A Very Special Gift

What is almost as good as having five grandchildren in my lap? Having their pictures on a blanket! This was a very special gift from all of my children, children in law(?) and grandchildren. Thanks to my daughter in law for thinking of this, thanks to all the parents for persevering to get the photo taken, and thanks to my grandchildren for co-operating! This very special gift will keep me warm, especially in the next few days when I am in an unfamiliar bed, and then for a long time after. I will almost be able to feel their hugs around my neck.
I love you all so much!

And so this is Christmas...

Christmas Day was beautiful, with just the right amount of snow but no blizzards, cool but not freezing, sunny and bright. But even if the weather had not co-operated, we would have all been warm and toasty at our host and hostess's home. Candles greeted us at the door...
...and a Christmas greeting met us once we were inside.
The stockings, which had been full in the morning, had been emptied and rehung by the blazing fireplace. We gathered family by family, to celebrate once again with food, fun and friendship.
The "cousins" (not sure what the label actually is) had fun playing with some of the new toys Santa had brought.
Once dinner was ready, we all feasted on goodies galore. Even the Christmas dishes had found their way from their temporary home up north. Then we all visited and played, and just had a good time.



There was a twist to this year's festivities, of course. The men in the family were greeted by a blast of nerf bullets from the young man's gift from "mine cousins". Never would have happened when Grandma and Grandpa were in charge!

And to get us in the mood...

Oh Christmas week, how much I miss all the hustle and bustle of school concerts, choirs singing, gifts being "secretly" distributed throughout the school. Now, though, a new generation is providing some of that excitement just for the grammie, grandma, grandpa, oma, opa, auntie, cousin, sister, mom and dad who gathered yesterday to see the performance. Here is the premier (and only) performance of "Merry Christmas from Nursery School"!

'Twas the week before Christmas...

'Twas the week before Christmas, and out Clarence way
The house was all ready for this special day.

The puppy stood guard over presents and tree,
Would he get some treats? He would just wait and see!
The ovens were heated, the plates all in place,
Just waiting for guests in the GPS race!
And soon they arrived, in ones, twos and more,
So many came through that big square-wreathed door,
Four generations of family came down the road
Bearing food and libations, a quite heavy load!
And during the evening, all feasted and talked,
Some played, some toddled, yes- the "pit" gate was locked!
All admired the new home, and were pleased to be there,
Many hands to hold children, parents so glad to share!





Dessert anyone?




Grandpa, keep giving me food and I'll always be your girl!
I'm much happier in my undies Dad!




Look at me- I'm walking!
This Christmas is different, that we all know,
So many are not here - we miss them all so!
And yet still the feeling of Christmas holds fast,
We have all the memories of good times now past,
We look at the young ones, and know in our hearts
That Christmas will always be made up of parts-
Our family (still growing), our love shared by all,
The magic we're feeling, if we're big or we're small,
The memories we're making, the stories we tell
Will live on forever, and under their spell,
No matter what happens from this moment on
We're one lucky family, and so very strong!

Merry Christmas everyone!

The countdown is on...

Just a quick entry to let folks afar who read this what is happening. With the date for the surgery established, grandpa and I decided to head off to Minneapolis for a few days. What a good decision that was! In spite of snowy conditions there, the roads were clear and the shopping was good. We mostly wandered about (since all our shopping had long been completed), sat in the hot tubs, ate well, and relaxed. For some precious moments, life even seemed normal, like before all this began.

Now the countdown begins, with lots between now and the 29th to take up our time and attention. A couple of dinners with friends, two very important family dinners (can you say "perfect turkey button"?), one grandchild's Christmas concert, the Nutcracker ( a favourite indulgence), a couple of opportunities to meet with someone who will help us through all this, and then, before you can say "Bob's yer uncle" the big day will be here.

Here's to a New Year with fewer tears and more joys for all of us in our extended families. I know it's just life, but sometimes it is hard.

We have a date!

For all of you who follow this blog, and have been wondering what is happening in the health field, we have news. I will have surgery on Dec. 29th, and therefore will ring in the New Year from a hospital bed! I wonder if they will bring red wine on my dinner tray?