dixie, so glad you had a special Christmas...and so sorry about jack. family history gifts are my favorites.

had 3 different family times...visit with my dad which was a little weird, but ended up ok...we've found it's better to leave him during an activity. went up to my sister's in a blinding fog - yikes, driving up a mtn on what was on old mule path isn't fun.

we had a very good time. she was relaxed for a change. my niece and nephew are so grown up. i gave my nephew, who's my grandfather's namesake, his favorite fedora (the last time he saw him he was 18 mo - i wanted to find the photo of him in his lap), my sister and niece bracelets i made in handmade change purses (not by me), and my mother the framed cross i made. gave my dad a framed photo of him and my mother at a really relaxed time in the NC mtns and a scarf i scented with my mother's perfume. heard he really liked both. i was over gifted with some very sweet things. the best gift is that it was low stress. pain was there, but dealable....

just took food to my aunt's and we ate all day long...it was a good celebration of family and appreciation.

today, we're having wind gusts up to 60 mph, so it's a great sofa day....long, but i haven't joined in most christmas posts...

wishes that each of our hens enjoyed their holidays, too.

May I just say...WHEW!!! I am relieved.

I did more cooking and enteraining yesterday, than I've done since I can remember. I actually served two meals at my house yesterday. They were small groups so it worked well. My Mom said that the time she, my Dad and my Aunt spent at my house late in the day yesterday, was the best, most relaxing part of Christmas! How nice is that?

My two younger Sons included Christmas cards with messages they wrote from the heart. I guess I didn't realize how much they still count on me and love me. Receiving those cardst would have been the perfect Christmas by themselves. It was enough to make a lip tremble...

Kim, I'm glad you had a nice day and I'm so sorry about Jack. That's such a horrible decision that we always end up facing when we love an animal.

Serenity...I'm glad you didn't actually have to ride a mule!

Hugs and very tired clucks...

Good afternoon everyone!

I typed one response on the CP forum and my hands are cramping like crazy due to my RSD, so I will keep it short.

I had a beautiful Christmas with hubby and the kids. Brent and I do not exchange gifts as all of our money is spent on the kids, however, we did manage to buy a new George Foreman indoor grill, which is something we refuse to be without. After awhile, the non-stick gets ruined and you have to buy a new one. We have had several. LOL

Kids got lots of nice gifts however, went crazy over their X-box. Coincidentally, my son's best friend got one too and they are playing together as I type this. It is really cool that you can do that. They can even talk to each other over a speaker.

Getting a bit bored. Being bed-bound really sucks. I can only do so much on a computer and can only watch so much TV. I really don't know what to do with myself anymore and really miss being able to DO things.

Okay, hands are really bad now....gotta go. So glad that everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family. Hope everyone has a RELAXING day.

Lotsa Hugs,

Carrie

I cooked for extra people yesterday. Why are mom's expected to do EXTRA for holidays while family visit? I don't know. Tomorrow is my B day. It is cold, windy (like a tornado), and generally unplesant outside. So all the activities that I'd like to do (which we never do summer cause then it ain't my B-day) can't be done.
Oh I am cornfused. Time for some rest.

We had a good day here. Son home with out girlfriend and daughter's family.
Relaxing and did some sledding. Not me thought I hurt enough and it is hard to get in the sled!
I cooked and dh smoked a prime rib. We had shirt tail cousins for the dinner. Their daughter is back in Maine so I was the "good relative" and had the two over.
I got dh jeans and a few shirts as we bought the recliner earlier this month as our gift.
I got my share of candles and rubber maid containers. I asked for better storage containers and they all got me a box full. So i emptied two drawers of junk containers and it feels good.
Cherry, my lip quivered too when i read your writing about sons. doesn't that make it all worth it.
So sorry about Jack, dixe, I know that is a hard thing to go through. There is a pet heaven, I know!
Happy Birthday Sunny. Our 37th is tomorrow, I think dinner though dh said a movie. I said i am too tired by that time. Carrie, i know how frustrated it is not to do all we use to hence the movie!
Take care
Oh yea we are in a winter wonderland after last night, so pretty and slick!
Hugs to all

Santa was good to me.

I had a wonderful visit with the family at DD's home with her new husband and his parent's. They are such nice people and I am so happy that we seem to have hit it off.........we have so much in commen. The Dad is from Louisiana, as am I, so we had alot to talk about. We shared recipes about all the wierd things that we enjoy to eat. Only in Louisiana. :-}

We waaay over gifted to the grands, as always, and I kick myself every year and swear that I will not do it again! But I still continue to do it. I think they enjoy OPENING gifts more than they like what is in the box. :-)

I got a few "Benjamin's" from DH which was nice. I told him that he should not buy me anymore jewelry as I don't dress up that much anymore. But I am looking forward to shopping after all the crowds are gone.

I actually spent Chrismas Day home alone.........and it was nice. I got sooo much done. DH had to leave for the ranch to tend to the cattle and horses......and I did not want to go. I felt a bit guilty for not going.............but I think I'm soon getting over it.

LOL. Janie.....what are shirt tail cousin's??

Happy Birthday to you and Sunny.

Much love and hugs to my dear hens.

Sounds like everyone had a lovely Christmas!
This Christmas seemed to be a Christmas for chocolate! We each received way too much of it!
I got to cook the dinner all my myself, which is what i wanted (long story) I knew i would get "suggestions" and "comments" from a certain person, he didn't let me down, when i see my counselor i'll off load on her!
Got some lovely gifts : )

Blessedx2, just a little advice about x box, Don't know how old your children are and what games they play but keep an ear out for the conversations. As well as playing with just friends, i'm sure you realize you can play with anyone from around the globe. Some (children and adults) can get carried away playing "call of duty" for example. You can also message pple too, like msn. My son quickly realized he only liked playing with pple he knew. This is the age of online and all that goes with it!