Happy New Year, 2009

It's New Year's Eve. We just watched Live from Lincoln Center with the N.Y. Philharmonic. I've switched the channel since the concert has ended. Now we'll watch the count down to 2009. I hope that the music is something I can enjoy. I'm not very Hip to the new music. Times Square, live with Carson Daly is our first stop of the evening. If we don't like this we'll switch to Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve on another channel.
Happy New Year!!!

New Year's Eve, Eve

The year is quickly coming to an end. What are your dreams for 2009? I haven't made any resolutions for the new year. Dreams? Well, yes, I suppose I have a few. Not ready to share them, however.
It will snow here on the last day of 2008. Since I have bronchitus I'll be at home watching the ball drop on the TV. I'm hoping that the snowfall is light so that I don't have to dig my car out on New Year's Day. To all my friends and family, I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year.
I feel like I've been a "shut in" for the past 2 weeks since I've been sick. I can't wait for 2009 to roll in. May it bring good health and prosperity. I'm looking forward to feeling well and getting out and about. The few plans I had for this week have been cancelled. I'm hoping that it's a mild weather winter here in the northeast. If it is, we'll be able to get out to see friends without being hindered by bad roads and bad weather.
If I were to make a resolution, it would be the usual, to lose weight and get more exercise. There are always other things which need attending to, but I'll keep those to myself.

The Uneventful Day

Today was not an eventful day. The weather was warmer so I managed to get the garbage taken out. I didn't accomplish anything worth talking about today. I made Mom and I lunch and rested for the rest of the day. My cold lingers on. We watched some Disney movies on the tube. Right now we're watching the history channel. The cats are both napping. Mom is taking a nap and I'll make her some supper when she awakens. There's nothing on the agenda for the rest of the evening. Perhaps they'll be a good movie on later. We'll see.

January Plans

Next week is pay day. I've already begun to make out the checks for bills. I will get them in the mail early because of the holiday on the 1st. Vacation ends on the 5th. I have a doctor's appointment on the 6th. As of now I'm scheduled to work for half a day on the 9th and am hoping that I get something for the 8th as well. As long as I can stay healthy, I'll try to work for at least 3 days a week through the winter months. If It's an exceptionally good work week, I'll work for 4 or 5 days. I have to "Strike while the iron's hot" so to speak. When the warm weather comes I'll want to play golf or be out and about with friends.
I'm wondering how cold a winter we will have this January and February. We had a couple of really brutally cold days before Christmas which is unusual for us. I remember cold days like that in December when I was a young child and a teenager. Winter is easier to get through when the days aren't bitterly cold. However, I'd prefer the cold to icy, crusty, snowfalls which are very deep and hard to get around in. I guess I minded the last freeze we had because of my bad cold. I've learned to dress warm, in layers, and to wear a hat and gloves. This too shall pass, as they say.

December 26th, The Day After

One holiday down, one to go. Unfortunately for me, my cold was not gone by Christmas. I didn't make as many things as I had planned. I did get the dinner done and my sister brought dessert. Thankfully, she helped me clean up by washing the pots and I dried them. Thank goodness for dishwashers when it comes to other things like measuring cups, glasses, dishwasher safe dishes, cups and flatware. Needless to say I didn't use the usual Christmas dishes and silverware because they have to be washed by hand. I opted for the easy way out because I was still pretty ill. No one minded at all. I'm glad they're not fussy about things like that.
We had a nice visit with my sister and her husband, my brother and Mom. Everyone was pleased with the gifts they received which were thoughtfully selected for them.
Today I started catching up with laundry since we're not expecting company. I'll continue to do it tomorrow and we'll be all caught up. I'm putting clean sheets on the bed today. Sometime this weekend I'll vacuum and wash the kitchen floor. That'll probably take place on Sunday after Church. I'm even ready to put 2 wreaths and 1 centerpiece away for the season. We'll still have enough decorations "decking the halls" for another week.
I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas with their loved ones. Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Year for us all.

