Don't Blink

So you blink...  

and suddenly...

Big sister is nine and newborn baby sister is five....  

And there's a party with family and friends....

And you take a snapshot of this moment.  

And you savor the smiles.  The giggles.  The laughter...

Careful not to blink again...  

Because you want to hold on to this moment for a very long time.

Gracie, what say you?

If I blink, maybe New Bunny will be gone from on top of me.  This would be a good thing.  Gracie.  PS Happy Birthday Summer, thanks for the cookies memories.

The Magic is Not Magic At All (It's Work!)

Christmas Magic does not just suddenly appear.  

You have to make it happen....  

 Bury your sad.  Let go of silly irritations like lost lights and more stuff than space.  Sift through last years abundance of collectibles and if it makes you feel better, say it one more time  This will be the last year I go through all this!  

And then...  think about the positive. 

 Jasper on Christmas day mesmerized by the train going round and round the track.  The girls playing make-believe with the houses and village families.  Jake seeing how many cars and trees he can place atop the train before it crashes.  

Ahhhh yes.  Christmas magic.  

It isn't there.... unless you make it happen.  In your home and in your heart.

Right Gracie?

Rightoooooo Mom!  I used to be appalled, disgusted and livid over the transformation that happens in my space this time of year.  But I have found the magic that lies beneath the village.  The me space... a place to hide beneath the clutter.  Another thing: The cookie crumbs on Christmas day.  The presents.  The love.  

This year should be the best year ever cause mom and dad took me to Strawberry Dog where I get my makeovers...  and I got to visit with Santa Paws!  I was good.  And he said treats are on the way for me.  My advice to all you buh humbugs out there:  

BELIEVE

All for now -  Gracie

Don't Know If I Can Ever Get Over It

A whirlwind thirty hour block of time.  Drove to Allentown/Bethlehem PA.  Visited with Gary's mom.  Took her and her husband Fred out for a nice seafood dinner, along with his daughter, Athena and her boyfriend, Jake.  Saw some pretty impressive Christmas light displays.  Slept in a nice hotel.  Headed back home.  Gracie barely knew we were gone.  

Today, I am thankful for lights.  Kitchenette lights.  The ones you turn on to see what you are doing in the kitchenette.  Otherwise... see this little bar of dishwasher detergent that I discovered in our hotel suite?

If I hadn't found that light switch when I did, that bar would have been in my belly.  I'd been craving chocolate all day.  Funny how when lights are low and cravings are high one of those little bars resembles a miniature Three Musketeers Bar.

Coffee next morning was tasty.  Hit the spot!

Especially after a long night of fighting for covers with my GP (Gary Phillip).  

He Won.

Back home now and ready for a new work week.

Our nice seafood dinner at Henry's Salt of the Sea in Allentown

Gracie, you go...

 She says I barely knew they were gone...  huh.  What does she know.  I was devastated.  Sad.  Upset.  Playing wally, chickie bird and sqirrelly friend with Lindsey.  Bumming cookies from the curtain climbers.   eating treats wondering..  would they ever return?  It was terrible.  Poor me.  I would not wish that kind of loneliness on my worst enemy.  I don't know if I can ever get over it.....