What Was My Christmas Like? 2008
Eileen's mom Pat, Eileen and uncle Larry
Son Michael in red sweatshirt
Lesli in stripe scarf and sister Andi
Son Steven and myself at a Chinese restaurant
Son Michael in red sweatshirt
Lesli in stripe scarf and sister Andi
Son Steven and myself at a Chinese restaurant
Beautiful arrangement won at the SCS company party
Well, the trip down to Phoenix went smoothly, no snow, no ice and plenty of sunshine. Right after the Christmas program I was all packed and ready to go. I said my good-byes and headed to a much warmer climate.
I arrived at my son Steven’s for the night and stayed until Christmas day. While there I managed to finish wrapping presents and sending off a few more cards. Steven and Eileen had to work until Christmas Eve so left me doing a little last minute shopping. I also spent the time baking a few batches of Christmas cookies.
Christmas Eve I went with Steven and Eileen to her aunt’s and uncle’s home and met her grandmother Alice and her Italian grandmother. Steven asked if I would play some background music on the keyboard I brought down. So, without hesitation, Steven helped set me up to play and even brought some Christmas lights to string around the keyboard. After playing songs I started hearing the Italian grandmother sing. She kept it up for quite a while and other guests stood around.
It was time to eat and we had a special tradition of eating a dip made with olive oil, garlic, anchovies and seasonings. We dipped our bread or vegetables in it. It was oily but very tasty. We also had cold cuts, other dips and desserts.
Later, we all sat around the tree and presents were handed out. I even received a gift basket that I know came from Eileen’s mom Pat. When all had received their presents, we went across the street to Pat and her husband’s home so Steven and Eileen would open their presents. We then headed back to Steven’s looking forward to Christmas day.
I woke up around 9 am and waited to hear from my son Daniel and Michael. Daniel had spent the night at a friends and Michael, still looking for a home, didn’t show up either. This was disappointing but I have had to deal with a fragmented Christmas since Richard died. I told Steven and Eileen not to worry nor be mad but just remember Christmas is about God and not just getting presents. The presents I had for Daniel could wait. In fact, he would be going back to Gallup with me for the New Years week.
Christmas day I found out Matt and Lesli were staying over at her sisters and I was to drive there from Steve’s. I tried to look up the address but found myself miles away from my destination. I went back to Steve’s, called Matt for better directions and headed over to where he was. This time I made it on time and they were just getting the last minute preparations done for dinner.
We sat down for a lovely meal with ham and turkey, gravy and gluten free everything else. My daughter-in-law can’t eat anything with gluten. Her sister has been cooking gluten free too because she thinks it’s healthier.
We then went over to the Christmas tree and found a place. Although I didn’t have a place, a home, a condo to have my family, I was invited and accepted as part of another extended family. Since this was Lesli’s family, she and Matt wanted me there to open my presents from them. I have been doing this for several years now. We had a great time and went home full of food and relaxed.
Friday, I went with Eileen, her mom and dad and grandma to the Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard. Had some eats at a deli and enjoyed the beautiful paintings as well as the time in front of my son’s mural at the Heard. His mural, 120 feet by 8 feet was supposed to come down but the museum decided to hang on to it indefinitely. There are also copies made into a brochure in the gift store.
Saturday, Matt and Lesli and I took the lite rail north for the first time. I saw plenty of stores along the way and places to eat. It rides very smooth, like a Cadillac. It was so crowded that we all had to stand up. The crowds were estimated at over 200,000. There were booths and music and food at several locations along the route as celebrations took place. The rail should help with the congestion downtown. Many places in Phoenix and Mesa have places to park your car and then get on the train to work.
That night Matt made us chili and my son Michael came over to watch a movie and have some really good chili. Lesli has to eat everything gluten free and chili is one dish everyone loves.
