Sunday

I planted a forsythia bush today. It is just a few inches tall, but I hope it will grow into a nice big tree full of yellow flowers.
Michael came over for dinner. I made a ham, twice-baked potatoes and salad. Everything was delicious. The glaze was made from cola, brown sugar and mustard and was soooo good. I wish Katherine could have come, too.
Tonight is the season finale of  "The Walking Dead." Katherine and I both like that show and I wanted to talk to her about last week's episode. Oh, well, maybe we'll get together for lunch one day soon.

Home Repair

The cap blew off the chimney recently during a pretty strong wind. We are having big rain tomorrow so Mike went up there to put it back on. Jamie carried the ladder from the garage and held it for him.

Hard to believe by that gorgeous blue sky that it's going to storm tomorrow.

The Big Kids Visit

Michael and Katherine came by today to enjoy Mike's delicious Sunday sauce.

We are watching "Jaws" today. Katherine's doing her nails. A nice, relaxing Sunday.

Twenty Five Years Ago

This is a picture I took off the TV. It's Michael, age 4, meeting his baby brother Jamie for the first time. This was 1986. I had a video transferred to DVD and have been enjoying watching my three older kids when they were very little. (Nicky was born 4 years after this video.)

I'm fighting a stomach virus that started yesterday afternoon. Got really, really sick last night and now I feel totally yucky. I hate this. I alternate between being very hungry and feeling very sick. I'm going back to bed now...

My smart kid

Yesterday, Mike had some computer problems. He could not open some files and it seemed that two years' worth of files had vanished! All told he spent about six hours working first with someone in India, then with some guys in Pennsylvania, and no one could figure out how to fix the problem.

Michael came over today for Sunday dinner and took a look at his father's computer. And he had the problem solved (and the files found!) in 20 minutes.

Just bragging a bit...

Cribbage

Michael came today, as usual, for Sunday dinner. We sometimes play Scrabble or Jeopardy on the Wii. Today, we played Cribbage. It was fun teaching him something new. It's possible we played it years ago when he was a kid, but he had forgotten it all. Despite me being the teacher and him the student, he won! I'm glad to have a Cribbage partner, as it is a favorite game and no one else I know plays it.

Mike's brother John gave him a HUGE container of big, fat cashew nuts. I put two quarts' worth in the freezer and vacuum-sealed four more quart jars of them. I have put some aside to send to my mother and have two ready-to-use jars, too. I'm going to have to come up with a cookie recipe or two to use some of these! It was a nice surprise, and I read today that  people who eat nuts five times a week tend to live longer. 

Michael off to SC

Michael stopped by this morning. He made himself some eggs and I made bacon for him. Mike is driving him (well, as of now, he already drove him) to the airport for a flight to South Carolina. The weather is beautiful for flying. It's been pleasant here, so I hope that means it won't be horribly hot down there in the South. Michael is attending a friend's wedding over the weekend.
Nick had a few freinds spend the night. They were in the living room this morning while I was on my laptop and I was getting such a kick out of listening to them. They're really funny and nice kids, too. Which is good, since Nick sometimes stays out until 3 a.m. or so. Yes, he's 21 but you still worry. I'm glad he has a good group of friends.

Tree Decorating

The kids came over last night to decorate the tree. We had a nice dinner of baked ham, salad and challah bread, with homemade cookies and eggnog for dessert. After dinner, and before decorating the tree, the kids had a 'conference' in Jamie's room and told Mike and me to stay out. Discussing Christmas gifts, I suppose.

Nicky surprised me because he has gone out and bought gifts for everyone this year. It is the first year he actually has money in the bank. The kids don't usually exchange gifts so I hope Nick will start a nice tradition between them.

The kids did an amazing job with the tree. I probably hung one ornament myself. I told Mike it is nice to have adult children who know what they are doing, LOL!