Mr. Lepeak!

Mr. Lepeak called from Freeland where he was at the car dealer with car trouble.  Pat went to pick him up and we had a delightful evening visiting.  It was fun catching up on all the Lepeaks, Grand Marais, politics, church, and a handful of other subjects!  He spent the night with us and Pat just took him to Westside Decorating and then back to get his car.  Sometimes car trouble can be such a blessing!

Christmas Update

No one came over for Christmas! Cathy sent a text that the roads were too bad.

We packed dinner up and Pat and I headed over to Midland.

We had an enjoyable afternoon with his Parents.

Then Jesse and Caroline and Ayva stopped over and we had a tea party with Ayva's new tea set.

A good Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas plans are still up in the air. Waiting for the okay from Pat's parents!

Two days ago Pat's sister told his mother she couldn't reach her brother. Pat's brother's phone was out of order with the winter storm and that was why he didn't answer the phone. His mother was sure something was terribly wrong. So she worried so much she didn't sleep all night. Yesterday, Pat followed up with his sister who just had dinner with her brother. She didn't think of calling her mother? So Pat called his mother, but she already had worked herself into a frenzy.

Yesterday she said she wasn't sure she would feel okay to come for Christmas. So we are being held hostage - send cookies, chocolate or money (I'll take a trip to Aruba far, far, far away!)

Christmas Shopping

Please tell me I'm done!

I hate shopping!  I don't like crowds at all!

I know, I know, with a mother like Elinor I should LOVE shopping.  But I don't!

It really wasn't awful - yesterday we went to Sam's Club, Gordon's and Meijer.  Even though I was only food shopping I thought I would be in for a terrible time.

We started out waiting in line at the Y to go in right after it opened.  Then after 45 minutes there we were pleasantly surprised that no one else seemed to be shopping at Sam's and Gordon's.

However, by the time we got to Meijer we were sorry to be shopping!

Not only were there tons of people in the aisles, but everyone seemed intent on blocking the aisles.  And it seemed as if a few of the people were trying their best to put in in a bad mood by following me no matter how many rows I skipped to avoid them!

Then the lines for checkout!  What a mess.  I hate when a store has you block the main aisle of the store when you are in line.

So anyway, church and then home today.  The ice and snow is a mess out there.  I think Hallmark has a movie marathon today!!!

Abbott Henderson Thayer

I printed out this picture called "Virgin. " I framed and hung it in the living room. I love it.  The faces look like Jesus and his cousin John are being escorted home by Mary after getting into some mischief!

Smiles

So many people are stressed and hurried during the Christmas season. We were shopping and I noticed that no one really looks at you. Everyone seems to have pinched faces and frowns on their faces.

Then we joined the Y. Everyone smiles and says hi when you walk by them. It is such a nice place to spend time that you almost don't mind going a few more miles on the bike!

Happy Birthday!?!?!

Oh goodness - what a way to start!

I started getting errors with Internet Explorer - took awhile to understand that I should download Chrome and use that from now on!!!

Anyway - I've been getting so many Happy Birthdays on Facebook - I love how easy it is to stay connected.

Only two more days of my free book - "No Christmas for Olivia" - I want to give away 1,000!!!!  Do you think I can?

FREE BOOK THIS WEEK!

My Christmas Present to YOU!

 

No Christmas for Olivia

 

Free on Amazon - December 16-20th

 

Give it as a gift to yourself or someone you love!

Dinner

How I love family get togethers. We had a nice time at Harvey's after church today.

Our Christmas Season begins!

 

 

Christmas is here!

We put up our Christmas decorations today! And we get to pick up Sheala! Then dinner with friends! That makes today very special.

OhOh

I just put up a 7 inch tree!!!!  It might have to do!!!!!  Busy, busy, busy!!!

YIKES!

We haven't even started decorating!!!!  I don't feel like Christmas!!!!  HELP!!!! 

I don't know why - but we just can't get started.  OK - if I say it will be done today, maybe it will.  Check back tomorrow for update!!!!!

Tonight!

Oh my! Sound of Music! I can't wait!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROBBIE!

We had a great birthday celebration for Robbie.  Cannot even imagine that he is now 18!

Sheala and Conner were home and Alecia was there, too, of course! 

We had a wonderful visit with everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unexpected Art

We met Jane and Chris and their family in Cedar, Michigan.  About a half hour away from Traverse City.  Caroline, Ayva, Pat and I decided to take the trip north on the day after Thanksgiving.  We were graciously invited to stay for dinner at Chris' sister and brother-in-law's home.  John is a potter.  He threw several small vessels and invited us to transform them into a mug or a vase.  We had so much fun!  Ayva LOVED working on the fresh pottery.  We learned how to attach the handles or in our case, berries onto the mugs.  Everyone enjoyed the project. 

 

It was so good to see everyone.