Christmas with the fam...
Merry Christmas, y'all!
I tested Figwit's ability to stay home alone by going over to my parents' house yesterday, sleeping on the couch, and then spending the whole day there today. Gerry and I are trying to avoid having to find a cat sitter for him during our wedding in May ... my roommate will be with us in California for only three days, and it sure would be nice if Figwit could take care of himself for those days. Anyway, the test went well! I left a couple of lights on, along with plenty of food and fresh water. He was an absolute meowing magnet after I came through the door tonight, but there's no damage in the house that would indicate super anxiety. So yay for that!
Christmas included my parents, brother, and fiance; aunt, uncle, and cousin; and three of my parents' friends. A nice group! Lots of food that my mom cooked, a bunch of conversation, cleanup with my brother and me, a fire in the backyard, and a fun game of Balderdash after dark. Christmases have been strange since my grandparents started passing away, but finally it seems like we're getting into some sort of routine again.
1. Since I inherited all sorts of dishes, glasses, silver, and more when the Holy Land got taken over, it's my job to furnish and set the tables. Here's a shot of the porch table, where five of us ate.
2. Oh, it's so nice to have my brother in town alive and well for this Christmas! Last year he was in Iraq freezing his butt off on a lonely watch post.
3. Dad went out on a bike ride this morning and found a discarded poinsettia. Now it's sitting proudly on the back of my brother's bike.
4. My brother and cousin chatting on the porch, as spied through the branches of the Christmas tree.
5. One of my parents' friends. She was so proud of her new perm! I think it looks nice, of course.
6. Another friend. I am so thankful that God has brought friends to my parents, so that they don't have to be lonely with us kids out of the house.
7. My uncle (right) and this friend of my parents (left) got along fabulously! I was really surprised at how much these two talked with each other.
8. Bring on the food! Here's the salad end of the buffet.
9. And this is a view of the meat-and-stuffing end of it all. Yummmmm...
10. I am a big fan of the veggies at holiday meals.
11. Goofing off with a spoon when I should be eating dessert.
12. Upside down, yo!
13. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
There was money in the mailbox when I arrived home, and I'm so thrilled to report that I only have $55 left to collect for my trip overseas in ten days! (And if more comes in, I'm going to reimburse myself for that $400-plus that I've have to spend on vaccinations so far.) God has been gracious in providing resources and direction and encouragement for the trip. I am very, very thankful!
Yeah, only ten days to go!
I tested Figwit's ability to stay home alone by going over to my parents' house yesterday, sleeping on the couch, and then spending the whole day there today. Gerry and I are trying to avoid having to find a cat sitter for him during our wedding in May ... my roommate will be with us in California for only three days, and it sure would be nice if Figwit could take care of himself for those days. Anyway, the test went well! I left a couple of lights on, along with plenty of food and fresh water. He was an absolute meowing magnet after I came through the door tonight, but there's no damage in the house that would indicate super anxiety. So yay for that!
Christmas included my parents, brother, and fiance; aunt, uncle, and cousin; and three of my parents' friends. A nice group! Lots of food that my mom cooked, a bunch of conversation, cleanup with my brother and me, a fire in the backyard, and a fun game of Balderdash after dark. Christmases have been strange since my grandparents started passing away, but finally it seems like we're getting into some sort of routine again.
1. Since I inherited all sorts of dishes, glasses, silver, and more when the Holy Land got taken over, it's my job to furnish and set the tables. Here's a shot of the porch table, where five of us ate.
2. Oh, it's so nice to have my brother in town alive and well for this Christmas! Last year he was in Iraq freezing his butt off on a lonely watch post.
3. Dad went out on a bike ride this morning and found a discarded poinsettia. Now it's sitting proudly on the back of my brother's bike.
4. My brother and cousin chatting on the porch, as spied through the branches of the Christmas tree.
5. One of my parents' friends. She was so proud of her new perm! I think it looks nice, of course.
6. Another friend. I am so thankful that God has brought friends to my parents, so that they don't have to be lonely with us kids out of the house.
7. My uncle (right) and this friend of my parents (left) got along fabulously! I was really surprised at how much these two talked with each other.
8. Bring on the food! Here's the salad end of the buffet.
9. And this is a view of the meat-and-stuffing end of it all. Yummmmm...
10. I am a big fan of the veggies at holiday meals.
11. Goofing off with a spoon when I should be eating dessert.
12. Upside down, yo!
13. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
There was money in the mailbox when I arrived home, and I'm so thrilled to report that I only have $55 left to collect for my trip overseas in ten days! (And if more comes in, I'm going to reimburse myself for that $400-plus that I've have to spend on vaccinations so far.) God has been gracious in providing resources and direction and encouragement for the trip. I am very, very thankful!
Yeah, only ten days to go!