Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. We certainly did, and I want to share a few pictures with you.
Kathryn’s dining room table and tree.
Don’t you feel we’re in that awkward time? The “franticness” of Christmas is past. Kids are still off from school. We anticipate the new year and reminisce about past times and people we shared those times with. And yet, things hang in the balance. We wait.
I’ve completed my Donations for the year, but still need to check I’ve entered all the book sales on my spread sheet, preparing to do taxes. Not my favorite part of writing. Thank you notes remain to be written.
Bob with his 3 grands.
He gave me the best Christmas card ever. When the kids go through my save things after I’m gone, this card will be there. 🙂
My short story isn’t due until January 28, so I have time to fiddle with it some more, thus putting off working on Book 4 in the series, which I won’t do until the story is finished.
We’ll take the decorations down this weekend. If we don’t do it then, it will be the following weekend before it gets done. I need to have everything back to normal to really get down to writing.
Excitement reigns!
Have you heard of the Whole 30? My younger daughter gave me the books for Christmas, and I committed to doing it with her for January. Basically, it’s 30 days of no dairy, sugar, or grains. And that means 30 days of fresh foods with no additives. Basically, it’s the first steps in figuring out which foods aren’t good for my body. Everyone is different. After the 30 days, I’ll begin to re-introduce a food at a time. I’m pretty certain I’m fine with gluten. I went 30 days without any gluten back in the fall. I couldn’t tell any difference in how I felt. But of course, moderation is the key always. I’m hoping I’ll see a positive effect on my blood pressure, cholesterol, and joint pain. May even lose a few pounds, but it’s more than that. I’ll have more to say next week after I’ve lived with it for a few days.
Two of Kathryn’s stuffed “things.” I get them next year. I collect snowmen and deer/moose.
Tell me about your holiday celebrations. How many Christmases do you have? Do you have any special plans for New Years? We’re staying in this year, but other times have gone to a movie and dinner with friends. In 2000, we did the whole Country Club thing with a bunch of friends. I was a diva in blue sequins. I was also a lot smaller. LOL
Happy New Year. May it be everything you’ve dreamed.
As always, I’d love to hear from you. 😊
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Marsha R. West, Author 
I’m glad that you had a Merry Christmas, Marsha. Cute photo of Bob and the grandchildren.
We had a very nice Christmas. Not like the ones I used to know, when visiting took place with family and friends from Christmas through New Years.
If the weather permits, it’s supposed to be -17 degrees F on New Year’s Eve regular temperature, we had planned to go to an art museum and then out to a favorite restaurant. I told Bill yesterday that we should stay in the city if it is that cold.
Wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy New Year! I plan to begin writing again. I took the last two months off. And I also plan to go on a diet. Even if I quit eating Bill’s bread and baked goods, I’d lose weight. 🙂
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Hey, Susan. I know some folks manage to write through the holidays. I just can’t. Too many interruptions and I like big chunks of time to focus. I don’t know how you manage to look so good with Bill’s cooking! My stars and garters, I’d be as big as a house with all that stuff around. LOL I’ll keep you posted on how I do with the Whole 30. Happy New Year to you and your family. Stay warm for goodness sake. 🙂
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Beautiful table setting and tree in the first photo. Very special atmosphere for Christmas dinner. Your grandkids are darling. In between is a great way to say it…just waiting for the New Year to get here so we can begin anew. Happy New Year!!
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Hey, JQ. Thanks. I think the grands are pretty cool, but I’m the Mimi. 🙂 I love Kathryn’s table, too. I’ve never had a Christmas setting. She found it on her neighborhood loop for a pittance of what the whole thing was new. Because of eating issues, Christmas dinner was ham, cheese grits, shrimp, and spinach salad. Very tasty. And gluten free cake–very tasty. And my parent’s champagne punch. Unfortunately, that family is now all sick. Glad it is the in-between times. They have time to rest and get well. Thanks so much for stopping by and best wishes to you and yours in 2018.
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We had a loverly Christmas day then drove eight hours to see Handsome’s family. Stayed two days and have returned for my uncle’s funeral on Friday. That is bittersweet. I set Jan 1 to start the cut back on food diet.
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Hey, Vicki. Wow! 8 hours is really long. Even Laura and Kevin only have about 5 1/2 hours to get to Tulsa and they break that up with a stop in OKC to visit friends. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your uncle. Any time is bad. Now is especially bad.. Lost a good friend earlier in the month, and it’s just yucky. Blessings on you and your family. Yes. Jan 1 is Day Day. Good luck to us both. Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year. 🙂
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Beautiful photos/family, Marsha! Best of luck with your “30” project 😀
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Hey, Kathryn. Definitely blessed by our family. The Whole 30 may not be much compared to some of your food issues. I understand the first 2 weeks are the hardest. I’m expecting some sugar withdrawals. But I’ll do it. Just may be a bit cranky. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi Marsha, I admire the way you make up words so fearlessly. They are very expressive!
Our tree got too big to bring indoors this year, so we bought two more tiny ones and are starting over. Our children came and decorated everything as they always have. We all have our traditions.
Best of everything in the New Year for you and your family. (Your grandchildren are beautiful).
Ken
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Hey, Ken. LOL I had to go back to see what word you’d thought I’d “made up.” I found it. “Franticness” just seems like it should be a word.
Were you growing your own tree that it got to big to bring inside? Don’t you just have a patio as outside space? Love that your kids helped with the decorating. Thanks. The grands really are adorable, if I do say so. Each unique and quite fun. We are blessed that they live in the same town with us. I’m grateful for our friendship, Ken. Give my best to Anne and may we all have a wonderful 2018 with lots of words written and good health. 🙂
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