Kelly & I left a little before 9am for her appointment at the WVU Eye Institute. We took a longer route (by about 10 minutes) to avoid tolls, which was fine. We were there about an hour and a half. Very thorough. She still has a few spots on her cornea but all in all doing well. The technician pulled a ‘mucus thread’ out of her eye with tweezer-type things. She looked like she was going to freak out and I was waiting… But she did good. He upped her meds (not stronger, just longer) and wants to see her on the 28th. I think Matt will be able to take her that day as he’s on vacation.

On the way home we saw Garry’s Auto Sales. Chase’s axolotl pet is named Garry (with 2 r’s) so we took a picture. Garry took a break from eating chips to pose for us!

She’s sounding more chipper but still gets tired easily. She’s napping right now. I am still considering the possibility of making a batch of cookies… We’ll see. I’m doing a few loads of never-ending laundry and getting the boys food upon request.

A nice treat after the appointment was that we stopped at Chick-Fil-A and had lunch. Don’t tell the boys – they will be disappointed. But of course, they could have come with us and spent 5 1/2 hours sitting in the car!!! While we were waiting to pull out we saw this license plate – it reads the same frontwards and backwards. Very clever!

This picture was on my facebook feed – and it just made me smile!

Kathy and Sarah both shared pictures of River Hill church’s Christmas program last night. Millie was an angel at the manger, and she was perfect! Doesn’t she look like a darling little angel? It’s very unusual for Millie to stand still for very long, but she lived up to being very ‘angelic’ and sang with the other kids. I think she may have a future in the theater!

Got a call about noon that Grama’s clock was finally repaired, so we stopped in New Stanton on the way home and picked it up. Now it’s back home where it belongs, ticking and chiming and keeping time!

Memory book – December 20th: Tell about your experiences with Santa Claus. “Our Uncle Edd lived with us. He always dressed up like Santa Claus. He would ring sleigh bells & then come in the front door. I was around 6 or 7 before I knew “Santa” was Uncle Edd.” Dad did that – he’d dress up and knock on our living room window and shake his finger at us. We never had our slippers on and we’d make a mad dash for them. But Santa was gone before we got back. It was a while before I caught on!

On this day in 1812 Grimms Fairy Tales was published; in 1920 Bob Hope became an American citizen, and in 1950 HARVEY with Jimmy Stewart premiered. Elvis received his draft notice in 1957 (Dear 53310761…). In 1946 It’s a Wonderful Life premiered, and in 1962 the Osmond Brothers made their debut on the Andy Williams show. Sacagawea died at age 24 in 1812; Donald Trump married Marla Maples in 1993, and in 2005 Renee Zellweger married Kenny Chesney – their marriage lasted 4 months!

TOMORROW December 21 is:

• Crossword Puzzle Day
• Humbug Day
• National Maine Day
• Phileas Fogg Win A Wager Day
• Winter Solstice
• National Flashlight Day
• National French Fried Shrimp Day
• National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day
• Yule
• Anne & Samantha Day

Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice – shortest daylight of the year. Go to bed early with a good book – and when you wake up on the 22nd the days will be getting longer each day! (This one’s for you, Joe Faddish!) God bless!

We sure have had some busy days, but mixed with fun and laughter along the way. Lots and lots of love and work and care-giving but isn’t that what love and family is about?

Kelly is improving but still in some pain – appointment tomorrow at WVU. Hoping for good news! Another day of lots of driving.

We had a Santa drive-through sighting this afternoon. Lots of families with younger kids were standing outside waiting for him to go by. Logan and Chase were not in that crowd!

After supper, we were just sitting in the living room, enjoying the lights and decorations, while the boys were playing games downstairs. Stolen moments of quiet!

Memory book – December 19th: Tell about the worst Christmas present you ever received as a child. “I don’t think I ever had a bad Christmas present when I was a child. We didn’t get things very often & we felt very happy with whatever we got.” Blessed and thankful- sweet memories!

On this day in 1777 George Washington settled his troops in at Valley Forge for the winter, and in 1843 A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens) was published.

