Holiday report part II

12-31-09 vacation brain


Since the weather was not agreeable to outside snowman making or sledding this year, we had to occupy ourselves indoors. Activities included a Scrabble competition and “gingerbread house” building and playing with the cat who is very playful at age 6 months.

I was terrible at Scrabble, since my spelling is poor, as you know by reading my blogs. However, the longer we played, I did show signs of improvement with my score. I even won a game or two. I was still using 3-4 letter words, but I started placing them to get double and triple letter points.


When creating my “gingerbread house”, since I had my fill of sweets by then, I decided to keep my hands away from the candy and build my house for the birds and squirrels. I used mostly seeds to decorate my house.



On Sunday we had a small gathering of 16 for a luncheon to celebrate Mom and Dad’s 60th Wedding anniversary which was a few days before Christmas. We took our family pictures then since we were all out of our PJ’s and sweat pants that day.

Holiday Report part I

12-30-09 vacation brain
The weather forecast the week of Christmas looked dismal here in the Midwest. Rain, ice and snow were predicted on top of the 15 inches of snow we already had on the ground in Des Moines.

Luckily Greg was able to drive to Des Moines on Monday evening and telecommute for the two days before our vacation, so at least we knew the two of us would be together for Christmas.

We were on notice to see if my brother-in-law would be able to fly into Des Moines Thursday late afternoon, and then we were waiting to see if we three would be able to drive up to northern Iowa to meet up with the rest of the family.

As it turned out, Hunt did not come to Des Moines and Greg and I did beat the ice storm and drove to Charles City Thursday mid day in rain. Our weather on Christmas day was a mix of rain, ice and snow and the seven of us, minus Hunt, were able to carry on our family traditions.

One new surprise came after our Christmas morning breakfast, as we finished up at the table, my niece and nephew excused themselves for a few minutes. When they returned they were dressed in “elf” costumes and proceeded to get the gifts out from under the tree and sorted into our individual piles by our designated seats.


They even had an outfit for the cat, but he didn’t much like the reindeer hat.

This year, a new tradition began with Christopher being in charge of cooking the turkey and he also made a wonderful sweet-potato dish. We ate well with my sister's potatoes and the addition of Mom's dressing and frozen summer sweet corn, and her Creme de Menthe pie for dessert.

(PS: Chris will never let you take a "normal" picture of him... he is always making faces!... also he has learned to cook to survive on his own... he continues to work out daily and has kept his Marine physique over the last year. Boy does he have some muscle.)



continued tomorrow....

Hello Cousins

"CJ breaks ice with bare hands in Iowa"
12-29-09 vacation brain
I’m back in Des Moines on Monday afternoon, but still on vacation for another week! I will be blogging about the holidays at some point…… to keep my cousins updated about us here in Iowa..... maybe tomorrow, but tonight my head is still swimming from just returning from the Avatar movie this evening.

Greg and I attended along with nephew CJ, who returned to Des Moines with us this afternoon.We are planning to continue working on the basement project which CJ helped us with last February….. one more wall to waterproof and paint.

Here is a special post for my cousins out in Oregon.
I have only two cousins, where as Greg has 53 or so first cousins.



Photo was dated 1960, our second train trip out to visit relatives in Oregon. I was almost 5 years old and I do remember this trip on the train.

Interesting to note here that my sister and I were not dressed a like. Although it looks like our shirts might be the same.

I was very shy at this age, and my cousin Diane scared me.... she would give me great big "bear hugs".... and squeeze me too tight! Notice I am holding my kitty stuffed animal. I felt safer if Kitty was with me.

More silliness from CJ.... does this look like a future History PHD? Yes, I think he will make a wonderful eccentric professor some day!

ART surprise for Kelley!

12-28-09 vacation brain

I was so excited to conjure up a Christmas ART surprise for my friend Kelley. Kelley has always been so supportive of my art and wants me to paint her things for her house, (which I have done in the past).... And she has recently asked for some of my new art, but always wants “three” of everything....and I didn't think I would have time for several months to create something in threes for her. BUT I changed my mind.

So I decided that I would ask her husband and three kids if they wanted to give some of my new artwork to Kelley as Christmas gifts from them. I secretly emailed her daughter, Elizabeth, who is in college and made the arrangements.

Sorry the picture didn't turn out well. Each is 8x8 inch framed.


I did three leaf pictures, one representing each of her kids.

A Maple leaf: for Elizabeth, colorful and beautiful
An Oak leaf: for middle child Michael since he is solid, helpful and I think reliable (at least as far as a 16 year old can be)
A Ginkgo leaf: for Ben the youngest (my Godson), since he is creative and unique.



On Wednesday before Christmas, Elizabeth snuck over here to pick them up....I was patiently waiting to see if Kelley was going to like these new paintings! She sent me an email late Christmas day and yes, the surprise was a success! I'm happy I could help make her happy!

Enjoying the moment

I'll be taking a break from my blog.... to enjoy some Christmas moments with my family for a few days.


"Fear NOT, for behold I bring you tidings of great JOY!....
PEACE on Earth, goodwill towards mankind"

Sending LOVE and PEACE out to YOU ALL and the whole world!
..... Judy

Spirit of Christmas past

12-24-09 reminiscing brain

Just for the fun of it today.... pictures from Christmas past.


We sisters were dressed alike for many years.

My Chatty-Cathy doll, which I still have. We each got one, mine red dress, my sister's had a blue dress.




Christmas times with niece and nephew:




Christmas 1991: Greg age 26, Vivian 60?



Our first Christmas in our house 1993:


Christmas 2007 at the State Park resort:


Christmas 2009 will be in Iowa. Safe travels to all!

Happy Birthday

12-23-09 celebrating brain


Another December birthday, this time niece Sarah!

Young Sarah:


Sarah- I'll be seeing you in a few days.... I hope our time will be filled with gut wrenching laughter! You know the kind I like.... which starts with me doing something silly and then we laugh, then I laugh at us laughing... then I roll on the floor.... then you decide you are now too mature for me?

What can I say, my wonderful niece brings out the best in me!

Young lady Sarah: