Dear All,



Thought I would begin my blog while I have a quiet moment - am not sure when it will get finished.



Not a great deal of news since the last email, so this will probably be a bit shorter.



A lot of the snow birds have now left the area for warmer temperatures. Since writing last time, the women were once again invited to breakfast with the boys (mmmm well we did get our feet in the door). Linda, Tom, Carol, Jim, Maryanne (they had gone, but were back for Christmas), Charlie, Connie, another Tom and Paul and I, enjoyed a great breakfast at Parrieville Inn (Hooterville as Paul calls it). It was just a couple of days before Charlie and Connie headed off to Texas.



Whilst we were having breakfast, the snow started to fall! It was beautiful, but we had been warned that we could get anywhere between 6 and 12 inches, with blizzard conditions (i.e. wind, blowing snow, ice - the works). Everyone was hoping it wouldn't happen - except me!!! I said - bring it on!! I can't imagine anything more beautiful or exciting - nothing better than a great storm (well maybe somethings, but who cares?).



After we left the restaurant, Paul and I went to the supermarket to make sure we had plenty of 'fixins" (country talk for food! lol). We have a generator which powers the whole house if the power goes out (it is run by natural gas). So if we had 'fixins' we can be comfortable indefinitely.

I really wasn't sure what one should buy if they were going to be 'snowed in', so I grabbed some egg nog and bread and of course some cheese for Paul! We do have plenty of food in the freezer and pantry, so we were well covered.



Unfortunately, most of the storm passed us by - we probably got 6 inches, which was lovely, but alas, no blizzard, no ice storm - no drama.



Christmas week is also birthday week. Nate celebrated his birthday on the 17th December. Paul and I sent him a few things, one of which was a ticket to ride shotgun in a race car at the race track in Atlanta. He seemed to like the idea which is great.



Kelly had her birthday on the 22nd - and by all accounts she had a wonderful day. They were spending Christmas in Ohio with Nate's family. The other grandparents babysat Kyler for the night(poor them), so Nate took Kelly to Cincanitti for the night.



On the 21st of December, our friend John celebrated his birthday, so we joined John, Alex, Brandon and Emily at the Radison for a wonderful meal.



Lauren turned 25 on the 20th December. They held her work Christmas party that night and she celebrated with Damien and friends the next night. She said she too had a wonderful birthday.



All is quiet on the birthday front until January 10th when I will celebrate turning forty sixteen!!
Plenty of time for everyone to have a shopping break and still get gifts here on time!! lol



Chris and Erin arrived on the 21st to celebrate Christmas early with us. We had our Christmas on the 23rd with them as they left on Christmas Eve. We had a lovely time with them - none of the traditional Christmas fare, as we did intend to dine out, but changed our minds. We had garlic shrimp pasta, cheesecake and golden squash soup (pumpkin soup for the Aussies). It snowed again the night before they left, but not enough to keep them here (half answered prayers once again).



Once again, our plans for Christmas changed. We left it till only days before the book into a casino for Christmas Eve, as we wanted to be sure that the roads would be safe to travel. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, both casinos within a few hours drive were totally booked out. We decided to stay home, and John and Alex joined us for our Christmas meal. It was the quietest Christmas I have ever had, but we did have a lovely time. Great food and great company.

For Christmas, Paul managed to find my favourite perfume Lulu which one cannot buy in the States. He obviously found it via the internet, and as my supply was out and I was thinking I would have to hop on my broomstick and fly to Oz to pick up a bottle, it was a nice surprise. He also gave me a voucher, good for one trip to England. I did ask if it was a return trip, but he said, the jury is still out on that one!!! Needless to say, I hope to go in the next couple of months and my friend Alex is planning to come along if she can arrange it. Alex still has an apartment in England, and many friends she would like to catch up with.

Today has been slow and easy - Paul and I went out for lunch and have done very little. He is currently out hunting with a neighbor and Larry the neighbor shot a deer - so they will be back before too long. Deer hunting finishing on 31st of December - but it is possible, muzzle loading or bow and arrow will still be permitted.


While Paul and Larry were hunting at the back of our property, I was standing at the kitchen sink watching 4 deer feed at our deer feeder. I told them not to go home via his hunting blind, so I sure hope they didn't shoot my deer!!!

Okay, so I didn't get finished - had a few interruptions. It is now Thursday 27th and have spent the day, paying for my lazy day yesterday. I have managed to get fresh sheets etc. on beds for our guests who are arriving tomorrow - weather permitting. I had to get it done, as I am having a "girlie" day tomorrow - hairdressers, jewellry shops (just looking), and lunch. My friend is picking me up at 9am and as I expect to be home just before guests arrive, I don't expect to get photos on this blog, so will send another in a few days with just photos.


I was recently asked to make the pictures bigger - I am sure most of you realise, but in case you don't, you only have to click on them to view them bigger!!!!

We got a Christmas card this year from the guys who built our kitchen and they have a photo of our kitchen on their card! They did tell us they were going to use it in their advertising brochure, but to see they used it for their Christmas Card gave us a real buzz. I guess next year, they will probably want Paul and I on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Before I go, I have several questions:-

Why are mattresses always on sale?
Why do Alpacca farmers want everyone else to do it? Corn farmers and dairy farms aren't always telling us how wonderful it is and telling us to do it to!!
Are my brothers and sisters going to send me photos of John's wedding soon, with all the details? I was thinking of you all.
The CD was great to get of the family reunion, made me cry, but made me happy as well. I miss you all so much. I do think at such occasions, there should be two empty chairs - symbolic of Paul and I...............................
The farmer sows his crops, his wife sews their clothes, together they both sow, sew, so????????
( guess I play too much scrabble eh?)

Heather - we got your letter - we are very excited to know you will be coming over this year. July is summer time here, and of course in Canada too.

Well folks, that will do for now.

Love to you all, Kathy