Tuesday - December 16

Anne took the boys to school and came to pick me up and we were off on a "Mother/Daughter" shopping venture    It was raining and nasty, but in the 40's......first stop was Starbucks and then we hit the shops and covered a lot of tracks!    The temps started dropping and wind picked up, but we just kept on - lots of fun!

 

We had lunch at A. Renee and then on home.

 

After a busy morning of shopping....nothing like a great glass of wine and lunch!

 

Took Mark to the eye doctor for yearly check-up, got some groceries, picked him up (dilated eyes) and home we went to stay put all thru the night!

 

 

 

 

 

Monday - December 15

Up and exercising this rainy, gloomy Monday and then off to breakfast with neighbors and friends.    Mark brought me home and he went onto Donna Rae's to help set up her mini I-pad (early Christmas gift from her family).    He was there almost 5 hours, so.... hoping she will enjoy

and figure it all out.   

 

I worked on Christmas cards and other computer stuff, made lists, did laundry, sipped on some hot tea, enjoyed the Christmas music and watched the rain come down.

 

But the morning was made brighter by getting these pics of our sweet Luke and Blair which their Mommies sent via text...

 

First up.....

 

The Princess in her tartan plaid and pigtails ready to tackle breakfast

And the little man out and about on a sunny FL morning at the playground

 

And on Saturday... 

On the slide with Daddy

Enjoyed a nice visit from long-time friend (and fellow boater), Carolyn who came to town with her 95-year old Mother.    Carolyn's husband, John passed away this fall....
Sooo good to see these dear ladies!

Good night for Mark and I to hunker down with a glass of wine and I "reluctantly" got back at looking at and sorting thru old pictures which I keep putting off (these were my parents and so many are unmarked).    But I'm almost finished, so bound and determined to get this task done in the next day or so!


 

 

Sunday - December 14

Our day was off and running as we went to Liam's hockey game at 8:10 - what a very exciting game with Jury's Out (Liam's team) winning 9-8 AND Liam scoring 6 goals!!!    Very fun!!!

 

Mark and I picked up a few groceries and then we all went to 10:00 Mass.   Home to work on the cards and prepare dinner for tonight.    Anne and family came at 4 and after a game of 6-handed euchre (with Grandpa and the boys creaming Anne, Patrick and myself 15-0), Anne opened her presents.   My awful card luck continues!   

 

The gifts are waiting

The hockey "star" helps Mommy untangle the bow

 

 Had birthday dinner and assorted mini desserts - boys were extremely lively tonight!   

  Must be the season???

 

Had a long chat with my buddy, Kathy in Texas this afternoon!   

 So good to hear her voice and catch up!

 

Have a great week!

Saturday - December 13

Today was party day!    Started the day EARLY getting up at 6 AM for Liam and Connor to be off to Connor's hockey game.    Patrick picked them up at 6:30 - no problem getting up (they love their hockey)!     I exercised, Brenda picked me up at 9:20 and we (along with Sue and Tamara ) were off to Connie's beautiful home in the country for our Monday Night Friends Christmas brunch and gift exchange.    Connie's home is so lovely and gorgeous at Christmastime - food  and mimosas were outstanding, along with lots of chatter.   We revealed our Secret Pals and so enjoyed all the gifts and our LONG-time friendships.

Monday Night Friends

Back:  Marsha, Jody, Pat, Ruth, Sue, Brenda, Linda

Front:   Connie, Tamara, Nadine, Donna

Tamara gave me a spectacular handmade quilt that she made with very fun, colorful fabrics in a sailboat design along with hand quilting of flip flops, fish, seashells, etc.    WOW.....what talent!  

My beautifully wrapped package

Tamara and I had each other as Secret Pals this past year!

Friends since 1972

Our Grand Kitty, Ted out in NC apparently got caught in the Christmas tree this afternoon and couldn't get out!!!   Michael said he turned on the lights, Ted bit into the cord and WHOOAAAA....somehow got untangled and went flying out of the tree!   Now that would've been something to see!   Ha!!!

Enjoying all the Christmas cards, pictures and letters (last year we had quite a few less than usual and slower coming in this year - that darn .49 postage is a big culprit!)    Yesterday we got a unique

piece of paper (certificate) in a card from long-time boating friends.   We were on the same dock in Racine with Roger and Sandee for many years and they moved to Oceanside, CA probably 7-8 years ago.    The certificate stated that Roger was laid to rest at sea on July 14, 2014 with his ashes scattered over the waters of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California - it was quite something, giving the latitude and longitude, name of the ship, etc. 

Exciting family news:   Our niece, Lisa is engaged to Joey!    Yeah......Lisa is Mark's sister Joan and Joe's daughter!   

Tonight we went to Gerry and Linda's home for our annual Mid Illini party (boating friends)    So fun go be with these friends and enjoy a huge array of appetizers and desserts, plus wine and wassail.

Friday - December 12

Forty-four years ago today, Mark and I became the proud parents of Michael and Anne.......still so proud of them today and the fine adults they've become - happily married, great parents, successful in their careers, hard workers and volunteers

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our twins!

Love you bunches, oodles and gobs!

 

This afternoon I visited "Aunt" Ginny....

Tomorrow (12/13) , she will celebrate her 102nd birthday!

She was sitting by the window opening some of her many cards and enjoying her pretty roses

 

She is such a lovely lady and what an inspiration to all...

 

Also visited Ed and Donna Rae - Ed is now in the nursing home.    He slept most of the time and then went for therapy, but Donna Rae and I sure enjoyed our visit.

 

Picked the boys up from school, made pretzel treats and then to Firehouse Pizza for supper.  Home to  play euchre - trying to teach these two...Connor and Grandpa were partners and won!    Then Liam and Grandpa played and won!    Hmmmm....Grandma got terrible cards and was the big looooooser!

 

Nighty night - enjoy your weekend!    But before you leave this page, check out our little budding basketball star...

 

Let's see some moves, Luke...