first Christmas without mom

Honestly, during the last few years of my mom's life, there were times I didn't even see her on Christmas.  Mostly we were together, thankfully.  Usually on Christmas Eve.  That's when we celebrated.  Christmas Day was always more laid back.  Eat leftovers, and play with your toys, or veg out in front of the tv.
This is my first Christmas Eve without my mom.  How strange not to see her in her apartment, her little tree decorated and placed on the tv.  Her Christmas cards tucked between the wood and glass on the china cabinet.  A wreath on the outside of the door.  Other little items tucked here and there.
She would do most of the decorating herself, moving around in the wheelchair.
She would think this weather is strange.  "It's a little spooky." I can almost hear her saying.  Today it was 70 degrees.
Me and her, we always had a thing about the snow.  More than often the first snow would come when we were together.  My mom would say, in a singing voice, "It's snooowing!"  If we weren't together, we'd call each other, and say the same.
She is sure in my heart this Christmas Eve.  As is my dad.
I had such cherished moments with them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Had a lovely Christmas Eve at my niece, Melissa's place.  Logan gave me a small wooden jewelry box that says Aunt, You're the coolest, on it.  I will treasure it forever.  Children make Christmas wonderful.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas to all!

Spent Christmas Eve at my niece Melissa's house, where she made a feast of foods and desserts.  I was determined to photograph all the food, but after appetizers, I got glassy eyed, and forgot all about it.  There was a delicious Lasagna, and for dessert, all home made... 7 layer cookies, strufulli, and Mexican wedding cake.

yummiest baked clams

Logan introduced Superman to Christmas

Jimi (Mel's dad), JC, Melissa, and Logan

The Hostess with the Mostest

beautiful boy

scrumptious appetizers

Melissa and me

Melissa, and my sister

225/365 Christmas time

MERRY CHIRSTMAS EVERYBODY!

Logan's Christmas pics

Christmas time is coming, and Logan had his pictures taken.  He is 3 years old now, and what a love he is.  His vocabulary is increasing every day, and I just love to listen to him.  He's quite the little model in these pics, too.

Logan's Christmas pics

These were taken in a professional studio.  I don't know the photographer's name.

Logan (my great-nephew) is two now, and getting more amazing everyday.  He's a very happy little boy.

a day to remember

My niece is going to be induced today.... a significant day in that my father died 18 years ago on this day, and John Lennon died 28 years ago on this day... both heroes in my life....... so it turns out this day will be a birthday! I am glad about that. My dad would be glad about that, too. I trust he is looking down on his grand-daughter and smiling.


I am going to go down to the hospital to join my sister and my niece in the waiting, which is bound to be long, as the process has not even started yet.

I have put up my tiny Charlie Brown tree. It is maybe 2 ft. high. I couldn't find any of my hanging ornaments, or the manger, or the star... they are all at the bottom of a storage closet that I just can't tackle. But I did what I could to add a little Christmas charm, lol.  The little elf sitting in the tree was found on the street by my father many years ago.. it was tattered and torn, but he felt it deserved to be on a tree, so he picked it up and took it home.

tuesday morning

An apartment across the street has a  Christmas tree set up by the window. It's lit by early afternoon, into the evening.  I'll have to get a picture of it later on.  It's not even Halloween! I get disoriented every time I look out the window and see that oddly timed trimmed tree.

[hard to get a decent shot of this, but you get the gist]

A block away, along the bigger intersection, they've strung the Christmas lights already... traditionally they get lit on thanksgiving night or the night after. I hope they don't get crazy and light them up for Halloween... though that'd be spooky.

Last night me and ev played several games of Gomoku, and one game of Scrabble.  It's good to play games sometimes.
 

Gomoku

Lingering over a cup of coffee now.  The day is grey and rainy.  I have some medical testing today (and tomorrow) around noon, so I won't be doing much before that. 

The streetsweeper passes by; boy does that make a big sound.  Startled me.  Traffic is in full force.  I like the sound of it going over the wet pavement.

My contented cats sit nearby.  They've eaten their morning meal, and all is right in their world.

Mug Shots

(Little Guy & Morrison)

peace

The Winter Solsitce has passed, and I could feel the year turning. Light lingers a second longer in the sky, and the earth hardens.

I have decided to let my light linger a bit longer each day, too.

Thank you to all who come visit here. I am honored to share some time with you.

A Merry Christmas to all.