Guess Who's Coming to Dinner!

We are getting very excited about the Kindelans coming to town on Sunday!  (Are you packed yet?)  Hmmm, the question is . . . will Kathy and I still be playing scrabble while we are in the same room?  Maybe we'll be talking too fast for that?  The weather is meant to be nice on Monday at least, then it appears we might have a bit of rain.  I had originally ordered lovely, sunny weather so we will see if I need to get my money back!

In honor of the occasion, I am cleaning up my sewing supplies, stash, obsession in the office.  I sure do love buying pretty fabric.  I pulled out the Christmas placemats that Barbara (my friend since 3rd grade) and I made two years ago and don't hate them as much as I thought I did.  I might even finish quilting them now.  I seem to lean toward Christmas projects and florals. 

I had my third physical therapy tonight after work and that gal worked me over something fierce.  Ouch! The best part is afterwards I get a warm, moist towel wrapped around my neck, the lights go off, a big wedge is placed under my knees and I am oh so comfy for ten minutes until the timer goes off.  She is teaching me that I have muscles in my back/shoulders that need to be worked to relieve the pain in my neck.  (No, that isn't referring to Dan for those of you who went there immediately! smile)

I talked to mom tonight and think she sounds a bit perkier.  She still has a ways to go though for sure.  Sue started a fire in the toaster oven and I appreciate the fact that she is trying to warm TX up one toaster oven at a time.  Speaking of toasters, ours gave up the ghost this morning.  We will be out buying a new one tomorrow for sure.  Ashley has me hooked on frozen blueberry waffles.  And, we wonder why I am not losing weight!  Ha, can't blame that one on Ash.  But, truly, it is sort of like eating a blueberry muffin; well, the taste is anyway.

Christmas Greetings

Hello Wonderful Family,

It's great to have this forum in which to share news and generally communicate.
I am really enjoying my vacation. It's so great to relax and not be on such a tight schedule. Without stress I feel so much better.

I am over the pneumonia. I am still wondering about my breathing issues. A few days ago I had a blood test to determine if I am allergic to anything. Duh,...this valley is full of so many allergens. My doctor told me to move years ago. But alas, that can't happen just yet if ever. Tomorow morning I will have a CAT Scan. Next week I will see a Pulmonologist and have a breathing test. So neat that I can do all this and not miss work. We'll see what the outcomes are. My chest X-ray of last month revealed an enlarged lymph node. My medical specialist said this was normal as I had an infection at that time.

I think I have wrapped the last present and shopped for the last gift. But stuff happens so I can't be sure. All of your gifts have arrived and look great under the tree. We are truely blessed!

Uncle Rich is driving up tomorrow. He is leaving at 9:00 AM and thinks he can be here by 6:00 PM. We think he is underestimating his driving time. But it all depends on how long it takes him to get from San Diego to Los Angeles and out of the basin there. We'll see. We'll be waiting.

Steve's sister and mother sent a Honey Baked Ham. It's funny as we had been considering buying one. A local store is far from here. The closest ones are in Stockton and Fresno. We remember how good the Honey Baked Ham was at the Tiltons last February when Kathy was visiting. As I read the directions, they say not to heat it up as it may dry out and lose flavor. Serve it at room temperature? Really? Steve doesn't want to serve cold cuts. We want a hot dinner. So we'll have to figure out what to do about this tomorrow.

Steph's boyfriend will join us also for Christmas dinner. Luckily Steph doesn't have to work on Christmas as this is the one day of the year that Michaels is closed. Since she is the cook, that's pretty important.

Joe bought a new expensive DVR. For the life of us, Steve and I can't figure out how to work it. Joe can't be bothered to teach this new technology to us old folks. He just shakes his head and says that change is hard. It's so frustrating. So Steve just changes it back to our old MOXIE box. So,...each user uses whichever one he or she is comfortable with. It's not the best solution. Some folks are just not into teaching.

Steve and I hope to get away for a few days that first week of January. We plan to drive south along the coast. We love San Simeon and Morro Bay. Frankly, we'd just like to get out and hike a bit. Of course hiking along the ocean trails and/or beach is the best.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you! I won't be at my computer much for the next few days as computer is in our guest's room. Skype later? Have fun with Mom, Jan. Hope 2011 will be a better year for those most affected by our awful current economy.

Love,

Karen

Well . . .it's Christmas

Dear Sisters,

Are you ready for Christmas?  I forgot to tell you to open  your blue snowflake wrapped gift from us as it will help with the general merriment of the season.  I hope you like it!  It is also signed personally by the maker.  Hmmm, aren't you curious?  Kathy has already opened hers - so catch up! 

I am now off for the holiday and go back to work on Tuesday.  Mom/Nana is here after visiting in Long Beach for a few days.  We are going to lunch tomorrow to meet my friend Joyce and hope that Ashley can talk Chris' mom to join us.  Her name is Sollan and she is very nice!

Tomorrow we are also going to make Christmas cookies and wrap some final gifts and prep food for Christmas day with Dan's family.  Christmas Eve we are schedule to have dinner with Scott and Nancy as we do every year, but she's had the flu and am not sure if she'll be up for guests.

Fill me in with your festivities!!!  Let's bond via blogging.  Love to all!

Julie for Lunch!

So I got this wonderful text yesterday at 3 p.m. from Julie saying she was flying into LAX Sunday and could we meet?  The answer to a question like that is always, "yes!"  She arrived, rented a car, found her way to the Target on Bellflower in Long Beach where Carrie and Ashley met her and then the three of them drove to the Irvine Spectrum to meet us for lunch.  We ate at Xavier's, which is Mexican fare, and had a lovely lunch catching up with Julie.  She is so sweet - just like her sisters. OK, who's next? And, can you stay longer?

2010 Christmas Card

Initially Yours Green Christmas Card

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Skyping

OK Sisters! Let's Skype! Can we all do it at the same time? Kathy, is your microphone fixed now? Ready, set, go! See you soon!

Let's Skype Already!

OK, sisters . . . it's time. Figure out how to get a camera/microphone on your computer and quick.  I want to start scheduling Sister Skype Sessions.  We can all Skype together and, as I understand it, the screen will be split into four sections with each of us in one section.  We can talk, laugh, tell jokes, tease and generally be sisters all at the same time.  I'm telling you it is like you are in the same room talking.  Really. So, come on . . . what are you waiting for?  The sisters who Skype together stay together.  I'm just sayin'  . . .