Hi all, I hope your holidays have been going well.  Our family got together and enjoyed brunch and gifts, then we headed over to my cousin's home for the extended family gathering that evening.  We had a great time visiting with each other and catching up on life, having a pot-luck dinner (I made my "famous" homemade yeast rolls that I am always asked to bring - and yes I do love baking them) and then playing a game of Rob Your Neighbor with wrapped $5 mystery gifts that we each brought - everyone young and old participates and it brings laughter for the duration of the game as people try to get or keep the gifts they think just might be the coolest one - one of the teens (Michael) got the most popular surprise gift - and when he unwrapped it he said "Wow, it is just what I wanted!" - of course, he was not being quite sincere, as it turned out to be an ice plate!  (it goes in the freezer where it becomes ice and then plates of food can be placed on it and kept cold).  Someone came to the rescue however, as she really liked the ice plate for picnics and other functions and did not need the cookies she received as she is diabetic.  It always seems to work out that people get something that fits in some way, after some people mingle and trade - others keeping their stuff as I did.  Besides, it is so fun while playing!  Oh - Karen, I ate the traditional moon cookie in your honor as I do every year even though I heard your mom brought her recipe along to Florida recently and you baked them together (I know you had a great time together).  Mmmm it was delicious as always - your mom still makes the best moon cookies!  Later this week my sister JoAnn and I took an overnight driving trip to Chicago to see the King Tut exhibition at the Field Museum.  It will be moving to Philadelphia after this week, and then back to Cairo, Egypt.  Only four cities in the USA were allowed to display it, and we both really wanted to see it.  We met up with Denise and Patrick for the day as they also were very interested in seeing it.  It took us about 3 hours to go through the whole thing and we also checked out the permanent Egyptian collection there - wow they have a lot of mummies!  We also saw "Sue" the famous dinosaur.  The Shedd aquarium was too crowded (a line stretched far around the building at 2 different entrances) so we skipped it.  We instead rode the free trolley around the area to check out a few more sights nearby and eat at Berghoff's Restaurant - great ambiance and fabulous food - the room looked like Bavarian or German.  I had my little digital camera along on the trip, so the pics were not fabulous, but they will do.  Denise had her camera as well - which takes a much better photo, so I am looking forward to seeing hers.  When Jo and I got to the motel the prior evening we hopped on the red line train to Chinatown (3rd largest in the nation) and ate at Seven Treasures.  It was really delicious.  Then we walked around a bit and headed back for a good night's sleep before heading over to the museum for an 8:30 am entry slot.  That is where we met up with Denise and Patrick.  Oh - on the way to Chicago, Jo and I decided to check out the Lincoln Museum for a few hours.  That was also very interesting, and I got a few pics there as well (they allow shots in only 3 places in the museum or I would have taken more).  We saw a film that was pretty cool and the film was coupled with special effects such as our seats reacting to the sounds and lighting that made the shots seem more "real".  On our way out of Chicago we stopped at Holy Family Church as Jo saw a feature on the news before we left concerning a restoration of wooden angels that she really wanted to check out.  The restoration was beautiful - we almost did not get to see it as we arrived as the pastor was pulling out.  He said come back tomorrow but we told him we couldn't as we were driving home but saw it on the news in St. Louis.  He smiled and said he would take us in after all even though he was heading somewhere as he could certainly spare a few moments.  Jo was so happy!  It was one of the things she most wanted to see while there.  The pastor talked with her about the details of restoration and then he showed us the lost arms of 2 angels - they found them the other day stuffed in the rafters up by the organ loft and they were almost lost for good.  The angels had already been regilded, but they are going to take them back and put the arms back on the broken angels so that all are back to original state.  We had a great drive back as well.  What a wonderful stress relieving trip even if it was for only overnight!  The week continued well.  Today I got to take my son-in-law out to lunch (I am off all week so I met him at his work).  I really like being with Frank, and I don't get to do that very often - just him and me.  We had a great time, and I think he would have stayed longer but the end of lunch hour was fast approaching so I took him back to work.  I also got to go on a walk with Karina during her afternoon break at her workplace, it's always a delight to see her.  What a great way to end the year, with people you love.

Hi all,

We had an ice storm on Thursday which knocked out our power at home.  The university was also closed down early on Thursday and shut down until Monday.  Our power did not come back on until Sunday night.  Several of my fish died, but the pipes did not burst (we let the sinks drip) and no food was spoiled, so all is good.  John and I stayed with Karina and Frank during the blackout as they still had power.  Thanks to both of them.  We found out that Marty and Joan did not lose power either so that was good.  Joan said the doctor said he has no idea what is causing Marty's health problems, and Chris has a double ear infection and a viral infection in his lungs but is on medication for both things so should be okay soon.  Hope all is well with everyone.  Hugs!