just a bit of fun, food, roads, and it's a date

1 We have a bit of fun just puttering around and then we're off on our dump date. He loads up the truck and trailer with branches from a tree we've "pruned", and pruned harshly, and we are off!
2 I have a chance to whip up a pot of turkey chow mien with our leftovers. It's perfect and light for our late afternoon meal.
3 The roads are wet but not too slippery on my way to work. I'll see what it's like when I leave in a few hours. So thankful for good solid winter tires. 
3a I miss the kidlets and all of their noise, but we are recruited to watch them on Tuesday so Daddy and Mummy and their other grampa can take in a movie. What will we plan to do with them? 

the last six days

1 Mr P is packed up and ready to head home. It's a long drive. Sixteen hours, so he'll do it in two days.
2 We chit chat over the phone and find him the perfect out of the way place to stay. It's plain and simple, but clean and with a continental breakfast.
3 I make a big dent on my Christmas gift wrapping and gift making!
4 The idealistic me wants to make all sorts of things for everyone, but the practical side of me tells me to think real. I narrow down my selections and feel relief instantly.
5 Making a gingerbread house with Izzy. I love how she says, "I just love Grampa so much."

6 While we are making the gingerbread house, Kesler has found the train Christmas tree ornament along with little village we've put up. He meticulously checks each one out, carefully put one away before taking a new one.
7 It's time for a kitty. We have mice in our basement and they are not welcome!
8 The grandkidlets have a sleepover and in the morning are bursting with energy. Soon the hats, coats, gloves and boots are on and they're exploring the front yard.
9 Izzy finds the sand pile and soon both kids are wielding shovels and pails.
10 I'm glad there's no snow. It's nice to enjoy warmer weather after the long bitter cold snap we just had.
11 Grampa and Izzy get busy making pine cones for the birds. Lots of effort goes into getting the right amount of peanut butter and seeds as well as choosing the perfect length of string for hanging.
12 Mr P has patience. He hasn't been around kids a lot, never had any of his own, so it's a new and sometimes overwhelming experience for him. Still, he has patience.
13 Kes does really quite well despite being overwhelmed with sights and sounds from the busy Christmas morning. He's not ready to face the world yet, and hides his face in mommy and then daddy's shoulders.
14 Our Christmas dinner, well the turkey part is created and boned and served by the one and only Mr P. He follows the directions perfectly and it's a lovely golden brown and the stuffing - delicious!
15 Santa brought Izzy and Kes a few things in their stockings at our home. They each got a battery operated guitar! Kes loves music. Kesler carefully touches each button to hear the sounds. Izzy touches them all at once and dances all over the living room in complete abandon.
15a Chris had taken Izzy to the Dollar Store for Christmas shopping. She was so excited for each gift that she had chosen and each gift was perfect for the person. I'm amazed at the perceptiveness for a four and a half year old.
16 Izzy catches us smooching, grins and says, "You're married. Come on over here and dance. Rock it you guys."
16a Bath time for the little ones after dinner brings the energy level down a notch or two. At least for a little bit. Soon it's time for pumpkin pie and topping and we ride the sugar high.

17 After dinner we talk online with Nick and Sara. They look amazing, happy, cozy and we all get nostalgic. We show them the old home videos of Nick and Chris as toddlers and everyone has a good laugh.
18 Sara and Izzy sing songs to each other. Izzy chose a song from Frozen and Sara sang a Chinese lullaby to her.I look at the screen when Izzy is singing and see tears streaming down Sara's face and she's biting her bottom lip. They are lovely together.
19 The house is slowly being set to normal. The boxes are being filled with ornaments, gifts put away and baking goes into the freezer. All we have left are lights on the house and some turkey in the refrigerator.
20 Mr P likes his wifi weather station. He's putting it up and having fun playing with the install and putting the app on his phone.
21 It's quiet here. Just the sounds of the birds, the whirring of a washing machine down the hall and the sound of the keyboard.

