Our Father Time

Old father time is taking a nap to get ready for another year. Liz is home from Egypt, James is in Florence with no luggage... there is a rumor that their luggage may make an appearance today... we can all hope. Everyone seems to be getting back to the day to day routine of everyday. Brian worked on a picture of the Funeral Home showing off the Christmas decorations... it is quite beautiful. The pictures and the job the boys (as Mom would say) have done is a delight to behold. I am still catching up on my sleep- this season was exhausting.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-12-29-india-travel_N.htm

good reason NOT to go to INDIA

Liz called

Liz called today from Aswan - an Island which she stayed and could only leave by boat. She is very anxious to leave Egypt and to come to rest in her bed in her own home. The kids would run around chasing her, wanting to kiss her hand because she has such white skin. The men continue to make garish remarks, "don't you feel cold" trying to get Liz to cover up. Then there are people begging them to buy things all the time. Jenni is home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin around 12 hour driving. Now we gear up for New Years then we start all over again with a new beginning. I do look forward to getting more sun light, I hate the darkness. Does anyone have any News Year Resolution, if you do I would love to hear them.
I do have one story that was brought to my attention when I asked for "a story's about a favorite Christmas or Birthday gift".
James reminded me of the Birthday when he had everything "Maple" he had pancakes with maple syrup, then a maple flavored cake with maple flavored frosting. Just thinking about it makes me get a sugar rush- it was a birthday that I will always remember and so does James.

After the ....

Liz has written again- "Sorry I haven't been in contact in a few days, Luxor hotel had no internet access at all and the internet cafes in town were so slow that I couldn't even log on. We are in Aswan now arrived last night, the hotel is on it's own island so the only access on a off is by boat. So now can say that there isn't a mode of transportation that I haven't used. We are here until tomorrow then fly back to Cairo and get the plane back the next morning so I will be talking to you soon." I am glad to hear Liz is well... the places she talks about it sound so exotic and old world...yes I know they are thousands of years old but it just seems "fantastic".
We are home from our travels and we had a wonderful holiday with all of our families.

In Philadelphia

I am celebrating Christmas with my NJ family in Philadelphia... we are overnighting in a Holiday Inn Express and will be heading home to Williamsport tomorrow. Jenni.... boohoo is going home on Sunday Morning. No news from Liz, she is to be in Luxor last I knew. James dropped me a line and said they are doing OK but THEIR LUGGAGE WAS LOST. Can you image, James you will have to find clothes with no Logos in Italy (do they even make any clothes without logos in Italy). They are in Rome and doing well.... hope they find their luggage soon. I will let people know when I hear anything. I am feeling very stressed from the physical work I have been doing. I will sleep or at least doze all of January!

A Christmas Message

Merry Christmas Eve

A message from Liz

Merry Xmas Eve!!!

Just got back from the day trip to Alexandria, I don't know how many times it will take me to learn not to take a road trip in a third world country. We left at 8 am this morning and just got back, traffic was a nightmare. Other than that we leave for Luxor tomorrow morning. I tried to call Dad today on that crazy phone of mine, I got through but he couldn't hear me, I could hear him though. So tell him it was me this morning trying to wish him a Merry Xmas. Now the phone doesn't work again so I think i will give up on that.Have a great time tonight, I miss you all and will write when I get to Luxor.
Brian has a beautiful picture of a Cardinal, my favorite bird because of the red so check it out
http://khingkobra.blogspot.com/