Return Of The Sunshine

The day started out miserably, but I'm happy to report that the sun began to shine a couple of hours ago. I stayed in all day to nurse my cold. I figure if I rest today, tomorrow I can resume my preparations for Christmas. I'm reading "An Irish Country Christmas" which I am enjoying. Later we'll have dinner and perhaps there will be a Christmas story on the TV which we can watch. If not, it's back to my book for the rest of the evening. We've been listening to Christmas music all day. The tree and wreath are lighted as are several electric candles scattered here and there. The pumpkin spice candle is in the candle warmer and we've just finished a cup of "Christmas Eve" tea. We're snug and warm as we watch the faux fire in the fireplace. (I guess you can't have everything)
It's important that I get to the store tomorrow for I've run out of tissues and vitamin C drinks for which I have a great need at this time. Hopefully, the roads will be ice free and I can beat the crowd by getting to the grocery store when it opens at 7:00 a.m. After the shopping is done, I can make the other stops on my list.
Have to remember to take the turkey out of the freezer tomorrow so it'll thaw by Thursday. The beef tenderloin will also need to be defrosted for Christmas Eve.
Until I'm feeling better, tea, lemon and honey are part of my present and future. The juices will give a good dose of Vitamin C which should also help. I'm aiming to be 100% better by Tuesday evening.

A Taste of Winter

My brother in law drove me down the shore today so that I could bring Mom's car up here. I also brought a table top artificial tree completely lighted up with me. I've put it on the desk in the living room. Naturally, the cats were intrigued by it. Sandy crawled under it and knocked it over. I ran across the room to catch it before it hit the floor. He and Coco are napping now and hopefully have forgotten about the tree.
After I returned with Mom's car, I shoveled my own car out of the icy, crusty, snow which covered it. That wasn't an easy task. I couldn't open the driveside door because it was frozen shut. So, I got into the passenger side, reached over to start the car and 20 minutes later the car was warm enough so the driver's door could be opened. I had to move the car so that the parking spot could be plowed. We're expecting more snow tonight so it'll be more of the same tomorrow.
On Monday the weather will be good. Therefore, I'll go to the grocery store to purchase all the perishables for our Christmas dinner. I'll also have to make a stop at a local bookstore to pick up a gift for Mom to give. The corner drugstore is on my list of stops that day also. Mom needs another gift for someone else.
If I can fit it in I'll go to the dollar store to buy some larger gift bags. I've heard that they're a real bargain there compared to other stores.
They're predicting a wet Christmas Eve. Rain I suppose. It'll be too warm for snow which is a good thing for all the people who need to travel on Christmas Eve. Here's hoping that everyone has safe travels and a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.

A Snowy Day

It's snowing today! It's kind of a sleety snowfall. I'm glad that I don't have to go out and drive on the roads. My assignment for this morning was cancelled so I've been home keeping warm, and reading. I have a cold so I had chicken soup for lunch and beforehand had a cup of tea with lemon and honey. The cats are napping. Sandy is on the wing chair and Coco is under the footstool. The fireplace is on and Christmas music is playing. The drapes have been opened so we can watch the snowfall outside. I'm fighting the sleepy feeling which is coming over me. It would be a good idea to take a rest since I'm also fighting a cold, but I don't want to sleep my afternoon away. I've been awake and up since 5:15 a.m. this morning. It's amazing how fast the day goes even when you are up early. I went out this morning at 6:45a.m. to pick up some milk and cat food. Decided to do that before the snow started to fall. I'm grateful for the local convenience store only a few blocks away. When I need something in a "pinch", that's where I can go. There don't seem to by many birds out side the door hopping around in the snow. I can see a few on top of a distant tree.
Coco has awakened from her nap. She's now sitting at my feet. Sandy is still sleeping. I have a book to get back to so I'll sign off for now. "An Irish Country Christmas" awaits me.

Another day and nothing to say. Went to the grocery store this morning and bought the nonperishables for Christmas dinner. I need to go back next week to get the dairy and the produce items.

