Christmas Wrapping....

 Has anyone else 'noticed' how the Christmas season has changed?  

I realize that I sound more like an old person every day, but I am a creature of habit and I never want some things to change.  For example, doesn't anyone (that sends cards) miss standing at the card counter searching for the perfect card with the perfect sentiment?  Then, addressing them by hand and signing them with a maybe a personal wish?  I love all the photos of the kids, parents and pets in the holiday pics, but really, I've seen them all on Facebook-most likely.  And no signature is required!  Don't get me wrong; it's way more effort than I am making in that department, and I still love to receive them.

Spiritual yard decorations have (sometimes) been replaced with giant inflatables that have absolutely no relevance to the reason for the season.  I find them somehow off-putting and prefer just lights and a more natural approach.  (But again, I applaud the effort and am sure kids probably love the blow-up things.)

Shopping.  Holiday songs would have us believe that we are bustling around on a snowy day with our arms full of packages.  Could we please acknowledge and do a hand clap to the ones REALLY hustling around-the FedEx, Amazon, UPS, and USPS drivers.  We don't even have to get cold except when we open our doors to inload our packages.  Although I do not Christmas shop in any form, pointing and clicking doesn't count-kinda.  And, once again, I applaud the effort.

I guess as long as family, food, and maybe a not to the Holy Family happens, it's still all good.

Merry Christmas to all and may your holiday be everything you wish it to be, in the way you prefer!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town…

 

At our annual Christmas Family Pajama Party we had a visit from jolly old St. Nick!  The children were delighted and did the traditional knee and list thing and posed for some darling pics.  Us older chicks had our moment and I spared poor Santa trying to fit me on his lap.  I assured him of my excellent behavior all year.

After stuffing ourselves with a buffet fit for a Queen and imbibing on holiday cocktails, we played our  usual rowdy White Elephant gift exchange.  It was wonderful to catch up with all my cousins and their families-new babies, new pregnancies, jobs, health and maybe some new wrinkles and gray hair!  

I’ve said it before-Christmas is a spiritual time for me.  Randy and I quit buying gifts for people who don’t need/want anything, so that pressure is off.  My Mom and sister baked my favorite Christmas cookies today so I hope to see her, munch a few cookies, hit Christmas mass and show her all my pics from the party!  Sounds like my idea of a perfect Christmas!

Thanks to Chelsea, Andrew and family for again hosting this fun bash!  Your  home reeks of family, love, laughter and fun and is the perfect place to gather.  And did I mention that their gorgeous bar is called ‘The Library Bar?’  It’s perfection!

These Eyes…

 Tomorrow morning I will rise at 4:20 to drive up north to take my Mom for cataract surgery.  As much as I hate rising early and driving in the dark-this will be no small feat.  Please sent your thoughts and prayers to Mom in the hope that all goes well and her vision improves.  I’ll take any leftover prayers in hopes that my coffee does its thing  and that I steer clear of any deer, as Lux, Hazel and I cruise up north.  Fingers crossed! XO

2 Different Tears…

 At our wonderful family Ducksgiving dinner, I said down with my two adorable great nieces.  I don't get to see them often as they have lived in various places and relocated recently to Ann Arbor from Japan.

Meet Aeryn, age 16 and Elli age 14.  Read on for our interview!

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE YOU’VE LIVED, AND WHY?

Aeryn-"Japan!  Because there are so many interesting things to do and it's so accessible and safe.  

Elli-"San Diego! It was the main part of my childhood, and it was very exciting.  Love the summer weather."

I know you two are excellent students.  WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT?

Aeryn-"Math.  I have a great teacher and I want to show that I'm a good student."

Elli-"English.  The class is exciting, and the assignments are good."

ANY GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

Aeryn-"Travel, learn about places.  I want to connect with the Korean culture."

Elli-"Go back to San Diego-it's more exciting and alive!"

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ESPECIALLY GOOD AT?

Aeryn-"Goals.  If I make a goal-I like to strive to achieve it.  I recently made second chair on clarinet after playing for only eight months."

