Christmas Cheer on Steller Ave

Katherine and I stayed at their house today so Elise could have a morning to herself and I thought I would help Emily out a little bit with laundry and stuff.  It was a fun day, and I just walked around the house taking pictures.

I'll see what I managed to capture.

This bear has been mistaken for a pig before.  He was in Graysen's nursery for awhile.

 This is such a good picture of the family at Ryan's work party Sunday afternoon.  Katherine was there but not happy about it.  Graysen was across the room, standing behind me.  Correction:  That was last year at the same party.  Katherine said Graysen was not in the picture because she was "taking care of herself," as far away as possible.

Puzzling is on hold for lack of time lately, but maybe we'll have a little more time to work on it.



Graysen has an unusual fear of Santa Claus, and it all started here.

 And got worse.

 This set started out many years ago when I saw these advertised at Arby's in Meridian.  I went and got as many as I could, and then Emily found some for sale last year to complete the set.

  I was thrilled to see a pot of wassail on the stove this morning and had a cup - maybe two.

This is harder than it looks, especially with a cold and runny nose you have to keep wiping.

I get to sleep late tomorrow, and that's great to know, even if I will probably be up at 5:30.

Mid-December

And this weather is frightful.  No snow, but it is cold and windy and rainy.  I don't mind rain.  In fact, I walked to the doctor's office yesterday morning (about 3 blocks) in the rain and enjoyed it except for a pretty cold gust of wind every once in a while.  But by the time I picked Graysen up from school, I wasn't having fun any more.  I tried a scarf around my neck to pull up over my nose and cheeks but felt like a wimp.  The wind blew my hood off constantly, enough to take my breath away.  Katherine wisely stayed home with Aunt CeCe, and when Graysen and I got home, we were ready to be inside.

It would have been fine if we had stayed home, but last night was the only night we could have a family dinner.  We decided to eat at Fall City Roadhouse.  I was looking forward to it because I had always seen the restaurant in Fall City, and the Binderts had eaten there and praised it.  Elise and I got the girls ready - sort of - by putting on their shoes and coats, and we met Emily and Ryan there.  It's so pretty and festive, and the food is good.  We had a great time.  Kate got mac and cheese, and Graysen got a grilled cheese and French fries, and guess what Kate wished she had gotten.  Grilled cheese and French fries.  Graysen sweetly shared her sandwich, and everyone shared their fries.  We had crab cakes, a pasta and chicken dish and a roast beef sandwich or two.  Everything was good, and the waitress was great with a lot of tolerance for children.  There was a play area with lots of interesting toys that the girls enjoyed, but they mainly liked to walk around and see things - the cooks in action, the fireplace, looking out the windows, just curious.  Thanks goodness there were very few people there.

Elise is a good driver, but I was glad to be back home when we finally got back.  

This is my Christmas gift to myself, by way of the library, and it had better be good.  I haven't read much lately, and I'm counting on it.

After tomorrow when I get my hair cut in the morning and take the girls to a craft party, it will be rest time for Mimi.  We'll have Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day breakfast and snacks at Emily and Ryan's, so I will have to cook a little - if putting together corn dip and deviled eggs is considered cooking.  It is to me.  I plan to read, drink coffee, wrap presents, and enjoy my days.  If I'm lucky, there won't be much going outside.  Six days of rain out of the next 10 but no freezing temps until the night of the 28th.

Birthday Party and Girls' Day Out

I went with Emily, Graysen, and Katherine to a birthday party in Kirkland yesterday for Everly since I know the family pretty well by now.  Naturally, my phone was on the verge of dying and did, but I captured a few photos first.

It was in a bowling alley, the type that gives tokens and tickets and nothing prizes but drives kids crazy with excitement.  When we left, Emily and I looked at each other with relief and made a note NOT to do that kind of thing again.  There were probably six birthday parties going on at one time, and it was just filled with running children, harried parents, pizza, popcorn, lemonade, flashing lights - and a little bowling.

Graysen and Everly sharing the controls of some space ship game to make the most of their tokens.

Harper looks very Space Wars with her gun and the eerie lighting.

 Katherine didn't bowl but did enjoy seeing the space game nearby.  She was content a while just looking around but then got hungry, and when someone brought a huge bin of popcorn over, she took it upon herself to eat half of it, I think.  For me, I just enjoyed being with her and listening to her opinion of it all.

 I really didn't get any more good pictures.  This was when they were actually bowling, before Katherine came to sit with me.  I'm not sure what is happening here, but Graysen is sporting her new overalls, which she loves.  She explained to me that they were called overalls because you could wear them over things.  Makes sense.

 Graysen actually won the bowling competition and got an extra bag of tokens.  She got a strike and two spares, and now Emily is worried that Ryan is going to start taking her to bowling alleys - with arcades!

 It was new clothes day since Emily figured they wouldn't enjoy opening those on Christmas morning.  Nothing could please Katherine more than a jumper with kitty pockets.

AND kitty shoes.  

It was nice to meet new people.  There were just five little girls and their parents, and it was good for Emily to have a chance when she's not in a hurry to talk with other parents.  

