wonderful year coming to an end

Despite what a lot of folks are saying about the economy and other problems, we've had a wonderful year. We've had some nice vacations, are all in excellent health, and have multiple jobs. We've also been blessed with our memories of a great animal companion who has gone now to his reward. Blessings on all our cyber family and friends, and we wish you all the best in 2009. Photo is from the classic, It's a Wonderful Life. To quote Clarence the Angel, "No man is a failure who has friends."

happy new year

The photos are really just random today. Last night we had a nice party at the group home which included subs and ice cream sundaes...always a bit hit. Last night Elle was at a birthday party for a vocal jazz friend, and tonight she's planning to go to Eva's house for a new year's bash. Paul is playing in Oshkosh. I am staying home and planning the menu for January 2nd, when we'll have friends over for dinner. Every year we try to be creative and have very unique dishes. Some of our favorites in the past have been french onion soup and beef bourguignon, and orzo and pignoli. I was thinking of something Indian...perhaps a chicken curry. Must get moving. The grocery stores are closed tomorrow. Happy celebrating to all!

kitten's coat now has stripes

Little Leo (from Stan's farm) is weighing in at a whopping 3 1/2 pounds, and is getting a most beautiful striped pattern on his fur. He is the nicest kitten. He comes to the door when people visit, and is very affectionate. Last night he was sleeping on his surrogate cat mother, Lena. The Marian girls just love him. He also comes to work with me on occasion. The staff and residents love him too.

some pictures from church today

pouring rain now...

Just back from a visit to Elise's vocal prof who lives just 2 blocks away. We walked over, but it was raining hard when we came home. More than an inch is predicted, followed by snow. Temp has gone from a state high of 63 degrees at 3 AM to 50's and now down to the low 40's. We're just drying out watching a movie this afternoon. Also yesterday we had a wonderful visit with the two newest baby cousins: Hazen and Mason. They are just 3 weeks apart, but Hazen is just 10 pounds and Mason is 20 pounds:)

strange weather

Just a week ago we had 28 below wind chills. This morning, the high is 57 degrees and we are under a flash flood watch, as well as a dense fog watch. While running an early morning errand, we noticed parts of Johnson street (near Hickory) under water. What next. This has certainly been the strangest weather year I can remember. On a lighter note, today will be just for relaxing. Spinach lasagna is on the menu for brunch, and tonight we go to Sebastian's for steak. Hope the fair weather holds:)

Christmas photos at Jo Jo's house...

another 4 inches

While the high in Nashville this weekend will be 76, here in Fondy we got another 4 inches. Elise hasn't shoveled in over a year, so we gave her the honor:) Today it's off to Manitowoc to see Grandma Marilyn and the aunts and uncles.

Couldn't resist adding these holiday photos...

Merry Christmas

Wishing all of our family and cyber friends a wonderful Christmas.

Thanks to Mary...

Special thanks go out to friend Mary today. She found a recipe collection which was put together by our cadet troop of girl scouts around 1974. She copied the booklet and sent it to the girls in the troop. What a nice memory:) There were some old favorites I had forgotten, which include Dilly Bread and Bohemian Rye bread. This was such a nice surprise. I am going to make a few of the dessert recipes today at work (my kitchen there is really a 'test' kitchen.) Also want to welcome James and Elise to Fondy for a 4 day visit. We have lots planned, including a trip to Manitowoc and of course a visit to James' favorite steakhouse, Sebastians. Paul is planning some quartet music for Christmas (midnight mass) which includes James, Elise, Eva and friend Paul Thompson who sang for Elise's wedding. Should be beautiful. Blessings to all.

Go here to help if you can...

I've had several inquiries about my co-worker. If you can help, go here: The Baneck Family at Farmers Exchange Bank, P.O. Box 197, Neshkoro, WI 54960 Thanks so much.

Happy 1st. Anniversary to Elise and James

Remember our friends who lost loved ones...

While we all get ready to celebrate the holidays with our families, I'd like to ask our cyber friends and family to remember in prayer a coworker of mine. 'Nellie' lost her Mom, Dad, and brother in a house fire in Washara county on December 5th. A sister is in Milwaukee in critical condition. Also prayers please for Eva's friend Brian, who recently lost his father unexpectedly.

