New Year's Eve is a day that I know is going to be long when I wake up. I was awake a couple times in the night, maybe because there's lots I need to do, maybe because of what I ate or didn't eat yesterday, but I know it's going to be hard to stay awake from 6:30 to midnight, even though I'll want to. There have been years I didn't make it, but I have people I want to celebrate with. Napping sounds like a good idea, but I rarely achieve it. OK, so I'll be tired tomorrow.

Yesterday morning, most people got up after 9 or later. I ate a little yogurt and banana and drank some green tea. Eventually, there were enough people to make pancakes with blueberries--and bacon. We took a walk a little after noon.

Five of us went to town, leaving Ray home alone. He would have come, but we would have needed a bigger car. We went to TJ Maxx. Apparently Adrian needed more shopping. As it turns out, I bought a few things myself. Some jeans and long-sleeved shirts and socks. Things I didn't get for Christmas and were very reasonable at TJ Maxx. Everyone tried things on and bought at least one thing.

Then we went to say hi to my Dad. He had called in the morning and said he didn't feel very good. He gets mildly dizzy and nauseous. He was fine by the time we visited, watching football and having eaten some canned chicken soup. I don't know if it relates to blood pressure or sugar, or if there is something he is not getting enough of (or too much of). I wonder if I can convince him to take multi-vitamins.

Then we went to Kroger and bought some groceries. Some people were really hungry and had a snack there.

At home, I started making a stir-fry with the last of the bok choy from the garden and leftover pork. Amelia went to have supper with Kevin's family and celebrate Kasey's birthday some more. It was really cold and we closed the shades and built up the fire.

Supper was well-received and then we watched The FIfth Element, maybe my favorite movie ever. About 10, I was falling asleep and went upstairs, to the sounds of the movie and family downstairs.

Elisa didn't get up, but the rest of us headed for pilates. We dropped Adrian off to walk around. Ray decided to wait in the car, so in the end, three Freeman-Lynde women took pilates. It was a good class. We found Adrian and headed home, ate leftovers, hung around, showered, and dressed.

Then we headed to the basketball game in two cars. We went with Elisa and picked up my Dad. We all met in th parking garage and walked to the Coliseum. It was very cold. I had gotten $5 tickets on line. The game was mediocre, but Elisa enjoyed it. So did Adrian. We bought popcorn and drinks.

We went back out into the cold. Molli and Amelia and Adrian went

Yesterday was a little less fun, but it had its moments. Cold, with some sun, we had a fire most of the day and the heat ran in the morning, as it has for most of the week. It started raining in the night again. I'm not complaining about too much rain yet.

The plan was for some people to get up at sunrise and walk the trail. I was not surprised that didn't happen, but Ray had believed the advance press and gotten up about 7. Molli got up around 9. We had breakfast and got dressed and five of us were in the car by about 10:30.

We spent almost two hours at Goodwill, getting a coffee maker that worked. Ray also bought a small color TV ($6) to replace the old black and white one in our room, which works fine. And a VCR. I bought a sweater and a really nice rain jacket. Amelia picked out a dress for me, too, but I haven't tried it yet. Ray bought a couple pairs of pants and a bright yellow vest for walking in the woods. We went for Adrian, who bought a couple blazers and shirts. If you've been shopping with Amelia, he has the same stamina and patience for shopping that she does. He picked carefully through everything, tried on many items, and only bought a few. It is great. He ends up with bargains and items he really likes. I, on the other hand, and Ray and Molli, to some extent, lose interest after about the first hour. This is compounded by Goodwill issues, like long lines and a slow system.

I was ready to go home, even though the plan was to go to two more places plus the grocery store. We went and ate lunch and I started on dinner--macaroni and cheese with the biggest pork roast we had from our pig. They headed out again and Ray and I settled down for some quiet time-wasting. My Dad arrived. He had talked to Molli and believed they would be back soon. I knew differently.

Ray and I took a short walk and then played a new game Kevin had given me. It's called Exactica, and can be played a little like other card games. Each card has several suits, however, and the distribution of values is odd--4 through 12, with more 8s than anything else. We did not love it, but I am willing to try a few more times.

Molli and Amelia and Adrian arrived about 5:30. I had put the pork in about 3 and the mac and cheese in at 5. (I made a giant batch and froze one 9 x 13 pan.) I also sliced up some peppers and onions and sauteed them. Ray cut up the green beans and we put them on to cook. Kevin arrived and we played Bezzerwizzer. With 7 people, we had 3 teams of 2, plus Ray. Guess who won by a lot? Some of the questions were easy and some were hard.

By the time we finished, I was hungry and it was almost 8. Unfortunately, the pork was still a little pink. Molli fried slices of it to make sure it was edible. She made gravy too. The macaroni was amazingly wonderful and Kevin ate evertything! We finally finished the squash from Christmas.

I couldn't wait for my father to go home and the young people to head downtown. I sat down to knit in front of the TV, but was too tired and uncomfortable to make it through Wheel of Fortune. This is when it's good to have a nice "new" color TV in your bedroom. Of course, it felt so nice to be in my pajamas in bed, I still didn't stay awake long enough to finish that show!

I am really enjoying this time. I usually get up first. Sometimes I am still sitting at my computer when Amelia gets up, but usually I am downstairs. I turn on the Christmas lights, tidy up a bit, and start getting out some food.

Yesterday morning, Amelia's friend Becky and goddaughter Loretta came to visit for a few hours. We played outside and we played inside. I started a puzzle. Elisa got up. I took my bath and got dressed. We ate leftovers. Amelia and Becky and Loretta went to Kevin's. Molli and Adrian had lunch in town with Katie Davis, via truck.

Ray and I drove Elisa to a friend's house. I felt a little strange. This is someone who was in the play and Ray met her, but we don't know anything about her or her family and she wanted to spend the night. In general, I would like her to have more friends in town and be active, but I am also nervous about her safety. So the two of us drove her and introduced ourselves to what we think is her Dad, although he did not introduce himself. The house seemed nice, and I warned the friend and the Dad that she should not be involved in any questionable activity and gave them my phone number so I could come get her at any time. And we left.

My Dad came and everyone came back and we played a game of Yacht Race, a perfect game for six. This is a Parker Brothers game I have never seen anywhere else, a lot like sailing. It was fun but somewhat contentious at times. My father said something fairly profound: "I'd rather be here playing this game with you, even if we can't agree on the rules, than home alone." duh, but good to remember.

We all headed to Kevin's. His Mom invited us for drinks and appetizers. She made fondue and lots of other treats. Not much in the way of veggies, though. Gerald met us there and we all had fun. Then we went to Janna's for leftovers and had more fun. I laughed until I cried.

In bed by about 11. Up at 6. Not too bad. Amelia went to sing karaoke, not sure when she came in.

I've gotten off schedule again. I fell asleep before 9:30 last night and woke up at 4:30. Because it's very cold, we are letting hot water drip so our solar collector doesn't freeze. I don't think it wakes me up, but the water dripping into the tub is distracting once I'm awake. I nearly fell back asleep, but not quite. It was supposed to be 28 overnight.

Yesterday Amelia got up early and went to the AT&T Store to get added to Kevin's family's phone plan. He and his sister were getting new iPhone 5s. Needless to say, there were other people there and it took until noon or so for them to finish. Meanwhile, I did a little tidying up, a Sudoku from my new book, and started a Spider game. Ray and I took a walk with Molli and Adrian and the dogs. I took a bath and suprise! It was lunch time. My Dad came over.

Gerald came to visit us. We all sat down to eat leftovers--Ray went and woke Elisa. It was a fun group--international, with lots of Spanish as well as English and a smattering of French and German. Much discussion of language and culture. Plenty of food, although maybe lacking in green vegetables.

Then we dealt the cards for an epic game of 8-handed Cancellation Hearts, with several newbies. I was ahead most of the game, with only 3 points when a few people were approaching 50. Then they began ganging up on me. At one point, I had two queens of spades in my hand and not much cover, so I ended up taking a trick with one of them. I was still low after that, though. We stopped playing a little after 4, when Gerald had to leave. I was declared the winner, although Mudge (who was second) said it didn't count.

We chilled a bit and then left for dinner at Porterhouse, without Gerald but with Kevin. Everyone seemed to enjoy it very much. I was quite restrained, ordering a spinach salad and hot tea. The decaf they had was mint or hibiscus. I am not a fan of mint, so had hibiscus. I put a little of Mudge's dark rum in it and it was just the ticket. He had she-crab soup; Molli had some chicken chili. Adrian ate 18 oz of steak--I think he could have eaten more. Molli had steak frites--ribeye with french fries. She gave me some of hers. Mudge and Elisa had 7 oz filets. Amelia had mashed potatoes, salad, and fried green tomatoes. We had a bottle of Malbec for four of us. Then we had some creme brulee and the Snickers pie. Yum.

