Tis the season

Well, it's been a little busy here; hope you'll cut me some slack. My wonderful nephew married his sweetheart on November 2, which entailed a trip to Austin. The wedding was wonderful and the weather was perfect. However, I'm sure glad I don't live there - the traffic is worse than horrific.

I was next privileged to get a quick weekend trip up to Amarillo to see one of my dearest friends for two days, then came back on Sunday and dumped the suitcase only to repack for an 'official' business conference Monday morning in, wait for it, Austin. The hotel was closer out than in, and I never left the hotel vicinity until time to head back home. I also was not driving this time. Managed to miss a dental appointment while in Austin.

For some insane reason I invited my brother and sister-in-law for Thanksgiving, volunteering to cook. Now, you must first be apprised of the fact that I do NOT like to cook, yet I put together a complete Thanksgiving meal with home-made Pumpkin-Ginger Soup, a Turkey, dressing, baked sweet potatoes, rolls and desert. My sister-in-law brought broccoli for something green. We had wine with the meal, and hot tea with the desert. It was mahvelous and I think I surprised them. ("You mean you did all this by yourself?") Oh, I can cook. I just don't like to and choose not to so much.

The day after Thanksgiving I had out of town company, including the dear friend I had seen only two weeks before (Yay!), and my oldest friend - someone I've known since we were in 7th grade Sunday School together. We did the town, ate some barbeque, drank way too much wine, met another friend...for drinks...had pizza, saw the largest liquor store I've ever been in and just had a great time. Oh, and did I mention I was also frantically trying to put up Christmas decorations?

I almost didn't decorate this year, because, well, it's an ordeal getting everything down the tiny attic stairwell, putting everything up (including my almost 20 year old tree that looks almost brand new), and then carting all the empty boxes back up to the attic to yet come down again after Christmas to be stuffed full and taken back up. Whew. But I did it. My main reason this year is I received a substantial Macy's gift card last year and 'misplaced' it. After searching downstairs, I finally decided it must be up in one of the boxes. Today I went up to put some empty boxes away. There are still boxes up there...just let me say I have a LOT of decorations. I started going through more boxes and found a little box with an ornament I received last year. I opened it and VOILA! My gift card. I need to get my Christmas stuff a little more organized. ☺

So. Christmas has arrived at my house and I love the way it looks. I'm glad I put some of it out. Oh, and I had a lot of good help...see for yourself...

Of course, she needs plenty of little, um, 'cat' naps too...

Hope everyone's Christmas Season is wonderful and brings peace and joy to your heart.