New Year's Eve Day

We were in H'ville at 8 AM for an 8:30 AM appointment. WE got in early before the crowds came. It was the Pain Clinic and lots of people go there. Frank had to take a drug test and the nice young man who gave it was very pleasant and we had a nice chat with him. His name was Darnale. Afterwards, we drove on home to the pharmacy to get the Rx filled. Everyone was wishing everyone else a Happy New Year. We won't be celebrating but will probably watch celebrating on TV. We're too old to stay up that late!

The cold weather has come. It's 44 degrees today with the wind blowing.

Bobby called and talked with me about the dead trees and a fellow that he's talked to about clearing them away. He'll charge $1,000.00 a day. Bobby was going to go in halves with us, but now I'll pay for ours for we have more to do than he does. It will be good to get all the downed trees moved back into the woods. The tornadoes came through here April 28, 2014.

Tuesday

Not much going on today. This morning I did get on FamilySearch and tried to find my information but didn't have any luck. I did get a picture of a tombstone with Ann Gaston Palmer's information on it. I want to see the records that I have already submitted and see what information I already have in the system. This may be the wrong system. I'll see what I get when I go to the family history center soon.

After lunch, Frank went back to read and I went to Staples to buy two calendars for 2015. They were out or I was just able to get one calendar that I usually buy 2 of, and had to buy another style for Frank's room. I will use one to the free calendars people send me for my room.

We'll be in H'ville for a Dr appointment and then will drive to Hazel Green to visit Trudy and have brunch with her. It will be good to get out of the house. Being in the house won't be so bad when I can work on the genealogy in my spare time.

Good Day

Trudy came over last night about 8 PM and spent the  night with us. It's always good to have her over. Today we tried to scan a picture onto the computer but didn't have any luck. Trudy took the printer and computer with her for they were having dinner with some people who knew about such stuff and she was hoping to learn how to do it.

I decided what to do with all of my spare time-family history. I'll contact Jennifer Harris about when to come to the Family History Center to learn how to do it. My brain doesn't want to learn anything new but I can do this. It's been since 1980's since I've done genealogy work. Things are supposed to be more user friendly now. It'll be interesting to find out how much I've already gotten done. All of my written materials got misplaced when I took them out of the notebook and made copies of them for my nephew, Bill. My mind is at ease with this decision now. Before I decided, I was upset about all the time I was wasting. Now it will be put to good use.

Gone, Gone.Gone

Christmas is gone and I took what little decorations I had up down today. I'm leaving my ornament wreath I made up. One of the balls came off and I need to get the hot glue gun out and fix it. It was so much fun making it. Makes me want to get another wreath and find something to hot glue onto it. I could do one with Spring flowers on it later on. What fun it would be.

We did nothing today. I did go out to the pharmacy for medicine and then went grocery shopping. I was at the pharmacy at 8 AM and then early at Walmart and it was nice not to have crowds of people to contend with. After I got home and put the groceries away, I didn't do much. I did cook some Kale and a cauliflower. I just cut the stem off the cauliflower and put it whole into my steamer and cooked it that way. Then I just scoop out what we want to eat. No more cutting the cauliflower up! I'm doing better with the broccoli, too. I cut it really close to the flowerettes and then cut some of the stalk if it's tender. Before, I would chop up the tender part of the stalk and work on up, but that took too much time. I have a cabbage to cook tomorrow with the tomatoes, onions and smoked sausage. It makes a great combo that we like. The sausage by itself is too strong but after cooking with the cabbage the flavor is milder and mixes with the cabbage and tomatoes really well.

It's been in the 50's again today. It's been cloudy and overcast all day. I thinkl we will get some rain tomorrow or Monday and it may turn colder.

December 26th

We didn't do anything today. Frank read some and I watched TV. Tomorrow I need to go to Walmart for some groceries but that's about it.

We listened to some Christmas music by Pentatonix. Mary Did You Know is our favorite song on that CD. I got an a cappella group doing Gershwin tunes but Frank didn't like it. I guess I might not have liked it had I not known the songs. I have the piano music to the Gershwin songs and have begun to play some of them.

Trudy was to come over today but she never made it and didn't call. I may have irritated her with my text last night.

Mary Kate and family went to SC to see Richard's brothers and then were going to TN to see Heather and her family.

Christmas Day

I got up at 6:30 AM and Frank got up a little later. After breakfast, I gave him his two shirts. He said he didn't have anything for me but I told him I could get most anything I wanted, plus I did get the two music CD's yesterday. I listened to them and will have to continue listening to then to get used to them.