• I made a stop at the library this morning to return two books and to pick up two new books. One is a novel called "An Irish Country Christmas". The other is "The Man Who Invented Christmas" which is about Charles Dickens. I've started the one about Charles Dickens. It's going to be a good read. Sometimes you can tell right from the beginning.
• Nothing much else was accomplished today. I did take a nap because I'm getting a cold. Felt like I needed to sleep.
• Tomorrow is a work day. We're due for a snow storm. I'm wondering how that will effect the day of work.

A Good Day

My day at work was a good day. The snow that had fallen last night needed to be cleaned off of my car before I could head out, but the roads were not snow covered although they were wet. The environment looked beautiful. Snow on trees and the grass gave a look of a winter wonderland. The forecast is for more snow on Friday, Sunday, Monday and on Christmas Eve. We'll see what we end up with. I'm doing my shopping for food for Christmas tomorrow. Then if it snows, I won't have to go out in it. We'll be ready!!

Tying Up The Package

The routine dental cleaning appointment is crossed off the calendar! Unfortunately, I have to go back next Monday to have a filling fixed. That will end the medical appointments for 2008. HOPEFULLY! I'm tired of being poked and prodded. So, the package is being tied up before Christmas. We start again in January.
I spent some time today copying a knitting pattern for my friends. A friend from FL sent it to me to share with them. Our knitting group will get together sometime soon. It's not a group that meets monthly or even weekly. It just meets when we can coordinate our busy lives. So, we knit at home and have show and tell when we get together occasionally. It would also be fun to play Bunco occasionally. It's a "no brainer" game so we wouldn't need to play frequently for fear of forgetting how to play. It would be something to look forward to once a month. We'd need 12 people to play every month and a few people to fill in if someone can't attend. With the holidays upon us, we've curtailed all of our group activities until Januray. I feel like I need some activities for the week following Christmas. We are playing MJ on the 30th and some of the knitters are getting together on the 27th, tentatively. Does anyone want to do lunch that week? Let's see if we can pick a date that accomodates several of us. What do you think?

A Shopper's Paradise.

Another doctor appointment to cross off of the calendar. It went well today. Afterwards I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things. After dropping all I purchased at home, I rode to Pennington to drop my quilt off to be quilted. I also got a quarter yard of a dark blue fabric and a quarter yard of a gold colored fabric for our next quilt guild block of the month.
There is a local pottery store which is closing. I headed there next to get Mom some cereal bowls. I'm so glad I decided to do that because everything was 60 to 80% off today. It's amazing how much I was able to buy for so little. The best buy was a pepper mill which only cost 25 cents. How many years ago do you think a pepper mill would have sold normally for 25 cents? Probably before I was alive. I picked up a few gifts for future gift giving. I got 4 blue crystal champagne flutes and 4 ruby crystal champagne flutes for myself. A bargain at 80% off. As I was getting ready to leave someone said that a truck had arrived with more items to sell in the store. The shelves will be restocked with items so if you need anything I'd suggest that you make a stop. You'll be pleased at the value you will get for your money.

Christmas Snow

The last time it snowed on Christmas was the year I was being treated for breast cancer. It was a significant snowfall that year. I cooked dinner for the family and was pleased to not have to drive to be with the family for our celebration that year. My sister drove over early in the day. Later that day, her husband walked the 2 miles from their house to mine. The snow had gotten considerably deeper by then. He had ventured up to north Jersey to visit his siblings that morning and decided that after getting home safely, walking was a better option. A White Christmas is nice if no one has to drive. If it snows and doesn't stick to the roads, but only whitens the grass, A White Christmas is for me. Otherwise, I'd like the snow to fall during our sleeping hours and I'd like the roads to be cleared of snow for all the drivers out there. We don't drive sleighs anymore. Although I've always wanted to have a ride in a horse drawn sleigh. I don't think that's going to happen in this lifetime. I do have jingle bells on my door knob. So I'll have the sound of a sleigh ride each time someone comes in the door. The sleigh and the horses will never appear. Wouldn't that be a sight if they did?

