I've not had a whole lot to say lately. Well, that's not entirely true. I have TONS to say but not much time or energy in which to say it. Perhaps I will find some time in the near future... not sure though since work is ridiculous and if I have many more days like Friday I'm not so sure I want to go back (although I don't have much choice). I've done nothing but cook for two solid days - cook sweet potatoes and green beans for dinner at my folks on Christmas Eve, cook two breakfast casseroles for Christmas morning, and cook chili for a supper tonight after the kids ate with their dad and grandparents (I'll share that story for another day). I also cooked a few desserts - a gingerbread with a lemon sauce, some different candies and the biscotti I promised Joshua (his favorite). Tomorrow is pizza and wine with my dear friend - a chance to debrief and relax. I also need to walk at some point. I did Sunday night, which was good, but it's been rainy here the last few days so not great walking weather - hope it's not raining too much tomorrow.
I'm headed to dream land... but just a few pictures before I do...
Pappy drew her name and bought her a set of pearls - after all, every Southern girl needs a set of pearls :-) Not sure who was more thrilled about the gift - her receiving or Pappy giving. He asked what she wanted and I told him... he went down to his favorite jewelry store and received an education and picked out the perfect necklace. Now he wants to buy her a pearl ring for graduation - the great thing is she will be telling her granddaughter about the Christmas she received them as she's fastening them around her granddaughter's neck to wear on some special occasion and when the time comes she will pass them down, along with stories of her grandfather. Dad told me later he loved buying her things because she's always so full of gratitude for everything she receives, no matter how big or small. He said she's always so bubbly and it makes him happy to be around her.
Joshua took it as a personal project to not waste one scrap of wrapping paper this year so many of our gift were wrapped in a combination of paper - my brother Joe was tickled and has since saved the paper as a reminder. We get way too much joy out of such silly things. I saved the tags from the gifts the kids gave me - on one gift Joshua wrote "to JBat's mother from JBat and Co." The JBat thing is a joke as well as the mother thing. You have to know the inside joke to really get it but it's endearing to me and so indicitive of his personality. How did I end up with such awesome kids?
And to close out... Toby... my grandpuppy. We almost lost Toby a few months ago. He had three separate stays in the vet clinic. The third admission was the worst - we thought they had it figured out but after being home a week he got worse. I took him up the last time and met Joshua there and thought for sure that was the end. He was barely a year old and so very sick - the vet diagnosed him but it took several near death ordeals before the proper medication was found to treat his condition. He's doing wonderfully now and we're very grateful! He's such a sweet pup!
