Isn't that wonderful, Bev! Glad you are getting time together. That's what's most special about Christmas.

I finished decorating our tree yesterday too... and the rest of the house. It's so wonderful to have a Christmas tree up. It always reminds me of my childhood and how I loved playing with my sister around the Christmas tree. We would make up songs and dance around the tree, we loved it so much. This year it seemed like such an effort... It took me forever to get the tree and get it up and decorate it. I have been struggling with back problems and piraformis syndrome so it was harder for me to do it than previous years. But I'm glad to have it done and be able to enjoy the tree!

I'm trying to get the scarf done that I am knitting for my SIL, but as you know, scarves go on forever. And I wanted to make my daughter a travel bag that hold toiletries-- the drop down kind. Gotta hurry if I'm going to get that done.

Baking Christmas gifts for the neighbors who helped us when Jerry was in the emergency room and rescued us when a deer hit the car. Their aid was so appreciated. Sent gifts out to a few relatives and couple or three friends this year for the first time in 12 years...to say 'thank you' for all your help in past Christmases.

Trying to understand a debit card gift and get it activated. From Amazon, of course. May everyone have a joyful Christmas with family and friends. We are blessed to have each other, a warm house and food to eat.

Yes we are, QNS! Very blessed...

I am baking today too. Found out in Sunday School that my evening group is having a little Christmas party tonight, so I came home and started baking. I felt warm, loving memories of my mother at Christmas. She loved to bake cookies at Christmas and always had a nice array. So I got out her Christmas Cooky Book and made one of her favorites: Pecan Pie Cookies. Also whipped up the dough for some chocolate M&M cookies. I put on the Pandora Christmas Carols station that I love to cook and bake to. It's all real Christmas music, not the pop garbage they play on regular radio. I even wore an apron-- a standard for Mom, but I never use one! Just feeling nostalgic, like she was here.

Isn't it wonderful how how Christmas traditions evolve and change over time depending on what memory settles in our mind!

It's been a bitter sweet couple of weeks here. DSis is doing better, but was not doing well early in the month. Then last week MrOk's remaining aunt passed away. She was a very special person loved by all. She was one the "wise women" in my life and so very dear to me as well. Three of the 4 kids were home this week with the NC family staying from Wed until this am. I made a 3:30 am trip to airport this morning. Needless to say, bitter sweet as family gathers to grieve and laugh.

Good to hear from y'inz and all...now will try to play catch up after this week's flurry of activity...no tree up here yet. Have a good one...