Christmas

I'll post some more photos soon but wanted to get this one up. We had dinner with some friends yesterday and this photo was snapped by their tree. Unfortunately, our beautiful daughter-in-law was in transit from Washington DC to Atlanta at the time this photo was taken. Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Happy Holidays

to everyone. I've been a bit stressed out this week so needless to say it hasn't been a good week for me. I guess it is anticipation of the holidays, Alan being home and all the "extra stuff" around the house. Had major panic attacks while out trying to run some errands this week -- too many people for me and I was out later than I usually am. Have to stick to that routine you know.

But, I haven't really planned much while Alan is home and he won't be home that long, so it won't be much of a problem. I have help if I need it and knowing that makes it easier.

I do wish everyone a great holiday season. I've enjoyed getting your cards and letters at this time of the year-- I really love hearing what is going on with everyone.

Have a great one!

Winter

My son and daughter-in-law got to see a lot of snow yesterday -- with the big storm that hit DC. I know it was a record one for the area -- and the largest snow amount they have ever seen. Jennifer takes great photos so I thought I would share a few on this site -- thanks Jennifer. I'm sure there will be lots of snowman building today. One thing about the south is, snowmen don't melt, they deflate!

Weekend

Yesterday was a long day. It started by helping the UGA Women's Basketball team put together bicycles for underprivileged children here in Athens. There was a potluck lunch to go with it. After that, we attended a charity tennis event that featured Serena Williams, Joshn Isner, Sam Querry and Melanie Oudin. That event was over 3 and half hours long. It was really drawn out. After having the first event, by a few hours into the second event I was long gone mentally. I was so tired, I wasn't sure who was serving or even who was playing at that point. Just too much for me in one day. Thought I could make it, but obviously didn't do so well with it. Some photos are above -- oh -- NeNe from the Housewives of Atlanta is also pictured. She sat right in front of us and lots of people were coming up to get their photo taken with her and to get her autograph -- really distracting I might add.

Deaths during the holidays

It is always sad to lose someone, but especially during the holidays. Right around Christmas my friend, Kathy, who I visited with in Cape Cod this summer, lost her sister. Maureen, to cancer. Her sister lived in Peoria where we grew up. She was diagnosed and several weeks later lost her life. I guess it is comforting to know that Maureen didn't suffer.

Right after I returned home this week, a long time school friend and friend of the family died. He went to school with my brother and had been ill for awhile. He suffered a stroke and had many complications after that. He was only in his mid-50's. Doug was a fire batallion chief with the Peoria fire department. Today, after his funeral there will be a long processional of firemen that worked under him and others around the area. A great tribute to a great young man.

And, then, a few days ago another friend passed away here in Athens -- only 58 years old. His daughter was Alan's first girlfriend in high school and they have remained close. We visited with his daughter who now lives in NYC when we were there for the US Open. It was such a shame to lose him -- he was very prominent in the UGA music department and his accomplishments outside of teaching were enormous.

I'm much more emotional now than I used to be and these have hit me hard -- perhaps because they were all around my age -- you just never know. Rest in peace my friends.

Back from Illinois

Well, I cut my trip short by a day because of the big storm that was heading toward the midwest. I'm glad I did because most of the flights have been cancelled for today. I was ready to come home. While there I had an infection and had to go to the emergency room for treatment. Not fun, but manageable. When I went to the airline counter to change my ticket the lady told me I looked a little "frazzled and panicky" -- I told her I just needed to get home. I hurried to put stuff in my bag so we could get to the airport and everything was kind of moving a little too fast for me. When I reached Atlanta there were lots of thunderstorms so by the time I drove 1 1/2 hours to the house I was tired. I had a hard time concentrating and I went to take my pills and mistakenly took the morning pills instead of the evening pills. Unfortunately, their is one pill I take in the morning that causes insomnia -- so I was up most of the night.

But, I had a good visit with friends and family. My brother is holding his own. I met with my friends Pody and Rick from Champaign and Joe and Rita who used to live here in Athens.

Pictured above are my friends Pody and Rick, me with my great nephew Oliver (isn't he cute?) and my two brothers.

More soon -- after I have rested!

Illinois

On Saturday I'm off to visit family in Illinois. Haven't been back to see my brother who has been ill for awhile so will visit him and his kids and my other brother and sister-in-law. Always good to see the nieces and nephew. Will write again soon.

Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We just returned from Washington DC and spending four days with Alan and Jennifer. We had a great time. I didn't have to cook the turkey -- Jen did a great job with that. We got to go ice skating and many of you know how I like to ice skate so that was a lot of fun. In the photos I was trying to teach Alan and Jen how to skate backwards -- Jen did great -- it was a little lost on Alan. But, we didn't manage to mow any little kids over (get that Carol?) and it was a beautiful day that day so I really enjoyed it. Since Ralph broke his elbow the last time we went ice skating he was not allowed to take the ice!

We also went to Annapolis for a day to visit the Naval Academy. The town itself is so pretty and it was really impressive. We also visiting the Air Force memorial, the Marine Corps Memorial and the National Botanic Garden where there were lots of Christmas decorations out. In the top photo you will see one of the miniature landmarks done with all natural materials -- berries, nuts, acorns, twigs, leaves, etc. There were several on display including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Supreme Court and others. There were also trains running around the buildings and the rest of the decorations.

I did pretty well on this trip -- but there wasn't much expected of me. I just enjoyed myself and thanks to Alan and Jennifer for keeping us out of trouble, going skating with me and cooking all the food!

I'm off to Illinois at the end of the week to visit my family -- more soon.

Good morning to all! I know it has been awhile -- don't have any excuse, just not in the mood to sit down and write. I felt pretty anxious all week and don't really know why. One day I had a hard time leaving the house -- in fact, I'm not sure I did! We are driving to DC this week to visit Alan and Jennifer for Thanksgiving. Although we just saw them at the end of August I'm glad to be seeing them again.

I hope we get to go ice skating -- and no, we are not going to let Ralph put on skates!!!

Our Georgia women's basketball team plays the mighty Rutgers team today. I've always been a fan of their coach C. Vivian Stringer, although I'm a bigger fan of our coach, Andy Landers. It should be a good game. We beat ranked Oklahoma last week so here's hoping for the best. The Georgia football team didn't look so good against Kentucky last night. Not pretty.

The Thousand Mile Stare

is a book that is going to be published in January 2010. It's a true story about a man and his family that have been dealing with Alzheimer's in their family for generations. He has been spared from this disease, but he watches members of his family suffer. I've had the opportunity to review the book and it is one you will want to read.....you can preorder it now at http://www.thethousandmilestare.com/. Gary's cousin Chuck has been active with the Alzheimer's Association as someone who is living with the disease. Chuck's grandmother went to Washington DC years ago to talk with legislatures about Alzheimer's and it has come full circle with Chuck as he has done the same thing -- talked in front of a Senate Subcommittee to increase funding for Alzheimer's research. The story of the family is heartwrenching but beautifully told by Gary Reiswig. Order it now for a holiday gift -- but get out the tissues because it will tug at your heart.