Friday, December 19, 2008

December 20, 2008


Hey All- Merry Xmas!
I guess I'm finally going to cave in and admit it's time for Xmas! (My scrooge element is still hanging in there strong however!) It's at times like this that I am so happy that we completed our Xmas shopping in the fall, had our Xmas cards out & our house decorated the day after Thanksgiving, etc. Ok, so what if that world only exists in my mind.... In reality we do have the tree and lights up, most of the shopping somewhat done (nothing wrapped) and yes, we haven't even started on the cards yet. (Do we have a photo we can use?) But then there's always this weekend! Aughhh! It's kind of the calm before the storm, right? There remains a few more to-do's than time to do them but when is that really that different than everyday?

The kids wrapped up school on Thu for S&M and Fri for Max. Hard to believe fall semester is done. Sam has one semester of high school left- yikes! Last week was pretty stressful with finals & a few late nights (projects). I personally had a pretty challenging medical week with dentist appmts and surgery 3 days this week and a colonoscopy prep and procedure the other 2. Let's just say that we are all glad this week is over!

Thank goodness also that most of the holiday parties/receptions/events are over too. Not that we had that many to go to this year. We had the PEO party and Old Trooper holiday dinner with about 50 of our military friends, a few house parties and some business receptions. Decided to skip the big black tie foundation party (& am still glad we did). We had a couple of FR friends return from Iraq after 15 mo deployments that week so there were welcome home ceremonies and parties. We went to one arrival ceremony at 1:15AM Sunday morning for the sustainment brigade commander. Molly had a bunch of kids at the house that night and here we are leaving at 12:30AM to "go out" to a party. Molly said that "something is wrong with this picture". She says we were suppose to be the ones staying home worrying about them coming home.

Went last night to the JC/Manhattan basketball team. JC won both varsity girls and boys games. JC just seems to have Manhattan High's number this year. Sam complained afterwards that the JCHS administration had such tight muzzles on the students that they couldn't have any fun. Probably a good thing because we all know how wound up they can get but it did result in a never-ending censorship rant all the way home. Ha.

Looks like we'll be doing Xmas with the Wheats & Lehoczkys. Mom is flying to Gails for Xmas, which I think is nice for both of them. She returns on the 28th just in time to see Kent & Lynn who are making a stop here before heading home. Sam and Molly leave on the 30th with the JCHS band to go to perform in the Cotton Bowl parade and game on January 2nd in Dallas. Alice is still toying with the idea of going out skiing over New Years but no final decision has been made on that yet. (It's unlike us to plan ahead too much...ha)

2008 has been a great year and while I haven't really looked back at the calendar and journal yet, it's been lots of fun. Hopefully 09 will continue the trend. Now is just the time to give Thanks for all that we have, and all we have done! Life is Good!

Merry Xmas
SS

The blog is not dead- just thought doing an email is just as easy. Have it posted on both. Anybody else doing twitter?