Mississippi State just won the Liberty Bowl. Zola's mom plays the Trumpet in the band. There was a minute left in the game and she texted Kevin right from the field! The game was in Memphis. We were hoping they would be in Nashville for the Music City Bowl tomorrow because then she could have seen her baby Zola. Isn't this the cutest picture of her that I stole from Kevin's picture folder? She's a big gurl now. Time for Zola Senior to put her Cowbell away for a few months. Her school is playing Vanderbilt next year and one of my employees conducts our Marching Band so perhaps we will have a band party for the kids. Nah, we're just too old for all these college kids. Kevin and Zola Kathryn always send each other messages during major sporting events,lol. Kitty is named after her.
Landen, Miss Jessie's first great Grandchild.
Kevin and Landen spent the day driving.
Not only does Lauren make great babies but she makes a heck of a Stromboli.
But that isn't a Stromboli in the oven. It's Great Grandbaby number two.
Verginia introduces Landen to The Baby Jesus.
I made a mountain for Landen for Christmas with the Grinch on top and Max hanging off the front of the sled. There is an ice cream maker inside the mountain for Landen's mom and dad.
While we were opening presents a red fox ran through the back yard. Miss Jessie spotted it and we all tried to get pictures. Mine didn't come out so we'll ask the others if they got a few. We had lots to eat and a very nice time. If I could hire a family to spend the holidays with this would be the one I would hire. We always have a great time. We got tons of great presents. Kevin's mom got us Pajamas for Christmas and a big Casserole dish. His sister got him Wheat cups and saucers because he collects Wheat dishes. We got a pewter bread tray, candles, pillows, a poinsettia, beautiful prints from Paris, and Kevin's sister Charlotte got Kevin's Wall Street Journal article archivally framed for him and it is gorgeous. We also got some Louisville pottery, bags of almonds, and new pillow cases. That was on top of just getting to spend the day with our favorite people. Miss Jessie made Key's Delight dessert and I ate way too much of it and then brought some home and ate some more. Kevin baked a turkey, we had chili, devilled eggs, cheese and veggies and way too many desserts to list. Lauren made Pepperoni Stromboli and we brought some of that home also. Lauren and I are Yankees but they treat us just fine,lol. She cooks all the stuff I would have had if I got to go home for the holidays. Miss Jessie and Verginia just got back from San Jose visiting Kevin's brother Shawn and his fiancee Kim. While they were there they went to Trader Joe's and brought back a Cranberry Stollen. I ate most of it and could eat two more. I miss Shawn and Kim and Trader Joe's while we're at it. It was a lovely day with a great family. How lucky we both are.
Great Grandma got Landen a Kowasaki trike and he wanted his daddy to build it all day. His Uncle Eric got him a Monster Truck and he got a John Deer tractor set from Uncle Shawn and Aunt Kim. Shane and Maggie are here with Miss Jessie. Maggie is an Anthropologist who is studying Horticulture. Shane is into concrete. Kevin did ultra-lite concrete for free form buildings when we lived in New York.
Kim from the Freedom Farm picked up three large bags of dog and cat toys and a few supplies. These were all donated by Voxers and she was very, very happy. She is the volunteer coordinator for The Freedom Farm and genuinely lives the life of an animal rescuer. We met her at the Kroger because I just couldn't bring home another baby for Christmas. I have no self control when it comes to little animals and we have a full house already and feed strays in the neighborhood. Kevin got Zola a big ole bag of catnip. Her first ever. She will be leaving for Betty Ford right after Christmas. Your generosity was overwhelming. Kim wanted to have her picture taken and posted on the internet about as much as any of us do. She was a real sport and flashed the TIG sign just for you wonderful Voxers and your kindness and selflessness. Of course I took a lousy picture but in addition to these three full shopping bags there were hundreds of toys sent and I will deliver the blankets and towels next week. I didn't realize they need little round baskets for kittens to sleep in and all manner of other things I can give throughout the year to help them save these beautiful animals. As for Zola....I think we may have to change her name to Courtney Love. She is searching for the bag....uhm, I myself have never experienced that. We gave Kim a Vox button from our Vox Party over the summer. I wasn't about to give her my Vox t-shirt. From my family to yours I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am so proud to call you all friends. Beyond the moral support you always give us, the laughs, the thought provoking insights, the views into your lives, families and homes, you give me hope. Just knowing you are all out there is enough to sometimes just get us through another day. [ TIG ].