Mudge went to his house, Ray and Elisa and I came home (and I went to bed), but Molli and Amelia and Kevin and Adrian went to a bar. Sure did not appeal to me.

Ah, Christmas! It was very satisfactory. The worst thing is the roast was overcooked. I was playing cards and Molli was out running (in the rain). Amelia doesn't eat meat, of course, so didn't worry about that. Molli checked it with the thermometer before she left and I didn't take it out for another hour or so. A delicious roast, just not pink anywhere.

I was up a couple hours before anyone else, which I had counted on. I was wrapping away and tucking things in stockings. Amelia got up pretty early and helped me some, but she mostly wanted to sleep some more, curled up on the couch. My Dad came a little after eight and then Ray got up, followed eventually by Molli and Adrian. We had to wake Elisa. The stockings were maybe a little slim, mostly not very exciting and quickly opened. Not so many sweets, as we are generally trying to be healthier. (just realized I forgot to wrap a bottle of capers for my Dad)

We had a lovely authentic stollen from Aldi, full of raisins and candied fruit. We had scrambled eggs, as is traditional, although Amelia went for leftover quiche instead. I realized I had no more eggs to make the pies and Yorkshire pudding. Sometimes we make pies the day before, but I was cooking the Christmas eve food and only managed to get the mince done.

The gift opening proceeded after Amelia took a quick shower. It was quite satisfactory. I used to make lists of my loot: I got a big heavy box of Fiesta ware from Amelia. I don't know whether it came from one store or was collected over the year--dark blue and yellow. No clothes at all--no socks or underwear. Three cookbooks--a German one from Elisa, a lovely chicken and egg cookbook (from Polly, I think), and a digital one that I have not been able to redeem yet from Molli and Adrian. It is from Kobo and they keep telling me my password is no good and I keep resetting it. I have emailed them and am sure it will work out. It is Mark Bittman's! Elisa also gave a book of Sudoku to Ray and me, very thoughtful, and a novel that looks good. Bonney sent a necklace that I like a lot. And there is a new game to try, probably from Polly. Maybe it will be good for two or three players! Other people were enjoying the things I gave them--a jackknife for my Dad, a watch for Ray, some warmup pants Elisa had admired--so it was fun all around, although soon over and time to get cooking.

Amelia and my Dad drove out to buy eggs. I was surprised any place was open on Christmas day, but not everyone celebrates it. Pecan and mince pies were baked. The girls and Adrian went to Kevin's for a while. We ate leftovers. The roast went in the oven. Molli cut up the squash--a ton of it--and peeled the potatoes. Amelia prepared the sweet potatoes and the Yorkshire puddings and the green beans. We started a game of Oh Hell and Molli was winning, except she stopped to go for a run. Elisa took her place and won by a lot, but we discovered near the end of the game she did not know you had to follow suit. Perhaps the secret to her success! Anyway, this is when I took the roast out, the sweet potatoes went in. We cleared the game and set the table with the historic tablecloth, embroidered with family signatures. Come to think of it, I guess I should add Adrian and Kevin's names. The little silver balls are no longer silvered and most of them are gone, but the embroidered names in red and green are still fun to read. I made the gravy, but didn't pour off the fat.

Of course, I miss my mother most of all on occasions like this, but her presence is strongly felt. She would have enjoyed it all and given advice even if she couldn't do the work herself. I know she would not have let me overcook the roast beef! And she would have given me socks and underwear.

My Dad left after a piece of pie (and the end of the Oh Hell game). We watched Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol and another old Star Trek episode (Charlie X), thanks to Netflix. I stayed up after 10 and woke early, excited for a day of relaxation and fun.

Merry Christmas, y'all!

Super-Mom, knitting Christmas presents, cooking fabulous meals for 14, singing O Holy Night with Molli at the Christmas Eve service and making people cry...she does it all. Only now, I have not had enough sleep and all my joints ache--OK, only a few. And I actually still have gifts to wrap and put in the stockings--I figured it was safe, since I was very likely to be up before anyone else, and I couldn't do it with them watching--and it was midnight before I went to bed. And I have to make two kinds of pie, from scratch of course, cook the squash, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and green beans, and roast beef.

Yesterday morning went well. I made the quiches very early in the day, right after breakfast, did a little more tidying, had a short walk with Amelia, did part of the preparation for the soup.

Ray left at 10 to meet Molli and Adrian's plane in Atlanta. I was very nervous. The weather was rainy and none of us were sure the dog would clear customs with no problem. After that, Ray had to fit everything in the car (which is why he went alone). As it turned out, they arrived early and everything went great and they were here before 3.

Meanwhile, I tasked my Dad with buying the roast and some shrimp, as well as several other things, which he did well. He arrived before them and had time to wrap a present. Amelia finalized all the decorating we were going to do and started arranging the tables. I did a little more wrapping.

Molli and I (and Ray) had a chance to run through O Holy Night. The piano was handy for that. Before we left for the service, a tray of veggies and hummus was ready, with plastic wrap, thanks to A. The chicken tagine was warming on the stove, the soup was ready for the macaroni, the dessert was started.

Ray and Molli and I left in the red car. We were there only a few minutes after 6, to run through the song with Robert, our amazing pianist. Unfortunately, the phone rang at that minute, and Ray and I both realized instantly that we had the keys to the other car, which is what Amelia called to ask. Ray headed home instantly. Molli and I went in to start rehearsing. Amelia called back to suggest they could come in Kevin's car. We were able to run through it a couple times and feel good about it. Then it was wait and worry about the rest of our group. Just after the service started, we saw Ray, but we didn't know when the rest of them had come in. It turned out, he had his phone off and did not know that they were making other arrangements. He got all the way to the house and found them gone. Amelia had left a big note. He called her and she said, "we're already on the way." A great plan, but too bad about the phone. The service was lovely, lots of carols. Unfortunately, I was a little too nervous to enjoy most of it. Molli and I had lots of compliments.

Then we rushed home, put the macaroni in the soup, reheated the chicken tagine, finshed mixing up the cake and put it in the oven. Janna's family arrived, Amelia went and got Kevin. We drank wine and ate hummus, served soup, and tagine. Janna had brought a big salad with add-ins. We had macaroons that Amelia had made (gluten-free) and an assortment of cookies, as well as Chocolate Eclpse wtih vanilla ice cream for those who wished.

They left at 10 and we read Nellie's Christmas Eve and hung the stockings. I was planning to put on Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, but Roku/Netflix wouldn't work! A little before midnight, I had to stop.

Christmas Eve is here! I still have lots to do, but I feel pretty confident it will get done. More nerve-wracking is Molli (and Adrian)'s trip. They should be on the plane now, with their dog, Osa. An international trip with a dog on Christmas Eve is pretty stressful and on this trip, Molli is leaving behind friends and a job and new family members that have been her life for four and a half years! I can't believe it's been so long and I can't believe she's coming home. I am thinking of them...and of Adrian's family...and hoping all goes well. I will be so happy to have them here.

Our Christmas tree was bare when I went downstairs yesterday, but today I will go down and turn the lights on soon. Oddly enough, I spent the biggest chunk of time yesterday making Chicken Tagine, which I was planning to freeze, but have now decided to serve tonight. It is time-consuming, but delicious.

We went to church, Ray first, thinking he was supposed to do sound, my Dad, Amelia and I after, arriving more than 5 minutes late. Elisa did not come. Amelia and I had walked to the mailbox and back and then showered and dressed, so we couldn't quite get there by 11. Of course, I had made apple pancake for Amelia before anyone else was up. My Dad arrived about 10 and had some.

For lunch, we had leftover pastitsio.

In the early evening/late afternoon, Amelia began putting up the lights. It is a job she has been doing for a few years and does well, best without much help, except maybe an appreciative comment or two.

Ray and I made Roman Rice and Beans for supper.

Amelia and Elisa hung decorations on the tree. I knit and watched. I was very happy.

After supper, Ray built a fire and we watched a very early Star Trek episode, one we had never seen, about a creature who needed salt to live and could take the shape of any crew member. It was quite fun, somewhat dated in the special effects, but clearly ground-breaking in 1966. Then a few of our regular shows. I did some wrapping.

I went to bed about 10, but had trouble falling asleep, from the excitement, I guess.

