Catching Up!

I have some catching up to do.

 For some reason I have just been running out of steam by the end of the day and think - I'll catch up tomorrow with my journal. Tomorrow came and went - a couple of times.

But I have fixed myself a big glass of tea and loaded all my photos from the phone and iPad and I am ready to do some writing.

Thursday, November 30th

As soon as Louis Dean and I were good and awake, we started putting lights on the living room tree.

It was a job! I had hauled so much STUFF out of the Christmas House and had it spread all over the place that I became completely overwhelmed! I was still working on the lights at 2:00 - and still in my nightgown! - when I stopped, took a shower, dressed up and drove over to Rowlett to meet Summer, Sabrina and Rayne for a movie!

We went to the AMC in the Firewheel Town Center.

This was a really good movie and kept me engaged the whole time.

From the movie, Summer and I went to Main Street Bistro and Bakery.

She finds the BEST places!!!

It has some amazing food and equally amazing service.

You feel as if you are, indeed, 'someplace special.'

We ate light and then had coffee and split an almond croissant.

The baked goods are made in their Grapevine kitchen overnight and delivered to the various locations fresh each morning. The coffee is exceptional.

We longered long at the table and then went to the outside dining area where they had a fireplace and sat out there for a little while.

Summer continues to struggle with her health. She is doing everything she can to take care of herself and has dropped a lot of weight. Long term pain can do a number on your emotions and mental health. Still, she shines as much as she possibly can and has such a good attitude.

One last selfie and we headed back to Summer's place for a slumber party!

The emphasis was on 'slumber' for we were both totally relaxed and ready for bed!

Friday, December 1st

Summer and I enjoyed the Main Street Bistro and Bakery so much last night that we returned for breakfast the next morning.

Ah, that coffee!!!

I thought I would order something a bit out of the ordinary.......

I had the Avocado Toast with two eggs awhile Summer ordered Oatmeal Brule.

Avocado with roasted peppers topped with feta cheese.

Arugula and Lemon Vinaigrette Salad......

not what I normally eat for breakfast but it was delicious!!

Even the oatmeal is all fancied up!

That one meal alone lasted me until late evening when Louis Dean and I ate soup in the den while we watched a Hallmark Christmas movie.

I worked some more on the living room......but didn't get it finished so.......

Saturday, December 2nd

Louis Dean and I did our morning routine of coffee and Bible reading before I left him in the den watching back to back Gunsmoke episodes while I dug into decorating the living room.

The tree took a long time but I am in love with it this year.

Last year I went overboard on all the pearls and ribbons and embellishments.

I like this one much better!

Special ornaments are all over it.

The camper and guitar are new ones from Amber this year.

I used most of the hand painted ornaments from the past.

I painted these three back in 1999 and the photo of Summer was taken that year, as well.

The living room is a favorite for us to sit and visit. I especially love it at Christmas time.

It's amazing how many people it can hold!

I suppose I like it because it's so cozy.

I've been playing my Christmas CD's and changing them out every day.

I may be one of the few people left to use a stereo and 'old school' CD's.

I remember when CD's were the NEWEST thing!

I got just this far in the foyer before I gave it up for the night.

I had a headache all day and was looking forward to going to bed.

It doesn't seem right to be decorating for Christmas and sweating while you're doing it!

We've been sleeping with the back door open and I think mine was a sinus headache.

We had to close the doors and turn the AC on!

I declared the living room DONE and went to bed!

Sunday, December 3rd

Today was the first Sunday of Advent.

I woke up with a headache again but went to church anyway and I was glad I did.

My head can hurt at church just as easy as it can at home.

Louis Dean had a restless night so I left him sleeping.

I came straight home after services and made a potato salad and BBQ ham for lunch.

Then I took a nap.

It was slow going today. I meant to do the rest of the foyer and front porch and then sweep through the kitchen - but the kitchen remains a disaster area to be addressed tomorrow.

I'm happy that the porch is done.

It is still warm in Texas - near 80 degrees today and will be another 80 degree day tomorrow.

The leaves are falling in earnest now and the porch needs to be blown off.

But I can go out there and sit a spell and admire the pretty moon lit sky tonight.

A place for Louis Dean and a place for me.

I will close with one last photo - can you see me in it?

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas Season!!