End of 1979

[Editors Note: It seems that Mary's writing has become more of a journal exercise, with a few rememberances into the past]

On Wednesday, the 23rd, three of us ladies went to a friend Rose Taratino's for lunch. The table was set very elegantly. The food was delicious. We were there from 1:45 to 4:45 p.m. That evening, if I didn't have to cook for my two grandsons, I would have had tea and toast. I cooked spaghetti and pork chops and salad for my grandsons. I gave Tony a bowl of spaghetti and pork chops to take home for the next day.

I had an 84-year-old brother-in-law, Ralph, who died of cancer about two months ago. During his last six months he suffered quite a bit. He was a fine man. He was good to every one. He loved children. My sister-in-law, Lunette, is 80 years old and is a very active woman. Her home is immaculate. She lives alone and is trying to be brave. Three weeks ago I went and stayed with her for two nights and two days. She was happy to have me with her.

In September they gave my grandson John's fiancee, Julie, a wedding shower. The wedding party gave her a lovely shower in a restaurant. There were many relatives and friends at the shower. She received many nice gifts. On November 3, 1979, they got married. The groom wore a white outfit. The ushers and two fathers wore light brown with white bibs. The bridesmaids and maid of honor wore wine colored gowns. The two mothers both had pretty gowns. The church ceremony had a lot of meaning to it. The priest, Father Grey, was a good friend of the family. They got married in Saint Cecilia's in Englewood. The reception was at the Clinton Inn in Tenafly. We had a delicious steak dinner. The music was good. Everyone danced. I danced with my two sons and a brother. My brother Nick and his wife slept at my house the night of the wedding. It gave us time to have a good chat about old times. They left after breakfast.

I started writing my Christmas cards. In many of them I write little notes. It runs into money today to write Christmas cards, but I enjoy contacting old and new friends. When I receive them in return it gives me pleasure reading them.

I had Thanksgiving at my son John's. Rosemarie cooked a 22 pound turkey and all the trimmings.

I have been going to several Christmas parties. It gives me a Christmas spirit. I have decorated my house with Christmas trimmings and a Christmas tree. I also made the traditional cookies.

Phyl and Dino, and Ann and Dick, are coming with their families on Christmas Eve for supper. Including me there will be 15 of us. I set them all in the kitchen. It was a little close, but they liked being all together. We all ate well; most of the plates were empty. After supper we went into the living room, put the tree lights on and one of the boys played Santa Claus. The younger children passed the gifts around. Everyone liked their gifts. I received a little gift from each grandchild. Phyl and Dino gave me money for new shoes. Ann and Dick gave me $100 to spend on myself. John and Rosemarie gave me a body warmer. It can also be used as a bed cover. Carmela and Mario gave me all kinds of powders and cologne. Mario also gave me a perm. Tony and Lorraine gave me a wine colored bath robe, slacks, a shirt and sweater. I made out like a bandit.

About 11:00 a.m. Christmas Morning I walked to Tony's house. They gave me many lovely gifts. I went to Carmela and Mario's for dinner. There were six of us. Denise was home a week already from Maryland. She had gotten mononucleosis and her parents had to go and pick her up so they could take care of her. We had homemade raviolis, meatballs, bracciole, antipasto, fruits and all kinds of cookies and coffee. It was a very quiet, peaceful Christmas.

New Year's day I went to Tony's for dinner. He lives right down the street from me. Judy and her husband Gary were there from California; they even brought their dog. Sharon was there from South Carolina. There were about 12 of us. Lorraine cooked a fine ham dinner. I gave Judy and Gary a big afghan I made for them as a Christmas gift. They gave me two pretty scarves. Judy and Gary looked good together.