O Christmas Tree...O Christmas TreeMy M

My Mom's Tree

This weekend my brother was in from England. He had to come to the states for work and decided to make a jaunt down for a long weekend visit. It was nice to see him. I miss him. And we had a lot of fun and laughs. He through us for a loop on Friday because he said he wasn't getting here until 8:00 pm and he showed up at 4:30 pm. But it worked well. We had a lovely dinner and spent some time at Mom's house which was fun.

Saturday I had to work in the morning. So my brother had breakfast with our Dad and then Mom, D (my brother) and I went and did some shopping after I got off work. Then we had dinner at a yummy BBQ place. 

On Sunday we decided we'd have a later start because we wanted to go across the water to do some shopping. D bought Mom and I's Christmas presents while he was here. (it's hard knowing what's under the tree and not being able to play with it) Shopping and lunch took longer than expected because the restaurant was slow and Pandora (our main shopping destination) was crowded beyond belief. We decided later we should have started there not ended there. But oh well. We came back to this side of the water and had yummy Mexican food at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Then we went back to Mom's and decorated the tree. 

Mom hadn't put up a tree for the past two years due to the divorce she just wasn't feeling it. This year it was nice because we decorated it as a family. Although Mom and D gave up hanging ornaments and just unpacked them so I did a lot of the "decorating." But it was fun and it made Mom happy. She says she really likes having a tree back. 

J and I haven't put up a tree together. We haven't quite figured out where we would put it. But we also don't have a tree. This year when I was helping Mom pick out her tree at Walmart I saw a tree that I think would be cool. I may go get it so we have it for next year. It is a black Christmas tree with white lights. 

Have you put up your tree yet? Do you do it the weekend of Thanksgiving? Do you wait? Do you take it down New Year's Day? 

Bubble Issues and Meeting In-laws

Inspired by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop...


5.) Describe what it was like meeting your in-laws for the first time?


Ok so this one was really easy...but I must first preface this by saying at the time my husband and I started dating I still had pretty major bubble issues thanks to my ex husband. I was not really comfortable with people being in my space until I said it was OK. Keep that in your mind as you read this tale...


J and I started dating in February. He met my parents in April on Easter Sunday. So we planned a trip for August over his birthday to visit his family. We arrived at his sister T's house. And I met T, her husband J, and my J's other sister M. All of them gave big huge hugs from the get go. Hi this is Meg...{BIG HUG and KISS on the cheek}...an my girlfriend. Now I will say to this day I still adore T and she and I get along great. But I was a bit overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection. 


Then we left there and went to his parent's house. I didn't even get in the door before I got the BIG HUG and KISS on the cheek. On the outside I smiled through all this because until I told them a year later they didn't know how uncomfortable I was. J's sister T smacked him and said he should have told them so I wouldn't be so overwhelmed. No harm done. I love my in-laws and they are wonderful people.


So  I encourage you to head over to Mama Kat's and check out the other stories and even link up.

I Was Tricked...By Family

Source

This is actually a fairly recent story involving my sister-in-law and pizza. When she and my brother were home last we went to breakfast with Dad and his wife. My SiL had toast and coffee. We planned to go to dinner that night at a nice restaurant with Mom. Around 1:30-2:00 we decided to order a pizza. I asked how hungry everyone was and we agreed on one large pizza for the four of us and no breadsticks.

So it arrived and I took a piece figuring I'd come back for more. Well it was really good it had ham and pineapple and just the right amount of sauce and I was hungry so I went to get a second slice. I knew my brother had had a second piece but I didn't think my SiL had and there were only two pieces. Initally I took a piece and then I felt bad because I thought that meant someone would only have one slice. So I went to the kitchen and got a knife to cut it in half. My SiL watched me do this. After I ate my half slice and Mom ate her second slice my SiL proceeds to eat the other half slice. Which I didn't think anything of until it comes out that she had 2 and a half slices.

