Raining in the morning. Still warm 56°. Sunny in PM. Amy here today at 2-4 PM. She cleaned stove oven for me. I washed Merrill’s dark clothes, pants, flannel shirts and PJ’s. World aids day. 300 with it in North Country. 3000 with it that don’t know realize it. Very scary. I received 1999 diary from Sandra Hagan in mail. It’s like last two June gave me. I cut Merrill’s hair. Pierepont Manor 95 years old. A special celebration was held. I left canned goods in mailbox for food pantry. Hillary Anne Drake Bridge 1 year old.

A great sunny day. Merrill went to day care. I washed white clothes. I mended Merrill’s underwear. Sent card to Tom and Nancy Ronas. Tom is in Syracuse hospital with his cancer having a new treatment transplant. I called Sandy in evening. Jim called in evening. He was at Jolie’s.

Cloudy. Raining in PM. Watertown City has had it’s first drive by shooting. Black people involved. Victim lived at Maywood Terrace. I called Lyla.

A beautiful day. 67° high and sunny. Merrill went to day care. Chad Dudley here in PM. I got Christmas decorations out of storeroom. Set up tree and put wreath on front door. Baptist church supper. They brought us ours. I hadn’t ordered it, but meals on wheels driver said he’s bring us some. Very delicious. The drive by shooting turned out to be a hoax. Two men fighting and one got shot. They didn’t have a gun permit. I got 1 black and 1 brown bag I sent for. Nice. Also got a calendar from Nancy and Bill. Got gift of stamps from fireman’s Aux. Got first Christmas card. Was from Cheryl A.

Cloudy day. In 60’s. rain in PM. I decorated tree and put up some decorations. I have a sore back today. United Methodist Church Bazaar to benefit Sunday School. Merrill very upset all PM. Sue called in evening. Asked for Jolie’s address. I gave her Lyla Ashley’s also.

Cloudy, some sun. Warm 65°. We didn’t get to church. Merrill didn’t want to get up. I put up rest of Christmas decorations. Nancy brought us 3 dozen home made donuts from Bazaar yesterday @$3.00 a dozen. I gave her $5.00 for Sunday School and $5.00 for Rev. Jane’s Christmas gift. Jim and Nancy here in PM. They took us to Philadelphia Restaurant for supper. Nancy Huntress brought tape of today’s church service. Vernon called in evening. He’s been teaching and feeling great.

68° in morning. Dropped to 20° at night. Folks will need a coat. I almost spoiled the tape Nancy brought last night. My radio tape player and recorder isn’t working. It didn’t tape Merrill yesterday when I used it. I was able to rewind the tape. They had a good service yesterday. I washed both white and colored clothes. I sent Christmas card to Boschocks. I sent Heather clipping and church envelope. I called Pauline Jones. Her husband died of Alzheimer’s some time ago. Nice to talk with her. We got Christmas card from Vern and June.

Much colder. Finally getting snow flurries. In 30’s all day. Tina and Barb Tefft here all AM. Not much different. They have been seeing Merrill for two years now. Amy here to clean. She went to store for me. I called Mary C. Rebekah’s Christmas party next month. Vivian can’t come until then. She had her knee operated on December 4th.I called Vi. She’s doing okay but lonesome for Martha. Jolie called. Zack’s graduation at Fort Drum today. Jolie and Shawn Michael went to it. They will be out for supper tomorrow.

Nice but cold. Partly sunny. Merrill went to day care. I went to Rebekah’s. Esther and Vi there. No meeting until January 13th. I called Margaret Waters. Alice Flaherty called for prayer chain for Glenn Coon. His sister in law died. Jolie, Shawn Michael and “King” came in evening. She brought Merrill’s PJ’s, two pair. We got Christmas card from Boschocks. She sent pictures of Heather and Kat (Glenda) My arthritis very achy all day.

Sunny, Cloudy in evening. Merrill awake all night long. He paced the house all night. He can be so negative to all ideas. I had to keep the doors padlocked all day. Pauline here in PM. She had some pictures she wanted me to identify. She had one of Great Grandma Elizabeth Gallagher Haggerty and her sister Sarah Coons. It brought back so many memories. I was 11 years old when Great Grandma died at 103 years. Pauline gave me pretty red cross she made. Lyla called. Also Jolie. We got anniversary card from Vern and June. The Cha House party burned tonight at 7 PM. Fireman there until after 10 PM. Lyla thought it was our house. Vivian Donna, Sue, Nancy and Ginny called. I called Jim. It didn’t upset Merrill too much.

