The Christmas season is definitely here. I went over to my wonderful daughter's house and watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas". It was fun to see my sweet grandbaby enjoy all the new sights and sounds of Christmas. They had put lights on their house and the baby loved going outside and seeing them.

That made me ponder all the Christmas traditions that become so ingrained in a family. Many of the family traditions are slowly being passed on to my children. It seems that Tom has taken over having the family over the night before Christmas eve. That is always fun. Then we go to Missy's on Christmas eve and my house on Christmas day. Needless to say over eating is guaranteed at that time.

Last weekend I made the banana nut bread. That is a tradition that was passed down from my parents. We always ate banana nut bread on Christmas morning. I make it for both my children so they can keep the tradition going in their own homes.

The Christmas cookies that I used to make for my children is now being done by Missy at her house. As are the bourbon balls.

Both of my children and their families come over and help decorate the family Christmas tree and we all enjoy looking at the ornaments that have been on that tree for many many years. The night is full of memories and laughter. Exactly what I love.

This year Missy and Terry are working on their own family traditions to pass down to Serif. That is one of the special things about this time of the year. You have the old traditions, like your favorite television programs and Christmas carols, that you carry from your childhood. Then there are the new traditions that you make with your new family to pass on.

I just love this time of year.

What a wonderful Thanksgiving. I couldn't have asked for a better long weekend.

Thanksgiving started early for me. I thought I was going to have to help Terry with the turkey. They were thinking of going to the Turkey Trot race on Thanksgiving morning and he would need someone to make sure the temperature stayed the same. They decided at the last minute to let Serif sleep in and they didn't need me. Since I was up, I enjoyed a quiet morning drinking my coffee and making the dressing for Thanksgiving dinner. I went over around 10 and was pleasantly surprised with cofee and coffee cake. What a way to start the day.

After visiting for a little while, Missy and Serif went off to take a shower. A clean, sweet smelling and naked baby was passed to me. I dried her off and put on her diaper. Then she fell asleep in my arms. I love when she does that. So I got to hold sweet grandbaby while her mommy and daddy scurried around getting everything ready for everyone's arrival.

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Dinner was a huge success. The turkey was falling off the bone. The ham was delicious and everyone brought food. I couldn't believe how much food there was. Missy and I sat at the kids table. That's always the best place to eat.

As good as Thanksgiving was, the leftovers on Friday were even better. Kathy, Tom, Patti and myself all arrived on Friday night to enjoy what was left of that great meal. Missy and Terry got out their Christmas tree and Serif got to begin finding out about Christmas.


As you can see Serif was quite impresed with the lights.

Then on Saturday came baking day. I had lots of banana nut bread to make for gifts this year so Missy, Terry and Serif came over to help. When Missy was little I would always put the chair up to the counter and let her play in the flour.


It may be a big mess to clean up but the fun makes it totally worth it. She enjoyed helping her Grammy G cook and was very proud of the end results. Poor Bosco had flour on him too. We had so much fun. It was perfect.

Sunday was our regular shopping. What a busy Thanksgiving weekend. I definitely could have used a few more days off. Now it's time to get everything ready for Christmas. I love this time of year.

My goodness but Grammy G has been a busy girl since I last blogged.

Thursday I finally got my job review. Not bad. I really can't complain. It looks like there will be some new jobs for me to take on next year. That's good because I honestly am not that busy at work. The work load goes up and down but mostly down. I do like being busy because it makes the day go by faster. Of course, it does cut into my blogging.

I took Friday off and Missy and I went Christmas shopping. This started right after Patrick died. November 17 is his birthday and in our grief we used that day to be together and shop. We discovered that shopping is great for dealing with grief. Anyway, after all these years it has become a tradition for us to do our Christmas shopping on this day. I am so thrilled because I got all of my precious grandbaby's presents bought and most everyone elses. A few things still to pick up in shops and some on line stuff to buy and then I will be completely done with my Christmas shopping. That means I can sit back and enjoy the season.

I also got to go with Missy to Serif's day care for their Thanksgiving dinner. That didn't work out too well because she got so excited about me being there with her mommy that she wouldn't eat. All she wanted to do was run around and show me everything. We finally had to leave so she would eat some lunch. Poor baby. Plus she is cutting molars and she's just miserable. I sure wish they would come through before Thanksgiving. It would be so much better for her and definitley easier on her mommy.

Then Friday night after all our shopping, my son and daughter-in-law came over to Missy's and we all sat around and watched The Producers. Serif just loved that show. That little girl does love a good musical.

Sunday was the usual running around. The kids surprised me with lunch and then we headed out to get our groceries for the week. It really does make a difference when we go together. It may take a little longer but it's definitely more fun. I think we got just about everything for Thanksgiving. It's going to be so much fun this year. Terry's sister got engaged and so it's not just our family but her fiancee's parents and brother. We have such a small family that's it's always wonderful when we are able to add more to the mix. It should be a great day full of family, food and friends. What more could you ask for.

The good news is that I think Missy had a good 30th birthday.

