Christmas Post #8 2009

December 25th, 2009

Since Kyle and Caitlan were at the Millers for the morning, we all slept in, me until 8 o’lock (which is late for me) and the others later. I tried to silently do things around the house and clean up while the others snoozed, but Ian came upstairs to sleep on the couch because he saw a mouse in the basement (darn that Mickey!). I got a fire going, hung stockings, and put last minute donation notes on the Christmas tree. Caitlan and Kyle arrived in the early afternoon, and we opened presents while feasting on the tremendous snacks buffet that Brendan fixed for us. In addition to exchanging our Christmas presents, we also presented K and KK with their wedding present–a red Kitchenaid mixer. Everybody got Nerf guns from Santa which confirmed Kara’s suspicion that in Kentucky everybody gets guns for Christmas. The tree was beautiful, the outside lights were beautiful, and most of all my kids were beautiful. The evening ended with game playing–first Dominion, then Catch Phrase from Nancy. I tried to stay awake for Illuminati, but kept dozing off, so I bowed out. This was such a wonderful Christmas with these very special people in our home at Kelley Ridge. How can one person be so fortunate?
100_5533.JPG

Comments Off on Christmas Post #8 2009

Christmas Post #7 2009

December 24th, 2009

Oh Christmas Eve, Oh Christmas Eve, how lovely are thy memories!
Busy and beautiful day. Caitlan was out early to join Kyle’s family for ice skating. Brendan, Kara, Ian and I headed into Richmond where Ian did his characteristically last minute shopping while the rest of us braved Krogers for the Christmas Day snack buffet. Brendan is treating us this year. When we got back to Kelley Ridge, we ate sliced pork or turkey sandwiches. I reheated the spinach dip until it was slightly burned but still edible. Brendan and Kara put up the outside Christmas lights (except for our traditional gate lights which were still up from two or three years ago). Ian put up the outside nativity scene. Then they went down for Midnight Mass preparation naps and I headed to the Valley to help Mombo clean up for the Clan stew gathering after 8 p.m. Mass at Sacred Heart. Mombo and I entered the church right at the last minute, setting the other Clansfolk into a panic wondering if they had gotten wires crossed and forgotten to pick her up. The Mass was beautiful, and I know Mombo was brought to have such a large group of her family there. Then back to the Hall for Bubba’s oyster stew. He had help this year form Glenda, Brendan, and Ian. The Hall was filled with laughter, gift exchanging, and lasagna and stew eating.

100_5520.JPG
100_5509.JPG
100_5514.JPG
100_5521.JPG

We had to hurry away because my kids opted for their favorite–Midnight Mass. We went to a beautiful service at St. Peter and Paul in Danville and were surprised when Jerry joined us as well. That made me happy. Unfortunately Fr. Tom got carried away with the incense and sent Kara into a coughing fit (not her fault!). BCA, Kara, ICA, and I came back to Kelley Ridge and quickly crawled into bed. KK and Kyle went to the Millers so that they could wake up to see Kamara opening her presents. And to all a good night!
100_5518.JPG

Comments Off on Christmas Post #7 2009

Christmas Post #6 2009

December 23rd, 2009

Joyful Day!! Cleaning and decorating around the house at KR. Then off to Louisville to the airport to meet Kara and Brendan 14648_521033847424_59300926_30930011_716685_n.jpgand to greet them with my singing elf hat! It was so wonderful to see them both. We went to the Mayan Cafe ( I am no longer a Mayan Gypsy virgin) and had delicious food with Maria, Ian, Kyle and Caitlan. I liked the yucca cakes and the fried plantains the best, but everything was yummy. Stopped by Kyle and KK’s apartment for a quick deja vu visit for Brendan, then back to Kelley Ridge to decorate the tree, eat hot spinach artichoke dip and gingerbread with lemon butter, and olden day Christmas carol cds. The lighted gate greeted us as we entered. What a wonderful night!

Here’s a poem John and I wrote on Facebook about the gate:
“~

The lights are on the gate!
The lads must not be late!
~
Carols we’ll sing!
Let the bells ring!
The lights are on the gate!
~
The lights are on the gate!
For Christmas we can’t wait!
~
Eggnog to sip!
And gifts to rip!
The lights are on the gate!

Comments Off on Christmas Post #6 2009

Christmas Post #5 2009

December 22nd, 2009

How can it be five years? I still feel him here, in his house. I still find notes written in pencil on the walls reminding himself of his ever creative ideas. Sometimes, I even think I sense his scent.
joe.rtf

Comments Off on Christmas Post #5 2009

Christmas Post #4 2009

December 21st, 2009

Took off early from the Valley this morning to buy more ceiling paint for the Bonus Room upstairs. We don’t know what to call it yet–Bonus Room, Rumpus Room, Family Room, Game Room. I think the Tool Room is already named. I was also supposed to get milk for Mombo at IGA, but electricity went off just as I was to check out, so I left. Then back to Kelley Ridge. Ian arrived in Louisville safe and sound so we talked about plans. I hooked up the lights on the gate and changed beds, did laundry, hung up the wreaths on the windows and cooked a pork loin to slice for sandwiches. I’m not going to buy lunch meat any more. It was a dreary, rainy day, but I had a fire in my little stove upstairs and that made it cozy.

