We started our Christmas Celebration. This morning Emma was wonderful. We went to a breakfast with my siblings and my children and grandchildren came with also. It was so much fun. It was at a restaurant so no one had to cook. We chatted and laughed. It was fun.

After Becky took me shopping for a few things. Then we had Rosa while the kids went to a movie. Emma took a big nap. I got a batch of cookies made and also played with Rosa. We will have a quiet evening watching It"s A Wonderful Life". It will just be Emma, Greg and I tonight. Greg is making Pork Roast for dinner. Yummy. We thought perhaps the kids would stay for dinner but that did not work out which is fine.

Sunday we have a gathering with the big Weinand Clan. I think over 50 of us will at the Northland Inn for a brunch. His brother is generously treating all of us to their delicious brunch. There will be little kids for Sophia and Rosa to enjoy. It should be enjoyable. Last year we had our own separate room in another restaurant but not this year. I think it will be delightful. It is too big a group to have in our homes anymore. My home is too small anyway. So yeah I will see all my kids tomorrow and Monday too.

I have some wrapping to finish but am done shopping I think anyway. I worry too much about if I have a good celebration planned. Sometimes difficult news helps you recognize priorities.

I have a friend with MS who is in serious condition due to health problems. She will probably not live long though the issues are NOT due to MS. She is elderly. Jeanne is a wonderful woman. She is so kind warm and loving. She has been a role model, a mentor and a friend for many years. Things are not going well for her. There appears to be nothing more modern medicine can do but keep her comfortable. I hope to see her tomorrow. I love her so much. She also really likes Emma.

It reminds me that the gifts, the cookies, and the food do not matter really. It reminds me again that the gift of presence - of being with people you love is what matter most of all.
I knew that but sometimes you can use reminders. Please pray for Jeanne. May this chapter of her life be gentle on her body and spirit. May she and her son and grandson find peace in these days of the Christmas season. She has also many wonderful friends because she was a wonderful friend to many.

Sorry to end on a sad note.
Emma and I will have a relaxing night. Hope you can have a good night or day.

Mary and Emma

Our Christmas Celebrations begin tomorrow, Saturday. Breakfast with my children, and my siblings. What a great way to start the day. I am looking forward to it.

I am writing this Friday night. I am waiting for Greg to get home. I am not sure if he will have the pep to do some last minute shopping or not. We still need to get groceries for the holidays.

I did not get a nap today but had a relaxing afternoon. This morning I got my haircut, went to brunch with a friend, and we shopped at one store. This afternoon my son Danny came over and spent time with me. We had a good time. I also did a few small chores. Now I am resting. Too late to take a nap but good to sit and watch the news.

Today it was so funny, I was looking all over for Emma. I was calling her name and then found she was so close to where I was sitting in the first place. She was just under the table. I thought she had gone into the bedroom. She looked at me as if to say "I am right here". The weather was milder today I am guessing near 32 degrees and that made it easier to play outside with her. She loves that.

Snow is predicted Sat-Sun. I am glad I am not traveling up north or to Wisconsin. Sounds like it might be bad weather for those folks. All of our children are in town. All of them and my granddaughters will be here Christmas Eve. Yeah for that.

I plan to blog each day but if I don't please don't worry. It will be busy time for me like all of you. I will however try to get naps in Sat and Sunday and maybe an early one Monday. I need those to deal with the MS. i can't forget to do that so I can enjoy times with my children and grandchildren.

Here's wishing you treasured times with family and friends now and during the holiday season. Good luck to people like me who might have a few more gifts to buy.

Mary and Emma

PS Emma loves when my kids visit.

Emma and I babysat but only a few hours alone. Mike was home most the time due to his back injury. Then we went to Greg's work for awhile. We met some friends for dinner. The day just flew by.

A dear Aunt sent us Oranges and Grape Fruit from Florida. A wonderful tradition ever since I was little. Due to medications I can't eat grapefruit but we will make sure others eat it. The fruit is so yummy. Tastes good in the MN winter time.

I am enjoying Christmas cards though I didn't get any sent. Tomorrow Emma and I are going to get my hair cut, to brunch with a friend, and maybe to one or two stores shopping with that friend. I am tired so going to bed to rest up...even though it is only 8:15 here. Chores will have to wait till tomorrow if I have time.