Elli-'Sports.  Volleyball, soccer, tennis, swimming, skating, skiing, and gymnastics.  I'm an athlete and those are my favorite things."

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?

Aeryn-"T.V. and reading. Classes are hard and I need to relax my brain."

Ellie-"Drawing and my phone.  Cartooning and animation."

FAVORITE PIZZA?

Aeryn-"My Dad's pizza-completely homemade and very yummy!"

Ellie-"Same-with pesto and everything crust!"  

And there you have it, my beautiful, smart and sweet nieces~I am so proud of them! XOXO

Bang, Bang…

 So it’s hunting season (again!) and Randy bagged this beauty on Sunday.  

By growing up in northern Michigan, one would expect that I would understand the idea of hunting a bit more.  Now, I love to  hunt for beach treasures, morels,  good bargains etc., so that type of hunt I get.  I just don’t understand the kill.  ‘Look at that beautiful old buck, doing what comes natural with that doe.  I think I’ll shoot him dead.’  Now we do eat the meat so at least there’s that.  

But the men in my life seem to be scratching some primal itch by it.  They prepare, commiserate, and talk the details of hunting to death.  Maybe it’s a bonding thing…I don’t know.  And it’s called bagging a buck-as if it’s wrapped in a bag with some ribbon.  No, that comes later at the butchers!  You can’t eat horns but somehow that’s where the biggest thrill comes in.  I mean, leave the poor old thing alone!  I guess I’d feel better if the deer had a weapon too, evening the score a little.  If the hunters had to dodge an arrow or a bullet from the buck, to me, that would truly be a greater feat.  No tree blinds either, cuz deer can’t climb up to get that advantage .  Mono a Mano on an even hunting field would truly be a sport.  

I could go on with more of my ridiculousness but I will spare Randy the eye rolls.  Good luck and be safe, hunters.  And if I go on and on telling detailed stories of my hobby, y’all best nod and smile politely.  XO

Elderberry Wine…

 Well, after two full weeks of fever and coughing, I’m finally joining the land of the living!  Not 100%, but surely on the way!  My respect for people suffering chronic conditions is immense and I can’t imagine what it would be like to have to adjust constantly to a new ‘normal.’  I’ll be content when I can breathe to the bottom of my lungs, have my head and ears unstuff and go four hours without a nap.  I’d like to keep the sexy  new voice!   

I’m also looking forward to being able to taste a good glass of wine.  This old wino needs a sip of something other than hot tea!  The famous Louis Pasteur said it best, “ Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages.”   My girl, Kristen and I confer that wine cures everything from stress to a broken fingernail, but the cure all struggles when it come to pneumonia.  

Tonight I will have my girl, Katie pour me one up as I cheer to health, hygiene, and normalcy.  

Oui, oui Louie, don’t mind if I do! 🫁🍷😘

Hotel…

 Okay… who goes to gorgeous San Diego for a week and gets sick?  Me.  That’s who.

Randy had a work function that encouraged spouses to join, and I after much deliberation, I decided to come.   My Mom is recovering from a fall, the flights too long, and I have no clothes are just a few of the reasons that could keep homeslice (me!) home.   But…a hotel with a harbor view, a party at the San Diego Zoo,  a cafe with kitties, are some of the reasons I decided to suck it up and get on that flight.  

As we landed, my ears plugged up and never truly opened.  My throat feels like it’s been sliced with razor blades and my cough originates from the bowels of hell.  Medicated,  I had fun with some of our ‘work kids’ at an amazing dinner on Friday.  But then it hit me.  With a foggier than usual head I navigated a couple of events and spent whole days in bed, sleeping and enjoying? the view.  All my plans for exploring shops and petting kittens went out the window as I coughed my head off.  

I’ve heard of people getting sick on vacation before and shuddered-all that anticipation, packing, shuttling, etc. just to cough in a different environment?  No way.  

But here I am, frocks unworn, cruises not sailed, kitties not petted.  Tonight is the last night with a dinner planned with Randy’s new board appointment comrades.  Here’s hoping I can haul it up, pretty it up and keep my foggy head up,  to support him.  

Wish me luck, Dollfriends as I soldier on.  XO