And so Christmas has come…and is about half done. Still have dinner to look forward to with a turkey baking in the oven and all the yummy side dishes soon to be prepared. Had fresh baked Cinnabon rolls for breakfast prior to opening all the wonderful gifts–a Home Depot card, sofa blanket, picture frame, robe, stained glass lightbulbs, and an iron & wicker basket from Patrick and Veronica and a Home Depot card and an Epson photo printer from Kevin and Chrysoula. Wow!!! What a haul!

Last night Patrick and Veronica spent the evening here where we enjoyed ham and other goodies, listened to Christmas music and watched old family videos. Quiet evening, but very pleasant. Talked with Kevin this morning to review all his gifts and goodies from Santa. Sounds like both he and Soula were happy with Santa’s selections…

Patrick and Veronica have gone home for a bit to relax and take a nap while dinner is cooking. And I will be spending the afternoon watching the Lakers vs the Heat and talking on the phone with family.

The only bad part of Christmas this year is that my sister, Jean, is back in the hospital. She was admitted late Friday night when her oxygen level dropped very low. Not sure of the problem just yet–possibly pneumonia, possibly the cancer has begun to grow again, possibly both. No matter, she is in a place where she can rest easily and be taken care of. Not good to be in the hospital over Christmas, but certainly good to be there when you are as sick as Jean.

The weather here is very un-Christmasy. Warm and sunny with temps yesterday in the 80’s! Certainly no need for a fire last night, and no way we would have wanted to be roasting ourselves like chestnuts! Can’t really complain about the weather, though, after spending so many years freezing in Ohio! May not seem like Christmas weather to most everyone else, but it’s exactly how it should be as far as I’m concerned! Have all the doors and windows open so the baking turkey doesn’t overheat the house!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful and festive day. Merry Christmas to all!