Wednesday, December 22, 2010

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!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

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?