TOMORROW December 20 is:

• Go Caroling Day
• National Sangria Day
• Mudd Day

ANYONE can go caroling! At least sign a carol in your car or in the shower. But share the joy of the holiday season! God bless — It’s CHRISTMAS week!!!

Another busy day – I have been washing sheets and towels and clothes every day, keeping things clean as possible. Kelly is improving every day, but still a ways to go. She needs to stay in and away from crowds, both for herself and for people-contact. I’ve been trying to make things as cheery as possible – I made her a pill snowflake, and put my Peanuts Christmas pillow case on her favorite bed pillow. Just a little bit of happy for her.

The boys – surprise, surprise! – are still just sleeping, eating, and gaming. Same thing, different day!

Kathy was the family ambassador and went to our cousin Judy’s 60th surprise birthday party. Before they went there, her and Paul drove over to see their grandson Isaac and his girlfriend Shayla. Tonight was their winter formal. Can’t believe how grown up he is! Looking pretty handsome to me!

After running a deposit over to the bank and grabbing a quick item at the store, I came home and mixed up homemade bread (turned out much better this time than Thanksgiving!) and also baked the scones that I mixed up last night. Then I made a double batch of cream of potato soup – Gen’s famous recipe!) We all love it. Except Chase. Chase eats pretzels, Goldfish, and egg sandwiches….

Memory book – December 18th: Tell about the best Christmas present you ever received as a child. “When I was a child we all wore ‘long legged underwear.’ They kept us warm when the winters came with the very cold temperatures. We had long ‘ugly’ stockings we wore over our long underwear. One Christmas Grama Crooks bought Hazel & I ankle socks with lace on them. It was a warm Christmas & we begged our parents to let us take off our long underwear & stockings so we could wear our new socks for a couple hours. Dad said we would catch pneumonia, but we didn’t even get a cold. Such a special time.” Imagine when a pair of socks would make for a perfect gift! We are so spoiled!

On this day in 1799 George Washington’s body was interred at Mt. Vernon; and in 1966 Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas aired for the first time. You’ve Got Mail premiered in 1998. Gary Dahl (creator of the Pet Rock) was born in 1936 – I had one; I named her Sylvia and still have her! Charles Wesley (Poet, hymnist, clergyman) was born in 1707, and Zsa Zsa Gabor died at age 99 in 2016.

TOMORROW December 19th is:

• National Hard Candy Day
• National Oatmeal Muffin Day

No oatmeal muffins – maybe snickerdoodles as per Chase! Have a great ‘Christmas Sunday’! God bless…

It was a busy day, trying to keep up with everything. I popped over to Walmart for some extra food, and had just got home and everything put away when the pharmacy called with Kelly’s prescription. We finally found one that had the medicine in stock. So I ran out to CVS and picked that up, and got Logan the drinks he wanted that Walmart didn’t carry.

I was encouraged that Kelly ate several healthy things today, got lots of rest, and took her meds. It will take a few more days of rest and medication but hoping she’ll get it here.

While she was resting and the boys were gaming, I cooked a huge pot of fresh green beans and made a huge pot of Acini de Pepe soup (Chicken Noodle, actually). I haven’t made it in so long I forgot how to do it and had to keep looking up the recipe. It should be ready to eat within the hour. Still have several things to do tonight, including folding the second load of laundry from the dryer and re-making Kelly’s bed.

Memory book – December 17th: Tell about the neatest present you remember giving to your Dad. “Aunt Hazel & I made Dad a night shirt for winter nights. He wore it for years.” I think making shirts are very hard. So hats off to them, and him for wearing it!

On this day in 1777 General Washington’s army returned to Valley Forge. In 1903 the Wright Brothers made the first sustained motorized aircraft flight at Kitty Hawk, and in 1987 the Simpson’s (TV) premiered. Tiny Tim married Miss Vicky on The Tonight Show in 1969, and Penny Marshall (Laverne & Shirley) died in 2018 at age 75. Today my cousin Perry is having a birthday. Happy birthday, Perry! Heard you had great luck hunting this year! Have a great year!

