♥ Merry Christmas! ♥ God Jul ♥ Gledelig Jul ♥
♥ Glædelig Jul ♥ Hyvää Joulua ♥ Gledileg Jol ♥
♥ Merry Christmas ♥ Feliz Navidad ♥ Joyeux Noël ♥
♥ Frohe Weihnachten ♥
♥ Vrolijk Kerstfeest ♥ Καλά Χριστούγεννα ♥
♥ Buone Natale ♥ Blithe Yule ♥ Nollaig chridheil huibh ♥
♥ Nollaig Shona Dhuit ♥ Mele Kalikimaka ♥ Mutlu Noeller ♥
♥ Maligayang Pasko ♥ Selamat Hari Natal ♥ Sawadee Pee Mai ♥
Can you believe it? Here we are. It’s Christmas Eve! Here in New Hampshire, our ground is nearly bare of snow and they really are not expecting any significant snow by Christmas. In fact, Christmas Day is forecast to be cold and sunny. Which is fine by me, as last year we drove through a big snowstorm to get to my daughter’s home to celebrate the big day.
I’ve always loved Christmas. The people, the fun, the food, and then something totally magical happened in my life.
I became an Oma!
Suddenly, the magic I knew when my children were little, is back and in many ways even better than before. My appreciation for all that I have in my life is so much greater than when I was young. Each person, each love, brings a smile to my face and makes me anticipate sharing Christmas Day with them.
The wonder of watching their happy faces as they open their packages fills me with sheer joy!
Today I will visit the Post Office for the last cards and packages before Christmas Day.
I will pack the car, and decide what I am wearing Christmas Day and lay it out. Our day begins early, as we breakfast and prepare for one very special day, spent with those that I love.
Have a blessed Christmas Eve!
MaribethI was up before dawn on Saturday and after several cups of coffee, breakfast and a quick kiss to Jack I was out of here before ten o’clock heading to the crowded back roads of New Hampshire.
Or so I thought!
I got down to Walmart quickly, and although the parking lot was jammed up, I did finally find a place to park, and the hiked into the store.
I’d happily found an even better digital watch for Savannah, and I am thrilled to death with it.
I also bought myself a regular numerical watch made by Timex (inexpensive). Now my hope is that between Savi’s digital and my normal watch, I can teach her all about telling time!
I came home, set the watch, (and my new one as well) and then wrapped the last of the gifts. I am all done. All that needs doing is to load this all into the car on Christmas Eve, so I don’t forget anything on Christmas Day!
Now I need to clean up my wrapping room and put everything away for another year.
I’m really enjoying Christmas this year. I’ve put so much thought into things, and I am happily anticipating Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas!!!
We woke on Friday morning to heavy downpours of rain. The rain did not just come in the morning, but it has simply poured all day long, and into the evening. And I’m watching the weather on the TV and he is saying we will have rain well into tomorrow. Ugh!
I was wrapping the last few presents when I got to the watch I’d gotten for Savannah. I decided to set the watch for her, and I discovered it is defective! So, the watch is going back and I think I may slip out to Walmart and see if I can replace it tomorrow.
I am still doing well on my healthy eating plan! I am currently thirteen pounds down.
My stress about this is that Tuesday is Christmas! There are things I want to eat. But I don’t want to mess myself up. I thought, okay, I will take a one meal hiatus from the plan. Just dinnertime at Mandy’s. Then I go right back on the wagon.
It’s the only thing that makes sense. Christmas is special. I want that taste of German Stollen. I would love a sip of wine. Or perhaps a Scotch!
Nothing else is stressing me, just the darn food. Food stresses me. Especially when I am really trying to drop a few pounds.
And here is a very funny thing. My fingernails are beautiful.
I plan to give myself a little manicure on Sunday. Now I am hoping and praying between now and then that I don’t break one. Really they are so lovely!
A woman’s vanity, I know.
Enjoy your Christmas preparations and parties and foods. And here’s to a good toast along the way as well. A fine Scotch perhaps!
There are several things that have been going on this week that are rather important and make me smile at myself. You will understand as you read on…
So there you have it. Kind of a good week, kind of a bad week, but I guess, in the end, it’ll all work out. The computer is great and the roof will be fixed. I’m ready for Christmas and I am thankful for all the good things in my life.
Have a Happy Weekend!
Looking back on that day when I was just eighteen, and Mandy’s father and I made the trip to the hospital to deliver our child, still thrills me beyond words.
Back then, you did not know what your baby would be until it popped out. But I knew, yes, I knew that this baby was going to be a girl. I just had a feeling. All through my pregnancy, this bond with my unborn child made me certain it was a she.
I looked into that beautiful little face and I felt a love like I had never felt before!
Her birth was something that is still the best moment of my life. Watching her come into this world and take her first breath filled me with a happiness that I’d never known. It was simply magic!
Mandy was born five days before Christmas that year, and to this day, and forever, she will remain the very best Christmas present that I ever received!
Mandy has grown into a beautiful, wonderful, woman, and probably the very best mother I know. She adores her children and they adore their Mommy. I am so proud of her.
Today I look back over her life, and I have made a short montage of Mandy through the years, and the people she loves and who love her in return.
Happy Birthday, Mandy!
