'Tis the Season...

The Grinch sums up the Holiday nicely for me:

"It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!... Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!" 

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends!

And the holiday season begins...

On this special day, here's wishing it's full of gratitude and fullness of life.  May it turn what we have into enough, and more!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my family and friends!

Change of Seasons

Officially, it's still fall but feels more like winter.  This week we are preparing for a frigid plunge in temperatures that the meteorologists predict to last the rest of the month.  Bah!  Two of my humongous plants still are outside.  Today, they get moved.  I made arrangements for firewood, and I'm "hunkering down" (as my sister Jan would say!) for the cold spell.  A warm fire, a spell-binding novel, and the delicious smell of homemade soup on the stove should keep me happy. Maybe some hot chocolate, or better yet, an Irish coffee!

Aging!

Yesterday, another birthday came...and went.  Wow, 67 sounds sooooo (!) old. Celebrating without Larry is definitely different, but the boys on Sunday helped to make my birthday quite precious.  Not only did the entire family come resplendent with gifts AND a candlelit birthday cake, but the boys manage to turn it into a "work-day" of sorts.  There were so many chores that I needed help with like moving the big plants off the deck, and cleaning out the outdoor firepit and moving it.  And, many more!  Friends as well came to celebrate and make my day special.  I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy.  Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun!

Done Deal

As of this past weekend, I declare the "Shed" a finished product.  True, it needs artwork on the walls, but other than that the work is done.  Actually I had the first (of many, I hope) full-fledged party on Saturday.  The Shed accommodated somewhere over 50 friends and family members.  We all survived!

Catchin' Up

Our trip to Ireland came and ....went!  Jan and I explored the entire coastline of the Emerald Isle with Vagabond, our small itty-bitty tour group.  It was quite a "12-Day Wild Irish Adventure" with another three days spent in the Dublin area on our own.  Lots of memories with tons of photos taken.  I can't wait to begin my photobook of the trip.
Meanwhile, I am catching up on things at home and trying to get re-adjusted to my normal routine.  Jet lag definitely is no myth!  The Shed is nearly finished, just needs odds 'n ends and some accessorizing.  Will post some pics when it is all completed.

The Shed

The new rec room is nearly finished.... the painting, all lights, all the floors, and the fireplace are installed.  Tomorrow comes the installation of the doors, the wallboard, and the kitchen/bar cabinets.  The bathroom shower might take a week or so as will the countertops.  Geez, it seems as if the entire process took years to accomplish!