Chanukah

I volunteered at Congregation Beth Yum to make 365 latkes. I do not like to make them. I do not fry foods. But could not say NO to friend Joan D. I was lucky to make my job drying pots and pans. And I also packed the pans with the latkes and counted them. They are for the Chanukah dinner at the temple. And the Sunday school party where Jack and I volunteered. I helped the kids decorate cookies and make dradels out of a marshmallow, Hershey kiss and a pretzel stick.










We had about 10 cooks all telling how they make their Latkes. We made 375 latkes and used 50 pounds of potatoes.


The G grands came up from FL to celebrate with the kids. These four kids all --have winter birthdays therefore a group birthday cake.
Holden, Lila, Jonah, Adley.


Adley and Emma both got this book written by Beth Ostrofsky Stern. She is Eve's high school friend and now married to the famous Howard Stern. Beth rescues cats and finds homes for them. She also is so beautiful and nice.


Thea and Richard Heimlech and Jack and I drove to Charleston SC for a day and dinner. We walked the Battery and went to Trader Joes's for shopping. This is a big one and such fun to shop at. I bought nuts and dried fruits. I love the shampoo and conditioner that is their brand. Store was very busy.
They have the bet flowers and plants, which I did not purchase.





I hosted the Chanukah party for the Cycle Babbles bike club. 22 people, a gift exchange, and great food. Everyone brought a special food and we bought Publix fried chicken which is the best.



This house is the perfect entertaining one. Big room so everyone can be together.


Nancy and Joel Lerner


The only picture I did not take and it is fuzzy.


Elaine and Ed Applebaum


Maxine Uttel and Jim Patsios


Lou and Morris Drucker


Angela and Howard Mistal


Charlotte a and Steve White


Sheri Farbstein and Howard Rothchild. Gordan F died last Feb. Howard is Sheri's ex-husband from 43 years ago. His wife died from cancer also, about 6 years ago. They are now together. Sheri says Gordan liked Howard and would be happy and approve of her being with him. They can now phone the kids together from one house when they are together in the same city. This is such a nice story.


Sandy and Richard Levin


Betsy and Morry Hess


Marcia and Jerry Mohl


Better picture of Charlotte and Steve White from their holiday card.


Maxine always wears purple. So we though she would look perfect on our purple sofa.


Here are most of the bikers. We also have the people that do not bike and are called, Eaters. We also have three dogs that often join us in baskets on the front of a bike. This is Sassy, the Levin dog.


Dave and Shirley Wright's house. Dog is waiting for Xmas.


I went to the gym for an 8:00 class. There were 6 of us. Then the 9:00 class had 20 people in it. I remember when I was the younger woman in classes. I was 30-40 years older than everyone in the 8:00 class. I am behind the record, speakers with the while hair, taking the picture. I am thrilled to be able to keep up with these women in classes. But how did I get to be so OLD. I remember looking at the people,in the Silver Sneakers classes and thinking how old they were and that I was never going to be in the class. Well, I now have a Silver Sneakers Membership but I exercise with the people in good healthy shape.


Holiday picture of the Lewis family. The kids live from CA, SC and London, England. Donald and Lois now living in Charleston SC.

Thanksgiving in NJ

It was a terrible drive. Jack is not sure he wants to do it again, ever.
We left HHI at 6:00 am on Tuesday for Ellen in MD. It was dark, raining heavy and thick fog for the next three hours. Then there were the traffic jams. The 9 1/2 hours drive took 12 hours. But then we had a nice visit with Sadie and Emma. P.F. Chang's for dinner. We left MD at 9:00 AM in heavy rain and fog. Also traffic. Arrived in Westfield to two inches of snow and COLD, three hours later. But happy grandkids. We stopped at the Bagel Chateau. Bought a dozen bagels for the cheaper weekday price. $8 Monday - Thursday. $11 Friday Thursday Sunday. A container of chopped liver and some nova and a great lunch was had.
This is the arrival into Westfield.


Eleanor G made there cupcakes with sweet potatoes.


Adley and I did hours and HOURS of art projects. And I am not artistic. This is the play dough. She had it least 20 jars of different colors. That she just got for her birthday. He her birthday party with many presents of arty items. There was the large art jar with all kinds of stuff. Make yourself bracelets. We made snow men kites. And there were the puzzles that we did over and over again. We used to do that with Sadie. She. loved to do puzzles. There would be 15 different ones at the house and we would do every one in an afternoon..






There was the hour long bubble bath with Adley. When she finally got our of the water, it was COLD. I had no idea or I would have put more hot water into it. But Adley and Sadie are never cold. Mollie has the cold blood running it her veins. Sadie does not need winter coats. Jim wears shorts in any season. I am COLD blooded.



Grandma Marilyn , mother Eleanor and Lila, age six. Marilyn made many different vegetables for the dinner.


Sadie


Emma


Holden is 5 feet 4. Inches and now taller than me. My white crazy hair makes me look taller


His face is getting longer. And the nose is also changing and getting bigger. He is a tall, lean boy,





This the the final picture of Maya with braces. We do not have one picture for the past two years with her mouth opened and smiling. I asked her to give me this picture as the last one before the braces come off on Tuesday. She has very thick and long beautiful hair. ADLEY has thin hair. Like Eve. And the same hair color as Eve and Holden.


On Friday we went to David Pennock's house for the afternoon and dinner. Kathy P is visiting for a month. And all her kids and family came. A very nice time. There was new and better art projects for Adley there. And they danced to the Wii.
Saturday we drove to the Burg since the K family did not get to NJ because of fear of the bad weather. First Eve made me her special. Hot cooked bananas, almonds in a Grape Nut type of cereal. It was very good. I will have to fancy up my morning cereals. I have given up SUGAR because of high sugar in my blood. And my counts have come down. But no chocolate and I do miss that.
The VH are in NYC. Saw Matilda and the Radio City Rockettes. It took the VH 5 1/2 hours to drive back from NYC to home on Sunday.
Dance class with the Rockettes.





Eve's Chanukah Bush. She always wanted a Xmas tree growing up. I never had any desire to celebrate Xmas . Not jealous. I hung up a sock and my mom put the candy that was already in the house into it. Went to talk to Santa at the Little's shoe store and that was that. Never got a Xmas gift. I do understand Eve.
Maya and Dave with the tree on the top of the car.






We then drove to Pittsburgh to see the K kids. Nathan and Mollie slept over. We went to the movies. Jack and Abe and Stu watched the Steelers lose another game. Good meals and fun with them. I forgot to take any pictures of the kids.
The house in the burg was fine. Grass looks wonderful. And the mailman is still delivering mail even though it is all to be forwarded. Luckily our neighbors check the mailbox and the house for us.
Drive thru West Virginia


It even rained heavy as we crossed the bridge onto HHI. By the time we got to,the house the sun was out and rain was dried up.


Sara Schreibman and Ruth. We stopped in Charlotte for an overnight visit. Mike's nursing home was in lock down because of the flu. So we could not see him. He is very ill and I am so sad for him and the family. This is a selfie that I took.


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Adley and Dave wrote a poem:

Goldilocks and The Three Bears

Adley walked in wood
The bears were making something good
The bears left for a walk, but not to far
Adley came upon a door ajar
She smelled porridge in the air
So she walked in without a care
Tasting each until she found one just right
Relaxing on chairs in sight
Broke chairs left her mired
She adjourned above very tired
Picked the softest bed to take a nap
When returned the bears from their lap
The bears roared a terrible fright
Adley jumped up with all her might
She ran out screaming
But in the end she was just dreaming