Realizing I missed Friday, this will be out of order. Friday was very cold but sunny. I went out about 11 to do more grocery shopping--I stopped at Healthy Gourmet to pick up a few things, which turned out to be mostly 9 bottles of good wine, some for gifts. I looked briefly at Suska for a winter coat for Elisa, but they were much too nice and vintage for what I was looking for, imho. I went to Earth Fare and bought some things. Then I picked up my Dad and went to Kroger and got some more. I took him home and it was after 2 when I got back to the house.

Put away groceries, ate lunch, made brownies with E's help, made supper, started on pastitsio sauce. We went to our last dance class, swing. There weren't quite as many people as the other nights, which was more fun, in some ways. Danced with my dentist again. Wished everyone Merry Christmas and went home, stopping off at David Jarrett's End of the World party for an hour with brownies. It was pleasant. They have a lovely houses, decorated to the nines.

Amelia's here! Yay! It makes me happy to wake up and remember she is in her bed.

Yesterday was very cold but sunny, so quite pleasant in the house, after Ray built a fire. I did put the heat up before he did that, when the sun first came up. I made scrambled eggs--still not as good as our own eggs. I want those hens to start laying--and I might get a couple more, so we have enough.

Ray did a lot of picking up and I worked some more on the pastitsio. I didn't want to put it in the oven, of course, until Amelia was here and we were an hour away from dinner. My Dad was going to peel the apples for apple crisp, so I couldn't do that. We had lots of cookies and brownies ready to go. I spent some time looking for the recipe for soup I want to make for Christmas Eve, but that cookbook is MIA for the moment and the info I entered into Spark People is a little cryptic. I thought surely there was another soup recipe I would like to make and looked at a lot of my favorites. I have some candidates, but I am not totally convinced. Must confer with Amelia.

We took a brief walk, ate some lunch, vacuumed. I put the pastitsio together and my Dad arrived. He peeled the apples while watching football, reminding me of earlier times, after he wrapped a couple presents. I finished the apple crisp and knit a bit before Amelia and Kevin arrived about 4:30. Once all her things were in the house, we quickly rushed out and they approved a tree I had tentatively chosen, a cedar close to the house. This is the first time we all agreed on a tree so quickly and easily. Ray cut it down and dragged it back. Then we had to clear a space for it and make it stand up. This involved, in case you don't know, putting it in a bucket with rocks and water and tying it to the window latches in two places. It is a gorgeous tree, very full. It is not the tallest tree by far, but it sticks out into the room the farthest, leaving the least amount of living room!

We decided to take the rest of the day off and not put the lights up. My Dad went home before supper; he was feeling very sad, missing my Mom. We ate pastitsio and broccoli and apple crisp. Amelia went to Kevin's for Gloria's company Christmas party. The three of us watched the Mentalist, except I fell asleep. Went to bed before 9:30 and didn't even try to read.

Ah, yes, Christmas shopping..in the rain and traffic...why I dislike the season.

We walked with Elisa to Skipper's; the last day of school for her...first I made some muffins for her to take. I got up about 6:30 and checked my recipe for orange juice muffins--it does call for sugar, which I didn't have, but I substituted brown sugar, apparently successfully. Also left out the raisins, because she doesn't like them, and the lemon peel, because I didn't have any.

Ray and I had fried eggs when we got back. Mine didn't taste very good and I realized that I had been eating either fresh from the free-range chicken eggs or Earth Fare better quality eggs. It does make a difference. Come on, chickens! Start laying again1

A man came from Allen's Electronics and fixed the DISH system so we can now watch TV in our bedroom as well, even though it is a small black&white set. He and Ray spent almost two hours, down in the basement, in the living room, upstairs, Ray asking questions all the way, and Allen giving advice about how great DISH is (we don't need Roku, we can have access to Blockbuster's movies for $10/month; AT&T sucks). I spent the time mostly at my computer, not wishing to bathe and dress until he left, but needing to buy some groceries before I could do much in the way of cooking.

Ray and I reveiwed the items we have for Christmas presents. He is pretty miserable at that, although he wants to be helpful. I concluded I need to do some more shopping, which makes me very unhappy. What I want to do is cooking, and maybe even cleaning. In addition to my other challenges (two sons-in-law!), I have this German girl I need to buy something for, my husband, and my own two daughters--and yes, my 85-year-old father. Quite the challenge.

I met my friends Becky and Janna at a new restaurant, the Athens Bagel Company. I liked the atmosphere, but the food wasn't outstanding. We had a pleasant time, though, and I gave Becky a small present I had managed to wrap before I left.

Janna and I went to Avid Bookshop, which is fun partly because I know the owner slightly. They also have high-quality used books on the shelves with the others and I was able to pick several that may be interesting. I couldn't decide for sure who to give what, thinking particularly of Ray and Kevin and Adrian (if he could read a book in English). I have determined to play White Elephant with them, wrapping them all the same and allowing people to trade and get the book they want most. Might be a new tradition.

I stopped briefly at the Potter's House, but it was too grungy for Christmas presents. I skipped the books there. I drove to Goodwill, but it took me more than 30 minutes. The traffic was fierce and the rain had gotten heavier. I did buy one thing there.

Then I went to Aldi. I recently learned that Kroger is rated as low as Publix or Walmart, so I am trying to buy less there. Aldi is better. They only take cash, so I tried to limit my purchases. I still had to leave about half the things I wanted. Amusingly, they had some interesting and different items from Germany that will do for Christmas treats.

At home, I put things away and made some barbecued chicken for a change from pork. Ray helped and it was well recieved. We also ate some asparagus from the freezer. It had been there too long, I think, and was sadly not as good.

Then I picked up Nancy M. and headed to the Lay Ministry meeting. As usual, not very productive, but I did get some knitting done.

A little TV, reading, and bed. Slept well.

even warmer than yesterday--sunny all day. Still cool in the morning, though.

We had our walk and then got ready for the movers--we have a "new" piano! Ray consulted every step of the way. They brought it in the front door, but couldn't get it around the corner into the Ocean Room. In order to bring it in the outside door from the West Deck, Ray had to get his chainsaw and cut a stump that was blocking the truck's access. Meanwhile, the two men took the piano back to the truck and then drove around the garden and came in that way. No problem! I played a little easy Christmas music and Ray sang along. Elisa was excited when she got home and spent several hours there, while talking to a friend in Germany.

My Dad came in the afternoon and we spent some time outdoors. I did some weeding.

We had an early supper (refried beans, tortillas, a little garden lettuce), because Elisa had to be at school at 5:30. Her "exam" for Drama Class was a play. She and another student were directors.

Ray and I went to Catherine Kleiner's house to sing Christmas carols with some of our choir mates. It was fun. Then we went to see the play. It was pretty funny, although many of the actors had never been on stage before. It was about speed dating. One of the characters kept talking on her phone while she was on a date. One pretended he could speak other languages...dicaprio...gesundheit...


I was really sleepy and went to bed when we got home. We stopped on our way and picked up some eggs, so I could make muffins this morning for Elisa to take to school. Then I kept waking up all night, maybe because I knew I had to get up early and bake them: 2:30, 3:15, 5:15...then finally 6:30.

A pleasant and not very productive day. Sunny and warm, no need for a fire, although we ran the heat in the early morning, before the sun kicked in.

We walked Elisa to school; she was later than she had been before, but they were just getting in the car when we got there.

spent some time on the computer paying bills. Did a little tidying and a load of laundry. Studied recipes. My Dad came at lunch time and we all had leftovers. Spent a couple hours outside, weeding mostly.

Made some potato-pepper omelets and ate brussels sprouts from the garden.

Ray and I went to cha-cha class--it was fun--there were more men than women for a change. I danced several times with Dr. Kimmich!

Watched TV and stayed up late reading. Went to sleep with apnea mask about 11:30 and woke up with it on at 5:30. I would have liked to sleep longer, but felt awake.

Good day--more rain. Ray walked Elisa to StipeMaases'. I came home to take a quick bath. I took him to get his lab work done for his checkup and went to the post office to mail two packages! There was a line, but it moved pretty quickly, since there were five clerks. They are supposed to arrive Christmas Eve, but it is not guaranteed. I couldn't bring myself to pay the price to get them there Wednesday. When I was saying, "I can't believe it will really take that long," she said, "You should have mailed them earlier." I said, "I was in school and couldn't do it until now." (bitch) Anyway, glad to have that done and hope they arrive safely.

I got Ray and we did a couple more errands and came home a little after 10. We puttered around and sat in front of the fire and ate leftovers for lunch. In the afternoon, we spent some time in the basement, tidying up the piles of cardboard boxes.

