December 13th Ruth Wrote

Hey, sorry all! Mom just reminded me yesterday that it's my turn -- I had TOTALLY forgot! I accept the "wet noodle lashes".

Hope you're all well and ready for Christmas. I talked with Mom yesterday about her comment some months ago regarding having individual families come to visit her during the Christmas season. As some of you may or may not know, Mom's been having more difficulty with her back pain in the past month or so. It's some better now, but she doesn't feel up to that many individual meals. What she would like to do (in her own words) is "make a big pot of soup and let whoever can, stop in on Christmas Day whenever". So "Soup's On" Saturday, December 25, after 2pm. I'll be there earlier in the day to celebrate Christmas with her and spend the day.

My Holiday season is wonderful and busy. I've taken this week off from Gracedale and am enjoying Christmas music and Christmas shopping. I was in Toys-R-Us (Montgomeryville) yesterday - hadn't been there in many years -- it was quite exciting and fun for me. The store was quite a bit smaller than I remembered, but still filled with all kinds of fun stuff. As I thought about why it seemed smaller, I realized that last time I was there, I was using a cane and was in a lot of pain, and the walking seemed to go on and on and on. I am quite thankful this Christmas season that my problem could be fixed and that today I am pain-free. Brandon, I wish you many pain-free Christmases after this year!! My prayers are with you.

Jen, Jason, and Josh will be here Christmas Day evening after Mom's (they will be at Mom's too, I think -- haven't worked out that detail), and will stay over until Sunday afternoon.

Wishing the joy of the Holiday season to all -- see you soon!

Ruth

P.S. I checked my email just now and my daughter sent me a reminder as follows: "I know Phil sent out an email about Dan's accident and Vicki sent out an email about Brandon's surgery, but it is still your turn lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!" :):):) Any other wet noodles out there??? Happy Holidays!!!!!