End of the year - what a welcomed time it is!  I love how quiet the house is, how nice the house looks without Christmas decorations, I really liked it decorated, but now that the time came to clean it all up, I appreciate how it normally looks. I also like to read all the compiled lists at the end-of-the-year.  The best . . .  The worst. . . I'm always amazed that so many things could happen in a year. 

 Today, we got everything put away.  (more about that to come) We've been working at it for a couple of days. Paul got the empty boxes out and  said it didn't seem possible that we put up all those decorations.

  I think of  the different memories Christmas brings.  Each year is so different.  I suppose we could call this year:  The Year of Epril. 

Epril continues to adjust to her new surroundings.  She's been here less than a week.  There's been a whirlwind of activity and yet Bill's tried to keep it quiet for her.  Bill said they're going to cousin Jonathan's house for New Year's Eve.  Lots of people, and relatives for her to meet.

The Lord works in mysterious ways.  Our backdoor neighbor, Brett is a church deacon.  He lives almost directly behind us.   God bless him - he said they have several Filipino people that go to the Catholic Church.  Epril has convinced Bill that they should go to church New Year's Day.  Good.

Getting back to the boxes: 

One of my gifts from Paul was a labeler.  I've wanted one for a long time.  Thanks to him, I've labeled all the Christmas boxes.  I started with the Christmas mugs box.  MUGS, Mugs1, Mugs, Christmas Mugs1, Christmas mugs.  As I progressed, my labeling got better.  Christmas linens, Christmas ornaments, etc. So - I went on to label my pantry shelves.  Not done with that yet.  That's a time-taker.  Needs more thought and some more straightening out.   We have three drawers of silverware.  It confused people last week.  So -  yesterday,  I labeled one drawer: Large spoons, Small forks.  Now I gotta do the other two.  The labeler's most difficult part was getting the backing off, but even that is becoming easier. I'm not the brightest light when it comes to reading and following directions.

Have heard from all our travelers.

 Noi is back home, where she belongs.  It's not fun at all to be sick and away from home. She was feeling well about one day, of all the days they were here,

 Brenda called this morning at 10:30 our time, 7:30 - hers.  They were up early because they had to go get their dogs.   She said their flight was fine.  NYC to Sacramento - getting in at 2:30 AM.  Her school starts on the 3rd, so she has some more time to recuperate.  Guess her hip is doing okay, and her sinus condition is on the mend.

Nancy sent an e-mail that they were also home.  Their car trip back to Chicago went well, except 14 month old Evie wet her diaper through (twice) and became very sad.  Speaking of Evie, and contradicting that,  Paul said he's never seen such a happy little one.  She waved and smiled at everyone and loved being picked up.   She was even gentle with Gracie.  Vincent (5) is growing up to be such a nice little boy.  When they got here, he ran ahead of them into the house.  And though mommy and daddy had told him there'd be a lot of people here, I guess he forgot.  It kinda overwhelmed him for a moment, but after that, he enjoyed all the cammeraderie with his teen-aged cousins.  

We had fourteen people staying with us at the Woods Edge.  For our Christmas celebration, Christmas Monday, we had twenty-eight people for  turkey dinner with all the trimmings.  There was so much food!  Everyone brought something to eat, and pitched in to help with clean-up.

My washer and dryer have withstood the extra usage.   Oh. My. Goodness.

Tonight, New Year's Eve, we're staying in, having a delicious steak dinner, and watching a movie.  Tomorrow night we're going out to dinner at the Harbour Hotel in Watkins.  It shouldn't be crowded, and they'll have their regular menu. 

So - guess that's all for now.  What's happenin' in your neck o' the woods?

Hooray! Hooray!

I did want you all to know that Epril got her Visa on this past Tuesday, Dec. 20th!

 She'll not be here for Christmas since she and her family would like to spend it together this year.  It'll be difficult to get together in future years (but not impossible!).  We're looking forward to her coming, so much.

 Epril, there are so many people waiting to meet you!  You will be showered with love. 

As far as I undertand it, her travel plans include:  flying to Manila on Monday, December 26th with her mother.  On Tuesday,  December 27th, she's taking a required course about not being exploited, which is required of all Filipinos going overseas.   December 28th I believe she leaves.  She should be in Tampa on evening of the 29th.

  I am so glad that she'll have some quiet time with Bill before we get down there.  It'll be so exciting for them, but they need the time together.  And she needs to rest.

As of us:
Right now, there are kids downstairs playing ping-pong, and a mysterious detective game requiring paper, crayons, paper.  They keep coming in here to get printer paper. There are six teenagers and Ida.(9)  Their ideas change by the minute. Some were up here wrapped in snuggies, using their laptops.

  Lina is doing better.  She seems to be over her homesickness.  We'll see when Christmas Eve comes (tomorrow) and Christmas day. 

