Thank You Friends A WORD OF APPRECIATION  FOR THE KINDNESSES OF MANY

How fortunate we were with all the special kindness at Christmas. Thanks for the visits from the Reiersons, Duane Jagiello and his group, Monica Ehman, her family and friends and Tony Menke. We also appreciated the thoughtfulness of Dave Jones,  Marilyn Allen, Jane Grubbs, Barbara Alefeld, Lois & Bud Burnes, Sheila Espinoza , Barbara Ammora, Rick Gibbons and Peg Igo's family. ActivitiesSome of us had fun making gingerbread houses and coloring Thanksgiving and Christmas pictures. So much went on at Thanksgiving and in December; it was truly a busy time.We sang silly Thanksgiving songs and enjoyed singing and listening to Christmas carols. We each got a stocking and gift cards from the Reiersons. The Ehmans put on a fun auction where we could bid for great  items with play money! We put on the nativity scene with golden haloes for the angels, sang the appropriate carols and read the scripture. We watched slides of African animals and plan to see slides of the Holy Land. In our "What's Up?" time, we enjoy sharing what we've been doing. We really get into sports a lot! Our holiday meals were scrumptious.  Devonna brought three groups to Kathy's house for ice cream and

goodies and Christmas chit-chat. A good time was had by all..

We continue with two daily exercise groups. Some chose a DVD titled Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone. This DVD has a great warm up and uses movements as if you were holding a ball in each hand. Whether you use a weight or not you feel this work for your arms and helps in ones balance. It feels good to keep our bodies moving and healthy. Our exercisers and walkers or swimmers are, Luanne, Steve, Patricia, Brian, Joan, Rick, Carla, Peggy, Marilyn, Cheryl, Rose, Lucille, Tim, Mike, Kathleen, Johanna and Dan Z.

Dan Z. has lately been picking some Muddy Waters or Lamont Cranston for music appreciation. Luanne: Van Morrison, Kathleen is still and enjoying the Bee Gees, Lucille: Barry White, Wanda picks one of her favorites from the musical Carousel or Sound of Music. Mike still requests what he calls "the usual", John Lennon's "Imagine" and Dylan's "Knocking on Heavens Door". Steve: Survivor. Carla: George Harrison's, "Sweet Lord", Tim: Isley Brothers, Chaka Khan. Peg: Charlotte Church. Patricia: Carley Simon, Sam: Stevie Ray Vaughan. Johanna: Beatles or Moody Blues. Brian: Sam Cooke, Cats Steven, "Father and Son", Ronnie: Michael Jackson, Lee: Beethoven. Rosanne: Prince. Closer to Christmas it was fun to pick various artists singing our favorite Christmas song.

Novel November

Amy Johnson Residence

November and December 2016Newsreporter XXX11

We did not have any resident November birthdays, so the vote for lunch outings were Arby's, Wendy's and Red Savoy. Arby's lunchers were Patricia, Patty, Carla, and Joan. At Wendy's were Marilyn, Cheryl and Luanne. And at Red Savoy's were Brian, Dan Z., Sam, Lucille, Wanda, Tim and Kathleen.

Our newest addition is an adorable flame point Siamese named Sunshine. She is a charmer. She doesn't meow but gives delightful chirps followed by a hearty purr.

Library lovers for this edition were Marilyn, Rick, Ronnie, Tim, Rosanne, Lee, Joan and Kathleen. We have been going once a week for our DVD checker outers. In December, we have been going to the Rondo Library since they have an underground parking lot and we will return to the lovely George Latimer Library in the spring.

Dazzling December

We have two December babies. Wanda choose Bakers Square and celebrating her day for lunch were Luanne, Steve, Brian, Johanna and Carla. Lucille chose Red Lobster. Those going with for this seafood favorite were Rick, Marilyn and Kathleen. The third lunch outing was Best Steak

House: Sam, Dan Z., Patty, Patricia, Ronnie, Tim and Mike. Our Movie Critic's Corner for December was split: the movies were Trolls and Allied at the Woodbury theater. Trolls got a thumbs down and Allied got 5 thumbs up. Those who went to Woodbury were Luanne, Ronnie, Tim, Dan Z., Kathleen and Patricia.

Our party with the Reiersons was so much fun! Those that enjoyed their company were Luanne, Steve, Patricia, Brian, Dan Z., Johanna, Patty, Wanda, Joan, Rick, Carla, Peg, Lee, Ronnie, Kathleen, Cheryl, Rose, Sam, Lucille, Rosanne and Tim.

There were so many great things in December. Some went to Kennedy High School in Bloomington to their choir's holiday show. What great talent with a beautiful stage and

wardrobe changes to fit the set. Ronnie, Kathleen and Tim enjoyed this seasonal delight.

We had such a great time at Kathy's house for holiday fun! Ronnie, Tim, Kathleen, Carla, Brian, Steve, Patricia, Joan, Peg, Marilyn, Lee, Lucille, Patty, Dan Z., Rosanne, Mike and Johanna went to her lovely home for Christmas cheer.