We walked out to check the mail about the time Elisa came home on the bus. I made some pretty good pork chops and oven-fried potatoes. Then we all went dancing. This week at DanceFX, they are having "Ballroom Bootcamp." Every night is a different step. Last night was Foxtrot, so that was fun. Becky and Kent met us there. Natalie had us rotate partners, so Elisa got to dance some too. There was one guy who was especially good--it seemed like gliding instead of stepping.

After that, I was pretty sleepy, but managed to stay awake through one episode of The Mentalist. Didn't get up until 6:30, although I was awake briefly at 3:15.

This morning when I woke up at 4:45, I was finally able to go back to sleep and wake up closer to 7. Much better. I wonder what is happening every morning at 4:45 that is waking me up--a train? dog barking?

It rained a goodly amount yesterday, starting with a light rain as we left UUFA. By late afternoon and evening, it was much heavier and steady, perfect for the garden. It was dark all day, but we got it warmed up with the woodstove and some cooking.

I baked a few more cookies in the morning and took it all to the bake sale: ginger cookies, banana  bread, brownies, orange muffins, and whole wheat oatmeal apple cookies. I thought maybe I would have something to bring home if it didn't sell, but it was gone by the time I checked, even though there were still some items the others had made. We performed our Peanuts skit, and it went quite well. It was well received, although I didn't feel it was my best work. I particularly blew one line where I told Linus to get rid of that stupid Christmas blanket...Kent and Becky came and so did my Dad. The seven of us went to lunch at DePalma's.

When I looked at the specials and saw blackberry cheesecake, I determined to order just soup and salad, so I could have that for dessert. I didn't eat any bread... we had a really nice time. I also had an old fashioned and a little wine.

We did some more present wrapping and now have two boxes ready to ship this morning. I invited Elisa's liaison, Joerg, to stay for dinner when he brought her back from Buford. Then Ray and I did some serious cleaning up, including work in the study, even though he wouldn't see it. I had already planned to make something with the rest of the sausage from the breakfast pancakes. It was a sort of mock cassoulet with white beans, carrots, a little wine...Then I had three green tomatoes I had bought at the farmer's market before Thanksgiving and stuck in the fridge when we went away. I made fried green tomatoes and they were quite good. We even put together an apple crisp and put it in the oven. We lit the three candles on the advent wreath. When Joerg and his wife dropped Elisa off, they didn't stay to eat, but we had a nice dinner, and now we have some leftovers. Elisa showed us her purchases.

We had dinner ready early, so Ray and I watched more TV than usual and still went to bed before 10.

Not enough sleep again. I have a cold and I am angry and anxious. At first, I thought I was nervous about the play, which is this morning. Being in a play makes me nervous sometimes, but this is different. Then I remembered about the news. I am angry at people who make and sell semi-automatic weapons. I am angry at the gunman's mother--what was she doing with those guns? In fact, I think we need a different word for them--they are not guns for hunting animals--they are people-killing weapons. I am angry at our political system for allowing them to be sold easily with no limits. Why do we have this kind of problem only in the US? True, there are wars and bloodshed in some other countries, but this is different. I don't know this young man's history, but what could we have done to help this family get help before this tragedy? And, I am angry at our culture of violence--movies and video games, and yes, the media. Lots of good things being written; I read some on Facebook, of all things. But I should have known better than to look at FB late last night.

Yesterday was a good day in some ways. I made orange muffins (tasty) before breakfast and we ate scrambled eggs. I walked to the communtiy center. Cori was holding a workshop on homemade wrapping. She had stamp pads and stamps and big rolls of craft paper and red and green yarn. I spent a little time with Adah and Soli (and Cori and Sky). I walked back home and took a bath and got ready for pilates.

The three of us went to pilates and had a good class. We stopped briefly at the Farmers' Market--last one of the year. I bought potatoes and one package of ground beef ($7/lb). I couldn't bring myself to buy broccoli, which looked good, but cost $4-$5/pound.Then we drove to Jefferson, where we met Amy, the AFS host mom who took Elisa to Florida. Her "daughter" from France, Luanna, is Elisa's good friend. This is nice, but I am concerned that she spends all her free time in Buford and isn't making friends and doing things in Athens.

It was strange to wake up this morning and realize she is not here. I spoke to our liaison, Joerg, yesterday, and he does not know of any leads on potential families. If I insisted, they would pull her and find a famly for her somewhere else in the country, I think. He thinks she should be asking friends if they want to host. I don't.

Ray and I had lunch and did some wrapping. We have a box ready to ship to Santa Fe. He spent a couple of hours splitting wood. I did a little yard work and tidying up outside during the warmest part of the afternoon. I made banana bread and regular bread and a kidney bean and turnip dish from Kashmir for supper.

It was heavily overcast and we kept a fire going in the woodstove.

After supper, we went to Town and Gown to watch Pippin with Becky and Kent and Janna and Ron. It was very good, with lots of talented musicians. The costumes and makeup were a little odd--more appropriate to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I dozed some in the second act; it was warm in the theater.

We didn't go right to bed when we got home, so I was up too late to get up at 6, but that's what happened.

Another horrible act of violent murder yesterday has made me numb. It's just too much--how can we go on with our meaningless daily routines?

Skipper called me and said she didn't feel good, so I drove Elisa and Valley to school. Ray had gotten up by the time I got back. We had a walk--it was frosty cold, but the sun started to warm it up. We worked on our Christmas packages to ship. I showered and dressed in my good suit. My good shoes are uncomfortable and I looked for the right socks.

I dropped Ray off at his office and went to my interview. I had to wait a little while and then I was told to fill out an application, which pretty much dupliclated the information from my resume, except it asked for three professional references. I wasn't really prepared, except, fortunately, I had some contact info in my phone. After about half an hour, I met with the director, who I knew, for about 15 minutes. They want someone to make cold calls to potential donors and organize events, including recruiting volunteers. This is a part-time temporary position and it pays $11/hour. She has several interviews. She did not seem very interested in me. I was embarrassed. It felt pathetic.

I went to the car wash--it's the kind you drive through, so it was sort of fun--I wished I had a child with me. That is where I was captive of the TV news and heard some of the details of the shooting.

Then I picked up Ray and we picked up Elisa at the high school. We stopped at the St. Mary's thrift store and bought a few items to put in the holiday packages. She did not seem very interested, although she doesn't complain. Then we headed home.

We had pork steak, rice, and frozen yellow beans, not very exciting, but satisfying.

We went to Memorial Hall at UGA for the Jingle Ball. There were foxtrot and swing lessons, general dancing, and some lovely performances. There were a couple people we knew from our dance lessons, particularly Natalie, the instructor. Elisa mostly sat and watched, she didn't want to dance, but one gentleman convinced her to come up for part of the swing lesson. There were also a few items being auctioned silently to benefit Project Safe. I left my check in case I won something.

Well, darn, I have a cold. I have an interview this afternoon and would like to be at my best. It has been really cold the last couple of days, but that doesn't usually make me sick. I have the play on Sunday, but after that I have a week to recover.

I'm having a little trouble getting into the Christmas spirit. Everyone is mailing packages, but I am slowly shopping.

Yesterday, we had a long walk in the cold morning, taking Elisa to Skipper's, and walking back through the meadow. Ray had to meet someone at 10:30. I went with him and he dropped me at the library. After picking out a few books (and admiring their progress), I walked over to Joann Fabrics and spent about an hour studying the yarn and the pattern books. I am going to do another sweater, which I haven't for a couple years. I hope it turns out like Bonney's! I think it's the same color. I look at other yarns, and then I end up buying Lion. I am used to knitting with it and like the way it looks and feels, and it's not too expensive. Sadly, it was not on sale this time and I bought 10 skeins. I sat on the floor and looked at every knitting magazine. There were only two that had patterns for men's sweaters. I chose the one I liked best, but last night, I decided to make something from a book I already had instead.

Ray picked me up outside and we met Becky for lunch downtown. It was good, but not particularly healthful: onion soup, roast beef sandwich, fries and a brownie. She was getting over a cold, but I don't think that's where I got it. Ray has it too and I'm not sure about Elisa.

We picked up some yogurt and apples at Earth Fare and went by the bank and came on home about 3. My Dad came soon after. He wanted help downloading a bridge game from the Apple store and was very happy when he could start playing it.

