the four-year-old cousins' surprise

Suzie and Lizzie came to visit after Thanksgiving. We were all excited that cousin Claire could join the fun for a couple of days. They're both darling four year olds - born seven weeks apart. They play well together and look darling when Suzie fixes their hair in twin styles.

One morning I had to run errands and do some shopping. While I was gone, the girls (and that includes Suzie) had the grand idea to decorate our Christmas tree for us. They emptied my boxes of ornaments and garland and bows. The best part of decorating the tree is climbing the ladder. They got to do that with Grandpa supervising. And sometimes when he wasn't looking.

When I came home and walked into the family room, I was so surprised. Yes, really shocked...and delighted. What a fun service project for them. What a gift to me! 

The tree's decorations were a little bottom heavy -but not too bad. I have only moved a few ornaments because I love it just as my four-year-old granddaughters decorated it. 

Christmas present

Christmas is in full swing around here. We had a wonderful couple of days with grandkids visiting and a house full of activity. Today, it has been quiet - not especially a good thing, but nice in a way because I've been longing for moments to read and write - which I did this afternoon and relished. Then I realized that we needed to deliver the breads we bought yesterday for our neighbors. I quickly jumped into action, made some tags and attached them, and we hopped in the car and got the job done. I have this dislike of going to people's doors after dark, so I was really motivated to not fuss about my labels, but just get them on and the bread delivered. I also went and visited with my mom for a couple of hours at her assisted living apartment (rather than bringing her to my house for Sunday dinner). We had a nice visit and watched a Christmas show on TV. Later, Scott and I had leftovers; the quick clean up was nice. This coming week is filled with fun things to do and necessary organization for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and beyond. The joy is with me and also the stress. That's Christmas - past, present and future.

Mom's and Merilee's birthday party!

My sister Merilee was born on our mother's birthday. We've always enjoyed celebrating their birthdays together. All four of us siblings were able to attend the party this year at my house and many of the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also mom's sister, Aunt Norma and Uncle Skeeter. Norma also had a baby on the same Dec. 10 day - our cousin Jami. We always called Merilee and Jami the twin cousins. Mom and Norma were living in different cities and didn't even know each other had had their baby. Long distance calls then were prohibitive and rare. 

If I just knew what the dream is...

"May I have the courage today

To live the life that I would love

To postpone my dream no longer

But do at last what I came here for

and waste my heart on fear no more."

John O'Donahue