'Twas the Night Before Christmas

And we're heading to Canada. Will write about our journey later.
Pretty Amaryllis from Aim. Love them!

Ho Ho Ho.

xo
ro

Christmas Par-Tey

This is not quite the scene. We're not having the party--the teenager is! The entire block was full of cars. It was too funny. A lot of friends are in from the University of TN and they are having a grand time down in mom's place. The teenager has kinda taken it over for the Season. I know mom is looking down and enjoying all the action. She always did enjoy a good party, no matter what the age of the crowd!

Oh, to be young again. Oh well, I think I'll get my jammies on and crawl into bed. It's all good.

Fa-la-la-la-la.
ro

PEACE

What do you really want? Seriously.

Oh, there are so many goodies to be found in Franklin--written up in the New York Times Magazine as the Malibu of Tennessee. Who woulda thunk it?

In my day, I would have liked the top right outfit. Way back when.

Now, I'm more into the home decor.

Never could have pulled this one off, but I love the name!

I do, however, have my eye on the bench at Christin's, in the left-hand corner. Just what I need. More stuff to move once we retire. Yes, we are thinking about a move out West, eventually.

No man-cave here. Sprucing up the office? I kinda like the sweetness of it. Lotus flowers? I can definitely feel that.

What do I really want, for everyone? Truthfully?

Peace. Of course. Inside and out, for us all.

It truly would be a little extra, wouldn't it.

xo
ro

Tiz' the Season

I received this lovely Christmas ornament from Natalie Sarabella today.

I am always in awe of her work. Thank you Nat, from the bottom of my heart. Like I said, you are a true angel here on earth.

The elves seem to have run amok in the kitchen. But I snapped my fingers at them today; and I have to say, it worked.

I still need two more items from them, then they are off to enjoy some time of their own this Holiday Season.

This is our little tree this year. Since we won't be home, I opted out of getting a real tree. This one suits us just fine, thank you very much. And those are our little presents. The rest is our trip North for a week of fun in the Canadian Rockies and then move a little south to San Francisco to ring in the New Year. I am getting so excited. Having to refit the boys in snow and ski gear? No so exciting!

I have two more items to ship, then I'm ready to hang out with the elves. How about you? How's the Season treating you?

xo
ro

Snow, Snow, Snow, snow

Enjoy the beauty.

(We have rain.)

Bah humbug.

Wish I were there.

xo
ro

Making a List

And checking it twice. Have you all been good?

I know you have.

xo
ro

Happy Birthday Linda

I'm a tad late in posting and it's technically past Linda's birthday, EST; but I hope you had a wonderful day Linder!

Linda and I first met when we moved to Leesburg, VA, in 1995. Her family was going to build next door to us. I met her driving up our street, looking over the lot; and we have been the best of friends ever since (even though they decided to build closer to the school our children attended). Our two younger boys are the same age as are her daughter and the teenager.

We met for lunch at Magnolia's in Purcellville, and of course started with cocktails. Oh my. What a selection! I love a funky selection. And this sure was funky! I ordered the Feng Shui (of course) and she got the Obituary (with Absinthe!!!). Both were fabulous!

Then we ordered more, I think we split a Cosmo here. (No, Linda is not falling. lol)

We talked and talked, ordered lunch and talked some more.

I'm so predictable. Shrimp and Grits. Linder got the Salmon. (After the food sat at our table for a bit and we were still talking (yakyakyak), the owner came by and asked us if we wanted him to take it back to the kitchen to keep it warm. How wonderful!)

Magnolia's is in an old mill. I loved it! It wasn't here when we lived in Leesburg.

More drinks and toasts to good friends. I love this picture of us!

We kept on with desert.

Oh boy. We stayed until HAPPY HOUR!!!! lol A rep was in for a whiskey tasting. Ew. I can't do whiskey, but Linda tasted is and said it was pretty good. Honey whiskey from Kentucky. Well, it sounds good enough if you like whiskey!

And then it was time to pick her son up at the gym and we were off to her house where I met the latest addition to the family. A BIG doggy (Irish wolfhound, to be exact). He looks like a Rufus to me, but unfortunately, I can't remember his name. I'll have to get back to you on this!

And here's Chloe, pretty Chloe. (Now what was the camera setting on this to be so clear? grrrrrr!)

