Christmas Outline

Quiet morning at home with Tom, opening gifts and preparing cinnamon rolls for Jen's.
Off to Jen's at about 11:15, with rolls in tow. Lovely buffet with a breakfast casserole, fresh fruit, juices, coffee, and the rolls. Gift opening after Zachary arrived with his Uncle Ben. Gift opening was a joy.
Tom left about 2:00 to come home and fry a turkey to take to his sister's for dinner. I came home shortly after.
Dinner with Tom's family at Dina's. Christmas bingo with Renee in charge. Gift of pearls to Tom's mother--I love this story: Tom's sister remembered a conversation with her mother in which her mother said she had always hoped for a gift of pearls from husband, but she never got them. It was decided to giver her the necklace for Christmas.
Back home to TJ and Jodi's doggies.

Visiting Granddoggers

We have Lucy and Lola visiting for a little while. I went to pick them up near the airport. Both dogs seemed to be happy to see me. Lucy rode in the back, and Lola up front. This was so I could keep an eye on her. Good idea! As soon as we started driving, Lucy sat down quietly and Lola started chewing. First on my gloves. I took them away before they were damaged and gave her a Sprite bottle chew on. She seemed perfectly happy. Then I noticed a big wet spot on the seat...seems Lola chewed in just the right way to unscrew the cap and the Sprite was leaking. I took the bottle and tightened the cap. Lola started chewing on ANYthing else--my coast sleeve, the contraption the holds the GPS to the windshield, the gearshift, the seat belt buckle, me. At one point, she decided she liked the taste of me and worked her way licking up my neck to my face until I pushed her back to her seat...I finally reached down and pulled one of her toys from the box on the floor. She seemed happy with that and eventually laid down quietly. All this time, Lucy was being a sweet, well-behaved dog in the back seat.

Once we got to the house, both dogs went in and out with me while I unloaded all their gear from the car. At one point, they went the wrong way up the driveway, which scared me a little because Lola is still a pup and might not come when called. She did come, though. Both dogs did. They ran around the back yard a bit, then joined me when I went back into the house. Inside, Lucy wanted peace and quiet and Lola wanted to play. Eventually, Lucy slid herself up onto the sofa (I did know what she was doing, but I am a very soft touch) next to me. She chose the side where there was very little room. She squeezed in between me and the arm of the sofa and rested her head on my shoulder. Lola continued to try to play, nipping at Lucy's collar or paws. Eventually, Lucy's head slipped down so it was resting on my laptop keyboard. Then Lola climbed up onto the other side, laid down and started chewing on the edge of the laptop--she is a puppy, after all. So now, both dogs are resting quietly, and I am loathe to disturb them. 'Friends' is on, so I am happy. Eventually, I will have to go make dinner....

SNOW!

18" of snow on Saturday.

Tom's new promotion, which he learned of during the week, makes him responsible for snow removal...sooooooo, he went to work on Saturday morning and didn't come home until Sunday morning. He immediately began shoveling snow out of our driveway. He had only gotten a catnap at work and didn't got to bed until about 2:00pm. His work phone rang before 3:00, and he had asked me to wake him at 4:00. Ouch! I called him, but he decided not to get up right away. During this whole time, I was busy treating a sore throat and runny nose. Luckily, we had what I needed in the house. Tom got a call later to let him know he would be needed at work again between 4:00 and 5:00am, so we both went to bed early.

Below are some photos I took at dusk, after I cleared a path down the driveway and to the door.

The snow that was swept back into the house with the door.

Before the storm was over, I'm guessing 14" on the top of the trashcan.

Snow on my side mirror.

The spotlight struggling to be seen through the snow.

Look carefully through the falling snow--you can see the circle of light from the spotlight and the Nativity Scene it is supposed to be lighting.

Cookie Day 2009

What a success this year's Cookie Day proved to be! Cookie Day was changed from Saturday to Sunday this year, because my brother managed to score some tickets to the Army/Navy Football Game on Saturday. He took Dad and brother Tom with him, so Mom accommodated them by backing off the event by a day. The guys had a great time at the game, even if it was cold.

Since Dad wasn't available, I went over to Mom & Dad's on Saturday to help Mom with preparations. Mom had been working hard before I got there--but together we finished up and got the kitchen table leaf in, the cutting board set up with cookie cutters, rolling pins, bowls for used cutters, baking trays and cooling racks came out of storage, etc. We also prepared the dining room table for brunch, as best we could beforehand. Afterward, Mom and I went out to get an early dinner, then I headed home to bake the cake I had promised to bring.

We arrived just on time on Sunday morning, and we closely followed by most of the family. It was crowded and chaotic--just the way you would expect when you cram over thirty people and all their gear into a house that usually houses two. It was so much fun! We shared the dough rolling and cookie cutting duties, me taking over for Mom, Cathy for me, then my Tom for Cathy. That was so that my sisters and I could go rehearse the Cookie Carols that Janet had prepared for us again this year. My favorite was "The Cookie Day Massacre." A little back story: My mom has been feeding the squirrels in her yard for so many years that the little darlings have grown quite bold in their quest for food. Mom can feed several right from her hands. A few years ago, our brother Tommy was showing a guest how to feed the squirrels. I was not there for this particular Cookie Day--I lived too far away to make the trip. So all I know is thorugh the stories told by the family--particularly Tommy, who is a storyteller extraordinaire. Anyway, the squirrel (for reasons known only to itself) not only took the nut nut bit Tommy hard enough to make it bleed! In telling me the story-and embellishing as only Tom can-he referred to it as "The Great Cookie Day Massacre." When Janet heard mention of this last year, her fertile little brain began writing the song, which goes like this (to the tune of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing):

The Cookie Day Massacre

"This is how you feed a squirrel"

Said Tommy on Cookie Day.