A special thanks to all you donors. Two of you have been going through huge situations at home and the fact that you were kind enough to make this effort was beyond a "Gift of the Magi" moment for me. Others are just cool people who just won't stand to live in an awful world. A few others are rescuers, foster's and just lovers of the four legged ( and thumpy back legged ) critters we live with and love. What made me even happier was that so many people said they would do the same thing on a local level. You are the best of people. The kindest. The exact type of people I call friends. I feel like I did when I ran down the stairs to look for my presents when I was a kid. Well, I'm a kid again and my stocking is full thanks to all of you.
Shouldn't I have better things to do you ask? Not really. I'm a dullard and a slacker. We just still have tons of herbs left in the garden and they taste and smell so good.
My assistant Sue, The Smoke Patrol guy, and a fun student on Friday as I was getting ready to leave work.
Two sweet ladies I play with at work.
My girls Dolly and Theresa. When Dolly went to her High School Reunion we borrowed some fancy jewelry for her to wear with her new dress. She had to give it back when she got home.
Turkeys are free at work but it is really an excuse for Docotrs to wear funny outfits. I guess they haven't seen themselves in scrubs, shower caps and footies.
We actually have a McDonalds at our hospital. How healthy.
This is the bow Kevin was modeling the other day. I put it on my bosses Christmas present,lol. That gold bow has now been on two fruit baskets in one week.
We have Led Zeppelin ornaments... and other tin toys on our tree.
Union Station. If you have ever heard Alison Kraus and Union Station this is where they got their start as the house band.
Peace. I wish it to all of you.
This huge bug was in the side yard today. I think I need to replace the wood it is on.
We went to the game tonight. Well two. Men's and Ladies Basketball and we won both. Our men's team is undefeated so far and in the top teams nationwide. Women also. I enjoy my job. I tend to act up a bit but I'm allowed to. I guess it's harmless and they like having happy people around. My friend Steve gave me tickets to a Titan's game tomorrow against the Jets. He dropped them off on his way out of town for a few days. While I waited I saw this huge ugly bug crawling up the side porch. We have been wrapping stuff and getting ready for Christmas like most of you guys. It just wipes me out. I like to wrap presents so I will post a few tomorrow. I put lights and other things on the packages and Kevin's mom always like the way I do it. When we left the game the battery on the car had died. It was pouring rain but a good samaritan stopped and jumped us and we were on our way. We got home and found a leak in the ceiling of my studio. Of course all the presents are in there but luckily none got wet. We are thinking of our friend robbbiedobbbie who lost her mom Friday so it is a little hard to be excited knowing what she's going through but she's all about joy, and laughter and I will try to keep that spirit going because it will remind me of her. I am making a Grinch Mountain for Landon our nephew. I bought a stuffed Grinch and his dog and am going to make a mountain to put him on. It will have a few lighted trees I think. The rest of the wrapping is done and Kevin will cook the turkey. We'll go to the game tomorrow and I am meeting Kim from the Furry Farm either tomorrow or Monday to drop off three more bags of toys. I'll try to call my brothers and sisters Monday and then Kevin and I will watch "Meet me in Saint Louis" as we always do on Christmas Eve. I hope you're all having as much fun as I am. I am already tired and it ain't over yet. Is it.
By now you should feel the wind blowing through your skirt as you run frantically around trying to make Christmas happen. Get out there and give it your best shot but always remember that Christmas happens in your heart and your wallet is just an innocent bystander. Shop til you drop!!!!!! Get out there and get it done! It's the most wonderful time of the year. Rattle those pots and pans. It'll all be over soon.
