A Few Additional Christmas Photos

I missed a few photos that I wanted to include in the Christmas Eve blog. Above, the kids' table in the kitchen.

Grandma Dotty delighted with new PJs from Santa. I think I heard her ask "Santa" for a new robe next time!

I like this picture of Cora. The Christmas tree headtopping was my personal favorite, and I chose her to wear it. It's perfect for her.

Sure wanted to include these members of the CLEAN-UP crew having so much fun bagging the trash. As I said earlier, Christmas Eve was a group effort this year. And after the post-Christmas shopping (half-price or more) some of us sistas have done, it promises to be a great celebration again next year.

I did want to include a little day after Christmas story here....Carrie told me that Nolan refused to get dressed. He just wanted to stay in his jammies and stay home and play with his new toys. The kids are taken on the road quite a lot, and perhaps we need to pay more attention to what is most important to them: just the act of playing with your presents. Doesn't that make a lot of sense?

Now on to the New Year. 2009 did not begin well for me. We attended the traditional ball team New Year's Eve Party and played our usual games and ate to our hearts' content. Mario and I came home at 11, as he has been appointed to look out for me, and he felt I'd had enough. Well, I went to bed and awakened at 4 not feeling quite right. Within a short time, I knew exactly what was happening. The ferocious flu was claiming another victim. I had about 11 hours of hell with it. I am thankful that Mario took such good care of me. He had to wash sheets and towels all day, and do other things I just won't go into. But what I can tell you about this flu is for a few hours, you cannot control your life! Tonight, I have gradually gotten some strength back and have eaten a canned pear and a half strawberry frozen bar with a cup of tea. Food does not sound so good. It will be awhile before I can tear into the chocolates again. I am most thankful that I got through all the holiday parties before this hit me. Nothing is on the calendar for the next three days except mass on Sunday. So it will be a low-key time here. And I am really praying that Mario can escape getting it, but he has told me tonight that his stomach is not feeling well.

As I look back over the past month, I have truly appreciated the work everyone has done to make Christmas so meaningful this year. I like that we helped a few needy folks, and some of our relationships deepened as we worked together to provide Christmas for people. I hope to do more of this next year, as that is what we are called to do.