This book is dedicated to my dearest daughter,

Kristjana Oliver

January 6, 2020

To: Sigrid@hotmail.com

From: GimliEmily@yahoo.com

Subject: New Years Eve

Dearest Daughter,

Happy New Year Honey. Hope you had a good time at your party. We’re good. Lots to tell you.

Our flight to Vegas was so smooth. We hit a good tail wind and arrived 20 minutes early. Our fellow passengers were gearing up for their New Year’s celebrations so it was quite lively. There was a long line to rent a car but we were able to get a nice Ford Escape.

We’re really happy with the condo we rented and it’s so close to the Strip, an easy walk to the Paris. If we were staying only for a few days I would stay there, but two weeks is a bit long without a kitchen. I really find it hard to eat in a restaurant for every meal.

New Year’s Eve was like a crowd scene in an epic movie. I’ve never seen anything like it. Picture a mass of moving bodies filling both sides of the strip. A sea of people all drinking and yelling. We were quickly absorbed and dragged along quite a distance.

We realized we could end up at the other end of the Strip if we didn’t get out. It wasn’t easy but we managed to get onto the sidewalk down by Harrah’s. We gambled a bit before we took the monorail back to the Paris. Guess what? I won $2000. I couldn’t believe it. My first fifty cents and I hit the jackpot. Needless to say, I cashed out! And that was the end of my luck for awhile. I’ll tell you about that later.

Thankfully we had made reservations and we had an excellent meal at Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris. We had to wait over an hour but it was worth it. We both had the filet mignon with a lovely red wine sauce and my favourite Crème Caramel for dessert.

It was an exciting night. I’m glad we got to see Vegas on New Year’s Eve but doubt we would do it again. Just too many people. It was hard to get into restaurants and impossible to get off the Strip once it all kicked off.

The after-Christmas sales were amazing and I got a lot of great deals. Would you believe a big Nutcracker figure for $20. It was regularly priced at $75. I may have to carry that on the plane with me when I leave.

After 2 days of shopping, I was getting very tired and I guess not paying attention when I got back in the car. A big gust of wind took the door and slammed it on my foot before I could move. It really hurt. Back at the condo I was grateful for our own ice machine. I took it easy for a day. Iced it a lot and was happy when I could hobble around without too much difficulty.

A couple of days later I guess our bad luck wasn’t finished yet. Your dad fell at the movies. I thought a movie was a good idea because I could put my foot up in those recliner seats. Not sure what happened but I turned around to talk to your dad on the way in, just in time to see him fall like a mighty Redwood. All six feet of him laid out at my feet.

Long story short, he pulled himself up on a chair I had dragged from somewhere and said, I can’t stand on my leg. He was obviously in a lot of pain so I went looking for help. Not an easy thing. I finally found the Manager and fill out an accident report while she contacts the Mall for a wheelchair.

Finally home, your Dad refuses to call our insurer and find out where to go for x-rays. He’s sure it’s his hamstring and they’ll just say, Ice it. I do some research on the computer and agree that since there’s no bruising it’s probably just the muscle.

He was in bed for three days icing his leg. It was a long time for me but I found a crockpot in the condo and amused myself cooking. Tried some new recipes that I’ll include for you.

Soooo a couple of days later he’s doing better...happier and moving a little easier. He still isn’t walking great but he needed a change of scenery. He reluctantly agreed to let me drive. And yes, it was as scary as it sounds. My first time driving in Vegas and I thought I did really good once I started breathing again. Dad may never recover but he got out!

Don’t worry, we’re fine. We still have almost a week to have some fun.

Dad sends his love.

Love your Mother,

Emily

P.S. –– While Dad recuperated, I watched a lot of news. I heard about some virus coming out of China. It’s probably nothing but see what you can find out please. We get no Canadian news here.

Crockpot Minute Steak

6 minute steaks

butter

olive oil

1 c flour

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp paprika

1 pkg onion soup mix

1 tsp garlic powder

2 c beef broth

Heat skillet and add butter and olive oil. Mix the flour, sea salt and paprika together. Drench the steaks in this mixture. Brown on both sides and add them to crockpot.

Mix together the onion soup mix, garlic powder and beef broth and pour over steaks.

Set the timer for 8 hours on low.

Easy Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

½ tsp dried Italian seasoning

1 can, drained, green beans

1 box of chicken stuffing mix

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 c chicken broth

¼ c sour cream

¼ c melted butter

Spray your crockpot or use a liner. Mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle on both sides of the chicken breasts and add to crockpot in a single layer.

Top the chicken with the green beans and stuffing mix.

Combine the soup, broth, sour cream and butter. Pour over the mixture in the pot. Do not stir.

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, 6 hours on low. Gently stir the beans and stuffing mix on top. If it is a little dry add a bit more broth.

February 4, 2020

To: Sigrid@hotmail.com

From: GimliEmily@yahoo.com

Subject: Confusion and Upset

Dearest Daughter,

Your sister just left here really mad. I’m sure you’ll be hearing from her so let me give you a heads up.

I had just put a new scalloped potato dish in the oven when she popped over to invite us to dinner the next day. We were so surprised...she never invites us over. We accepted quickly and asked what time. Your sister sat down and said she had some things to tell us first. Knowing your sister all too well, Dad and I sat down and waited anxiously for the other shoe to drop.

She asked if she had ever told us that her partner, Sean, was bisexual. Dad and I looked at each other carefully keeping our faces neutral we cautiously said, No.

Well, he is. And I’ve always known but didn’t think it was anyone’s business.

We responded, Of course not. Not anyone’s business. Now we wonder how this affects dinner. A little confused we wait breathlessly for the answer because we aren’t going to say anything to set her off. You know how she gets."

She continues, Well, Sean’s lover is coming for the weekend and we thought we would have a little dinner party for him.

Dad says, Sean’s former lover?

Nooo, his current lover.

Isn’t that you?

No, I’m Sean’s heterosexual lover.

I jump in before Dad can say something