Another beautiful day. Merrill went to day care. He gets excited about going after being home since last Friday. Vi called. They took Bill down to day care so Merrill could see him. They enjoyed seeing each other. Tina called. A housekeeper will be here Tuesday at 1:45 to work 2 hours. She is Kathy Hicks from Oxbow. Jim called in PM. Vivian came over. She brought us home made cheese ball. Horse radish and cinnamon, nutmeg and peanut brittle candy they made. Merrill brought me Christmas decoration for tree or wherever.

Partly cloudy. I called Lyla. She will take me to city tomorrow. Transportation called. Merrill’s bus will be an hour late tomorrow. They will start picking him up Monday for the first time. Elmer G here. Brought us some papers from meeting on taxes. I called Barb Delles for Dick D Phone number. I received application to fill out for Merrill to Samaritan Keep Nursing home. We need to have it ready in case we can’t care for him at home. We got nice Christmas card picture of Debby and Jericho taken in October. Nice. I called Ken and Esther. Ken has his hernia operation January 5th in Syracuse.

Cloudy cold wind 40°. Appointment Dr. Powell 2:15 PM. Xrays. Hip and knee just fine. Callous on side of my foot caused by hammer toes. Need to be done before left knee operation. Lyla took me over for groceries at 10 AM. We went to city. Shopped at Hills and Kmart. Ate at mall. Then to the doctor’s for Xrays and home. Lyla stayed for a while when we got home. We were both tired. Lyla shopped for Merrill Christmas gifts. I talked with Jim in morning at work.

Cloudy all day. Shawn Michaels 6th birthday. He had a birthday party in evening but we didn’t try to go. I’m tired today. Washed white clothes. Wrote Debby and sent very few Christmas cards but have read quite a few. I talked with Mary Hall. Marty had steel pins removed from his hips. They left part of one as they couldn’t get it. We wrapped Christmas gifts to each other.

Sunny but cold 20. We went to church. Wayne H came after us. Today was the Sunday School program. Very good 119 out. Merrill very upset tonight. He slept good all night but in his chair. He only stayed in bed about 20 minutes. Shawn Michael called to thank me for his card and money. Talked with Jolie. Jim called in evening. He is taking Tuesday and Wednesday off. He works Christmas day until 11 AM.

Sunny day. Cold. Merrill went to day care for first time on Monday. I talked with Vi. I called Juanita in PM. Used up my Agway card. Vern called. They will bring dessert and rolls for Christmas.

Cloudy and some snow. Jim and Joel here. They brought pills from Pharmhouse. Tina 1:45. Merrill all okay. Kathy Hicks house keeper starts work here. 145 for 2 hours. She does nice job. Sue and Heather here. Brought us Hawaiian bread. Robin’s due date. Tony Hull cleaned furnace. It quit 2 times yesterday. Could be a bad circuit breaker or bad blower motor. Tony fixed toilet seat. The youth group from church came caroling in evening. So great and a great group of kids. Sue B with them. About 25 here. Office of the Aging gave us coffee mug and tree ornaments. I got calendar from Blind Association in mail.

Sunny. Merrill went to day care. He had a busy day with all the Christmas celebrations. He couldn’t eat any supper he was so full. I washed white clothes. Go stuff ready for tomorrow. Set table. June R here in PM. Brought us gifts. Merrill 2 pair yellow gloves and cookies. Me red knit gloves and candy cupboard box of chocolates. Linda Belile here in PM. Brought delicious loaf of cran-apple brown bread. We had our gifts in evening. Merrill got PJ’s and shirt. I got a pretty blouses. Also candy, toiletries, gloves socks etc.

Christmas day. Raining. Dan and Robin have baby girl, Lydia Grace, 8 pounds 9 ounces born at 8:30 AM this morning. Vern, June, Jim, Jolie, Zack, Shawn Michael, Jill and Joel here for dinner with us at 1:30. It’s so great to be together. June brought apple and pumpkin pies and rolls. We got new mailbox and metal box to lock things in. I got diary like this one. Jolie gave me plain gold band I’ve wanted for ages. I can’t wear my wedding rings on my left hand because of enlarged knuckles form arthritis. They gave Merrill pretty plaid shirt. We got a nice picture of Shawn Michael. Lyla called in evening. She had a good Christmas. Vern put up new mailbox.

Slippery this morning. Merrill didn’t go to day care. I put dishes away and straightened up house. I washed clothes. Merrill’s driver didn’t come for him. Maybe it was too slippery. They didn’t call us. We got a Christmas card and not from Loren Strader in Canada. Vera has been gone over a year 12/9/96

Slippery in morning. Sunny and warm in PM 36°. A few snow flurries. Merrill slept a lot today. He was very upset at supper time. He was crying because his family had all gone home and he didn’t want to be alone He was afraid something would happen to me. No one has been here since Christmas day. Vivian called at supper time. She’s bringing over her extra food to morrow night. They leave for Florida Monday. Diane R called asking for prayers on the prayer chain for Alice F grandson who is very ill. I’ll call Jane.

A nice day. We went to church. Wayne and Nancy came after us. Not many out to church. Rev. Elaine goes on vacation today. Huntress’s gave us bottle of syrup. Jim, Sue, Ashley, Zack, Jolie and Shawn Michael here in PM and for supper. Jolie took me to the store. I got a baby card and sent to Dan’s. We all signed it. Merrill sure loves to have his family around him. He cried when the last of them left. We all signed a baby card for Robin, Dan and baby Lydia Grace. Joel leaves for Iowa in the morning early. Vivian T brought over her left overs.

Not a bad day. Merrill went to day care. Clark and Vivian leave for Florida for three months. Joel goes back to Iowa to day. 14 hour drive. Antique dealer Davis here trying to buy my antique square 1 drawer stand that he wants badly. I sent card, letter, and $25 to Dan and Robin and new baby Lydia Grace. Sue called in evening. Jim took Joel back to Iowa. He called Sue from Illinois while we were talking.

Very stormy. Syracuse at a stand still. Snowed all day. They didn’t bring our lunches. Housekeeper didn’t come. I called to tell office she could come tomorrow as Merrill will be home. Transportation called to ask if Merrill wanted to day care tomorrow. She said it was suppose to storm so I said no.

Cold. -18°. Bill Henderson plowed our driveway. I told him not to plow out back as we won’t be driving our car. I told him we want to pay him for plowing this year. He wouldn’t take pay last year. Merrill didn’t go to day care. I washed white clothes. Merrill cleaned floors. Jim called from city. He got home from Iowa trip at 4 AM. Good trip each way. No snowstorms. I called Jolie, Zack getting things ready for Ranger school Saturday. Watertown had it’s first “First Night Celebration” It is for the family and non alcoholic. Ends with fireworks at the Veteran’s Wall Way at midnight.