December 23th

It is the 23 of December, Jenni and brain are out visiting Gary’s work, it is 8 degrees outside, there is snow on the ground. It seems Christmas holiday has started because it is quiet outside. We are having pizza tonight- Grandad is coming for dinner if the weather stays drivable. The house is full of decorations and presents. Liz is in Cairo, here are some emails she sent me… “Hi, I am in Cairo now, we arrived last night. I still can't get the damn phone to work and I don't want to waste any time more time on it, so I guess you will have to wait to hear my lovely voice until I get back. Tell Dad the story.
We arrived late last night, what a trip over here, I was exhausted and kept saying to myself that I will never do this again. But today we went to see the pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx, it was amazing. I think I am just going to hang around here tonight do get some rest. This is a very old city and polluted but not as bad as India. All the little Egyptian kids touring groups following us around and saying Hi and giggling, they are cute.
I will try to send an e-mail update every couple of days. Lots of xmas here at the hotel, big xmas tree and 24x7 xmas music, strange.
… I hope all of you are enjoying the holidays, I will catch up with you soon,…..
We are getting along well, there were some strong windstorms today so very sandy. Tomorrow we are going to Alexandria on a tour for the whole day. Glad to get out of the city, not very nice here, just a step above Delhi. The men are very aggressive and say things to that we don't understand, I'm sure sexual.’

Liz is on her way

Liz made it to Heathrow Airport and then into the air to Cairo as far as I have heard. Her network at home broke the night before she was to leave so she was not able to print out her boarding pass. She spent 2 and 1/2 hours waiting to just get to the first counter. Liz told me she hates British Airways... she was to arrive in Cairo by Sunday 5 pm. I will put a note on the blog when I hear anything from Liz.

Decorating the House

Christmas is coming... Jenni is on the road home- a 12 hour trip to boot. Well we are busy decorating the house, it wore me out this year. If Brian is away and can't get home to help next year we will just have to put up less decorations. I still have cookies to make. Liz will be on her way to Egypt tonight... she has a blackberry so she will be able to keep in touch with us.

An old doll make new

I hope you enjoy this fireplace... you can set it to play in a loop and it is like you have your own fireplace... enjoy the sight and sound of winter!
Mom told me about a Christmas when things were leaner than usual for the McKernan family… Nanny took an old doll of Mom’s and used some of her own hair to redo the dolls curls along with sewing new clothes out of old scraps of cloth to dress the doll up and gave it to Mom so she would have a present for Christmas. Mom told me the story when I was young and recanted the story later in life but I have heard enough stories to know that Christmas was not a happy time for Mom. We might not have gotten everything we wanted but we never WANTED FOR ANYTHING.

Fievel

Jenni called me with a Christmas story today. It took place the year when the movie “Fievel -AN AMERICAN TALE” was popular. The main character, Fievel was sold at Sears and Jenni begged for Fievel until Christmas morning. She remembers coming down in the morning and the first present she spied was a big clumsily rapped package with a bow on top, she ripped it open and yelled its Fievel… I love my Fievel. A very special place was reserved for Fievel, it was the only toy Jenni sleep with until on another Christmas morning “Jesse” showed up- Jesse was a Cabbage Patch Doll with horn rim glasses and was able to hold a crayon. Jesse and Fievel were Jenni’s favorites for many years to come. My memory of Jesse was- that I went down to the mall to purchase Jesse when I was on bed rest from a surgery on my neck several weeks before. The rest of the family went to NJ without me. Gary still reminds me that I was to be on bed rest but if I hadn’t bought Jesse, Jenni could have been scarred for life. Just kidding, Jenni did love her dolls

How things change

It is midnight and I am watching "The Bishops Wife" the old b&w version with Carey Grant... I looked at the clothes the people were wearing and it made me laugh. The women wore a plastic type boots… it reminded me of the boots Mom wore. They came to just above the ankle, they wore them over your shoes, a tab, and a button hooked over to keep the water out. The women must have frozen, the boots had no lining, and they never wore anything but dresses with stockings. Women didn’t wear tights or leggings, I remember one Christmas years later I was getting my first knee high boots and Mom wanted to know if they fit. Therefore, I went into their room, sat in the green leather wingback chair, and closed my eyes as Mom put the boots on- it was so silly but Mom loved to surprise us. It worked I loved the boots. Liz conveyed a story of when she was very little, it was Christmas Eve… Carl and James decided to tell her that they could hear Santa and his Reindeer on the roof and she had to go to bed, she believed every word and was delighted that she actually caught Santa on her roof. The boys thought it was a joke but the last laugh was on them because it has been a wonderful memory for years.
Gary was 11 years old and it was Christmas morning. He woke up and was directed by his parents to stay upstairs until everyone was ready. His father was at the bottom of the steps getting ready with his 8mm film camera, the camera came with large floodlight type bulbs mounted on the top of the camera; they impaired their vision for hours. He came into the room and discovered a flexible flyer sled hidden behind the couch. He spent many happy hours flying down hills around his house.
I have put out a request for stories of Christmas or Birthdays that were special... I remind everyone that I am still waiting for some of you.

