On Monday, Dec. 16, my daughter, Marcia Pangburn, came and had breakfast with me. 

Then I went and picked up the DVDs I had made for everyone’s Christmas gifts. I had video taped from 1990 to 99. It is the only way we’ll ever hear Ray and Danny’s voices again. It was the best gift I could have chosen for the family. They were really thankful.

Later my grandson, Brandon Clark, drove me to the NEAT dinner, as it was slippery out.

On Tuesday, I was supposed to go for a cortisone shot in my left knee but I cancelled because it was snowing and slippery. 

There seemed to be a black cloud over us. Danny’s dog, Reba, started vomiting and couldn’t keep anything down. I figured it was something she ate.

I finished wrapping Christmas presents.

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, I went with Danielle and Zoey, who turned six-months old yesterday, to Toy R Us to get her a Christmas present. I bought her an educational toy that she can sit in and place objects in corresponding holes and there are other gadgets.

Reba is only drinking water and still vomiting.

On Thursday, I gave Reba only small amounts of water at a time and she kept it down. I tried to coax her to eat by offering her turkey lunchmeat and then a little dog food. She refused both.

Then on Friday, Dec. 20, Reba drank only water and vomited. I called my daughter, Kathy Neal, and we drove her to Howe’s Cave Animal Hospital and they admitted her.

On Friday evening, my brother, Ken Richardson, and his friend, Maré Badcock, from Greenville came over and brought me beautiful gifts that Maré made. 

There was a candle centerpiece, Santa Claus candles and five adorable chicken candles. I collect chicken items. I have a whole set of dishes with roosters on them.

On Saturday, Dec. 21, Dr. Rummel called me. He operated on Reba because she something in the X-ray that looked like a paper clip or staple. It turned out to be a toy that I bought for her. There were two pieces of cloth, connected by a rope, two eyes and a label printed puppy toy with a cartoon of a puppy. Dr. Rummel had to remove 6-inches of her intestine as the toy had rubbed it thin.

Saturday, Dec. 21, was my great granddaughter, Nichole Clark’s eighth birthday. Her dad, Brandon, his friend, Jenn Smith, her grandmother, Marcia Pangburn, and Aunt Kyra Swan spent 3 hours in Cobleskill with Nichole and Samson bowling to celebrate her birthday. Grandma Marcia took her shopping and bought her a battery operated dog.

On Sunday, Dec. 22, I was surprised by a visit from my sister-in-law, Linda Richardson and my nephew, Michael of Starksville.

I also was visited by my son Dan’s, friends, Tom and Linda Masse of Cohoes. Lisa brought homemade gifts of crocheted dishtowels, spiders from a fable about a spider in the manger where Jesus was born and candy.

On Monday, Dec. 23, I finished shopping for Christmas and presents for Nichol’s birthday.

On Tuesday, Dec. 24, my granddaughter, Danielle Ricketts joined my daughter, Kathy Neal and me for breakfast at my house. Then Kathy and I headed to Howe’s Cave to pick up Reba.

Reba is on antibiotics every 8-hours, only small portions of food four times a day, and only walked on a leash for a short time.

Dan’s friend, Joe Bennett of Ravena stopped by in the afternoon for a visit. 

In the evening I went to Christmas in the Barn with Brandon and Jenn Smith. Nichole’s doll, Baby Nick, was Baby Jesus. Jenn took a picture for Nichole.

On Christmas morning, I was up at 7 a.m. Brandon, Jenn and her son, Iain Bullis, picked up Samson and Nichole at 11 a.m. And then, we all had dinner at 2 p.m.

Our menu was turkey with stuffing and many side dishes and apple pie that Kathy and I had baked.

My guests were Marcia, Kyra, Brandon, Samson, Nichole, Miles, Melissa, Kathy, Gary, Kassi, and Jared Marten. 

A special guest, Tommy Ryan, a dear UPS friend of my son, Dan, stopped by in the morning with his son, Tom, and brought me flowers. Danny had wonderful friends.

The evening was enjoyed with Miles playing Nerf games with Samson and Melissa playing board games with Nichole. Then Brandon and Miles had some close brother time. It was definitely a Christmas to remember.

Adult Bible study

The adult Bible study led by Rev. Bob Hoffman will meet next on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m., at the church hall at the Knox Reformed Church. All are welcome.