December Recap

December started out with Dan having a doctor's appointment here in the village - he had an excellent report on his blood work and he is doing much better since his little trip to the hospital last month.  Right after he returned home the lumber for the pergola was delivered. 

Did I tell you we sold the truck FINALLY?  No???  Well I guess it was just after Thanksgiving a man came up from outside Orlando and bought the truck - it was the same year as one his dad had had and he was really excited to get it.  In fact, he and Dan went straight into town and did all the paperwork so he had a tag and title when he left Live Oak.  Anyway, we are really glad that the truck went to someone who will "love it" the way it needs and it gave us all the money we needed to build the pergola!

Saturday I worked on finishing up the Christmas decorations and Sunday we went to church before heading over to the dining room for lunch.  I was still trying to get over the "virus" and tried to stay away from people even though I was told I wasn't contagious. 

Dan had dress rehearsal Monday and Tuesday night, but I didn't go down because we didn't think I needed to be in the cool night air.  So, I did not see any of the play this year.  

Wednesday morning I left for Lakeland - Lorelai had her first Christmas program at school on Wednesday night.  It was a really cute program and Lorelai did an awesome job.

Thursday turned cold (even cold down in Lakeland, but really cold at home and raining).  I went to a couple of stores - Kirklands, Kohl's, and Target) and picked up a few things for the house and some serving pieces for the Christmas Open House.  I talked to Dan Thursday afternoon as I received an email that the Christmas program had been cancelled for Thursday night due to the rain.  There was the Christmas Parade in Lakeland, but I just didn't feel like going - so it ended up with Justin taking the two girls and Melissa and I stayed home.

Friday I went to Hobby Lobby, but didn't find much - all their Christmas stuff had really been picked over and I really didn't find much other than some Christmas picks - so didn't spend but about $10.00.  The program at home was cancelled again due to the rain.

Friday night Crystal was flying in from Nashville for Adalyn's birthday party - she texted around 2 and said her flight was delayed by two hours - so the 9:30 PM arrival had been pushed back to 11:30.  There was supposed to be some bad weather coming in to the area Friday night - so Melissa rode with me to the airport in Tampa.  We went to the cell phone lot, so we didn't have to pay for parking and waited.  The bad weather hit right after we got into the lot and talk about rain and wind!  They closed the airport for about 1/2 an hour waiting for the front to pass.  Crystal said, after she finally landed and we picked her up, that they circled the airport for about 45 minutes waiting for the weather to clear.  Anyway, we finally got home a little after 1 in the morning, but we were all up fairly early.

Saturday was Adalyn's birthday party and Melissa had the party at Family Fun Center instead of at the house.

 After all the fun at the kids birthday party - we headed back to the house for a "family" party.  Justin's parents and sister's family came over and we had another "party".

Sunday was a quiet day with the girls playing with their Aunt Tul and with all of Addie's new toys.

Sunday night we all jumped in the car and went to Lakeland Festival of Lights at the Nazarene Church.  We went last year, but Crystal wasn't able to go.  It was fun, but Adalyn wouldn't go to any of the characters to have her picture taken nor would she sit on Santa's lap.  Lorelai loved all the different characters and wanted her picture taken with every single one.

A lot of fun, but soon it was time to head home as Lorelai had school on Monday.

Speaking of Monday - that was actually Adalyn's birthday and Crystal wanted to do something special with just Ada.  (Of course, I had to tag along since I had the car).  First we went to Chick-Fil-A for breakfast - Ada played in the playground until she was tired.  

After breakfast we headed to Picasso, which is a ceramic shop, where the three of us each painted a Christmas ornament.  Ada did really well on the first coat, but by the third coat she was pretty much over it.  BUT, it will be a great family ornament for the tree and a great reminder of her fourth birthday with her Aunt Tul and Nana.

Then it was off to Starbucks for some hot chocolate and cookies.

All good things must come to an end and after our visit to Starbucks we headed back to the house to get Crystal's luggage and Ada's other grandmother picked her up for a special treat.  Then Crystal and I headed back to the airport for her flight back to Nashville.  When I got home I pretty much crashed and slept really well.

Tuesday was Ada's program at her school. 

Her class sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and they were so cute!

Wednesday morning it was time for Nana to head for home - so I told both the girls bye on Tuesday night and then got up bright and early Wednesday and headed back to Dowling Park.

