Happy New Year!

The countdown has begun and festivities are starting all over the world.  I am wishing all my friends and family good health, love, peace, and contentment.

And stay safe!

It Was Quite a Story

Little Miss E is growing quickly and starting to roll over and sit up all on her own.  Here she is telling PaPa a story on Christmas Day.

Stay safe, folks!

A Funny

A very timely funny that I am sure applies to many families.  "Pickles" appears in our local paper.

Stay safe, folks!

Got to "Nip It In the Bud"!

Once again a lot of us are asking, "what the heck is wrong with people?".  All over the country there were fights in malls yesterday.  There were three fights at the mall close to us.  Police were called and the fights were broken up, but no arrests made because no one was seriously injured and there was no property damage.  But still... really?????? If this is a new trend or tradition getting started, STOP IT!

If these fights are because people are just worn out by the holidays with the company, cards, cooking, gift buying, decorating and so on, take a deep breath, take a walk, read a book, take a nap and get over yourself!  If you're fighting because you are mad that you didn't like a gift and had to go return it... GET OVER YOURSELF!

This is supposed to be a time of peace and joy, not fist fights and hair pulling and property damage.

I have to ask, since mostly the fights are among young people and teens, where are your parents and why haven't they tried to teach you how to act??

Shame, shame on you, fighters.

The rest of you, stay safe!

Happy 26th!

I hope everyone is well and happy.  If you've been out shopping and returning, I hope the lines weren't too long.  I was out early (7-ish a.m.) to go to Starbucks and to stop to buy more bananas.  That's it for me going out today.  I have been busy working here in the house and have heard sirens several times.  So there are traffic problems around our area.

I have been un-decorating and cleaning. I am satisfied and happy.  :)  I have been carefully wrapping and packing up things.  Everything except the living room tree and the outside decorations is done.  It did not all go up in one day and it's not all coming down in one day.  Tomorrow I will work on the living room tree.  The outside decorations need to be dry before they are packed away, so they will probably be done later this week.  I have been doing laundry and cleaning the floors as I put things away.

Golfer is out playing golf.  It hasn't warmed up as much as the forecast said it would.  But at least it hasn't been raining on him.

Here's a last look at this year's living room tree.

Stay safe and enjoy the rest of the day!

It's Been A Very Good Christmas!

We got to spend time with both girls and their families.  Laughs were had, memories were shared, kids were hugged even if they didn't like it.  :)  Many meals were prepared.  Beautiful decorations were displayed and enjoyed.  Gifts and cards were exchanged.

We talked to Bikini this morning.  Nurse J and family came over for a noonish dinner and visiting.

It is now Christmas night.  The furry boys are resting.  They found new toys in their stockings along with some treats.  Even our little shy boy, Cecil, got in on the fun this morning.

Tomorrow is December 26th.  My family teases me, but it is true, I will be un-decorating starting tomorrow.  I truly enjoy everything during the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but then I am done.  On the 26th I am ready for Spring and warm weather.  I never get it, but I am ready!  The un-decorating takes a couple days.  I like to pack carefully and remember all the old ornaments.  And I clean as I work.

I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and will have a great New Year!  Stay safe!

Merry Christmas!

Golfer and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!  May all be calm and bright!

I  like to acknowledge others' work but I don't know where this picture originated.  It came from a shared post on Facebook.  So, thank you to whoever took this pretty Christmas picture!

Busy, Happy Days!

I hope everyone is well and happy and ready for Christmas!  We had an early one here.  Bikini and family were here for a few days.  We worked around school and work schedules and for the first time in quite a while we got everyone together.  On Sunday we had Christmas dinner and gifts.  Dinner was set up buffet style since our dining room doesn't hold all eleven of us now.  There was much visiting and lots of laughter.

During those few days, Bikini, Boxer, and BeyB went to an Escape Room.  They got out!  Golfer, Bikini, Boxer and I went to see "Rogue One".  Very good movie, we all liked it.  I especially enjoyed the recliner seats in the theater so I could put my feet up!  Brief took Bloomer to the hotel to swim in the pool.  And.... we had pictures taken by our friend, Rick Hopson. If you are on Facebook, you might have seen some of his nature pictures that I've shared.  He was very patient and got some great shots.  We are in the process of deciding which ones we want.   Our last group photo was before Cutie Girl and Little Miss E, and IT Guy was working and in school.  So these photos have everyone this time.

The time passed quickly and Bikini and all are back home now.  Nurse J and family will be coming over for the second Christmas dinner on Christmas.  :)

Our weather has been varying and is currently cold and cloudy, with rain in the forecast for tomorrow.  I have everything all caught up and am enjoying a little reading and "down" time.

Here are a couple pictures from our fun times.

