Jan happenings

Not a whole lot happening here, but we do manage to keep busy. Jan 16 we went to Worland to Clint & Sara's wedding. That was fun and everyone looked beautiful and happy. The rest of the pics are on my picasa site. Check them out.

We have just been doing our usual stuff. Seniors on Mondays and Wednesdays, Senior bus to Cody on Thursdays, card game at Griffins on Thursday evenings, coffee at Lucille's most mornings, and then back for lunch sometimes too. Now and then we eat at home.

Thursday, the 28th, celebrated my B'Day early at the Elk Horn as Fendt's were going south to visit relatives, and the others work when the weather is good. It's been good lately. This was the only time we could all get together until mid Feb. It was fun and I had a margarita because my Bday card said I could.

New Year happenings 2010

We ushered in the New Year with a card fest at Griffins. Although when the ball dropped in New York at 10:00 our time. We called it a night. I was disappointed in the view we got on tv as it didn't show the ball up close and I really wanted to see it. It had Waterford Crystal pieces in it and we were there. Anyway after it started down the pole it went behind a big Toshiba sign and that was that.

New Year's Day the Longs came by for a New Year's toast with our new Maker's Mark (the Kentucky whiskey).

Pat came down the 2nd for a visit and to get her Gma fix. We had a good time. Went out for dinner at the Elk Horn where Alice bought our drinks for the New Year. That was really nice. Sunday we went to Church at 9:00, then out to coffee/breakfast with the Cody Church people. That was fun. Got finished with that at 11:25, so hurried home for a potty stop and then back to Lucille's for lunch. Shrimp dinner was the special. After that Pat headed home.

She brought my bills and Christmas cards so I don't need to go back until next week when I have to get my driver's license renewed. Paid the bills this morning and half are dated 2009, but they were already sealed in the envelopes, so ....... I'm sure they get lots with the wrong year for January every year. Think I only did four of them wrong. Caught the rest of them. Not too shabby for me.

Christmas activities

GGma and I didn't really go anywhere this year, as usual. Gave all my kids strict instructions to stay at their own homes or go to their in-laws. Don't come here. I don't want to have to worry about you in a snowstorm or some such.

Christmas Eve we went to the Oasis for some Christmas cheer with the Longs and took a couple of pics. That was in the afternoon. That evening we were invited up on the hill to the Porters for some Christmas snacks and cheer. It was really good food and they serve wine or champagne. Was a fun evening and good food. More pics there. Check my picasa site.

Christmas morning Gma and I opened our gifts and went to 9:00 Mass. Fr. Daley was the celebrant. He has been cleared by his doctor and the Bishop to come back and do Masses.

Went to the Irma in Cody with the Griffins for dinner at 11:30. Saw the Fendts there but weren't seated anywhere near them. Did get a bit of a visit though when we went to the buffet. Were home early and took naps, then had our happy hour and ate some of our goodies. We have lots.

It was a very nice peaceful day and the weather was decent.

Fr. Daley was back for a 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday and said he will be back for New Years day and the Sunday after. Fr. Dube has gone back to Nigeria for a month. He is scheduled to be back the end of January sometime. Might be interesting to see what happens then. He likes coming to Meeteetse too. Fr. Daley will probably be here every Sunday as long as his health allows. But it is kinda iffy. His determination will no doubt see him through his pain.

Went to Cody today as the bus isn't going to run New Year's Eve. John would take us if it was really a necessity, but no one had anything that couldn't wait. He told me going for lunch didn't constitute a necessity. Darn!! So Gma and I went this morning and had lunch at Our Place. Got enought stuff to last her when I go back to Hardin. That depends on weather. So far its looking good for the first of the month.

Sunny Southern California

I'm back from a trip to Sunny Southern California. Went to my cousin's wedding and it was beautiful. Check out the pics on picasa. The bride was glowing and so were all her family. The reception was great. Gracie got to dance a lot with several different people. She and "her brother" were doing quite well on the dance floor. Libby had fun too with the baby sitters. At least I think she must have. Her mother got away without any crying. She played awhile then slept.

When I arrived in California Gracie, Libby, Lexie, and Mary picked me up at the airport and we went to Seaport Village for supper. Wandered around for awhile looking at the lights and decorations before eating at the Pier Cafe. It was kinda cool after the sun went down, but I was fine. Lexie borrowed my heavy sweater and she really liked it. It did look good on her too. She was hoping I would forget she had it on, but I reminded her when we dropped her off at her house. I needed it in Salt Lake and Billings.

Friday we went shopping and the little girls got to see Santa. Libby didn't care much for that, but Gracie did. I ended up getting a new dress, a skirt and blouse, plus some other stuff. It was fun. Haven't done anything so rash for years.

Saturday was the wedding, Sunday we just rested. That evening we met the Dwyers for dinner at the Yard House. They serve Bailey's Coffee there and have Guinness too. I had Bailey's. Not as good as in Ireland, but there wasn't that Irish atmosphere.

