Christmas, New Years, Spring, Etc.

We had a great Christmas this year. It was nice and relaxing for me as Harold and Loyce did all the cooking and entertaining. All I had to do was enjoy! Dusty had to work through the holidays and will be off on 1/8. Then we will celebrate all over again. So I'm leaving my tree up until all the partying is over.

And now here it is, New Year's Eve. It seems that 2008 has flown by. I've had to deal with more than I ever thought I would, but it has been a good year nevertheless. I have been reminded all year about what wonderful family and friends I have. Thanks to you all!

Even though it is still Winter, we are getting ready for Spring. Yesterday Jesse and his son, Joshua, tilled our garden.



We will start planting for sure in February and maybe even a few veggies in January. I'm hoping that we will get more rain in '09 than we did this year. It was so dry that we couldn't keep up with the watering last season. A garden is a big job, even with adequate moisture, but it's worth it. Wish we could share our bounty with all of you.

Dr. report: I had an appointment with my surgeon today. She gave me my options to get rid of the lesion on my liver. She and I both think that I should see a radiologist oncologist (I think that's what he's called). I will have two options with him and that's what he and I will discuss when I see him. I am hoping to see him next week. I also have appointments with my oncologist, a urologist and a lung specialist in January. A busy month!

"No Show" for the Twins Birthday Party!

That's right, Jesse and I didn't make it to the twins 4th birthday party on Sunday. We spent most of the day at the er in San Antonio. I had excruciating pain all Saturday night, so we left for the city early Sunday morning. After running tests they discovered a kidney stone. I have a high pain tolerence, but that was real pain!!! They sent me home with meds and I must have passed the stone during the night. I was pain free today. Yes!

They did film the party and I got to see it after we got home. I think the kids had a blast.

You Would Never Make It Through The Winter

The title is *words of wisdom* from Jesse.
We took a motorcycle ride a few years ago up through the Rockies, into Yellowstone and Montana. I fell in love with the little town of Cooke City, Montana and told Jesse I would like to live there for one year and experience all 4 seasons. That's when he said those wise words above. Now why would he think that? Maybe it was because we were riding there in July and I was wearing my long underwear and lined leather jacket. :o)

Yesterday I went to a doctor's appointment in San Antonio, and had planned to do some Christmas shopping. It was much too cold to be going in and out of stores!!! The temps were in the 40's and the wind was blowing! I decided to wait till Friday for my shopping and hope for warmer weather. I just saw the forecast and they are predicting 77° for Friday. Perfect shopping weather for me!!!

Dr. report: I found out yesterday that my next surgery will be either the end of January or first of February. That's fine with me, but my oncologist will probably put me back on chemo during the wait. He doesn't trust those little cancer cells that might be hiding out in my body, just waiting to spread to other parts. I hate the effects of chemo, but it's worked so for and I trust my doctor completely. So if he says "chemo", I'll say "let's go"!

Decorating Your House?

I guess we are all decorating for the Holidays now. I've toned down my decorations from what they used to be. I have 2 large boxes of Christmas stuff still in storage and I don't plan on pulling it out. I'm happy just having my tree and the many cards that I get from friends. I do have one other decoration that I love, and that is Santa photos.

From the top down is Dusty (age 24), Chad (age 22), Harold (I refuse to list his age because I know I'm not old enough to have a son that old!), and grandson Justin (age 22). I need to put up a photo of the twins and Santa too!

A Surprise Visitor

Today I was lazily sitting in my recliner, trying to talk myself into working on some Christmas gifts that I'm making, when there was a strong knock on my front door. I was surprised to see an old school classmate that I hadn't seen in several years....Linda (Clutter) Baker. I knew she had recently retired and was living here in Nixon, but I never saw her around town.

She had made me a darling Christmas decoration.


She came in and visited for an hour or so. It was so nice to see her again.

The Christmas Spirit

What gives you the Christmas Spirit? For me there are several things that really give me the Spirit.....Christmas movies and music, and the Salvation Army with their buckets and bells are first on my list.

Last night I watched Home Alone, Lost in New York for about the 10th time. :o) I have to watch the first two Home Alones, Miracle on 34th Street (the newer version) and The Christmas Story every December. We have also watched several heart-warming Hallmark Holiday movies this year.

Music - the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is the best in my opinion. We will be going to see them in concert during the holidays and I am soooo looking forward to that!!!

So, what puts you in the Christmas Spirit?

Nixon's Mural, etc.

Last weekend I took pictures of the twins in front of Nixon's mural that is painted on the side of Main Drug Store. I needed the photo for a project that I'm working on for their birthday. I actually wanted them to be standing in front of the part of the mural that has Nixon, Texas on it. The problem was that under the town's name is a giant chicken. Preston wanted to stand by the train instead of the chicken, so I managed to get one of each pose. But I do like the train photo the best.

On another note.....Last Friday my Yaya friend, Joyce, came for a visit. We did some shopping at Pam 's Flowers and Gifts and Main Drug. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful gift shops in our little town! Joyce was able to buy several Christmas gifts. We ended our visit with a delicious meal at La Enchiladita.
Here is a photo of Joyce and I and Miss Nectarine, taken a few years ago.