Our 63rd anniversary. A sunny day. They are picking Merrill up at 8 AM for day care. He went to day care today. I went across road to see how bad the fire was. Only the shell of that beautiful home standing. Everything lost. Eugene West said they think it started from the stove. I gave him $20 to give to his sister Vanessa. Lots of cars by to see fire site. Lyla here in forenoon. Also Marge Heck. We all had a nice visit. Vern called in evening. Also Jolie called from work. I called Vivian. Jim called from mall after he and Nancy went to her Christmas party at Carriage House.

Another great day. Rev. Jane called in PM to see how we were. Vivian brought our mail. We got Christmas cards and notes from Ken’s and Gladys L. She’s not well. Has a tumor. Got notice that my Social Security is $240.00. Merrill’s is $476.00. We each get $79.50 SSI plus our Medicare of $43.80 each. We also have Medicaid coverage which is a large amount. I made a cake and a pudding. Also cleaned freezer in refrigerator. I called Tom Page to ask if Cho’s were here this weekend. He talked with them last night and they are afraid to come so far in case weather gets bad.

Like summer again. We went to church. 68 out. Wayne came after us. Vi and Julie there today. I bought a door wreath made by Eleanor H for bazaar. $10 nice. Clark and Vivian in church for dedication of seat cushions. Jolie called in morning. She and Shawn Michael to be baptized next Sunday. I called Charlotte at Philadelphia Restaurant about going there for lunch after church. I called Jolie in evening to tell her.

Another great day. Sunny 31°. I washed all the windows on the outside of the house. They were smoky from the house fire across the street Thursday evening. Merrill went to day care. He didn’t feel good when he got home. He didn’t sleep at all last night. He wouldn’t eat supper. I got Christmas cards with notes from Rhonda, Leon and Elmer. Elmer not good. Dr. says he will live 6-12 months. Also from Darcie, Loren S, Card from Howard and Evelyn. Shawn Michael called to thank me for his Highlights for children magazine. He stated getting it today.

Sunny breezy. In the 50’s. Unbelievable. Got more Christmas cards. Doreen and Patty and Thank you from Hospice for Martha M. Amy here to clean. She washed walls. Look so clean. Merrill very mixed up. Eugene West said Vanessa Powell and sons are moving into Philadelphia Courts soon. I sent letter for Heap fuel phone interview. I washed white clothes. I called Vi to wish her a happy birthday, but no one was home.

A nice day. Some sun. Some clouds. I talked with Jane in morning. Merrill went to day care. My BP 144/70 and weight 146. Dr. LaPoint 10:30 AM. Blood work, urine test. I had pneumonia shot. She started me on Fosamax for my osteoporosis. Mine is bad. Lyla took me to city. Alice Satter went with us. She visit cousin in hospital. Lyla and I ate at Crystal. I had scallops. We shopped at Ames on State Street.

Cloudy day. A few snow flurries. I worked at Christmas cards. My eyes get so tired. Baghdad hit by larger missiles today. Many heavy hits. 2:30 PM here, nighttime there. Jolie and Zack, Shawn Michael, and Alexis here in evening. Jolie and Zack met with Rev. Jane at parsonage. Merrill very upset in evening. He had a bad day. We got more Christmas cards. We got one of Lydia Grace with 3 pictures of her on it. So very cute.

A few snow flurries in morning, but a great day. Merrill went to day care. They didn’t pick him up until nine thirty. Lyla took me for groceries. We had lunch here and then we went to Evans Mills Bank. Lyla had business there. Lyla is going to trash our trash tomorrow. I called Charlotte to make reservations for Sunday. Made 16 -17.

Grounds white with snow and snowing when we got home. Turned to rain later. Lyla came and took garbage and recyclables to dump. So good to get rid of it. I sent for drugs at Pharmhouse for first. I sent Lydia Grace birthday card and $10.00. Sent Joel card and $50 check. Jim called and said Joel couldn’t make it home. I also sent Hemocult test to Dr. LaPoint. I washed clothes and bed spread. It is in today’s Times that Mary Jean Hagaboom Hymans is dead at 69 years. Bill and Dorothy’s oldest girl. Her husband Harold died 11/24/97. Bev Sampson brought us nice basket from the youth group at church. President Clinton impeached. Desert Fox bombing in Iraq over in four days.

