Calm Christmas

We decided to have a low key Christmas lunch at our house with just our kids. Both girls fit in Ed and Coco’s chair. 

No presents, just a few hand made goodies. Ed made beef jerky for all and Sophie made pepper jelly and sauce from her garden. 

Tripp and Ryan in their Hello Kitty hats. 

Just because I said low key doesn’t mean there was a shortage of food. 

Everyone brought something they were craving. 

Ryan brought smoked beef tenderloin. Paul got into smoking too with pork loin and turkey breast. 

Somehow we got into old McNeil photos. 

Christmas comes regardless

Found him!!!  I was afraid I had thrown old Santa away when we were packing Mom’s apartment. Found him in a box with some witches. Bet he was glad to get out. 

Seriously ? How much better can Ghirardelli’s get?

Mary Grace felt like making some candy. 

Setting up for laid back Christmas tomorrow. Thought I’d use some things rescued from Mom’s apartment.

Fudge. Half nuts half not. 

Ham pinwheels 

 

Original Book Club

Another great Christmas lunch with my old school Book Club. Met at The Manship. 

Redfish and spinach. Perfect. 

Bev. Pam and Sue. 

Kathy, Jill, me and Priscilla. 

Fun towel gift from Sue. 

Came from old friend Lissa Sahler’s gallery. 

Matched everyone. 

Pam handing a gift over. Love these girls. 

UWF

Terrible pictures of a lovely lunch. 

Our potlucks always turn out great. Had 3 new friends to come. Martha came to visit. Celeste is back with her broken arm healing. 

Charlotte’s house is always beautiful. 

Becky, Charlotte and I all have the same sweater from JJill. We wore them together. Someone teach me to take a selfie. 

Week of Christmas fun.

Yesterday was the Christmas program at St. C’s. Mom’s first time in the audience. 

Today was lunch with Marion Hall. Delicious food. Great company. Music. We sat at a table with 3 priests. When we sat down the one next to Mom said “today your mom sits at the right hand of the Father”.  Catholic humor. Next was JFF Book Club. No pics. 

It’s not ALWAYS funnie

How to begin again. After that last blog my world blew apart. Mom had to stay in ICU for over 2 weeks then moved to rehab at St. C’s. While Mom was in ICU, Jan ended up there too. Then Mary Grace as well. What a time. Now Jan is home recovering from shoulder replacement. Mom is settled into assisted living and Mary Grace is home.  She will need further surgery soon however. So here are a few highlights from the past 3 months. It wasn’t all awful and occasionally it was funny. Here goes. 

They said Mom was not the typical 97 year old or all this would not be possible. Everyone who comes in wants to know her secret. She says Attitude!

We survived on hospital food and Chik fil a. 

Everything about this picture is pure Lucy. She was my medical guide. 

You’ve got to be kidding. 

Had to dogsit a few nights. 

It has its perks. 

Sunsets with a cat. 

Morning with cafe latte. 

My UWF sent MG beautiful flowers. 

Fire season started. 

It was nice to come home to fire, pups and great meals provided by friends. 

Mom went through PT and conquered the Tower of Terror pictured here. 

Halloween came. Mom got in the spirit. 

Mary Grace turned 34 while on a diet of only ice chips. I made her a cake. I chopped pieces off and she actually ate them. Pretty tasty with herbs and lime flavor. 

Look how the pancake mushrooms have changed. 

More dog sitting. 

It’s cold now. 

My POV. 

Moved Mom into Marion Hall. 

Oh lort. Photos. We had to close out her 2 bedroom apartment. 13 years worth.  

Thanksgiving came and I enjoyed cooking at home. Delivered to Jan and Tommy and then hunkered down and rested. 

Not quite finished but the new place is shaping up. 

Well we around to Christmas. Let’s hope for healing and hope in the new year.  

Heartfelt

Heartfelt gratitude is what I feel. After a week of illness culminating in heart issues, I’m grateful. Thanks to wonderful doctors, nurses and other staff, Mom is resting comfortably. She is alert and aware of all that is happening to her and participating in decisions for her care. 

  She just finished a breakfast of oatmeal, stewed apples and bacon. Y’all know how she loves her breakfast. After praising the kitchen staff and profusely thanking her nurses she rests ready to face whatever comes next. Now we head down the road to recovery. I’ll keep y’all posted. 

It’s all fungi

New name for the blog?

This one has a shaggy beard. 

This big bruiser pushing through the leaves. It was the size of a hamburger bun. 

The pancakes are long lasting. 

I guess this is my new mushroom corner. The lighting has changed so much in our yard with tree loss. 

This is the new place to be if you are a mushroom. Oh, and apparently poison ivy. 

Amy’s cats. Brotherly love.