TOMORROW December 18 is:

• National Twin Day
• National Roast Suckling Pig Day
• Answer The Telephone Like Buddy The Elf Day
• National Wreaths Across America Day

I hope someone I call answers the phone like Buddy the Elf tomorrow. That would be so fun! Have a great weekend – only 8 more sleeps til Christmas! God bless.

I left the house a little before 9am, drove to Kelly’s, and helped her get organized a bit, since she’s been feeling poorly and hadn’t done anything for days. She has an infection, and it went into her eye, and we had to be at the WVU Eye Institute at 1:45pm.

It was pretty easy to get to, but a long drive. We were there for over 2 hours – in the exam room – and they were extremely nice and very thorough. She was exhausted and had a horrid headache but we managed well enough. We got back to her place about 6pm, after stopping in Claysville to pick up a prescription. One of the eye creams – which wasn’t covered under their (or anyone else’s!) insurance was over $500! The eye doctor warned her that if it was expensive she could go without it. Thank heavens for that!

It didn’t take too much convincing to get Kelly, Logan and Chase to come home with me for several days. That way she can rest completely, and instead of taking care of her family, I can take care of her and the boys. Ma, Matt, and Peyton can take care of each other! So other than checking in with work in the morning, I am staying put at the house until further notice. It feels safer and smarter. And calmer and easier!

Wanted to share the inflatable Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus that they had up on the pool deck. I never saw anything like it. Very, very sweet.

The boys area already set up with their game systems, and Kelly is nursing a cup of Lipton soup. All is quiet and I’m glad to be home. Matt especially will miss his family, but it seems the best solution to give Kelly the complete rest she needs for right now. Pray for her – thank you!

Memory book – December 16th: Tell about the neatest present you remember giving to your Mom. “This was my mother’s birthday! Dad took Hazel, Jim & I to a nice ladies store in Indiana. We 3 had to pick out a dress for our mother. It took a lot of deciding between us before we finally chose the one Dad bought. I can still see my mother wearing that dress in my memory of those long ago times. We called it her ‘fancy’ dress.”

On this day in 1913 Charlie Chaplin began his film career, and in 1950 Shirley Temple announced her retirement from files at age 22. In 2019 Mariah Carey’s single “All I Want For Christmas Is You” reached No. 1, 25 years after release. Beatrix Potter’s Tale of Peter Rabbit was published in 1901, and the Boston Tea Party was in 1773. Colonel Sanders – KFC founder – died at age 90 in 1980. Shirley Temple married Charles Black in 1950, and Napoleon divorced Josephine in 1809. Beethoven was born in 1770 – just ask Schroeder! And Jane Austen was born in 1817. Today would have been my Grandma Crooks’ birthday – she was born in 1898. I still miss you, Grandma! Happy birthday!

TOMORROW December 17 is:

• National Maple Syrup Day
• Wright Brothers Day
• National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
• Underdog Day

I love Underdog! You gotta watch the movie. “I feel fine when I sit down; when I stand up, I spin around.” Stoney LOVED that line. We laughed and laughed. Have a great day, and wear an Ugly Christmas Sweater tomorrow! God bless…

Short walk on the treadmill, then cleaning the rest of the day. Had to run to the store after lunch for Nate – neither he nor Jen feel their best and don’t want to risk the public forum.

Came back, finished cleaning and laundry, and several phone calls. Kelly is dealing with some health issues (not COVID or CANCER but distressing) so I’m a little off-center right now. I’m driving to pick her up in the morning and take her to a doctor’s appointment in West Virginia, so I may not be home in time to post tomorrow. Don’t be alarmed! I’ll keep posting updates as I can.

No pictures today, and not much else going on.

Memory book – December 15, 2021: Did your Grandpa or Grandma ever make gifts for you? What? “Both Grandma Crooks & Grandmam Eakman made pillow cases & embroidered a nice picture of flowers on them. Grandmam made us each a quilt when we got married.” (Mom made us cloth dolls out of the pillowcases…)

On this day in 1939 Gone With The Wind premiered in Atlanta; Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash was released in 1955. Trivial Pursuit was invented in 1979, and in 1791 the Bill of Rights was ratified, creating the first 10 amendments of the constitution. Tim Conway was born in 1933. Mad Anthony Wayne died at age 51 in 1796, and Walt Disney in 1966 at age 65.

