Christmas at the Shallenberger's

Holidays at our house are pretty quiet - but napping on the floor is just to much of a temptation.

This is Molly's reaction to Chet playing with the new Cow clock that Dad got from Santa

Chet, Dad, David, Mom and Carl checking out their new stuff

Merry Christmas

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

I cherish each of you and wish the blessings of this season for you. May God keep you safe as you travel today, and in the year to come. May we recognize through good times and bad that which is important: faith, family, friends. Until we can meet again,

God Bless,

THE Tree

Every year people can't wait to see Mom & Dad's Tree and it didn't disappoint. It's kind of hard to get the whole thing in a picture

Annual Shallenberger Family & Friends Gathering

Once again we all got together at Mom and Dad's house for the holidays. Here are a few pictures, but I didn't get everyone that was there. I'm good with the camera at first, but then I just get to busy having fun to think of it!

Bub explaining to Pam & Morgan whats good to eat

Tom, Doug, Mom, Patty and Jen.

Pam holding the newest member of the family, James III, "Trip"

Mom with the younger crowd, Eric, Karen, Dave (following in Dad's footsteps) and Cody.

Going home again

I had a great time and am really glad I went, but I'm glad to be back home.

Cozumel

We had lunch and Margaritas at Poncho's and Kathy found out that yes, she does like Mexican food. Kathy and Terry "shopped till they dropped" , Bev and I "shopped till we got bored of that!" But I did find a few things to purchase

Our Waiters

Our waiters made the trip special - I think they especially liked Terry!

The natural spring - I forget the word for it - at Progresso was beautiful. The three pillars represents three stars

Progresso

Our guides for Progresso were Victor and David. Victor was especially interesting - he is 73 years old and was born in a Mayan Village. He has been a guide since he was at least 25 (when a group from Richmond VA that he had spent two weeks with paid for him to come to the US for the first time). That's Bev and I up on the top stair of the Temple.

My ship Mates

Bev, Kathy, Terry

"Fun day at Sea"

Arrival in Mobile

My Cruise

Kathy and I leave for Mobile today, where we will meet up with Bev and Terry. Our cruise sets sail tomorrow. People keep asking where we are going, so this is it. I will be back in a week and will post pictures then.

My Grandmother's dishes

These are my grandmother's dishes. The story is that they were a give away at the movie theater in Chicago were my mother is from. My mother and her 5 siblings wanted to give them to their mother as a gift. I have a complete set of 12: 12 plates, salad bowls, cups, saucers, dessert bowls and 12 of each of two smaller plates. There are also two platters, a gravy bowl, a covered dish and an oval serving dish. While I am sure they enjoyed the movies they saw, it must have taken even 6 children quite some time to earn all of this. Did they keep it a secret from their mother until they had them all? Did they have to save up the admission to the movie? I don't know. But I am struck by the devotion they had for their mother to stick with it. We don't have many things from either the Oberts or the Cushings to pass down, but that's okay. For one, it makes the few things we do have more precious. More importantly, it isn't the things that are precious at all - it is the stories connected with them.

Our good friends Tom and Patty came over to play cards Saturday night - not surprisingly the deck of cards were never opened. They make us laugh and laugh. Everyone needs a friend who can do that. As long as you laugh life can't get too bad. Thanks for being in our lives!

I got a new camera to take on my cruise. Chet very graciously sat for portraits while I tried it out and checked the different settings. I think it takes great indoor pictures don't you? I can't wait to try it outside. Now I no longer have to borrow Chet's camera.

Happy Veteran's Day

Thank you to all who have served, and those who continue to do so

Playhouse Square

Went to the Palace Theater in Playhouse Square, Cleveland, Thursday night to see Johnny Mathias. There's nothing like those old playhouses for sound. It was the first time I had been there. I didn't realize that Cleveland has the second largest theater district in the WORLD. It didn't say where the first is. Ohio, State, Palace and Allen theaters are all in the Star Plaza (and you thought the multiplex was a modern invention.) And the Hanna theater is nearby. Of course, there are also lots of restaurants and clubs. It is a very beautiful place with lots of people around. I was going to try to take pictures, but decided postcards were the better option

I just found out that the following song by Lynard Skynard reminds my son of...Me! I take it as a complement:

"Mama told me when I was young

come sit beside me, my only son

And listen closely to what I say.

And if you do this

It will help you some sunny day.

Take your time... don't live too fast,

Troubles will come and they will pass.

Go find a woman and you'll find love,

And don't forget son,

There is someone up above.

And be a simple kind of man.

Be something you love and understand.

Be a simple kind of man.

Won't you do this for me son, If you can?

Forget your lust for the rich man's gold

All that you need is in your soul,

And you can do this if you try.

All that I want for you my son,

Is to be satisfied.

Boy, don’t you worry... you'll find yourself.

Follow you heart and nothing else.

And you can do this if you try.

All I want for you my son,Is to be satisfied.

A concession to old(er) age

I was having trouble with my wrist hurting after doing needlework for extended periods of time, so I went out and bought this stand. I LOVE it! I wish I had gotten one YEARS ago! I can embroider so much more quickly with it - and my wrist no longer hurts! I am excited to try other projects with it - including the wall hanging I made a year ago that is waiting to be quilted (my first attempt). I definitely recommend one of these to anyone who likes to do hand work.

Fall in Ohio

I know there are a lot of pretty places in the world, but it just doesn't get prettier than Ohio in the Fall. Just took these shots of the sun setting and the moon rising. Sorry for the blurry pictures - not my best - but I think it still gets the idea across

I love Fall

We start to prepare for winter

The Harvest is collected

And the fields are put to rest