The Holidays

It's been a while since I've blogged, mostly because I have been recovering from being hit by a semi truck...well it feels like it anyway... since I resigned my job under duress in November. In anycase, no more whining, it is what it is and here I am. Things are indeed different. Uncomfortably so much of the time with glimpses of hope every now and again. My faith is being strengthened and believe it or not, I am learning a lot about living in peace when it counts. The fleeing feeling overcame me and so I left town over Christmas, leaving Jada and her family to fend for themselves. She forgives me she says and enjoyed her own family Christmas.

Let's Recap:

My Holidays started in November (immediately after the truck accident) as I spent Thanksgiving with the Hastings in Washington. GG had her 2nd birthday, so she got a bike from JamaJama. Her delight was …well, delightful. Then, soon after, Adriel and Joel came in Mid December to delight us again. We had an early Christmas with them and Joe

and Lasha joined us with Gabe and Ava. Later that week, we had a nice dinner with my mom. Adriel and Joel cooked a wonderful dinner.

After Adriel and Joel left, I decided to help drive the motor home to Arizona. This was not an easy decision, we have never been away from home during the Holidays. But it was a good decision.

We had Jada and Shammai over for dinner and gifts.

We got a chance to stop in Liberty MO on the way and stayed with Lasha and Joe and the kids, we had a little Christmas dinner and the kids opened two gifts. Ava was just delighted as was Gabe. It was a nice time, Lasha cooked up a storm and made us feel so at home.

Drives with the wind
This is when I earned the moniker “Drives with the wind.” No, not Drives with Wind, Drives with the Wind. The minute I took control, just outside Amarillo the wind started blowing hard and pushing the motor home about. It calmed down after a while and then picked up as we left Gallup New Mexico. Storms were blowing in and that’s when I was christened “Drives with the wind.”

I drove us almost all the way to Cottonwood, but when the engine died as I began to careen down Verde Mountain. Seriously. The engine died for who knows what reason and I had to pull over. That’s when I decided to hand over the wheel and let the professionals do it.

We arrived at the Johnson’s to a great loving, warm welcome. Our friends of 30+ years were delighted to have us join them. We had a much needed love bath for the remaining time we were there.

Christmas with the Johnsons

There are goats and chickens, even a crowing rooster in the Johnson’s back yard. The livestock belongs to the neighbor, but can be seen from the morning room escaping into the Johnson’s yard. Their lovely new home holds a large crowd of friends and family who are treated to their gracious hospitality. Sandy is the best decorator I know, her halls and walls are decked with boughs of holly. She labored lovingly to serve her guests and I enjoyed spending hours with her in the kitchen, just like old times when our families were young. We spent our time wasting away the hours, watching chick flicks, baking, cooking, walking, shopping, talking and laughing. Just like old times.

New Years 2008
Now the photos tell all. I stayed up till 2 a.m., ate too much and watched Love Actually with the girls in the bedroom.

Who knows what 2008 will bring, but it is sure to be new on all fronts.

Happy New Year!