Getting ready for Santa Paws

 I like to call the first picture "Harley looking for Santa Paws"

The next is a picture of my very first themed tree-buffalo plaid with red ornaments. 

Then, the bottom is little Midnight reading the tags looking for his present. 

Thanksgiving thanks

 Once again we're getting together early for our Family Thanksgiving Dinner, so if we're doing that earlier, I can do my "things I'm Thankful for List" just as early. And,  man oh man, I have a lot to be thankful for. Grab a chair and sit awhile.

First of all, my son is doing this dinner at his house. I'm grateful for the break. I'm grateful that he feels comfortable enough to do this. I'm thankful that everyone has been really great about volunteering to bring food. I'm thankful that his stairs are big enough for a family portrait! I'm hoping he'll let me play pool because I would really like to whoop my husband's butt.  I am so happy and thankful that Paul is happy and healthy. He's gonna be a wonderful daddy. I'm grateful that he found Paige. 

Then, there's the people that might be in that family portrait. Connor and Grace will be there again and bringing the beautiful Miss Everly. So beautiful. I'm really grateful to be around her. Cool parents=cool kid. Then, Paige's dad will be there-can't wait to meet him. We'll be sharing a grandson soon. I sure hope Paige knows that I will be talking to her tummy(Parker is old enough now to hear and recognize my voice). I might even try to sneak in a rub or two. Paul has tried to warn me about this but sometimes I walk on the side of danger. 

Robyn aka Birdie and Wi will be there. Well, Birdie definitely and Wi is a maybe at this point. I'd love to see William, but Robyn is bringing artichoke dip and cheese grits. You really haven't lived if you haven't had her artichoke dip. She gave me the directions to make it and I've tried, but I think she left out a step or something because mine is no where near as good as hers. Speaking of good stuff, Naiveen is making Chai. Chai to go with pi (sorry couldn't resist). So I'm thankful for pie, chai, and artichoke dip. 

I'm grateful that Mary and Dave have made plans to join us. Her laugh sounds so very much like mom's. I'm grateful that Lauren, Gilmar, Jody, and Beth have off and can join in the fun. Any time I have all three of my kids in one location it's special. I'm grateful that Beth, Jody, and the baby are doing well after their little misadventure. I'm grateful that Lauren has stayed healthy after her bout with Covid and doesn't seem to have any of those nasty lingering effects. I'm grateful for her little sweet Tilly that makes her laugh so much. 

I'm thankful that Patrick and his whole bunch have plans to attend. Caitlyn will bring her husband. I'm grateful that Catilyn and Ben Patrick have careers that will make them happy. I'm grateful that Darlene has reasons to smile. It's been a rough year for her. I'm thankful that Patrick is bringing a turkey (and I secretly wonder who's will be better-his or Connor's?) 

I'm thankful that my dad and Karon will be there. This year I'll watch them with their grandkids and know that I'll have some (as in more than one) of my own. I'm so grateful that my dreams are still coming true. 

You loved me my whole life, I'll miss you the rest of mine

  I don't think I'll ever stop missing my mom. You would think it would be easier as time goes on-it doesn't. There's more I need to tell her. More I need to share. So many questions I want her to answer. If I'm being honest, I need just one more of her hugs, but heaven doesn't have visiting hours. 

Today she would have been 79.

So today, I'll allow myself to remember what it felt like to be with her. I'll drink some strong coffee and have a bagel with way too much cream cheese. I'll call people I haven't talked to in a while. Maybe I'll mail some cards. I know I'll go out and admire my pansies and I'll think about all the times we planted them together. I'll buy some scratch offs and maybe a lottery ticket. I'll take a drive and admire all the fall colors. Might even crank up some Barry Manilow. 

And when the day is done-I'll wear an old faded night gown that she gave me. It'll be like being wrapped in a hug...almost. I hope I fall asleep with her laughter in my ears because that would just be the perfect ending to her birthday. 

Vacation 2021 Albuquerque

 

If you mention Albuquerque,  chances are someone will mention balloons.  We went to see them and while they were fun to see up close. Nothing can describe the beauty of a mass ascension. 

Adventure 2021

 I can't believe we're actually getting to take a vacation.  More importantly, I can't believe we get to use our airline credits before they expire. We looked at several destinations but quite a few required a ten day quarantine.  Sitting in a room for ten days didn't appeal to either of us. So we're headed west. Making a big circle through New Mexico and Arizona packing in as many sights and touristy stuff as we can.  Our flight leaves soon.

Son's Day and boy love

 This week we celebrated "Son's Day" and as I looked at pictures of my son and step sons memories kept flooding my mind taking me back. Wondering how Paige and Beth will experience things with their sons.  There's the first time he grabs your hand and holds on tightly. Then, all the other times he grabs your hand before anyone else's. The way he'll gaze into your eyes when he's nursing and later he'll look to lock eyes to yours before he goes to school, before he steps up to bat. He'll bring you flowers. Sometimes it will just be a handful of weeds, but in his eyes they'll be pretty. It won't matter if he's three or thirty years old, your heart will skip a beat when he hands them to you. You'll feel so proud when he opens a door for you. You'll go crazy explaining how the universe and electricity works.  You'll want to help him all you can because one day he'll be a man and won't ask for help. If your lucky, really lucky you'll get to meet his child. 

Sleeping

 Every have one of those days where you're struggling not to take a nap? Then when it's actually time to go to bed it's just not happening.( in spite of the fact that you've skipped caffeine and sugar for several hours before bed time) That happened to me so I did a little extra sewing, swept the front porch, then watched the sunset. As soon as the sun faded, lightning bugs made their appearance. I love just watching them. Then, the whipper-or-will started his song. I know my head hit the pillow, but I don't remember closing my eyes.