Happy New Year, friends ...
It's good to see you on this side of the calendar!
Whew. Is it my imagination, or weren't we about to sit down for Thanksgiving dinner just last week?
Our Christmas was lovely and mostly low-key -- just as I hoped.
Even our weather cooperated and turned delightfully chilly for a few days. (Yes, I realize 58 degrees is considered balmy for some of you, but down here we folks dig out our parkas and mittens!)
Leaving my office a couple of days before, I had to stop and capture the impending storm.
Since Tom's son and DIL were hosting a big shin-dig at their place, we opted for burgers and actual conversation at Red Robin on Friday night. Have to say, we were so pleased with the camaraderie. The last few times we've visited their home, it's not unusual for there to be a dozen or more of Shaunna's relatives there, and -- like any home with little children -- there's little opportunity to sit and visit.
Somewhat concerning, we learned the tech company for which Tommy works has been sold and his job is being eliminated before long. Thank goodness, Shaunna's an R.N. and will most likely return to work full-time.
The kids were super troopers until little Vivian's eyelids grew too, too heavy. Mitch seems to be telegraphing his dad, "Enough, already!"
Like a couple of little kids, Tom and I could hardly wait to get home and open our presents.
Shaunna's so creative, and even included movie passes!
So cute, how they - together with my Alabama offspring - want to ensure their aging parents won't starve .... or thirst. LOL.
Man, we've already gone through 4 of the 12 pounds of Conecuh hickory sausage Troy sent. At this rate, we'll probably be making a mail order before Thanksgiving!
Christmas eve morning I finally got around to playing our Christmas CD's. In years past, by the time December 25 finally rolls around, I'm so weary of hearing the same songs done over and over (and over)!
That afternoon we decided to take a drive and check out a little French bistro my hair dresser keeps raving about.
Wow. Belying its exterior, the inside was darkened and elegant to the max .... and actually sort of reasonably priced.
My martini with bleu-cheese stuffed olives made me feel like a real grown-up. (Seriously, I'd this mental image of sipping with one hand and holding one of those long cigarette holders in the other .... even though it's been more than 3 years since I quit smoking. Ha!)
'Couldn't wait to try their french onion soup -- purposed to be the best in the valley ... but when we poked through the pastry, the soup was clearly tepid .... as was Tom's entree.
(Of course, they graciously made things right so we'll most likely give them another try on a non-holiday.)
After our requisite egg-nog, Tom and I exchanged presents:
I got a TomTom fitness tracker (catchy name, don't-cha think?), a massage certificate .... and this --
.... whose weight and and rustle had me all sorts of confused for days, trying to guess the contents.
Do y'all exchange 'funny' gifts? I hadn't experienced anything like that in ages. Well, since the year I bought my 83 y/o mother a 'water bra' -- which desperately didn't fit. (TMI, perhaps, but that memory will make me laugh all the days of my life.)
Sweet Grace says, "We've no opposable thumbs with which to buy you a present, so we let you sleep late."
(I couldn't believe no-one stirred before 7. Unheard of!)
So, it appears I'm going to be walking more -- and, per a call from my doctor's office last week, I need to step up the hydration.
('Don't suppose he meant red wine? ...)
All in all, a very blessed season was had.
But, like an adorable icon popularized on Facebook,
I'm not ready to go back to adulting!
Oh! Before I go ...
Just for giggles, yesterday afternoon Grace and I put this New Year's wish together for y'all.
Christmas eve morning I finally got around to playing our Christmas CD's. In years past, by the time December 25 finally rolls around, I'm so weary of hearing the same songs done over and over (and over)!
That afternoon we decided to take a drive and check out a little French bistro my hair dresser keeps raving about.
Wow. Belying its exterior, the inside was darkened and elegant to the max .... and actually sort of reasonably priced.
My martini with bleu-cheese stuffed olives made me feel like a real grown-up. (Seriously, I'd this mental image of sipping with one hand and holding one of those long cigarette holders in the other .... even though it's been more than 3 years since I quit smoking. Ha!)
'Couldn't wait to try their french onion soup -- purposed to be the best in the valley ... but when we poked through the pastry, the soup was clearly tepid .... as was Tom's entree.
(Of course, they graciously made things right so we'll most likely give them another try on a non-holiday.)
After our requisite egg-nog, Tom and I exchanged presents:
I got a TomTom fitness tracker (catchy name, don't-cha think?), a massage certificate .... and this --
Do y'all exchange 'funny' gifts? I hadn't experienced anything like that in ages. Well, since the year I bought my 83 y/o mother a 'water bra' -- which desperately didn't fit. (TMI, perhaps, but that memory will make me laugh all the days of my life.)
Sweet Grace says, "We've no opposable thumbs with which to buy you a present, so we let you sleep late."
(I couldn't believe no-one stirred before 7. Unheard of!)
So, it appears I'm going to be walking more -- and, per a call from my doctor's office last week, I need to step up the hydration.
('Don't suppose he meant red wine? ...)
All in all, a very blessed season was had.
But, like an adorable icon popularized on Facebook,
I'm not ready to go back to adulting!
Oh! Before I go ...
Just for giggles, yesterday afternoon Grace and I put this New Year's wish together for y'all.
Thanks for accompanying me on our journey through 2017!
Hugs from Phoenix,
Myra