After lunch, Frank went to his room to read, and I watched TV. I got the garbage collected and out to the road. It's been a very boring day. It would have been nice if some family had come over, but no one was scheduled and I guess they all had their own plans.

I ate some ice cream that was left over from Thanksgiving. It was Blue Bell but it wasn't all that good. I should throw the rest of it away so I won't eat anymore of it.

The weather  has been mild today. It's in the 50's now. I hate to think about January weather. I know it's got to get cold sometime. I do have that black down coat I can wear when it does get cold. Most of the coats I saw online had the high stand up collar that makes my French hook earrings fall out. The little things that can be put on the ends of the earrings are too small for my fingers to handle so I just have to take a chance in loosing one or both.

Christmas Eve Day

We're  having a lovely, quiet Christmas eve day. I went to the pharmacy this morning to pick up an Rx and then came home. Frank got up and took a shower and we've been in the living room since. I cleaned out the two drawers in the china cabinet and got a small bag to take to the Salvation Army. Found a glue gun I had forgotten I had and a rolling pin. Found 2 extension chords I didn't know I had. I had just bought one the other day. Got two pair of gloves to give away. Just a lot of odds and ends. Both drawers are almost empty now. I need to sweep the floors or vacuum them.

I got Frank two long sleeved shirts and ordered two from Amazon that were short sleeved. I got 2 CD's today in the mail so they will be my Christmas gifts. I'm trying a new a calleppa group out. I hope I like them. Pentatonix is so good that there's no comparing any other group to them. Vocal Point is a good group.

We have two chapters left in the first New Testament Study Guide and then we start on the other book, Acts-Revelation. After we finish that series, we will read the Book of Mormon Study Guide. I already have the first two books in that series but I'll have to get two more to finish out the series. Hopefully, there's only one more book left. I love buying online!

Merry Christmas to all who read this blog!

Tuesday

Didn't do anything today. It had rained all day and is raining tonight. It was 55 degrees today. It has to warm up to rain.

I got a package today. Whoever brought it just put it on the ramp next to the door. The top of the package was rather wet but the contents were dry. It was two books we need next in our study of the New Testament. We lack two chapters being through with the book of John and the end of the first study guide book. The next study guide takes us from Act through Revelation. We read a chapter a night and then we listen to music CD's. It's been Christmas music thus far. I've discovered the Pentatonix and really love their music. They are a 5 person a cappella group and they are great. We usually get through listening to the music by 7:15 PM and then go to our rooms. Frank watches TV and I blog and look at email and do Facebook. That takes my evening.

Frank wants new strings for his electric guitar and a strap to put on it. There's no place in Athens to buy that and I thought of Amazon and sure enough, I was able to order the strings and a strap. They'll be here after Christmas. He may need to get a beginning guitar book. I think he's forgotten all he knew about the guitar it's been so long since he's played it.

Monday

I over slept and we missed the last exercise class of the year. Instead, we drove to Madison to Kohl's and I took back shirt and got Frank 2 shirts. I was looking for short sleeved shirts but they were all long sleeved. He has one I bought him for Sunday that is a pretty blue plaid but it is a medium and he needs a large. He can still wear it and he wore it today. The new shirts will be his Christmas presents. When the Spring clothing is out, I'll get him the short sleeved shirts. When he lost the 30 pounds and his large shirts were so big on him, I went to the Good Will store and got him some medium sized shirts. Now he's outgrown them plus they are worn and I want him to have some new shirts. Maybe I'll look on Amazon. They have everything.

50th Anniversary

Friday night was the Hill's 50th wedding anniversary party at the church. We went and sat with the Broadhurst's, Sis Mullins and Nancy and Carrie. It was good to see a lot of church people there. They served barbecue and veggies and had a wedding cake. They showed a slide show of the different times of their lives until the present. It was nice and the atmosphere was great. They had old time music going. We didn't stay for the cutting of the cake but it was a good night. I don't know if it tired Frank out or not but he slept most of the day today. In January, we will celebrate our 47th anniversary.

I washed some clothes and have had to start the dryer over again because there were lots of jeans in the load and they didn't get dry plus I need to get the wrinkles out.

I do our medicines on Saturday and always find that I need to go to the pharmacy to get a refill and today was no exception. Frank stayed home and I stopped by Goody's to see if they had any men's short sleeved shirts but they didn't. Maybe Khol's does. I want to go to Khol's Monday morning and take back a shirt I bought but doesn't fit. I didn't try it on before I bought it. I can look for some short sleeved button down shirts then. Frank will be with me but he will stay in the car. Our Christmas will be just another day. Maybe there will be a football game on we can watch. The children like to be at their houses for Christmas.