She confessed that she knew what I was doing but wanted the extra half so she said nothing. (apparently she was VERY hungry) My brother kind of picked on me for thinking a pizza would only come with seven slices but some pizza places have weird number of slices. Everyone had a good laugh but now I know it's everyone for themselves when it comes to pizza in our house.

This post was inspired by...

A Christmas Recap...

Ok ok so I'm doing this week in a weird order. I should have done this post before the New Year's post. These things happen. So a Christmas recap...

Mom and I decided to keep it simple on Christmas Eve and go to IHOP for dinner before heading to our church service. I admit it was good and not too crazy. Then we headed to church for a Service of Lessons and Carols which is my favorite. The sermon was really good...the pastor related current events to scripture and the story of Jesus. The catch phrase of the evening was...what the world needs now is a stable influence. Very enjoyable! Then on to a friend's Christmas Eve party. Much fun was had by all!!

Christmas morning Mom went to church and I had intentions of going to my church but there is a quote about good intentions and a road. I ended up falling back asleep and not waking up until 1:00 PM. We had a reservation at 3:00 PM and I still had to pick up Mom so I flew through the shower and went to get her. Dinner was at a Colonial Tavern and it was heavenly! After dinner we came back to Mom's house to open gifts. (I admit this is still my favorite part.) A few of my favorites...

A lovely locket from my hubby (he sent Mom money to go shopping for me)

From The Enchanted Locket

A cool purse from my Mom

Harley Davidson

 

And my absolute favorite a Black Onyx Rose Ring from Pandora also from my hubby

Santa (and Mom and my hubby) were good to me this year. What were your favorites?

Holiday Family Traditions and Stresses

At staff meeting on Tuesday my boss asked us to go around the table and share our favorite family tradition and what was stressing us. At the time I was focused more on work so I said the favorite family tradition was coming to Christmas Eve service and my only stress was there was something that I was forgetting because things seem extremely calm at work. (fast forward to today...we discovered a mistake in one of our Christmas Eve bulletins that has already been run so we have to rerun it)

But as I thought throughout the day I determined that honestly what was stressing me was my lack of family traditions right now. With J gone and my Dad celebrating with his new family I feel very unsettled family tradition wise. But then as I thought some more traditions can change and Mom and I are coming up with our own traditions. It may seem weird at first but they are fun. And growing up it was often just Mom and I so this really isn't that weird. It is funny how much point of view can change the way you think.

So what about you what are some of your family traditions? And what are your holiday stresses?

I Understand the Grinch...

I'm not sure why but I'm not really in the holiday spirit. I'm hoping it will come but I won't be surprised if it doesn't. J is gone and we aren't able to talk much while he's underway. My father is spending his time with his new family so it is just Mom and I. Now don't get me wrong we have some fun things planned for my birthday (Dec. 16th) and Christmas but somehow I'm just not there excitement wise.

I'm trying to look at things in general that everything happens for a reason. I get held up at work so I don't get into the car accident because someone was in a rush. I don't get to spend Christmas with J so I appreciate my time with him more and I get closer with my mom. My father is in the life of his stepdaughter because she needs a good male role model (ok I admit I snicker slightly as I type that). But you get my point. I know God has a master plan and I just have to trust it. I know that faith doesn't always come with full understanding.

So I'm working on it but it is slow coming. And yet Christmas will be here before we know it. Now I'm off to work on a bulletin for another Christmas service. The joys of Church work!

Emotional Shopping and Pampering

So Saturday night I met my Dad's new wife and his 9 year old stepdaughter (more on this in a later post) so Saturday morning and afternoon I did what any "rational" person would do I went on an emotional pampering and shopping spree. Saturday morning I called my salon and asked if Jackie was available to color my hair. She was if I could come right then. I hopped up off the couch, got dressed, washed my face, and went out the door with horribly tangled mess of hair. Jackie graciously combed the tangles out, applied color and wet styled it.

