Jan.5-12, 2006

2006 did not start off great. Natural disasters plaque the world and many on our own ground. Fires, floods, storms, mudslides and drought have taken their toll here in the USA. Many would say -"The end is coming". If so we had better get ready. . . .Our prayers go out to those who have had the pain of losing love ones or lost all belongings. We soon find out what are precious-loved ones . .

The New Year's Eve brought cold winter weather and poor road conditions in our area. A quite evening at home with the telephone, snacks and TV movies fit the bill.. I called my family and found them also staying home. My daughter and hubby, Ken decided that it was not something that they do. They stayed home and enjoyed each other too. Andy and Laura did the same. Mark also stayed home and enjoyed his new apartment and TV. None of us made it to midnight.

Six inches of snow fell on Monday night and Joe went out without breakfast and worked from 8-10:00am to plow his parking area, with his little Jack Russell dog barking instructions. Patches also discovered a new visitor to their Ponderosa- a big possum. The possum's tracks verified his presence and Patches made his presence known too. By the time Joe came in his sugar was down and he needed a good breakfast and it was waiting for him. The morning was off to a good start.

That afternoon, it was Joe's desire to shop for a DVD and so , after going to several stores, he purchases on at Office Max, which pleased him, however he had a problem- it could not be plugged into his TV. So, off he went to Walmart and bought another flat screen TV, which didn't fit in his entertainment unit. His son, Anthony came over and helped him hook it up so he could use it, but now he is planning to build a new unit , which will alleviate the situation- everything in one place. More on that as the project gets under way. .

Our good friend, Dr. Neil Haymes of South Kortright, had his surgery at Bassett at 7:30am on Dec. 28 and we joined his wife, Betsy, to welcome him back in recovery room. He did well and was told to go home and rest for 24 hours and take it slow till he returns for a check up.

I cut the stems off of the Amaryllis as the blossoms died and got a surprise. On both plants there were new shoots , which popped up within a few days. One is rather slow but the other is now eight inches high. I am hoping that both will afford another beautiful bloom.

Milford Joe, Andy, his Laura and I , enjoyed two wonderful dinners at White House over the holiday with my brother, Terry, and his wife, Maureen, and our mutual friends. It is always a treat. On New Year's Day, we all gathered again in the early afternoon remembering those who were not there and remembering those who were. When I stopped to see Hazel McShane, 93, she said she had a quite New Year's at which time she stayed up to watch the New Year's Ball fall at Rockefeller Center, which marked the New Year.

Ina and Don Phillips were leaving Tillapaugh Funeral Parlor in Cooperstown, when I drove up. A Memorial service was being held shortly for my good friend, Barbara
Thomas, 67, who passed away quietly at the Delhi Country Care Center after a five-year battle with everything. Her son, Dr. Alex Thomas, said she looked very peaceful when her end came Sunday afternoon. Cars lined both sides of the street and I took the last spot in the parking lot. I had a lump in my throat as Joe took my hand and we climbed the steps. The rooms were all full of friends and family chatting as they viewed the wonderful display of photos taken over Barb's lifespan. I had a chance to visit with Barb's sisters and their families and also her brother-in-law, Paul King of Coventry, whose health has been shaky. I had not been in Tillapaugh's since Irwin's Memorial Service in August of 2004. The time was heavy on me as my thoughts wondered and said good-bye to Barb and renewed friendships with those who loved her too. . .She was an inspiration to all those she met. If you had a prayer concern, she would write it down and put it in the Prayer bag, which meant that it would get Barb's prayer time.

I took the opportunity to stop at the office to see "the Gals in the Front Office"-Dolly Hunter and Nancy Norton, to whom I related belated Christmas and New Year greetings. I gave Dolly something in Purple! You may remember, it is her favorite color. I couldn't resist a small two-tone purple pillow with a tiny kitty in the center. She loved it. Her favorite male actor is Patrick Swaze, but I couldn't deliver on that one!

Anthony, Joe's son, came and asked his Dad to come and help him sight in his guns, as he is leaving on a solo deer hunt in Alabama on Friday. He will catch a flight early in the morning and have four days of hunting. In Alabama, the season in one month and a hunter can shoot one a day. He is very excited and no doubt will have a story or two to tell went he returns.

I invited Joe to join my children and I for a belated Christmas get-together at my daughter Wendy's home in Rome. We left at 10:30am on Saturday morning, arriving in about 1 hour and fifteen minutes. Wendy was a busy little bee, making salad, peach cobbler and checking on her famous lasagna in the oven. Oh, it smelled soooo good. She is enjoying her new kitchen that Ken made for her. Everything is special and in its place. She loves it. We spent time just catching up while Andy and Ken went to the Fort Stanwix Men's' Club to pay their dues. Joe watched the Food Channel on TV while we gals just enjoyed being together and made a decision that we would try to do it again soon. When the guys got back, it was time to eat and that we did. Joe said," Your daughter is a great cook too." That made me feel good!. After we ate our fill, we served the apple pie and peach cobbler. We each could only have a sliver as we were FULL!

Wendy left her Christmas tree up just for us, stating that they did not cut it down until a week before Christmas. It was beautiful and she meticulously decorated it, everything just so. .We exchanged our gifts, all of which were appreciated. We were so happy to be together. It was hard to leave.

Tomorrow morning we go to the Albany VA for Joe's appointment via the Otsego County van. It will be an all day affair by the time we are done , but we are thankful for the ride up and back. In times when gas prices fluctuate so, the van is a blessing. If you are a veteran and need a ride call Gary Allen at 638-5584 or Call Tex at the Otsego County Veterans Agency in Cooperstown- 547-4224

Nancy Bowers, who you may remember bought Irwin's Auto Go last year, is in Bassett Hospital being treated for Colon Cancer. A call from Uni Blake brought the news. She may be moved to a rehab nearby soon. I hope to get to see her this week

Thought for the Week: A good scare is worth more then good advice.