I made latkes--maybe the best I ever ate! I grated two big potatoes and one big turnip/rutabaga and a smallish onion. I think it was a recipe from CHOW, some email I get. You were supposed to cook them in duck fat, but I don't have any of that. They were darn good cooked in vegetable oil. Elisa was happy to taste one when she came home. We lit the Hanukkah candles, too. Mudge left, we sat by the fire until it was time to drive over to the Community Center, where we had a pleasant dinner, although my young friends were not there.

I had to stay for a board meeting, but it went pretty well, as the president wasn't there. At home again, we watched a little TV and went to bed. I woke up at 3:15 and took off my sleep mask, but the next time I woke up was 6:45, so that was good.

Managed to fill up another day easily with no obligations...reading the Athens newspaper headlines on my computer, I saw there was to be a meetng about the Village, so I determined to attend it. Ray and I came home the long way after walking Elisa to Skipper's. I took my time gettling dressed and headed out.

There is a Jittery Joe's on Atlanta Highway, where a car dealership used to be. It took me a couple tries to find it. There was a small group, one woman I knew and a couple that I did not. No one from the Council on Aging was there. Another woman I knew came. After a while, I went ahead and called Kate L....someone was supposed to be on the way. I was glad to have a chance to meet Kate, a young woman with long dark hair. She was a lobbyist before starting this job, says she loves working with older people and is planning to get an MSW when her husband is done with grad school. I suggested I might intern with her next semester and she seemed excited. They are doing well, with over 100 members, plus volunteers and providers. She is kept pretty busy, so is not sure how she would manage more members, but they need the funding. Each membership is $300 a year, so 100 members is only $30,000--not enough to pay her salary, I would guess, plus the costs of marketing and other overhead.

I went home, we had lunch, we headed out again. Ray had to meet with Linda to transfer the duties of CCDC treasurer. He dropped me at my Dad's and we went to Peach Mac, where I did some shopping. Then he drove me to the grocery store and we both bought some things. He was pretty tired by the time we finished. Then we went to my house, where he started a load of laundry and we talked some.

We spent almost 30 minutes on the phone with AT&T, trying to cancel some service he had accidentally agreed to on his phone. It was very frustrating, but ultimately successful. The initial problem stemmed from the fact that they had the account holder listed as Patty Freeman-Lynde, even though the bill comes to Raymond Freeman-. They would not accept his name or SSN or Patricia and my SSN. In frustration, I asked for a supervisor, who suggested I try a nickname... Even then, she insisted there was no record of any subscriptions to cancel, until she stumbled across the information. In theory, he will not get any more emails offering him products via text message now.

Ray and Elisa came home after 4. I made some cookies. We went to the Fellowship for chili made by the Coming of Age group. The child I am partnered with did not show up, so I helped Marty with the dishes a bit before choir. It was the final rehearsal for our performance of a Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday. It went pretty well, but another run-through would be good. I am Lucy and have a bunch of lines, which I did not really work on until this week, after my class work was finished.

We stayed up a little later, watching TV until 10:30, but I still woke up before 5, with a bad sci-fi dream. I am getting a cold, too.

Not much to say about yesterday--I spent time on my computer, reading and deleting e-mails...it was nice and warm inside because Ray built a fire early on and then the sun came out.

I did run the vacuum for the first time in weeks and do a couple loads of laundry. I ate leftovers for lunch and made chili from the freezer for supper. Ray and Elisa came home about 4. I might have slept 8 hours without waking up.

Yes! I did it! I turned in both my take-home final and my final paper by 5 o'clock yesterday. First semester, 3 graduate courses in gerontology, check!

There shouldn't be much to tell about yesterday, because it was supposed to be all writing all day. Except when I was working away, I heard the dog whining and then a chicken squawking. I rushed out and found Liz's dog, Rosie, chasing a chicken, with a feather in her mouth! I scolded her and she was very sorry. I called them and they called back and I shut her up in the breezeway with Cameron. Anyway, I spent some time outside trying to find chickens--no sign of them. And I spent a good bit of time talking to apologetic and worried Conroys, etc. Every time I got going, the phone would ring. Ray called twice. My Dad called and came by...

I ate leftover lentils and sausage and broccoli (and a few cookies). Ray and Elisa came home when I only had an hour left...but I got them done, maybe not the quality I would wish for, but turned in on time.

I found one chicken because Cameron was nosing around where it was hidden in the grass and irises. It poured and I got that one in the coop. The other two showed up on the porch about dinner time, all unharmed, it seems.

We had some chicken teriyaki from the freezer, with green beans from the freezer and brown rice. Then we headed to UUFA to rehearse the Charlie Brown Christmas play, in which Ray is Charlie Brown and I am Lucy. There's a ton of lines and I haven't spent any time on it yet, but that is one of the things I have to do this week. The play is Sunday.

Home, a little TV, and early to bed. Woke up early, didn't feel too good, maybe residual stress or eating popcorn and drinking bourbon and ginger before bed.

It rained enough Saturday night to dampen the clothes on the line, but not enough to help much. I made pancakes with blueberries and Ray and I had a walk. My hip/lower back started bothering me, so we cut it short. Elisa got up and we went to UUFA. It was a good service, complete with our favorite local Klezmer band. My Dad really likes them and I had told him they would be there, so he met us there. The service was well attended and it was about hope (and Hanukkah). We sang Light One Candle too.

After the service, the four of us had a really good lunch at DePalma's. They had lamb chops--and they were delicious. I ate most of them, but my Dad enjoyed chewing on the bones. I ate half his salad. We had wine.

Elisa and Ray went to strike the set and my dad took me home. I was supposed to work on my paper, and I did manage a couple hours. It was dark when they got home and they were tired. None of us was very hungry, but eventually Ray cooked the broccoli and I made pork steak with cream gravy. We have had a lot of these pork steaks--they look like a ham steak, but they are not cured or cooked. Some of them have wierd bone configurations. Every time we get one out of the freezer, I am somewhat at a loss as to how to prepare it. Really, though, they can be prepared like pork chops, for the most part, and cut into serving portions. This was really good, maybe the best use of it so far. Brown the steak (or chops) and take it out of the pan. Make a roux--cook flour in the drippings. Add milk until in thickens. Put meat back in pan. Cook until done. We all really liked it. Most of a big head of broccoli went too. So I guess we were hungry after all. I did eat some frozen yogurt and a couple cookies, too.

Then I was looking forward to a quiet night watching a lot of TV. Sometime during Jeopardy, though, I put down my knitting and lay down on the couch--you know it was all over then. So I was in bed by 9:30 and slept almost 8 hours.

Avi and Ted Mayer make crostini...a little this, a little that...

Yesterday was pretty much all about the Fellowship. I was up for hours before anyone else and made some awesome Cowboy cookies for Elisa. Then I started on mini-quiches. I was trying to decide what I would charge if I was going to sell them. About $1 a piece....not sure people would want to pay that. It's a solid two hours or more of work, plus some expensive ingredients.

Allison arranges cookies

A little before 10, I took Cameron out for a walk, since it appeared no one else would be getting up soon. By the time we got back, Ray was up, washing my dishes, a good quality in a partner. He woke Elisa up about eleven. They left a little after 12. She went to a cookie swap in Buford. I warned her she should bring back 8 dozen cookies to replace the ones she took. It's fun to have variety, but most are not up to my standards...

ready for guests

I put the quiches in to bake as they left, ate some lunch, took a bath and got dressed, spent about half an hour on my paper. I headed out and then realized I needed to get the chickens in. Since it was early, they were off in the woods and not very anxious to come in. So I ended up leaving later than I wanted. I was going to go by my Dad's, but decided I didn't have time. I called him from UUFA and he came and got the things he needed...bouillon cubes and the cleaver. He took the truck (Ray had the Prius in Gwinnett County so I had driven the truck) and left me the red car.

studying auction items

At the UUFA, they were mopping the floors after Nifty Gifty, which they said went very well. I was sad to miss it. Jane and Herb and Aleta were there, ready to set up. Jane was a little stressed. "Where is everybody?" she said. I had to play the role of the calm reassuring person. "It's fine, we have plenty of time." "Where are the programs? We can't set up without the programs? Where are the tablecloths?" Anyway, it all worked out. There was more than enough food. I only pissed off two people with my intransigent insistence on no paper plates. One of them was the minister. We passed finger food. Her husband made Danish meat balls in cream sauce...kind of hard to eat with your fingers (on a toothpick). Michelle and Alison wanted the servers to carry paper plates and pass them out, glass ones being harder to carry around with a tray. People said they liked it, though, and there were plenty of servers.

festive

Meanwhile, back in the kitchen...

