The Week

Herb Glazed Chicken - Amanda loves to make this delicious Coast favorite with chicken breasts to counterbalance the healthy meat with the unhealthy (but yummy) coating of peach preserves and butter glaze. We have been enjoying this dish in our family for over 30 years. She, Cody and Will invited me for dinner one night this week and we feasted on this chicken dish.

I also got my monthly younger look applied to my head - a cut and color at Korner's in Barkeyville - my beautician of choice - Darlene Hanna. I have been going to see her for almost 20 years. I like things staying the same. It gives me a sense of family everywhere I go. I attended three days of ankle therapy for my 'broken' ankle that I thought was a sprain. While there, I saw an old neighbor, Mark Dunn. He and his son used to live across from us - we gave them the boys' basketball hoop stand when they weren't using it anymore.  I don't think I could ever move away - I like knowing people everywhere I venture in my own little world here in Northern Butler County, Eastern Mercer County and Southern Venango County. Mom and her friend Kaycee stopped in for a visit on their way home from seeing the Vatican display at the John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh; Mom's Christmas gift from Doug and Mary Kay. They loved seeing all of the history and spendor. Agway was here yesterday to adjust my water system and get the water on the right track.Handyman Jeff stopped in a couple of days for coffee chats - he is keeping me grounded lately with his visits and joking. This time last year Todd was buying lots of gifts with his first Social Security Disability check - he was living up his last Christmas with a smile and a tug on everyone's hearts. Bittersweet.

My most exciting day of the week was Saturday; Becky loaned me her kids for the day...for tons of fun. She was readying for the Foxburg's second annual Christmas for Kids dinner and party this coming Thursday night. She had to buy gifts for about 20 kids and then wrap them. A couple of helpers and eight hours later; they were done. In the meantime. the kids and I crafted and ate and crafted the day away. We used old Christmas cards of my Grandma Russell's and made some ornaments and boxes. The kids had so much fun and so did I!!