Happy Christmas time

Sitting at home today, trying to prepare for work, with memories of a great Christmas still so close. Right before leaving Iowa yesterday, my d-i-l took some family photos with her new camera.  I particularly like the one of the 3 generations of Iannone guys together.

We arrived a week ago to a gray and brown landscape, that was replaced on Saturday night by 6 inches of new, fluffy snow.  Rowan wasn't able to go outside to play in it until Christmas day, due to the sub zero temps.  He had hoped to build a snowman but it wasn't a packing kind of
snow.  Instead he and his daddy threw handfuls of snow at each other (and mommy). The rest of us watched from the warm of the house! 

We had hoped to go to the mall to see Santa and see some lights but the ice, snow and generally miserable weather kept us pretty housebound. We didn't do a lot of baking, but I made a couple batches of cookies to make sure we had some left for Santa.  Rowan left instructions for Santa regarding the carrots.  One for Rudolph and one for Dasher.

         We had a delightful time and are already counting the days until we can head back to hug those adorable little guys.  Hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday!

The Holiday Spirit

What a wonderful time we had in California with the family for Thanksgiving.  Our son and daughter both came with their families, as did my sister-in-law from Florida and Guitar Guy's aunt and uncle.  Each year, Guitar Guy's brother and wife host a Thanksgiving feast ala Martha Stewart for both sides of their family and long time friends.  This year we numbered 31 people for dinner! 

It is a busy, noisy day with so many people in the house but always ends with the last few of us basking in the light of the fire and kicking our shoes off.  The next day a few of us went to the Getty Villa to see the antiquities and then most went to the beach in Malibu.

Living in Iowa, my grandsons have little experience with the ocean.  They loved the tide pools, rocks and beach creatures and got totally sandy and wet.  It was a beautiful fall afternoon complete with a rainbow from the morning's drizzle.  The 4 year old even got a shell in which he can hear the ocean.  That will be a wonderful momento for his 
treasure box.

Back home again, the preparations for Christmas begin. Gifts and cards have been ordered and the baking planned. Two weeks from today we'll be headed to the cold country so not much time remains.  Only one gift knitting project still to do, so that should be done in time.  Instead of waiting for Christmas, I've been knitting through the fall and sending gifts as they were completed.  Feels much less stressful that way.

Today is cold and windy for the desert and we might have our first fire of the season tonight.  Might be a good time to put up the tree.  Guess I'd better go dig out the tree and ornaments.  Lots to get done before Santa arrives!

Just a drive by

Last week was a quick visit to Iowa for Halloween and to deliver a load of handknits.  I mostly forgot to take pictures of them, but here is Ash in his new Latte baby coat.  The pumpkin hat was his brother's several years ago.

I had a great time with the Iowa crew and now am off to LA tomorrow for a conference.  I've never driven in LA before, so this should really be an adventure!

Keep a good thought for me and I'll catch you on the flip side.

Saying goodbye to Miss Vibe

Saturday I drove my car to Phoenix and left her with strangers.  I'd been planning to bring home a newer, shinier model for several months.  I know it is just a car, but we've spent almost 8 years together and it was hard to say goodbye.

This was the first car I bought with my own credit, my own salary and no co-signer.  Miss Vibe willingly hauled groceries, boxes to thrift stores, loads to and from storage, and even handled the big boxes that shouldn't have fit.

We logged a lot of road time to Las Vegas for all those Iowa trips to see my dad and Phoenix trips to see my daughter.  I could always depend on Miss Vibe to get me safely to my destination, and she didn't let me down.  Together we got through job changes, the loss of parents and my daughter's stroke.  Miss Vibe didn't even complain about my haphazard maintenance or the lack of frequent bathing.

Sadly, Miss Vibe's paint was starting to peel, and I knew that she would soon need more work and money to keep her running well.  Hopefully she will find a happy home and get the attention she deserves.

Now, Miss Elantra GT has come to live with us.  She has a few more features and is brand new, but she also has big shoes to fill.  We are still getting to know each other, and looking forward to adventures of our own.

Next week we'll be off to Tucson, then a quick trip to Las Vegas, followed closely by Los Angeles.  Wish us luck!

Hither and Yon

Over the next couple of months I'm on the go.  I wish I could say I'm traveling to exotic places but most of my trips are to Phoenix for continuing education.  Every 2 years I have to renew my social work license and prove that I completed 30 hours of continuing education, only some of which can be online.

Somehow the first year always goes by in a flash and I all of a sudden I have a moment of panic as I realize I'm now part way through the second year.  Fortunately, I was able to find good Arizona conferences to fill the bill and visit my daughter at the same time.

Last week I attended a 2 day school board legal conference.  I thought about taking my knitting to alleviate the boardroom, but there are lots of serious people in suits and out of 700 I saw not one bit of fiber art.  I had to settle for doodling on my notes.  The best part was Clay Jenkinson, who spoke to us as both Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt.  He really makes history come alive!

I've only just started my travels and the cats are already glued to my side every time I return.  They know what a suitcase means and they want none of it.  Today I'm cleaning off said suitcase as my Mastiff granddog slimed it with her amazing drool.  At least I got a souvenir.

Iowa fun

 I'm still working my way out of vacation head after spending a wonderful, relaxing week in Iowa with our son and family.  We strolled the farmer's market, played with the boys, cooked meals together and just generally enjoyed each other's company.

Too soon it was over, but the happy memories linger.

Back to Work

I know it's been a month since I posted anything.  This does not mean I've been ignoring you.  I've been busy getting up to speed on my new geriatric care contract, seeing clients, doing charting and then flopping under the ceiling fan to keep cool.

I had already decided that I wasn't going to advertise or look for private geriatric care business, so of course the phone started ringing.  Where were these folks when we were trying to keep our previous business open?   I'm just taking each day as it comes and hoping for a solid part time client base to pay the bills but leave my time flexible.  Keeping fingers crossed.

I'm working my way through various Christmas gifts.  Can you believe it is only 5 months until Christmas? This year is flying by! 

Life is never boring - that's for sure.