Finally my train is here

The Christmas count down is coming quickly so here is a little taste of my decorations. Watch out for the speeding train. It looks like it is moving quickly but in reality it hardly moves but ... I just got an idea I will film it and but the real thing in action so just wait until you see it in real time!
I have reported that Gary was having a MRI or something like that... we have to wait to see the Neurologist for the head results but Gary has a small stone in his ureter and we have to wait until he passes it. So if you hear a loud YELL from central Pa you will know that he passed his stone.

Brian's back is better today so he just has to take it easy.

Justice

I have wanted to do this for the past 8 years. I don't know why the man was mad but President Bush makes everyone so mad... I think that he does what we all would love to do... what the hell are you doing Mr President?

Puppy Cam

Here is a clipse of Puppy Cam, thought to be the most watched Web Cam of all time and here is the link to watch for streaming video. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shiba-inu-puppy-cam

Getting ready for Christmas

I talked with Liz today and in January she is to go to San Diego for training. All I can say is that I have been watching the bad weather up and down the East coast and I am really worried for Liz but time will tell. Liz leave on the 20th for Egypt... that must be so exciting. I just don't have the energy to go and do anything myself. I have been getting ready for the holidays, all 3 Spies did decorating from dawn to late in the evening. I finally found a 20" round train set that fits on the front room table with Brian we are getting it ready to be revealed... I will put it on the Blog when it is ready. I shot video of the fireplace and I am editing it and that also will make an appearance on the blog. I was out shopping and for 2 weeks before Christmas it didn't seem very crowded. Well I will continue to keep you informed.

The News Fit to Pass On

The governor of Illinois has been trying to sell the Senate seat, we have a plan to bailout the automakers with 14 billion dollars, protestors in Greece are rioting because of political scandals, a cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe has claimed 776 dead with many more injured, the people of this country are sick and tired of big wigs trying to claim the bailout money for themselves and this news is just the headlines. Jenni’s trivia team WON again, receiving the highest score for themselves ever-43 out of 45 correct. The people running the Trivia contest are going to bring in some "heavy hitters" to beat her team because they always win! Also, Jenni won her trial today. The people in the court said that her POWER POINT presentation was as well done, as any “high price” firm would present. Hoorah for Jenni. Brian through his back out again so he is one bed rest for two days and it is driving him crazy. They may want to operate which is the last thing he wants so everyone put good vibes out into the universe for Brian back to get better.- thanks

News

No much happening, Gary had a CAT scan to see why red blood cells in urine probably nothing but better to be safe. We when out to get Christmas tree because the temperature became more tolerable to go outside- it seems like a short one but we will have to wait and see. I video taped the fireplace so I can have a DVD so.... I can watch it without making a fire. Brian put in his Yale application... another just have to wait and see thing to do. Jenni has been very busy with a trial, she picked a jury yesterday, not heard from her today. Liz got a Blackberry so if any problems in Egypt she can call home (I am very happy about that). The NYT stock is now so low- the economy is so depressing... then we have the Governor of Illinois is trying to sell the seat vacated by Obama to the highest bidder, I am afraid to listen to any news.

Just for Laughs

I go around the net and find what I think are funny... how could a Dragon Holding a Crystal not be funny well, I laughed!

