We're three weeks into winter and it feels like springtime. By 9:00 this morning I had put away my coat. We have had cool weather over the past week but still above average. With all the rain we got I guess it is a good thing it wasn't colder though.
SPADES ANYONE? Aunt Linda and Uncle Bob arrived here from visiting with their daughter and family in New Jersey on Tuesday and for the last week there have been several late night card games at Aunt Mar's house. Aunt Mar had us all over for supper the night they arrived. On Thursday night we all went to the Catfish House and on Friday we enjoyed our last Christmas dinner (I'll get to that a little later).
The trip to the Catfish House reminded us of our previous visit there to celebrate Vicki's birthday. On that occasion Jenna sat next to Mom and no sooner than Mom's tea arrived at the table Jenna accidentally turned it over. Mom was SOAKED and Jenna was EMBARRASSED. We couldn't even tease her about it. What made it all the more humorous was that after Mom had blotted all her clothes with napkins and appeared to be done someone suggested we say our blessing. That's when Mom said, "Wait! I need to blot the tea out of my shoes." Jenna was a better sport about things this week when someone said, "Don't let her sit by G'Anne."
Aunt Linda and Uncle Bob left today to return to their home in Florida.
THE END OF CHRISTMAS. Christmas is not over until we have our dinner with the cousins from Ashland City. Unfortunately Judy had to work but Jim, Amanda, Derek, Riley and Harper drove out to Cross Plains on Friday evening. Mom and Aunt Mar asked Mrs. Katie Henry to cater the dinner in the chicken house. For those of you who don't know, Don and Katie Henry are neighbors who operate a peach orchard. A long time ago they had chickens on their farm but have since converted the chicken house into a facility to operate their orchard from. They now have a kitchen and nice dining room out there. Our dinner was very nice. After eating we went over to Aunt Mar's to exchange gifts.
THE TWO HEADED BLANKET. Since this weekend the boys have gotten sick. Whatever virus it is it started with Ben and spread to Nate. They missed church yesterday. Vicki called me up at work this morning and said she had a two headed blanket on the couch. Both boys were on the couch watching TV sharing the same cover. They were laying foot to foot so their heads were on opposite arms of the couch.
COMPETITIVE BLOOD. Connect Four was one of the Christmas presents someone got this year and we opened it up this weekend. The first few times Jenna played Vicki would stop her before she made a bad move. Finally Jenna had had enough and asked Vicki to stop. Vicki agreed, "Okay, you can move anywhere you want...NOT THERE!"
AUNT RUTH. My Aunt Ruth is 94 years old. Her body is wearing out. The last few times we've been to see her we left wondering if she even knew who we were. She was taken to the hospital this week because a gland in her neck was swollen and she had quit eating. The swelling in her neck has since gone down and she was moved to the nursing home today. If she has resumed eating (well, drinking her Ensure) I haven't heard.
I did have a good visit with Aunt Ruth Friday. She acted like she knew who I was and tried to talk some. I feel very sorry for her. She said she was tired and ready to go home and I know that she is.
Joe
