This is my sweet grandbaby on Christmas Eve. Isn't she precious. She is getting so big.

We had a wonderful Christmas. The Tolleson/Patterson clan out did themselves again. I'm not talking about presents. Though I got some wonderful ones. I'm talking about the enjoyment of each other. Lots of good cheer and definitely too much food.

We spent Christmas eve at Missy's house. We always have a project and this year it was decorating marshmellow snowmen. We definitely had some strange snowmen when it was all over.

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend the night at Missy's house so I could be there on Christmas morning. I heard Missy and Terry talking in the bedroom so I went in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Serif was sleeping between them. When she heard my voice she opened her eyes and crawled over her daddy to get to me. She had no idea I would be there. That special Christmas hug was all it took to make my Christmas special.

Then it was time for me to hurry home and start cooking everyone's favorites for Christmas dinner. I love that part. The house smells so nice and inviting. Plus you can't beat having your children and grandchild home for Christmas day. It went so well that I had them all back the next night for leftovers. Personally, I think Christmas dinner always tastes better the next day.

The one thing I got for Christmas that I didn't want was bronchitis. My coughing got really bad by Christmas night. Apparently, Missy has never forgiven me for going into the hospital right after Christmas in 1999. She called the doctor the first thing the next morning and got me an appointment. Now I am on antibiotics and should be fine before the New Year. Missy ended up at the doctor's office the next day with a sinus infection. We are quite a pair aren't we?

Now for a pet peeve. I was laying in bed last night around 9:00. I am dozing on and off watching television when the phone rings. Without even thinking I grab it. In my sleepy haze I have a man on the phone asking for Patrick. I said you want Patrick and he said yes can he come to the phone. Now if I had been awake I probably would have had a come back for that. But I was half asleep and could only say that he was dead. The guy then proceeded to give the pitch to me. I said no and hung up on him. You would think these people would up date their calling lists occassionally. It's been over 9 years since Patrick died. I shouldn't still be getting phone calls for him.

Okay enough complaining. I am going home this evening and crawl into my bed and get over this stupid bronchitis. I'm tired to being sick. 2007 is going to be the year of Gloria. I'm going to try to start eating better and force myself to do some exercise. I'm getting too old to keep putting this off. I imagine you will be hearing more about this with the New Year. Right now I'm concentrating on getting well.

The holiday season is very much in swing right now. I have the house almost clean for Christmas day and will leave in a few hours to spend Christmas Eve with my daughter and her family.

Last night was so great. My son and his wonderful wife had all of us over for a Christmas Eve Eve celebration. Everything was so lovely. The house was so nice and inviting. You could see all the hard work they had been doing on the house and everything looked great. Patti did a great job on the food. As usual, I ate too much. I had such a wonderful time. The weather was terrible but it was so nice and comfortable in their house.

Their boxer, Hulda, was so funny. She thought it was great fun to have Serif at her house. It was like Serif was her own special girl. Lots of kisses and Serif quickly learned to say "no" to Hulda. Unfortunately, it was a very cute "no" that no one could take seriously.

At times like that, I am bad about sitting back and watching my children. I am so proud of them and the adults they have become. I love watching them interact with each other. Okay I admit it, I have a tendency to pat myself on the back. Raising children is not easy and I know that I made a lot of mistakes but they turned out great in spite of me.

Now it is Christmas Eve. The car is packed with presents to take over to Missy's. All of Terry's family will be gathering for our annual Christmas Eve together. I am very much into traditions. I think traditions are something that we can pass down to our children. A little piece of ourselves that they can keep going and pass on to their children. As I get older, I want to do things that will help my children and grandchildren to remember me.

Tomorrow all my children will come home and spend the day with me. I will cook the traditional Christmas dinner and we will sit around, exchange gifts and laugh a lot. That is what Christmas is to me. My family. Together.

I wish everyone a very blessed Christmas.

I can't believe how quickly the time is passing. I thought I had everything under control and now there doesn't seem to be time for anything.

I had so much fun with my sweet grandbaby on Saturday night. She woke up happy and smiling on Sunday and ate a big breakfast. Not only a whole waffle but then mommy and daddy showed up with donuts and she had bites of them too. What a big girl she is these days.

So now I'm resorted to lists. Trying to figure out when I will get everything done. I worry every year and it all comes together. Maybe not as flawlessly as I had hoped but it always comes together and everyone seems happy.

The Christmas dinner has been bought and is waiting for me to cook it on Monday. The presents are waiting for me to wrap them and the house is waiting for me to clean it. I'll get there. I'm taking Friday off so hopefully it will all come together.

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Christmas is such a time of emotions. They can go from feelings of joy and peace to missing those that are not around. Whether they have moved away or have died, your thoughts have a tendency to go to them. Then there are pleasant memories of Christmas past. Your feelings can be a roller coaster. That's the way I'm feeling right now.

This Christmas has been very exciting because of my wonderful granddaughter. This year she is noticing things and trying to figure out what is going on. It was fun introducing her to snowmen. Especially since she has no idea what snow is. Here in Austin it's supposed to get close to 80 degrees today. I did get her a snowman cup and she loves drinking out of it.

We are very fortunate this year. I think that's why the phone call I got last night was so sad. I got a call from one of the Daughters of the King. It turns out that a little 5 year old boy from our church lost his struggle for life yesterday. I was asked to help set up for the reception following the funeral. I consider it an honor to help these parents in any way I can. So I will go to the church in the afternoon. I will help the loving and caring women who will be there to make sure that everything is in place and that there is plenty of food for all who come. That's the least we can do.

Then I will go home and hug my sweet, cuddly granddaughter and thank God that we have her. She gets to spend the night with me so we will have lots of time to hug and kiss and play. I love to lay there and watch her sleep while I hold her close. Mommy and Daddy will be able to enjoy the Nutcracker and then have some special time together.

Sunday we will finish up some last minute shopping and get all the stuff we will need for our Christmas dinner.

First of all we have the Trail of Lights with the whole family. There will be a nice group of us this year since Don's family is coming too. The more the merrier. I hope Serif likes it.

So a busy weekend is planned. Hopefully I will get everything done. If not, there's always next week. Only 9 more days to go.

I almost forgot Happy Hanukkah!

Things are definitely going to have to change. Work is interferring with my blogging. I'll have to see what I can do about that.

Grammy G's house is officially ready for Christmas. Everyone came over on Sat. night and decorated the family tree. Serif was even able to help. It was so nice having everyone at the house. We ordered pizza and drank eggnog. There was a lot of laughing, teasing and remembering. I couldn't have asked for a better evening. I love when the kids are back home. Bosco even got pizza bones.

Then on Sunday we all went to Missy's for a baking party. I didn't do much baking but I did enjoy visiting with everyone. Missy's SIL is house hunting so there was lots of house talk. She made her Christmas clouds. Patti made some yummy crescent cookies. All I did was eat. That's not unusual. Kathy helped Missy and me make the bourbon balls. That's our family tradition. Hopefully Missy won't eat too many of them before they are ready on Christmas eve.

Things are getting busy. Between work and the holidays, Grammy G is a bit weary. I do have my presents bought. Just some odds and ends to pick up. But I still have to wrap everything. That plus I definitely must do some house cleaning. So much to do and so little time.