Comments Off on Christmas Post #4 2009

Christmas Post #3 2009

December 20th, 2009

The Solstice! Today was too short! Up early to go to church at St. William. What a precious church and congregation. They were having breakfast with Santa, but I skipped the pancakes and headed to the dreaded Wal-mart for some shopping before the crowds. I call Marty to see if he could help me with work at KR and the Valley. He came along as did his friend, Andrew, a nice young chap. They helped me stack firewood and move things from the basement to the barn. We did get the car stuck, but luckily they were there to push me out and get spattered with mud. It was pretty funny. Then we headed to the Valley. They moved a lot of stuff out of the upstairs tool room so that Jim and Neal can put down flooring. John was here, and we also painted until about 9 p.m. Mombo had delicious chicken noodle soup for us. A lot accomplished, but not enough. Oh, well, more tomorrow.

Comments Off on Christmas Post #3 2009

Christmas Post #2 2009

December 19th, 2009

Tammy has returned from India so I had time to talk to her about her amazing medical mission and see her pictures. There is no describing them here. We had snow, but the roads melted off quickly so I headed to Berea to drop off Mombo’s boxes of books at Robies’. They will let us know soon which ones they want to buy. Then to Louisville to spend the afternoon with my KK. She found a Clinique makeover girl at Macy’s named Parisa who did her make-up. She liked it, so Parisa is going to do her make-up on her wedding day. We did some other shopping and ate pad thai at Yankee Noodles. I was fun to be with my girlie. When we got back to the apartment, the elevator was disabled, so that was a bit of an ordeal. But thanks to the good-hearted nature of a neighbor, we got to use the freight elevator to haul up wedding prep stuff that I had brought. They left for a party, and I left for Georgetown to pick up the finished, gorgeous wedding dress from the multi-talented Monica. It is so beautiful. Then back to KR for a comfy bed!

Comments Off on Christmas Post #2 2009

Christmas Post #1 2009

December 18th, 2009

This will be a very eventful time for all of us, so I am going to try to blog, even though I am busier that humanly possible. Today was our last day of school complete with a sing-along and teachers loaded into an “Elf Yourself” jib-jab that made the student body literally scream with laughter. My ears are still ringing. Then to Deb’s for a quiet dinner and prayer group with her and Patti. I skipped the LES faculty party for this year, and the lovely setting of Deb’s home and my groupies as company was just what I needed. We shared Deb’s vegetable beef soup, fruit salad, her special cheese spread (the perfect food), and samples from her first batches of Christmas cookies. YUM!

Comments Off on Christmas Post #1 2009

Minnesota Trip–the end

October 9th, 2009

We were so busy for the rest of the trip, that I didn’t get a chance to blog like I would have wanted to. But it was wonderful to be busy because we had so many adventures. We went to the Mall of the Americas and especially enjoyed the American Girl doll store.Doll store We also went on a quest to look for a wedding garter for KK. We took a bus tour of the Twin Cities which was very informative and interesting. BusOn Friday I got to go with the FAB FOUR (we were the FAB FIVE for one day) Fab Fourto Minneapolis to see the new library which was AMAZING 100_5363.JPGand to lunch and the Sculpture Garden. 100_5381.JPGThen back to 2020 Linn Drive for my favorite sandwiches and games. It was so much fun. The only bad part was that I bough too many things at the Outlet Mall and couldn’t fit them all into my suitcase! I love being with Nancy and Mor-mor. They are such wonderful, entertaining hostesses. I hated to leave, but was comforted by the fact that I would see them again in a few weeks when they are on their way to Florida.

Comments Off on Minnesota Trip–the end

Minnesota Trip–Day Four–Part 2

October 6th, 2009

Today was a day spent closer to home. Nancy and I went to Cabela’s, the store with everything outdoors, and then she took me on a tour of Daybreak Church. John Linde, the pastor there, took us on a tour and showed us the “green” features. It was really amazing. If everyone who is putting up a building would try this hard, our world would be a better place (and cooler, too). Nancy has put many volunteer hours in here, both putting up drywall and painting. First they called her Rosie the Riveter, and now she is Polly the Painter. Daybreak ChurchDaybreak Church exteriorNancy and John

Comments Off on Minnesota Trip–Day Four–Part 2