Then I went off to get Mom so we could go look for lighting for her dining room. First we went to IHOP for breakfast then we looked at lighting. It was quite a productive trip!

Then I went and got a pedicure and a shellack manicure. Loved loved loved the pedicure. Not so thrilled with the manicure. It is much more expensive and when I got home I noticed I had the shellack on my cuticles, the sides of my fingers, etc. so as a former nail biter and picker this is bad because it gives me stuff to pick at. I will probably try it again but I'm not thrilled with the current result.

Then off to NY and Co for some earrings and a great wallet.

Then home to relax with puppies and to get ready to go meet the step family. I know that hair coloring, pedicures, and manicures are not necessities but they certainly made me feel better.

Any of you have emotional shopping or pampering or both?

Medical Fun

This morning I was up at 5:00 AM to take my mom to the hospital at 6:00 AM for a heart cath. She was supposed to go back at 8:00 AM, she went back at 8:30 AM. So now I sit and wait. I hate waiting. So if your please say a prayer and keep positive thoughts for my mom. Thanks!!

Never the Same

My boss says "Trust is like Grandma's vase once broken it can be put back together but it is never the same."

As I go through the parts of my parents divorce I am constantly reminded that things will never be the same. On Monday I had to go to the lawyer's office for the deposition for Mom and Dad's divorce. They needed someone who knew the beginning and the end to verify Mom's statement. I admit this hit me harder than I thought it would. I get it is a needed part of the process but still to have to do it for your parents was rough. But it is done. Then I just have to go sign the document so it can go to the judge. Then their divorce will be processed in the courts.

I will admit that Mom and Dad both seem happier since they have separated. It is probably something that should have happened years ago. I'm still sorry that it has happened. I don't care what age you are divorce is not something you expect for your parents.  

What I am grieving is that my family will never be the same. We will never have holiday dinners together. We will never share family memories together. It will always be different than it was. Is change bad? No, but it is change and change takes time.

Good things come out of bad things. And that is what I'm holding on to during this experience. That and my favorite quote...

God never gives me more than I can handle I just wish He didn't have such faith in me. ~ Mother Theresa

House Hunting

So Mom is now in the house hunting part of this journey. She's been in her apartment for about two months and now she is ready to look at houses. But this is not an easy search. She wants something all on one floor. She wants something that is a decent size 1400 sq ft. She wants to stay in her immediate area. And she wants it all for about $200,000. Which is doable we just haven't found "the" house yet. We will it just takes time. I'm hoping all will go well soon so she can get out of her apartment. We'll see. Keep your fingers crossed.

A Look Back to 2010

So 2010 started on a very high note for us. We got married again but this time both our families were there and we were in our church. It was a day I'll never forget. We celebrated 2 years of being together and 1 year of being married in 2010. For us personally 2010 was a great year right until the point I put him on a plan to Japan. And for our families we had some pretty good moments too...my brother got married to an absolutely wonderful woman. We welcomed two new grand nephews to J's family. His sister M got married. Another one of his sisters celebrated 10 years of marriage.

Now this is not to say there weren't some dark clouds along the way with my parents and an incident with his niece. But over all 2010 was a good year for us. So here's to next year! Cheers!

Life is Short

J is adopted and his adoptive parents are his Mom and Dad. They raised him they were there for all his ups and downs. They are his guides in life. He has five adoptive siblings. They are his brothers and sisters. But when J was 21 he was approached by Social Services because his biological parents wanted to meet him. He debated because he really had no desire to have a relationship with his biological parents because they aren't his parents. But he learned he had two biological sisters, A and M. He wanted to know them.

He met his biological parents but the relationship was never really there because he had a Mom and a Dad and they weren't it. They got divorced when he was 23 and he lost connection with his biological father. He tried to maintain a relationship with his biological mother over the years but she wanted more than he could give her. So now he just has a relationship with his biological sisters, A and M. His biological father had a number of issues and had had a rough life which he sometimes took out on others. But A and M, more so A tried to maintain a relationship with him. It was hard but he was their father. Their mother got remarried to a wonderful man who was more of a father than a step-father. But their father was always there in the background. And although they didn't have the best relationship they always felt there was time for it to heal.

