The End of January

The sun is shining here so things are looking up. I have an entire day to myself and that means I have good company and I can waste the day any way I want. If I stay on this computer it won’t be difficult to pass the time. If you put yourself on Facebook you could waste an enormous amount of time also. I just looked at all of Katie and John’s photos. I still have not fallen for Jane’s request to list 16 things about myself or play a game that gives 3 grains of rice to the starving. I don’t know how to do all that stuff yet.

Let’s see, yesterday was Dorena’s birthday and I forgot to write her, however I did speak with Diana and Nancy. Apparently we are being squeezed for more fees for our upcoming trip. I guess it’s too late to turn back now so I’ll just keep sending checks to the Chico Chamber of Commerce. I know Barack is working on setting things straight again so I have HOPE. He may have to give up his Hart, Schaffner and Marx suits however as it seems the company is going out of business. I hope Sharon has her share tucked away.

Shizuo has finally broken his silence and has time to send email again. It seems the economy here is affecting Japan also so his company is cutting back on the overtime. He’s posted more photos on his flickr site and they seem to feature many weddings among his friends so he might be next.

Lucas and I are staying busy every day, he is busy with computers and videos and I’m busy negotiating time allotments for each activity. I’m a pushover when it comes to discipline and he can work it to the max. So far we haven’t missed school but we did miss tooth brushing Friday.

Have you been reviewing your Greek history yet? I’m just starting at the Age of Homer. (I’m trying to get you to be informed so you’ll assist our group).

Miles is ready to sing.

Inauguration

I hope you enjoyed the historic day as your Chicagoan assumed office. When I read about Jane, Hanna and you and your rabid support of the Democratic Party I’m reminded that since I grew up with all of you I should indeed be in your group. I was led astray by a Republican Texan back when I had little or no interest is such topics but Bill hammered away on the subject until I knew the truth.

The reason I’m so up on our former classmates is because we’ve all been checking in on Facebook. Sara sent an invitation to me and I thought it might be something to look at so I signed my name. I see there are several Judys with your last name but the one from Chicago has to be you. You really don’t have to talk to anyone but it is nice to know that everyone you might have known is available for communication in an instant almost. The older we get the more we need to rely on others for recall of memories as well as names and dates.

Finally this week the neighbors and I have been back to our walking regime. The streets are bare enough in most places though they are narrow with snow banks bordering. I was getting kind of behind in my gossiping when not checking in with my daily walking buddies.

Lucas is entertaining me each morning and we’ve had no problems other than the timely heading out the door for the walk to kindergarten at 12:15. He loves his class but says now he won’t be celebrating Valentines Day as he doesn’t care for that holiday. He still is reliving Halloween, his favorite.

Miles and I visited Alberta yesterday and she likes to comment on his glasses. He pleases all the residents just by being there. My mom is well and happy though occasionally she still asks if I’ll take her home. I’m thinking she misses her house in Warden.

Linda has a walking trip offering to the Czech Republic in September. You and Hank might like it. I’m glad you have your reservations for March. I guess Madrid will be another time. Jane reminded me that we graduated 50 years ago. Was it in May or June?

Grandma's Lemon Cake Pudding

There are a few of Grandma Johanson's recipes in her own handwriting that she either made up or had memorized. Today I made this dessert and Leslie may want to duplicate it or at least keep a recipe copy. I think I'll put more on here from time to time if I remember.

I see some lawn

Well, just little patches here and there but it gives me hope. There is still 3 feet of snow on my picnic table but I think I can deal now that my car can go everywhere with no chains even. I'm hoping it doesn't get much deeper again as one chain has disappeared on a road somewhere.

Of course, the schools were closed for three more days last week so Lucas and I spent many hours together which was fine since he likes these three things, movies, computers and video games. Really there is a study time which includes reading, writing and math followed by a mandatory outdoor recess. He is so easy and good company. I was able to canvass the house and throw away large amounts of junk while he was here.