"Take a nut and hold it out

Make sure you don't scream or shout."

Big fat squirrel came up to Tom

Grabbed the nut and bit his thumb.

With some anger Tom exclaimed

That damn (bleep with bike horn) squirrel just bit my hand!"

"This is how to feed a squirrel"

Said Tommy on Cookie Day!

We didn't see the new songs until just before we were to sing, so I was concentrating on learning my part. But the next day, I was singing to myself in the shower and giggled myself silly. The song got a great reception from the family on Cookie Day, too. There were two other new songs. "We Three Moms" written by Janet and "Carol of the Bells" written by her son Evan--with harmonies, even! We all wondered if Evan remembered who he was asking to sing his song! If I remember correctly these songs were written at 3:30 that morning.

When we went outside to prepare our Caroling, Becca was out there with her son Adam, who was not a happy camper at that moment. When we started singing, Adam left his mother and climbed up onto the threshold to watch. After the first song, he said something like 'I liked that. Do another!' Poor kid has no ear for music, apparently. :)

The rest of the afternoon and evening went along as usual, lots of beautifully decorated cookies (Jodi, Katie and Jen did the most beautiful cookies this year, IMHO), lots of chatter, dinner, choosing our cookies to take home, and cleanup. I went back yesterday to help a little more with that. I hope I *was* helpful and not just in the way.

I was so busy all day I didn't take pictures until the very end.

Our baker, Jim. He usually mans the oven. This year, before he got too busy, he decorated a tray of cookies, too.

Janet, sayinig goodbye to Ryan, Michelle and Laura.

Dad, during that rare part of the day when he sits down.


Since Michelle usually handles the camera, I took advantage of the opportunity to get a shot of her with Laura. Laura was not so cooperative...

..trying to get away...

I think I like this one best, even if Laura isn't smiling. Need to fix the red eye, too.

Evan and Dani at the end of the day.

Changed plans *updated **Another update ***and again

Originally, Tom and I planned to go to Harrisburg today, to see an Art 'n' Crafts Show there...but things change. Instead, we are sharing the day with our grandchilren. I will explain:

Yesterday, we attended "The Miracle of Christmas" at Sight & Sound in Ronks, PA with Jen, Jay, the kids, and Jay's parents. Jen's family went to lunch in the town beforehand. At intermission, Jay took the kids to the restroom. Then he transferred care of them to Tom and took himself to the restroom. He never came back to our seats, and he didn't appear after the show (which was impressive, by the way) until Jen called him on the cell phone. He was still in the restroom. Jen told him we would wait in our seats. He finally came out, but looked pale even from a distance. He sat down at the top of our row and indicated to Jen that he didn't feel he could walk anymore. He was thinking food poisoning. So Tom and I took the kids to the lobby and entertained them with a trip through the gift shop, looking at the decorations, etc. When Jen called, she said the staff had escorted them out the back of the building and she was going to get their car to pick up Jay. Things were so crowded and confusing that we decided that Tom and I would just bring the kids home with us. Jay still wasn't feeling well when they got home. We wished him well and headed to our house.

This morning in church, Tom's phone vibrated. He left Mass to take the call, then came back and mouthed to me that we had to go. I grabbed our stuff and off we went. Seems Jen and the kids were at the ER with Jay...which meant Jen had to stay in the waiting area with the kids and Jay really wanted her with him. So we took the kids and left Jen at the hospital to care for her husband. That was at 9:45. It is now 3:15 and Jen has no idea when Jay will be able to come home. So we cancelled our plans and instead get to spend the day with our grandchildren.

We have had breakfast (pancakes), added some ornaments to the Christmas tree in the Family Room (and only broken one), did some artwork to include the use of glitter glue, played with Grandpa's cars, started building a puzzle, Ryan played Uno with Grandpa (and beat him several hands), Lily played with a small Nativity set I have, and now they are watching football with Grandpa. I have butter softening in the kitchen in case we decide to make some cookies, too.

I love having the kids here, but I wish it were for a better reason. If you are reading this and would care to say a prayer for Jay's return to good health, I know it would be appreciated. :)


*Jay is being admitted to the hospital. His problem has not yet been identified exactly. They know there is bleeding, believed to be from the colon, but still determining the cause. Could be many things, like colitis, IBS or food poisoning. Prayers still appreciated.

**Jay spent his second night in the hospital last night. He is having more tests this morning and hopes to be released by lunchtime. Fingers crossed!

***Jay came home on Wednesday afternoon, closer to teatime than lunchtime, but he's home and happy to be there. He will get results of his tests at a doctor's appointment this coming Wednesday.

Memories of Lily...

Today, Lily asked her Mommy if she could go to Grandma's house "at 69" -- meaning the time. Then she kept asking if it was 69, yet. While she was here, Lily helped me decorate my Mouse - themed Christmas Tree. She enjoyed unwrapping the ornaments and deciding where to place them on the tree. At one point, she wanted something high on the tree. She wanted me to stand on the stepladder to reach high enough. "Don't worry, Grandma, I'll be right here with you." So sweet.

Later on, I left my virtual farm up on the computer while I was out of the room. I returned to find Lily had done some 'plowing' and was happily 'planting' strawberries! I asked how she did that, and she acted like I was crazy to ask...

And finally, I think I will always remember the sight of her little arm waving goodbye from the back window of the Explorer as Mommy pulls out of the driveway and as they drive in front of the house on their way home.