Ray and I were pretty restrained and didn't bid on much. There were plenty of people bidding for the things we might have wanted (restaurant gift certificates). I did bid on housecleaning, but someone must have bid more. Besides, I like Tonya...and I will have time to clean my house soon. There were several sets of fine china that had belonged to Janet Pomeroy and I couldn't resist bidding on one of them, plain white with a silver rim, service for 8, including serving items. Four boxes in my garage now. I am sure the other items were very valuable and should have been appraised. I can't stop thinking about them being sold for $20 or $40.

Myrna, Herb, Paul, and Ted provide music

David Sweat did the live auction in his tux. He did a good job, but there wasn't much to bid on...a weekend at Tybee, but we held back. My lower left back and hip were hurting from standing so much. Probably the shoes didn't help, although I didn't put them on until 5:30. I lay down in one of the pews and that helped. Then we paid and took our dishes and left. I was asleep by the time Ray got home with Elisa.

At 7:15, I was supposed to be at Carter's house to take care of him while his parents were at work. Three or four kids from his day care have RSV and they didn't want to take a chance that he would catch it. I was a little late, partly because of traffic and school buses. Who knew there were so many people out and about at that hour?

Anyway, Kelly rushed off after filling me in on important details like the right thing to use for his diaper rash. There I was, alone with a baby. Hmm, they must have a lot of faith in me. He watched me with his big eyes, but didn't seem too worried. He spent a lot of time on the floor, kicking and rolling over. He's not crawling yet, so it is pretty safe to leve him to his own devices and he has tons of age-appropriate toys that have different patterns and textures. Sometimes I sat on the floor near him and sometimes I sat in a chair, glancing at him and at my computer. He hadn't slept very well the night before, his Mom said, so he went early for his morning nap...but woke up again at 10. He seemed really hungry (after I changed his diaper). The bottles were in the fridge; I thought they should be warmed up, but I knew not to put them in the microwave...there was no evidence of any bottle-warming gear and he didn't want to wait. The termperature did not seem to faze him. One bottle chugged down without stopping. He really didn't want me to take the time to burp him. At the end, a little came back out. Then he played happily some more. It was cold in the house, but he seemed fine...I kept checking his neck and his hands. I found a little jacket and put it on him...then I looked for some tea. Hot chocolate, even better! I ate my lunch. I put him in a special exercise chair that he has. I could hear him playing happily until suddenly it got quiet. I went to look and he was asleep again, head down on the tray. I put him back in his crib and he slept for three hours!

This was good news, I should have been able to get a lot done on my paper, but somehow I still have a ways to go! I have lots of information, but it lacks focus. I am running out of time, but today is not the day.

He woke up not long before his Mom was due home. I tried to feed him some cereal and fruit, but he was not having any of it! Another bottle--this time I ran it under warm water for a little bit before I gave it to him. Glug, glug, glug, down the hatch, watching me all the time. Another diaper change and a little time in the stroller outside. She was about half an hour late, but that wasn't a problem.

I was home at 5:30--a long day. Then we got back in the car and drove Elisa to the school for the play again, turned around and went to Nancy D.'s house for the Democratic Committee holiday party. I realized when we got out of the car that I had not changed my shoes and was wearing casual brown shoes with colorful socks with my party dress, instead of the boots I had meant to put on. No help for it, put the best foot forward, and pretend I was a trend-setter. Many people we know, lots of food and drink. But all disposable plates, cutlery, and cups. No wine for me. I grazed, eating things I could pick up so I didn't need a plate. Ham in a roll, dips on crackers, cherry tomatoes...When Ray finished with his plate, I got some salad and a piece of amazing cheese cake--a small piece.

Back to Clarke Central, we saw about half the play for the second time, with Becky and Kent, who had come to see Elisa. It was better the second time, although there was an issue with a microphone being dragged around the stage.

Home and to bed. I should have slept longer than this...stress?

I did a little good work on my final yesterday morning, after walking Elisa partway to her ride and after Ray left to help Harriet with the sets for her play. It was gray again, but not cold in the house, and not rainy, darn it.

At 11:30, Ray came home and showered and we were off, meeting Becky for lunch on the East side. Ray had a hair cut at 12:30. Becky dropped me off at Champions for Children, a child care center on Olympic Drive. I had agreed to meet Kelly there (and Carter). We took off our shoes and washed our hands as we went in the infant room. Crying babies trying not to take their naps. I was introduced and told the drill. If they need me to pick him up from child care, I will be approved. It turns out that three (or four) babies have recently been diagnosed with RSV--and hospitalized. It is a pretty virulent respiratory inifection, that looks like a cold. Very contagious.

Then I went to Kelly's house and she showed me all his "stuff." He has two of everything--two changing tables, two exercisers...because he has cousins who are twins. Because of the infection, he is not going to day care tomorrow. I get to take care of him! For nine hours! Starting at 7:15! I was really not ready for this, although I totally understand that she would be reluctant to send him to day care. It's fortunate that I am free. I will work on my paper when he is asleep or happily entertaining himself. And I will get paid for my time...for the first time in more than 15 months. I won't go all of 2012 with 0 income. But it was not what I was planning on doing today. We have a holiday party to go to tonight--and I need to figure out what to bring. Elisa needs to be picked up from school... I need to make cookies for her to take to the cookie exchange on Saturday. And I need to make mini-quiches for the Holiday Hoopla tomorrow. Sigh.

Ray picked me up and we went to my Dad's to get the other car. Ray drove to Clarke Central to work a little more and I went to Earth Fare to buy some things. I went home and they joined me after an hour or so. Ray rushed off again to a meeting of the Democratic Committee and I made some quick supper for Elisa and me--peppers and eggs. Good and easy, but waiting for those eggs to cook seemed like forever.

Then it was back to Clarke Central for opening night. Harriet was hemming a dress and scolding the kids to clean up the stage...I went to pick up my Dad and Ray joined us at the school in time for the curtain to go up. It was quite enjoyable, like most of their productions. Some things were a little spotty...but some were really talented.

Home and to bed.

More of the Same

Walked more than a mile again this morning, escorting Elisa to the neighbor's house so she can get a ride to school. Ray hung around for a while and made tuna-noodle salad to take to the annual holiday lunch at the Geology Department. I worked on my take-home final all day. I never even got around to showering--gross!

I had leftover pasta with sausage and tomato and eggplant sauce, which was very good, but there wasn't enough. Apparently, Elisa liked it a lot, too, and took some to school with her. My Dad came by. It was mostly cloudy but not cold. Unfortunately, we didn't get a drop of rain, even though it sure looked like it. I answered questions about getting older, checking on facts, and listing references, APA style.

Ray came back home and left again, to help build sets at Clarke Central. At 6, he arrived and jumped in the shower (which is when I remembered I had never done that) and we headed to UUFA. We had potluck supper and choir rehearsal. Ray went to pick up Elisa, but, of course, they were not really done at 7:30 and he had to wait. They missed most of the choir rehearsal.

I watched Wheel and finished my book and went to sleep. Going to get this work done today.

Slogging Away

There's not much to tell. I stayed home all day and worked on my final. It was a sunny, warm day and I had the windows open some of the time. I spent a little time outside, pulling up dead tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

My Dad dug up the peanuts and they're really fun, clumps at the bottom of the foliage. They have to dry in the sun for two weeks. I hope the squirrels or whatever don't find them. I put remay over them, maybe that will help.

Ray went to teach his last class and spent a couple of hours helping build the set for the play at Clarke Central, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. I made some pasta sauce with sausage and an eggplant I had kicking around. We ate it when they came home about 8 and it was pretty tasty.

Not much left of the day after that. I fell asleep watching Jeopardy and read a little in bed. My eyes hurt and I'm a little worried about my back and my butt from sitting in this chair so much.

Hmm, it appears I did not write anything since last week! Here's a quick summary.

Friday morning Elisa went back to school. Ray went to work. I packed for a weekend at the beach and worked on my Pscyh paper. I enjoyed reading about housing for the elderly and picking out the nuggets that were important enough to share. When I had been sitting for too long, I would get up and throw a few things in a suitcase.

My Dad showed up about 3:30 to house-sit and dog- and chicken-sit. He was surprised to find me still here. Ray came home a little later. Eventually, we packed the car and headed to Clarke Central, where we were picking up Elisa from play rehearsal. We stopped by Kroger first and bought a few food items. Since it was the last week before the performance, the rehearsal went right up until 9 pm. We might have been able to extricate her a little early, but she had missed three days of rehearsals when she was sick. We had something to eat, watched the play, read e-mails. Ray took a nap.

