Happy New Year

Happy New Year!
The seasons pass so quickly it is hard to let it go.  When Christmas arrived we had just finished renting our duplex and I wasn't ready for Christmas.  Finally about the 12th of December we made our annual trip to the

Oak Knoll Christmas Tree Farm where we found a new and interesting friend who owns the farm and the most beautiful tree ever.  It is not supposed to drop needles - and it is as fresh today on New Years Eve, as it was when we cut it!  I have really enjoyed this beautiful Tananbom.

Along with our usual decorations we had a very very large Christmas Stocking!  Our son Tim suggested an idea to help his Dad Bob, and his partner Tim B. pass the time during Bob's recovery from a bone marrow t-cell transplant.  He has to stay "safe from bacteria" for a total of 100 days.  We decided to fill a very very large stocking with things to entertain - puzzles, paint by number kits (multiple) DVD Musicals (several)
foods he can eat, socks, coloring books, bird book, and much more. 

I decided to make a winter scene for the entertainment center top . . .

So with my dried Hydrangia and some big Maple leaves - some spray paint and gold sparkles I will keep this through January 2012!  My son Tim practiced his amazing photography and actually captured Santa as you see!

I made 6 Swedish Tea Rings and everyone says they enjoy my glorified cinnamon rolls!

Jack & Debbie hosted Christmas Eve Family gathering this year.  I am so grateful.  It was so much fun.  We all brought the gifts for the Very Large Stocking and as a precaution I had placed it in the freezer overnight to kill any bacteria.  Debbie used sterile wipes for every gift we dropped in and finally we placed it inside a big black plastic bag and placed it in her car trunk - since she was spending the day on Christmas with Bob and Tim.  It was so much fun.  Pictures are posted on Tim Berg's Facebook site of the whole event.
We enjoyed snacks and baked lasagna and later exchanged presents.  It was a lot of fun.  Thanks, Jack & Debbie for making such a nice event possible!

Jack and Debbie have been spending full days with Bob to help out Tim B. who is working from home and organizing all the medical appointments and tracking necessary.  When Jack takes a day to go - and Debbie is working - I get to help by taking care of my beautiful Granddogs!  They are so good!

Both are really good Dogs - but when Winston wants something he is "an in your face" kind of guy!
My cat "Baby" is tolerant - but likes to stake out her

territory and hiss and spit to keep the dogs away.  Once she declared the Dog Food and water dish her territory.  Oh MY!

I love having them - but have found they don't take naps when I want to!

No problem - I am retired!  I can take a nap any time I choose on another day!

Warmest Greeting to all of our friends and relatives.  Thanks for taking time to look in.  Have a Happy and Safe New Year.  Love to All.

Christmas Greetings 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Ron & I are sending our fondest greetings and love to you our family and friends. Since my birthday celebration time has been flying by as we took care of a tenant eviction (our first) and restored our duplex unit after the clean up. Our neighbors at the duplex are all thrilled to have the negative people gone – so we had a special neighborhood thank you party and got to meet some wonderful people that count on us to use care in selecting the right people to fit the quiet family environment. We are still working on that. Hopefully we will be back to normal by the first of the year.

We are so grateful to our really great tenants who have been with us now for over two years in the duplex and well over a year in our Studio. This was certainly a good choice to secure some additional income for our retirement.

Ron is still turning out his magnificent upholstery. He takes great joy in doing the "impossible" and sharing the results with his clients. He is always busy – word of mouth only – and does work for two local interior design business's by referral. I am so proud of him.

This year we are filling an especially big stocking for my x-husband Bob Lamberson. Ron made the stocking at the request of Tim who thought it would be appropriate since Bob makes such a ritual of giving out Christmas Stockings. Deb & Jack are hosting our Christmas Eve gathering during which we will bring together our gifts to fill the stocking intended to help Bob pass the tenuous 100 days it takes to know if there was success in rebuilding the bone marrow cells after his T-Cell implant in November.

If he succeeds he may be cured of the leukemia he has been fighting since April this year. It will be such fun for us to join our kids in joyful giving for their Dad. Deb will be taking it to Bob and his partner Tim on Christmas Day. Shhh . . . don't tell – lets surprise them!

Ron & I realize that we are no longer the very center of the family – but rather as they all live their own lives and create their own extended families we move further out to the beloved parameter of the family circle. And so it should be. It means that the opportunity to spend time with any of our family is a complete joy!

Ron's sister Cyndi and her family have visited overnight a couple of times since Labor Day which is a real treat. Josh our Grandson has spent a little time here during a stay in Salem. We hear from our Grandson Jesse and his precious wife Amanda often – checking in on us and updating us on our newest Great Granddaughter "Wee little Jessica" born the last of September.

Tim & Marilyn took us out to dinner the night before Thanksgiving - It was fun to spend the evening with them.  Eli – our very special youngest Son and his lovely lady Lindsay shared our Thanksgiving Meal with us. We got to dog-sit our Grand-dogs Winston and Sophie while Jack took a turn at providing care for Bob for a day. Debbie spends each Sunday there caring for Dad and doing household chores that help them so much.

I just received a card from Ulf & Pet who say they will be in Sweden for Christmas. I think that is grand! We send our greetings to our special family there as well. God Jul Maria and family!

I am just starting to send my personalized Christmas Cards – and thinking fondly of all of you. Thanks for looking in. Merry Christmas and Joyful 2012 !