Sunday, Daniel and I returned home and left early as we had heard of snow and icy roads were the sight ahead of us. We found the roads were clear and no ice. When we arrived at home, thankful to God for His protection, we saw about two feet of snow. My friend Gayle, who was helping me feed the animals. had been over shoveling off the driveway and porch so we could get in. I noticed a mop by the door that she had placed there to remove the snow from the front doorway.
I was glad to be home and also glad that my prayers were being answered about my sons.
I arrived at my son Steven’s for the night and stayed until Christmas day. While there I managed to finish wrapping presents and sending off a few more cards. Steven and Eileen had to work until Christmas Eve so left me doing a little last minute shopping. I also spent the time baking a few batches of Christmas cookies.
Christmas Eve I went with Steven and Eileen to her aunt’s and uncle’s home and met her grandmother Alice and her Italian grandmother. Steven asked if I would play some background music on the keyboard I brought down. So, without hesitation, Steven helped set me up to play and even brought some Christmas lights to string around the keyboard. After playing songs I started hearing the Italian grandmother sing. She kept it up for quite a while and other guests stood around.
It was time to eat and we had a special tradition of eating a dip made with olive oil, garlic, anchovies and seasonings. We dipped our bread or vegetables in it. It was oily but very tasty. We also had cold cuts, other dips and desserts.
Later, we all sat around the tree and presents were handed out. I even received a gift basket that I know came from Eileen’s mom Pat. When all had received their presents, we went across the street to Pat and her husband’s home so Steven and Eileen would open their presents. We then headed back to Steven’s looking forward to Christmas day.
I woke up around 9 am and waited to hear from my son Daniel and Michael. Daniel had spent the night at a friends and Michael, still looking for a home, didn’t show up either. This was disappointing but I have had to deal with a fragmented Christmas since Richard died. I told Steven and Eileen not to worry nor be mad but just remember Christmas is about God and not just getting presents. The presents I had for Daniel could wait. In fact, he would be going back to Gallup with me for the New Years week.
Christmas day I found out Matt and Lesli were staying over at her sisters and I was to drive there from Steve’s. I tried to look up the address but found myself miles away from my destination. I went back to Steve’s, called Matt for better directions and headed over to where he was. This time I made it on time and they were just getting the last minute preparations done for dinner.
We sat down for a lovely meal with ham and turkey, gravy and gluten free everything else. My daughter-in-law can’t eat anything with gluten. Her sister has been cooking gluten free too because she thinks it’s healthier.
We then went over to the Christmas tree and found a place. Although I didn’t have a place, a home, a condo to have my family, I was invited and accepted as part of another extended family. Since this was Lesli’s family, she and Matt wanted me there to open my presents from them. I have been doing this for several years now. We had a great time and went home full of food and relaxed.
Friday, I went with Eileen, her mom and dad and grandma to the Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard. Had some eats at a deli and enjoyed the beautiful paintings as well as the time in front of my son’s mural at the Heard. His mural, 120 feet by 8 feet was supposed to come down but the museum decided to hang on to it indefinitely. There are also copies made into a brochure in the gift store.
Saturday, Matt and Lesli and I took the lite rail north for the first time. I saw plenty of stores along the way and places to eat. It rides very smooth, like a Cadillac. It was so crowded that we all had to stand up. The crowds were estimated at over 200,000. There were booths and music and food at several locations along the route as celebrations took place. The rail should help with the congestion downtown. Many places in Phoenix and Mesa have places to park your car and then get on the train to work.
That night Matt made us chili and my son Michael came over to watch a movie and have some really good chili. Lesli has to eat everything gluten free and chili is one dish everyone loves.
Sunday, Daniel and I returned home and left early as we had heard of snow and icy roads were the sight ahead of us. We found the roads were clear and no ice. When we arrived at home, thankful to God for His protection, we saw about two feet of snow. My friend Gayle, who was helping me feed the animals. had been over shoveling off the driveway and porch so we could get in. I noticed a mop by the door that she had placed there to remove the snow from the front doorway.
I was glad to be home and also glad that my prayers were being answered about my sons.
Sounds like you had a nice trip.
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