Little Miss E's first Christmas celebration sitting on PaPa's lap.

Auntie Bikini pointing out the baby picture ornaments to Cutie Girl and Little Miss E.

Life is good.  Stay safe!

Smiling Finnigan!

In my last post I mentioned how it's hard to get posed pictures of the furry kids.  I got a fantastic, cute picture of Finnigan, purely by accident.  I was working in the kitchen and he was interested in a small box I had just unpacked.  I snapped a picture of him, not seeing his expression at the time.  I love it!

"I got a box!"

Stay safe!

COLD!

And BRRRR!  It was down in the teens last night.  All the way up to 24 right now as I am writing this.  Golfer and I bundled up and went to breakfast this morning.  It is a usual golf day, but there are limits, you know, so no golf today.  :)  Although not all that long ago the guys were known to put a cover on the golf cart and use the portable heater in it.  I have been told those days are over.

Anyway.... It's been a busy week with the all the usual stuff, errands, grocery shopping, and getting ready for our early Christmas this weekend.  Bikini and family will be arriving on Saturday.

I did get some yard clean-up done.  Then we had some strong windy days and now there needs to be a stick pick-up out there.  Not happening today!

We got a new projection light for the front of the house.  Looks really nice with what we already had out there for decorations.  And the blinky lights entertain the furry boys when the lights shine in the dining room windows!

I keep seeing pictures of furry family members dressed up for Christmas.  Here are two of the cutest I've seen.  (not of our furry kids)  I learned a long time ago that in order to get a good picture of the furry kids wearing their reindeer antlers or a hat I need at least four more hands and quicker reflexes, so I don't try that any more.  :)

Have a happy day and stay safe!

Hey!

It's another bright, sunny day here.  It's up to 40 right now.  Golfer layered up and headed for the golf course.  He texted to tell me there was a frost delay, but they are probably out on the course by now.

I'm going to bundle up and go out to do a little yard clean-up that's been bugging me.

Nothing else going on here right now.  The coming week will be busy getting ready for Bikini's visit and our early Christmas with her family and Nurse J's family all here.  Can't wait!

Stay safe!

Feeling Better!

Our weather is still going back and forth, but today is bright and sunny.  Of course, it is only 31 degrees outside, but at least it's cheery!

Golfer decided to skip golf due to the temps, so he's been on the computer, reading, and watching the recorded shows I don't care for so much.  And pitching in when I've said I needed help with something.  He has also been the official taste tester for the cookies I've been making, packing up and freezing.

I've been taking care of all the usual stuff, yesterday was Commissary day, and some errands.  I've already been out early today to do a couple errands.  I know how bad the traffic and the crowds in the stores gets, and I don't like it, so I go early.

So, all is well, all is good.

I posted a picture recently of our front decorations.  I took one the other evening with the lights on.  It makes me happy.

While I was out that evening, I looked at some of the other decorations in the neighborhood.  A couple of the neighbors have the projection lights that cast the light and images on the front of the houses.  Pretty.  Others have some of the inflatable decorations.  I miss the family that used to live on the next street that we always called the Griswold's every year.  They went all out and lit up the neighborhood with their decorating.  And then there is this......

At times the string of lights has been hanging down over the garage door opening.   I can only imagine the conversation.

Spouse 1: We HAVE to decorate the house.  I'm doing all the shopping, baking, cards, and decorating inside, you do the outside.   (much grumbling follows)
Later..... Spouse 2:  Okay, it's done!  (followed by much eye rolling)

At least they tried.

Have a great weekend and stay safe!

Blah

And sigh.  Again it is dark, rainy, and cold. I do not do well in dark, rainy, and cold.   But household chores are under control and Christmas preparations are on schedule.  You know what's good for blah days?  Snuggling under a Christmas quilt with a furry little boy!  Angus was helping me relax.

Stay safe!

Time to Take a Breath! Or Maybe a Nap!

I think the decorating is done.  The cards are mailed.  The shopping is finished and there is just a little wrapping to do.  Things have been cleaned, the laundry is done, errands have been run, and the yard has been worked on.  Right now the leaf clean-up is almost a constant activity.  But life is good!  Next up will be a little baking.  But I am tired, and I am taking some down time.

We had a couple "too warm" days this past week and it is now once again cooler and feeling more like December.  Sunny and bright today.

All is well.  So here are some pictures!

Dining Room Tree

Living Room Tree

Front decorations.  Golfer's Dad made the snowman for us years ago.  Golfer and I made the sleigh.

Quilted Tree hanging by Bikini

Crocheted tree made by my sister many years ago.

Old Christmas Card of my Mom's.  That is me with Scooter Kitty in the picture.

Stay safe!