At 9:08, we left Athens. Ray drove pretty fast when it was safe and we got to the island in just over four hours. No stopping for anything. Elisa slept a lot and I dozed some. Ray played hard rock music and drove through the night. We emptied the cooler into the fridge and tiptoed into our bedrooms without waking anyone up.

I got up at 8:30, really late for me. I was still up before everyone else. Deb and John had been to the beach with the dogs and were back in their room. I had some breakfast and worked a little on my presentation.

Becky and Elisa and I walked on the beach for awhile before lunch. We played Win, Lose or Draw. After lunch, we all played Bocce and some of us even went in the water, which was really cold.

Some of us watched the football game and I put the roast in the oven. Ray made the broccoli and Becky roasted potatoes and squash. It was a late dinner and Georgia, as Ray said, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. It was an exciting game. Nobody stayed up very late, although I think Ray and Kent were up until midnight. Ray was lecturing.

Sunday morning, I had some more time to work on my paper. When John got up, I went to the beach with him and the dogs for a little while. Then I came "home" and made pancakes and sausage for those who wanted them. We went to the beach about noon and Ray swam a good bit. I went in up to my ankles.

We packed and got ready to leave. My plan was to eat somewhere nice in Beaufort on our way home. Becky and Kent and Deb and John could drive there and join us and then come back to the house. They weren't leaving until the next day. John didn't want to take the time to drive to Beaufort when he was only at the beach for a few days, so we ate leftovers from the night before. I was surprised how angry I was. I guess I really look forward to a nice restaurant meal with friends. We could have gone without them, but it seemed like that would be pretty rude and cause hurt feelings.

We left about 3:30, driving a lot more sedately. We could see the scenery--flat for hours. We stopped in Augusta for a mediocre salad at The Chop House and got home before 10.

Yesterday, I went in with Ray and spent some time at the library, getting ready for my class. I had a nice lunch by myself at Chonell's, which has just opened on Baxter. It is a  "typical Southern" restaurant, with chicken and side dishes, but trying to be just a bit healthier than most. I had some kind of chicken stew, green beans, and yams, with half and half sweet tea. It was pretty good, for under 10 dollars.

I got to class early, planning to do some more work on my presentation, but Dr. Miles came in to talk about what a great job our group did for her class. That was fun. The presentations went well, but I had "too much information and not enough time! Your slide outlines could each easily have been the table of contents for a book on housing options for older adults," according to Dr. Emerson.

After class, I was practically giddy. No more classes until January! I have to turn this presentation into a paper, write my take-home final for Dr. Glass (9-15 pages), and send a few loose ends to Dr. Miles. Then I will be done, having made it through half the requirements for my certificate of gerontology.

We had rehearsal at the Fellowship for A Charlie Brown Christmas (Ray is Charlie Brown and I am Lucy, with a bunch of lines to learn). We picked up Elisa at Clarke Central and learned that Harriet had a stroke this weekend--a mini-stroke; she seemed fine, but needs to lose weight to avoid worse in the future, and change her lifestyle. She gave up smoking and drinking, but that's when she started gaining weight. When she's working on a show, which is most of the time, she doesn't eat right or exercise and she has a lot of stress. Hmm. I hope she can do it.








We came home and ate steak,  baked potatoes, and green beans from the freezer. It was pretty good. Ray and I watched some TV. I read some of my book, and was asleep by 11.  

Objectively, it's very interestng that Elisa still had a fever yesterday and still wasn't eating much, but I appear to be fine. I wonder if my flu shot had an effect and minimized my illness. Anyway, I did not go into town and tried not to infect anyone, just in case.

Ray and I took a walk. It had frozen again a little. The day turned sunny and was very pleasant, with a fire going in the morning. He went to work and I stayed home with Elisa, madly reading articles about innovations in nursing home care and trying to decide what to focus on. There have been a series of movements to try to improve it. Elisa was awake most of the day. At one point, she was hungry. Then, after two bowls of soup, she said her stomach hurt. Probably out of practice digesting?

I had a somewhat stressful encounter with the KR Finance Committee discussing the board and the proposed budget for next year, but it was good to get out of the house, probably, in the sunny cold, and walk to the Community Center, which was lovely.

Ray came home about 5 and we might pork and bok choy stir fry, with the leftover pork steak we ate early in the week--and a bok choy from the garden! Yay. Not much out there now but lettuce. Elisa joined us, mostly eating rice and a then some yogurt and fruit. She is pretty congested.

Ray and I watched several TV shows, for the first time in ages. I cast about for my next knitting project. Lidet wants a beret. I hope green is a good color.

Well, that was unfortunate. Elisa is home from school for the third day, although she wants me to take her in later for her history presentation on Hurricane Katrina (how can that be history? never mind).

Tuesday I felt a little odd. I met with my Epi group at 12:30 and didn't feel like getting any lunch before then. You know that is a red flag for me--no appetite means something is wrong. The meeting went pretty well, but there was still a lot to do before the final presentation yesterday. I wasn't sure if maybe it was just stress. I went to class at 5, but came home after less than an hour. I could barely stand up. I went to bed and Ray took care of me, bringing me tea and crackers. I slept a little and read some. He slept on the couch to try to keep from getting it. I had some diarrhea, but no vomiting. And, wonder of wonders, I felt much better by the next day.

Needless to say, I didn't go anywhere. I worked on my presentation for Epidemiology--about suicide and murder rates, a little depressing. BTW, suicide rates for older people are increasing, and they are about twice the rate of deaths from murder! You won't pick that up from the evening news! What does it mean? I'm not sure, we would need to do more research, but it means, for one thing, you can't believe mainstream media. Recently, funding was approved for suicide prevention, which is awesome, but it's for young people. Not that I think young people don't need help, but you would never guess that they are not the ones most at risk.

I didn't want to go in to make my presentation, so got permission to attend via Skype, protecting all those students (and professor) from possible infection. It went pretty well, although there were sound issues. I couldn't listen and talk at the same time and if the volume was up, there was some static and feedback. Nonetheless, it was a good discussion and I was glad I had made the effort.

We didn't go to choir, but Ray did. First, he made us some cajun shrimp. Elisa was still not eating, except for an occasional clementine. She sat up for a bit and watched CSI (a little gory for me--the bad guy shot and killed one of the good guys; that never happens on my shows. She wanted to know why he wasn't wearing a bullet-proof vest).

Ray slept on the couch again, but I am declaring myself better today, now that I don't have any more classes this week. Just a couple assignments to turn in...

We are still adjusting to being home. I worked some in the morning after walking Elisa to school and Ray drove to UGA. By working, I mean working on my class projects and readings. Only a couple more weeks. I can do it!

About 10, Amelia called from Kevin's and I went to pick her up, in the truck. She had some breakfast and we chatted a bit about what to do with the few hours we had. She got some things out of the closet and went through them, taking some with her to Durham and throwing some away.

We decided to get some lunch in town, since there is not much here as we haven't been to the grocery store yet. We went to Ike and Jane's, but got it to go, except for the donuts. Amelia has to research donuts and donut shops, since Monuts is opening a store in January. I think she is almost as excited as Lindsay, the owner. She drove me to Ray's parking lot and I got the Prius and drove it to my class.
She took the truck home for me.

Class was good and then I went to get Cameron, who was fine and excited. $266! Boarding, shots, exam. Glad we only have one dog. We went back and got Ray. At home, Cameron instantly disappeared, probably over to Conroys'. Ray made some popcorn and we left again. He is Charlie Brown in a short play of Charlie Brown's Christmas they are doing at UUFA. I watched for a bit and then went to get Elisa, who had rehearsal at Clarke Central.

We started back to get Ray, but Beth brought him to the gas station. While we were waiting, I filled up on gas.

At home, I quickly cooked some ham steak, potatoes, and broccoli, but Ray went right to bed. Elisa and I ate. I built a cheery fire and made cowboy cookies--perfect ones, the right texture, cooked just right. Elisa went to bed before they were ready and I didn't eat any. So sad.

I went to bed about 9:30. Ray is still not up and Elisa is sick, staying home from school. I made her te and gave her Nyquil. It is strange to have a sick child--that has not happened since Gerald, I think.

Home Again

A long travel day, one that is the busiest in the year in the US, went pretty well for us. It started before 6, when Molli and Adrian went to pick up the Suburban we rented so we could all drive to Veracruz together. We left the house, all packed and dressed with minimal stress, before 7:30. Goodbye, Osa! Goodbye, Xalapa!

On our way to Veracruz, we stopped at a restaurant they like a lot, where everything is cooked over a fire, and it's very inexpensive. It is at Serra Bossa (probably I have the name wrong), where there was a battle with the French. They have cannon balls found on site on display at the restaurant. We had beans and tortillas and cheese and meat and drinks and went on our way.