Clock Chimes

When the clock strikes the hour, it's rather noisy. That's usually the time when whatever we're listening to can't be heard above the chiming of the clock. When I first got the clock I remember speaking to my doctor on the phone when the clock started to chime. He asked me if I lived near a church. I replied "no, that's my grandfather clock". I found that to be amusing at the time. Nevertheless, I do live by a church but I can't hear the church chimes because I have chimes in my living room. (That's not the same as having bats in your belfry) In case you were wondering. Another noisy piece of furniture I'd like to have is a player piano. The difference between the two is many, but one main difference is that the volume on the player piano can be lowered or raised. The grandfather clock doesn't have that feature. You do get somewhat use to the chimes. I never am awakened by them when I go to bed for the night. That's a good thing, and much appreciated. If you happen to fall asleep in the recliner in the living room, you may not be so lucky. The clock is a beauty. It's nice to look at and also nice to hear. It's just Loud at some inconvenient times.

Well Developed Stories

We watched a "cute" Christmas movie on the TV last evening. It was called, "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year". Henry Winkler played the uncle in the story. I was satisfied with the ending of this movie. So many times, the endings are a disappointment. For instance, I read "A Christmas Grace" by Anne Perry. I liked the story but was disappointed in the ending. It seemed like it wasn't thought out well nor was it well developed. The author was tired of writing and just decided it was time to end the story. At the moment I'm reading a story by David Morrell called "The Spy Who Came For Christmas". I don't usually think about spies when I'm thinking of Christmas. I'm interested in seeing in what direction the author takes the reader. I hope that the ending is not a disappointment. I've ordered a couple of other Christmas stories from the library. One is about the man who wrote "The Christmas Carol". I'm not sure of the exact title of the book off hand. Another is a book of Irish Christmas stories. I like to read Christmas stories because the reader gets to enter the fictional lives of the characters and to view their holiday traditions and their culture. If it's a good story, it warms the heart. Christmas is a time when the "heart" seeks warmth more than at any other time of year. That's one of the reasons this holiday is so special to me.
I haven't been outside in the evening to see all of the lights people have used to decorated their homes. I'm going to try to get Mom to take a ride with me sometime next weekend so I can enjoy the lights with her. Seeing those also gives one a special feeling at this time of the year.
I wonder what story our Christmas celebration with family and friends will tell this year. I'm sure we all have favorite stories of Christmases past which we like to retell. One of the best Christmas presents I remember receiving was when I was ten years old. I got a pair of white figure ice skates. There was always a gift which felt more special than the others, although they were all appreciated. Merry Christmas to you all. May you feel the gift of love and friendship this holiday and may each gift you open be more special than the one before.

Third Sunday of Advent

Today went by quickly. I went to 8:30 a.m. mass where I was the lector. After mass I went to buy a hamper which was on sale for 50% off. Then I bought a graveblanket and drove to the cemetery to put it on my father's grave. I felt good visiting his gravesight. I felt his presence while I was there. He always enjoyed Christmas with the family. I miss him. Christmas hasn't been the same since we lost him about 20 years ago. There is a certain sadness present now which wasn't part of Christmas then. I'm sure it's the same for everyone who's lost a loved one. It's especially true as you get older and the people you have loved all your life begin to die. We all make the best of the situation and we do enjoy the holiday each year but it'll always be different.

A Very Nice Day!

It was a very nice day at work today. I wish that that could be the Norm instead of an exception. Hopefully, it will be in the future. The day started out with rain but sometime during the morning the sun came out for awhile. When I left work to come home it had gotten very cold. My evening has been uneventful. There hasn't been anything on TV which I've wanted to watch. We're listening to Christmas music. Mom is reading. I'll do the same before I go to bed. Good Night!