Well, this has been a very picture heavy post and we are only half way through the month.  So, I think I'll close for now and do the last half of the month next week (Christmas decorations AFTER Christmas - how unique is that???)

Anyway, since Dan and I are leaving Sunday morning for Christmas down in Lakeland I just wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!  I'll see you the week between Christmas and New Year's!

Hugs to all!

Carol

That "Ah ha" moment

It has been a fairly quiet week around here.

Why?

Well, I have laryngitis again!

Just woke up with it one morning.

Sure does make it hard to communicate with Dan since

he is hard of hearing - but we are getting really

good at charades.  LOL

I have been getting the "itches" to get something done around

this house - anything!  I mean, we (meaning Dan) have been in 

the house since the middle of June and we have done

NOTHING!  I got here permanently the end of August and I

was determined NOT to unpack all the boxes since we were just

"going to have to repack them again."

I didn't even hang pictures on the walls.

Well, I have had ENOUGH!!!!

I can't live this way any longer.

So, we have done some things around here.

Nothing major - but at least the house looks lived in

instead of just someone camping.

When Dan came he put our bed up in the guest bedroom, as that is really the only room that is not going to have anything major done to it.  Yes, we will paint the walls and put carpet in the room - but no major remodeling.

Well, it was just sorta stuck in the room and didn't look all that great.

So, I decided that we were going to move the bed and set up our room like we actually lived here - headboard and all.  We even put up curtains and a picture over the bed.

For the guest bedroom bed we had been using a blow up mattress (remember we sold almost every piece of furniture we owned with the house in Lake Placid).  That is what I slept on the weeks that mom and I came up before we both moved up here for good.  It was just sitting on the floor and looked like - well, you can imagine.  Anyway, after moving our bed into the master bedroom we moved the blow up mattress to the guest room.  Still on the floor and I was not happy, so we went out to the Boy's Ranch Thrift Store a couple of weeks ago and bought a queen size bed frame - put a piece of plywood on it and then put the blow up mattress on that.  Not the best solution, but better than it sitting on the floor.

Well, last week I had enough of that nonsense too.  So, on Friday we

went over to Lake City and bought a queen size bed!  We will be picking it up tomorrow after Dan's doctor's appointment with the cardiologist.  Well, since I was getting a bed the next thing was to get a quilt for the bed.  Now, I had one on the bed but I wanted something that we could live with after the house is all done - and I found the perfect on one of the websites that I visit frequently.  It will arrive on Friday.   I'm excited that if one of my kids actually comes to see us they don't have to sleep on the floor!

Saturday was our anniversary - so we decided to go up to Valdosta and do some shopping - We went to all my favorite stores - Hobby Lobby, Kirklands, and Pier One.  I picked up a few things at Hobby Lobby (all Christmas related), some chargers at Kirklands (1/2 off), and a Christmas pillow at Pier One.  Also, while we were at Pier One we noticed a headboard that we both really liked.  We had talked about getting one from IKEA and then having to paint it - but this one would be perfect and it was on SALE.  Well, silly us, we didn't decide to get the silly thing until we were on the way home - so I called and reserved it - then we headed back to Valdosta on Sunday.  And, since we had to go back, I was able to go to Kohl's and Target (picked up a couple of things for the babies this weekend).

When we got home - Dan attached the headboard to the frame and it looks AWESOME!!!!

Now, I can't wait to pick up the bed and get the quilt.

I'll have this room looking like someone lives here yet - still haven't found the right drapes yet but we do have shades in the room and they might just have to do for a while.

Oh, I forgot!  Saturday night we went to Outback for our anniversary dinner - Dan's favorite restaurant.  It was really VERY good.
We enjoyed our day just being together

(even if I can't talk).

Monday I took Mom back down to Gainesville and she had the final tube removed and all the staples out.  Then she went over to see the oncologist and he has put her on a pill that kills all the estrogen in her body, since the type of breast cancer she had was estrogen fed.  He says that she will need to take the pill for five to ten years.  The good thing - the pills only cost $4.00 for a thirty day supply.  She doesn't have to see the surgeon or the oncologist again until February.  Yippee!!!!

So, I'm sure you are wondering why I titled this post what I did.

Well, there were actually two "ah ha" moments for me this week.