I'm not a good passenger normally, and yesterday two days after an accident, I was really not good company.  Emily put me kind of in charge of navigation which distracted me a LITTLE bit.  I knew where we were for the first 10 minutes or so until we got on our second interstate.  I've never been to that area before, but it was kind of nice to see a new town or two.  

On the way home, we stopped in Bellevue - Or Issaquah - not sure - where Ryan's company was having their Christmas party.  No pictures, but someone was taking a lot.  I don't know if I'll see them.  Graysen didn't want to get out of the car because last year she saw Santa Claus through the window and ran screaming back to the car.  This year, she allowed herself to be in the same room with him, but she kept her eyes flickering in his direction at all times, and sometimes I noticed her standing directly behind me to block his view.

They had a hot chocolate bar that the girls zeroed in on.  I had a cup too, and it was excellent with all kinds of things you could add in.  If that wasn't enough sugar, there were other marshmallow and candy things on sticks that they munched on.  Katherine did allow herself to sit - with her parents nearby - in Santa's lap but with the most forced and unhappy smile I've ever seen from her.  Graysen was not impressed enough to do it herself.  We saw a family with 3 crying kids get their picture taken with trickery.  Santa went out of the room, and the children saw it.  Then the whole family sat down to pose for the picture.  Then when they were ready, Santa sneaked back out and stood behind them.  That would have freaked Graysen out even more when she saw the picture if they had done that.

We were definitely ready to get home when we finally got to leave.  It was a fun day though, and I'm glad I made the effort to do it.  

A Little Christmas Cheer

Our little abode is as decorated as it's going to be.  I find myself wanting to display less and less every year.  The little tree is nice and a few things the girls love, but I have another box to donate this year or find out if anyone wants the things.

This is always nice to see even when it's not Christmas.  We haven't even read these books.  It's making me sad that we don't have all those times of cuddling and reading since both girls are in school.  Graysen is reading a little now, and she'll just take the books and look at the pictures and find the words she knows, or figure it out.  Katherine is too busy running wild with the kitty.  I'll try to do better with that, because I'm not ready to accept this!

Just walking around the apartment this morning with a cup of coffee while the wind howls and being thankful for what I have and not lingering too long on what I don't.  But the memories are there, all the old things that bring back happier times.

I did this cross-stitch many years ago and fully intended to do another one or two companion santas - but didn't of course.  He makes me happy.

Eleanor's pine cone candle holders and table.

Crazy Christmas cactus is trying to hold onto a few blooms to live up to its name.

A quick view out the balcony door.  I'm surprised the wind hasn't blown this garland down.  Emily did a good job attaching them for me.  Driving up the drive, it's so festive.  Lots of the balconies have lights and garlands or little trees.  I just noticed when I looked at the pictures that the wind has blown over one of the chairs.  Hummingbirds were flying around last week, so we got some new food mixed up and refilled the bird feeder.  Also amazed they haven't blown down.

Little gold tree.  Layla has left it alone so far.  She likes to hide under the table skirt, but a bottle of water sprayed in her direction sends her flying.  She looks so offended when we do that.  Some mornings I find little pieces of things knocked off tables or the desk but nothing major.

I give the girls a nutcracker every year from my stash, so there aren't as many left.  I'm just piling things on there right now, deciding what to do with them.  Just glad Layla has not had any curiosity about this hutch.

This is just a cross-stitch bread cover that I did and like a lot but just never use it.  Maybe if I would make some bread?

A couple of gifts from Kathy from years ago.  Again glad the girls haven't discovered they can open that box, or the mittens would have disappeared.

 I made this for the girls, and they like playing with the ornaments in the bag, but since they're not here every day and there's not candy involved, we don't use it as an advent calendar.  They have a really cute one at home that they don't miss a day getting their candy from!

 In the mess on the counter is still my favorite nutcracker along with the plate holder that Debby sent, which I love and use every day!  I don't have enough Christmas saucers and little plates to fill it so I kept out some kinda Christmas-colored plates to use.

I'm hiding Christmas gifts in the sewing room until I get them wrapped, but I need to hurry.  Yesterday Graysen went exploring in Emily's gift boxes.

 Because it's hard for Elise and me to ever have any alone time, I've made a little corner for myself in my bedroom.  The chair is Mike's granddaddy's.  It was once orange corduroy back when it belonged to his parents, and when orange probably seemed like a good choice.  I had it covered with a blue and beige check many years ago, and it sat unused in a guest room.  Now I have a quiet place for myself.  I believe I see a kitty head at the bottom of the picture.

Some things beside the chair this morning.  Corrie, my angel from the Atlanta airport, has suggested that I write down four things a day about the way I feel when I do devotionals, and I'm trying that in my Grace journal.  I have to admit the tone of the four things has improved over a week or so.  Much more about Corrie later.  The Jodi Picoult book has started off okay and one that will cause me to think a lot.  The Herbal Kitchen?  I just typed a dictated podcast of her not too long ago, and she sounded interesting, so I got one of her books from the library.  I'm not sure I'll get around to that right now though.