Saturday night I had the baby. We had so much fun. She is getting so big. We laughed and danced and sang. She was sound asleep when mommy and daddy finally arrived. Missy had really been enjoying her evening and was feeling no pain. She is so funny when she's had too much to drink.

Then Sunday was the family celebation. Terry's mom, Kathy, made some great sandwiches and I furnished the cake. Everyone ate too much and we all enjoyed spending time together. We are so fortunate that our families get along so well.

Serif definitely enjoyed being the center of attention and entertained everyone. I can tell you that she likes Italian creme cake. She crawled up on my lap and ate half my cake.

The bad news is that my boss in PA lost her voice cheering at a football game so my review has been postponed until Thursday morning.

That's all the news for now.

Happy Birthday Missy

This is my beautiful baby girl. She turns 30 years old on November 12.

Thirty years ago on November 12, 1976, it was a dark cold and rainy day in Austin, Texas. I was bundled up staying warm in my house except for the time I went to see the new baby up the street. How was I to know that you were the jealous type and I would go into labor while holding a 3 day old infant? At least you waited until after 5 on a Friday. I know daddy's boss appreciated that.

Your grandparents had just built a fire and sworn that nothing could get them out on a night as nasty as that night was when your father called them. They banked the fire, put on their coats and headed to the hospital. See everyone jumped for you even then.

You brought a lot of joy and laughter into our lives. There are so many memories that I have of your growing up. Like the time you toddled up to your daddy and asked him to buy you a puppy and Duke became a member of the family the next weekend. The way you liked to be the center of attention and was always performing for everyone in the room.

I remember how excited you would get when school was getting ready to start. You loved to get your new school supplies and you still do. I always thought the new school supplies is what kept you in school through your masters degree.

You were daddy's little girl and he was so proud of you. I still remember the wink he gave you when we walked into his hospital room the day he died. He always had that special smile for you.

I appreciate the woman you have become. You are a wonderful wife and mother. But most of all I'm proud of the person you have become. You are so full of love and compassion. You have a tenderness that all can see yet a strength that will get you through anything life throws at you. You are a true and loyal friend and a wonderful sister and sister-in-law. Plus no mother could ask for a better daughter.

When you were born I was so happy and so full of dreams for you. You have turned out better than I could have ever imagined. I am so proud to be your mother. You are my daughter but you are also my friend. Thank you for letting me share all the wonder of you.

There are definite advantages and disadvantages to having the same family doctor as your daughter.

I got a call last week from Missy informing me that she had just made appointments for both of us to get our flu shots. So this morning we met at the doctor's office and each got our shots. Thanks Missy for taking such good care of your old mother.

Today I get to pick up my sweet grandbaby from day care. I worry about what she is thinking when I pick her up. She always comes to me. In fact, she usually asks me to carry her out. But she has such a solemn look on her face. Like she's just not sure what to make of the fact that I'm there. By the time we get in the house she's smiling and talking but it's that look when she sees me come and get her. There are so many times I wish I see what that little girl is thinking. We'll see what happens today.

Terry stopped by last night and dropped off the presents for Missy's birthday. This way she can't see them and she also can't try to get Terry to give them to her early. He's really catching on to her ways. This may be the first birthday that she has had to wait until her actual birthday to open her presents. I will take them over with me when I go for her party on Sunday. Good thinking Terry.

Here are my two loves. This weekend the kids came over so that Serif could play soccer in my back yard. I don't think she's quite ready to go pro but she did kick the ball a couple of times. We all enjoyed standing around and watching her.

Bosco is my 13 year old brown lab. You can see the gray on his muzzle. He loves that little girl so much and is so jealous of her. It is very much a love/hate relationship. He is jealous of the time I spend with her but he sure does like to eat the things that she eats and she loves to share. He will just lay there and let her do anything she wants to him. She loves to kiss and hug him. Unfortunately, that usually happens when he is sound asleep. He is such a good dog.

This rock used to be Missy's special spot to sit. She would sit on it and think deep thoughts or just look around the yard. It's funny to see it go to the next generation. That's one of the nice parts of living in a house for so long. There are definitely lots of memories.

My pictures got reversed but the top shows what happened to Minnie after a hard day of Trick or Treating. The bottom picture shows my beautiful grandbaby all dressed up and ready to go.

Halloween

I have to tell you that I had a fantastic Halloween.

For the first time in a quite a while I had my whole family at the house. It was so wonderful. First of all I left work early and went by and voted. Then off to the house to get ready for Halloween.

Missy, Terry and Serif came by to show off their costumes. I have to tell you that Serif was the cutest Minnie Mouse ever. Missy and I took her to a couple of houses by my house and while we were gone Tom and Patti came by.

Poor Serif just did not know what to think about this Halloween stuff. Why in the world would you go to stranger's houses and take candy from them? Missy said it didn't take long for her to catch on though. After my house they went on to Terry's family so that they could go trick or treating with them. It was a busy night for little Serif.

After Terry, Missy and Serif left, Tom, Patti and I were able to sit around and have a wonderful visit. It's been too long since we were able to just sit back and enjoy each other's company. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening.

There weren't many trick or treaters this year so I have lots of candy left over. Good think I bought the kind that I like isn't it?