Weekending-Walking Down Memory Lane

After some minor adjustments the anticipated 3 day weekend turned out to be a 4 day weekend which almost feels like a full week off from work!  Friday I already had plans for my Mom to come to our house for the weekend, and when she had to go to a follow up doctor's appointment I was able to schedule it so that we could come straight back to our house and get the weekend started early AND avoid Friday afternoon traffic!

Friday evening my friend Kim came over for cocktails and snacks and of course there was lots of reminiscing about Roswell back in the day.  She found a homework assignment of mine from 2nd grade-turns out I had not done my homework, nor did I have any paper so I did mine on the back of hers!  Oh boy, was I a terrible speller and my hand writing was awful.  Still, it was so cool that she found it and that her mom had saved it since 1975!  We weren't able to do our regular walking time this weekend, and the weather was forecasted to be just too yucky.  Saturday I cooked breakfast and we spent the late morning watching the recorded Westminster Dog Show.  I still have some watching to do, but Mom and I both enjoyed seeing the agility competition-there were some very fast dogs!  Late afternoon was spent getting my hair cut and colored-a 3 1/2 hours later and it was dinner time, some TV and then bed.  I did manage to finish my Essex capelet so now I'm ready for my other projects I've been waiting to cast on.

Sunday we were fortunate to put together an impromptu family reunion.  Lately it seems like we only see family when there is a funeral, so we are doing what we can to get together more regularly just for fun.  In December I visited with 2 of my cousins and an aunt [Sandra, Marcia and Aunt Betty]  Since I knew Mom would be over I was hoping we could get all the ladies together.  Seated are 2 of my Dad's sisters Betty [one, the baby, lives in California, but will  be here in July], my Mom is in the middle and my the sister born after my Dad, Rena, is on the far right.  My Dad was one of 5 and both he and my uncle have since passed away leaving just the girls.  My dad was married 4 times and the sisters always said they liked my mom the best, and they have always been very good to her. 

The next generation is standing behind the mothers, and the young lady on the far left is the daughter of my cousin Marcia-standing next to her sister Sandra, and then Sandra's grand daughter.  Carrie the "baby" of the family is with her mom on the far right.  Marcia is 10 years older than me and was my babysitter when I was little-she was the best!  I loved playing with her very long very straight hair, and she is credited with piercing my ears when I was 8 and she was a nursing student.  We talked about the "Big House" that still stands on Atlanta St, and where my great grandmother grew up and worked.  Turns out she lived in the mill village and later worked at the Roswell mill and the Oxbo Pants Factory, so she spent all of her 103 years in Roswell!  Makes me wish I would have asked her about Roswell back in the day; as a kid we weren't really taught to appreciate the history that the older generation could pass on.  I also learned that my grand parents had moved to downtown Atlanta in the early 30s where my aunt and uncle were born, and eventually moving back to live with my great grandmother at which point my dad and the next 2 girls were born.  It was truly a great time to bring 4 generations together and we hope to do so again soon even if it means we can't all get together. 

So the rest of the "weekend" will be spent running errands, a long walk with the D-O-G and meeting up with Mary's knitting group and getting my breakfast and lunch for the rest of the work week prepared.  We also ordered a piece of furniture that will be delivered on Wednesday-can't wait!  I need to blog about that and the swords and plates that are now put up.  Maybe I'll tidy up and do a photo journal of the house now that we are more settled in- Happy Monday and those of you with glorious weather today-I AM envious!

Keep on keeping on

I wanted to be careful how I titled this post.  I was tempted to use- end of an era, moving on, the next phase, etc.  Each one alluded that something might be wrong, but I can assure you all is well here. Sophie is taking her last photo in our 2004 Tahoe AKA The Tank!  Yep, we sold it this weekend to one of Steve's colleagues for her 17 year old son. He was very pleased and I am happy that it's going to someone who will appreciate it.  The timing was perfect.  He already has plans for fixing some of the body work, and taking care of some of the repairs that need to be made.  She has also been re-christened Big Bad*** Beth!  

The 150,000 miles on this vehicle represents lots of memories, sing along's in the car, hauling baseball and soccer equipment, moving boxes and lots of friends!  I'm hoping she will keep on keeping on for Max.  Honestly, there's a part of me that's going to miss this ride!

December Daily 12-16-Catching up

This week has been my busiest so far this month, and when I moved my calendar marker to next week, I was a bit giddy to see that my calendar is almost note free!  Thursday will be the start of my vacation until the end of the year.  I have things planned with friends and family, getting my hair done, but I'm also hoping that I'll get some knitting done and some "winter" cleaning.

