Deck the Hall

We have decked our hallway.  We purchased a new grandfather clock.  We put it in the hallway right inside the front door.  It is so beautiful.  It is 93" tall and about 30 inches wide.  It plays three tunes at the quarter hour.  I have always wanted one, so this is a dream come true.  We purchased it from the hardware store in Carthage.  It is a really cool store, so if you get a chance, you should check it out.  I wanted to tell you guys about it earlier, but I wanted to make sure it was delivered first.  They brought it yesterday morning.  It sure sounds nice in the front rooms.

Yesterday we went to Springfield.  We had to pick up our ham.  We went to Relics on the far end of Battlefield.  It is a huge antique store.  I purchased two candlesticks in my crystal.  I have been really lucky with finding it.  At Relics, they had a bunch of it.  I mis-told you the last time.  It is Fostoria Americana.

Steve has been a little down the past couple of day.  I think he has been running really hard trying to do a bunch of stuff with me before his next chemo.  We have hit several "markets", gone out to eat several times, gone to Downstream, and shopped.  We do lead a wildlife.  Today he does not feel well at all.  He hurt his side messing with Aubree's Christmas present.  We got her a trampoline.  The box was heavy and being the stubborn German he is, he had to wrestle it with Amelia into the truck and then into the garage.  His side really hurts.  He is now in the chair resting.

It is a madhouse here.  Everyone is home.  Elizabeth brought her dog, so he and Samurai are running around like crazy.  Aubree is wound up making chocolate chip cookies for Santa.  She is so excited for Santa to come.  She is hoping Ozark gave Santa a good report.

Oh, I had to get a new phone today.  Mine finally went out.  The phone did not work, so I lost all my numbers.  SO if you are someone that knows my number, please text or call me and let me know yours.  I only have the ones that were in Steve's phone.  I don't have any of "my friend" that he does not have.  I am terrible because I do not have any numbers memorized.  I remember the days when I had everyone's down and never had to look them up.  Technology really spoils us.  I bought a 3G I phone from AT & T. It does way more than I will ever need.  They say it is like my Ipad where I can purchase apps and do anything on it.  My biggest thing so far is assigning different people different ringtones.  That and putting in some numbers from Steve's phone, took me a majority of the afternoon.

We are going to Grandma's after church tonight.  We are going to have cookies and sandwiches.  We usually do this every Christmas Eve.  The only difference is we don't go to the children's service at school since we don't have any children in it.  The church is so crowded.  I don't think Steve could sit through the whole thing and in such tight quarters.

Everyone is going to be here around 8 in the morning to for Santa and opening presents.  I am fixing dinner.  We are going to try to eat around noon or so.  Nothing special:  ham, sweet pots., mashed pots., deviled eggs, green bean casserole, Hawaiian rolls, lettuce salad, and Grandma's Better Than Sex dessert.  Grandma and Grandpa are going to come after church in the morning.  Justin might not be able to stay for the meal if he has to report to work earlier than he thought.  

I'll tell you a little about our Christmas.  Santa delivers all the goodies from him.  He does not use stockings, instead he delivers in gift bags stuffed with all sorts of things.  Next we share our gifts.  I do not use gift tags.  Each child has their own paper.  They don't know which is theres until they find the swatch in their "stocking" bag.  Then of course, it is total chaos.  This last about 15 minutes, which is about 1/20th of the time it took me to wrap the gifts.  We clean up the mess and then we sit around watching Aubree play with the boxes that her presents came in.  :)  Good times.

I want to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas.  I hope your day is filled with love and loved ones.

Oh, a special note to Corky...love the beard in the Christmas picture.