Work Again

Tomorrow is another day of work. The day will start earlier and end earlier. It is still a full day's work. I'm glad it's Friday also. At the moment I don't have many plans for the weekend. I will read at church on Sunday, but other then that, I'm free. If nothing turns up to go "out" and do this weekend, there's always the hobbies. Plenty to do there. I won't be spending money if I stay in either. It doesn't make much sense to work for two days and then to go shopping. My goal is to pay bills with the money I'm making. Eventually, I'd like to save the money for a rainy day. Here's to good days ahead, filled with good health, happiness, good friends, and filled with plenty and lack of want.

Christmas Stories

Tonight I finished reading "A Christmas Grace", a book by Anne Perry. It was a nice story, a bit of a mystery. I'm about to start a book by David Morrell entitled, "The Spy Who Came For Christmas". David Morrell is a NY Times bestselling author. I have it on good opinion that this mystery is very good. I was a bit disappointed in the ending of "A Christmas Grace". Since we can't find anything to watch on TV which has a Christmas theme, we've decided to read books. We love mysteries and we love Christmas so that's a good combination. I'm always looking for a new Christmas story to either see on TV or in the movies or to read. I've watched my old favorites so much that they don't hold my attention through the entire movie any more. Usually, I fall asleep before the ending. I suppose that I should take a year of two "off" from watching them and then maybe they'll be "fresh" again someday.

A Job

Tomorrow I will be working all day. Glad for the opportunity.
I'm about to check the weather channel to see what kind of weather we'll be having for Thursday. I heard a mention of snow for Friday and am hoping tomorrow will be dry. I found the job on the website. I also got a canned message asking if I were available to work. That's the first time for that. I wasn't sure who was calling as they didn't mention where I'd be working or for whom.
There is a delay when you answer the call. I'm usually inclined to hangup on such calls. I guess I'd better not be so fast to do that in the future.

Tuesday, Really!

Today I rode down to the shore to check up on the house. I even drove the car around the development for awhile just to make sure that it still runs. It does, thank goodness. I wasn't gone long. As a matter of fact I returned home at about noon. I brought lunch for us. A friend called shortly after I arrived home. We had a nice chat. About an hour or so later, my sister came over. It's good for Mom to visit with someone else other than me, so I was pleased that she came by. Coco loves E. because E. plays rough with her. After the workout Coco usually sleeps for awhile to recuperate.
Dinner is done and the kitchen is cleaned up. Coco just climbed into my lap. It's not easy to type with a cat in your lap. I plan to sew later while we watch Andre Rieu's show, Winter Wonderland. Finally, something Christmassy for the older generation.

Winter Weather

What a cold day today was! I had a doctor appointment this afternoon and then I went to the grocery store. I was glad that I wore a scarf around my neck as well as wearing my coat and gloves. I slept later than usual today. I originally awoke at 4:00 am, but went back to bed at about 6:00 am. I slept until 10:00 am today which I haven't done in years. I guess I needed to make up for the sleep I've lost getting up with two cats every day. I haven't accomplished much around the house although I did do a load of towels in the washer. I've looked in the TV section of the paper and found that there are no good Christmas movies on tonight so we're listening to Christmas music. Hopefully, the cats will leave me alone as I attempt to sew this evening. I don't want cat hair all over the baby quilt I'm working on. I could go sit in the sewing room to sew, but there aren't any comfy chairs to relax in while I hand sew. It's much more comfortable in the living room for that type of sewing. I got a half day of work for the 19th. Would also like to find something for later this week. It's been hard to get the 2 days a week I thought I could get every week. One day would work better than a half day. Maybe no one is taking off at this time of year. Hopefully, I'll get more days after the Christmas recess.

A Sunday Visitor

We had a visitor this afternoon. My sister stopped by. We talked about many things. One thing we did was to reminice about our trip with P & S two weeks ago. We planned on who would make what for dinner on Christmas. I made a pot of tea and served oatmeal cookies. When that was gone, I made another pot of tea. She may stop by tomorrow to see Mom. It's always nice to have company, even if it's unexpected.

