Cloudy day. Not too cold. Rev. Jane got here about 9:30 AM. She liked my apartment. We went to see Merrill. He isn’t doing so good. Rev. Jane gave a wonderful prayer. We said The Lord’s Prayer and sang, “He Touched Me.” Also chorus of “When the Roll is called up Yonder”. He heard us. Jane and I spent an hour at Bonnie’s day care. She played Christmas carols and we enjoyed singing them. We ate lunch in cafeteria. I came home by bus. I called Jim, Vi and Vern. Vern and June are coming tomorrow. Lee and repairmen here about window. He caulked it outside again.

A nice sunny day. Cold. Vern and June came this AM. We went to see Merrill. He seemed a little better today than yesterday. He’s very restless. We ate lunch in cafeteria. I got new black oxfords at Barow and Monroes. I called Jim. Lyla called in evening. I got cute pictures of Madison. She looks so much older.

A nice day. Cold. I went to church with Nash’s. Went to see Merrill after. Came home by cab. Merrill tried to talk to me. Wish I could know what he wanted to say. He’s very weak.

Nice sunny day. Cold. Lyla and I went to Pharmhouse and then to see Merrill. Merrill died just before noon today. Lyla and I was with him. Jim got there fast as he was in the city. Vern and June got to apartment about 2 PM. Rev. Dora here. She knows Vern and June. She kept picking on Jim. We went to Theresa at 5 P to finish up final details. I called Sherrie Nash to tell her about Merrill. She called Rev. Dora. Hope and others. Lyla called Philadelphia folks and Elgin and Carmi. I called Merrill’s nieces and nephews. Robert and Cheryl Congdon called. I gave workers at Genesis a 2-pound box of Whitman’s chocolates.

Very snowy off and on all day. I didn’t go to exercise class. I called bank, Charlotte and several called. Dan fro West Virginia, Joel fro Iowa and Jolie from Washington State, Plus Jim, Lyla, Sue, Sherrie, Arlene and Rev. Jane. Sue Boschock here to spend PM. Brought me beautiful flowers and goodies she made. Marion Carvel brought me brownies. I got several cards. Jim here with death certificate. (6 – $60.00) Vern called in evening. He says Vi M can ride to Philadelphia with us Saturday. Sue said it is Lora Lancaster Brown and husband that has the new trailer across from our house on Belile Road.

Snowing again in late PM. Rev. Jane here to plan memorial service for Merrill. She is so great. Such a comfort. Many folks called. Lyla, Juanita, Cheryl, Nancy, Sue, I called Jim and Lyla. Florence in to collect for gift for staff. $5.00. I got several cards and nice letters from Trices’s. They leave December 11 for Florida for winter. I got my telephone book.

Lots of snow over night. Sunny. No school because of snow. I went to exercise class. Dawn not there. 7 of us. I washed clothes. VIP Christmas supper. 4-6 PM. Barbershop quartet. Delicious dinner and great singing. I received several calls. Rev. Jane called twice. Tracy Robertson is going to sing. “In the Garden” at Merrill’s funeral. Elgin and Carmi called in morning. I also had called from Ethel, Ginny D. Darcia, Lyla and Mable H. I received several sympathy cards.

Very cold. Vern and June got here about 10 AM. We went to bank at Evans Mills. Rev. Jane stopped there to get Vern’s eulogy copy. Then we went to Social Security office. We ate lunch at Burger King. Shopped at Pharmhouse for cards. Rev. Dora S stopped by. I received call on answering machine to call Nancy Neil but I couldn’t het her. Also had call from Jolie. June and Vern fixed picture boards.

Cold. Beautiful sunny day. Merrill’s Memorial service at Philadelphia United Methodist Church. Calling hour 10-11. Service at 11. Luncheon after service. The church was almost full. So good to see so many friends and relatives. Rev. Jane Wagner had such a great service. Vernon gave a nice eulogy and many others also responded. John Johnson taped it for us so we can send it to Dan, Jolie, and Joel. Vi went to Philadelphia with us. Vern and June, Steve, Kathy and girls came back to my apartment for a while, Vern got Nancy Neil on phone. She sent fern and flower plant. Mary Hall and her kids gave me the biggest basket of fruit.

Nice day. Partly cloudy. Warmer. I didn’t go to church today. It is a covered dish diner and Sunday school program. Jim and Nancy were here in PM. They took pictures of poster board. I talked with Juanita. Also Sherrie Nash. Him brought me church bulletin. Robin called from West Virginia. There is deer track across the lawn out my living room window. Some folks saw 3 deer around here.

Cloudy day. I got some of the extra stuff put away. I’ve got too many plants. Bill filled holes in my window sill. He has to paint it before inspection. Today would have been our 65th wedding anniversary. We didn’t quite make it. I got our Christmas decorations in evening and put up some. Got several more cards.

Stormy. Many schools closed. Not city school. Sunny in PM but very cold. I got several cards and donations to Memorial fund. Dr. Weinstein 4 PM. I took taxi but he wasn’t in . I walked over to SMC and called cab but it was so slow Linda Beyette gave me a ride home. The Islander’s chorus sang here tonight. Tracy was with them. They are so good. Florence stopped in. Helen Kiechle called.

