The Girls

Once a year, whether we need it or not, it's girls' night out.  It's an evening built on lifelong friendships and traditions.  In 1983 we decided to go out for dinner in December and exchange groovy gifts.  Every year Sheryl, Shelly. Doreen and I start at one of our homes with a champagne toast and a picture in front of the fireplace.  We haven't changed a bit.

 Shelly was the driver last night so she is enjoying a diet coke.  We take turns driving.  There were several years where whoever was pregnant had to drive.  Those days are over.  So are the days of trying to get ready with a toddler hanging on your leg.  Now our driving turns are based on the order of our birthdays in the year.  Our memories aren't what they used to be, so little tricks like that help us.  Last night some of us admitted that we have to look at the previous year's pictures so that we don't keep wearing the same outfit.  It's a problem.  Doreen and I have vintage furs that we always wear for the occasion.  Our dress code is snappy casual.

It was so much fun last night.  Plenty of laughs and conversation, if you can call it that, since everyone talks at once.  I'm not sure that's technically a conversation.
It's more like a shouting match with laughing and snorting.

Good times.

It's Alive

Last evening we decorated a Christmas tree in our sitting room.  We haven't had a live tree for 8 years because our wood stove makes it too dry.  This year we decided to try one in the sitting room.  It smells so good.  I keep thinking of the tree car fresheners, except this is bigger and better.  

The tree is a noble and considering I bought it with the net still around it, it's a pretty nice tree.  No glaring bare spots.   The gentleman that sold it to me could not believe I was going to buy a tree sight unseen.  I had no need to consider every tree, sip cocoa or have a family photo.  I just put it on the cart and loaded it up and took it home.  I got the feeling that isn't how it works at his house.

Hey, it is what it is.  And it's pretty nice.

December Daily Every Other Day

Uhmmm, does December Daily mean every single day?  Cuz I am getting my butt kicked over here if it does...  Just sayin'.

Our Lighted Christmas Parade

Our little town has a lighted Christmas parade on the first Saturday in December.  Local businesses and groups go all out and create some great entries.

 Emilyn was spending the night with us.  When we got to pickle Grams front porch Ellie was there.  Ohhhh, when classmates find each other there is excitement.  Em was running from the curb to the porch for treats so much that she overheated and had to take her coat off.

Jodi and I made hot cocoa for everyone.  The hardest part is always trying to get the hot water to the parade.  If anyone knows of a good hot water system, please let me know.  The adults particularly liked the marshmallow vodka.  The kids liked the mini marshmallows and the red and green Christmas mallows.

  

It was a fun family time! 

Sweet Reminder

 There is a hustle and a bustle that comes in December.  A lot of decorating, running errands, baking and crafting that comes with the season.  I decorated for our friend, Adelene, this week.  I use a lot of poinsettias at her place.  I have one poinsettia in our home and quite frankly, I'm sure I'll kill it before Christmas and have to buy another.  Growers love me.

On Friday I was with my sisters shopping in Seattle for the day.  We didn't spend the night this year but technically we didn't get home until Saturday.  University Village, Alderwood Mall, Hobby Lobby and a stop on the way home for a Target and Marshalls.

We split up to shop and then traditionally we meet back at the sofa at Pottery Barn.  Sometimes when I get back I'm not sure if Jodi has actually left to shop.  She's guarding Melinda's bags and always looks comfy and cozy.  Pottery Barn is a fantastic place to meet.  Not only do they have those comfy sofas but they always have a  small tucked away restroom.  If you didn't know about their restrooms you can thank me for that information next time you see me.  Pottery Barn also has claim check and they let you add other packages to your Pottery Barn shopping bag.  Last night I picked up my bag, which was double bagged and rehandled because it was so heavy.  Groaning at the weight the sweet store clerk handed it off to me with these words, "may the force be with you."  Fortunately Mel had scored a parking spot right outside the door, a Christmas modern day miracle

This morning I shopped locally at my library.  It was a wonderful craft sale put together by kids.  The kids made some very cool crafts and treats.  It was fun to shop and to visit with the shopkeepers.  Some of the kids have been very busy crafting so that they could donate their profits to buy goats and hens for families in third world countries.  Gift tags, ornaments, sachets, hair doodahs and Rudolph candy canes were some of the treasures I took home.  

In all of this week's hustle and bustle  I found a sweet rock from a little guy named Ezra.  Such a humble reminder of of my reason for the season.  Thanks Ezra, I love it!

It's a Small World

About 6 years ago Sam got to know Nathan online through xbox live and WOW.  Nathan lives in Australia and is here on holiday.  It has been fun for the guys to finally meet Nathan, except for Sam.  Sam won't be home for Christmas leave before Nathan has to go back home.  It's bittersweet to have Nathan here and Sam at Fort Bragg.  I really missed Sam this week.

Blake and Nathan came for dinner this week.  I took this first picture right after I told them, "the potatoes might be HoT, or actually may be like molten lava", and Blake took a big, painful bite.

 We had to show Nathan Sam's old room where Sam had been gaming with him all those years.  The guys wear headsets and chat during the game.  It was fun for Nathan to sit where Sam has been gaming with him for all those years.

 Besides gaming Nathan has been busy finishing Uni (in Australia college or university is referred to as uni) and working full time.  He was saving up for his trip to the states.  He went to the Apple Cup, went shooting, is going to a hockey game in Canada, going to Mt. Baker to see snow for the first time and taking a train trip to San Francisco.  When Nathan gets home he has a job waiting as a chemical engineer for a mining company.

Sam hopes to go to Australia to visit Nathan after he finishes his time in the army.  It is strange to think that when I was their age there was no internet, xbox live, no cyber friendships.  Everything was IRL.

It's a cool world out there.