Miles came to visit one afternoon and Claire and I entertained him with a game of Old Maid and several library books. He never is quiet, keeping up a constant chatter, with many questions. I think he gets this from the girls in his preschool class because when I picked him up from school they inundated me with incessant trivial talk. I should know it well as I do the same thing only often I repeat myself which may not be too bad if it's not to the same person.

Cyd and Dave are taking parenting lesson from The Nanny. She had 4 year old twins on her show the other night who were out-of-control monsters. The show gave both parents an incentive to make some discipline moves that stopped the entire checkout line at Walmart due to hitting a parent with a toothbrush. I'm firmly in favor as I remember allowing Cydney to carry a huge watermelon through the Safeway store when she was 4. There was a big cleanup job there.

I went to see Gran Torino the other day. It was funny at first but icky at the end. How are your reservations coming for March? I heard that Ronna is preparing a web site for her upcoming wedding so stay tuned. Why doesn't Shizuo answer his gmail?

January

The twins left one day ago after their five day visit. I wish you could see the house. Then again I’m glad no one can see it yet. Even the cleaning lady would walk out I’m afraid. Yes, the twins are darling and they are busy. They pop up at 6:30 a.m. and keep going until the adults need a nap, and then they go some more. Cyd agreed to clean house while I entertained the boys and that worked out well for a few hours but it’s hard to be upbeat and cheery for such a long time.

Walker is always vying for control and Peyton can take just so much before he retaliates. They like to sing, play with cars, dump out toys and play games, and get adults involved with their activities. I tried to sell them on television but they are not so inclined. I think I taught my kids to turn on the tv when they got up at 6 so I could sleep until a decent hour. Of course, now that I’m old I can’t sleep past 6.

Really the four boys got the best of me almost when they were all together helping one another think of crazy things to do like throwing items down the stairs, running through the living room and jumping on the couch, wrestling and asking for snacks. I just need more stamina because really they are fun and they enjoy one another, mostly they all swarm Lucas with hugs.

Our snow is fun for digging and jumping but it is getting kind of annoying with the ice on my roof and the constant shoveling. It has turned very cold so two guys shoveled my roof leaving snow mounds that are handy for walking up to the top of the house.

Barack is almost ready to take over and I can’t believe there is already so much Chicago corruption coming to light. I think your new senator will be fine but I am a little concerned with the president-elect wearing his ball cap backwards while in Hawaii. Maybe he will develop gravitas after he’s in office.

Shoveling

It's my new full time occupation as we seem to be getting more snow every day. I can't decide if I should complain or be happy because it is so much fun and different in many ways. It allows me to spend days confined to my house and I never need to drive anywhere which is great. However sometimes this shoveling can be a drag when the snow is so deep. Cydney arrived last Sunday with the twins and she spent an entire day trying to locate a snow thrower for purchase. I have since come to my senses and realized that piece of equipment would only be something that took up lots of room in my garage, needed yearly maintenance, and frequent supplies like gasoline and oil. I know I can find a reliable snow maintenance helper when I finally make the decision that this snow is not temporary.

The week the snow began I had three girls from U of Idaho who came by so they could leave their car here while they were in Anchorage for Christmas. Three stayed one night, then two ended up returning to Moscow since there were no planes leaving Spokane. Brianne did manage to get a flight out the day before Christmas after she and I spend a day watching videos as that was the best way to entertain a guest at that time.

Two days before Christmas Betty and Brice arrived to spend Christmas with their grandchldren. Charlie brought them to see my mom and she emphatically denied knowing either of them. Betty tried sharing stories and past acquaintances but my mom was not remembering a thing. She did say I was her daughter or maybe she asked, "Are you my daughter?" Anyway Betty was pleased to see her sister. Charlie has a huge truck so he drove us around town and then put my chains on my car so I am able to get out of my garage now.

Peyton and Walker Are Three