Christmas is here. Ready or not!

There is a lot to write about and it has been a long time since I have updated this blog.

I am in Penryn now. I arrived here the afternoon of Christmas Eve and have had something going every day since I arrived except yesterday. Christmas Eve we were at Landisville at Karen's house with the Galebachs.

Ethan received a banjo by Fed Ex the day before Christmas...guess Santa is shipping because of all the restrictions on your luggage on air travel. His second cousin, John Landis, another banjo player and floor sander, gave him his first lesson!

Then next day Chanda made Christmas dinner with a capon from one of the Landis boys I think. And that evening we went to Mary Alice's house for more food, such as these cookies we were only allowed to look at. Ma Galebach made them, so that makes them over 22 years old.

Gracie entertained us with some Christmas music on her new banjo. Video to follow when I figure out how to do it...with a little help from Brittany, I hope.

The day after Christmas, Boxing Day, (Why is it called boxing day?) we went to Jessica's house for a late breakfast, or brunch and saw Brittany and Will. Chanda and I were there and Elliott came down with Mom and Dad.
back row: Elliott, Will, Brittany, Jessica, Chanda, Glenda
seated: Dad and Mom Photographer (not pictured): George


Saturday night we went to Karen and Mark's for the annual Christmas party for all the old friends. And they are getting old!! We had a fun conversation talking about Penryn in the old days. And who all lived in what houses and owned what houses at different times over the years.


These 2 unrelated twins lived in the same house in Penryn at different times...Sue Newcomer Kopp and Pat Bruckhart something.

Just another Oklahoma sunset?

Or my birthday cake with all the candles lit as seen looking south towards Oklahoma City from Guthrie?

I had a very nice birthday yesterday. No cake but several singing phone calls. Thanks to Ma Galebach for all those music lessons she had her kids take! And I went to IHOP with a couple of friends and the waiters sang to me there too. They were loud but I don't think they were trained voices like Mary Alice's and Dad's. I had some ice cream there. I chose a strawberry sundae and then they only had chocolate ice cream so they gave me the strawberries on the side and the ice cream was way too chocolatey for me.

Some of you reading this may not realize how old I am now. I am not quite over the hill...maybe next year. I have this one last year before I reach middleage...Here is a hint or 4...

1. I am closer to 50 than to 40
2. Mary Alice was 12 when I was born and that was the first time she was allowed into the hospital as a visiter
3. Jeff Bridges and I are exactly the same age
4. Chris and John Landis are one day younger than me (and a few years)
   

Now my birthday is over and it is time to get into the Christmas spirit.

Hanging of the Greens

Tonight I went to a Christmas party at Oklahoma City University. It was the Hanging of the Greens and a buffet for students, faculty, employees and the community (that would be me!) We had little sandwichs, little meat balls, veggies and dip, crackers and cheese, and a little pumpkin pie tart. They had hot apple cider and lots of cookies. There was music and food in the Student Union and then some trumpeters led the group to the chapel for the actual Hanging of the Greens, with more music and liturgical dancers.

My friend, Nancy, picked me up and another friend, Linda, also was with us. Who says there is no free lunch? Ok, maybe we were expected to give a donation...????

A tree in the chapel was decorated with Chrismons.

What is the "Hanging of the Greens?"

Many churches hold a service of preparation for Christ's coming, which includes hanging greenery traditionally associated with everlasting life. Greens such as cedar for royalty, fir and pine boughs for everlasting life, holly symbolizing Jesus' death and ivy representing the resurrection are used.

My first blog!

The title of my blog comes from the Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer Hudson hit from Dreamgirls. I love the song. But this blog has nothing to do with the song. I just thought it would be a good title for a blog. I hope I can manage to get the video on my blog. This is my second time writing this post because I hit some key by mistake which gave me an error as I was trying to add the video. Chanda, her girlfriends, and I went to see the original Dreamgirls show on Broadway in the 80's. I really liked it and I think it won a Tony in 1982. It was supposed to be based on the Supremes. In the late 60's I had been to see them at F & M College in their gym. That was maybe the best show I have ever seen.





Well after a LONG time waiting for the video to upload I am going to cancel and just include the address...so go for it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y05er2lEEXc There are a lot of similar videos but I watched a few and I like this one the best. And now it won't cancel...

Thanksgiving

I guess that anyone who is reading this knows that I have been sick. I feel a lot better now but still not normal. Food is a turn off-the thought of it, the smell of it and the sight of it. I can now drink liquids without forcing myself, but nothing really tastes that great. It was not one of the best Thanksgiving Days for eating for me. I actually had some good friends with whom I ate. We had turkey, baked sweet and regular potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green beans, and some very delicious home made cranberry relish. I offered to bring the succotash but they turned it down. What's wrong with lima beans, my favorite vegetable? Afterwards we talked a lot and played some cards, gin rummy, not pinochle or hoss!

I hope all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving dinner!