Friday, December 29, 2023

And just like that ...

 



It's over!
The Extraordinary we call Christmas, that is.   I'm glad to have participated, yet a bit relieved.  Anyone else ever get to feeling that way?


A few snapshots from the road .....

Eggnog!  Some of y'all recall my fondness for the stuff.  Never mind that each quart's guaranteed to put an extra layer of padding on the bottom half of my frame.  The sacrifice is real!

Anyway.  Shortly after Thanksgiving I found a quart and secreted it at the back of the fridge.  Finally, last week I poured the ceremonial first cup.   It tasted okay, but was curiously thin.  Did it need a vigorous shake?  No.  On closer examination I'd bought something called "Holiday Nogg", aka egg nog flavored drink.

Go big or go home!  Fortunately, I was able to score Wal Mart's last quart of the Real Stuff.   Simple pleasures!



Despite the rainy gloom, we enjoyed a sweet Christmas morning at my son's place.   As usual, Lois prepared a delicious meal.   Who'd have guessed, a turkey will come out so moist by baking it upside down?   If I/we ever do another bird, that's going to be the Plan!

For all the yakking back-and-forth, I forgot to get any 'people-y' photos! 
Instead -- with permission -- here's a few of their home.   I'm always amazed how my DIL can take scraps of this and that ... cast-offs, and create beauty. 



Kitchen breakfront


An elves spa day

Two calling birds


Troy said he's always wanted a fireplace for their bedroom.
(Never mind that someone forgot to include the insert!)

1992 + 2023
Two weddings and the Chi Rho





As in past years, Tom and I no longer exchange gifts.  This year, however, necessity called for a new coffee maker.   B-O-R-I-N-G, but the ability to make a pot or individual cups is appealing.

I'd planned to take the rest of my birthday money and get a laptop -- except Tom beat me to the register.  It's going to be a challenge learning to use a thumb pad v. a mouse, but this way I can at least be a presence in the family room instead of squirreled away down the hall.   

No, I need to remember when, back in the day, I was so nervous about starting a new job.   The whizz-bang typewriter they had was unlike anything I'd used before.  So I called the local office supply and rented one on which to practice. 



Troy and Lois blessed me with a beautiful blanket.  For Tom, a big bag of treats for his birds.  And knowing his interest in WWII aviation, Lois found this canvas of the Tuskegee Airmen:




Blessed!



What's next?

I hope y'all will join me on the journey!



Hugs, Myra














27 comments:

  1. Hope you enjoy your new computer. I have the mouse pad thing on my computer, but don't use it. I bought a wireless mouse. It has a little thingy that plugs into one of the ports on the computer and then the mouse will run from that. I'm not a fan of the thumb pad but can use it if needed.

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  2. first things first. Amazon/Walmart, either one, if you don't like the finger pad, tiny wireless laptop mouse, cheap and can be used on the side of the laptop. I use both and love the mouse too.
    Love the decorations and that she used her things she already has, and added a little Christmas. beautiful and love the elves. so cute.
    mother would love that fireplace and in fact had a fake one, but it was fake brick on the wall and no fire either.
    yay for your presents and a new coffee pot. be sure to post it for us.. you know i love details.
    I love eggnog but no sugar is my life so that is out. ugg on the fake stuff. LOVE that 2024 cartoon, just how i feel, have not had a decent year since 2020

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    1. Here's the 'poop' on our coffee maker. We were looking for the Keurig, this one marked down to $59 sealed the deal!

      https://www.walmart.com/ip/Farberware-Side-by-Side-Single-Serve-or-12-Cup-Coffee-Maker-Black-with-Stainless-Inset-New/1258055650?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=518&adid=222222222771258055650_117755028669_12420145346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9010825&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=1258055650&wl13=518&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&&adid=222222222371258055650_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9010825&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=1258055650&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1Y7hvLy3gwMVy0x_AB1KnQi2EAQYASABEgIhS_D_BwE

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  3. I still have my typewriter. It's in the closet. I keep threatening to use that instead of this wiz-bang laptop (Aggrevating thang. lol) and go back to snail mail for letters. Hope I can get new ribbons for it if I do.
    Fun post. I'm still giggling at the elves spa day.
    Blessings. xx

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    1. Neat! I wish I'd thought to hang onto my old one.... or, I'd even remember how to change the ribbon!

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  4. I do hope you enjoy your new computer, Myra, in the New Year. Thanks for bringing us up to date with all your Christmas doings. Being with family is the best!
    Blessings!

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  5. Your photos brought back memories. We had a kitchen scale like that when I was a child; and also a plate like the one the elves are in. I wonder where they are now.

    So glad you had a great time; with or without eggnog. Neat trick about baking the turkey upside down. We'll try that.

    God bless you and yours in 2024 and onwards.

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    1. My DIL is always finding fun old stuff like this at estate sales.

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  6. Yes, I am glad it is over but now I have to pack everything up. It sounds like you had a nice Christmas meal. I love her bowl of elves. Looks like you got some lovely gifts. Nothing like learning a new computer. I need a new Chromebook and computer, besides needing a new cell phone too! I can't handle the stress right now . Wishing you a very Happy New Year! May God Bless You.

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    1. I hear that, Debby! Learning new technology -- even a cell phone -- is stressful.

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  7. We had some suspiciously thin "holiday nog" too. The real stuff is different, that's for sure! It can be hard to find around here.

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    1. I wonder why it's available only once a year?!

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  8. Myra, I hate the touch-pad so I use a mouse. You can plug in a wireless mouse and it makes the touch-pad not work. You have to remember the mouse if you move from room to room, but I just can't do a touch-pad. Anyway, sounds like you had a nice time with the kids. Love ya and wish you and Tom a blessed and happy new year!!

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    1. Work smarter, not harder -- right?!
      Love ya right back!

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  9. My hubby uses a wireless mouse AND a wireless keyboard so he can hold that in his lap and the rest of the laptop is on a little TV stand by his chair. He can sit more comfortably that way while he types. I personally prefer my desktop computer, but a laptop would be nice while traveling, etc. I loved your photos and stories. Never heard of the eggnog flavored drink. How cruel! I think I can remember my mother actually making her own eggnog and we drank it warm, but that could just be in my head. I haven't had any in a long time now, but you got me wanting some. LOL. Happy New Year my friend!!

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    1. Now there's a thought!
      You don't still have your mother's recipe, do you?

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  10. I agree with using a mouse with your laptop. Thanks for sharing the decorations…we don’t decorate down here. We no longer cook turkeys but we used to roast them breast down for part of the time.

    Happy New Year!

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    1. Normally, I prefer anything except ham or turkey -- but this was the first year I can remember that it was DELICIOUS!

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  11. I was blessed to have both ham and turkey for Christmas. I had two different Christmas dinners. One with family at DS#6's house and with DS#5 and his family at his house on Christmas day! The turkey was very moist. I'll have to ask him if he turned it upside down, he didn't say. I use a wireless mouse but use the finger pad when I unplug the computer to sit in my chair in the front room.
    I love the wireless mouse but the other doesn't bother me most of the time. Hope you have a very Happy New ! I will be joining you on the journey through 2024! Love, ma

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    1. I love how your sons spoil you, Ma! Delighted to have you along (fasten the seatbelt!).

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  12. I enjoy the read here always. Well said that is for sure. All the talk here in the coach and I cannot contemplate, but I do like the Two calling birds. Enjoyed the graphics...

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  13. Wishing you a beautiful Happy New Year my friend.

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