Today I had my second Xmas family thingie...Emily invited her mom and I to her gorgeous apartment in Logan Square area of the city. She had her best friend in to help prepare a luncheon of fresh salad, homemade lentil soup and HOMEMADE wheat bread...to die for. She had a real tree all decorated and many presents beneath and is planning a youth party for friends and family next Sat night. It seems they may have a great time. Kathe and I attended Mass at St. John's...lots of Latin and incense and 7 alter boys,etc..Quite a spectacular church.
She is awaiting Brett's arrival Wed and then her holidays begin this Saturday as Roseanne and I and Kathe and we hope Mary Jo attend Christmas Carol at Drury Lane. Our breakfast club convenes Sat mid morning and looks like MJ and Pat are having us over for Xmas How Fun!!
Spritz cookies were Alicia and Kathe's project Sat morning so we look forward to enjoying perhaps a cookie or two this year YEA!! Anyhoo my fireplace is roaring and I have lights to put on my Xmas tree (fake) so I am signing off to open some wine and just get down...How is everyone doing????? Love p
Dear Family, Peg and Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteI have oodles of things awaiting my attention, but I will try to get a word off to all of you. Thanks, Peg and Bonnie for keeping this thing going. It can be a way to keep everyone informed of what is going on. But it takes community spirit and committment. So please, some more of you get on board.
We have a heavy heart this week as Bob's son, Jason and his wife who are expecting their first child in April, (after trying for some time), have just learned that their baby has water on the brain, or hydrocephalus. And so once again the illusions that we are in control of life are brutally brought home and we are thrown into the great Mystery of God's Word to us. I would ask for prayers for Jason and Christina, and especially, for the baby that the best possible outcome for it's life happens. I can only say that I am inspired by the faith and courage of these young parents-in an age where for many, there would be an easy, but violent way out of this pain. Keep this matter in your prayers.
Saturday was the first day I did any Christmas shopping. We had mild weather-did not need our jackets to walk from car to stores! Still have some matters to finish. Saturday evening, after the 5:00PM Mass, our parish sponsored a Night In Bethlehem. The town of Bethlehem was set up: parishoners were shopkeepers, Roman soldiers, beggers, etc. and at each shop there was interactive play for the children such as play dough at the pottery shop, and bread dough to mess with at the bakery, herbs in the herb shop, and a driedle game to construct at the carpenter shop ect. Sue, Ed and I took Nick and Isabella. We had soup supper at the Cafe' Emmanuel and then strolled the shops. Isabella really had fun, and Nick wanted to, but held back a bit. (He is 10, and getting beyond the activities.
Afterwards, we went to Target to buy mittens and hats for the mitten tree at school. Got them home about 8:30. I was totally BUSHED! I am getting too old for twelve hour day with no naps!
Yesterday, what with the icy roads, we stayed home and Ed and I put up our Christmas tree. It took us 5 hours. After getting supper, I went to sleep for almost two hours!! Thus no reading...It makes me so mad! Had to give Ed a hair cut after.
Last Saturday morning, Ed and I put up our 'village'-that is , our Department 56 town. The kids love it-Now Isabella is at an age where she enjoys playing with the figures. We leave it up until February.
This morning, Ed had oral surgery. Two good teeth pulled-wisdom teeth I guess. He wasn't using them to chew with, so dentist wanted them out. The roads were still bad this morning. Sue has the day off so she drove him over and back since he was under the influence of the anesthesia. Friday I go to the eye doctor and see how the eye is coming along since the retinal surgery. At least I know that with glasses I can read. I may need a change of lens. We will see.
Sue and Paul, Ed and I will join Phil, Deb and family and go to 4:30PM family Mass on Christmas Eve at St. Pascals. Then Paul will stay overnight with us, and the four of us will celebrate Christmas together after Mass.
Ed and I will be Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers for the 9:00 Mass. Later,
On Christmas Day, Sue is planning to cook oone of her special feast day meals for Cathy and Guy, Deb and Phil and family, Paul, and Ed and I.We will probably play a good game of dominoes.
On Friday, Chris's family will come to the Cities, and Sue, Nick,Ed and I will will join them at the Science Museum. (Sue arranged this outing-particularly with Matt and Nick in mind.) But it will make for a fun time together. Chris and family will stay at our houses overnight.
On Saturday, the family will gather at Cathy and Guy's place for dinner and our Christmas exchange. And possibly, more Dominoes or other games.
So we are having some nice family time together for the holidays.
So now you have the run-down. So far no particular plans for New Year's.
I want to start some cookie baking and some Christmas cards this week. I also have bills to pay and phone calls to make for parish community. I am supposed to solicit for the American Cancer Society by sending out a letter to my relatives and friends. I thought when they asked me to do this, that they would supply the names of my neighbors! So I do not know what I will do.
Peg, it sounds great- Chelsea and Julie a couple weeks ago, and to Em's place this week-end. To Pat and Mary Jo's for Christmas! You are all having a great family time too. Aren't we blessed???
Rosie, and Kathy-get on the blog and let us hear of your doings. And of your families. And Jo, you must have extra time with no hubbie at home all the time! Join in on the blog! Get modern! Wasn't your secret desire to be a reporter all these years??
Tqlked to Julie last week. She sounded good. Enjoyed her trip to Chicago with Chelsea. Fred, Beth and 5 grandchildren are back from Guadalupe and a week in Mexico. What a gift to those kids and what a great way to get to know the grandkids!!! I am thinking that Toom and Jan on on a carribbean cruise sometime in the very recent past. Ed and Lynda are escaping the ice storms in the northeast, I hope???
As for Mike and Pat-I am sure they are talking Chicago politics!!! Oh, my!!!
I must get to work. Love, Mary C
Wow Mary, your schedule and holiday busy-ness wore me out just reading your hectic article. I must go take a nap!Jan and I enjoyed our little cruise to the Bahamas, but are glad to be back on land. Your own bed always feels better.A quiet Christmas here this year-waiting for Obama to get on board and start solving some of these problems. Hope he doesn't disappoint. LOVE,TOM and JAN
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