44 Years

Yikes! Who would've thought we'd last this long. We must be two very tolerant and patient people.

Gram got what she calls good news and bad news this morning from Dr. Barhamand (her oncologist.) He told her that they haven't been able to detect anything significant enough to warrant surgery, but that she would need some very extensive time off of her leg in order for it to heal, although he said it would never really completely heal. She'll probably have to go back to Westbury for at least a couple of months. She seems very resigned to this, and is determined to do whatever he says. The thought of the pain she's experienced in that right leg is enough to subdue her. She knows that she will need a lot of care and isn't even clamoring to get out of the hospital yet. My heart aches for her.

I did something monumental, for me, the other day. I told my boss that I only want to work 3 days per week. This will begin next week, and I am feeling pretty good about the concept. I'd feel even better if I had some written confirmation from the Social Security folks, but I guess I need to have faith. It was confirmed when I applied online, and verified when I telephoned about a month ago.

Pop and I are planning to go see "Charlie Wilson's War" this afternoon and then have dinner at a Chinese place we haven't been to for a long time. Gotta' get home by 8:00 for an Illini basketball game :-)

Got an email from my cousin Linda Bond. Her son Andrew and his wife Joy had a baby girl on Christmas Eve. She was 8 lb. 10 oz. and they named her ------------ Ruby Vitina Bond. If anyone wants to see her picture, let me know and I'll forward the email.

Talked with Sue Weds. night. They're all doing OK, and it looks like Tim will be discharged from the Navy in perhaps March. Apparently they have so many men in his division that there's no room for him to stay in any longer. Doesn't make sense to me, but neither does anything else our government is doing lately.

I managed not to take any pictures over Christmas. I'll chalk it all up to the Grandma situation. One of the things I want to learn is how to manage pictures. Pop is the only one here who knows how, and I'm not sure that I'll be able to learn from him. 44 years and I know my limits.

Love to you all, and a happy 2008 as well. Keep in touch!

Mom

Happy Anniversary!

Dear Mom and Pop,

I always get confused for some reason as to the exact year you were married. Was it 1963? Regardless, you've been together a looooooong time and have a lot to show for it, not the least of which is your family who loves you dearly. It's a busy time of year, but I hope you get a chance to reflect on the highlights of your years together and really enjoy each other's company today.

Your loving daughter,
Julie

Merry Christmas?

With Gram going in and out of the hospital and back in again, it's hard to fully embrace the holiday spirit. Still, I hope you all had a merry Christmas and that Santa was good to you. A couple of well-timed snowstorms ensured that the Chards would be staying home for the holiday. We missed a couple of family Christmas parties, but we hope to do some visiting this week while Brandon's off work to make up for it. Meanwhile we had a cozy Christmas eve by the fire and a leisurely Christmas day by the tree. Gavin says thank you to DJ's family for the wooden toys, and to Dave & Missy for the blanket and killer Black Sabbath onesie. He also got a custom-made blanket from Mike and Mary Signer. Love and greetings of the season to all of you!

Back to Edward Hospital

Poor Gram! The swelling in her leg went from bad to worse. Dr. Kurt prescribed steroids which she started taking Wednesday in the hope that they would reduce the inflammation, but whatever is wrong in there did not respond. It's swollen from her hip to her toes, so yesterday she called me at work and I took her to the ER. They still don't know what the root cause of all this is, but they discovered that she's anemic and so she's already had 2 blood transfusions overnight. She'd probably welcome a phone call, since she was very unhappy about being in the hospital this close to Christmas. 1-630-646-0402.

What is everyone else up to this weekend? I'll be working both today and Monday. I'm thinking that Christmas decorating isn't going to happen this year in this house. I'm still planning on Dave and Melissa stopping by on Christmas morning for breakfast, although the plan that involves picking up Gram are now on hold. D.J., Michele, Chris and Sami will be coming over also, but I'm not sure what time. I haven't even decided what to have for dinner, but I'm leaning toward roast beef. Once again I implore you to cut me some slack. It seems like the situation with Gram has complicated my Christmas season for about 4 years now. Ever the optomist, I hope next year will be better. I will be working much less at Jewel and will have more time to getthings organized, cleaned up and prepared. I hope....