Friday

We did drive over to Trudy's after exercise. She had a young girl there whom she teaches journaling and scrap booking to twice a month. We had some hot chocolate and visited and left at 11:30 AM. I stopped by a truck with veggies on it parked by a store and got some sweet potatoes and a cabbage. I needed some veggies and didn't want to go by Walmart. The sweet potatoes are in the oven. They are rather large so we will split one between us. T have to let the smoked sausage thaw out before I slice the cabbage up. Tonight, at 6 PM, we have the Hill's 50th wedding anniversary party at the church to go to. It will be fun seeing who all will be there.

Frank's in his bedroom working with his electric guitar. He said the strings on the electric guitar won't hurt his fingers like the acoustic guitar did. I don't know how long this interest in the electric guitar will last.

Trudy is wanting for us to set goals together. It would be good to have some goals. I've never been a goal setter but it's never too late to start. I need to learn how to do genealogy on the computer. But do I want to??

Trip to Faulkville

Trudy came over around 9:30 AM and we left for Faulkville, AL to visit my brother and sister-in-law. I had their Christmas presents and was taking back a plastic container that Ruth had given some chicken and dumplings to us in. I baked some cookies, using a couple of cake mixes, and filled the container with cookies. Ruth is always so nice to send food home with us, I wanted to repay by returning the container full of cookies. I had made them the day before and they had gotten soft but she said that's the way she likes them.

Frank was okay with the driving there an hour and then sitting on the couch while everyone talked. It's a miracle that he can sit like that since all the past years that he couldn't sit without great pain because of his arthritis.

Trudy was lying on the couch after supper and Frank came in and asked her when she was going to bring his electric guitar back. He said it in an aggressive way. I was there when he gave the guitar to Trudy and she knows he gave it to her, too. So it was a surprise to us both when he insisted that she borrowed it and needed to bring it back. She got her feelings hurt and left and didn't spend the night like she had planned. We all had a talk and I tried to tell her that her Dad's mind just didn't register that he had given it to her. She may have understood but her feeling were still hurt. Tomorrow, after exercise, we will drive to her house and get the guitar and amp. 

Woke Up At 5

I woke up at 5 AM this morning. I got up and watched TV until it was time for Frank to get up and have breakfast. We went back to bed and I got up at 9 AM.

I made two weeks of goulash today. We're going to see Bubba and Ruth Thursday and I have a container that belongs to her and I didn't want to bring it back empty, so I made cookies out of cake mix to put into it. I got the recipe off of Facebook. It was a cake mix, 2 eggs and 1/3 cup of oil. It said to bake them 8 minutes but it took 15 minutes to get them done. I made cookies out of a yellow cake mix and a chocolate mix and put small chocolate chips in them. They don't taste as good as real homemade cookies but they will do.

I got a coat in the mail that I ordered from Goody's online and it has a stand up collar that makes my earrings fall out plus it is a bit small so it goes back tomorrow. I ordered some jeans from Land's End and I ordered the wrong size. I can take them back to Sear's for a refund. We will be in H'ville tomorrow for a Dr appointment and I'll stop in Sear's to take the jeans back and will stop by Goody's in Athens to take the coat back. I found a black down coat in the basement closet that fits and looks good so I'll stop looking for a warm coat.

 Wednesday night, an adult leader and a few of the young men will be coming out and bringing us dinner and a message. I was surprised and pleased when the young man called me and the next day Bro Railey called to double check that he had called. I'll need to put the leaf in the table to make it big enough. I mopped the floors today so I won't need to do any cleaning tomorrow. Trudy will come over Wednesday night and spend the night and go with us to visit Bubba and Ruth. She'll spend Thursday night with us, too.

Saturday

We went to the neighborhood breakfast at Cracker Barrel this morning at 8 AM. This was the first time Frank has been able to go. We had the cinnamon oatmeal and it was good. Found out that Sandra's daughter that used to live next to us has divorced her husband and that it is his dog that is running loose. The dog digs holes in the yard and carried garbage into the yard. She also runs with the cars up and down the road. It's a wonder she hasn't gotten onto the Highway and gotten hit.

We're having a hard time getting together with Bubba and Ruth. It was scheduled for Monday and Trudy had a medical procedure then and she wants to go, so we changed it to Tuesday but my brother has some church work to do at that time. He said he could be home bu 1 1:30 AM but now Ruth needs to be at the hospital with a couple from church and suggests Thursday, which would be good for us but I don't know about Trudy. We'll get something worked out.

Frank's taking a nap now and when he gets up I'll give him a beard trim and hair cut and he can take a shower. While I was out this morning, I stopped by Goody's and got him a white dress shirt and a brown plaid shirt. The dress shirt came in neck sizes and I really didn't know his size but the one I got, 16 1/2 fit him to a T. The other shirt was a large and the neck size is just right, too.

