I went to North Syracuse yesterday to the DMV and renewed my driver's license. I was in and out of there in ten minutes, which has to be a record! I guess my timing was perfect for that place. There was no traffic on the road and hardly any people at the DMV (I got there about 11am). I'm glad I got it done now instead of waiting a few more weeks. Also, our weather was good, and I knew it might change within the next few weeks, so best to do it now. As it turned out, we did get some snow last night and more for today, but most of it went north and south of where I live. Still, the roads are slick this morning.

Dottie is planning on coming over here tonight after work. I think she wants to see what Christmas stuff I want to get rid of. That's fine, she can help me clear out the stuff. Gary has a woodworker's meeting this evening (he joined the club because he loves to make things), so she wanted something to do anyway.

While I've been off, I've been working non-stop almost on the magnolia latch hook rug I bought last year for Dottie. I had never made one before and had no idea how much time it would take to finish. It is very tedious and time consuming. I only work on it when I have a few hours or more to do it. To give you an idea, I worked on it for nine straight hours and all that work only gave me a finished area of 3" x 18". But I want to try and finish it for Dottie's birthday (it was supposed to be for last year), so I can get this project out of here. We'll see.

The main lamp in my sewing room quit working last weekend because the switch broke. Dottie said she might have a lamp she isn't using and if so, she'll bring it with her tonight. I hope so because I need more light to see what I'm doing to sew. I want to put the bindings on Guy's baby quilts, but can't do it until I have another lamp. Hopefully, she brings one tonight.

We had a nice day yesterday, and of course, Abby got a ton of gifts from all her aunts, grandparents, family friends, and parents. She got a real harmonica, and you should hear her play it! I was amazed! She also got an electronic drum set, which she loves. I think she's going to have some musical talent. She already has a guitar with amplifier and microphone. She also got a karaoke machine, two CD players, all kinds of play doh sets, dolls, play dress up clothes (snow white, cinderella, sleeping beauty), books, a play house, and much more. That's one spoiled little girl. Poor thing looked so tired yesterday because there was too much excitement and she didn't take a nap, but she stayed in a good mood. We had a nice dinner, too. Donna cooked a Smithfield ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade macaroni and cheese, green beans, rolls, and chocolate cream pie. Dottie and Gary brought a bunch of snack foods (veggie tray with dip, cheeses, crackers, summer sausage, shrimp) and a crock pot full of meatballs and little wieners in a yummy sauce (she said it was chili sauce and grape jelly. I never heard of it, but it was delicious). The kids were good to me, and here's what I got from them: pasta machine (can't wait to try making my own whole wheat noodles and ravioli); 8 pairs of black socks, which I really needed; the quilt book I wanted Still Stripping After 25 years by Eleanor Burns; 2 boxes of Johnson Foot Soak & peppermint foot lotion; suet cake for the birds; a beautiful glass brick night light (mine has cats on one side and a gorgeous angel on the other); 12 pack of blank VHS tapes (so I can tape my sewing shows); a DVD, the Stepford Wives; another DVD, Blue Collar Comedy Tour (I laughed myself silly watching that last night! If you dont' have it, ya gotta get it! hahaha); cute ornament that says "most loved mom" on it; a Win For Life lottery ticket ( alas, I didn't win anything). I don't think I missed anything. We had a really nice Christmas.

Last night, I called my sister and mother. My sister's husband answered the phone, and I said "Hi Robert, this is Gail, Merry Christmas!" He told me the afghan I made was the prettiest thing he'd ever seen. When Bobbie got on the phone, she said the same thing. Later, I called Mom, and she said all they talked about was the afghan I made them. I'm so happy they liked it! I just wish I had thought to take a picture of it before I shipped it. I'll ask Bobbie to take one for me later. It makes me feel so good to make something for someone and know they appreciate it, and love it. So now I've made an afghan for each of my girls, my sister, Carol, and you. I've made hats for all of you, too.

Gary told me last night that every time he wears the first one I made him, people always comment on it. I used a yarn you can't find anymore. It was thick and warm, and kind of brownish-gray and cream varigated color. When the hat was finished, it reminded me of a cow hide, which was perfect for Gary cuz he likes cows. He's losing his hair and is bald on top, so it keeps his head nice and warm. I will start learning a new hat pattern for 2005 so next year I can make everyone a new hat, and maybe a matching scarf, too. I want to learn to knit in 2005, so perhaps it will be knitted instead of crocheted. Something fun to look forward to learning and making, then giving to my loved ones.

