Cold all day. Sunny. I washed clothes. Jolie called at suppertime to say she got the job in the bank. Takes 2 weeks training. Zack is already working extra job on security on weekends. Jim goes for ultra sound.

Nice day. Kind of cold. Donna to give me perm. She got here about 3:30. Left at 6 PM. Madonna Home called. Merrill has lost nice pounds. He is doing better without so much medication. Vern called in evening June is working on my diaries. Vern sound as if he’s enjoying it also. We got thank you card from Huntress’s.

Cloudy day. Merrill to Dr. Mapack , Podiatrist. 2:30 – 4 PM. Cecelia and Jim took him. He slept through it after all the fuss about it. Baptist church supper for seniors. Lyla was over in AM. I sorted letter in the holders on kitchen cupboards. Jim has called twice today. He is not feeling well. Goes to Doctor Tuesday for test reports.

Raining all day. 48°. UMC Bazaar 9 AM. Lyla brought me 3 dozen home made donuts at $3.. Joyce an Sina and Nancy and Wayne made them. Delicious. I ate 3 for lunch. I got Christmas card with note from Juanita. Got invite to birthday party for Vi Mowers. 85th on December 12th at Susan’s. Her birthday is December 15th. Jim called in PM He will be out tomorrow to take me to see Merrill. Joel is coming December 23rd.

Raining in AM. Sunny in PM. Warm 65° I went to church. Wayne, Nancy and Alice came for me and brought me home. We had 76 in church. 46 in Sunday School. They packed cookies to send to our adopted platoon in Bosnia. Jim and Nancy came out to get me and took me to see Merrill. He was pretty good. He hurt his thumb. He got it caught in his bed as he fell. Jill’s friend Darrell shot a deer. My arthritis bad today. Rev. Jane asked that we be thinking about a building project for church basement so we can have more Sunday School rooms. Genesis had very pretty Christmas tree in lobby.

Rainy. Clear in PM. I wrote and mailed several checks to pay bills. Lyla was over. She called Loren trader last night. Gilson gaining slowly. Loren is finally a grandfather. His daughter, Sharon and husband had baby boy Aaron 7 pounds 2 ounces. Anniversary of Vera’s birthday same day of Gilson’s operation. I put door wreaths on doors. We got anniversary and Christmas cards from Loren, Sandy, and Ed.

Colder and cloudy. Pearl Harbor Day. 58 years ago. Kim from Genesis called about money for Merrill’s hair cut Thursday. I called Jim about it. Nutritional Center sent shelf food care package for winter storm days. My arthritis terrible all day. I hate to move. I called Ginny. We leave at 11 AM for Esther’s. We got several cute pictures of Madison. How I wish I could see her and Shawn Michael. Jolie called in evening. She had called Jim earlier. Jim called in evening. Dr. Maise told him his ultra sound showed he had cyst in his kidney. He is to see doctors for his kidneys and one for his stomach problems.

Cold and cloudy in AM. Sunny in PM. I called June and Vern in morning. Vern gone to visit school. Rebekah’s Christmas party at Esther’s in Sackets Harbor. I went with Deidra Delles. Vivian and Diane. 10 of us there. Esther had nice luncheon. A good time was had by all. Decided that we would exchange a $5 gift next year instead of $3. Joyce Griffin called when I got home. We had nice visit. Lyla called. She went to see Dr. Khon today. All set for her operation on Monday.

A great day. Like summer. June Ridsdale here with her usual gifts. Also brought me some tree lights. She left and Amy came to clean. We got down tree and decorations. Got some of them up. The washbasin hot water faucet was leaking. I called Jim and he said to call Robin’s. Lyla came to take me over town but Toni didn’t come until 3 PM. Lyla had just left. Vivian Trise came as he left. They are moving to Colton Saturday and leave fro Florida Monday December 13. I hate to see them leave. They will be home April 15th. Janet can sell the house for them. Alice Flaherty called in evening.

Raining. Lyla took me over town and bank and Big M. Got two poinsettias plants. I’ll take one to Merrill tomorrow. I called Jim in AM. Washed some clothes. I returned signed letter to Dr. Majeck for Merrill. My arthritis bad today. It is in Times that Genesis has laid off 17 employees. Looks like there will be some changes for Merrill. I wish he was in Samaritan Keep. Jolie and Madison called about 11 PM. Madison jabbering a mile a minute. She had been for her 3 shots. She weighs 13 ½ pounds and is 24 inches long.

Cloudy and cold in morning. Sunny and warmer in PM. Our 64th anniversary!! Clark and Vivian moved the rest of their things to Colton today. It will be sad to see their house dark. Jim and Nancy came out after me at noon. Merrill was in a bad mood in AM. He wouldn’t get dressed. He hanged after we got there. Jim and Nancy went shopping and I spent all PM with Merrill. I took him a pretty red poinsettia for our anniversary. I have one like it here.