Our annual holiday pot luck at my office was on Tuesday,  I had fully intended to take a photo once all the food was on the tables and got very sidetracked.  My desk is to the left of the table in the foreground.  Yes, this space is big enough to have food, including desserts, for over 100 people!  Thanks to the great folks I work with it was another success with just enough leftovers for to be enjoyed the rest of the week.  It was a very busy day from when I arrived at 7 until I left at 4.  However, there was no rest for the weary as my Book Club pot luck was later that evening, but on a much smaller scale!  The food there was delicious and the company outstanding.  No photo from that dinner, but the hostess had a lovely home all ready for Christmas. 

Early Wednesday morning was a routine appointment for my Mom at another Wellstar facility which had "soliders" at the door that were different from these and this ginormous tree!  My Mom posed for scale and I'm sure it had to be at least 15' tall.  My Mom loves Christmas decorations and she ooh'd and ahh'd at the wreaths and lights.   I took her back to place then had to head to work where things were still recovering from the previous day's festivities.  Our annual lunch was also a retirement party for my boss of 12 years, and I've very sad to see him retire.  Wednesday was also the day set for interviews for his replacement.  I have to say it was very hard to concentrate on anything with comings and goings of the candidates as my desk sits very close to the conference room. 

Luckily, I was able to leave work early as I was meeting my Mother in Law, Mary and Karen to see White Christmas on the big screen.  This is the second time I've gotten to see it at the theatre and I have to say I love seeing Danny Kaye and Vera Ellen dance and twirl- boy does she have moves and a great set of legs!  It was great, and of course the company really makes these experiences even more memorable. 

 Thursday I made a trip to Target to pick up some gift bags, battery operated lights for our little tree and other things.  I love that I have a Target nearby so it's easy to take care of these quick errands and I don't have to spend my weekends fighting the traffic and crowds.

 Friday night, and ahhhh finally a chance to relax.  Unfortunately, I managed to pull a muscle in my neck and shoulder.  Not sure exactly how that happened, but may have something to do with all the activity earlier this week.  The heating pad helps, but I have had a hard time sleeping because of the pain and not being able to find a comfortable position.  I had a nice long phone conversation with Andrew and he seems to have settled in with is job and new apartment.  He's hoping to be able to come home for Christmas provided he can work remotely from Georgia.  Fingers crossed-it would be nice to have him home.

 Saturday morning, a bit of devotion/quiet time, indoor cycling, and brunch at our leasing office [which was very very good].  The rest of the day was spent cleaning the apartment, grocery shopping, getting caught up on blog reading, a bit of knitting, and other things that have been waiting for me to have time to address.

 A lovely morning for a walk.

 And a benchmark for the Operation Amaryllis Watch.  My Mother in law gave this to me last Sunday at our cookie exchange and I forgot to take a photo.  It has certainly made progress since Sunday.  I'll do my best to show updates. 

I hope you are able to take time out to enjoy and savor the holidays.  I'm looking forward to some more baking, wrapping gifts, and knitting.  Hopefully I won't sprain any more muscles!

December Daily- 9 & 10

Once the snow stopped on Saturday Steve, Sophie and I ventured to the park to check the sidewalks and roads.  Surprisingly most of our area was clear, or at least well on its way.  After lunch we went to the grocery store in the off change the roads became icy overnight which is what usually happens. At the park Steve took photos of my new hat Reindeer Games which I finished on Wednesday and immediately blocked.  I love it and am glad I'll get to enjoy it for this year~it is also warm and cozy.

 I think the snow makes the perfect backdrop for my hat photos!

 On Sunday morning when I was walking Sophie I came across these 2 cute snowmen that have managed to survive the warming temperatures.  The ice and snow are melting at a low, but steady rate.  There were some areas with ice, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.

 Today we gathered at Mary's for a cookie exchange and the baking of Lebukuehen.  So many goodies to enjoy this year~shortbread, 2 kinds of toffee, candy cane, pastry bon bons, cheddar cookies, French Christmas cookies, spritz, cranberry bars [maybe] and orange spice cookies.  So much homemade goodness.  I'm planning to put together a care package for Andrew to send later this week. 

The next few days are going to be crazy busy-preparing and executing the annual office pot luck, book club dinner, a trip to Acworth to take my Mom to an appointment, and gathering at Karen's for cocktails before going to the theatre to see White Christmas.  By the end of the week I should know who my new boss is going to be-the suspense!  The weekend will include brunch at the leasing office and Stage Door Players with Steve, Mary and Polly to see  Christmas at Sweet Apple followed by dinner-can't wait, but also must remember to take photos!  So much to look forward to with some wonderful people.