And dear Prudence. Awww.

And all the dogs (including Winston on the right) wanting to come in to play with me!

I hated leaving but I had to get back home to Mary Jane's before it became too dark! Getting old! But I did stop by a quick speed shopping expedition at one of my favorite stores ever, the Purcellville Pharmacy. It is chock full of lovely things. My mom and I used to come here the day after Christmas and wait for them to open. I think half of my Christmas stuff is from here! Can you see why?

I called Mary Jane on the way home and picked up a Ledo's Pizza for us. My niece Kelly was spending the night too. Was this my third Ledo's pizza of the trip? lol

I think we got about half an hour in of a movie and we were all falling asleep! So good being with family and friends. I miss you all so very much.

xo ro

I'll Always Call It Home

This is where I grew up. All of my formative years were spent here. Right smack dab here.

My childhood was spent swinging and playing here. Teenage years, well, you know what teenagers do. I don't need to go into any details there.

I can't tell you how many social gatherings took place here. Every Friday and Saturday night, the parking lot was full of cars--hippies everywhere!

Into my twenties, we played baseball every Sunday.

I can't tell you how many times I've walked these paths, as a young child with mom holding my hand, or even running away from home when I was about four! Ha. My father had his photo lab in our basement in the early 60s. I told my mom I was going down to "help" him. I snuck out the basement door (I guess dad was in the darkroom) and I walked up to the park. No one even missed me! A couple of gentlemen knocked on the door, with me by their side, telling mom they found me at the park! "You should keep a closer watch on this little girl," they scolded her. How embarrassing! Two MEN! I've always had a good guardian angel looking over me.

Once mom told me that we were walking up the path and I had something in my shoe. She stopped and took my little red sneaker off, shook out what was bothering me and put it back on my foot and we continued on our merry little way up the path. When I asked what was in there, she told me it was a pebble. Later she told me the truth. It was a roach! OMG! I was terrified of bugs, so she knew better than to tell me the truth. Ew.

I remember having field trips here when we were in kindergarten at Oakdridge. We'd walk over to the park and have lunch. I had forgot to bring a bagged lunch (my mom always worked in the school cafeterias where I was). Mom somehow got home, made me a scrambled egg sandwich and brought it back up to the park. It was the best sandwich ever. I still remember it vividly. Cherished memories.

We had a kegger toga party in this area in the back behind the tennis courts. The police came, kegs were rolled down the hill and bodies scattered in all directions. There was an array of evidence left over though. My aunt and uncle owned a sightseeing business. They had these little metal buttons they would give out on the tours. My brothers had the brilliant idea of giving you a button once you paid your "keg fee." There were sightseeing buttons EVERYWHERE! ha I wonder if my uncle ever got a call from the Arlington Co. Police Dept. Lordy me. I would have loved to have found one. I did a little digging, but no such luck.

I walked around the park for over an hour. Reminiscing. What memories.

And then I rolled down the street to check up on the nice people who had bought mom's house. I was totally shocked to see it had already been sold once and now was in foreclosure. How sad. What memories were made here. All of mom's flowers were dug up, so I'm hoping the lady took them all when they sold it. How sad. For everything, there is a season. Sniffle. I have to let go now.

I then made my way over to Pentagon City, the shopping mall down the street. I had lunch at Nordstrom's after walking my little feet off. Soup and salad. I had never eaten at Nordy's before. It was good.

Before I knew it, it was time for Mary Jane to get off work. I grabbed dinner at The Chicken Place in Bailey's Crossroads, close to MJ's. It's a Peruvian joint and has the best mixed grill (rotisserie chicken, steak, sausage, pork chop) you'll find anywhere. Mom and I would frequent it at least once when I came back home. Yum. I know MJ was tired as her new baby grandson was just born earlier in the day. They thought he had an infection. So it was a bit trying.

As the night wore on, the baby was diagnosed with a heart defect. I was happy to be there with her so she didn't' have to be alone. We called Dr. Aim (who is married to an ER doctor) and asked her questions and she was a big help. (Baby Cooper is now home from the hospital and thriving! Yay!!) Here is my Sunny Buns, MJ's kitty.

And my room for the next couple of nights after I blew it up! It's always so wonderful staying at Mary Jane's. So laid back and comfy. Thanks so much Mary Jane!

xo
ro