Here we are One week from Christmas Day 2021

 TERRY

Terry had kind of a lazy day yesterday as she slept a lot.  I had moved her into the living room as I needed to change out ALL of the bedding for clean.  I would say from about 6:00-7:30 or so she slept.  At that time I asked if she would like to got back into the bedroom as all was now clean and she said yes.  She can not put any weight on that darn right foot but we did manage, in kind of an easy way, to get her into the wheelchair and then onto the bed.  I think she pretty much was ready for the night after that.  As I say a lot, one day at a time.  I did buy what I consider a very nice meal but she was not hungry so guess what, we have a ready made meal for today!  

December 18th 1954

Yes, 67 years ago it was also December 18th and finally it would be our LAST practice for the Bergen Church Christmas Program.  It seemed like we had been practicing all year but of course a 7 year old has not much concept of time!  But as we climbed into the car with Mom at the wheel we knew we were in for a LONG morning BUT also this was IT.  The last practice and we knew Mom would be expecting everyone to know their part and play or say it in a good way.  Acting out the Christmas scene was not my favorite part as I have said in the past Mom never seemed to give her kids a major part.  As I grew older I came to understand Mom better and really appreciate why she did that!!!  But I did look forward to SOME of the song practices.  I did like to sing and could put my all into it for the first and even the second time we practiced a song but any practice after that was NO fun.  AND really I do not think practices after the second time really helped as all but then what would I know??  We arrived early as was Mom's thing so by 9:30 we were all set for our 10:00 practice and from that time to noon it was a mix of songs, the Christmas scene and of course Chuckie and I had to have our normal conversations under our breathe so as to NOT allow Mom to hear us.  This was our final practice so we wrapped it up by noon and Mom had one last thing to say.  "Everyone we will have fun.  Remember to bring your best voice and your wonderful smiles as we celebrate the birth of our Lord'".  On our way home I made the mistake of asking Mom why we had to practice so much.  Her answer was, "Because our Lord deserves the best we have!"

Here in Naples as one might guess we are experiencing weather that is, in my life time, not very Christmas like.  We will have a high of 84 today.  It reminds me of the Christmas of 1983 when we drove to Hemet CA to spent Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Saunders.  We all did not like the warm warm temps!  BUT today at a fairly advanced age I kind of like it!

    SOME PICTURES THAT I ENJOYED FROM THE PAPER TODAY

That is sister Helen playing second chair flute as a freshman at Sargent Central.  AND yes that is me in the back with the BIG white horn.  I admit I was not into band in a big way but I was VERY good at carrying that horn in parades!!!

Reminds me of lifting, shaking and rattling packages from on top of the kitchen cupboard to see if we could tell what it was.  Of course that all happened when Mom and Dad were gone!

 Here is the first of MANY post high school pictures.  Henry got accepted into Notre Dame.  Now I have no idea IF he will get a $$ package that he can live with but IF that is the case that would be great.  I say the first of MANY as Henry is the oldest of 14 grandchildren.  I have no idea how many will want to go to college but even if someone is not into that dreams begin after high school so here is the first of many!  May all 14 have dreams and work to make them reality!

Well here it is late AM and time to sign off for the day.  The FP is history as is usually the case at this time.  Terry is busy reading the paper and I need to get serious about this messy house!  Well maybe tomorrow!!!