Whew! Christmas is over; all Christmas guarantee quilts were finished by December 21st, and I have stopped throwing up! Yep, the flu. It went through the family like dominoes falling. First Kai, then me, then Laura, then Joe, all down with the intestinal flu. Kai's continued on into the chicken pox - what a bummer. In spite of being vaccinated, he hadn't had the booster and somewhere was exposed to it. He had a light case; and if he hadn't had the flu first, probably wouldn't have felt so bad. Missing Christmas mass and the choir and program performances that he had worked so hard on was probably his biggest disappointment. Fortunately, Quinn got her booster early and will not be getting the chicken pox, and Kai has bounced back and is allowed to go out in public tomorrow!
In spite of our illness, Christmas was great. It was our turn to have both daughters, husbands, and family for Christmas Eve and Day! Fortunately, I cooked the easiest and best Christmas Eve dinner, Paula Deen's No Fail Rib Roast. I would put something in the oven, go lie down, turn something off, go lie down, etc. I skipped mass so I wouldn't spoil it for others and was drowsing in front of the tree when everyone came home starving for dinner.
It's become my tradition to give everyone in the family pj's on Christmas Eve as well as a game or something to keep people occupied -- we also exchanged family gifts that evening so Santa wouldn't be overshadowed on the next day. Torn paper, empty boxes, and satisfied children were the result.
Everyone enjoyed seeing Lily, the chocolate lab puppy, and spoiled her with lots of hugs. It was great to see Daisy and Lily interact - Daisy really has taken an almost maternal concern for Lily and since Daisy is the best dog ever, there's hope for Lily, who right now plays for an hour, sleeps for three, and according to Lisa and Jeremy she also eats nonstop and pees every hour. Maybe Lily's middle name is Marley. All I know is I got some great pictures of Quinn and Lily!
I hope everyone who reads this had a great holiday and is looking forward to the New Year!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Puppies
Technology failed us on the way to Malta. Lisa and Jeremy have decided to add a chocolate lab puppy to their family for Christmas, and because it was a surprise for her husband, Lisa asked Laura and me and the grandchildren to ride along and see the puppies when she put down her deposit. Sounds great! A fun Sunday afternoon ride with squirming puppies at the end -- what could go wrong?
Lisa mapblasted the directions (this is the technology part) and we were off - a winding up and down trail over three counties, going back and forth and looking for places that went straight (I swear that's what the directions said). It was enough to make some stomaches queasy, and we were lucky that the kids fell asleep. On Saturday there had been snow, but it had all melted at home. The further south and east we went, the more snow was left on the countryside and back roads. Our progress became slower and slower. Of course, we missed a turn or two and resorted to looking at the map and coming onto our final road from the opposite direction. But we were there, almost.
As I turned on to the road, Laura yelled, "Stop." We were at the top of a steep hill, covered with snow and cinders. I cautiously backed up to the berm while Lisa called the owners of her puppy who explained we were almost there --take a right just halfway down the hill. I put it in low and we cautiously descended and turned into their large clear driveway. And then, in the yard, there they were, ten black and brown puppies tumbling about in the snow. Even 4 year old Quinn who's a bit nervous around dogs was thrilled at the cold little noses and warm fur. Kai tried to act like he wasn't interested, but soon even he was out of the car to check out all the excitement.
Lisa's new puppy was inside, staying warm and clean for her new owner to check her out. She's adorable and her name will be Lily. Lily will be coming home on Sunday to meet Jeremy and Daisy, a 2 year old chocolate lab the kids rescued last year.
It was definitely a fun day and I chuckle every time I think of it. The owners are going to meet Lisa halfway when she picks up Lily so it won't be quite as much fun. Even if she were to have to travel all the way to Malta again, we now know it's not near as difficult as the mapquest program made it. If you want to get to Malta from Jacksontown, take route 13 south until it intersects with route 37 east. Turn east on 37 and it will take you directly to Malta. Go figure. We came back that way on Sunday. It was a pleasant trip home but not worth any chuckles.
Lisa mapblasted the directions (this is the technology part) and we were off - a winding up and down trail over three counties, going back and forth and looking for places that went straight (I swear that's what the directions said). It was enough to make some stomaches queasy, and we were lucky that the kids fell asleep. On Saturday there had been snow, but it had all melted at home. The further south and east we went, the more snow was left on the countryside and back roads. Our progress became slower and slower. Of course, we missed a turn or two and resorted to looking at the map and coming onto our final road from the opposite direction. But we were there, almost.
As I turned on to the road, Laura yelled, "Stop." We were at the top of a steep hill, covered with snow and cinders. I cautiously backed up to the berm while Lisa called the owners of her puppy who explained we were almost there --take a right just halfway down the hill. I put it in low and we cautiously descended and turned into their large clear driveway. And then, in the yard, there they were, ten black and brown puppies tumbling about in the snow. Even 4 year old Quinn who's a bit nervous around dogs was thrilled at the cold little noses and warm fur. Kai tried to act like he wasn't interested, but soon even he was out of the car to check out all the excitement.
Lisa's new puppy was inside, staying warm and clean for her new owner to check her out. She's adorable and her name will be Lily. Lily will be coming home on Sunday to meet Jeremy and Daisy, a 2 year old chocolate lab the kids rescued last year.
It was definitely a fun day and I chuckle every time I think of it. The owners are going to meet Lisa halfway when she picks up Lily so it won't be quite as much fun. Even if she were to have to travel all the way to Malta again, we now know it's not near as difficult as the mapquest program made it. If you want to get to Malta from Jacksontown, take route 13 south until it intersects with route 37 east. Turn east on 37 and it will take you directly to Malta. Go figure. We came back that way on Sunday. It was a pleasant trip home but not worth any chuckles.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
December Rush
December is a great month. I love the anticipation of Christmas and the holidays. Trained by my many years as a school teacher, I close the shop for two weeks around Christmas and New Years and spend my time playing with my family and quilting friends.
With so much to get done for others and myself, I have scheduled Friday Night Free for Alls for the first three Fridays in December and I will actually have everything done by Friday, December 19th! Yippee!
There's another kind of "rush" I feel for December -- It's the joy of watching: my grandson Kai carefully placing ornaments on my tree so the Santa Clauses face outward or serving at Mass and trying not to yawn or sneeze, my granddaughter Quinn climbing into my lap with a book or seriously coloring a picture with only one crayon, my daughter Lisa's chocolate lab Daisy plopping herself at our feet, Lisa and Jeremy together and still obviously in love, my daughter Laura and her love for her husband and children, my husband Joe bonding over football with his sons-in-law.
I have never had any trouble finding the real sentiment of the season -- it's all around me -- I just have to look.
With so much to get done for others and myself, I have scheduled Friday Night Free for Alls for the first three Fridays in December and I will actually have everything done by Friday, December 19th! Yippee!
There's another kind of "rush" I feel for December -- It's the joy of watching: my grandson Kai carefully placing ornaments on my tree so the Santa Clauses face outward or serving at Mass and trying not to yawn or sneeze, my granddaughter Quinn climbing into my lap with a book or seriously coloring a picture with only one crayon, my daughter Lisa's chocolate lab Daisy plopping herself at our feet, Lisa and Jeremy together and still obviously in love, my daughter Laura and her love for her husband and children, my husband Joe bonding over football with his sons-in-law.
I have never had any trouble finding the real sentiment of the season -- it's all around me -- I just have to look.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)