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas through all of this, I remain

Mom

Snow, snow, beautiful snow

Hello, family! I hope this post finds you warm and cozy with a frothy cup of hot chocolate nearby. Just thought I'd check in over here at woodworks since it's been awhile. We got a beautiful snowfall last night. Makes it feel a lot more wintry and Christmasy around here. At first I didn't think it was so beautiful because Brandon had to drive home through the canyon in it. Luckily he made it home safely - and luckily he made it into the canyon before they closed it. When he came out on this side they weren't letting anyone through. Good thing our little Honda has new tires!

Time for a few thank-yous: Thanks DJ, Michele, Chris and Sami for the cookies and the custom watercolor art! We were sad to have missed the cookie-making festivities and you're right - we really haven't had much time to bake around here now that Nana has gone home! And thanks Missy and Dave for the snuggly fleece blanket! We would have waited until Christmas to open it but since you sent it by fast mail we thought maybe it was urgent. And I guess it was because it arrived just in time for Gavin to snuggle in while he looks out the window at the snow (or maybe he's just looking at the dirt on the window). We put the little wrapped package from Uncle Dave (and also the ones from DJ's family) under the tree.

LOTS of love and Christmas cheer to all of you!

six days and counting

Long time no contact! Everyone must be busy with holiday stuff. I for one am grateful that we no longer have to spend so much time shopping for one another. Sometimes I feel very Scrooge-like, but I believe it's the way to go. There are plenty of worthwhile charities that can benefit if we feel like we need to separate ourselves from some of our cash!

Pop and I really enjoyed ourselves on Sunday afternoon at the cookie baking and decorating event. I'm really annoyed at myself for forgetting to bring our camera. Michele was a really good sport to host such a messy operation and then have to get it all cleaned up. She even took the kids sledding late in the afternoon when it was really cold.

Sunday evening we went over to the Spinn's house (north side of Staunton, 3rd house west of Coach). They had invited a lot of neighbors whom we haven't seen for quite a while. We drank some wine, perhaps a little too much in my case, which made it somewhat unpleasant to get up on Monday morning. At any rate, we had an enjoyable day last Sunday.

Gram has been doing rather poorly lately. Her leg is really painful much of the time, and her vision is deteriorating rather rapidly from the macular degeneration. I hope she'll feel up to joining us on Christmas Day. I'm not going to try to do anything Christmas Eve except go to church. We'll be seeing Dave and Melissa early, and hopefully D.J., Michele, Chris and Sami will get here in time to at least touch base with the Palatine contingent. What's happening in Utah for Christmas? I'm astounded that Gavin weighs 10 pounds already.

Time to hit the sack for an early start tomorrow. Pop is bowling tonight, as he does just about every Tuesday. He's also bowling Thursday this week.

Holiday blessing to you all!

Mom

SNOW

Snow snow beautiful snow.
Nothing quite like it in winter you know.

So grab your skis, snow board or snow shoes.
Your ice skates your sled or whatever you choose.

Put on wool socks and get into your boot.
Grab your down jacket and mittens to suit.

Put your worries behind you with desires unfurled.
Now you're ready to face that beautiful white world.

Go find you a trail, a mountain or hill.
Then trek, slide or ski or do what you will.

You can run with your sled and flop on your tummy.
And when you get cold drink hot cocoa that's yummy.

When you get tired with a chill on your face.
It's time to go home to a warm fireplace.

Pick up a good book or cuddle with a friend.
Be warm and relaxed until the night's end.

Snow snow beautiful snow.
Nothing quite like it in winter you know.

(Author Pop)

Look who's SEVEN!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRIS!! We are thinking of you way out here in Utah and hope you have a fun-filled day. With love, Aunt Julie, Uncle Brandon, Gavin, and Nana & Papa

and away we shall go...

Pop and I are more or less packed, and we plan to be ready when D.J. picks us up at 7 A.M. tomorrow (thanks again, D.J.!). Today's weather was horrendous, with lots of ice and dangerous driving conditions, but the temperature is supposed to gradually rise overnight and the precipitation will just be rain. We haven't flown anywhere in a long time, and I'm nervous about all the security stuff.

Gram had a nice birthday. Thanks to all of you who called her and sent her cards and gifts. I took her to the Arboretum and got a wheelchair, then we had lunch at the Ginkgo Cafe and looked around at the decorated trees and wandered through the gift shop. Drove around the east side and then back home. Julie and Brandon sent her a digital photo frame that's loaded with about 40 pictures, so we can put more pictures on there eventually.

I'm sleepy and not very coherent, so will say goodnight. "Goodnight!"