Thanksgiving Day photo from Elise and James:)

cross dresser Drumstick

Our Drummy was not happy today when we put Lena's sweater on him. You know cats...they can be completely humiliated, but they take it.

little tree big tree

peppermint mocha twists

Today Elle and I purchased our Christmas trees, and followed up with a Starbucks visit for Elle's favorite blend. We picked out a Fraser fir for the family room, about 10 feet (ceiling in there is 14) and a smaller 5 foot for the living room. It will be Monday before we have a long enough stretch to decorate them. Paul has started his latest project of gutting the office (he always seems to do these things at the busiest time of year:) and painting and carpeting same. Eva also had news when her laptop just 'died' and needed a $500 repair:( Needless to say a new one is only $700 so the decision was made to purchase a new one. A little early Christmas gift, I suppose. Elle was disappointed today when the high school could not march in the holiday parade because of the cold. I was also planning to bring a few clients, but it was too uncomfortable. Hoping things will warm a little so we can work on the outdoor decorations. Elle chose to stay indoors tonight, and she and friend Lisa are watching Sweeney Todd and making fudge. Yum.

busy but time to enjoy

The last week has been busy with work, and a few unusual problems with residents, but it's also been a time to think about relaxing. Paul and I have decided to take the girls on a vacation for Eva's 21st. birthday, January 12th. We will pick a balmy and warm place to escape from the already frigid temps of Wisconsin. More to come:)

looking forward

I'm taking a little break tomorrow and meeting 'the sisters' in Chilton for a visit. Jill always has me pick up some Hughes candy for friends and co-workers, and Kremer Pharmacy does such a beautiful job of wrapping, we ordered some ourselves. She also had me pick up fresh scallops and shrimp from Fondy Seafood for a belated Thanksgiving feast with Krissy and Dave. I've been working literally every day for weeks, in order to take off the week of Christmas. Not being at my new job quite a year yet, it's hard to take off, but the break over the holidays will be nice. I guess the big celebration will be on the 26th. in Manitowoc, which works well for church musicians:) We really can't leave Fondy until past noon on Christmas Day. Paul gets 'massed out' as he puts it, with playing for 7 services in 2 short days. The music will be great though, with several visiting musicians, and of course the new church will be lovely. Blessings to the cyber folks.

Thanks to Esther...

Thanks to friend and neighbor Esther for sharing the following website. The Ahern family really needs your prayers and support. Little 'Owen' is so darling and such an important part of his family. Thanks folks. www.caringbridge.org/visit/owenahern

jazz festival

This weekend Paul and musician friends played with David Newman, the sax player for Ray Charles' band, for the Jazz Festival at Marian. It was a great concert, and well attended. A few pics...

first snowfall this year

Our 'dusting' turned into 3.5 inches:) Very pretty.

Congrats to Elle:)

Pleasant news today...kudos go out to Elle for being the newest, and youngest member of the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band. She was asked to join yesterday by Prof. Wifler, who has headed the organization for some 30+ years. He was also Paul's music prof freshman year in college. We're so happy for her:) It will mean a lot of hard work. Rehearsals begin in January. A shout out here to friend Debby...we'll have to 'hang out' together for the concerts in the park next summer! Also, a 'hey' to friend Stan who goes a long way back himself with Dr. Wifler.

Henry on the Henry mousepad:)

Had a little help today while checking my e-mails and daily computer stuff. Henry's so funny. When he sees the mouse pad he says "it's a birdy." I drove by the church tonight and it looked like a nice turnout for the blood drive. So glad of that, because we have such a need. I had a very pleasant day at work, and after I picked up Aliyah I did a little shopping. Tomorrow is the first of many holiday concerts at the high school. Elle will sing a few songs, then jog down the hall for jazz band practice, and then back to the concert for the combined chorus numbers. Busy evening.

Help if you can!

Holy Family Blood Drive • 11/19/2008
The Holy Family Blood Drive is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19 Noon to 6pm. Those who donate can savor a hot bowl of Jane's home-made chicken soup and a sandwich. Anyone who donated blood prior to September 24 is eligible to donate at our drive. Blood is very much in need and is used locally. To reserve a time please call Tom or Jane at 922-2034, or just drop in at the Holy Family Hall to donate.

