Suzi Strauss

I’ve always loved the Fourth of July. It’s a day off with family and neighbors, picnics or barbecues, parades and fireworks.

But this year, we just found out that my husband has been laid off from his job that brought us here to Chicago. He only has a week or so to find another job here with comparable pay, or we are going to have to move. We’ve only been here about two years and I was just starting feel settled in. I don’t want to move again – I like it here.

So while the rest of the country is celebrating, we are searching the online job sites and starting to think about packing.

This whole area is a melting pot of America. There are so many different ethnic groups and neighbors, that we can have exploring all the customs and foods of a different country every weekend. The summer brings a lot of great ethnic festivals. I’m looking forward to the festivals, with music, dancing, great foods and all kinds of bazaars.

Today my baby sister turned 46 and I am very proud of how she has handled getting older. Much better than I have I turn 50 this year and it is driving me crazy. Just the thought of getting older and not being able to do everything how I would like anymore is driving me crazy. I will keep plugging along and keep as busy as I can and try not to turn old if I can help it. I think your as young as you feel and today I am 103+. Maybe tomorrow I will be 18 again, lets hope for that.

All of the cookies are made, all of the Christmas presents are wrapped and under the tree. All of our extended family are in their beds for the night, ready to get out of bed tomorrow and have a joy filled Christmas. Now I can sit down and put my feet up my work is all done and I am very pleased with the results. I made some great Christmas cookies and the presents we selected for our grandson will make the day a grand one in his memory. WAIT what was that noise on the roof?

Today was the day to bake my Christmas cookies for friends family and the folks at work. All told I had to bake 14 dozen cookies which took me most of the day. I almost am ready to run off screaming if I ever see another cookie. At least they taste good and are much fresher than the store bought cookies. I had a lot of help, my grandson was here and he helped me…..well kinda! It was nice to have a small one underfoot and it made the day seem a lot happier and almost time for Christmas again. It comes so fast once we get to December.