Greg appears to be taking an on-line a professional engineering and land surveying course at the dining room table.  How do I know this?  It just printed out right next to me!

Nancy and Dan have supposedly left today from Chicago.  They'll plan on staying overnight - thank goodness.  It's a 10-11 hour trip, and having a toddler aboard, isn't easy on anyone.  So far, our weather seems like it is and will be fine for travel. 

Poor Lue, but lucky us, had her flight cancelled yesterday from Elmira to Tennessee, so she joined us at Sharon's home for Brenda's birthday celebration!  Lue's scheduled to go out today.  We're glad you unexpectedly could be with us, Lue.  Now - enjoy your family!

Brenda is sick with a sinus infection.  She went to the doctor and got a prescription.  Hope that helps her feel better fast. She's upstairs resting.  With all their travel plans, etc.  you can see how she'd get rundown - especially recuperating from her hip surgery.   Noi is also sick - with a stomach bug.  She's keeping to her room.   Let's pray for them both to be well for the holiday weekend.

I went out Christmas shopping this morning.  I had thought the stores would be packed.  They were not.  We only have one car, and so Paul had to wait for me to come back before he could go.  He just got back.  He said the stores were packed.  Lots of traffic!  The stores need it. 

So - have a Blessed Christmas - all of you.

This will probably be my last post before Christmas.  As of all the Christian world, we are busy!

Let me know what's happenin' in your neck o' the woods.

Lotsa, Lotsa,Lotsa things goin' on. . .

The week before Christmas certainly keeps people busy!  My goodness.  Everyone seems to be going here and there.  It's very easy to forget from year to year how much surrounds us - and keeps us on the go. 

 I realized before this week that I'd made three doctors' appointments for Paul and I.  Dentist, General Practitioner, and Eye appointments.  Tuesday, Wednesday, which we had to cancel - see down below for the reason why -  and Thursday in that order.  And in the back of my mind, I'd thought perhaps this wasn't wise.  We'll be here a couple of weeks in early January.   Good thing. I think we could have used our time more wisely.

 So -  our dental appointment - was early afternoon today.  After which we went to our favorite gourmet grocery store nearby - to  those of you who are from here - Wegmans'!  And from there we raced to Odessa to pick up Ida from school and bring her home.  Got there just in time. 

Our first house guests were here when we got home!  Brenda, Eric, Emma and Lena (their german exchange student) from Californa via NYC.  Poor Lena is very homesick.  Can't blame her.  This is the hardest time of year to be away from home.  Brenda tried to hook her up with her family on Skype, but I guess her mother wasn't home.  What a nice, pretty girl.  I'm sure they'll get together.

 Brenda is inside playing Christmas carols on the piano right now. Sounds really nice.

Paul got a phone call Sunday night from his oldest brother, Bob, 85.  His wife, Louise, 86, had been suffering from Alsheimers and was in a nursing home died Sunday.  The funeral is tomorrow at 11:00 in Du Bois, PA, so Brenda, Sharon, Paul and I are going.  Eric and the girls will stay here. We'll be leaving at 6 AM.  And get home late tomorrow, but perhaps before Greg, Noi, Brenan and NeeNee arrive from Gainesville.  They're traveling all today, staying  tonight in a motel, and come in tomorrow evening.

Nancy is sick.   I talked with her today and she's feeling poorly - she thinks it was a bad hotdog.   She's been ill since last night.  I told her if she needed me to get anything for the kids,  to let me know.  They'll be at her dad's for Christmas Eve, and to our house Christmas day.

 As we spoke, she was holding Evie on her lap and she tried to get her to say "hi." but Nancy said all Evie did was to listen very intently as I spoke.  Can't wait to see her and Vincent.  And of course Nancy and Dan.  Can't leave them out!  Looks like we're gonna miss Bill.  But I'm so glad he has family in Fla. to help him through this, which will be a blue Christmas.  Thank you, dear brother.

When we arrived home, we saw a beautiful Christmas wreath hanging on our door!  Thank you, Lue!

So - Everyone,  how're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?

Life is never dull at this time of year!

I'm supposed to be decorating the little tree we have in the dining room.  I decided to post instead.  My, my. . .we're certainly busy - but then, who isn't? 

Epril and Bill - haven't heard yet from the American Embassy in Manila about her Visa.  It was suggested to him that he contact his congressman in Florida.  (He's been there over a year, so he's considered to be a Floridian.)  Friday, he did. And low and behold - he  talked to a real live person, who put him in touch with another real live person who actually said they'd be able to contact the Embassy in Manila.  The man was used to "doing such things." We haven't heard yet, but we're hoping.  

