Busy Days

The holidays are always a busy time for us all, so it's a reason and not just an excuse that I haven't updated lately. I haven't completed many stitching projects either. I'm working on Christmas gifts so they aren't finished yet. I'm going to Lanna's house today so we can motivate each other (and she can help me) finish our Christmas exchange gifts.

Thanksgiving was a bit complicated this year. Alyssa was in the hospital for two days. She had strep throat and pneumonia. She was hooked up to an IV and oxygen. We spent a few days worrying our butts off about her. She got home late Thanksgiving day so we just postponed our dinner until Friday. We definitely had some thanks to give that day.

This past weekend I took a (vacation). Weekend before last the family and I were talking about stress and how all the little things add up and the bad feelings begin to overtake us. Randy mentioned that he would love to run away somewhere but didn't have any place to go. That got me thinking about things so I emailed my dad and asked him if I could come visit for a couple, few or more days. Of course, he was happy and told me to stay as long as wanted. I should remind him not to say that in the future in case I show up and decide to never leave.

I now have to go on a diet. My step mom, Carolyn is one of the world's best cooks. She loves me so much. She went out of her way every day to make me the most delicious home-cooked meals. I love the way a home smells and feels when there is good food being prepared in the kitchen.

We spent one day touring through the local antique shops. Carolyn and I both came home with a few goodies. I told Randy that I was shopping and he asked me if I needed him to bring the truck. We've been married for over 25 years so he knows me very well.

Dad and I went to see Unstoppable. It was a very good, very intense movie. My dad is such a jokester. He had an empty bank envelope in his pocket. He tore it up into several little pieces and was going to throw them away. There was a group of teenage girls in line in front of us. One had on a jacket with a hood on it. My dad very carefully dropped the pieces of paper in her hood! A few minutes later she took her coat off and all the pieces came out. She must have thought they were hers because she just picked them up and went on. We laughed so hard.

I now have a food sealer for my kitchen. I almost got a George Foreman grill. I told my dad and Carolyn that I thought the ones they had were really cool and that I didn't have either one. They went to the store and came back with the food sealer. I love it! I'm going to go to Wal Mart and get extra bags because I will be using this kitchen gadget quite a bit. Oh Dad, I really like the idea of cruising along the coastal highway in a vintage red corvette. (Well, it was worth a shot.)

When I was little, OK younger because I'm still little, my dad and I used to hang out together watching the then LA Rams play football. They are in St. Louis now but they are still the Rams of course. Dad gave me a Rams jersey. It is gorgeous! I wore it to the TANA meeting last night and got a lot of compliments on it. I told them dad gave it to me and that made it even more special.

They also gave me a sterling silver cake cutting set. It has the knife and spatula. (Is that what it everyone else calls it?) The spatula is engraved with a couple's name and date and it is still in the fabric lined box. They found it at a car wash. Weird place to find a wedding gift but there you have it. I'm going to contact a local person who does engraving to see if they can sand it off or melt it down to take the names and date off. It will be very pretty displayed and a nice set to actually use as well.

I packed up my bags, (They were a lot more heavier than when I got there.) and loaded up the trunk of my car. You have no idea how hard it was to get in that car and drive away. I love my dad and Carolyn so much. I wish we didn't live so far apart. They are in Buckhannon and I'm here in southern Ohio.

It was snowing and there were already 2-3 inches on the road. After I started down the highway I seriously considered turning around and waiting another day to leave. I took a deep breath and kept going. I had reports from back home that the snow was melting there. After driving very slowly for awhile, I made it out of the hills and into better weather. The rest of the drive was fairly easy. I got an email from Dad early Monday morning. They got 14 inches of snow! If I had stayed I would have been there for a very long time. I don't think Dad, Carolyn or I would have minded but the troupes at home wouldn't have enjoyed it very much. Randy said that sometimes he and the kids get upset with me but around dinner time they really wished I was there. It's nice to know I'm appreciated for something. lol

Well, I should close and head off to Lanna's house. She is one of the best ladies I know. There are only good things you can about Lanna. I challenge anyone who knows her to come up with just one thing about her that isn't good. I could start giving you a list of her good qualities but then I wouldn't make it to her house, my hands would tire from typing and you would get tired of reading. OK, you get the idea.

Tomorrow, I'm off to meet Jill so we can decorate the tree at the bank where we have our TANA meetings. We knew we had to hurry. Word is out that the tree is up and just sitting there in the lobby naked with some animals under it. Don't ask me about the animals. I haven't been there yet. I will let you know.