Cold but a real nice day. I went to Sunday School and church with Huntress’s. Alice F and I came back here with Margaret K. Then we all went to Vi Mower’s 95th birthday p arty at Watertown. Lots of folks there and she sure was surprised. Lyla took us. She is a good driver. It was a nice party. Jolie called in evening. I also talked with Shawn Michael. Jim and Nancy were here while I was gone and couldn’t find me.

Cold. Started snowing around noon, Ground white. Jim called in AM. Charthouse called to say they had my Alphagan eye drops. Margaret K called in evening. Lyla’s gall bladder operation. I called Kathy in evening. Lyla had the 3 hole operation. They are keeping her overnight. She had a lot of adhesions. She will go to Cheryl’s tomorrow PM. Michele Rennie from 801 brought me nice gift bag she made for all the folks she delivered hot meals to. She is such a sweet person. She gave me her phone number in case I ever needed anything.

Cold. Snowing at 8:30 PM. I mailed 3 bank statements to office of again for Heap. Sent Shawn Michael birthday card and check. Sent Lyla card with note and $5 to Cheryl’s house. Lyla went there from Carthage hospital this PM. I played 33 ½ records on my old re cord player in evening. Haven’t used it in years. Taped Christmas songs on cassettes. New radio not working so used my old one. Jim was on TV local newscast telling people how to protect their home from burglars. He did a good job and looked good on TV. Snowing hard in evening but beautiful with all the village and school lights. Linda B had Christmas lights on her house and garage. A good night for my old records. The spirit of Christmas. Snow plow by for first this winter at 11 PM. We got lovely family picture of Steve, Kathy. Girls are so pretty.

Great to see snow on the ground but it is melting fast. 45°. Kathy called to say Lyla didn’t get to leave the hospital yesterday. Hopes to today. I washed clothes. I’ve enjoyed playing the tapes I copied from our old Christmas LP’s. I had a call from Sandy Fagan. She and Ed are moving to Newark. Ed is already working there and staying with Gloria and Roger. She leaves December 31st. Jim came out after work and got the cot bed. Also got Vern 10 fence posts at Amish store. He and Nancy were planning to take them to Oswego tonight. Jim has a new red and black Chevy truck with a cap. Very pretty. He got it yesterday.

Windy. Some rain. A few snow flurries. Cold. Amy here to clean. She went to store for me. I gave her Christmas card and $10 for Christmas. I got cute picture Christmas card from Dan and Robin with Lydia and Jordan’s pictures on it. Alice F called to ask about Lyla. I called Jim in evening. Jim has appointment with Dr. Sherman. He wants him to have a CAT scan and see a doctor about his stomach in January but doesn’t feel it is anything to be concerned about.

Cold, sunny I called Lyla at Cheryl’s. She’s doing okay. May go home to Philadelphia today or tomorrow. Charlotte Tryon McGregor called this AM. I sent McGowan’s Christmas card, letter and Christmas check.

Sunny and cold. I called Jim and Vern’s. We decided to bring Merrill home for Christmas day. Hope Vern and June can come as Vern has his hand operated on December 21st. I sent Lydia birthday card, letter, and $10. Jim here in PM on way to Nancy’s. Brought my eye drops. Got back bank statement fro office of the aging. Esther called in PM. She is having a surprise birthday party for Ken January 6th at Ponderosa in Pulaski at 6 PM. Very cold I evening. Jolie called in evening. I talked with Shawn Michael.

5° this morning. Cold all day but very sunny. I went to Sunday School and church with Wayne. I came home with Margaret. We had 11 in Sunday School. A good class. Tonight is their Sunday School program at 7 PM. Nancy and Wayne gave me cute pair of candles. I have an itchy rash on my upper back and neck. I had to take off Jolie’s friendship necklace for the first time since she put it on me last July. I can’t wear my life line either. I think I’m allergic to my new medicine.

Cloudy raining windy. Shawn Michael’s 8th birthday. I stopped Vioxn and went back to Relafen. Also stopped new BP medicine. I’m still taking Atenolol and ½ water pill. I called Jim at work. He had his CAT scan this AM. I washed my bedding to get rid of the _________ (no word there). Family Christmas supper at Genesis cafeteria at 6 PM. I ordered a $15 fruit basket for Wayne and Nancy for Thursday. I called Genesis. Nancy answered. She said to call back tomorrow before 3 PM about Merrill coming home for Christmas. Jim called in PM.

Cloudy most of the day. I called Madonna Home. Merrill doing okay. I didn’t get to see him last week. I hope he still knows me. Community Christmas at Baptist Church. Wayne called to ask if I needed a rid but I didn’t want to go to it. Vern’s carpel tunnel operation. I called them in evening. All went well. A simple operation. They will pick Merrill up at the nursing home Saturday about 11-11:30. I got letter from Clark and Vivian. They are at Park St. Lucia, Florida. I received so many Christmas cards this year. I got one from Ester Lawler.

