December 31, 2008

Here it is - the last photo of the day of 2008. We woke up to yet another storm and this is the window over the kitchen. I drove to the Red Cross this morning on very messy roads. 

December 30, 2008

Some REALLY old pictures- way back when I was a toddler. The top one is of my grandmother holding my baby cousin Michael and me. Then the second one is of my grandfather holding us. The bottom one is of my father as a very protective young dad. I love these pictures. They are all around 1955. I have them taped up in front of my computer.

December 29, 2008

I came home from a fire today and found these under the tree. You will need to look at our other blog to see what they are!

December 28, 2008

This is my favorite ornament. It is one of what used to be three, that were given to me by a woman back in the mid 70's. I used to drive her to work . It is the most gorgeous purple color with a lovely design. 

December 27, 2008

Great shot of Larry, Monica and Kelly. We had such a fun evening together with them and their parents Pam and Aaron. They are like our grandchildren and we love them!

December 26, 2008

The cat got this new toy from Santa that has catnip in it. She LOVES this thing. She hugs it, for heaven's sake.

December 25, 2008

Santa wishes us all a Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2008

Two best pals, Bob Ford and Larry. Bob and his wife Barbara spent some of Christmas Eve with us and we took the opportunity to snap some cute shots. This picture grabs the personality of both of these guys.

December 23, 2008

I came downstairs to see my little family curled up on the coach. Larry was watching a video and Elbie was enjoying some petting time.

December 22, 2008

My favorite little mouse. His name is Squeaker. He lives under the tree.

December 21, 2008

After the blizzard buried our bushes, it looks like two eyes wondering what the HECK happened.

December 20, 2008

So, you see, I love the lights at Christmas. This is our tree.

December 19, 2008

Well. This is how I drove home from the doctor's office today. It only got worse. We are having a real blizzard - wind, cold and lots of snow. Very icky.

December 18, 2008

This is Ernie and Carol Giordano. Larry, his mother, and I spent a very nice evening with them. They've been married 52 years and look so young and they act young, too! Really good people. We had dinner and watched "Christmas With the Kranks" which had us all laughing right out loud, especially Larry - he was roaring!

December 17, 2008

Our house, all decked out. I thought it looked real pretty tonight.

December 16, 2008

THIS is what I have to face at work. I'm bringing tangerines tomorrow.

December 15, 2008

My little boyfriend Robbie with his new helicopter!

December 14, 2008

This is pretty much all I have left to wrap! I think....

December 13, 2008

This is where I was last night, wide awake and SICK. I had on my flannel nightgown, huddled under flannel sheets and two blankets, yet I was shivering and shaking for hours, until I finally fell asleep about 4:30am. Today is a little better but I'm still cold. This is CRAZY!

PS. I made two new cakes and they were fine. They came out of the bundt pan just fine.

December 12, 2008

The cake I was making for the Christmas party? Ta da! It's a mess. It all fell out of the pan in pieces. I'm sad.

December 11, 2008

This is what I put on the kitchen table every year. The Santa is so cute with his arm around the reindeer!

December 10, 2008

COOKIE EXCHANGES ROCK!

December 9, 2008

This is the best bread in the city of Rochester, if not the whole country. We have this wonderful Italian bakery called Gruttadauria's that has been here in the city since 1914. Their bread is most like my Grandma's who was from the same province in Sicily. I LOVE this bread. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!!

December 8, 2008

Can you guess what this is?

It's a kinky instrument of torture, given to me by the physical therapist. I have to pull on it (with the surgery arm , of course!) to strengthen the shoulder. You stick it in the door jamb to anchor it and then go through these ridiculous contortions. The cat thought it was great fun!

December 7, 2008

My husband's wonderful hands peeling us an orange.

December 6, 2008

We had an exciting day! Maya came over to visit, so Larry was the happiest guy in town. That man is happiest with pets and kids. And they love him.

December 5, 2008

Our Christmas tree at work, adorned with our pictures in stars! They look like mug shots. I'm close to the bottom.

December 4, 2008

This is Norma's gorilla that sits at her desk at the Red Cross. I think he's adorable. 

December 3, 2008

Remember Flossie, the horse in front of the orthodontists office? She is now all decked out for Christmas.

December 2, 2008

We went to the cemetery today to place a wreath at my aunt and uncle's gravesite. This was my aunt that died last year in Virginia - my father's sister. She was a mother to me when my own mother was non-functioning. My cousins are like brothers. I was surrounded by my father, grandmothers, grandfather, aunts and uncles who took care of me.

December 1, 2008

How could I resist posting this? Harley came over to visit, scared the cat half to death, and then practically ate Larry for dinner. That dog is hilarious. Look how happy Larry is.