I think I'm in a better place now than I was two weeks ago.  Part of that is due to Corrie's caring suggestions.  Another thing is getting out of the house yesterday for fun instead of just duty.  And I made a doctor's appointment for Monday, which I've been procrastinating doing.  Elise has threatened to drag me there.  I needed to get checked out after the accident just to document it, so I decided to combine that with my checkup and prescription refill.  I'm not sure why I'm so reluctant to go.  I've been blessed with good health up until now, and I know I'm due for something.  My out-of-pocket expenses this year have been $90 plus some cough and cold over-the-counter things, and I need that to stay the same.  

I'm ready to stay home and enjoy my day today and let the rain come and the wind howl.

And the Day DIdn't Get Any Better

I managed to stay out of the cold all day until 2:45 when it was time to pick up Katherine.  I was driving a couple of blocks away from downtown Snoqualmie to get to Rooster Valley, driving slowly, spotting a parking space, and making my way to it when all of a sudden there was a huge crash, and I realized I had been hit, either that or my car had finally blown up.  It's funny how clearly I was thinking and how I was not afraid.  I knew I wasn't hurt - so far - but had to gain control of the car.  I finally came to rest completely up on a curb against a chain link fence. 

The fence owner came out immediately to see if I was okay, and neither one of us noticed the other car at first, and it just puzzled me what had happened.  I was totally stunned, but there was that adrenaline of being so glad it wasn't worse.  When I got out, the other driver came running over, apologizing profusely and seeing if I was okay.  A young guy, just 21.  We were all surprised that the huge sound produced only a long scrape and not really even a dent.  I think his car got the worst of it, although I didn't go check.  Several of the Rooster Valley teachers came running up to give hugs and see if I was okay - in their pajamas.  I heard one of them explaining J for Jammies week to the bystanders.  They stayed until I was able to crank the car and get off the curb, and then I had to pick up Katherine.

I was okay to drive home.  I'm lately super cautious because of all the crosswalks and pedestrians and my not seeing a couple of them and having to stop quickly.  So I creep through town anyway, but there was that feeling of brief panic when I would see a car come to a stop sign and not stop immediately.  After being in a worse accident in the 80s, it took me a long time before I could relax and not watch other cars excessively.  This was my first accident as a driver and second overall.  The first time, I was in the back seat without a seatbelt and was thrown around and had terrible bruises and lingering neck pain.  I'm very proud of the job my seatbelt did today and have just a little ache in my shoulder, probably from tension.  Just thanking God tonight for keeping the other driver and me from being hurt and for the children not to have been in the car. 

I didn't get an explanation for this little scene, but Emily and I called it "Heading home to Nazareth."

I Don't Want to Do Winter

I went out this morning, and that should be enough punishment to last for several months.  The thought of going out 2 or 3 times a day for the duration of the winter just depresses me.  I know all days won't be like this one - 23 degrees, biting wind, bright sun to blind you while driving.  Some days it will be worse.  It will the 23 degrees, windy, and raining or snowing.  When I used to complain, Mike always said, "Just be glad you don't have an outside job."  That puts it into perspective, but it doesn't make me any more tolerant of cold weather.

It's so much harder to get the kids dressed and out the door too.  Why are hats and mittens and boots nowhere to be found when it's time to leave.  There are some hats always, in their cubbies, but they're never the right ones.  One has a pompom on top, which is great, but another one has a pompom that hangs down a little. No way someone is going to wear a hat with a pompom that hangs down. One has Elsa, and ones has a kitty cat.   Gloves and mittens are like socks, except they always disappear in pairs.  Just nothing there for hands.  I told Katherine this morning that she could wear the kitty hat but that it didn't cover her ears, and they would be cold.  She said seriously, "But when I get to school, all my friends will think I'm a kitty cat."  Gotta go with what's important.

On the drive home from dropping off the last one, the car is warm, and Christmas carols are playing, and I have this really happy feeling of getting a job done once more - even if I do complain.  My main job is not only getting there safely and (usually) on time but making sure they know they're loved and protected and ready for the day.  Graysen always runs to greet her friends on the playground as happy as can be, but Katherine is still a little clingy when I leave her - but not as much any more.  She got in the way of a photo op yesterday and reluctantly allowed herself to be in it.

Uncomfortable grimace and bare tummy.  I think she enjoys going to the circle first thing in the morning.  There's a rug in front of a fireplace with a yellow lab puppy lying on it and Miss Jami getting ready to read a book or talk about something interesting.  She has been shy about playing with other kids on the playground, but yesterday I saw her riding a tricycle with another little girl.  When she got in the car, I mentioned it, and she said, "Yeah, that was Olivia.  She didn't throw me off the bike today."  That's a little progress.

She's the one in pink, pedaling hard.

 I'm also glad I'm not one of the pajama-wearing teachers who DO have to work outside this week.

It's Thursday, so one more day of going out before the weekend.  I am going to a birthday party with Emily and Graysen Saturday, but someone else will be dressing kids and driving.

The Christmas tree is still standing, so I might put the ornaments on today.  I have a miniature tree with gifts under it on a little table, and those were pretty much all over the living room.  Kitty Layla makes us laugh though and cuddles very nicely, so that's worth a few messes.