CHRISTMAS PARTIES KIWANIS AND SUNDAY SCHOOL

I am behind posting to the blog. December 3 was the annual Kiwanis Christmas party for Cross Plains. The weather was perfect and in spite of my lack of preparation the event went off very well in my opinion. All of the Kiwanians pitched in and made it work. We serve a stew supper with cornbread for $4 that with donations made more money than the cost of what we give away. We make photos of children with Santa that we give to each child with a bag of candy. We gave away 12 large frozen turkeys, 10 gifts of $20 in a drawing. This year we had to pay for a new printer for the photos and we covered everything with some left over to help other children projects.

The next day I got up and left early to get to a Kiwanis clinic held at the 4-H Center at Lake Brownwood. Our Lt. Gov. owes me one hour. He said the meeting would be 9 - 3:30. I got there at 8:40 and only he was there. I asked where everyone was and he tells me the meeting was at 10 but he said 9 to get us there early. I apparently was the only one with that message. I used the time to make a phone call to Ken Davis. He is at home but using a walker. He was in the hospital for several weeks. I enjoyed meeting other Kiwanians from Abilene, Comanche, Coleman, San Angelo, Breckenridge, Granbury and even one from Oklahoma City. I touted Cross Plains Robert E. Howard and the best small Library in the US. Told them that we would have an international rocket launching contest next year also.

After Sunday School class we held our annual SS Christmas party at my house. Nancy made all of the food and hor'd'oevrs. Members brought desserts with Russ Miller bringing sweet potato pie from potatoes he had grown and pie he had made. Nancy started with armidillo eggs, bacon wrapped artichoke hearts, wonton wraps filled with refried beans and cheese called Mexican Hat cups with lots of dips and chips. I lighted about 20 candles to brighten up the room. We had chairs and tables for everyone to eat the ham and potato casserole, green beans and cranberry salad and then the many desserts.

Jane Bonner had prepared an exchange of the gifts where we all stood in a circle and passed them from right to left as the story used the words right and left. It was a lot of fun that we all enjoyed. I gave my 25cent tours of the house for most of the attendees had never visited me before.

Thursday I met with Mark for lunch before meeting with the doctor that performed my colonoscopy. Mark had gotten up at 1 a.m. due to his work at Lockheed. And that night he and Kathy were hosting the monthly dinner for the parents of patients at Cook Children Hospital where they have served as volunteers for many years. I met with the doctor and she explained how I should eat a lot of fiber, which I do. She listened to my heart and lungs and told me that I was in better health than she was.

I admit that when I ate with Mark I have started having a problem with my right hand being a little shaky the last couple of weeks. I thought it was just stress and it may be, but it is aggravating to have to hold my right hand with my left to get a spoonful of liquid to my mouth. But what do you expect at my age?

Tonight I called Faith Wilcox to wish her a Happy Birthday. One year ago she was born while I was having my first date with Nancy. We will be with them in Ruidoso for Christmas, the Lord willing.