Labor Day weekend their father took his own life after a struggle with depression. It shocked everyone because he had always been larger than life and forever happy. For J he wasn't really effected other than the fact that he wanted to be there for A & M. So he and I did what we could to offer support. A has been very hard hit by this because she feels a great loss of what will never be. She can never repair that relationship.

This whole experience got me thinking...I didn't know this man...I'd never met...never even talked to him on the phone. And yet his death caused a void. I am very close with A & M. I love them like sisters. It has been hard to watch their grief, particularly A's. She and I have had many phone conversations about this. (She's in MI.) I feel for her because death is never easy to deal with but when it is so sudden it is harder still. I have long known that life is short...but this whole experience has reminded me of these truths...

• Life is short
• Do not let your last words to someone be in anger...they may really be your last words
• If you have something you want to do or say before you die...why are you waiting?
• Tell those you love that you love them regularly
• Don't sweat the small stuff
• Realize in the grand scheme...it is all small stuff
• Don't leave something unfinished
• Respect people even if you don't agree with them
• Talk to someone...people care more than you realize
• Laugh often...it is good for your abs and it helps your mental state
• Let other live they way they want to live
• Breathe...and count to 10 then speak

The Big D - Divorce

First off let me say this is not about J and I. We are doing great we just celebrated our one year wedding anniversary in September.

The end of summer and this fall have been a difficult time for my family. My father has asked my mother for a divorce. It has been a core shaking event in my life and in my family. They have been married for 42 years. I'm not going to go into the details because that is their business but I will say it has been a tough journey. My father is not behaving in any way like the man I thought I knew. I realize my parents are people and they aren't perfect, they make mistakes, etc but I've always been a daddy's girl and this has been hard. He keeps using the phrase "clean brake" well that doesn't work after 42 years and two children. The kicker is that this came right after my brother got married and right before J left so it was a lot all at once.

Our main concern is that mom is taken care of financially. She has health issues that make a job difficult at best so she will be dependent on alimony. Ultimately we think she will be fine but this isn't the life she expected so she is going through a mourning process over the divorce and over the loss of the life she thought she had. My brother and I just want the best for her. The good news is as part of this she is being much more adventurous. So we'll see. But it is a tough transition for all of us.

Whirlwind weekend...

 The Griffin at Busch Gardens

As I mentioned my brother and his girlfriend (now fiance) surprised us for the weekend by coming in on Thursday. Whenever they come it is always a bit of hectic weekend but it is a blast. So Friday I took a half day at work we already leave at 3:00 PM on Fridays but I left at 12:30 PM. Then they decided they wanted to go to Busch Gardens (a local theme park) so we said we could go on base to get tickets cheaper than at the gate of the park. (a good $20 cheaper a person) And the base MWR (Morale, Welfare, & Recreation Office) we found open on the start of a holiday weekend was at the Weapons Station. A piece of advice...don't take a British citizen onto a military base on 4th of July weekend. We all showed ID and then the guard said..."Oh, she's a foreign national we have to take her ID and call the Master of Arms." So we waited and waited and waited...finally after some paperwork and some brief interviews for her and J we were allowed to go buy tickets. But in the future we will go get the tickets separate. Busch Gardens was a blast. But it was tiring. After Busch Gardens we came home and took Mom to Dairy Queen for ice cream for her birthday. My brother and his fiance wanted to go shopping at the Outlets near us Saturday morning. My brother wanted to get there first thing in the morning so he said he wanted to leave at 9:30 AM sharp. So we agreed, then we went home to take care of the dogs.