First, I'll be going down to Lake Placid in three weeks to keep the girls while their mom is at another training - I was suppose to keep them here, but Lorelai is in a Christmas program on the Wednesday night that they were suppose to get here.  Melissa couldn't wait until after the program to bring them or she wouldn't get to Jacksonville in time for her training Thursday morning - soooooo - Nana goes to Lake Placid.  Melissa won't be back until late Saturday and they have moved Ada's birthday party to that Sunday (Ada's actual birthday is the 11th) Dec. 20th.  Dan and I were going down with the camper on the 23rd to stay until the Sunday after Christmas.

Well, it just doesn't make sense to come home on Monday the 21st and turn around and go back to Lake Place on Wednesday, the 23rd.

What does all that have to with "ah ha"?  I have three weeks to buy and wrap all the Christmas presents - YIKES!  Well, as of this afternoon - everything has been ordered online except my mom (have NO idea what to do there) and Dan's kids - but we know what we are doing there.

The second "ah ha"?

Christmas cards!

I bought these beautiful Christmas Cards and was getting ready to 

sit down and get them all ready for the mail.

When what do I remember?

No address book!

It's packed up in one of those boxes that I refuse to unpack.

So, either I wait and send them out really late - like June - or I wait a little longer and use them next year.  

I think I'll just wait till next year - 

sorry everyone!

The rest of this week is going to be really busy -

Dan's appointment tomorrow and picking up the bed.

Thursday - Thanksgiving!  We are eating in the Dining Room this

year which should be easier on everyone!

Friday we are planning on driving up to Cuthbreth and see the girls at their dad's. I figured that's the only way I will see them and it's just a day trip.

Saturday - let's pull the Christmas decorations out of storage and see

what we can do for a tree.  I don't care that I will only be here two and a half weeks - I want a tree!  (Gosh darn it!!!)

At least - that is the plan.

That should keep us busy the rest of the week.

Oh, and I have a sewing project that I have to get done.

Yep, busy times!!!!

I'll fill you in on how well the "plan" works in the next post.

Hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving!!!!

Merry Day After Christmas

My family and I wanted

to take just a quick

moment to 

say hello

and to hope that

you and your family

had a wonderful

Christmas.

Our family has so very

much to be thankful

for 

again

this year.

We are so blessed

Sweet Adalyn.

Lovely (and lively) Lorelai

and spending time with family.

Our wish to you

this day

after

Christmas

is to keep the 

joy

and the 

wonder

of Christmas morning

fill your heart

the entire year

through.

Hugs!

The countdown is on!

I'm back home now after

a week at my

daughter's house helping a little

with the new baby and

having our "sleep over parties" with

Lorelai.

I spent a week and we had 

four out of the seven nights that were good.

None were as good as the first two nights, 

but the last two weren't bad - she

still woke up some and crawled

into my bed

(which was a twin size blow up mattress on the floor beside her bed).

Now, I'll have to admit this was not

my favorite way to sleep.  However, if it helps

the little one get used to sleeping in her own bed

I'll give up a week of good sleep for that.

The reason I was able to come home is

my oldest daughter came in last night

from Nashville for a couple of weeks - 

so, she has taken over with

the "sleep over parties".

Tomorrow I need to run into town and 

pick up a prescription (want to get it before

our insurance company changes our

pharmacy company - again!) 

and I'll also pick 

up some last minute things

for meals for this week

(French Toast Casserole for 

Christmas morning for example).

Tuesday we are having dinner at the kids 

house with all the family - Justin's 

parents and his sister's family are coming down

and my kids dad will get in during the afternoon.

 Hopefully, my mom will be feeling better

so she will be able to come over

and celebrate too.

Wednesday, Dan and I will have our

Christmas here before loading all the 

gifts into the car and

going back over to 

the kids for

our family

Christmas.

Looks like things will be a little busy

for a few more days!

In case I don't have a chance to 

post again before

Christmas -

Dan, Samantha, Jessie and I

wish you and yours

a very

Merry Christmas!

Hugs!

Carol

Merry Christmas

I'll be taking a break from the blog 

until after the holidays

as we spend time

 with family and

friends.

But before I go,

I thought I would show you

a little of the 

Christmas decorations 

in our home.

I'll be back soon with 

lots of pictures

of 

Lorelai's

first

Christmas.

In the meantime,

my family 

wishes

your family

a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Hugs -

Carol