New Home, Fortune, December 31st

1. The new apartment is adorable with its 1920's character. I can feel daughter #3's excitement as we help them move in. We chat with the owners who give us a tour of this renovated building. There are little wooden doors on the walls in the hallways. They are parcel boxes. The deliveryman puts your parcels in and you receive them through the door on your side of the wall. Charming!
2. Lunch break with Chinese food. Son-in-law's fortune says, "Before the year is over, you will move." We are stunned!
3. My preference is to ignore New Years, so I do. I dream of spring, since that is when I prefer to celebrate new beginnings.

A visitor, Kitchen noise, Winter draft

1. Daughter #3 sits on the floor and talks with me while I paint.
2. After a while, she goes downstairs where I hear pots clanging and cabinet doors banging. So this must be what it sounds like to be the kid in the bedroom with the mom down in the kitchen, cooking.
3. A cold draft is seeping in through the window. It smells brisk and wintry.

Funny movie, Painting... but not cooking!

1. I have this entire week free! I decide that today will be my "going out" day. I get my hair cut, buy paint for 3BT #3, stop in to visit daughter #2, browse the bookstore and see a movie. It's Complicated reveals another angle of why we "older" women have something to be desired. I like the movie and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
2. Popcorn and Italian soda for lunch.
3. Scheduling projects after Christmas helps keep me from getting the winter doldrums. Daughter #3 would like her room painted and since it's been six years, I agree. She has chosen a pale purple called Crocus Petal and a creamy white trim. I'm excited about the transformation and I start priming the trim right away.
4. No cooking again!

Come back, No cooking, Risk

1. As some of the family departs, we plan for the next time they will come- three weeks!
2. I am eager to set the house in order. I begin by washing linens and straightening one of the bedrooms.
3. I am off the hook for dinner and I enjoy the break.
4. We play the game, "Risk". I have never played before and I end up conquering three continents and ruling the world. This can really go to one's head! We enjoy playful banter during our "wars" and the three hours it took to play was worth it.

A Merry and Blessed Christmas!

1. I wake at 6:00 am and follow the sound of voices. All six "kids" are in daughter #4's room with their Christmas stockings. They are chatting away, eating chocolates and sitting on the floor amidst torn wrapping papers. When I walk in, they all look up at me with big grins on their faces.
2. We gather around the tree, coffee in hand to share gifts with one another. Old Gunner-the-Lab plops down right in the middle of the room where he allows wrapping paper to engulf him.
3. Phone calls and emails from friends and family all over the world. When my turn comes, I resist the urge to shout into the phone to make up for all the miles between us.
4. The afternoon becomes subdued with a steady rain. Naps are taken, as needed.

Arriving home, Joy, Comforts

1. The older children got in late last night after I went to bed. They came in so quietly that I didn't even know they arrived until this morning when sleepyheads began to appear in the kitchen for coffee.
2. We are all together to celebrate, rejoicing in the birth of God the Son, our Savior and King. Despite the hardships, broken hearts and sadness this year has brought, we have every good reason to celebrate. This thought remains with me throughout the day and I am truly glad.
3. The house is cozy, the table is pretty and the food is good.

Getting ready to celebrate!

1. Another one of my favorite ornaments. This sweet oldie came from my aunt and uncle's collection.
2. Despite a head cold, I get the weekend menu planned. With some trepidation, I head out for groceries. It goes rather well and I have gotten over the biggest hurdle of the day.
3. The sun is blinding on the white landscape. Everything begins to appear misty as the cold snow evaporates. I am hopeful that it will last until tomorrow when the rest of the family is here to go sledding. I check and find I don't need to worry; it's only half melted and half of 15-20 inches still leaves a lot.
4. There are stashes of cookies and fudge in the pantry, freezer and refrigerator. A little here, a little there. I am happy to have all these goodies ready to draw from over these coming four days.