Bob and I are packed and almost out the door. Count down time to our cruise is here. I am very excited about this adventure aboard the Holland American Ryndam. I promise to come back with lots of photos and lots to post (and boast) about. I will miss all my weblog friends…..so come back in ten days for a visit. Meanwhile think about coffee on deck while watching sunrises, good books to read by the pool, and dancing every night

It is the morning of the 24th, and I just have to take a moment to post about our wonderful early Christmas at Kristi’s.

I have been truly blessed to have a warm and loving daughter like her. She brings such light and joy to our family with her caring and thoughtful ways.

This is the first time that we celebrated Christmas at her home and although I have always been reluctant to let go of the tradition of everyone coming home to Ridgecrest, I am so happy that I did this year.

Kym and John arrived late afternoon on the 22nd, followed shortly by John Vincent and Rhea, who had spent a day or two visiting with Bill Morris and his wife, Carol. We all went out to dinner at China Gardens that night.

The next morning, Bob and I joined Kym and John at their motel for breakfast and then the four of us drove to Kristi and Linda’s home in Palmdale. Rhea and John left Ridgecrest before us and were already there. Their dog Cara, was busy making friends with the menagerie there. The girls have three dogs and Joan, Linda’s mother who shares their home, has one. There is also a giant Macaw and a little conure.

Kristi did a most magnificent job of decorating the house and her meal, as always, was outstanding. I will post an album if time permits before Bob and I leave on the cruise.

Right now, I am headed to the living room to start taking down all my Christmas decorations and pack them away. Even though this seems a somewhat sacrilegious thing to be doing on Christmas Eve, I can’t bear the idea of coming home on the 7th of January to Christmas which by that time would be old, old, old.

The house seems empty and quiet. Christmas Day Bob and I will spend packing and getting the house ready for our pet and home sitter and then off to San Diego on Monday to board the Rhydam early on Tuesday. Mexico here we come!

Bob’s daughter Michaele, her children Dave and Monique, and Monique’s young daughter celebrated an early Christmas with us this week-end. We had a great time opening gifts, going out to look at the Christmas lights, having a memorable dinner at a local restaurant (memorable for being luke warm, and frankly not very tasty), However, the restaurant did have one of those kid game rooms that entertained Arianna for awhile so that the adults could visit quietly.

Now I have a few days until my family arrives. I will use the time to regroup, find suitcases for our trip, and just enjoy the quiet.

Meanwhile, I have posted photos of our week-end in a new album so please take a peek and let me know how you like them. They work well in a slide show so that may be the best way to view the photos. I use the no limit size.

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Tomorrow Bob’s daughter Michaele and her family arrive for the week-end. Christmas for us has begun. I have all the gifts wrapped, the meals prepared, the accommodation made, and now I have time to post again.

When I was a child, my mother and I would shop for a special Christmas figurine. None of these cost much. We didn’t have that kind of money. They came from Kresseges, Woolworth or in a more flush year, Grants Department Store. My mom passed away over 20 years ago, but each time the holidays roll around I get out the little figurines and place them lovingly under my tree. There are of course some more modern ones there too, but my favorites are the ones from the 40’s and 50’s that tug at my heart and make me wish, just for a moment, I could go back to that house on Grand Avenue and a time when I was very young, very loved, and both of my parents planned Christmas in a most festive way.

Click on photos to enlarge

Posting just got away from me. I have been working on so many Christmas things that I just didn’t get to the computer, but now life seems a little easier and I am back. Thanks to all of you who feared I might be ill or something. I am fine and in good spirits.

I finished an album for my daughter Kristi. I will share it with all of you now, if you don’t tell her it will be under the tree (Gutenberg style) for her on Christmas. It can be viewed by clicking on the New Album in the right hand column on the blog or go to Mother Daughter Week-end

This year Bob’s family arrives to spend the week-end of the 17th and 18th with us. My children arrive on the 21st, 22nd, and we all then head to Palmdale (about an hour and a half by car) to spend the23rd with Kristi and family.

Everyone gets booted out on the 24th because I need the 25th to pack. On the 26th, Bob and I are headed off on a 10 day cruise to Mexico stopping at numerous ports, and will be in Acapulco for New Years Eve. I will be ready to relax and enjoy the high seas.