After dinner one night we loaded up the van and saw the Lake Phalen light show and surrounding area to look at lights. With the warmth of the van and the lights off we drove through the

beautiful lit scenes of elves, penquins and other fun sights as we had Christmas music playing in the van. Tim, Kathleen, Rosanne, Patty, Ronnie, Joan and Carla went on this evening ride.

Our mystery ride was to the Bachmans in Minneapolis. It was fun to see all the decorations, glitter and trinkets. It was nice to take in the greenery and flowers surrounding the cafe. There are not many places one can have coffee amongst the flowers in Minnesota in December. One can almost pretend you are visiting a warmer climate's bistro.

Our Sunday Bingo players for November and December were Joan, Cheryl, Ronnie, Marilyn, Patty, Rosanne, Kathleen, Johanna, and Dan Z.

We had a fantastic time bidding with Shorty, Monica's dad. Thank you Ehmans and friends! Those who bid with our real life actioner, Shorty were Kathleen, Luanne, Wanda, Carla, Lee, Johanna, Dan Z., Steve, Rosanne, Lucille, Sam, Cheryl and Brian.Looks like Joan and Lucille are bidding in this photo.

Christmas Eve was delightful as we listened to Christmas music. AJR Santa had gifts for everyone. Santa's helpers were Gabriella, Nicholas, Nicole, Joe and Devonna who handed out the presents. Those that were able to celebrate that evening were Luanne, Kathleen, Dan Z., Tim, Steve, Johanna, Brian, Rosanne, Dan J., Mike, Lucille, Lee, Peg, Carla and Joan.

November and December MCD coffee or soda participants were Luanne, Patricia, Brian, Joan, Carla, Sam, Rosanne, Marilyn, Lucille, Patty, Wanda, Tim, Kathleen, Ronnie, Peg, Johanna and Dan Z. All received gift cards from the Reierson's and we were excited to use them.

Thanks to our dietary team who made our Thanksgiving , Christmas and New Year's Eve meals and parties extra special and to Cookie who made our lovely home even more spectacular with beautifully decorated trees, mantles and banisters; they were magical! And to maintence who had our house on the outside holidazzled as well.

November and December shoppers and errand participants may have gone to the following: Target, Dollar Tree, Great Clips, Pearle Vision, Pusch Salon, Post Office, Walgreens, Sears, Goodwill and Family Dollar. Some of those

that went were Luanne, Steve, Patricia, Joan, Rosanne, Carla, Peg, Patty, Tim, Kathleen, Brian, Marilyn, Wanda, Johanna, Ronnie, Cheryl and Dan Z.

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT

To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against, but we must sail, and not drift nor lie at anchor. (Oliver Wendell Holmes)

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

Save those lovely Christmas cards and make note and thank you cards out of them! Take them to a preschool so they can have fun cutting out the pictures.

OUR SHARING PROJECTS

In addition to collecting cans and stamps (to sell) and money for Honduras, we had a special December project of collecting small change for Toys for Tots. Then several went to the Dollar Tree and bought toys for children.  We discussed the items we thought little ones through teen agers would like.  We had fun selecting items and then delivering them to the warehouse where Toys for Tots stored their items.  We were able to take 57 items, so that was very exciting.

NEWS FROM HONDURAS

Our best wish is that this year will be full of blessings, health and prosperity for you, your family and all residents.

We received the check in November, the money has been used for all the activities of the month of November and December. In December we worked hard in the churches. We had a very exciting time. In the village of Buen Paso we had a Christmas dinner and celebrated a vigil. We invited a blind brother who was playing the guitar with songs very cheerful and also Christmas. We developed the Christmas program with Christmas songs, drama related to the birth of Jesus, Christmas acrostic. Everything we did was very blessed. We returned last week to Tegucigalpa and again I go to the villages on Friday. We continue to work with the children in four villages, helping many sick and needy people and celebrating week-to-week worship in all villages. God bless your lives and thank you for the great financial support you have been sending for many years. Money is well used for all the activities we have in all villages. We bless the lives of each resident and his whole family. Blessings,

Deysi Blanco

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

November  8 - Corhea Suso (Medical Assistant)                  16 - Donetta Johnson (Administrator)December  2 - Lucille McCain writes poems about nature and likes to sing songs in our talent shows. She adds a lot to discussion and Bible study.                    2 - Wanda Nustad knows all the movie musicals because she likes to watch them. She also  is artistic in coloring in her picture book.

We hope you all had a blessed holiday season and

have a stellar 2017!

ATTENTION FAMILIES AND FRIENDS

We are again looking at the possibilities of a Family Council made up of relatives and friends of the residents of Amy Johnson Residence. The basic purpose of the council would be for those involved to be more aware of our activities and happenings at Amy Johnson Residence, to makes suggestions to further enhance our home, to continue our caring community and to help share skills with the residents. Eventually this council would be a self running group with liaison to the staff of Amy Residence. If you are interested, please contact Kathy or Devonna at Amy Johnson Residence at 651.227.0574 and leave a message Thanks for your concern.