Sunday

This morning I cleaned the snow off of my car and went to church to be the lector at the 8:30 am mass. I always feel good when I do that activity. Next Sunday I will do the same.
When I returned home I started the laundry, straightened up, and changed the bed sheets. I made tomato soup and grilled cheese for lunch and then started the dishwasher.
After completing these activities I was able to get another binding on a quilt. Just need to tack it now and it'll be finished. I locked the cats out of the sewing room so that I wouldn't be disturbed while sewing. Coco cried at the door for awhile and then sat there until I emerged later. She's asleep on the chair across the room right now. The chair she chased Sandy out of so she could nap. Sandy hasn't found another place to take his nap yet. Mom is also napping in her recliner. Surprisingly, I'm wide awake although I only got about 5 hours sleep last night. Don't think I'll need a nap. I may knit for awhile. I have the Traditional Christmas music channel on the tv which I am enjoying. I finished all my cards yesterday and will send them out when I get my Christmas stamps next week. I've already gotten 3 cards and haven't sent one out yet. I'm wondering how many friends will notice that. Sometimes they tell me that they do. It's sunny and crisp outside. The shadows are lengthening on the back lawn. In another hour or so we'll need to start putting on the lights. I'm feeling sort of "Christmassy" today. A good sign.

Newer Movie, Older Premise

Tonight we watched "You've Got Mail". It is a modern version of the story we saw yesterday, "In The Good Old Summer Time". Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star in the modern version. It is cute. Both still hold up today. The older version starred Judy Garland and Van Johnson. The setting of the story wasn't modern, but it was believable. I enjoyed both of the movies. Now I'm wondering who the original writer of the story/premise was? I wonder if the newer movie states who the writer had been? If not, I wonder if it's plagerism?

Old Movies

We watched two movies this evening on the TCM channel. We saw "Meet Me In St. Louis" and "In The Good Old Summer Time" both with Judy Garland. I had never seen the last one. I enjoyed it. As I understand it, it's a sequel to the first. Right now we're watching "Scrooge" . It's the musical with Albert Finney. I never saw it before either. Still waiting for the Christmas programming to come on the channels. Would like either music or new stories. We watched "The Bishop's Wife" the other day. I've seen that so many times I know some of the dialog. I guess if the tv stations don't do Christmas shows I can always watch my tapes. Am in the mood for something fresh and new, however.

My First Christmas Party

The Quilt Guild had their Christmas party today. The favor at the table was some fat quarters either in the form of a Christmas tree or in the form of a star. I went home with a tree which contained rich colors of burgandy, green, chocolate brown and a white background piece of fabric with green trees scattered here and there on the fabric. It was a nice party. The luncheon was very good as well. Everyone brings a covered dish or a dessert. There was much to choose from. I enjoyed the conversation at our table and got to speak with a few people I never conversed with before. I'm glad that I attended. It was my first Christmas party of the season.

Day Is Done

My work day is done! It wasn't too bad a day. I started at 12:01pm and worked until 3:45pm. The only problem with that is I'll only get paid for half a day. Maybe tomorrow I'll be lucky and get a whole day to work.
I can't work on Friday afterall since I have another doctor appointment. The highlight of my day was coming home and having a hot cup of tea. On a day like this you feel like you never tasted such a good cup of tea before. My little kitten Coco greeted me as I came in the door. Sandy seemed to wake up then also. I'm told that they sleep all day when I'm gone and become lively when I return home. Thankfully, they're quiet right now. I have to check the computer for another job for tomorrow. It's not as easy as it sounds. Often there is nothing listed at all. Hope I catch it right and do get something!

Tuesday

Tomorrow I'm working for a half day. I'm hoping that I can get two more days in this week also. With a little bit of luck, I will. Went to get Mom's mail today. She'll be staying with me for awhile more. I enjoy her company, but my home is a bit more disorganized than usual with another person here. I usually have my Christmas cards in the mail by now, but I'm slow getting them written out this year. I guess I'll get to them when I get to them. Can't believe that Christmas is just three weeks away, plus 2 days. It's coming quickly. Hoping to be able to relax and enjoy the season.