See, they get hopeful and then. . .  Listen to this: 

Epril's hometown of Cagayan de Oro was flooded last night.  Bill talked with her and she was okay, but it was a worry until he found out she was.  He said she lives a distance from the river. Thank the Lord.  They're worried about her family though.  As of the last I heard, they hadn't heard from them yet. 

I wonder if the airport was flooded.  We - Nancy, her dad, and I - flew there for Bill's wedding three years ago.  I imagine Epril has to fly from there, to Manila, to here.  My friend, Ruth, called me this morning.  She has a daughter-in-law originally from the Philippines, and she has relatives in Cagayan.   And she was worried too.  Ruth wanted to know how Epril was doing. 


It's interesting to decorate two houses for the holidays - before we left, didn't take down our Fla. outside lights, so that our neighbors could enjoy them for the season, even if we weren't there.  I've become a Floridian in thinking about the northlands in mid-winter because whenever I pictured upstate NY, I pictured blinding, blustery gales of snow.    However, we've been blessed with beautiful sunny weather up here since we arrived on Thursday night.   It was warm yesterday for Paul to put the lights up.   

Gracie and her first flight:  To put it bluntly:  There's room for improvement.  We made a couple of errors.   Her medication worked okay, but we gave it to her later than we should have. Our problem was we didn't know when would be the best time, or how long it would last, once she took it. We didn't want it to wear off in the middle of our flight.  And it didn't.  She flew very well, but she was very anxious  beforehand.

 At  Tampa Airport Airtran terminal , all the cars and people stressed her out.  Another problem: We didn't  get her used to the travel carrier , so she fought getting in it, and didn't like the feeling of being carried.  There was just too much confusion. BUT- If we'd given her the medication an hour before we got to the airport, we didn't know how long it would last.

 Earlier in the week we had given it to her.    She had a lovely sleep on Bill's bed.   Perhaps we should have tried her out in the carrier then to see how she'd do.  So - the medication worked very well, but it wasn't an accurate comparison for when we really needed it.

 Oh, well.  There's always the return trip on Jan 16th.  I'm sure we'll all do better.  We know better what to expect.

Now we're up here in the northlands, enjoying a beautiful winter day. ( It's amazing how quickly you adjust to a change in environment.)   We went to church this morning and it was good to see everyone. 

We usually go to breakfast beforehand, but I got up too late!  We went afterwards. 

Our extended family should be arriving tomorrow afternoon or evening.  Brenda, Eric, Emma, and their exchange student, Lena from Germany, flew the red-eye from San Francisco to NYC, and should be enjoying the sights today.  It was a chance for Lena to see NYC. They'll take the train to Middletown, visit Brenda's cousin, and rent a car to travel up here.  Not sure of their time-table.

 Also Greg, Noi, Brenan and NeeNee will be coming up from Gainesville - probably leaving today - traveling 12 hours, staying at a motel, leaving in the morning and getting here late tomorrow night.

I guess I'd better start decorating that tree.  I've wrapped some presents.  Good for me.

So - how're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?

Another apology is in order.  I meant to write before now.  Time is a-flyin' and soon we'll literally be a-flyin'.  Thursday, as a matter of fact.  Day after tomorrow.  Wash is being done.  Thinking about packing. (Thinking about making a list.)

 Having Gracie try out her calming medication.

 We're trying to learn from Brenda's trips from California with her Bode.  He also rode in his carrier under the seat in front, just like Gracie will.    Brenda tried benedryl.  It worked for a while, but after a while,  she ended up unzipping the carrier partways, and slipping her foot inside.  Guess it calmed him, too.  We believe that if we did that, Gracie would be out in a flash and on Paul's or my lap, or out on the wing.

 Papillons are tiny.  It's very (and I mean probably life-threatening very) important to lean towards less rather than more when using any meds.  And it's important to try first any calming meds we wish to use, so we can judge the reactions to it.  So - both Gracie's vets in upstate NY and here in Fla suggested benedryl.  Last week.  We tried it.  Twice. . .within two hours.  She was running around as usual chasing squirrels outside. It didn't have any effect.

 So we called the vets.  Did they have anything stronger? They suggested another medication "Happy Travels".  They were out of it, but it would be in stock on Saturday.   We got it.  Came in capsule form.  One capsule for up to 25 lbs.  So - heeding the less rather than more philosophy, we opened a capsule and gave her half.  Didn't work.  Tried a whole capsule.  Ingredients:  valerian root and chamomile. Same reaction.  Didn't work. 

Yesterday, we were back at the vets to get her papers to travel, and the vet gave us some tranquilizing pills, cut in quarters.  We gave her a quarter in the afternoon.  Within an hour, it worked.   Martini came over and they played a little.  After a while, she slept.  Today, Paul said - she didn't have a hangover.  She survived in one piece.  Hallelujah!