 Prime Outlets Williamsburg

 

Saturday we got up early to take care of the dogs. J worked on my car stereo that was having problems and we got ready to go. We pulled into the driveway at 9:30 AM. We beat my brother and his fiance. They arrived at 10:00 AM. So then we were on the road. The outlets were amazingly empty. So shopping was pleasant. But I found nothing I needed or wanted. My brother found some things then we headed back to Mom and Dad's. We went to lunch at 5 Guys. It was yummy! Then we came home and played the game Mrs. & Mr. it is like the newlywed game. J and I won...150 to 90 it was tricky but we know each other well. Then we decided since we had had a late lunch that we would have cheesecake (made by moi) for dinner. Then we called it a night and said good bye. They were heading out Sunday morning.

Sunday we were going to get up and go to church but we hit a wall. I know not a good excuse but we were exhausted. So we puttered around the house. J worked outside and I sewed a quilt (well part of it) I will post pictures later. Then we got ready and went to get Mom and Dad to head to our church for fireworks. There was a band playing and then the fireworks started at 9:00PM. They were really good!! Then we dropped Mom and Dad off and went home.

Yesterday we went to the grocery store to stock up for my planned menus. And had a nice relaxing day around the house. After dinner we took the Harley out for a ride. It had been a while...it was fun but a bit warm because we always wear jeans. Nice night all and all. And it brought the end to our whirlwind weekend of fun.

My Brother is full of surprises...

My mother's birthday was yesterday! And my brother called her earlier this week telling her a birthday gift was coming around 2:30 PM yesterday. We assumed flowers, fruit, etc...we assumed wrong it was my brother and his girlfriend. They arrived to take her out to dinner for her birthday. You may be wondering why is this that big a deal. Well my brother and his girlfriend live in London, England. So they took a hop across the pond. They took us out to dinner at a very yummy local steakhouse. It was wonderful!

While at dinner they also announced another surprise. They are engaged....they got engaged in February...and they are eloping the end of the month. Whoo hoo!!! We love her and are thrilled for them both. They wanted to tell us in person that is why we didn't know sooner. My brother is planning the wedding as a surprise for her which I think is hopelessly romantic.

So I get to celebrate my husband not leaving, my brother getting engaged, and the 4th of July all in one weekend does it get any better?

Back in the Groove...

We drove into our driveway at 12:00 AM Sunday night after a 12 hour drive from Michigan. It was good to be home. Here are a few highlights...pictures will come later.

• Cops seem some how less of a bother when referred to as "Sneaky Pete" we got a good laugh out of this especially since we were going in the speed limit bubble and not a concern to the cops at all. Ohio cops are sneaky...they park in almost invisible places.
• Camping is a tad tricky when you bring two air mattresses and no tent. So we slept in one end of the camper while his parents slept in the other. No worries.
• Signs saying "Prison Area - Don't pick up hitchhikers" are to be taken seriously. 
• A wake-up call of a 4 year old loudly whining "I don't want to sit next to Julian" for 15 minutes at 8:00 AM is not a nice way to wake up. (Especially when it is a neighbor's child outside your open bedroom window)
• A defense of "I forgot the subject" can work in your favor. 
• Cheese and Beer can make a filling dinner. (or cheese and wine)
• Summer time and camping mean eating burgers and dogs a lot. 
• Michigan is beautiful! Detroit is not as bad as it is made out to be. 
• Being unplugged is a good thing...no computers, minimal cell phone use, no phones ringing, little tv
• I missed my online connections though...I've become accustomed to reading blogs every day
• Family is a great thing to have!
• I am blessed with an amazing group of in-laws.  

So now that we're home the to do list is coming....

• Finish my Bead Swap Jewelry...
• Wash clothes
• Mow the out of control lawn (my wonderful husband sent me a text telling me it was done)
• Cut out some more purses...
• Finish cleaning up the house (it got left in a bit of disarray when we left)
• Get a really cool desk from my parents house
• Get up with friends who want to see J before he leaves
• Come up with a name for my business
• Get the dogs used to being back home
• Restock the kitchen (we emptied it before we left)
• Try some new recipes (a fig and hazelnut compote...)
• Get back into the grove at work (with my co-worker taking the rest of the week off....surprise)
• Catch up on blog reading (I am already admitting that this may not fully happen but I'm trying)

Mother's Day...

