Day Three Hundred Fifty Four 2013

Christmas gift suggestions:  To your enemy, forgiveness.  To an opponent, tolerance.  To a friend, your heart.  To a customer, service.  To all, charity.  To every child, a good example.  To yourself, respect.                                                                                      
~Oren Arnold
Happy TGIF!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Three 2013

Every day after school, grandson Elijah looks for the elf on the shelf at my house. I told him the elf was hiding today. Elijah looked in all the nooks and crannies and cabinets.

He finally found the elf sitting under the Christmas tree. You have to look closely to find him.

He was holding one of the icicles from the tree [probably the closest thing to a weapon this thing will ever be allowed to have].

Elijah was dressed like an elf, too. His class Christmas party was today [that’s what I call it; I’m not sure what the school calls it these days]. They got to wear their comfy jammies, eat treats, play games, watch a movie [Polar Express] and decorate these neat elf hats. And they also got bells to wear around their necks [after school, I’m sure]. Tomorrow is a two hour day, then the kiddos and teachers are free until next year. Good times as the big day draws nearer. Six days!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Two 2013

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.                          
~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Day Three Hundred Fifty One 2013

O CHRISTMAS TREE

We finally decorated our Christmas tree.

See?  [this late date must be a record for us]

Day Three Hundred Fifty 2013

HAPPY 35TH BIRTHDAY, HOLLY!


Daughter Holly celebrated her 35th birthday today. Family enjoyed a fun party at her house tonight with all the traditional goodies like homemade punch and an ice cream cake from Baskin-Robbins all dressed up in Christmas decorations and of course presents. Wishing our Christmas baby a very happy birthday and all the best of everything life has to offer in the year to come. We love you very much!!

Day Three Hundred Forty Nine 2013

She Never Saw It Coming…….

Daughter Holly celebrates her 35th birthday tomorrow, so her dad could hardly believe she handed this opportunity to him without a thought when she suggested we eat lunch after church at El Tapatio, one of our local Mexican restaurants. The servers at El Tap, as the locals call it, are known for gathering at the table of the birthday girl or guy, placing a sombrero on her/his head, and singing, quite loudly, a birthday song in Spanish. Needless to say, her dad gleefully alerted our server that Holly is celebrating her birthday. She never saw it coming.

The really funny part is that they brought the child-sized sombrero and mistakenly plopped it down on granddaughter Shelby’s head. I quickly pointed to Holly and they moved it to her while they sang, patting it down on her head, because, clearly, it did not fit. Shelby didn’t see that coming, either, because they had come up behind her. The shocked look on her face was priceless. Holly, I think, was mortified. Of course, that didn’t stop us from laughing. [And laughing] [And taking pictures]

Holly took it in good-natured stride, but she didn’t let that little sombrero sit on her head for another second after the singing and clapping were done. Her dad will never let her live it down. And next year she’ll think twice about the date on the calendar and where she might want to have lunch. Love you, Holly! Looking forward to some more celebrating on the 16th.

Day Three Hundred Forty Eight 2013

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
~Calvin Coolidge

Day Three Hundred Forty Seven 2013

Our demented version of the elf on the shelf has made his presence known in our house this week. He’s been keeping an eye on grandson Elijah, who was freaked out this afternoon to find the elf sitting on top of a door in the living room, a picture of Elijah by his side. Who knows where the elf might show up next? Elijah will be cautiously on the lookout.  Happy TGIF, everyone!

Day Three Hundred Forty Six 2013

HO HO HO ~ have you been naughty or nice today?

Day Three Hundred Forty Five 2013

Neil cut down our tree today at the Christmas tree farm. Looking forward to the decked out version sitting in our living room. Stay tuned.

Day Three Hundred Forty Four 2013

“Snow day” today. Ice day, actually. Kids out of school. They hung out with me. I didn’t think I was ever going to get the ice off my car so I could go to my dentist appointment which was a little after noon. Neil came and took the kiddos to lunch. I survived the dentist, thank God. [Thought I might have to endure getting a new crown, but I can keep the one I have. Yay!] Joined the lunch bunch at Ocha. After that, the grandpeeps and I landed at Ralph’s Donut Shop where they not only have donuts, but also yummy Christmas cookies. Yay! Nice way to top off an icy day.

