We Need A Christmas Do-over!!

 Of all the cotton-picking things to have happen! We all were sick for Christmas. There's something going around that could have stayed away from here for all I cared. 

Stuffy head, runny nose, coughing, feeling like crap! We did go to Shirley's for Christmas day (they were sick, too, so I guess we didn't infect each other). Then, Michael and I spent the next 5 days lying around, staring at these four walls, not feeling well enough to do a blasted thing. And, let me tell you, if you aren't used to have anyone around, being sick just makes it that much worse. 

              

We finally felt well enough yesterday to go out for some lunch. I think if we hadn't, we might have just strangled each other. haha. Even the dog was going nuts. 

I told Michael that it really is Dec 15th and that we'd get to celebrate Christmas in a few days. It was one of the most ****** Christmas ever. We'd like a do-over.

Now, we have to make sure we all stay well....

A big event is coming up.... more on that later!! 

Just Checking In

 Just checking in with everyone! It's one busy time of the year, that's for sure. The next week or so is gonna be so hectic but it's family and fun and what more could I ask for.

Had a check-up this week with my surgeon (breast cancer) and everything seems to be going fine. He'd talked about radiation from the get-go and so now he is setting up an appt. for me to see the radiologist. I don't look forward to having treatment but it certainly would be great insurance against further scares. 

My son (my only son) is on his way from Alabama. Remember I visited him back the end of summer. Well, he's going to be here during the holidays and through my birthday which is on Jan 6th. More on that later!!!! 

I watched the finals of 'The Voice' and I never pick the winner. I was rooting for Jackie who can sing anything or for the 16 year old Ruby Lee.  But, Ruby got second so she'll do okay, besides Reba McEntire loves her. 

Well, I guess I will scoot and act like I am doing something productive. ha ha

Just over 4 days now til Christmas. Y'all have a great one... 

The Christmas Party at the Commons

 My, my... what a party we had Friday night. 

70+ residents from the Commons gathered  crammed into our community room. It was decorated beautifully, I might add thanks to 3 or 4 of the residents. We pretty much have lost our staff's interest in helping us out with anything but that's another story. 

I've never seen so much food. People pitched in and bought and cooked and the woman in charge (Jean) got servers to come in and serve our buffet style dinner. We had turkey, ham and chicken (both fried and baked), sweet potatoes and white potatoes, gravy, cornbread dressing, green beans, lima beans, mac and cheese, deviled eggs, a fruit platter and enough desserts to feed an army. Oh, and of course, cranberry sauce. Can't leave that out... what's turkey and dressing without cranberry sauce.

We had door prizes. Santa can to visit along with Mrs. Claus and an elf or two. 

All that was lacking was the singing of some carols. But, it was great. 

 I hope you have a ton of fun at your holiday gatherings. 

Elf on the Shelf allert!!

 Remember, way back when, the movie 'King Kong' and that giant monster on top of the Empire State Building?  

Well, I guess my elf knows that movie pretty well. But, he chose the Eiffel Tower instead of the Empire State Building to climb to the top.

Silly Elf!

My Grandson

 Last night I did something I haven't done before. Oh, I stream movies and programs all the time but to get to see my grandson's High School Holiday Choral performance via streaming was new to me. He's in New York and I am down here in Virginia and I 'sort of' got to attend his program. 

The event was held in the chapel at Brunswick Upper School in Greenwich, Ct. 

The entire program was done in Latin. It was very dignified, respectful, calming. The audience sang some Christmas carols, too, so my daughter said she hummed along! My granddaughter-in-law-to-be followed the music they were given and was singing that Latin like she knew what she was doing.  

Grandson is 16 now, growing up so fast. I was on speaker phone the other day with my daughter when she picked him up at school. He wanted to drive home. (He's taking a zoom classes for driving... what will they think of next!) so I am listening to the two of them on their way home. It was hilarious! His mama in the front seat... 'slow down', 'turn right here', 'brake. that guys braking ahead of you' and so on. I remembered teaching her how to drive.

But, I taught her on the back roads of Alabama and he's learning in that heavy traffic in New York. Have mercy, Lord.. My daughter gonna need it. 

Believing In Santa

I was just thinking about Christmas, about how it has changed over the years, how commercial it has gotten. It certainly has evolved (maybe not in such a good way) from my childhood.

I am a Depression kid. We had nothing. My Dad had died, we (my mom, sister and me) lived with my grandparents. And, yet, I had the most memorable Christmases ever! 

My aunt had no children, her children were her school students, so she had a tendency to 'take over' life like she took over her classroom. And, it's because of her I had the best memories of that time of my life.

She had a Santa Claus suit for her class room party so one of my uncles would dress in it on Christmas morning, all in secret. Aunt Lena would gather us all in my grandparents living room, all the aunts and uncles and any kids there (mostly just me and my sister). She'd say, 'let's sing Jingle Bells' and she'd start us off with 'Dashing through the snow...." By the time we got to the chorus she'd put her hand up and say,'Shhhh. I hear something'. and sure enough there'd be someone stomping up the steps, across the porch and the front door would swing open. 

                                      It was Santa!!!

He'd pass out a few presents from the bag he held. We didn't get much, maybe a coloring book, paper dolls, a dress or pair of pajamas but it was like magic to us kids.

This went on for a few years. I must have been six or seven by this time but I still BELIEVED. My uncle couldn't be with us that Christmas morning and I never noticed that my Mother had disappeared from the room. But, Santa came in that door just like always. 'He' was busy handing out presents when I noticed something strange. 

"Santa has on my Mama's shoes", I yelled. And, that was the beginning of the end of my BELIEVING. 

But, oh, what memories.