TOMORROW December 16 is:

• National Chocolate-covered Anything Day
• Barbie and Barney Backlash Day

I was going to buy peanut butter pretzel nuggets and make more chocolate-covered ones – Aldi was out of them! I’ll try again… Have a great Thursday! God Bless…

Treadmill, breakfast, and a short work morning. Day started good since I got a txt from Greg Pelc – Peanuts nativity! Thanks, Greg! I picked up the forgotten flour, and also got brown sugar for Kathy. I just got home was was partway through cleaning the car when Teresa called. It was a lovely day to soak up some sun, so I met her at Twin Lakes. We took this lovely bike trail (about a mile out and one back) and got some exercise as well as got caught up. GiGi came with us and she was very entertaining. When we got back to the car, we saw a horse and rider heading out, as well. And GiGi has her own car seat – never saw anything like it! GiGi is all the way up to 8 pounds now. And cute as a button!

Glad to have the car cleaned out and washed. When I walked around the yard picking up sticks I found a mum that was basically dead – but there was one loan bloom in the very middle! Cheeky little thing! Also got the kids/grandkids gifts handled and tucked away. I took some time to re-cover the wrist rest for my computer keyboard. The old one was dirty and falling off. Since this one is white (with stars!) I’m thinking it won’t last long. It matches the curtains.

Memory book – December 14th: Did you hang a Christmas stocking? “Yes. We put our name on a piece of paper and pinned it on the stocking. We hung them on the clock shelf in the kitchen. If Douds store had gotten oranges to sell we each got one in our stocking. Uncle Edd made fudge & we each had some in our stocking on Christmas morning. Mom made popcorn balls. Plastic wrap wasn’t invented so things were wrapped in wax paper. Nothing can ever taste as good as our Christmas stocking treats.” – In our prosperity we have certainly lost a lot, don’t you think? Simple, cherished treasures and memories!

On this day in 1542 Mary Queen of Scotts succeeded her father and became Queen of Scotland at 6 days old. In 1969 ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ – sung by Peter, Paul, and Mary and written by John Denver – hit #1, and in 2012 the Sandy Hook School Shooting left twenty 6 and 7 year old’s dead, as well as six adults and the shooter’s mother. George Washington died in 1799 at age 67, and in 1780 Alexander Hamilton married Elizabeth Schuyler. Patty Duke was born in 1946, and today 2 people are celebrating. Today is my friend Bruce Shirey’s birthday – friends through my actor friend Bear (his brother) and through Hanna’s Town (he works there). Happy birthday Bruce! And today is Nate’s Jen Johnson’s birthday. Happy, happy birthday Jen – enjoy your day and a year of wonderful surprises and blessings! Love you!

TOMORROW December 15 is:

• National Cupcake Day
• Bill of Rights Day
• Cat Herders Day
• National Wear Your Pearls Day

Not a fan of cupcakes – or herding cats. I’m pretty certain Jen will be herding cats – not just tomorrow but almost every day! We should all just wear pearls in honor of cats! Anyway — God bless!

Early morning treadmill (still cold outside!), then worked both stores. I stopped and got groceries on the way home so I should be good for what I need. The only thing I didn’t think about was maybe flour. So I’ll think about it…

I touched up nicks on the bedroom baseboard (purple) and the bathroom clothes hamper (dark gray), and hot-glued a Christmas pin. And I didn’t glue myself to anything! I’ve had that pin since — well, since before I was married!!!

I have a secret – shhh! “Please don’t tell a single soul, what I’m going to say….” Here it is. I bought another blanket. I DON’T NEED ANOTHER BLANKET! It was so cute, and so different, and I couldn’t help myself. I had some money saved just for fun (not vacation fund) so I took the couple dollars from that. I’m looking forward to snuggling up with it after I’m done posting this. In fact, I’m going to make this a short post!

