Oh, Christmas Tree

Our tree has been up for two weeks, but I finally got around to attempting a bow tree topper.  Even after watching a youtube video on how to make tree topper bows, I still really needed my Mary or Aunt Rita to do it for me since it's a pretty scary looking bow.  Oh well, the tree is READY!

Time to wrap the gifts, wait for Santa, and celebrate Christmas!

Another Goodbye

We lost my Great Aunt Rita on Sunday.  She was like a grandmother to me because my Dad and I spent almost every weekend with her and Uncle Charlie.  She spent time playing games with me, teaching me to read (I read at age 2!), took me places, taught me Sunday School, helped me with college finances, talked about All My Children with me, and even taught me to drive a stick shift in their Jeep.  We won't mention that it's surprising she didn't die that day . . .  :)

Aunt Rita, Uncle Charlie, and I on my wedding day.

Aunt Rita and Uncle Charlie were married almost 65 years!  Can you believe that?  They were the model for marriage to my family and I.  The love they had for one another was precious and rare.  I now worry for Uncle Charlie because he has lost the love of his life - literally.

I am thankful that I had the chance to see her Saturday night and  take the time to stroke her hair, tell her I love her and say goodbye.  I knew it would be the last time.  I just felt it.  Now I'm imagining how heartbroken Uncle Charlie truly is but also imagining her in Heaven with the many who went before her.  Yes, we'll see her again someday, but we sure do miss her now.

More Prayers

I know I haven't really blogged much about it in the past THREE MONTHS, but my brother Jeffrey is still in the hospital.  He was moved back to ICU yesterday.  Please keep him in your prayers.  He is much more resilient than the rest of us because our family is pretty worn out.

Guest Room - New Pic

Damn dogs.  They are all that plus a bag of chips.  Guest room door is now closed.

Outed

Todd and I have been keeping this secret for years, and we finally let it out at our friends' Halloween party last night.

We are mobsters.  The whole teaching thing is a ruse.

Halloween

I know . . . I'm going to be murdered in my sleep by Pippin and Steve.  Todd just rolled his eyes and looked at me as if I was a crazy woman with my hair on fire.

Pipp was happy being a sweet banana split - and SO CUTE!!!  She ran around with a big smile on her face and even posed for a few shots.

Then she tried on Steve's submarine costume (after he ripped it off & ran around with it in his mouth).  She kept posing and smiling, posing and smiling.

After Pippin tried on both costumes, Steve became jealous and succumbed to the fun.  This is the only photo he let me shoot while facing the camera.

Every pic after was only of his banana head, ice cream scoops, back and butt.  Wonder if that had anything to do with the fact that he ran to Dad and Todd said, "I know, buddy.  It's like you've had your balls cut off again.  I'm sorry."

For the record, *I* did not take him to have his balls cut off.  I stayed home and cried like a baby.

Up next: I'm dressing Todd up for Halloween.  Pics to follow, but he may pull a Steve on me.

Of course!

OF COURSE he loves me.  Why do you ask?

And Happy Belated Blogaversary to us.  Have some ice cream, pie or a cookie.  I'm not big on cake.