Nuttin' new, nuttin' old---just me. 
Still have snow on the ground.
Another great Feast Day today. The Holy Innocents. Imagine what it would be like to be rousted out of familiar surroundings, on a minutes notice, with only the clothes on your back and take a journey into a strange country without funds, map, etc. to save the life of your child. 
Love this time of year with all the Church feasts. Today is the feast of the Holy Family. We have so much to be thankful for as a family as we bring this year to a close. 
Snow blower/shovel works--just used it on the back walkways as the wind was blowing. Figured the the wind would either cover up what I had done or would blow away most of the snow and wouldn't have to use it at all in front driveway. The wind is brutal, temp 22 degrees this AM but feels much colder. (Pic courtesy of Toro Corp---don't bother to enlarge---neither you nor I know who the guy is operating the snow blower---and where the heck is his hat?) 
Wanted to share a message I received from one of my children:
Think of the journey---the hardship of going through the desert on a donkey and finding no comfortable accommodations.
Busy day yesterday--Mass, volunteered at rectory, ran errands, drove to Newton to shop at my favorite kitchen store and found just what I was looking for--a stone pestle and mortar to grind up spices, herbs, etc. Getting everything on hand for my winter soup and stew fest.
Sunny day--49 degrees. Back from Mass, stopped by Mexican Market to get peppers, spices, etc. to make posole. Planning on making more winter vegetable stews/soups and roasted winter vegetables. Danny spoiled me with the wonderful chowder and roasted vegetables. Cannot duplicate them but will give it a go. Vegetables should be roasted. Repeat after me---vegetables should be roasted. 
Could say same ole, same ole---there said it. Nuttin new here---will give you a break to get back to your weekend, staying healthy, being safe, and keeping in touch.
Michael won his wrestling match last night 8-2. This picture made the Wichita Eagle high school sports gallery. Great Ashpole form. Makes one proud----what a legacy!!! Will have to muster up the courage to try again to go watch that boy wrestle. Wanted to share this with all of you.
Thank God I have wheels, ample funds to gas up and go. Mass this AM, run a couple of errands, and then volunteer this afternoon at the Lord's Diner for food prep. Really look forward to doing that--great people to work with, good time spent on helping others.
Mass, volunteer at rectory, run errands, come home and pick up a bit. I actually worked in my office sorting and filing papers yesterday afternoon.
Usual day planned with the exception of throwing a yearly mammogram in the mix. OUCH!!!!!! No more to say than another OUCH!!!
Mass, movie, meal, and much fun with two grandkids courtesy of Taylor and Nick.
Went to Mass, had breakfast w/the wise women group, plan to read the newspaper, have late lunch w/Keith, Becky, and family, then home to chill w/the pup posse. Nice bright sunny day here.
Love being retired--can just change my day in any direction in any second and be happy with the change. Had to wait until my "golden years" to find out I could be flexible and not so directed. Got a lot accomplished yesterday and hopefully will finish up today.
Well, just when you think it can't get colder it does. Let's see---8 degrees this AM. Still nice, dry, no ice but bitterly cold. So, this is December and still seeing touches of green in the back tree grove. Really is beautiful until I come to my senses and figure I am probably looking at a pretty prolific gathering of poison ivy. (B. this picture reminds me of the North Platte hike we took by your house).
Expected the streets to be icy this AM with all the precipitation yesterday. Surprise!--no icy streets. Buy ice melt and a broadcaster and the ice will not appear. It is 11 degrees and chills one to the bone. Went to Mass, off to run some errands, help w/Church funeral dinner at noon, then back home to stay warm. Had signed up for an Advent Retreat today but it was cancelled late yesterday due to the weather---Oh ye of little faith---this is Kansas!
Stay healthy, warm, be safe, and keep in touch.
Love, Mom
This pic was taken last year. These little creatures have really been a joy and such great company. We are very close especially since we are confined to the house with the winter weather.
Weather report: 31 degrees, no snow--still have the snow blower handy---just waiting it out. Thinking of sedating Spencer on the weekends (just kidding). They (we) have been up since 5:15am, still dark outside---have read everything in site though still have the pile of magazines and paperwork still in the office and now as a real kick in the rear--guess who is snoozing in the living room? Surely not me--I have downed 2 strong cups of coffee, now working on a cup of herbal tea, blogging to you, and planning to go to Mass at 8:30am.
Another crisp morning--23 degrees, not windy, "boys" up early but quiet---how nice. Read for a while, plan to go to Mass, maybe breakfast with a friend, and catch a couple of Michael's wrestling matches. Jacob will be one of the referees at the matches so will consider it a "two-fer" day. Speaking of wrestling---Thought I would include a special picture taken when Jake took State in 2003. 