cool, perks, hugs, stunning, magically hands, and stormy weather

1. The Coolest Thing About Gratitude
2 Working a half day and being done for a week! I purposely took off a full week to spend relaxing and having fun with family and friends. Casual employees get perks too!
3 I dropped off cards and gifts on Friday for my coworkers. How great to see them before the holidays and to get and give a hug or two.
4 Sam gave me a gorgeous hand crafted bracelet and earring set. So gorgeous I slept with it on! (ok just when napping but wow!) Thank you so much
5 The massage therapist did her magic on my back and neck. I was so congested it was a challenge to lie face down. She worked on my lymphatic system. Still stiff but better.
6 The rain and wind reminded me of living on the island. It seemed to come in gusts and every now and then I'd wake up from the loudness of the wind chimes, but it would lull me back to sleep as well.

time to go, help, information, no snow, christmas presents, and movie

1 This cold won't leave. I'm tolerating it for now. If it becomes too annoying (it already is) It'll have to leave out the front door, and no lingering.
2 A new friend has had the misfortune of breaking her ankle and is shuffling around her shop. It is endearing to see her husband go out of his way to help her.
3 He gives me the information I need to get downloading again. Darn that man is smart. Thanks Mr P.
4 Lots of flurries but none of it stays on the ground. I can see the snow line across the lake and it's making it's way down, but not today.
5 Cinnamon maple candied nuts, strawberry/cranberry sauce, and melted chocolate pretzels are all made. Took much longer than anticipated but done and ready for tags, ribbons and bows.
6 Watched "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days". Chick flick and pure silliness. Why not?

the day, mac and cheese, little, wrapped up, tea, how many more sleeps?

1 My birthday is quiet and gentle. The kids come for a visit in the late afternoon and we have a chance to visit and watch the kidlets play.
2 Kesler loves mac and cheese. His face shows all his emotions and the anticipation is pure excitement.
3 Izzy and I share the chicken noodle soup. She says she's happy to have a little bowl with a little spoon for little girls.
4 I love the look of a package covered in simple brown wrapping paper. Crisp, clean and tidy.
5 Egyptian licorice tea. A nice big teapot that lasts the evening.
6 The countdown has started. Mr P is laid off as of Sunday night. I'm so looking forward to having him home. 6 more sleeps.

gripped, B, meds, healing hours, bday, voice and woohoo

1 Oh dear, this cold has me in it's grip. I'm resting and resting, drinking tea, and resting some more. I'm thankful for the peace and quiet of my home.
2 My friend, B has relocated to the area and is working at the hospital as well. We catch up over the phone and find out we have so much more in common that we even thought. How fun!
3 Medicine. Yes, I am very grateful for the medicine that is bringing some relief. Sorry to whine about my cold but hey some days it's difficult to find the positive. Okay, today's really hard, but I am here and hoping to turn the corner.
4 Twelve hours of sleep. Wow, that was amazing and healing.
5 It's my birthday today. I'm enjoying the Facebook messages, a couple of calls and texts and of course a visit from my family who brought me chicken noodle soup and tea. Love them.
5a Izzy says, "Grama, your voice sounds like a real Papa Bear." She means it's so deep I sound like what she thinks Papa Bear from the Berenstain books would sounds like!
5b Kesler is enthralled with the snow globe. It is definitely the train that runs underneath that he is drawn to.
6 Mr P calls and we have a fun and flirty (as flirty as I can be when I am sick) conversation. I'll be so happy when he's finally home.

massage me, where i sleep, and vitamin c

1 The massage therapist works on my back and neck and her warm hands work smoothly and with confidence. I like that the lotion she uses is non greasy and has no odour.
2 I slept on the couch by the fireplace, and in front of the warm fire and covered with a heated blanket, Toasty and relaxed.
3 Vitamin C. How great to find some in the crisper in the refrigerator. I sliced up a few and fed my cold.