Very cold but sunny. Frances Soluri stopped by and gave me cookies and box of candy. Six of us Rebekah’s went to Esther T at Sackets for lunch meeting and exchange of gifts. Detra Delles took us. Helen Brown attended also. Delicious lunch and nice time. I called Jim. He didn’t get to his doctor’s yesterday. Looks like we are finally getting a new president, VP Gore conceding to Bush. I received several more cards.

Snow again over night. Cold. Jim stopped y with a picture he had enlarged of Merrill’s family (5 kids then) taken about 1918-19. An Uncle Will Henderson and his new car in picture. We had our Centennial Christmas dinner here at 5 PM. Roast Port. Delicious. Put on by Schulers Restaurant. I talked with Jolie and Zack in evening. Zack feels bad Jolie couldn’t get back for grandpa’s memorial. He said she should have been here with us.

Cold. Sunny. Shirley M here to change my appointment to the 22nd. I got more cards and money for memorial. June Ridsdale called.

Shirley called Florence to get a hold of me about 8 AM to say she could come do my hair after all. She came at 9 AM. I called Vern and June at noon. They were putting up their tree. I worked at thank you notes. Rev. Jane called. She gave me names of folks giving to memorial fund. Rev. Salisbury, Albert and Pearl Payne, Cindy and Ethan, Toby and Donna Morrow and Carl and Helen Kiechle. Windy and raining in evening

Rainy day. Quite warm. I went to church with Jim and Sherrie. Juanita and Brenda here in PM. Terrible stormy in evening. Rain snow and terrible wind. The power went out here for over five hours. The halls remained lit. Power out all over. Jolie called. I talked with Shawn Michael. Nancy called about Marlene’s mother’s death in Times. I also called Jim earlier.

A stormy morning. Some sun in PM. Power finally came on to stay about 5:30 AM. Lee was in. HUD inspector checking apartments, but didn’t do mine. Pastor Dora called. Is bringing church newsletter to fold tomorrow. I worked at thank you notes. Mailed some. Kinney’s brought my rugs and milk.

Snowing lightly. Rev. Dora brought church newsletters for Sherrie and I to sort and get ready to mail. I went to exercise class. Only 1 more left. New class starts January 2. Alice F called but I didn’t talk so we were busy. Rev. Dora picked up newsletters to mail. I got more cards.

A sunny day. No snow. I sent more thank you notes. Alice Porter stopped by. She is Esther Taylor’s cousin. Alice is so active for her age. Almost 95 on December 30th.

A nice day. Jim and Walt here. They went to bank for me. Vern called. They will come after me Saturday. I went to last exercise class. Dawn gave us cookies. I have her card and $3. I called bank. Also sent them checks to deposit. I sent Memorial checks to Shari. Jim brought me a nice candle centerpiece from his Harley party.

A very stormy day. I washed clothes. Rev. Jane called to say she had a memorial from the Bickles from Oswego, friends of Vern and June.

Nice day. Very cold. Vern came after me in AM. Vern and June’s house looks so Christmascy as always. Dan, Robin, Lydia and Jordan arrived from West Virginia about 5:30 PM after traveling since 9:30 AM. The kids are darling. Jordan, all boy at 15 months.

Very cold. We went to church at Minetto. I met a lot of nice people. Steve, Kathy, Kristen and Sarah came for dinner. We had a great day together. 11 of us. All got nice gifts. I got blouse, night shirt, pictures of Kristen and Sarah, bath chair, sweater. Etc. Very stormy in evening. We didn’t go to church in evening.

Christmas day. Cold. Partly sunny. Vern and June’s. Lydia’s 3rd birthday. We had birthday cake for breakfast. Jordan burned his eyelashes helping his sister blow out her candles. Jim and Jill came for dinner. Dan’s left for Robin’s folks for the day. Jolie, Jowl, and Patty called to say Merry Christmas. I came home with Jim. Nancy met us at Adams. They all came to my apartment in the evening. Jim gave me beautiful jacket and skirt. Also tapes that had to be returned as they turned out to be only books.

Cold day. Cloudy. I washed sweater set and underwear by hand. Talked with Lyla. I listened to tape of Merrill’s memorial service. It is such a comforting service. Rev. Jane is so great. Jolie called in evening. Also talked with Chatter box Madison. Like mother-like daughter. Ha. They love the phone.

Snow flurries over night. Cloudy. Lots of snow Syracuse and Oswego way. I sent Nancy P birthday card. I mailed more thank you notes.

Very cold all day 8—10°. Some sun. mostly cloudy. I got pretty pin or pendant form Jolie today. Jessie called to ask if she could come tomorrow. Montgomery Ward stores all closed today all over the USA. I got very pretty pin from Jolie. Can be worn as a pendant.

Cold. Sunny in PM. I took Alice Porter card. Nancy’s birthday. Jessie came just to go to store for me. 1 hour $6. Her work at caregivers is rescheduled because of holidays. Her 25th wedding anniversary was the day after Christmas. Vi called in AM. I called Lyla. I got letter from Clark and Vivian. Also Memorial gift names from Shari. 16 so far. Jim and Nancy here in late PM. They brought me tapes by Lahaye and Jenkins. I called Jolie in evening.

Snowing off and on. Lydia is back from New York. Our hall not as quiet now. Alice Porters 98th birthday. I listened to some of the tapes Jim gave me by Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins. Vern called in evening.

Snowing all day. We didn’t go to church. The Nash’s have flu. Cars not shoveled out. Pauline Roggie called in PM. She was home at Lowville. I called Jill.