Happy Birthday to Aliyah

Birthday wishes go out to Aliyah as we celebrate her 9th. birthday. We'll have a cake after dance class tonight...it's strawberry with whipped cream frosting:) We had a huge snow squall today, and actually had white out conditions for about 1/2 hour. Even enough to shovel! Fun. I'm also totally enjoying my XM radio channels...I seem to have a new favorite every week. Last week I listened a lot to French radio, and this week I'm into the Doctor Channel. I love to listen to lectures and informational chats on the way to work. Yesterday one of the topics was autism, and tonight a Doc from Princeton was talking about the appendix and the reasons it might be actually necessary to 'good' bacterial health. It was really interesting. When I pick up Elle tonight, we switch to smooth jazz. Another favorite is the opera channel. On long trips to visit Mom, I enjoy audio books. So many wonderful choices...what a great world we live in:)

growing bigger and sassier:)

Little Leo.

wonderful church day

Today at Holy Family, we had over 1000 in the church (per the ushers) at the 10:15 service. This is really great. It's just an 'ordinary' Sunday in the church year, with Advent starting in 2 weeks, so it was wonderful to see so many people. Communion alone took 20 minutes, but this was a good thing, allowing us time to listen to the contemporary choir. The sun peeked out here and there, and I was sitting just where it hit. Our section was 'illuminated' 5 minutes at a time, several times during the service. Afterward, we bought pizzas from Nick and Willy's, (the owner is a church member) and later entertained my mildly autistic client for the afternoon. She is so neat...really enjoyed Eva's kitten, and had a long chat with Elle over junior high situations. Funny. Her parents are just great too...just ordinary folks. We always talk (and talk) when they come over.

Stan's new tenant

Couldn't resist sharing this photo with our cyber friends...the multi-colored beauty is Stan's little calico. Cute. I believe her name is yet to be determined, with the family giving some wonderful suggestions. Elle is off tonight to the cast party and bonfire, and Paul's dance band is playing in a hall in Port Washington for a dance club. I plan to take Steven for a long walk before the snow flies. A quiet, easy night for a change.

Marian fundraiser

Paul and Eva played for a fundraiser at Marian today, which went very well. After school, I picked up Aliyah and Elle, and we headed home for some R and R before Elle's dance class tonight. Rick's brother Nick visited and played with Leo the kitty. Liyah and I plan to relax a little tonight. Paul has cleaned the hot tub, but did not refill it yet, so we'll have to do without:( Included today are some photos from the last performance of Elle's marching band. They did very well this year in competition, and she's really learned a lot from the upperclassmen.

pit people

Kudos to the pit orchestra. Elise, Eva and Paul have served in this capacity for many years, and for many shows...it's hard work. They have a genuine love for music and the theater. The pit crew was great for Modern Millie. Even Paul commented how they sounded much 'older' than high schoolers. Neat. I totally agree.

thanks to Chris

Thanks to Chris for the photos from Thoroughly Modern Millie. Here are a few.

success

Just waiting for some photos (another Mom took them) from the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie which wraps up today. It went really well. Elle was exhausted from the dancing and singing, but she LOVES doing musicals. Jazz band is finishing up also, so Elle will have a lot of free time on her hands in the evenings. Nice. Want to welcome Grandma and friend Patsy who enjoyed the musical, but worried when the secretaries started dancing on the tables:) More to come...

Astrid

Here's a photo of Astrid, another one on Stan's cats. She has the most beautiful coat...almost mink-like. Elise adopted her 4 years ago, but she lives here with us:)

kitty is growing

Have to take the opportunity to share another picture of Leo. He has grown to 21 ounces at (6 weeks) from an incredibly small 7 ounces 3 weeks ago. My goodness how fast kittens grow:)

more birthday wishes

Happy birthday to friend Debby! She was my first real acquaintance in Fond du Lac when I moved here, 25 years ago. She's very much my mentor, having helped me to get my first job after college, after a successful field placement under her guidance. She is a dedicated worker and spokesman for those with disabilities. Stanley will agree with me here...she's also a fine musician, and a long-time member of her church choir. Best wishes, Debby.

non-scary night planned

Birthday wishes go out today to Angie, a good friend from childhood days. As kids we always had a lot of fun on her birthday. This evening I'm taking a large group east of town to Mount Calvary to visit the Villa Loretto and Cristo Rey ranch. It is run by the Congregation of Sisters of Christ the King, and they provide respite to special needs kids and their families. They have a working ranch full of therapy animals, which is one of my all-time favorite places to visit. It is just a great place. They also have a bakery called "Nun Better", which specializes in home-made breads and pastries. Can't wait.