Emma is loving the snow though we have had some melting. A bit more snow is predicted Friday night and Sunday am. It will be a white christmas.

I can't even think to be creative - I am so tired. More on Friday. have a good day.

Mary and Emma

While Emma's companionship is a support I am a bit stressed over the holidays. I have four children no let's say five children (Tia my daugher in law included) in town. Justin also that makes six. He is Becky's boyfriend of many years. Okay so sometimes I think I told them all info and found out one will say "you never told me that". So because I was worried about things last night I wrote them all an email. It was too late to call them.

I explained when the Gundersen Christmas Breakfast was (Sat - where and when), where the Weinand Christmas Brunch was (Sun - where - when and bring food items for families in need), and our plans for Christmas Eve Day and Night. Some other info was also included.
It was right before I went to bed.

Well I made a comical mistake. Everyone one else was correct but instead of emailing Dan Weinand my son, I did Danny Delmore. Well DannyDelmore is the mortician that worked with us when my mom died. I am still chuckling thinking of his surprise to get my email.
He probably knows who I am because he knows my husband Greg. I guess I was rushed or tired or something.

Tonight we celebrated Sophia's 8th birthday and that was really fun. This afternoon we went to hear my MS specialist talk and there also was a holiday lunch sponsored by one of the drug companies. So no nap today either (none yesterday). Tomorrow I help with Rosa again as my son can't lift her due to his back problem. I hope she naps so I can catch a rest also. She is so good though I love watching her.

We also went shopping a bit today for Christmas. I could have cried. I was tired, overwhelmed and just couldn't think of what to buy for a few of my children and Greg. I will have to shop one more time. My daughter Becky gave me a few suggestions when I called her as I blinked back tears. I was frustrated partly because it was crowded and it was tough managing the scooter, and the dog,...also I just was too uncertain on what to purchase. I will try again Friday or Saturday.

I decided to give up on sending Christmas cards as that is not done. I sure enjoy those I get but next year will do it right at Thanksgiving so I get it done. I That's what I did last year.

Too bad Emma can't help me figure out gifts, and get organized on things. I can't drive myself so I can't go to a store unless someone drives me. Most things I have but there are still a few things I have to purchase...

I need to get to bed and get a good nights sleep. Emma was very very good all day today. We left at 9am and got home at 9 pm. That is a long day for both of us. No wonder we are both ready for bed.

Hope you are not stressed about the holidays. I will work on calming down if that is possible. I love time with Rosa and look forward to that for a few hours tomorrow. Normally I only do one day a week for about four hours depeneding on my health.

I will be in better shape tomorrow. Mary and Emma

I don't know what is going on. I wrote yesterday and no entry showed up. I also wrote earlier tonight and checked and it did not show up. Emma and I are fine so don't think something is wrong with us.

Monday we were home all day. I worked on Christmas presents (my daughter in law reads this so I can't say what yet) and other things around the house. I needed the quiet day I guess.

Tuesday we babysat a few hours. My son Mike was home some of the time due to a back injury at work. he can't lift 'Rosa so can't watch her alone at this time. Rosa was delightful. It is Sophia's birthday so I was pleased to see her afterschool. We will celebrate with her Wed night. I hope she likes what I found for her.

Emma was good for me when I babysat. Tia was taking Mike to a MRI in the evening so we offered to take Rosa home with us for awhile. The little sweetie slept in the car and in the house for over an hour. Then she was so happy and fun to play with. Greg and I have various characters like a beach Santa, Santa, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Oscar, Rudolph and others that all make music and talk when you push the button. Rosa like them all. The sesame Street Characters are together on a sled. I think that was her favorite. She shook her head "no" when we wanted to play the more traditional Santa. She is not a Santa fan yet. I don't know who had more fun my husband, or Rosa as we played together. We just love time with her.

Emma however was jealous tonight. When I was playing on the floor with Rosa, she sat right on my lap (Emma not Rosa) to be sure I knew she was number one. On the couch she cuddled up tight. When Rosa left I had a phone call. I was on my bed to talk and Emma parked herself as close to me as she could. Her head on my body, she needed that attention. A little extra TLC was what Emma needed and now all is normal.

I will see if this works. i hope so. I am sleepy so off to bed. Wishing you a good day.

Mary and Emma