Christmas 2008

My daughter was is town. She had returned with my after the wedding in Texas. We went late afternoon to a get together at my nephew Norman’s open house. There we gave presents to his two twin 3 year old sons. They were so excited to see everyone and open their gifts! Always fun to see young ones so excited. And did they make out! We enjoyed hor dorse and visiting.

Then, we headed home for our family dinner. My son and his dog joined us. We had a fun time, eating, visiting and taking some fun photos! He joined us again in the morning for brunch and presents.

Later, I was not feeling well ( too much rich food and drink). So my daughter went alone to my niece’s house to visit and give gifts to her two youngest children. I was very sad that I was not able to see their sweet faces. I hope to visit later this week.

So another Christmas goes by, 14 now without my late husband. I’ve learned to appreciate the little things and not except...and I know that nothing stays the same. Life goes quickly so enjoy each day, your family, friends, health, the beauty of nature, all music and have as much fun as you can!

thought of the day: "If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all."

Texas ~~Yes, Madam!

My nephew got married in Dec. in his home town of Longview, Texas! Quite a lovely wedding and interesting experience for West Coast gals. (That is my older sister, my daughter and me.)

First, I’ll here are a few of the Texas sights we saw and were unaccustomed to.

Buffalo head on the wall in a store.

Gun toy

No explanation needed

A store with my daughter and my last name.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On December 21, 2008.
Paul, my nephew, married a wonderful, darling young lady, Charity. The following are a few shots of the shower, ceremony and reception.

Charity at bridal shower.

Charity taking a break between wedding photos.

At the ceremony

Charity with her new father-in-law, Tom.

My sister, Clover, with her son, Paul, the groom.

thought of the day: " Love is not marrying the one you can live with,
but marrying the one you can't live without."

THE TWINS TURN THREE

Cole and Kyle had their third birthday party. And do they ever know what presents are now! They really attacked the gifts! They received lots of fun things. The most fun was a “googlie giggle” which jumps around and vibrates. Also, the Green Hulks’ boxing gloves that make a growling noise. Poor Kyle was afraid of both of those things at first. I know he’ll warm up to them soon.

Kyle blows out the candles!
P.S. My nephew Billy also turned three
this month, however, I was out of town.

thought of the day: "The one with the most toys, wins!"

Snow in Redding

Snow in Redding!
12-15-08

roses and snow

White Elephant Christmas Party

Yearly White Elephant Christmas Party

This is always fun...as you never know what you will get. There is always
much laughter. It starts off with an amazing pot luck meal and libations.
Then we draw numbers and take turns choosing gifts...never knowing
what we might choose. Once the gift is opened...someone else may choose
your gift when it is their turn. This allows for some hilarious moments!
If you get a really hideous gift, you can always recycle it next year!

Here Ned shows off his gift, photos of the
party host and hostess. Tree ornament?

Tim and Viv

Bill, Kathy, Dick and Mary

Patty and oinking pig gift!

Dick and Donna (chemo patient) compare bald heads!

Sally,Viv, Donna, Mary, Carolyn, Maggie,
Joey, Kathy, Patty, and Claudia

Sally, Viv, Donna, Mary and Carolyn

Bill, Dick and Tim

Ladies enjoy getting together.
Kathy, Joey, Donna, Claudia, Mary and Carolyn.
Just learning how to use my new camera. (Wait
a minute, I'm in that photo. Who took this one?)

Patty, Maggie and Joey

Cursed Claudia

December 11, 2008
OMG...I must have not forwarded a chain e-mail.
Not only did I loose my camera, but I broke my

expensive sunglasses! ~~Now I'll probably get

OLD and FAT and GRAY! Oh wait, that has already
happened!
Cursed Claudia

December 12, 2008
OK, OK....I'll forever forward every chain e-mail I get!
Newest problem...dead car battery!
What a week! I'm blaming the FULL MOON!

thought of the day (week): " If anything can go wrong, it will." Murphy's law

WEEKLY THEME: Favorite

Groucho Glasses

My favorite tree ornament
because it is unique and
Santa is wearing Groucho
Glasses.

Love to share them with my friends,
and I feel a lot more comfortable
having my photo taken if I can hide
behind them. Besides, they certainly,
give everyone a good laugh!

Weekly Theme: Breakfast

This is my usual breakfast:
I start with oatmeal, then I add
in some raw oat bran, flax seeds,
and cinnamon (which I forgot to
add to the photo) and cook it in
the microwave. Pull it out and
add almond slivers and soy milk.

Then there are those other mornings.

"Only God Can Make a Tree"

"Only God Can Make a Tree"
From Poem by James Joyce

Although I do agree, I did spend the entire day "making" my Christmas tree. Actually, this year it did go a little quicker, as I have learn from previous years the following lessons:
1) the tree branches must each be fluffed and carefully place in the correct spot,
2) this means...do the job in the daylight, as 'old' eyes do not match codes in the poor light,
3) do not attempt to assemble the tree while drinking the holiday drink of "egg nog and brandy".

Eureka, I did it!