Hello all--Glad to hear that everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.
The wind is just a howling here today, the rain finally stopped though.
Becky--please don't stop with photos!!!

I can hardly get photos to my FB nevermind on here!!
Ann--Glad to read that things are progressing on the new job situation for Ron. My fingers are crossed!
Marisa--I'm so sorry to hear that your physical therapy is going to be a rough and long haul.
Nancy--Have we heard anymore on Buddy and his test results?
Lauren--Fingers crossed that you get a bite on the house!
Glynis--What a sad sad story, and over a holiday to boot!!
I hope your dishwasher shows up soon so you can carry on with your plans for the day!
Maria--I just love the lily picture!!! Did you post the Jack Daniels recipe?
Kathy--I hope you are having a wonderful time with Kyle being home! How are things going for you and your stomach issue??
Laura--The kids must be getting excited for the trip and to see Greg!!
Gretchen--
Sheryl--You must have some food porn pics for us from your Thanksgiving spread?!!?:hmmmmm?!!?
Aimee--How is your grandpa doing?
Has anyone heard from Ellen as to whether Jay made it home in time?
I am sure I missed a ton.....so sorry...not my intentions and all are in my thoughts daily!!
Ross is bummed he is ready to test for his 2nd degree brown belt, and testing is next Friday, but it must be at least a year between testing and he missed it by 1 day!!! He won't be able to test until next month, and he is worried testing will be the week we are in Florida.
Tonight is Kris and I's regular Sat night date night, we usually go out for dinner and something, but our schedules are just so crazy busy the next few weeks, that we are going out for dinner then coming home to start are Christmas decorating.
I am trying my best to get into the holiday mood, I had set my mind that I wasn't decorating and things switched last week. We were supposed to be leaving on Dec 18th to drive down to Florida, spend a few days with my father, a few days at universal, and a few days in St Augustine beach before heading to my brothers in N.C. for 3 days, then returning back to Maine around January 3rd.
We are now flying out late afternoon January 22nd, visiting my dad and doing things on the West Coast of Florida and returning January 28th.
Long story short, Kris and I just can't leave my grandmother for that long, plus this could very well be her last Christmas. (she will be 96 in Feb). Last year we were gone for 2 weeks and she slipped into such a depression that they nursing home wanted to bring in hospice. This way I will see her the morning before we leave, and the day after we get back and she will have no clue we were even gone. Then we will do the same thing in the spring and go see my brother.
I think I am better off not going at Christmas time to see my father either, (this was my mom's favorite holiday) plus this will be the first time I step into the house and see Sandy (my father's (ahem) friend) living there, in my mom's space using her dishes to cook with etc etc.
(long story short) My father had an affair for years with this women(long distance she was in Ohio), she moved in to take care of him last March when it was discovered that Dad had colon cancer. She is 20 years younger, and before you think how gracious of her....Dad changed the will so that she gets the house and the car and all furnishings...My mothers things mind you!!! She does take good care of him, and it is a huge help for my brother and I.....but...not easy to swallow at ALL!! I am having a very hard time with all of this....so any advice is much appreciated.
My dad is doing ok...he needs to start back on Chemo but will have to do it in pill form, as he kept getting staph in his chemo ports. They have to wait until certain enzymes are stablized as well.
Sooo that is the short story and part of the reason I have been sort of MIA the past few months...trying to digest all of this.
Sorry for the ramblings.....but thanks sooo much for listening! You all are just the best!!