On Sunday at church our pastor preached a sermon about God our nurturing mother...it was an interesting concept that not only is God our all powerful father but God is also our all nurturing mother who gives us a home. I'm still trying to get a good grasp so when I get the sermon notes I may have another post.

He opened the sermon with the following questions...

• where is home for you?  J and I both answered that our house is our home. It is the place where we belong and feel most at home because of who is there.
• what is one thing you remember or think of about home? Each other
• what is Mom's first name and/or what is your Dad's nickname for her? In my case...Jill & Mom. In his case Judith & Judy Tudy (she'd hate that being published)
• what was one really good thing about your Mom growing up? In my case...her being home when I came home from school and chocolate chip cookies. In his case..talking to his Mom.

We are both blessed with amazing mothers who have been there through it all and loved us just the same. And now we are both blessed with wonderful mother-in-laws. Whenever we talk to his mom which isn't as often as it should be I love it. She is so sweet. And because we live near my parents I see my parents all the time.

So what about you....where is home for you? what is the one thing you remember or think of about home? what is your Mom's first name or your Dad's nickname for her? what was one really good thing about your Mom growing up?

Weekend Review

I like to have things to do on the weekend but I like to have some downtime too. This weekend had more to do and less downtime. But that is the way it goes sometimes...

Friday was a pretty standard day followed by an evening of running errands...in the rain. We have an annual St. Patrick's Day dance that we go to with friends. One of the local Catholic churches hosts it to raise money for their school. So it is a lot of fun and a good time. We went and found tons of St. Patrick's Day stuff to get and bring. We went grocery shopping. Not too bad other than the fact it rained (the windy hard kind) the whole time.

Saturday we were up early thanks to our pooches so we got up...put away our mounds of laundry. We are really good about washing laundry but then it sits folded in the baskets in our bedroom for days and days. The pooches "helped" always fun! We ventured out a little later for some lunch, a trip to the bank, and then back home for nap time before our big night. Every year for a while I've gone to the Annual St. Patrick's Day Dance at the Knights of Columbus. When J and I started dating it was one of our early dates. And now we look forward to it. You BYOB and they provide heavy appetizers and the mixers. There is a DJ who usually does a great job but this year seemed a bit off. But we danced, drank, ate, and had a great time. It is a good group of people that normally goes to this event. And it wouldn't feel like St. Patrick's Day without it.

Sunday brought Daylights Savings time (why do we still do this exactly?) and relaxing around the house. Then we were headed to Mom and Dad's for dinner...Corn Beef, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage of course. Well I decided to make Brownie Pudding Cake for dessert. (I didn't think this through) You are supposed to serve it warm so I decided to mix it up at home and bring it to Mom and Dad's to bake. Hot chocolate liquid doesn't travel well in a baking dish. I ended up with chocolate goo down my leg, on my shoe, and all over the floor of my car. Yeah I was happy. Needless to say when we got there...J cleaned my car and I put my clothes in the washer. (Borrowed sweat pants from Mom) and had to remake part of the chocolate goo. Well I made a whole other batch of chocolate goo and then the cake didn't bake right so we had really gooey hot brownie fudge with ice cream. But I heard no complaints and people went back for seconds. Lesson learned: Bake it at home or make it at the destination...lol

Longing to Belong...

aka...the need for family

I have been reading a lot of Cesar Millan's books in an effort to better understand my dogs and possibly get them to behave a bit better. (the reality is it is me who needs to behave a bit better) And one of the things that keeps striking me is the fact that dog's are pack animals and need to be part of a pack. They don't like to be solo and in the wild they wouldn't be solo.

