This is the coldest it has been for several years–single digits. I always worry about Kelley Ridge when it is that cold, so I headed back after school knowing that they had already called off school due to low temperatures. I got there about 9:30 p.m. and couldn’t unlock the gate–the lock was frozen. I tried a little lock de-icer spray that I kept in the glove compartment–useless. So I left the car, climbed the gate and walked to the house with a sweater over my head. Luckily the wind was not blowing on the ridge. I fired up both wood stoves and was toasty warm. I was so glad that Marty had stacked a good supply of firewood under the deck. But now I have burned up about all of it, so tomorrow I will re-supply. This morning I tried alcohol on the lock and that didn’t work, so I got Ole Joe Clark (my jalopy truck) started and took a tea kettle full of hot water to the problem site–it worked!!(Although the lock may be ruined forever). Then off to Campbellsville for an adjustment by Dr. Jerome (their office has a new computer system that they are getting used to) and to the Valley to help Mombo put her Christmas tree away (needless to say, mine is still up!). We listened to Hayley’s game against highly ranked Lincoln County on the radio (they lost pretty badly, but Hayley did score 13 points). I missed being there, but I did get to see Clint play last night. It was the eighth grade honor night, so I got to witness him escorting his mom and dad across the floor. It was a great game. Clint is definitely a team leader. He took a spill and hit his head on the floor toward the end, “but bonking his donk” won’t keep the Biscuit down for long!

Monday saw me back to school, and since report cards are coming out, I was very busy all week. As is my wont, I procrastinated over the break and did not grade all the library folders that I should have. So this week saw me playing “catch-up.” On Monday night Jerry came to Kelley Ridge, and we had a nice visit. Then on Tuesday I was back to Garrard County for Hayley’s game against here. Bub was here, too, and we sat with Jeanne and Cliff. It was very exciting because they won in overtime by 7 or 8 points! Whew! I spent Wednesday night with Mombo, but was kind of droopy, so I fell asleep during Cyrano de Bergerac, even though I am in love with Kevin Kline and am going to marry him (without the nose). Thursday was a late work night, and Friday took Mombo and me to another Boyle County girls’ basketball game. Bubba and Glenda were also there, so Bub and I did our coaching and cajoling from the bleachers. It was deja vu all over again–overtime and a win by 7 or 8 points (I can’t remember because I get so excited I forget to look at the scoreboard!). Today was a very nice groupie/bookie meeting at Kelley Ridge. We are discussing THREE CUPS OF TEA. On second thought, I might marry Greg Mortenson. Then KK called and I sped off to Louisville to look at wedding dresses (sound cue–“Sunrise, Sunset“). Ahh, life. Thank God for it.

Jeanne, Mombo, and I made an appointment yesterday to see Cabinhood, Jeanne and Cliff’s log cabin that they sold in order to move to Danville about 10 years ago. The man who lives there now had a motorcycle accident and needs to sell the place. It has a barn, a detached garage, two stocked ponds, and a cabin with 4 (5) bedrooms, 2 full and 2 half baths, a woodburner, and county water connected. He would also sell his cub cadet tractor and implements with it. It has 11 (10) acres with it and a slab foundation for a mobile home on the property (with electric, water, and septic tank). It’s way more than I could take care of by myself, and yet I am so tempted–it would save building another house on my property and bring that original chunk of land back in to Clan hands. Little encouragement from my family on this one–they don’t think I could handle it alone, and they are probably right. Ian went with me today, and we shot these pictures.

Last night was spent in the company of my dear family. Mombo and I made Hoppin’ John, and Dana brought cabbage rolls. Jerusha and Clay brought lots of snacks, and I had my first taste of Bud Lime thanks to Clay. We put on the ’40’s music station ( later switched to the ’60’s), and played games and danced around with the Sweeney-kins. First Jerusha, Clay, Dana, John, Mombo, and I played APPLES TO APPLES. Later we played BANAGRAMS given to us by Nancy. James and Susan came later. We banged our pots and set off fireworks at midnight. Then we toasted 2009 thanks to champagne Brendan brought to me from Oregon. Happy New Year, all my loved ones. Hope it’s a good one!

The race this year was held after church on the day after Clan Christmas. Again it was held at THE KEEP (Jeff and Lea’s house). The track this year was unbelievable–or as play-by-play announcers John and Seth declared, “BIZARRE!” Mombo started the race with her usual “Let the races begin!” Here are some pictures. I hope Peat doesn’t mind that I used them.

We were out in the second round, as usual, even though Ian and Kyle tried to pick out our best cars (Caitlan was busy making delicious soft pretzels), but Nicholas and Michelle with their new racing team beat the pants off everyone else, taking 1st, 3rd, and 4th. Jay’s house took 3rd. Eaglenest wasn’t represented, and they usually win a lot, so the word is out that they were scared off by the dangerous track. Actually today was Hayley’s birthday, and she played in a tournament in Paris, KY. She ended up helping her team clinch third place in the tourney by some critical free throw shots in the last seconds of the game. Go Belles!

We got up early the next morning and drove to Greenup to see Pops and Edie for Christmas. We were fortunate to have Kyle’s dad offer us his van so that we could be comfortable for the drive. After a nice visit and lunch that Edie fixed (home-made rolls, ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, pecan pie), we headed down to the Valley for Clan Christmas. We exchanged gifts, a group played Ian’s new DOMINION game, ate lots of goodies, and sang the HALLELUJAH CHORUS.
It was fun to see the little ones make a family band.
I love it when my kids can get together with their cousins, aunts, and uncles, and Mombo, of course. Because they don’t live close by, these times together are extremely precious.

We decided to have our Kelley Ridge Open House on Boxing Day this year since Caitlan’s friend Sarah said she felt sorry for us since we didn’t have Boxing Day in the U.S. We cooked a turkey breast and a rib roast, made mulled wine and figgy pudding (thanks to Brendan), and invited friends. We put out boxes for donations to the food bank, pregnancy help center, and alms for the Salvation Army. We were visited by many friends, and Ian, Kyle and I fixed up a game playing place in the basement in front of the woodstove. Ian gave me a new rug for Christmas, and we used that. Then the boys build a game table out of salvaged pool table legs and an old door. When the Willetts and McBrayers came, the kids spent a lot time playing various games including Pandemic.It was a fun night with lots of friends, even though we stayed up too late. Luckily the weather cooperated–no ice!

We had a wonderful Christmas day at Kelley Ridge as you will see from the pictures. We had been to the cathedral in Lexington for midnight Mass after gathering with the Clan for oyster stew at the Hall.
On the next morning Brendan and Caitlan finished putting the last ornaments on the tree and rearranged the living room. We put out our traditional spread of food including shrimp, cheetos, and buckeyes from Maria. You can see some present opening here:
Caitlan baked some great bialies (sp?) and Ian made cinnamon crescent rolls.
I have one more picture that is the absolute best Christmas shot ever, but I’ll save that one until last. After eating and present opening, Caitlan went to join Kyle’s family, we cleaned up, and then we went to have dinner with Frank, Michele, Ben, Wes, and Toni. We played the product game and had a lot of fun. It was a nice Christmas. And now for the promised picture–THE CHRISTMAS SNEEZE!
Merry Gesundheit!!

to tell the big news. I think Caitlan has let everyone that she wanted to let know personally,know that she and Kyle ARE ENGAGED!


Lots more to tell soon!

YAY!!!!