Note from Grandma

Hello Paul,
Haven't written for a bit because my computer was down. What a headache. Surprising how much I missed that machine. Mr. Mike (the computer guru) took my tower apart last Sunday and decided it was one of the components that needed replacing. So, to be kind to me and not make me wait for a new part (if it is even available), he put together an older tower that had been used at his workplace and transferred as much of my information on to it for me. It's dated '04 so it is comsiderably slower, but what a treat to have something to work on. And, even some of the so-called updated systems don't respond any better than this.

On to other things. The Charlow ladies and Sara were here last week-end and I so enjoyed their visit. We scattered in different directions and Sara and I did some shopping for her birthday. While searching for goodies for Tannie we found a T.J.Maxx where Gail had found all the Kona coffees. So, we went inside and we found some too. When we checked out, the checker said the Kona coffee comes in regularly but sells out fast. So, I will make it a priority to check for the coffee at the store. T.J.Maxx does have some interesting goods, but to find them I have to spend lots of time hunting. Even with plenty of time at my disposal, I hate to sort through racks and shelves. But, for you, I will make the surpreme effort to get more coffee. Anyhow, I have three packages to send in your next box and I sent a box just the other day. And I will keep up on the Lipton tea. Must be popular because it is completely out.

And, what's with the hairdo - or lack of it. Yul Brenner and Kojack could pull it off but I'm not so sure of others. Soon enough hair thins. And your Dad took after me with his thinner hair. Ah, I do miss him. He was a gem. Maybe it is easier to keep clean with all the dust over there.

Mady was here for a sleep-over with Grandma and she brought her snow clothes so she and I (!) could build a snowman today. Thankfully (for me) it rained today and no snowman. I love snowmen, I collect them all year for Christmas but building snowmen is no longer fun for me. We crawled around earlier this year and I still feel the cold occasionally. But we did build a farily fine snowman. So she scoured my fridge for carrots and outside for sticks for his arms. I found something newish this year called chocolate coal. I had a bag or two to send and she quickly put them aside for herself. She did take them home to have for the next snow.

You know why coal, I hope? One of the older traditions in Europe was to place a piece of coal in the stocking of a child who was not good. My mother told me years ago that this was not just a story but something that was actually done. Her big remembrance of Christmas was the year she and her siblings were given an orange and her Mother actually had enough money to bake a coffee cake for Christmas morning. Mother's life must have been bleak.

I know your Christmas will be lonely, but remember you are in our thoughts and prayers. Oh, how often we say that to you, but believe, we do just that. I will finish. Have to do a house cleaning now that Mady has left. Hard to believe one small girl can leave work to be done. But, she is worth all the effort. Take care, and more boxes will be on the way. Have quite a bit of the white chocolate and just finished a bag of pretzels awaiting shipment in the next box. Love once again, Grandma B.