The reality is that as humans we really aren't so different. We want to belong to something. You see it all the time in teenagers they cling to different groups even if they aren't good because at least they are accepted. But you also see it in adults. Each of us has a family of origin...we were born or adopted into a family that raised us. Some families are good, some families are not so good, and some families are just bad but they all have one thing in common they are our families. We didn't choose them...they didn't necessarily choose us but we are what we have.

I am blessed I was born into a loving family with two mostly normal parents and an older brother. I love them and would not be the woman I am today without their love and support. Now don't get me wrong we have had our rough spots but ultimately I was lucky to have a wonderful and healthy family life growing up. But I know others were not.

J was blessed to have been adopted by a wonderful family who gave him a similar upbringing to mine. And he is also blessed to have a relationship with his two biological siblings as well. He floored me when he said he had 6 sisters and a brother. I have a brother. You could see the intimidation factor.

We recently had a second wedding for my family and our friends here. His parents were able to join us and it was wonderful. It made us very aware of the family connections that we have and hold dear.

But we have also realized that some people are not as fortunate as we are and their families are not as wonderful. Sometimes the best thing they can say about their childhood is that it over. And because of this they are looking for a place to belong. The beauty of connection is that our family of origin is not our only family.

J and I are a family as a couple with four-legged children. Our family has brought both of us a calm because it is ours and only ours. But we also belong to other families...our church family, our family of friends, our work families, the Harley family, the pitbull owner family, and many more. Sometimes the place you belong is the place you create with friends, co-workers, people of fellow interest, etc and not so much the family you grew up with. Over time you realize that you are who you are thanks to family, friends, enemies, and experiences. All of them important and all of them different.

Where do you find your belonging spot?

Merry Christmas

Sorry I disappeared...I work in a church...last week was as crazy as it can get in a week. So we were blessed with a shorter work week for Christmas...which meant...2 1/2 days at work=good....and 2 1/2 days to get all four Christmas Eve bulletins and a Sunday bulletin created, edited, and run off. It was a lot of work but we got it all done by 2:00 PM on the 23rd.

Then I went to the bank, etc. And then J and I headed to the "outlets" to do some last minute Christmas shopping. Crazy...crazy...crazy...and yet the mood was festive so it wasn't too bad. We picked up some stuff for my Dad, my brother, and J. All and all a good trip.

Christmas Eve we were awakened by Ares at 7:00 in the morning. We live near a Shipyard and they have a 7:00 a.m. whistle to start the morning. Well apparently Ares thinks this is for him. So he wakes up and makes a ton of noise until we come down and let him out. We got up...got dressed and went to run a few errands. We went to the pet store and the grocery store for food for all. Harris Teeter is a fun grocery store except around the holidays and then it is evil. But we got what we needed then we came home for some relaxing before going to meet Mom and Dad for dinner. I didn't relax so much...I made a cheesecake and my spinach-artichoke dip.We were going to go to Schlotsky's but they were closed so we went to Kelly's instead. Then Mom, J, and I went to our church for Christmas Eve service. Mom had never been...and she loved it. Then we took Mom home and went to our friends annual Christmas Eve gathering. It was great!

Christmas morning we slept in a bit...so I was late starting our pull-apart bread breakfast. Which meant in turn we were late getting to Mom and Dad's. Unfortunately I hadn't wrapped any gifts so I also had to do that before leaving. I know I know...Christmas comes every year on the same day and yet it always sneaks up on me. And I had to get a shower...definately needed. We got to Mom and Dad's had breakfast while opening gifts. We got a couple things we needed, a couple we wanted, and a couple surprises. We got the Pictionary Man game...oh my gosh it is so much fun but hard. After opening gifts we watched Star Trek, one of J's gifts while munching on more food. I fell asleep. Running around on little sleep will do that to you...then Mom made Beef Stroganoff....it was yummy! Then we went and drove around looking at lights but it started to rain so we came home and had delish...and I mean delish Chocolate Cheesecake (made by moi). It was so rich you couldn't eat a lot. Then J and I packed up and came home.

It was a good Christmas!!