The airport at Veracruz is small, so not only were we checked in very quickly, but we were treated like minor celebrities to some extent. We had time to sit in a bar all together for a while longer (I ordered sangria--they asked if I wanted vodka in it, which is what they usually do). Then we went through security, with Abuelo in the wheelchair. When there weren't four seats together, they let us into what might have been the first class section, where we were the only ones sitting.

The smallish plane was full and a little bumpy, but we arrived safely in Houston and disembarked. With the wheelchair, we had two or three different people pushing, plus a cart ride in the middle. It was a long way from one terminal to the other, via customs and immigration, with a little waiting, but we still had plenty of time before our next flight and no problems.

I have to say, it was good to get back in the USA and be able to flush the toilet paper! It took a while to get through the Atlanta aiport and get all our suitcases. Ray went for the car at the Park and Ride lot. Then the real fun began--fitting four big checked bags, plus four carry-ons and "personal items" into the Prius, with four people. But that wasn't the hardest part. Then we drove to Buford to pick up Elisa from the home of the family that took her to Florida. We had to fit one more big bag and one more person (with purse and giant Biology book she never opened)--I don't know how Ray did it.


We arrived in Athens before 10 and unloaded the car. Kevin came to get Amelia and Ray drove Mudge home. I did some minor unpacking, turned the heat on, and climbed happily into bed. Ray was back in about 40 minutes and we were really happy to be home safe and sound.

Late breakfast, visit to MIX - Museo Interactivo de Xalapa. This was something we all enjoyed, including Adrian's mother and sister. His mother mainly took pictures of everybody else trying the various activities. There were even dinosaurs. We blew bubbles, played volleyball with robots, sent messages through tubes of air and generally had a lot of fun being silly.

The thing that makes us laugh still is pushing each other around in the really old "automobiles." There are two and it is an interactive museum, so Mudge enjoyed giving Amelia and me a ride and then Amelia pushed him. Then one of the museum guides, about 15 years old, came and explained to us that we were not actually supposed to move them. Many things here are like that, they are so different from the US that we end up making mistakes. No sign says, please do not move the cars. They are not blocked from moving or enclosed in walls that wouldn't let them move. No one seemed particularly upset. And now, just looking at the pictures makes me laugh and laugh.

There was also a giant exhibit of animatronic insects, complete with roaring sound effects, which I was told, were the real noises they make, only magnified many times. There was an elephant, an anaconda, a rhinoceros, and more, none particularly lifelike, but clearly very popular. A guide told us about them, in Spanish, of course. Luz Maria and I sat out the aliens.

We went in two cars to a very nice restaurant, where 15 of Molli and Adrian's friends and relatives joined us for a wedding celebration lunch of beef. We had bought wine for the group and they stopped and got a cake. It was too loud for much talking, but was generally very successful.

We were very full, but I had to rush with Adrian and his mother and sister to a travel agency in another part of town. (I have spent so much time sitting in traffic in Xalapa, it feels like home). He had not brought his driver's license and I gave them mine, plus my credit card. I listened to a long, complicated story about which of three Suburbans would be available at 6 the next morning. They filled out the paperwork and I gave my card. $200 for one day! But the best way to get all 6 of us to Veracruz today. And since there are 8 seats, Adrian's mother and sister will join us.

Then we met Molli, Amelia, Ray and Mudge at PopularArte, which is the state-run store that sells authentic local products: baskets, pottery, beautiful ponchos and shawls. We bought a few things, but were pretty moderate.

We were home by 6, but it felt like the middle of the night. Some packing and some hanging around, not knowing what to do with our last night in Xalapa, and early to bed.

Yesterday after Molli and Adrian left (and the cleaning lady arrived to wash our dishes and our clothes and the floors and everything else), the four of us walked to the Anthropology Museum. It wasn't very far, but it was uphill. This is a great museum and by far the best thing to see in Xalapa. We went five years ago, except for my Dad, and were all excited to go again. The building itself is pretty cool, built in 1986. You enter at the top and gradually make your way down steps and ramps to the bottom, where you exit and walk up through the gardens. Along the way, there are outdoor rooms as well as indoor. When we were there before in July, it was very hot, but now it is a little on the cool side. The most striking thing they have is several "colossal" heads created by the Olmecs. One thing that struck me this time was an example of a head that originally was used as a throne, flat, and then turned into a face and turned up 90 degrees, repurposing from prehistory. The faces have hundred of pock marks. They say they are not natural and were not meant to destroy them, but they don't know why they are there. My theory is it was some kind of offering, that was acidic. There are statues of some woman god, with snakes on her belt, that supposedly deified women who died in childbirth.

We looked briefly around the gift shop, which has mainly books and is very crowded. We sat on a sunny patio and gathered our strength and slowly walked downhill home. Marina was still cleaning and it wasn't noon yet, but we got out the leftovers and ate a little bit. They tasted pretty good. Molli got home a little after two and Adrian a little later. By then, Amelia was feeling like she should be out seeing Mexico, not sitting in the house on her computer. We left Mudge and Ray and went into town. It was nearly dark and the traffic was bad. Adrian parked in a little lot (10 spaces?) and we walked along, looking at shops. I bought some small pieces of pottery to bring home to friends (4 for $5) and Amelia looked at a tortilla press, but decided not to get it--too heavy to transport.

We went to the indoor market I remembered from before--hundreds of stalls crowded next to each other--shoes and food and hats and baskets... It was just what she wanted and she bought several things, including candles and dried chilis and just the right size and shape and color baskets. Molli or Adrian would ask questions and find out the prices. As we walked by, the vendors would usually address us. "Tell me what you would like" or "ask questions." Adrian politely responded to almost everyone.

The faces of some of these people are incredible. They are mainly "indigenous" and look quite different from the politicians we saw reviewing the parade, who look European--shorter and darker with rounder faces and big eyes. We saw babies and small children and teenagers old enough to work. The other children must be home with relatives, working on homework or watching TV. The smells were conflicting--spicy, cooked meats, pungent incense, exotic... There was an old short woman with white hair in wispy braids...a man offering today's lottery tickets.

The stalls began closing and we made our way out onto the street. Walking along, we went into several stores. In a hardware shop, you can buy a metal milk can for a couple dollars--too big to bring home, not to mention we don't really have a use for it. Garish clothing and shoes and decorative items. We went into a fabric shop and Amelia had a good time there. I found a pink plastic stool and sat by the door. Eventually Adrian came to lead me to another shop a few blocks away. It was a litlte like the health food smoothie shops we have. We ordered drinks--for me, water with orange juice, for him, milk with strawberries--and waited for Molli and Amelia to join us. She had bought some notions--rickrack and elastic, which are small and light to take home--and cheap.

The shops are like those in other big cities. They each share a wall with the stores on either side and front right on the sidewalk. They mostly have no wall in front and are open to the cold or heat. This one has a counter that runs around the edge, roughly u-shaped, behind which work 3 or 4 people. In the middle, there is room for stools and a little space for someone to edge past while you are sitting there. You pay the cashier first and then show your reciept to one of the workers, who puts your ingredients in a blender and whips it up and pours it into a big glass mug, like a beer stein. In between customers, they wash these mugs out--no hot water of course. You get a whole blender full of your preferred drink. The walls are plasltered with posters of body builders--the kind that are almost disgusting to look at--shiny and grotesquely muscular. Adrian left to get the car and we sat there a while longer. After 15 minutes or so, we went outside to stand, but it was at least another 15 minutes before he got there, thanks to the horrendous traffic in the narrow bumpy streets.

I feel a little in danger just being in Mexico. You could get sick from brushing your teeth with tap water or eating something from a restaurant. The house has mulitple locks and bars on the windows. (they were robbed once after they moved here and the landlord quickly installed them). Dogs bark and fight in the street, night and day. The garbage is out in the street, to be picked up every day. Someotimes, the dogs scatter it around. This is a much nicer neighborhood than they lived in before, so I haven't seen any chickens in the street or yards. Not that it keeps me awake at night, but I will be happy to be home in the USA, where it is also possible to be robbed or get sick and there are other things to stress about.

We were home a little after 7. I made macaroni and cheese. Molli and Adrian and Amelia especially like it. Molli roasted a cauliflower as well, so we had white supper on black Friday. My Dad ate canned soup and tea and crackers. He didn't want the medicine Molli said she had. She has gotten sick a couple times here, in four years, and says the medicine works great. We played Oh Hell and went to bed. I managed to sleep until 6:30 this time.