Happy New Year!

Quilted Wall Hanging

______My gift from Nancy and Dan was this Nativity wall hanging that Nancy had quilted. Isn't it adorable? It is now hanging on the livingroom wall beside the TV. I love it there, but the afternoon sun comes in the west window and hits that north wall, so I don't think I had better keep it there long term. But for this week, before it put my nativities away, that is where I will enjoy it. Nancy has a new sewing machine and she used her many decorative stitches making it. I didn't get all my nativities out to display this year, but Jill and Sadie counted over 80.

Family Christmas

_______Sunday, Dec. 26, was the day we could all get together to celebrate our family Christmas. Hamball dinner was the menu. Nineteen people makes for a full house. Matt and family were missed, but too far away for reasonable holiday travel. Gifts were opened after dinner. We had given money at Thanksgiving with instructions to buy a gift for themselves, wrap and bring it to open at the party. I was very satisfied with the outcome. They each had gotten things they could use and not have to return any items. Jill had the fleece shirt she wanted and Calvin had only the box for his pillow, as he had already been using it! Then we held our annual $5 grabbag. That is how T wound up with a hawkeye flag! (He is NOT a hawkeye fan!) He was happy when it was taken away from him.

Christmas Brunch

_______Teresa invited us down for brunch Christmas morning. Actually late Christmas morning, after church and etc. It was a pajama party. Friends and family that didn't have other plans, were invited. David was chief cook, making french toast. (We didn't go through near as much syrup as the defensive football players, when they had a game day breakfast for them) Then, in the afternoon, we helped deliver meals for the Elks dinner and ate there.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

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Calvin's team= Another win

After not having the scheduled game at 11, Calvin's team played a team they had played before at 12. The schedule was a mess. Last week was canceled due to weather and this week a couple of the scheduled teams didn't show and an extra team did. So they just matched them up and played. Guess that is the object anyway. But two teams from Ogden played each other and could have saved mileage and played there, and a girls team played a boys team. (Don't know how that one came out) Preplanning and organization was missing.....

Swim at Carroll

________ Swim meet last night at Carroll. Jeff swam in four events. The teams were pretty even by the last event and I'm not sure how the points finally came out. I was busy watching Jeff. Calvin and Teresa tried out my new video camera, but I haven't taken the time to figure out how to see those yet!!! I needed to get some regular photos. It is hard to catch Jeff taking a breath!!

Collection is Still Growing

____Teresa stopped after school the other night with my birthday present. I love it! The Jim Shore Nativity ornament that plays silent night when you turn the top in the base. ___________ Then yesterday the second package from Marge arrived. The controversial T-shirt. She had told me that I may not want to wear it... But I plan to wear it to Faith Sharing on Thursday morning. (It is a very comfortable group where you can say most anything.) I'm anxious to hear the comments!

Two New Nativities

Sent from Marg... and they fit in very nicely... thank you , Marg!

Jolly Holiday Lights

________Yesterday we journeyed to Des Moines after I was done playing bridge. We had some stops to make here and there, but our main purpose was to see the light display at Waterworks Park. We go down every couple years. It is always a challenge to get some pictures. I enjoy the lights, especally the motion they display on some of them. Santa's feet were moving. The merry go round was moving and many others. And--that, above, is how I think a tree should be outlined with lights!!!!

Dan's Deer

____Dan was successful in his hunt. He got a 8 point buck and a nice doe. He and Andy didn't hunt today. I think he was just a happy to be out of the cold and wind. Also there were lots and lots of DNR people out in the area they hunt. He wondered if there was something special they were looking for. He went out this a.m., just driving around, to see how some of the others had done. He took some picture of Mom's place and all the work the new owner has done. Still more to do.

3 & 3

_______Yesterday was too busy even for me. I got to three things I wanted to do , but that left three things I couldn't do. First it was cookie parade day for the St. Joseph's Womens Council. I helped collect money. Were we ever busy. We were open 10 - 11:30 and after about 20 minutes we couldn't keep up with the line ready to check out. (Next year I suggest three people instead of two.) I missed getting to the Genealogy Society meeting where I would have been installed as treasurer. And I missed Jeff's first swimmeet in Boone. (Teresa and Dave were there and reported he had done very well.) Mary Jane and I got one house done on the Garden Club's Tour of Homes (My birthday present from Mary Jane) before Calvin's basketball game. Calvin's team won 55- 23. Then we were off to the other four stops on the tour. Lovely homes all decorated for the holidays. Jerry went to Rockwell City for Lena Lawson's 90th birthday reception. That was the third thing I had to miss. Also Dan was home for Deer hunting.