Last Monday of the Year!

That old expression:  The days are long but the years are short - Never made as much sense to me as it does now.  I'm flabbergasted that we made it through the holidays!  Thank heaven for a dear friend of mine who came with me to take my mother christmas shopping.  As I mentioned last week she has dementia so outings like this can be challenging for short tempered impatient me. Sigh.  Joan has way more patience with old people and little children so she was the perfect help!  We found everything for mom to give folks at Marshalls. A lot were simple token gifts but that's all that was needed. 

After shopping we went to dinner - I don't do that often with Mom, my husband does, but my heart rate goes nuts when I have to keep repeating myself. Again, bless Joan for her patience and a fun dinner for all.   Once we were done, Mom got taken home and Joan again came to the rescue with gift wrapping. The night before Christmas Eve and not a single gift wrapped - Armed at my dining room table with lots of scissors, tape, paper, and gifts, it took a few hours but we knocked it ALL out - What a relief. 

So when you read about all the friends who come to the rescue in my books, you know where the inspiration comes from.  Of course, much of that help comes because I 'ask' -  too many folks are afraid to ask for help- Not me!  I'm quick to ask because I'm quick to say yes when I'm needed.  Works well most of the time and was a huge blessing for me this holiday. 

Our christmas eve was low key and smoothe.  I heated lasagna that my son ordered (usually I make it) and everyone brought a pie - so dinner was an A+ in the yummy and easy department.  My granddaughter who loves frilly presents got a huge kick out of the princess dress I bought her and my Mom who forgot to dress for christmas was thrilled with the ugly sweater she borrowed, so now it's hers! 

 The photo of my mother isn't the best, but for 90 and with dementia, she did good. She still enjoys giving and opening presents - For decades mom was more excited about Christmas than most of the kids!  Just for the heck of it - I included a photo of mom years ago on mother's day so you can see how Mom used to dress and present herself! 

We also got to do a couple of things I wasn't sure we would!  On Christmas Eve Eve - okay, the day before christmas eve - I made my best effort at christmas cookies with my granddaughter since she loves to bake.  I am not a baker - but I tried.  What I have to figure out is how not to burn the bottom of the cookies!  But here we are mixing the cookies batter and then that night we went to see christmas lights in a popular neighborhood - TONS of traffic, crazy traffic, those poor people must have a heck of time getting home from work, but it was very pretty. Next year, now that we know, we'll do a carriage ride. And I kind of like the idea of the day before christmas eve, that just extends the fun part of the holiday.  If you want to see the video clips I did of the lights pop over to my youtube channel ( click here ) - and while you're there - subscribe!  Christmas day was so easy  we went to my daughters for lunch and to see what the kids got from Santa, then everyone came back to my house for Chinese food (pizza restaurants were all closed) - and for the record, I suspect Christmas has to be the Chinese restaurants busiest sales day for the year LOL.  We also watched all three Santa Clause movies and after the kids went to bed, the adults watched Queen Latifah in the old fashioned movie - the Last Holiday.  We all laughed and laughed, and of course, there was the puzzle table going on as well!  And just to keep up the experience, the next day my grandkids came to visit and we decorated the cookies. Can you tell my granddaughter LOVES sprinkles lol.  Maybe next year we'll bake and decorate on the same day, but for now, this worked! 

SO, of course with all this activity, Sweet Rescue: K9 heroes is not at the editors, but I was up till 4am last night working on it and back at it again this morning - which is why today's blog is going to be up a bit later than I'd like - and then I'll go back to it - with the grace of God it will be at the editors tonight! Here's hoping! 

Will see you on the flip side - Next year!  Happy New Year everyone!