I've been back for two days and went out for my morning walk today. It's amazing what can happen in a month - all the leaves are gold or brown or on the ground; the rabbit brush is in full fluff; and I finally need shoes with toes. Last week, I was in below zero temps; yesterday my carmometer said 65 - my multi-state life is always an adventure!
I spent almost a week in the Twin Cities and took a quick trip to Wilton to see Doug's sibs. It was nice to visit with Donna, Donn, Angie, and Brandon and especially nice to have someone to watch CBS Sunday Morning with for a change! When I got back to St. Paul, Sarah & I took Heath to see the holiday display at Dayton's (NKA Macy's) 8th Floor and he was mesmerized by all the things there were to see. How is this for the classic Christmas wonderment in a child's face? On Monday, we had a three-generation old-fashioned Whitney cookie-baking marathon at my sister Judy's house complete with flour-dusted, frosting coated kids (Lexi, Heath, Jayden & several others). And of course the Whitney girls & their kids outdid themselves by making some of the best looking frosted sugar cookies ever! On Tuesday, I got together with my long-time MN friends for a traditional holiday dinner at Ann's this year. This fine bunch of women (Ann, Dar, Karen, Ellie, Anna and Anne) has been in my life for 15-40 years!
While I was gone, the new vanity tops were installed in my bathrooms and they look great! Thanks to Pete, the Nomad Carpenter, the fixtures are all working again. I'm waiting to have him remodel the shower in the master bath till after the house is re-plumbed as part of a class action settlement because of defective plumbing fittings - hopefully he can do it when he comes back next spring. He also managed to get rid of some of the equipment in the garage so now I don't have to walk sideways between my car & the truck!
I got out the Christmas decorations last night and only have a few gifts left to buy so I should be able to manage getting it all done. I also have to finish grading the memos my students turned in at the end of the semester and those of you who know me know that means I will need "prizes." Going out to get the shopping done is always a good prize - don't you think?
As I finish this update, I am listening to Christmas music and looking at my decorated home in the desert. I hope you are in a similarly pleasant place but wherever you are, I send my warmest wishes.
As I finish this update, I am listening to Christmas music and looking at my decorated home in the desert. I hope you are in a similarly pleasant place but wherever you are, I send my warmest wishes.
Jean,
ReplyDeleteI'm just reading this now! Don't we get e-mails when you've got a new one?
Great to see the pictures! Even greater spending time with you! Hugs.
I'm a long time away from my own blogging effort, and as I came back and surveyed the site again today, I noted your title, "Wherever you go, there you are". It caught my attention abruptly because it was (perhaps still is) the mantra by which a very dear friend from my working days lived her life into sobriety. It impressed me long ago, and still does today, for its truth about being who we are. ---Glad to catch up with you here again.
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