Before, during and after

Hannah looking up at her first Christmas Tree

Phewf, all done. Where should I begin? I think I ate an elephant and can't figure out where I started. Oh, yeah - let's begin on Friday 21st, the kids (Jaime, Bernie & Hannah) came over after dinner to sleep overnight so they could get up and go skiing on Saturday 22nd morning. The tree was all decorated plus I had put all the other Chukchi's in appropriate places. I had not wrapped any gifts.

Frank was able to get a 40% discount on their ski tickets, so that was a big plus. They had a great time skiing and I had loads of fun babysitting Hannah. While they were gone and Hannah was napping, I was able to wrap all the gifts. Thanks be.. .. for gift bags. Jaime nursed Hannah and got her down for the afternoon nap.

My brother, sis in law and the 2 dogs arrived around 2:30. More stuff under the tree.. whoopee... and then waiting on Hannah to wake up for more baby fun.

The kids left just before Frank got in and that was when the rum came out. Dinner was just a small bit of salmon with rice and salad. We didn't get too crazy and everyone was in bed at a reasonable hour after getting caught up on everything.

Organizing the dogs and cats is always a tricky dance. Spencer(Sheltie #1) is the old male and quite deaf. He will just bark that high pitched yelp that makes your heart leap into your mouth. Satin (Sheltie #2) is the younger female. She is just plain stupid or retarded and will not listen to anyone. They both want to eat anything that is around, including the cat crunches. We have to gate the stairs to keep the Shelties from sneaking down to gobble, gobble. Anyway, the whole dog rigmarole of leashing, going out, coming in, feeding, keeping from going in verboten places is part of the stress that gets doled out. I guess it bugs me on some level although I have never expressed the dismay to my brother. Then they wonder why I am all up-tight. Sheesh, orchestrating breakfast, lunch and dinner, keeping the ice frozen for drinks, the soft drinks fizzy, the wood stove from smoking, the cats fed, the kitchen duty updated after each meal, and herding the herding dogs away from or to wherever is a hair pulling job. Granted they are the ones doing the dog stuff BUT after they eat the cats breakfast 2 days in a row cause THEY forgot to close the gate can really grate. (breathing)

Sunday 23rd- Off to an early start, packing up what needs to be so we can eat tourtiere for dinner at Jaime's. A few stops first, to the nursing home to see Ana, then the grocery store and a quick bite of Hot-dog steamee/french-fries at Valentines. The dogs stayed home. (thank God). Of course, we had to get to Jaime's in time for the game. My brother had decided to root for Miami, just to be contrary and get Bernie peeved. The Pats did win so the hype is building even more.

Monday 24th: I had to think hard to remember all this : I cooked, ha-ha. I pre-made the mashed taters and the sweet-tater/carrot dishes. That was after a slow morning eating and yammering, doing some quick clean-ups and a much needed shower. I don't remember what we ate - I am an old fart! We all got a bit pazooed and made phone calls to family and friends. Oh, and we played a game called "Things". Frank went to bed early since he had to work on Xmas day.

Tuesday 25th: Yes, I did at one time get up at sparrow fart on Christmas day, but not today. Got up to the sounds of the dogs being taken out for their morning promenade. My task for the morning was to get the stuffing made, and have the bird all ready to get in the oven by 12:30. Sis in law was already in my kitchen making her broccoli dish when I made my appearance. So eating a bun and sipping my coffee, I tried to relax. My kitchen is a small narrow galley and really not good if there are 2 women with large back-sides bumping into each other. Oh, well...... we both managed and I got the bird in the oven at the right time.

The kids were picking Ana up from the nursing home and they were arriving just before lunch which was a bunch of appetizers/chips and a shrimp ring. Frank was expected home after 2PM. My other daughter and her BF arrived just after he did. We waited for the baby to wake up from her nap before opening the presents.

My brother put on the Santa Hat and the fun began. Everyone was thrilled with their loot - especially my brother who got a very high tek wine bottle opener. Hannah got dollies, books, clothes, and more toys. I gave her a little doll that laugh if poked in the tummy, says Mama, Papa if you squeeze rt hand and hello, bye bye on the left hand. My most thrilling gift was a set of tri-pods, one very small and a telescoping one that fits in a nifty carrying case.

The table was set and I started in on feeding the masses. When the turkey came out, in went the other dishes that required heating. Timing is everything and I must admit to becoming a bit stressed in cases like this. Of course all the others could see my stress level reaching ever higher and offered to pour me a drink, which made me even more vexed cause I WAS NOT DRINKING. What is the deal with getting someone to un-stress by plying them with booze when they are tyring to get all the food hot at once served and sitting down with a sigh to say grace? I have been known to snort and growl if poked at times like that.

Where was I? Ohh.... after dinner relaxing (ha) - cleaning up, doing dishes, running the washer, putting food away.... blah blah...blahhhh

Wednesday 26th: Boxing day - gather up all the bones plus other stuff and make a dash to Jaime's where I made turkey soup for us and others while the men watched hockey! At least I had Hannah to play with and she made her first WAVE at me. You cannot imagine the look on her face when she put it together... humm... what is gramma doing with her hand? Can I do that too? Lift arm.. yes... move it up and down... see gramma's eyes bug right out of her face and watch her jump up and down. I can do that just by waving my arm at her.. WOW!

Home for dinner of leftovers and cookies. Lights out by 10.

Thursday 27th: Up at 6:30 to see my bro and sis in law off back to Oakville and Frank off to work. Rest of day just doing anything I want. The news today is disturbing. Bhutto's death/murder will have many repercussions. Remember to pray for PEACE.

"Lord soften the hearts of those who would create terror. Bring compassion and understanding to these souls. Help them to overcome the feelings of hate that cause the world to darken. Keep the light of your love ever present. Amen"

Keep Dancing!