Shawn Michael’s birthday. 7th. He was baptized at Philadelphia UM Church. We had 20 people there. A great service. 77 people in church. Jolie, Zack, Shawn Michael, Esther and Nancy Lawler, Jim, Nancy P, Ashley, Paul, Darcie, and Anthony. Doreen and Alexis, Patty, Mike Saunders, Lyla, Merrill and I. Jill all but Patty and Mike were to Philadelphia Restaurant for lunch and party. Zack, Jolie, Shawn Michael, Ashley, Nancy, Jim, and Alexi came here afterwards. A great day to get together. Shawn got nice gifts and cards. Merrill paid for the lunch. Merrill very upset in evening. He pried the door chain off the back door. I called Jim but hot his answer machine.

Raining all day. Merrill went to day care. Jim called in morning. He and Nancy came out in PM. Jim put dead bolt lock on both doors. Merrill very upset about it. He tried to pry them off with the pinch-bar Jim forgot to take back to garage. I addressed more cards and got them in mail. More yet to do.

First day of winter. Very cold. Snow in places but only a few flurries here. Tina here. Gave her gift of small jars of jam. Amy here to clean. She went to store for me. I gave her an angel key ring. I sent more cards. Also got some. Got more ready. I called Lyla in evening, I peeled apples for pie.

Cold. Snowing here in late afternoon. Snowed all day at city. Oswego got a foot of snow. Merrill went to day care. I made apple pie. Waxed laundry room floor. Washed white clothes. I finally sent last of Christmas cards. Got some from Steve’s today.

5-6 inches of snow this morning. Beautiful. Lots of happy people at last. Jolie called. Also Jim. Vivian was over. Brought fruit cake, candy and horse radish they made. She said Terry McKeever was in accident with Roy Keichel’s truck today. Vivian called at suppertime to say he was home from hospital. June Ridsdale Davis here in PM. Brought us gifts.

Christmas Day. Snowing off and on during the day and into evening. Worse Philadelphia way. Vern, June, Jim, Nancy, Jolie, Zack, and Shawn Michael and “King” here for dinner at 4 PM after Jim got here from work at 3. Jill here for gifts and dessert. They left for home about 6 PM. Joel and Camille called three times but missed them all but Vern and June and us. Good to talk with him. Vern and June gave me new bedspread and Merrill shirt jacket, Jolie and Zack gave me leather dress gloves and Merrill loafer shoes. Jill gave us wicker basket of cheese etc. Nancy fancy pot holder and metal box of candy. Also got pictures of Shawn Michael and Jolie. So great to all be together. We missed Joel.

Nice day. Snow flurries late in day. I put dishes away, got house back in order, got papers ready to burn and garbage out side. Washed white clothes. Lyla called in morning. She had a good Christmas also. Jim called on way to Clayton. He saw 3 cars off road on way. Merrill shoveled snow. Vivian was over with good food from her freezer. They leave for Florida tomorrow. Jolie called from work.

Another great day. We went to church. 44 out. Wayne came for us. He and Nancy gave us big box of chocolates. Nancy and Alice ill. Jan Licomb preached. Jane on vacation. I burned papers when I got home. I called Jim. He called back at 4 PM. He’s getting our pills at drug store. Pharmhouse hadn’t mailed them as yet when I called them. I froze left over food from Christmas. Only casserole, 5 packages of ham and gravy. The firemen were called on our road at 5 AM. I think they were at Marshalls. Only there ½ hour. Jim and Nancy here in evening. They brought my drugs from Pharmhouse.

Sunny and warmer. Merrill went to day care. Chad Dudley here. Good to talk to him about Merrill. It’s his job and he isn’t turned off by it. I washed Merrill’s dark clothes. I sent tax and Heap applications. Vern made them out Christmas day. Vi called. We had long visit. They had a busy Christmas but missed Martha. Dr. LaPoint’s office called and said my hemosult test was positive. We will talk about it at my next appointment.

I washed white clothes. I called Huntress’s to ask about Alice Flaherty. She is in Carthage hospital. J Wagner got off to Africa. She is in England tonight. Rev. Jane called me for prayer chain for Alice. I called Karen’s. Also called Vi. I called Dick Delles about Star program. He will be sending us paper to sign.

Very cold 0° Sunny day. Merrill went to day care. I hemmed cellar way curtains. Lyla was over. She gave me gift certificate $20 for Big M store. I gave her $20 gift. Cold all day. Supposed to be cold tomorrow.

Another very cold night and day. Our water pipes frozen. Robbins can’t come until afternoon. Larry Neville’ house burned last night. Firemen were called three times. Started from wood fire. Tony didn’t come today. McKeever’s brought water for coffee. Temperature only up to 5° snowing hard in evening. I called Jim at work He said it was snowing hard at Adams and at city. A foot of snow in 1 hour at Adams. Linda and Rick got home from Florida. So good to have them back. I talked with Lyla.