Christmas Eve

I am writing this on Christmas Eve, 2022. It has been quite the year. Much happened over the last 12 months.

Pam and I worked on the house, getting the north and west walls painted and two windows replaced. I traveled to Colorado, worked on The Lot, and took a few ATV rides. Pam acquired two new kittens, Vienna and Stirling. Both of our children visited us, along with a few other friends. Pam’s sister, Becky, bought a home in Greene, Iowa, and moved out of our guest bedroom. Regular readers will recognize all these themes (and several more) and, perhaps, will remember the posts detailing them. (Or, you can scroll back and read my previous posts.)

I would like to say a “Thank You” to everyone who contributed to my 70th birthday, particularly Jim Brassfield and Tim Rhodes, who drove up to The Lot to visit and bring me a birthday cake. (Pam had a hand in all of this.) It made the day outstanding.

Speaking of people that get a Thank You, this one goes out to Zach and Sakura Hayes for the “singing” Christmas card they sent us. We enjoy getting all holiday cards, but this one is over-the-top. Thanks.

Pam decorated the sugar cookies she baked for Christmas.

If you would like to see part of this process you can view this short video.

A quick update: Parts arrived for the John Deere arrived, and were installed and tested, just in time to work the latest snowfall. The new lockset for the back door arrived but I am waiting for warmer weather, forecast for this upcoming week, to install it as I have to have the door open to do the work. “Warmer” is relative, but at least the temps will be above freezing (a couple days) instead of the below-zero high temps of the past week. The new lockset is close, but not identical to, the old set and I will have to modify the door jamb to make it work.

As 2022 comes to an end, what will 2023 hold for us? A few things are planned, including my rotator cuff surgery in January. We asked a painter to get us on his job list to get the gingerbreading in the peaks painted. We would like to get the upstairs bathroom upgraded, including a shower already purchased. A search is on for a contractor who will redo the “tower” which needs to be stripped, repaired, and covered with new shingles. And, of course, more painting and siding repairs. Some projects we can do, others will be farmed out to contractors. It will be a busy year.

Looking back, in 2020 I wrote a variation of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as “The Night Before Christmas.”) COVID-19 was peaking and was causing much disruption in our lives, including holiday activities. I thought I would publish it here, set to “Abide the Winter” by William Ackerman.

We send our heartfelt “Best Wishes for Christmas” to all our friends, family, and people who take the time to read this blog.

That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Pam’s Penny

Apparently we have relocated to Antarctica…who knew.

Happy Trails.