South Dade Community Choir Performs for Christmas

I am a member of the South Dade Community Choir. Our choir will be presenting our Christmas Concert as follows:

December 1st, 2007 - 7 p.m. at New Beginnings Church in Homestead -

Biscayne Drive by Community Bank

December 2nd, 2007 - 3 p.m. - Keysgate Clubhouse

December 9th, 2007 - 7 p.m. at South Winds Christian Church.

The concerts are full of exciting music and the best thing is that entry is free. What a nice way to start the holiday.

For more information, please feel free to contact me at 305-972-5460.

All I Want For Christmas.....is NOT my two front teeth!

Don't take this e-mail too seriously. Just laugh and go along with it. Live up to the challenge.

Everyone asks...."What do you want for Christmas?" and no one ever answers with what they really want! One year an attorney friend asked me what I was wanted for Christmas. I told him that I was going to ask for mud flaps for my truck. I was truthful...he was stunned that a woman over 50 would want mud flaps for her truck! I received the mud flaps and it was the best gift I got that year! Ha! Everyone knows my red truck is my baby.

In thinking about it....this year...I have decided that everyone should let loose and really say want they want or something that they like. I am going to do just that! Below is a list of things that I just might like to have and won't necessarily buy for myself. I will update this list from time to time as I think of things. Now...before I get a thousand nasty e-mails about how selfish I am, think about it.....I am not saying that I want all of this...I'm just listing some things I think about or things I like.

NOW THE CHALLENGE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I ask that everyone reading this article , family, friend or stranger, leave a comment at the bottom with a little list of their own. I decided it is not being selfish...it's just telling the truth.

Hopefully...this will solve the problem of getting a new sweeper, dust rag, perfume you don't like or something else. Some lists prove to be very varied and interesting.

It goes without saying that all of us would like peace in this world and some of you will say....oh gee...I don't want anything. Come on now...there has got to be at least one thing.

Come on....what would you like.....hints to your spouse.......chores you would like done....family...children.....have at it......send me your list in comments below this story!!!!!!

Crazy things I dream of......

1. A Cargo Space Pack for my pick up - 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 found at http://www.merikor.com/

2. A docking station for my Ipod - the mini one = so that I can play music in my sewing room or any other room.

3. A really good quilt stand or a gift certificate from Joann Fabrics to go toward the cost of one or for sewing supplies.

4. A good pen that writes in blue ink....blue is what I have to use for work. No gel pens allowed.

5. An I-tunes gift card.

6. A comfy chair for my sewing room so that I can sit and do my hand stitching and watch tv.

7. Bright red salt and pepper shakers.

8. My kitchen and family room painted.

9. Dog proof chicken coop with chickens and one rooster. (No...I'm not crazy...just diverse!)

10. Someone to decorate my Christmas tree (the forest usually and I don't do heights) and help me decorate the house...I even decorate the bathrooms!

11. A Rowenta iron for my sewing.

12. A combination machine with side by side expresso and coffee maker.

13. Opal earrings - my birthstone.

14. A male and female finch with cage (my husband will kill me)!

15. A crucifix necklace.

16. A facial

17. Christmas dishes

I'll update this but hope you will respond with your list in the comments. I'll be looking for your comments.

Be truthful!!!! I have it from a great source that SANTA CLAUS READS MY BLOG and besides...it is so nice to dream!!!!!

Grammy's Boy Has Grown!!!!!

Of course you must know that while I was gone for a week on my recent trip, I missed my new grandson, Alex, so much. Yes...I missed his mommy and daddy too and my husband but oh boy....was it ever hard being away from Alex!

I don't know if it was guilt or the desire to see what Grammy bought for Alex that encouraged my daughter, Debi, to bring him down to see me first thing on Sunday. Whatever it was....I'm happy she did.

Our boy has grown. He is big now. Here is a picture of him taking a nap in our hammock on Sunday. Yes...he's wearing his Miami Dolphin outfit before he outgrows it! Ha!

Thanksgiving and Snow in Pa.

This year I traveled to Pa. by myself to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family for the first time in years. My daughter, Jessie, who lives in Philly was also able to join us. My brother Jay and I did all the cooking and baking. We enjoyed every minute of it.

The first day I arrived it began snowing and continued snowing for a total of about 6 inches of snow. On Thanksgiving it was so warm that it melted. I haven't seen snow in years!

My brother Jay lives in Brockton, Pa. behind a home owned by the Fabrizios who present a huge holiday display and takes donations for Make a Wish. It was great to see the display. The family really is dedicated to provided enjoyment to the community.

Please go to the link below to see all the pictures.

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Thanksgiving%20in%20Pa%202007/?action=view&slideshow=true

Tamaqua Class of 72....Friends Forever!

While in Pa. for my mom's party and Thanksgiving, I was able to visit with some great friends from high school. Pictured below are Nancy Fenstermacher and myself with our long neck pumpkins (it's a long story) and also pictured are left to right....Kathy Jones Krapf, Barb Koch Hill, Diane Martin Mountz, me and Deb Meredith Delp. It is so nice to stay close to such great friends.

Surprise!

A surprise party was held on Sunday, November 18th, 2007 at the Elks Club in Tamaqua, Pa. for my Mom, Marian Hollenbach and my Uncle, Robert Krapf (Unky). Unky just turned 70 and my mom will be 80 on December 27th. I flew to Pa. to surprise my Mom and I was the booby prize behind curtain number 1.

We told each of them that it was a party for each other and to keep it a secret. My mom was totally shocked. Classmates, family and friends attended for both of the birthday children.

Please go to the link below for more pictures.

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Surprise%20-%2011-07/?action=view&current=100_2054.jpg&slideshow=true&interval=3

MY BABIES.....

Here are recent pictures of my babies. Alex has started wearing....I mean eating cereal! I think he has more on him that in the belly. Debi is doing well after her surgery and is getting around more with baby Alex. He loves being outside.

THE BIG BAD WOLF AND THE 3 LITTLE PIGS

STARRING

CADE, ELLASON, MCKENNA AND PRESLEY KNOUSE!

Here is the picture of the Knouse children in Tampa. I made Cade's costume to go along with the three little pigs that his mom, Tara, found. Not only are they cute....they are a pleasure to be around! Knouse number 5 is on the way!

ALL ARE WELL!

DEBI - Just a note to let everyone know that our daughter, Debi, is doing well. Debi had surgery last Tuesday and had her gall bladder taken out. She came home from the hospital on Wednesday. I baby sat our grandson, Alex, so Eddy could be with Debi. They are now back home trying to get back into a routine with the baby.

MOM - My mom is now back at her home for the first time in about 4 weeks. You may recall that she went into the hosptial for compression fractures, had a pace maker put in, had a punctured lung and was really down and out. She spent a week at my sisters and went home yesterday. She is week but coming along.

We pray that everyone stays healthy now!