2008 - Gone But Not Forgotten

It was a pretty good year. Happiness and sadness hand in hand this past year, but I tried to remember just the happy times. And I think we had quite a few - and I hope everyone out there did too. There's been weddings, cross-country trips, new homes, and new babies on the way. What a wonderful forecast for 2009!

Melinda and Jason were here for Christmas day and I think Jason finally figured out we are definitely a little strange. If he didn't know that last year he has to believe it this year. Santa goes a bit crazy at our house with lots of little things. Jason's good friend Gaston was even helping him Christmas Morning with his stocking....

We had a nice long, relaxing day with plenty to eat and drink. The kids got me a wonderful toaster oven/broiler/warmer that is fantastic. Jason took out the old non-working one right away knowing I might try to get a little more life out of it. They also bought me a stuffed squirell and nuts. Hmmmmm...quite the jokers. Everyone got great gifts - Santa was way good again this year. I got Jason My National Parks Monopoly and that put us in the mood later Christmas evening to play some games. Poor Jason got a taste of the McBride women for a game of UNO. Things weren't looking too good for him so we tried SORRY next.

After breakfast on the 26th Melinda and Jason headed up to his family home to spend the day with his family.

I did break down and decorate (as you can see slightly above) even tho I said I wouldn't! I did tone it down this year. And contrary to my normal time line, I have all my decorations down and away - 3 days early. Every year tho without fail I forget something and don't usually notice it until a week or so after the decorations are all down. Wonder what it will be this year?

Anyway, the kids are off in West Virginia - out of cell phone and Internet range - with friends celebrating the New Year (there IS a Hot tub and I'm sure plenty of wine) . Although if you check out Lora's Blog you will see they did manage to escape to the city for a short while and reported that an evil critter was amongst them. I wonder if it was my Squirrel friend who hitched a ride with them over Christmas ?

Oh well - I will report later on the New Year Changes here. For now we need to take a walk!