 Estelle Brown died this morning. Bro Bailey sent a notice out by email but he forgot to tell us the date of the funeral. I emailed him back and he will probably send out another email. Estelle was in her 90's and was ready to go home. It'll be announced in church tomorrow.

Good Day

We were able to go to exercise this morning. Everyone wore Christmas clothing and pictures were made of the group and there may be a write up in the newspaper. We had our Christmas luncheon at the 306 Barbecue at 12:30 PM. We got there early so I could pick out a good place to sit. We had the barbecue plate. Even drinking water it was $17.something for our two plates. I don't like barbecue that much to pay that price, but it was a fun time being with the people we see three times a week. Tomorrow is the neighborhood breakfast but Frank doesn't want to go so we won't.

I got three more Christmas CD's in the mail today. One was Pentatonix and the other two were various a cappella groups. Once you've heard the best, Vocal Point and Pentatonix, the others are hard to listen to. We have enough music to listen to for the entire season.

Thrusday

Not much happening today. I did get the artificial plants down from their high places and  spray them with some silk flower spray that dissolves the dust. I've been looking at the thick dust for months and today was the day I took care of it.

Tomorrow is the day for the exercise luncheon. We'll go the exercise in the morning and get Christmas pictures made by the news paper and then at 12:30 PM go to the 306 Barbecue and have lunch. It will be a good day.

I discovered a $19.95 charge on my bank statement that I wasn't aware of and called the number and canceled it. I don't even know why it was there. I agreed to get 4 free coupons from one of the catalogs I've ordered from and I guess I agreed to get this service. I sent them a notice that I didn't want it after the coupons came but I guess they lost it.

I paid my Kohl's bill online and it cost me a $12.60 processing fee to do it. I've got to learn how to pay the bill online without the processing fee. I know that Kohl's wouldn't charge you a fee to pay your bill online. Money, money, money. Everybody wants your money.

Christmas Lights and CD's

Every evening after scripture reading, we turn off all the lights except the Christmas lights and listen to Christmas music. I got two CD's in the mail today and we listened to one tonight. Hearing it for the first time, it's hard to understand all the words but the music and singing were beautiful.

I have two small trees up and some lights on the TV stand. One tree is about 2 1/2' tall and has blinking light on it. It's the one we have used for years and years. The other tree is about 4' tall and has fiber optic lights and decorations on it. The string of lights on the TV stand makes it a three points of light and rounds off the decorations. I love the lights and decorations.

We went to town today and picked up some Rx's and mailed two letters and went by Mews electrical. My florescent light above my bed went out last night and I needed another bulb. I got two so I would have a spare. They were just $4.80 a bulb.

I had ordered two coats from Goody's online but one order was cancelled. I should be getting the other coat this week. The jacket I usually wear knocks my French hook earrings off so I don't wear it much any more, and my other coat isn't lined, and we will be getting some cold weather soon. It was 42 degrees today with the wind blowing but it's supposed to warm up this week-end. We've had a warm fall. This time last year it was very cold.  The coats I looked at in Kohl's had the high stand up collar that would knock the earrings off, or the arms were too long or were unsuitable for some reason. Hopefully, the coat that comes in the mail will fit and fill the bill.

Hi, Kathy.  Hope your Thanksgiving was good and y'all have a good time with Scott and family. Hope your Christmas season is good.

Tuesday of next week, we, and Trudy, will be going to Faulkville, AL to see my brother and sister-in-law. It's so good that Frank can travel now. He's never been to my brother's house before. We will visit and Ruth will make lunch for us. It will be a fun time.

Pep Boys

I got up at 6 AM to be ready to get to Pep Boys at 7 AM when they opened. I didn't think the air conditioning cooled enough and I wanted them to check it. After I was there an hour, they said it checked out to be cooling so I left and went to exercise. Everyone asked where Frank was and I told them about going to Pep Boys, etc. and that he was home sleeping. I came home after exercise and didn't do too much the rest of the day but snooze in the recliner.

Tomorrow, I get a hair cut. Kari is out with a medical problem but Gail said she would cut it for me. I haven't met her yet. I just want a trim. I like it over my ears and will have her cut it like that. Long on the top and long bangs but short every where else.

Our weather has still been mild. We had some rain over the week-end but it's been in the 50's today. I think I'll stop by the Dollar Tree and get another string of lights. The stand underneath the TV doesn't have any lights on it and when we turn the light off and go by the glow of the two Christmas trees, it's dark in that area. After I get the lights there, I may decide I don't like it but I'm going to try it anyway.

