Thursday - November 29

Sunny, but windy day.....and fun!    Met Bob and Linda at the retina center (Bob had laser procedure for slight retina tear) at 8:45.    Linda and I yakked and caught up and then off to shop.   Mark and Bob enjoyed goodies at Panera and visited.    So much fun checking out all the darling baby things and Christmas pretties.

 

I met Claire and Margie at the country club for delicious lunch in such an lovely Christmas setting.   Great to catch up with each other.   Ran some errands and then home!    Got a bunch of piddly things done and ready to be up and going early in the morning.....Anne and I are taking the train to Chicago for the day and enjoy some good Mom/Daughter "Girl" time!

Wednesday - November 28

Oh the hustle and bustle in going strong around here!    Past few days have been taking advantage of the nice weather (sunny and pleasant temps in the 40-50's) to be out and about shopping, running errands, etc.   We saw the first flurries of the season on Monday!

 

I picked Donna Rae up this morning and we were off to Farm and Fleet, stopped at The Coffee Hound for eggnog lattes and then to Decorator's Grocery (to buy the makings for some sweet treats).    Lunch with Exchange Club - our Santa letter campaign is going strong!

 

Got my nails done this afternoon and happy to be home with hubby tonight!   Working on my lists and Christmas cards!   The Fed Ex and UPS trucks are coming frequently - ordered several gifts online - it's like Christmas everyday!!!

Sunday - November 25

One month from today is Christmas!!!!    Hard to believe the Thanksgiving weekend is behind us and now pushing full speed ahead for the next 4 weeks!    Finished decorating the tree tonight......happy with how our house looks and when Mama is happy, everyone is happy!    HA!!!

 Mark and I were up early this morning and off to 7:30 Mass, breakfast at Bob Evans and ran several errands.   Spent the afternoon wrapping a few more gifts and other piddly jobs around the house and making lists.    Always have several lists going....

 

Yesterday when we were trimming the tree, Liam established an "emergency room" for disabled ornaments on the kitchen table.    They were in need of new ribbon/cord for hanging and somehow, over the past year, looked a bit forlorn from long age.   Grandma is happy to report tonight that,only one had to be thrown out and the others are back on the tree for at least one more year!    Love the imagination of these little ones!

 

Have a great week!

Saturday - November 24

Doorbell rings at 8 AM and in comes two excited little boys wearing their new Santa hats carrying a box of donuts from Krispy Kreme + a Peppermint Mocha (skinny) for Grandma from Starbucks!    Thanks so much for these yummy treats, Anne......my kind of visitors!    Anne and Patrick both had to work today, so.......we had the little elves and what a busy day it was!

 

One tree is completely decorated; the other one is 75% done (Grandma ran out of steam)!    We also made 2 loaves of banana nut bread, a jello salad and chocolate pudding.       They say the cutest things.....Connor was up and down, up and down the small step stool hanging ornaments and finally he said "whew, I'm getting too old for this"!!!!!     WONDER where he heard that????   

 AND.....while Grandpa and boys were outdoors putting up garland across the flower box, they wanted me to help with the ribbon and lights.     It was chilly out, but no wind, so we all got out the rakes and started cleaning out the new landscaping and last of the leaves (we HOPE) and yard looks great!    A very invigorating hour of work!!!

 

Here's some highlights of our day...

 

Writing and pondering over their Christmas lists

 

Thank you silly little elves for all your help today!

 

Our 3 sons

 

The boys at Lake James this afternoon

Friday - November 23

Hope you all had a great holiday and stuffed yourself good!    Ha.....that's what it's all about.    We had a great day with Mark's family and oh-so-much delicious food.    Rained on our way home for a while, but the die hards were camped out in their tents outside Best Buy.    Imagine those early birds are happy with all their bargains last night/today!

 

Mark and I had a good day of decorating - after many years of putting a large wreath on front of our house (2nd story) with floodlights shining on it, he decided he was getting too old and it was too dangerous to be climbing around on ladders and the roof, so......big wreath is now hanging in front of garage and looks good.   

 

The two big trees are waiting for their ornaments and tomorrow morning, our little elves return to help Grandma finish up and "maybe" put up a few outdoor lights with Grandpa!  

 House is looking mighty festive!