We are finally getting some snow. Eugene said about 140 folks attended Baptist Community church last night. Six car pile up on 81 this AM because of bad weather. Debby called form Gouverneur. She got home Sunday. She has a friend, Laclaire, with her. Debby hasn’t been home for two years. They came from California.

Some snow in morning. A lot south of here. Sun out in PM. Amy here to clean. She went to store for me. I made a cake for Saturday. I sent Sue L and Esther Lawler Christmas card with note. Jolie called in PM. Talked with Shawn Michael and Zack. Shawn Michael never got his birthday card and check. Joe Durgin delivered a real nice gift basket to Merrill and I from the youth group. Vi called in evening. We had a nice visit. I also talked with Vivian Myers about our Vioxn pills.

Sunny day. 50°. Very cold over night. The ground is still white. Great for Christmas. I baked a ham, made salad, set table, and got other stuff ready for Saturday. I can’t work very fast anymore. My hip sore today. Jim has called twice today. He called Vern. The boys are picking Merrill up at 11 PM. Joel and Camille got here about 3 PM. Took them over 17 hours because of the weather. Lake affect snow. Dan’s and Steve’s are at Vern and June’s tonight for Church and Christmas together. Wayne called and asked me to go to Christmas Eve service but I didn’t think it best to get out in the cold I opened my gift from June R. A #2 box of candy and a pair of blue bedroom slippers.

Cold, only a few flurries here. The boys brought this dad home for the day. First he’s been home since he entered Genesis June 14th. So great to have him home again and fill the house with his presence. It was beginning to feel like it is only my house not ours. Jim and Darryl came first and helped me get last minute things done. They couldn’t stay as they were going to his mother’s. Jim, Joel and Camille met Vern and June at Madonna and helped get Merrill into Vern’s car. It wasn’t easy. June has 8 loose leaf books of my diary printed in large print. Just so great. She also gave me one of her beautiful cross stitch picture. Got several other nice gifts. So good to al be together. Sue Lucida called. Jolie called twice. Good to talk with them all. Lyla called also. They left about 4:30 PM. They got Merrill back okay. Jim called later.

Cold. Windy. Snowing lightly off and on. I went to Sunday School and Church with Wayne, Nancy and Alice. Kids didn’t show up for Sunday School. 49 at church. They had 186 out for Christmas eve service. Baptist community service had about 140. I’m tired today. I got stuff put away and house straightened up. I’ve enjoyed reading my new diary books. Brings back so many wonderful memories.

Sunny day. I feel tired today. Washed some clothes and froze some of left over food. I called Jim. He’s taking week off while Joel is home. He is taking me to planning meeting Wednesday. I called Genesis and office for the aging for ride to eye doctors on Thursday. Got pretty Christmas card from Jolie’s. It is in Time tonight that Ida Mae Horton 85 (Carl’s mother) died yesterday.

Very cold. – 28° over night. Very cold all day. Jim called in morning about tomorrow. I called drug store I hung my lovely cross stitch picture on wall It’s so nice. June made it. John from Carthage called to say he would be taking me to eye doctor Thursday. Eye center called to remind me of my appointment. Debby called in early PM. She, her friend Louise Laclaire from California and Jericho came for supper and evening. He has clanged a lot. He’s 4 now. Jolie called when they got back to Gouverneur and want to take me to Ken’s party January 6th.

Sunny. Much warmer. A few flurries over night. Jim and I went to meeting. 4 others there. Genesis planning meeting for Merrill. Jim came after me. Nancy was with him but I forgot to tell her happy Birthday. Linda Scanlon called as we were getting ready to leave and said Merrill had just had some kind of a seizure. We went right to nursing home and found him wrapped in blankets and on oxygen. They gave him EKG blood and urine tests. I stayed with him until after 6 PM. Fed him some soup, milk, juice and coffee. He isn’t talking much. Slept a lot. I called Vern’s and Debby in evening.

Cloudy early. Sunny rest of day. I rode to Genesis with Debby and Louise. My eye appointment at 2 PM for pressure check and field test s. Vern and June came and took me and then brought me home Merrill not alert. Nothing seemed to reach him. Lyla called in evening. Jim called in evening and said he would come and take me to see Merrill in morning. He was staying at Nancy’s so Joel could use his bed.

A nice sunny day. Jim and Nancy came after me. I spent the day with Merrill. Jim and Nancy brought me home. Jim was working in evening for the city’s “first night”. Merrill was responding some but he wouldn’t eat. He swallowed a little liquid. Debby and LaClaire stopped in to see Merrill. They planned to go to Canada. Lyla called. Also Jolie. Jolie and I saw the New Year 2000 in together on the phone and our TV’s.