Sad News

Time goes so fast, Liz was telling me that Leslie Lessig has breast cancer and that reminds me that Laurie Spies had breast cancer and survived it -she was in her early thirties. People come into our life and their passing marks, at least for me a place in my heart. It is hard to comprehend that Uncle Jerome was only is his fifties when he died and now I am in my fifties. Jerome caused his own death by drinking and not seeking help. When you have a disease thrust upon you, meaning that you have to check up and live a healthy life then you can’t be angry at the results. Some people even eat inappropriately like my dad and get away with it, he is lucky. I know that I didn’t want to have a colonoscopy because Mom had one and she died of something else but they found four polyps and they removed them so maybe just maybe it saved me from colon cancer. Taking care of yourself isn’t fun but if you can have a simple test or change something in your diet, I stopped taking Premarin, or medication maybe I won’t die of what killed Mom- ovarian cancer.

Went to Johnstown

Went to Johnstown, waited in a new uncomfortable office. Got my shot, long ride home-arm hurts, going to rest.

On the road again

Finally after many days of waiting the Thanksgiving video is ready to be seen. Hope everyone enjoys it. On another note lets put a good vibe out in the universe for Liz... At&t does not look good because of all the lay-offs and because they have Liz training to climb the poles (no joking) so think good thoughts. Dad came over for a homemade dinner.... bread (not knead bread), lasagna, & delicious chocolate-chocolate cake...ummm. Gary and I are off to Johnstown on Friday. I met the new Dentist today ... have 3 minor cavities (damn drugs dry my mouth).

Not much new

Working on my video and relaxing... going to the Dentist tomorrow, lucky me.

Three cheers for Jenni today... first she made a Buche de Noel, it was her first attempt and it seems that it was a success, second- her team the "Juicy Fruits" won again and they all had a delightful feast on their winning from last week's tournament. Onto Brian... he picked his studio today... he was told that it will be finished soon, when it is I will post a pictures.
I am hoping to invite Grand-dad down for homemade Lasagna tomorrow.
I went to Macy's yesterday and purchased something... I talked with the sales clerk about coupons and sales.... told her I was willing to come back down to get the best deal- it was discussed not just once but many times over the entire conversation, it was a small item and she reassured me I was getting the best deal. But I came home and the flyer said later in the week the item would be 40% off not the 30% that I got. It just makes me mad at myself for not bringing the pamphlet with me to the store and the store clerks for not being aware of what sales will be going on later in the week.
If I had a patient and the family came to me and said, "I want to go home (a plane ride away) how is my mother?" I read her chart and talked with the doctor (which is what I would try to do as a good nurse) and know two days from now she is going to have a surgery that wasn't yet discussed with the family, do I say to the family that today she is great go home, (keeping in mind patients can always just die) or should I say- "I think it would be a good idea to talk to the doctor because he may have scheduled some procedures for your mother and before you make the decision about going home it would be in every one's interest to talk with the doctor." But to just look at what is just in front of you is short sighted. That is just my opinion and I will be going down on the weekend to take advantage of the 40% off!

New old News

Liz or Elizabeth as I insisted that we call her when she was named but, onto the new old news... Liz and Dad were talking and he discussed a story dealing with my Uncle Bobby. Bobby died in the Funeral Home in the 1970's I believe... he had always been like a traveling sales man but he sold VA insurance. Unfortunately Bobby liked to drink, we all knew this, inspite of his drinking at least to me he was a very friendly nice man. I remember the year Mom had him down for Thanksgiving Dinner and the food was being passed "past him" and he was finding it hard to get any food on his plate. But, Dad told Liz that when Bobby was very young- they owned or managed one of the Hotel/Taverns in their past. Well Bobby was playing with a friend by the frieght elevators in the hotel and he pushed a button, his friend must have been under the elevator and he was killed. Bobby never got over that experience and the family felt that is one reason he drank as much a he did.