jewels of my own: January 2013

Thursday, January 03, 2013

More from December, Part Two

Taking ornaments down from the Christmas tree, I was struck by such a wave of sadness when I came across the ones Georgia gave me years ago.

I was there for Christmas in 1988.

Sweet Star, 1988

For as long as I knew her, she loved animals--from strays she would turn into pets, to the bears she'd hope to see when visiting Glacier National Park.

And I was there for Christmas in 1989.

I was there for 1990, too. It was the last Christmas I would spend in California. I don't think I have an ornament from her that year. It was her baby's first Christmas, and I know she would have been so busy with him!

I wasn't there for 1991, but she still sent me this--a last and perfect addition to my small collection.

So bittersweet. I'm so thankful have these to pull out every year. I've always smiled and remembered earlier times when I see these. But now there will be an underlying sadness too, for my wonderful friend whom I miss so much . . .

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Christmas Day

(Catching up and writing this almost six months later. While I had blogged a few notes and save, it's still a rather pieced together and disjointed post.)

The annual Christmas Eve photo.

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(Robert's mom is here with us for Christmas.)

8:30 a.m. Jean: "Well, it's not like when the kids were little on Christmas morning!" Robert, Jean, and I have been up for more than an hour, but the kids sleep on.

On the plus side, I can take advantage of this time to prepare some of the food for later today . . .

?? Begin opening gifts. Trevor opens the first present. As he begins, I see that it's a package of socks for Holly. I stop him and ask him to check the tag. Yep, it says it's for Trevor. I wrapped it; I wrote the tag. I'm off to a great start this morning!

Lakota--aka The Princess--has claimed her spot on the couch, complete with a pillow for her head.

Lucky in his favorite spot, on his favorite cushion, where he can see everything going on.

Holly opened a box of candy from Aunt Barb and Uncle Dave. She lifted off the top and found this. So cute and clever!

Apparently, it's been an exhausting morning for some!

12:00 noon Present unwrapping done, kids looking at various things, Trevor and I ate lox and bagels for breakfast; Jean, Robert, and Holly had pastries.

1:00 p.m. Ham cubes -- done. Now to begin jello pretzel salad.
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Conversation between me and Jean.

Jean: I don't know why they'd do that on a Sunday.

Me: Except that today is Monday.

Holly, from the other room: Um, today is Tuesday!

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Listening to the epic Bing Crosby White Christmas CD, the best Christmas CD ever!

4:30 p.m. Ha, I guess I should have started the meat an hour and a half ago. We'll see how this turns out. Late, in any event!

We have collectively talked to Barb and Dave, my Dad and Sherry, Mike and Valerie, and my mom.

7:30 p.m. Dinner of standing rib roast w/horseradish sauce, swiss chicken bake, new red potatoes, cheesy mashed potatoes (at the kids' request), spinach madeline, corn, cranberry nut bread, and raspberry pretzel jello salad. Adding in the chicken casserole seemed odd, but the kids weren't super interested in the prime rib, and it actually turned out to be a marvelous addition. We need to keep this in mind and do it again.