We’re joining Terri at Your Friend From Florida
1. Wednesday, December 19, 2018, is National Hard Candy Day! So the first question today is to ask if you enjoy hard candy, especially the kind we usually see during this festive time of year? What is your favorite? Which hard candy brings up the best memories for you if any?
Well, I love Butterscotch Candies. Right now, since I am off all sugar, I am off all candy. **Groan**
2. Holiday shopping! Are you finished? If you could spend an entire day in just one store, which one would it be and why?
Yes, I am done shopping and almost done the wrapping. I have three gifts that are delayed on Amazon and once they arrive, I can wrap, and be done with it!
3. What holiday dessert describes you and why?
An Apple Pie. I am classic, sweet, spicy and warm at heart.
I may be a little crusty on the outside, but once you find your way into my soul, you will find me totally yummy!
4. What is your least favorite holiday side dish?
Oh gosh, I don’t think I have one. Remember me? The lifetime member of Weight Watchers? There is a good reason. I love food and I adore eating!
5. Now be real!! There is one on almost every tree. What is the ugliest tree ornament you have ever seen?
There are no ugly ornaments. It is on someone’s tree then it means something to them. That being said, I’ve seen glass fish and lobsters and never been attracted. But, who am I to judge?
This is my favorite ornament. It just tickles me, and I am not sure, exactly why.
6. Tell us something random about your week!!
We took both Arnie and Anneliese into the Vets. Both need dental cleanings, and while they do that, Arnie will have his three lumps removed! I knew he had two but on exam, she found a third.
They will take good care of Arnie during the surgery. Arnie has a pretty good (bad) heart murmur. So they will use different medications and monitor him carefully. I’d hoped a few years ago when he had his dental that he would be fine for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, they both need them.
I had so much to do on Monday and I found myself kind of running in circles, despite my desire for a quiet day. I have an appointment today (Tuesday) for Arnie to go see the doctor, and I may call and bring Anneliese too, as she hasn’t felt well today either. Having brother and sister senior dogs is tough on a Dog Mommy’s heart!
About 4 o’clock in the afternoon I lay down on the sofa and fell asleep for about an hour. Oh, wonderful naps. I love them.
I used to tease my Dad about going in and taking a nap like this, but quite honestly, I think I could become a devote napper if I gave it my all!
The winds have changed and we are once again heading for the deep cold of winter. Our days are short and dark with only a very short segment of sunshine today.
In just a few more days it will be my daughter’s birthday! That’s one of the happiest days of my life! Tune in on Thursday to read and to see what I have done to celebrate her birth!
Wish me luck with Arnie! I sure hope that his lumps are nothing!
On Sunday I felt tired and decided to perform tasks that were not too difficult. Besides cooking meals, and running to the grocery to pick up some bread for Jack and a few vegetables for us to enjoy, I decided to sit down and wrap presents.
This year I have cherished every package I have wrapped. I have used decorative strings and bows and made each package special. But all that cutting, wrapping and taping takes time. And my wrapping spot seemed like a bomb blew up in there during the toughest part of the job
I have blurred out a few items so the mystery remains until Christmas Day. But honestly, isn’t this a disaster?
It actually doesn’t look like this anymore because all the packages are wrapped and neatly stored in boxes to go to Mandy’s house on Christmas Day.
Today (Monday) I need to call our Veterinarian and bring in Arnie. The darling boy has not been acting like himself at all. He seems not to feel well.
He also has two lumps on his chest. Six months ago he had one, and I was told to watch it. Well, now that one is larger and a second lump is in the area. So, this means a visit to our Vet is in order.
I would also like to get the laundry going and actually putter around and get the house in some sort of order. I’ve just been so busy and let things get away from me.
Looking at the stuff above, it looks like I will have a busy Monday. And the travel out to the Vets will be slightly tricky as we are due for some snow. However, I do not want to wait. Arnie’s an old boy now.
Have a great week, everyone, finish your Christmas Shopping, listen to a few Christmas Carols and enjoy the peace and love of the season.
On Saturday I was up bright and early, my bags were packed and I had Christmas gifts for my cousin to bring down to my daughter’s house. I was on time, and even got a nice bottle of water for the ride.
Everything was going well until I got out of my car at my daughter’s house, went to get my overnight bag out of the back seat and found I’d forgotten it!
Yeah, call me stupid. I have never done this before. Especially since I take two very important medications that I cannot go without.
Oh well, I told Mandy and Matt to go on out and I would bite the bullet and drive home in the evening.
I’m not a fan of driving in the dark. I don’t see all that well, and so I really avoid it. Lucky for me, when it came time for me to drive back, the traffic was light and I did just fine.
But I am still annoyed with myself!
I did get to see Savannah perform at her ballet class Christmas show. And she was wonderful and adorable and this Oma was thrilled!
Here Savannah is waiting with her classmates to perform for us and for Santa.
She was so adorable and knew all her steps and little hand gestures!
She sure can jump high!
Savannah really loves Santa and is always good for hugs, snuggles, and cuddles!
When we got home Quinn was playing with his Christmas Tree. Fun to watch!
Our weather today was splendid! Our temperatures were close to or right around 50 degrees! And the sun was shining! All in all, a great day.
If only I hadn’t forgotten my medications!