Cool here at 21 degrees this AM. It was such a peaceful morning until just a few seconds ago when all I saw was a flash of 3 fluffy tails and heard the deafening barking of 3 little "boys" zip out through the dog door---good news: no odor (skunk)---bad news: the deer in the back field are moving quickly to another eating spot this AM thanks to the "boys."
Things move so quickly--cannot believe Thanksgiving is over. Know I have said this before but truly enjoy having family together. If you were not here in person you were certainly here in thought---and if you only knew how my thoughts worked you would know we had fun. (Thought I would include some pics--this was taken as we gathered while Kurt and Kathy placed the plaque and stepping stone)
Watching TV/reading in basement last night, heard the dog door rattle, dogs were off the chair, up the stairs like flashes of light, barking like animals, they ripped through the dog door on pursuit of our invader. By the time I got the spot light they were all in back yard by the fence and all that was left was the terrible odor of our visitor. Thanks be they were not sprayed. The smell was so strong. To all of you who think they are worthless, spoiled little creatures---think again---they are protectors and heroes. Think I will start putting the lock protector portion on the dog door when we are watching TV in the basement. (When I let them back out to do their nightly chore before bedtime the smell was still strong but only by the deck. No residual odor this AM. )
That's what I would call pimento stuffed olives---the pits!!! Saw the dentist this afternoon. That little pit caused a "fatal fracture" to my tooth. A portion of the tooth (loose inside portion) was extracted today and the remainder (outside portion) will be surgically removed by an oral surgeon tomorrow. Surprisingly--I am more comfortable following today's extraction. Really wanted to remove the tooth on my own on Friday--knew it was loose. How old is the age limit for being accepted into dental school? 
The good news is: Everyone made it home safely following the holiday visit. Always a good feeling to know that everyone is safe and sound from their travels. (Kat made it home Friday, Linda and the kids on Saturday, and Kurt yesterday.)
WOW, the sound of the silence in this house is haunting. Loved having Thanksgiving here and very thankful for the family members who were able to travel. I thank you, the "boys" thank you. The "boys" are still in lounge mode from all of the activity and company---they are definitely attention hounds. 
Wonderful Thanksgiving---ate too much, visited w/family, built a fire, watched football, played Blokus...After eating, we gathered in the back yard while the pottery plaque was attached to the arbor and the stepping stone placed under the arbor. Nice touch to the arbor/shade garden, especially since it relates to Kelli and Pop.
Wish all of you a peaceful, wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful that each of you has graced my life. What more to be said then...
Blessings and things to be thankful for:
Family members are gathering at the house--their Rottweilers are at home guarding the home fronts and all is well. Off to Mass this AM (Mass said this AM for our family at St Pat's), shopped for some last minute food, ate out, and bought some board games--in particular suggested games such as: Blokus, Whoonu, Mexican Train, and 4 decks of playing cards. We are ready. Plan to clean out game drawer tonight and throw away all of the old worn out cards.
Went to Mass yesterday evening. Plan to have a quiet day, reading, cooking, and just chillin'. (LJ has a great blog today).
Different morning today---real nice so far---cool, crisp, no wind, no barking dogs---things are good.
Dogs barking outside, dark outside, spot light indicates they are barking at nothing the human eye (mine) can see outside, holler outside for them, make more noise outside with hollering then dogs are doing barking---Ever seen Poms run with tails stretched out?--that's how they looked zipping in the back door. Obviously they hate my hollering. Now, the patio screen door is closed blocking the dog door---I AM IN CONTROL. This reads kind of like a Dick and Jane story. Hear dogs bark, see Mom act out, see dogs look confused, see dogs run, see Mom back at her computer finishing this blog---see things return to "normal" (just for now). (The Thanksgiving drawing is getting near---be excited---I am!!)
Back from Mass, ate a piece of pumpkin pie slathered in Cool Whip, had a cup of coffee, walked out on the back deck and what to my wandering eyes should appear but a doe and a buck in the back field. Note the reclining doe on the right and the rack on the buck standing to her left is barely visible as it blends in with the limbs on the trees. Would love to have a tranquilizer gun to zap the dogs so they would not scare the deer away. Have I told you I love living here--even with the dogs?
Was saddened to read LJ's blog and see that Danny's dad passed away on 11/15/2009. She wrote a beautiful tribute to Billy. Spoke with both LJ and Danny last night. They are doing well, funeral Mass will be Thursday. Ask all of you to keep Billy and all of the family in your thoughts and prayers.
Temperature down to 35 degrees, wet outside, and no snow---yet. Quiet weekend. Plan to go to Mass, run errands, and make phone calls today. Still have papers in my office to sort, shred, and file. Just couldn't bring myself to hang out in that room this weekend. Will do it in spurts this week while it is too wet and cold to be out of doors--maybe.
