Let's get caught up. It's been a whirlwind here at the Stone House.
Max and Kassie left on their honeymoon to Mexico and Bo stayed with Hubby and me. Max would text and ask, "how is Bo?" Bo did great with us.
One day, we baked Christmas cookies.
Bo gets a treat every time we come back into the house, because, well, he's at Grandma's place and I do not feed him people food. Ever.
We went for walks in the snow.
But toward the end, Bo just missed his boy and did some pouting.
Kassie started to get some wedding day previews from the photographer.
It was such a pretty wedding and they are so happy.
Then it was Sheryl, Shelly, Doreen night and we had a wonderful time.
The next day we hadn't had enough fun, so Shelly, Sheryl and I (Dor stayed home to get stuff done) went on a cheese tour to Twin Sisters and Appel Farms. This tour which ended with lunch at Homestead actually saved me a bucket of time because it prepped all of my appetizers for the Christmas season.
Which as things turned out, was a huge, delicious help. I used them at the family party at Jeff and Kathi's and on Christmas Day.
I'm going to back up now, and this is where things get a bit rocky.
The night I went out with the girls I decided to take another shower before picking everyone up for our evening. I'd had a busy day and wanted to relax and get ready at my leisure.
Before I get too far into what's next, Hubby worked swing shift before the wedding and the midnight shift after the wedding. He is sleeping during the day so I move my things out of our bathroom into the other bathroom. I jump into the shower, drop the washcloth, pick it up and I bang my head on the ceramic shelf. Hard. This resulted in a slight concussion and even though it was a week ago, I have a a head ache yet today. The actual spot is getting better, but I haven't felt 100 percent since it happened. The nurse told me I need some quiet time. That's funny.
Let's back up to the day before the head bump, Lynden Manor called us and Mom was wandering at night, and needed to be moved to the Dementia Special Care Unit. It was that or 24 hour care at her room in the Manor. My siblings and I knew that wouldn't work because we saw how she reacted to 24 hour in home care for my Dad. Not good. This was a hard decision and yet it wasn't really a decision because we had no choice.
On December 24, Jodi picked up Mom for church and dinner and Kathi and Jeff, Ken and I moved her. Bill was sick and Hubby was sleeping. We set up her new room as similar to her prior room as possible. Emptied the other apartment of the things she won't need any more. I can't begin to tell you how hard this move was for her and my family. It felt like someone was near tears all day. We took turns encouraging and comforting each other and then Mom. She is asking me to move her, and doesn't understand why she is living there. Please pray that my Mom can accept her new room and where she is living.
Max and Kassie got home from Mexico around three a.m. on Christmas. Kassie had the flu/sinus infection in Mexico and Max started getting it on the way home. Hubby got home at 9:30 a.m. from his last midnight shift and went to take a nap. Jonny and Sam showed up to celebrate Christmas. They taught me to play Settler of Catan. I promptly won the game and taught them a thing or two. HAH!
Hubby woke up, Max and Kassie showed up and we made a beef tenderloin with Karen's mushroom sauce. Holy goodness, that sauce is yummo! I'll share the recipe mid January when y'all have given up on the diet resolutions.
Of course, we had snow salad.
I hadn't had time to shop with the two weddings within three weeks of each other so the gifts were pretty slim. But Hubby and I received ten pounds of the secret bacon from the guys.
So we are HAPPY!
Sam and Collin and Jonny will not tell us where this bacon comes from, apparently they still need secrets from the 'rents. It is rationed out to us after favors and for penance.
Hubby and I agreed on a no gift year but I couldn't resist getting us a record player. Hubby was surprised and loves it. We are having so much fun spinning records and dancing the nights away.
On the 26th, Bo and Max went home to George, WA and Hubby and I stripped the beds, did laundry, put away junk and vacuumed up dog hair. Enough for another whole dog!
Yesterday Hubby had a day off and we went to Anthony's for lunch and then record shopping at Aladdin's and Penny Lane. It was a date day with no agenda.
In summary:
*My Mom is asking begging me to move her every time I visit.
*I have a head ache. Is it from the hit in the shower? Stress? Sinus infection?
I'm going with all three.
*Christmas Day was so nice with my family. It really was so good.
*We loved having Bo but we are not getting another dog.
*It was kind of a White Christmas. Snow is my favorite.
*Jeff and Kathi hosted our family party and it was so nice. Their new home is gorgeous and I am so happy for them. I wish I could have helped them move but things were crazy here.
*Hubby is back on day shift and I cannot tell you how good that is for us. He missed Christmas parties and prep and was tired. All the time.
*I missed going to church this Christmas but I saw the peace of Jesus in so many ways.
*I'm home alone today and it feels pretty good.
*I need quiet to heal.
*My Christmas cards came in at Costco on the 23rd so I am still sending those out.
* Danny and Jess are spending Christmas in Florida with Jess's family. Aren't they the lucky ones?
*The New Year brings a new notebook and ideas and resolutions. One of which will be to get back to a breakfast smoothie instead of coffee with banket. Thank you, Randi! I have rationed it out over the season and not really shared. At all.
*There are some good things coming in 2018, Hubby and I will be married 30 years and hope to celebrate with a trip.
* There was so much good this year. Please don't think I'm complaining in this post. Just keepin' it real. I am blessed, my family has just had a few bumps lately. Still and always, so much good and God's peace through it all.
*Happy New Year! Best wishes on your resolutions! Mushroom sauce recipe
coming up mid January...
