Day Three Hundred Fifty 2011

HAPPY 33RD BIRTHDAY, HOLLY!




Daughter Holly celebrated her 33rd birthday today. We enjoyed Thai food at Ocha Deli for her birthday dinner. Her birthday cake was her traditional favorite, a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake—chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate cake. She received lots of cool presents and cards. Can’t believe our almost-Christmas baby is 33. Happy Birthday, Holly! You are one of my sweetest blessings. I love you more than you can ever know.

Day Three Hundred Forty Nine 2011

The Christmas tree finally got decorated last night. Our brief flirtation with LED Christmas lights ended in a parting of the ways. Back to the store they go and good riddance. Talk about a dim bulb! I’d rather be merry and bright. It is Christmas time after all. Today, my grandpeeps Shelby and Elijah donned their reindeer antlers for me and posed for a picture in front of the tree. Elijah helped me unpack the nutcrackers. He loves those things and got them all set up.  Neil and I are beginning to check off items on the wish lists. So it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Day Three Hundred Forty Eight 2011

"Everyday is a cause for celebration." Anonymous
(Today was a day to celebrate the December sunshine and 70 degree temperature!)

Day Three Hundred Forty Seven 2011

Neil and I cut our Christmas tree today at the tree farm. Neil did the actual cutting. I stood there and watched. It’s an eight, maybe nine foot white pine, not too fat, not too skinny. We bought some new big white LED lights for the tree this year. I’m not a big fan of LED lights, but we thought we’d shake things up a bit. The tree now stands in our living room, waiting to be adorned. Neil is the official stringer of lights. He’d rather be doing anything else, like sticking sharp objects into his eyeballs, so stay tuned. This could take a while.

Day Three Hundred Forty Six 2011

What happened to the forecast of sunshine today? It’s been overcast and cold all day, and then the rains came down after lunch time. The Cookeville Christmas parade—twice rescheduled because of rain the past two Mondays—will go on as planned for this evening in spite of the soggy conditions. It’s now or never. We’re running out of Mondays between now and Christmas. (And please don’t ask me why the town can’t have the parade on any other day of the week…..)

Day Three Hundred Forty Five 2011

Our weekend with newest grandpeep, Knox, is about to come to an end. Seems like most of the pictures I’ve taken of him he’s sleeping, but I did catch him in a big yawn this evening. And the Kimbrough family posed for a snapshot just before son in law Kerry had to head off to work. Neil and I have had a blast helping to take care of him. We’ll miss him when we get home. I know our arms will feel empty without that sweet little bundle of love to hold.

Day Three Hundred Forty Four 2011

Neil and I are enjoying spending time with grandson Knox this weekend. He’s had lots of visitors today, but being only eight days old, his main focus is a full tummy and plenty of shut eye. He got a bath this afternoon (screamed from start to finish) and his mom decked him out in his dinosaur camos and bunny slippers. Cute, yet secure in his manhood. Go, Knox!

Day Three Hundred Forty Three 2011

Neil and I get to spend time with one week old grandson Knox this weekend. Son in law Kerry had to head back to work, and daughter Kelly was ready for some help/company. First time we’ve seen him since he was born last Friday. Neil and I are in grandparent heaven.

Day Three Hundred Forty Two 2011

"That's no December sky!
Surely 'tis June
Holds now her state on high
Queen of the noon.
Only the tree-tops bare
Crowning the hill,
Clear-cut in perfect air,
Warn us that still
Winter, the aged chief,
Mighty in power,
Exiles the tender leaf,
Exiles the flower."
- Robert Fuller Murray (1863-1894), A December Day

Day Three Hundred Forty One 2011

Here today. Gone today. Big huge fat flakes of wet snow came down hard at lunch time today, coating windshields and grass, which sent a panic through the county school system. Kids went home at one o’clock. The snow was gone about a half hour later. Best to err on the side of caution, of course. It was beautiful while it lasted.

Day Three Hundred Forty 2011

"We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light."  ~Mary Dunbar

(picture taken 11.17.11 cell phone camera)

Day Three Hundred Thirty Nine 2011

A three-day-old Krispy Kreme doughnut and a glass of cold milk—comfort snack on a soggy Monday afternoon. Busy day winding down. Still raining. I may need some more comfort before this day ends.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Eight 2011

Neil and I used to decorate the front of the house like this each Christmas. Then the bushes grew up and hid the porch rail, so we quit hanging the garland. Two summers ago, we finally got rid of all those huge bushes. Yesterday, Neil dug out the garland and bows (that date back to the eighties) from their exile in the far reaches of the attic and voila! Aren’t we festive.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Seven 2011

My Aunt Joy Brown turns 97 on December 4. She celebrated this evening at the party her friend Jo has been throwing in her honor for many years now. It seems like half the town comes to celebrate with her, but her favorite guests by far are her two sons (and one of her grandsons this year), who come all the way from California and Texas. We have a great meal at Helen’s Restaurant, then Aunt Joy is regaled with songs and poems written just for her. Then she gets up and entertains us, belting out songs while she jams on the keyboard. And then she tap dances (while holding onto a chair for some support). You have to see it to believe it. I only hope I’m still alive at the age of 97. Happy Birthday, Aunt Joy! Like I always say, I want to be just like you when I grow up!

Day Three Hundred Thirty Six 2011

Hello, Knox! Welcome to the world! He arrived at 4:08 A.M., and weighted 7 pounds and 15 ounces. He has lots of dark hair and the cutest dimples. In the first pictures, he’s wearing a Santa hat one of the OB nurses knitted. Mom and Dad and grandparents are thrilled to have this little guy in our lives. He’s cute as a bug and looks a lot like his mom when she was born. Mom and child are doing well. What a blessing!