Christmas Dinner

We went to the Christmas dinner at the church tonight. We sat with friends and had a good time. There was a short program and we sang carols. It was nice. We got home at 7 PM.

Trudy came over Thursday and spent the night and stayed again Friday night. George came to get her today around lunch time. She fell asleep again on the heating pad and had a large 2nd degree burn on her hip. I bought her a heating pad that turns off after an hour. I also bought her a back brace. She had left hers at home and she needs one. She's leaving it here so if she forgets again she'll have one.. I'm tired and can't think of anything else to write. Good night.

Wednesday

Sophrona and 3 kids came over and picked up about 20 boxes of powdered milk I had sitting in the basement. It was 2 years old but we both thought it was still good.  The girls wanted me to can it but I don't have the energy to get the caner and and do the work. I saved two large boxes for us and I have one open in the kitchen. We used to drink powdered milk but after I had hip surgery and got a taste of 2% milk, I haven't wanted to go back to powdered milk.


I went to J & G Sales and bought a Christmas decoration to put on the stand under the TV. Then I had room to get our little Christmas tree that we have used for years and I put up in the closet with the lights on and I put it on the little table by the couch. The main tree is about 3 1/2 feet tall and is a fiber optic tree. It was supposed to turn around and around but it's broken. I'm glad for I don't want a revolving tree. We turn the lights off upstairs and sit in the glow of the two trees and listen to Christmas music. I bought 4 CD's of Christmas music from a catalog and some of the music is not of the best quality but some of it is good.

Trudy got George to bring her over tonight and we will take her back tomorrow before dark. Tomorrow, Carol and her daughters are coming over to make Christmas wreaths with us. They come over once a month and do a craft with me. They are super lovely people. I worked with her girls in Primary and watched them grow up. Now, I can still see the girls and continue watching them grow.

Monday

Pep Boys came and got me after 7 PM and took me to get my car. We were able to go to exercise today. It was the first time Frank has gone in a while. Dec 12th we have our Christmas party at the 609 Barbecue at 12:30 PM. It was a fun time last year and this year Frank will be going. Maybe Trudy can go, too. Her back is still hurting her a lot so maybe she won't be able to go.

Kari, my hair dresser, is out with surgery and I called to get an appointment with someone else. I'll get a hair cut next Tuesday at 10 AM with Gail.

Tonight we have tithing settlement at the church. I'm debating whether I should wear a skirt instead of pants. I don't want to change and since it's a Wednesday and everyone else will be wearing pants, I want to, also. I didn't find a receipt for last months tithing so I paid for two months. I'm taking my checkbook just in case I paid it and didn't record it anywhere. I'd rather pay too much than cheat the Lord out of His 10%.

The car air conditioner set us back a few bucks. We had the money but it was tree money and if we ever get anything done to the trees, I'll have to go to our savings again. That's what savings is for, though.

We're having mild weather again. It's 59.4 degrees now. It rained early this morning but had quit when we went to exercise. Last year this time, it was very cold.

Tuesday

I took my car in to Pep Boys to get the air conditioner fixed. After waiting about 1 1/2 hours, the man told me the air conditioner was all burned up and that they could fix it. Judd took me home and I've been waiting all day for word about it. They closes at 7 PM and it's 7:20 PM now so I guess I'll get it tomorrow. Judd will have to come get me for I have no way to get there. It's costing an arm and a leg but the motor in the car seems to be all right and the air conditioner just wore out. Frank said something about getting a newer car but I don't want to use our savings for that until we have to. I guess we don't go to exercise tomorrow.

Monday

We were tired from the activities from the week-end so we didn't go to exercise but slept in. After lunch we went to the PO and pharmacy and to Madison to Academy Sports to take back a new pair of shoes I had bought on Black Friday. They were too short even though I got my usual size. I wore them to Trudy's for Thanksgiving but found that they were too short. I cleaned them up and hoped Academy would take them back or swap them or something. Not to worry! They said for me to find another pair and I did. I got an 8 1/2 and they seem to fit all right. My foot measures a 6 1/2 but my foot is wide so I have to get an 8-8 1/2 to get the width I need. The new shoes cost more but if they fit and wear well, it'll be worth the price.

After lunch, I washed some clothes. There's nothing left of the smoked turkey but some dry breast meat and a leg and two wings. I guess I could make some soup with them. Next year, I'll cook the turkey myself. I wasn't impressed with the smoked turkeys and I paid a premium price for them.  Tomorrow I take the car to Pep Boys to get the air conditioner fixed. It was 70 degrees at 1:00 PM today when we went out. A cold front is supposed to move through tonight and it should bring some rain.