.
B.

Nov. 30 - Dec. 4

From a cold, somewhat breezy MO!

We are slowly getting some energy back.

Jim met with his orthopedic doctor on Monday and the pin was removed - much more easily than I anticipated. Jim began physical therapy on Tuesday and also had therapy on Wednesday. He will see a therapist tomorrow - and will continue therapy for three days a week for the coming three weeks. He is finding that he is having a lot more pain than he anticipated.

On Tuesday evening we went to the high school (Tuesday was rather balmy here - probably in the 50s) and saw the boys play basketball. It was really an exciting game. Tammy - we saw you across the way, but I am not sure you spotted us. We also located Clint.

I helped Clara and Sandy W. with making some no sugar goodies for the RSVP Christmas gathering. They turned out better than I expected so hopefully they were enjoyed today by those who have to watch their sugar intake.

I had breakfast with the ladies this morning - probably ended up with 11 or 12 in attendance. We were a noisy group with so much catching up to be done. At 10:00, I joined others to finish off the decorating for the RSVP gathering that was to be this afternoon. I talked to Sandy a little while ago and she said there appeared to be a lot of empty chairs - maybe the coolness (low 30s) today kept some at home who had indicated they would be coming.

I do envelopes for Mobile Meals in the morning, we take the truck in for a oil change at 11:00, the girls will be taken to Grace at 1:00 for much needed haircuts, and Jim has PT at 2:00 - and we have nothing to do! At some point we will also do our walks at the Y - Jim is doing 2 1/2 miles while I am content with 1 mile. When we weighed in Wednesday morning I had lost a pound since the weigh-in two weeks ago - thought that was great after our trip to Austin. Jim also lost a pound - I think.

Saturday night we are joining Ron and Pat to go to the new Italian restaurant to have dinner and to listen to Gerald S. play the piano. USC plays in the afternoon so it should be over by the time we leave for dinner. --- my I am getting fancy as I always call the evening meal - supper!

Be safe.
B.