Memory book – December 13th: How did you decorate your trees? “We didn’t have electric so we just put strings of popcorn, paper chains, and card board stars we cut out of the back cardboard from writing tablets. We did have some very special ornaments that Grandma had bought. When we had the house wired for electric Dad and Mom sent to Sears & Roebuck and got a string of lights. We loved to turn off all the other lights & just look at the beautiful tree. When it was time to take the tree down we packed away the decorations very careful. I have some of them now. Memories.” (I have some of those ornaments, too! On my tree!) Can you imagine life like that???

On this day in 1774 Paul Revere and Wentworth Cheswell rode to warn Portsmouth of the approach of British warships. In 1950 James Dean began his career with an appearance in a Pepsi commercial, and in 1954 Peyton Place premiered (It caused quite a stir!!). Dick van Dyke was born in 1925; Mary Todd Lincoln in 1818, Taylor Swift in 1989, and Christopher Plummer (Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music) in 1929.

TOMORROW December 14 is:

• National Bouillabaisse Day
• National Alabama Day
• Monkey Day

I don’t have, need, or want a monkey. Guess that means I’m happy with what I have, especially a year’s supply of BLANKETS! God bless..

I was thankful to get a better night’s sleep last night, and ready to get up this morning. Wayne’s message about managing our expectations was excellent; something I needed to hear in light of so many disappointments of people and events that did not come through. But as always, our little Sunday School class put energy into the morning. They are little sponges, soaking in everything they see and hear around them. Such a tremendous responsibility as a teacher, being certain they are fed and encouraged by God’s word, and focused on the eternal.

We did, however take a few minutes to to celebrate Max’s birthday with donuts and candles. The boys, of course, loved it. And since JJ’s birthday is next week, we lit the candles again and sang to him as well. Let’s just say that the boys were one step ahead of us the whole time!

Mary had a cute craft for them, where they painted the miniature crates and clothes pins and put ‘fake’ hay in. They will finish the project with baby Jesus next week.

I opened my Christmas cards from the Skunk Hollow girls, and the one from Beth had a coaster inside. I love it – someone knows my heart, both in coaster-collecting and for the Reason for the Season! Thank you, Beth! Also had a little snowman ornament from Karen V and a snowflake magnet from Colleen. Perfect! Thanks, Karen and Colleen… And a huge thank you again to Colleen for hosting!

I’ll try to recap the HCC Christmas program, but it was really fun! The idea was that two guys were DJ’s at a radio station (WHCC 1420am radio), and they shared a few memories and photos from each decade – from 1940’s through present. The members contributed their personal memories and pictures, and Shelagh grouped them into decades. There were also songs and appropriate dress for each decade, as well. My personal favorite was ELVIS (Blue Christmas) and the four ladies who sang ‘Let it Snow’. Everyone did a wonderful job!

I didn’t get a picture, but Dianne and Jim led the audiance in “Felice Navadad” and it was MORE than entertaining! Great fun; great job!

My part was last – I was Mary, but an older Mary reflecting back on Jesus’ birth (and death) and how the world has received and remembered both of those events. I was very nervous, but it went very well (God gets the credit for THAT!!!), and everyone enjoyed it. the kids’ choir (under the direction of Dianne) closed the program. My little Max (from Sunday School) came flying over afterwards and threw himself in my arms and told me I did a wonderful job! It was a lovely evening and I believe everyone took away laughter, smiles, and thoughts for reflection. It was very fun seeing the slideshows of family and friends from all those decades at Christmas! A huge thanks to Shelagh Robertson for putting it all together and keeping us sane!

Memory book – December 12th: (Starting holiday topics) When did you put up your Christmas tree? Where did you get them? “We usually put up the tree a few days before Christmas. We cut limbs from the big white pine tree that grew in our front yard. It was not easy to trim & it lost its long needles quick, as we didn’t have it in a tree holder with water. Just nailed to a board.”