My cold is better, but hasn't gone away completely. I should be fine, though. My back is aching, and I think it's the mattress on the downstairs bed. I had better start sleeping upstairs for a while on the extra firm mattress. Well, that is all for today. I have laundry to get done, and I may start taking down the Christmas decorations.

We haven't gotten any precipitation yet. Maybe the storm will miss us after all. I have never seen a Christmas here without snow on the ground until now. I miss it! But since we have to travel tomorrow, I hope it doesn't snow until after we get home. I think yesterday broke a record high for the date. Earlier in the week we tied for the record low. Very unusual weather we're having these days. I can't even begin to guess what the rest of the winter will be like.

On the way home today, I stopped and washed my car. When I got home, I noticed a big scratch on the driver's side. I don't know when it happened, but I have to get some paint to cover it before it rusts (Might have happened in the car wash). I'll have to call the Chevy dealer and see if they have it. I'm sure they can order it if they don't have it in stock. I know I've bought it before, it comes in a small vial, touch up paint. I thought maybe the car wash caused it. I don't usually use the car washes that have those long things flying around to wash your car. I like the electronic foam car wash, but that one was out of order. I won't use that other kind again! I'm sure I would have noticed this scratch yesterday, and I know it wasn't there last night when I came home. Darn it! Oh well, I guess it was bound to get a scratch sooner or later.

Well, I will get going. Not sure what I will do for the rest of the day. Might do some laundry and clean up the kitchen. I'm a little tired because of the cold I have, so I am taking it easy today through the weekend. Maybe I'll play a computer game for a while, or go upstairs and sew something. It is a day to relax and enjoy life. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and that Guy gets to come home this weekend. I look forward to hearing all about it. Merry Christmas, Joan!

I made it through the worst of the week. It has been crazy at work, very busy. Everybody wants everything now. I felt awful all week, but last night around midnight, the sore throat broke free and the sneezing and runny nose started. My head filled up every time I lay down, so I had to pile up the pillows and sleep upright (didn't get but four hours sleep, though). I doctored myself up with plenty of Vick's salve on my chest and in my nose, took a Claritin to stop the sneezing, and I finally felt a little better. I think I'll be all right to go to Donna's now, thank goodness. I didn't really want to miss Christmas with the kids and Abby...just didn't want them to get sick. Dottie said I could go with her and Gary so I don't have to drive back home in the dark. And some more good news is the weather may not be all that bad here. Most of it is going to go west and north of us, so unless something else changes, we shouldn't have too many problems on the road.

On the way home from work this afternoon, I stopped at Midas and got the oil changed in the car. I also bought winter wiper blades and they put them on for me. They work so much better than what was on the car. They also checked all my tires and put air in them. One tire has been slowly losing air, and the guy checked that for me. He didn't find any leaks in the tire, so he tightened the valve stem. He told me to check it in a few days, and if it was still losing air, to just stop back and he'd take care of it. They are always so good to me at Midas. While I waited for the car, I ate an early dinner, across the street at Friendly's. I had the Crispy Chicken Salad, and a small sundae. By the time I finished, they had my car on the lift and was almost done when I got back to Midas.

Well, Joan, that is all for today. Tomorrow we are supposed to be off at noon (paid for the whole day), and have our Christmas party. I hope we don't get too much work for tomorrow (we are encouraging customers to get it next week, but some people don't care that it's Christmas, especially the Jewish customers - we have a lot of them.) If there's a lot of work, our party will start much later, and none of us wants to be at the cleaners all day on Christmas Eve! We want to get our bonus and leave! LOL

I will write again soon. have a wonderful Christmas, and give that sweet baby a kiss for me.

I have a bad sore throat and don't feel well. In spite of feeling lousy all day, work went better than yesterday. Tomorrow is Wednesday and the week will be half over. Two more days and it's Christmas weekend. I'm looking forward to spending it with my kids and Abby. When I got home from work, I had a surprise package from my mother. She had ordered me a delicious pecan assortment from Figi's. I called her to thank her and we talked about half an hour. She sounded in much better spirits. I think she will be ok, but the surgery took its toll on her. If she can get healed from that, then we'll see about getting her into an apartment, but not until Springtime.

Well, that is all for today. I'm going to gargle again and make myself a cup of hot tea with lemon and honey. Take care, my friend. I will write again tomorrow. Sending you a warm hug and lots of love...you and your family are in my prayers.