Monday we were to go to Disneyland, but it was cold and rainy all day. In fact it was cold enough I had to wear my heavy winter sweater in Sunny Southern California. Can you believe that???? We thought about going to a fish museum and then driving up the coast for lunch, but it was just too miserable to go anywhere. However we did go to the movie in Murrieta. Saw "The Fantastic Mr. Fox". It was cute. Mary and I liked it, but Libby only lasted halfway through before she wanted to explore. Of course that distracted Gracie and she got bored with the movie too. She seemed to be enjoying it though until she got more interested in what Libby was doing.

Tuesday I left. It was -10 in Billings when we landed. Pat brought my tennis shoes and my scarf which was good. I needed those.

Got the oil changed in my car Wednesday and bought a toner cartridge for my printer. Thursday the weather was above zero and the sun was shining. Wind died down and roads were clear so I came back to Meeteetse while the getting was good. Now I'm back in business. I can print and I remembered to bring my cord for the computer so I don't run out of battery. My cell phone works, but I don't get a lot of calls. Hmmmm.

Men of Worth

Gma and I went to a concert tonight at the school cafeteria. These two guys were really good. One is from Scotland and one from Ireland. They play celtic music on different instruments. There were two guitars, a banjo, a Toys R Us remade banjo type guitar and a mandolin, plus two goat skin drums. It was a most enjoyable evening of music and storytelling. They just told a few funny stories. But they did give some history of the area they were singing about, or where the songs were written. They weren't the usual tunes you hear all the time, but were definitely Celtic. They even sang some in Celtic. Don't think I've ever heard Celtic sung.

It was a 2 1/2 hour program and we went a 1/2 hour early to get a good parking spot and good seats. That was a long time for Gma to sit. She was pretty stiff when we got up, even though we stood up at the break time. They had a 10 minute break and sold CDs and had info on tours to Ireland and Scotland. These tours go more into the music parts of the countries. I didn't pick one up. Not ready to go back yet. I haven't digested our last trip.

Went to Cody on the bus today and our waitress in Sunset House said she wanted to go the Meeteetse to hear these guys if it wasn't snowing. She was there, so I guess it didn't snow. There were quite a few people from Cody there. Sure was cloudy and dark today. Maybe I'll have to shovel my way to the house in the morning.

scanner

I fixed my scanner all by myself. Guess I just needed a good night's sleep to calm down and follow directions. It said I needed to unlock the device and replug it in. I couldn't find an unlock place yesterday and pushed all buttons I could find. Today I found the unlock button on the bottom of the scanner which I thought was a place for batteries or some such. But there is a little unlock symbol on it. Did that, replugged it in, and it works just like always. So I've been busy scanning the old portraits. Don't know most of the people but they are interesting looking. Have also been taking pictures of all the treasures I brought home. Will get those up one of these days. I'm not done with the dishes yet.

Home again. Home again. Jiggety Jog!

I'm back in Mtse again.

My computer wouldn't connect to the internet. Had to call TCT and was talked through several things which didn't work. Today they sent a guy out to the house and he couldn't make it work either. He had to call for extra instructions and they finally reconfigured the isp or something like that and it works. So I'm back in business. Hooray!!

Gma and I got back from Napa in between snow storms. It was good weather the day we came home and the roads were dry until we got to five mile hill. There was more slush on that one than on South Pass. Was just wet and slushy, but not bad. It was icy on our road out of Mtse, but again, not too bad. And we were home!!!

Its been cold ever since, but hasn't really snowed any more. We did have a few flakes now and then, and a slight dusting on Sunday morning. Its supposed to warm up some now.

Got the car unloaded into the trailer. Today I picked up the three big heavy boxes I mailed and brought them to the trailer. Will have to go through all that stuff and repack it according to which kid will inherit what. I'll take some pics and post them for you so you can choose some of it.

We got everything done that we could do. Cleaned out the house, attic, and 3 sheds. However one shed was rat infested so we just left everything in that one and let the shed man haul that. He was to come and haul off all the sheds and whatever was left in them. I did look in the rat shed and there were probably some treasures there, but they would be ruined anyway. There were a couple of shelves of books and old 78 records. I couldn't read the titles from the doorway, but they were no good anyway.

Went through the other two sheds and there were lots of crafty stuff that Spuddie made Christmas decorations with and stuff like that. Lots of old fancy jars and bottles that went to Goodwill. The ladies made two trips to the thrift shop and Goodwill with stuff. There was still a load to go when we left. I got everything I could in the car and the rest just had to stay there. Gave Susan a couple of boxes of glasses because they sort of matched the ones she had already taken. She doesn't know she's getting them. I think there are quite a few Payne pictures in all the picture and letter stuff, so will send it to her after I scan it.

The train set will go with the tool sale. We boxed up all the loose pieces, but left the track and attached buildings in the attic.

So, my dear children, when you come to visit next summer leave space in your vehicle to take back some stuff.

More later.