Have Yourself A Merry Everything! Part two.... There for each other

 

It's been a busy time for me...but then isn't that the way this season is?

And it's over in what seems like a minute! All the preparation, wrapping, shopping,

cards, visits, lists, shipping, baking, cooking - POOF!

Big trash bags of garbage ready to go out filled with balled up wrapping paper and loads of tissue paper. Stacks of washed dishes for meals that were made with love and memory filled. Coffee ready, pies laid out on the table, kids playing with their new toys.

My family holiday is a little different but different can be totally cool too!

My son Matt and his girlfriend Connie are on vacation in Thailand . They've taught kindergarten in a private school in Korea for two years and are finally coming home in Feb.. My older son Todd and his wife Ravy live in Annapolis. Her parents, from Cambodia, just moved here too. My parents are in Florida. Cousins at the Jersey shore.

Here is a photo list of our little family holiday...

the National Christmas tree in Washing D.C.

 

Annapolis Holiday Lights on the Bay

downtown Annapolis stores decked out

home-made stromboli for Christmas eve

smoked salmon and trout 

caught and wood smoke by a friend  

Spinach and cheese stuffed pork loin 

my son Todd made potato pancakes 

Ravy's fav Black Forest Chocolate Torte

So we have a small, scattered family, 

but boy can we cook!

****

Oh, Come All Ye Faithful!

Happy Holidays!

12/27/11

update....ready to drive home from my son's in Annapolis

have eaten Cambodian food, snacks, cookies, pistachios, a roast,

cakes, cereal, treats, slept, napped, watched videos and shows,

visited and called friends and family

a chill and overindulgent holiday

best kind

get a call from my son that his mother in law's been in a car accident

I'm home with her father in law who doesn't speak English...

we meet everyone in the ER -

minor injuries thank God -

lots of translating, green cards, passports...

I'm staying over again....

a must have for post stress relief....

Yummo = stress relievers

Todd and Ravy

see...it worked...we're distressed

ok, so i'm not decking the halls, the walls, putting up a tree - stuff i always do.

don't get me wrong - i adore the holidays, i'm festive

funky, love ribbons bows and glitter with the best of 'em!

i shop 'til i drop.

but

remember i said i left me home in september, took 3 days of clothes to escape an abusive marriage, living in a friend's house

while she's living in texas

well

just not this year

so

i'm still having a festive holiday

just different

my daughter in law ravy and i made gourmet gift baskets

for friends that have helped me in so many ways during this new journey with packing,hugs,encouragement,sleepovers,humor and just plain listening.

a new church and friends

this is a site i can enjoy - incredible!

my friends and i are still crazy

some are dealing with breast cancer some are survivors

we're all supporters

we're all strong

some things never change,

no matter what your worries may be

like babies smiles and petal soft skin

or how much i miss my animals,

 how much i'm sure you love your's

and that i get to enjoy friends critters

there's "junior" the guinea pig, dogs named "maddie",

"gracie", "stanley", "star", donkeys named "donkay", "jade",

a horse named "reno"...how can a girl be lonely?

staying healthy...for sure!

count my blessings
each and every one!
jennifer
did I tell you change can be really cool
and not too very scary? 

No Time Like The Present - Enjoy!

Pack up your pre-holiday stress....please?

Don't get all tangled up in the rush of things.

Take time to see the ones you love.

Love the ones your with.

Don't be swept away by lists,chores, tasks.

People come to see YOU - not check out your dust bunnies.

Mmmmm, ooops - just daydreaming about my

favorite football team the NY Giants, lol.

But if that relaxes or revives you - go for it!

Another big mmmmm!

Dance...

dress up or...don't!

I hope you're happy whatever you do!

jennifer



photos compliments of Martha Stewart

You think the pre-holidays are wearing YOU out?!!

Yawn!

Wham!

Zap!

Kapow!

Snore!

Sniff!

Ok, you think you're worn out, exhausted, tired,overwhelmed..... well, last night I said "night Hon" to my hubby and headed up the stairs to bed. You see my son's wedding is now over, I had tons of returns, an order of cards to make for a client I love, allergy shots, Asthma kicking up, tons of sick students in the Health Room at work every day, blah, blah. Any whoo, I said "night Hon" and He replied "isn't it a little early, it's 6:30?"

What the heck!!