Day Three Hundred Forty Three 2013

I wish I could say this is my fireplace all decked out for Christmas. It belongs to Cracker Barrel where we enjoyed some comfort food before heading out to do some Christmas shopping. It would have been nice to sit right here all evening and play checkers or read a book.

Day Three Hundred Forty Two 2013

Grandson Knox at Starbuck’s this afternoon on his mom’s iPhone, no doubt updating his Facebook status. Kids these days…..

Day Three Hundred Forty One 2013

Here Comes Santa Claus!

The Cookeville Depot Museum held their Christmas open house today. We took grandson Knox to visit with Santa Claus. Kelly gave him a pep talk last night, telling Knox what to expect, but he was still a bit intimidated by the man in red.

“What’s your name?” Santa asked.  “Knox,” he said, pointing to himself.

Knox was very brave and sat on Santa’s lap. He told Santa he wanted Thomas The Train for Christmas. He didn’t cry or get upset, but he only sat there long enough to snap a picture or two.

For a little boy who adores trains right now, Knox was thrilled to be at the depot. He literally squealed with delight when he saw this display case with his favorite Thomas The Train stuff inside.

Best of all was getting to watch the electric train travel the track around the replica of the Cookeville Depot.


Another train on a track circling the Christmas tree caught his eye. I think he could have watched these trains all day.

He got to visit one of Santa’s reindeer ~ Comet ~ who was having breakfast.

Knox had the best time ever at the train depot. Seeing Santa wasn’t so scary after all.

Day Three Hundred Forty 2013

Supper tonight at Ocha, our favorite Thai food deli. Grandson Knox and Rich, the owner of Ocha, have become buddies on a first name basis. Knox loves Ocha carrots dipped in sweet and sour sauce. Rich makes sure Knox’s mom gets plenty on her plate to share with Knox on his plate. Tonight, Knox ordered for himself. Carrots!  [thanks for sharing the picture, Kelly.]  Happy TGIF, everyone!

Day Three Hundred Thirty Nine 2013

Heading across the courthouse square on a rainy blustery Thursday evening. Feels like Friday for some reason. I guess I’m ready for the weekend. Or just wishing my life away. Will it snow? I think not.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Eight 2013

Sunset was pretty tonight. Picture doesn’t do it justice. Sure did enjoy the 65 degree temperature today. Raked leaves. Sat on the porch swing for a while. This is the calm before the winter storm they say is coming. Not sure what our neck of the woods will see ~ rain, sleet, snow? The older I get, the less I like the cold. But a little snow might be nice.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Seven 2013

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, KNOX!

Grandson Knox celebrated his 2nd birthday with a Thomas The Train party this evening.

Knox loves all things Thomas The Train.

The Birthday Song made him smile.

He couldn’t wait to blow out his candle.

Yummy!

Time for presents!






Knox received all sorts of fun gifts – blocks and trains and clothes and a cool roller coaster – and he loved all of it. It was fun listening to him laugh and watching him have so much fun turning 2 years old. Happy Birthday, Knox! We love you!!

Day Three Hundred Thirty Six 2013

Grandson Knox is 2 years old today. He will have his birthday party tomorrow, but his mom and dad wanted him to get to blow out his candles on his actual birthday. And so he did. Happy 2nd Birthday, Knox! Granny and Grandpa love you!!

My Aunt Joy Brown turns 99 years old on December 4th. She and a packed restaurant of family and friends celebrated her remarkable milestone this evening. She enjoyed many heartfelt tributes to her in songs and poems and remembrances of her long and influential life. She entertained us by playing her piano and singing and then doing a tap dance to the tune The Entertainer [how appropriate!] while holding on to her walker for support. Can you believe she’s 99?! Amazing. Happy Birthday, Aunt Joy! I want to be just like you when I grow up.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Five 2013

How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?
~Dr. Seuss