Christmas Hangover?

Just maybe I am a little hungover from all the excitement, food and assorted beverages these past few days. It is wonderful to spend time with family and friends, some who you don't get to see very often.  

Zeyda

The craziness started last Saturday with a wonderful Christmas recital at the Mitchell High School auditorium. Zeyda, my five year old granddaughter had her first dance recital. The recital was well produced and very entertaining with young and older dancers alike giving us all a quick start to the Christmas week. After the recital, I was invited to one of the Gonzales Christmas dinners. Thanks go out to Rachel and Art for having me and letting me bring Baboo to the party. Yolanda and her family weren't going to be at the Christmas Eve dinner so they were all exchanging their gifts ahead of time. My gift was a white chocolate cherry pecan cheesecake I made.

Christmas Eve I traveled to Chadron where I was graciously invited to Jay's folks home for Christmas Eve and Christmas. I was thankful that I made it for there was another snow squall that made the roads very icy and once again tested my resolve. What is it with that road to Chadron? We attended church and then celebrated with Jessamyn's best friend from high school, Joni and her husband Steve. They have a new 6,000 square ft. home in which I could get lost in, lol! Oyster stew was served to my relief. A tradition that I have carried on in my family.

Baboo, Mary, Jessamyn, Jay, Andrea, Galen, Will,  Joy, Macaroni,  Joy and Rigsby.
Sorry, no picture of Tyler for he was taking the picture.

Then Christmas was spent at the Voss home with nine adults and 5 dogs! Needless to say, it was a crazy scene of noise, hustle and bustle. Watching the entertaining DVR, Ref, with it outrageous plot and more outrageous language. Dogs running, playing and scrambling over couches, us and getting into the breakfast casserole. I LOVED IT! This is what Christmas is all about!

Linda's gift of a quilted mixer cover.

This is the quilted mixer cover that now houses the mixer that so diligently worked to make the Christmas gifts that were given family and friends. The mixer is currently at peace, at least until next weeks New Years Party...

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Ho, Ho, Ho! Christmas is almost here and time is running out to get those gifts made and sent to all. I like everyone else stood in line Tuesday at the post office with several boxes in tow. I waited to send my packages on Tuesday instead of the so called busiest day of the year, Monday. Matter not much according to the wait time and sore arms from holding packages aloft.

Snow is still on the ground even though we have had a couple of 40-50 degree days. The white stuff persists and more is in the forecast for tomorrow. I wish for balmy weather, my chance will come in March. Jessamyn and Jay's family got a reprieve earlier and are in  Marco Island, Florida to celebrate their anniversary and retrieve Joy. Joy is Jay's sister and she just got done with her semester at sea. I am watching Sunny for the durations.

An early morning potty break.

This next week will be filled with more baking of goodies and attending Christmas programs and recitals! 

Feeling a little holiday stress yet?

Its creeping closer andy nary a gift sent to family afar. The stress is starting to intensify. So trying to keep my stress level down  I made a decision not to put my little Christmas tree up. Not because it is too much trouble, but because of my new pup. I certainly had visions of running around the Christmas tree chasing Baboo for an ornament or two. It would be the updated version of Little Black Sambo whose story had tigers that chased each other around a tree until they turned to butter. No thanks, I will pass this year. 

Tigers chasing themselves to butter

Last night I made a trek to Chadron to watch Taylen's freshman basketball game. I was the official family member in presence because Jessamyn had her work's Christmas party. Taylen is a guard and takes the ball down the court quite frequently. It is sure fun to watch your grandkids grow and start playing sports. It sure has kept me busy of late! Even though it was a loss, the game builds strength of character. They are always winners and losers, it is how you handle the up and downs that makes you a winner in all respects. 

I was very thankful I made the trip home safe and sound. It was snowing and hard to see where the road side ended. Now I really appreciate those rough rumble edges for what they are. It kept me from driving off the road. God looked after me for sure last night so I could be a winner!

Snow, snow and more snow!

Tis the season, so they say. It has been snowing here since yesterday. There is 8 inches or more of the white fluff to contend with along with blistering cold winds and temperatures. I was up at 5 AM shoveling for the second time just to keep the doors open.  The wind is blowing and the snow is drifting, thus I made a decision to cancel the Lion's club meeting this noon. Schools are closed and  many cancelations were heard on the radio. I don't even know if I could get out my lane anyway. I am going to hang out in my cozy home and catch up on some very needed cleaning, baking and Christmas decorating.

My assistant elf hasn't been too helpful…Baboo took a piece of my clean laundry out of the clothes basket and headed underneath the bed like the road runner he is. You can see him peeking out from there looking so innocent. Pray tell what else is under there, lol!

Stinker!

Before the weather got bad yesterday, I met Jessamyn in Alliance and we drove together to Jarret's last wrestling tournament in Bayard. Paqui was able to attend after she got her work caught up.  We all witness Jarret's first place finish. Champion and medal winner again. As soon as he wrestled, Jessamyn and I hightailed it back to Alliance and her to Gordon. The roads progressively got worse the further north we went. It took Jessamyn over three hours to get home. Was very thankful we all made it home safely!

Champion pinning his opponent!