Last night Paul and I  had a pre-Christmas  dinner at Alice's house with Bob, Bob's friend, Marian, Bill, and my cousin Carol.

 Alice served our Grandma Lotte's chicken fricassee.  Now, I'm not sure of the whole story of the recipe, but I should remember it because I just should. . . . .    Grandpa Albert sometimes brought the men who worked for him home to have lunch.  Grandma would make the chicken fricassee recipe and add tiny meatballs to the chicken to make the meal stretch.   She called them barlows (?).  Alice remembers Grandma Lotte making it. 

Several years ago, Alice gave me the recipe and I made it for a group I belonged to. We were asked to make  a family recipe that had "meaning for you."  The recipe made a lot, cooked in a deep kettle, simmering on the stove  for hours. I think I made it the day before. . .warming it up  in a prettier pot to take it with me.  .  .leaving the rest on the stove to put away later.   When I came back home afterwards, my black part-lab, Cricket, had gotten into it, knocked it off the stove, and proceeded to have a field day.   Whatta mess.   Luckily she didn't throw up.

Now, here's the second half of the story.   

In the early fall before we left New York for Florida, I found a very very old picture of Anna Charlotte, or Lotte as she was known,  as a young unmarried adult with her family - three brothers, a sister-in-law,  and her parents (my generation's great grandparents).  It was taken around (and possibly before) the turn of the century.  Paul, bless him, took the photo and made 3 copies.

Below the picture, not on it, I recognized  my father's handwriting.  Dad had pencilled in, the birth/death dates for each person, and even wrote down the german town our greatgrandmother came from.  The pencil marks were faded, but I was able to determine pretty much what he wrote.  I typed out what I could understand of my father's writing.    I had brought the copies with me last night to give to Alice and Carol for Christmas.  Bob got his a couple of days earlier.

Now, isn't it an interesting coincidence that Alice cooked Grandma Lotte's chicken fricassee, at the same time  I decided to give them the pictures of Grandma Lotte's family?

In case you're wondering, there's nothing new to report on Epril's Visa.  We're still anxiously waiting and praying for her safe arrival.   Bill's showing a lot of patience.

So - next time I write, I'll be in upstate NY.  If you're in a prayerful mood, please pray for our trip, and of course Epril's safe arrival.

How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?

Yes. Everything is fine.

I got a phone call from Carol O a couple of days ago, wanting to know if I was okay. 

 It'd been so long since I'd written.  I assured her that everything was alright.   But, if she called, then maybe others were thinking the same thing.

  I just was spending my writing time on our annual Christmas letter.   Saturday, we took it to Staples, picked out some Christmas paper,  and for a nominal fee, they printed out the number I needed.  I picked them up yesterday.  Now I'm busy addressing envelopes.

 Last year I had the bright (?) idea of sending  them out after Christmas.  We were here in Florida, and were busy, busy. How did it work out?  Mid-summer, I found a whole bunch of computer -addressed Christmas envelopes.  So - it didn't quite.  Of course you don't know who you were, but if you usually received  a letter:  I am sorry.  And to compound the error, I threw the envelopes away.  (I could have used them this year.)  Goodness.  I guess timing doesn't matter in this case, but - look for your letter before Christmas this year.

We all know that the difference in Christmas between Florida and up North:  No snow.  As we do up North, they also decorate to the nth degree, but also take advantage of their weather. They have an annual Christmas boat parade through the inland waterway.  It was beautiful.  They  decorate homes, streets, and have regular parades.  We're going to a community Christmas party this Saturday night at the Clubhouse.  Some time this week, we're also going to Sarasota to see some spectacular decorations we've heard about, and have some hot chocolate and cookies.  I joined a Bible Study at cousin Alice's house last week, and this week they're having a Christmas luncheon.

 Paul thinks our circle has the best decorated houses.  I agree.  BUT - it's early in the season. 

Bob and Marian are camping at Oscar Sherer State Park - a half hour away.  They've invited us to come Tuesday for a cook-out.  Looking forward to it.  We're to come at 7:00. 

Bill is still awaiting Epril's Visa news.

 He's tried all sorts of means to get calls through to the American Embassy in Manila because he was afraid her information was lost on somebody's desk. 

Remember.  They're 13 hours ahead of us.  

One of the internet sites, he's been monitoring  suggested  to call very early in the morning. He called last night (Sunday)   at 6:30 PM at dinner time. (7:30 AM Monday morning their time).  He'd never been able to get more than one ring from the extention number.  So as we ate, he put it on speaker phone  and let it ring and ring and ring.  After a half hour someone answered! Yes!  Epril's information was in the system but it still hadn't been processed yet.  So. . . . it was not lost.

I just looked at the time and it's lunchtime. 

May you all have a great day. 

And. . . how're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?