On this day in 1787 Pennsylvania because the 2nd state to ratify the US constitution; in 1800 Washington DC was established as the capital of the US of A. In 1972 The Poseidon Adventure premiered; George Grant received the patent for the first golf tee in 1899, and Father Flanagan founded BOYS TOWN in 1917 (‘There’s no such thing as a bad boy’). Bob Barker was born in 1923; Frank Sinatra in 1915, and Connie Francis (singer) in 1938. Charley Pride, country singer, died in 2020, and in 1937 Jerry lee Lewis (22) married his 3rd cousin Myra Brown (13) while still married to his first wife.

TOMORROW December 13 is:

• National Cocoa Day
• National Violin Day
• National Day of the Horse
• Pick A Pathologist Pal Day
• National Guard Birthday

I feel very relieved that the program is successfully over, and looking forward to a more settled spirit in the weeks ahead! Have a great week before the week before Christmas! God bless…

Wow the storms were something else last night. I woke up about 2am convinced it was the rapture. Nate txt me about 10am and said the same thing! Thankfully all are safe here.

Kath and I left at 10am and headed to Smicksburg. We spent about two hours looking in the shops (although sparse) and enjoying the Christmas displays. There was a new store called The Shop in Smicksburg. Mostly vintage items. We enjoyed looking at everything, and so many items brought back memories – especially things that Dad had. The owner shared that the facility was originally a John Deere dealership that her father owned. They were able to keep the family legacy going by turning it into a Mercantile. It was a delightful store with unique and interesting items. I bought a beautiful snowflake ornament.

We also stopped at Donna’s store – Smicksburg Country Store – and bought cheese and double dipped chocolate covered peanuts. One of my favorite things! I’ll share them with Nate.

Colleen’s home was beautiful. Exactly what a perfect Christmas farmhouse should be! So many vintage decorations – and every inch of the house was transformed to be Christmas. I took a few pictures but didn’t do it justice. We spent several hours stirring up memories. Of all things, we ended up talking about unsolved murders in our neighborhoods! The wind was so fierce that eventually the power went off. It could have been Halloween instead of Christmas! We were smart enough to switch gears and shared our favorite gifts and memories of Christmases past. It was so fun to have Aunt Joan and Uncle Clifford with us, putting a touching and additional layer to our nostalgia.

Gwen was the only one who could not attend. She had been ill (NOT COVID) and couldn’t be there. Get well quickly, Gwen! We love and miss you!

Some of our favorite gifts were baby dolls, ice skates, wagons, earrings, aquarium – and all of our favorite memories were about sharing time and activities with family and friends. Such rich blessings to be sharing with precious family!

Dinner was lasagna, salad, garlic bread, fruit, Jello-pretzel salad, chocolate lasagna, brownies, pretzels, M&M’s, cookies, two kinds of crunchy snacks… It’s a wonder we all didn’t waddle out the door. Everything was delicious. Thankfully they had a generator so after the short dark bump in the road we had lights and heat and the oven worked, so all was well. What a wonderful evening. The drive home was windy but dry and traffic was light. Answered prayer for safe travels and special people.

Memory book – December 11: Were you ever in a church or school Christmas or Holiday pageant? “At Davis School I was always in the Christmas plays. From first grade up to 8th grade. My sister Hazel & I sang a song together one year. We had Christmas plays when I attended the Church of God. They were fun. Russel Wilson was our pastor and we liked him very much. He was drafted into the army in WWII.”

On this day in 1932 it was the coldest day ever in San Francisco – 27* – with snow. In 1980 Magnum P.I. with Tom Selleck premiered. Brenda Lee – singer – was born in 1944; Joseph Mohr (wrote the words to Silent Night) was born in 1792, and George Mason, American statesman, was born in 1725. We think he had a crush on Susan… My cousin Mark has a birthday today – Happy birthday, Mark! And my niece Hannah celebrated today as well. She was signed up to run a half marathon but it was cancelled because of bad weather – but Happy Birthday, Hannah! Hope you had a great day no matter what you did!

TOMORROW December 12 is:

• National Ambrosia Day
• National Ding-a-Ling Day
• Gingerbread House Day
• Poinsettia Day

Tomorrow is also the church Christmas dinner and program. I think once I get through that the rest of the month will be smooth! God bless….