When in Rome

Since both my loyal readers are in Italy now, this is just something to pass the time until the two of you post again!
Happy Thanksgiving!
We had planned to go to Arkansas, still have to Saturday to take Lyn back, but we are having our first, maybe second Thanksgiving with just the four of us. I can't remember what we did for Thanksgiving when we lived in Florida while Scott was with Wal-Mart. None of us are all that fond of turkey, so I'm making chicken and dumplings, Scott has made turnip greens, I'll make boiled cornbread for Lyn, mac and cheese for Aaron and we'll go see a movie after lunch so Scott can have a nice nap.

The reason(s) we are not going anywhere today mainly have to do with transportation and illness. Truck is in the shop - something called a U-joint - won't be home till Monday. So, we are FORCED to stay home. Yes, forced. Don't tell anyone we all fit in the Escort.

The other reason we are staying put will be fixed on December 26. That is the date Lyn will have her tonsils out, exactly a week after her 20th birthday. First date was on her birthday, but she couldn't bear the thought of not having Christmas burgers or birthday supper. She has had 3 confirmed cases of strep, one each of tracheatitis - whatever that is - and tonsilitis since August. Plus, whatever she has now. Mike Justis's staff all know her by name in town. He sent her home to get them removed and the ENT here barely even examined her before he was setting up her surgery. Which I must say she arranged entirely by herself since I wasn't at the doctor with my baby. I really expected her to have to take a huge round of meds before he'd consider it. Wrong. From what they have told her so far, it looks like she may be overnighting in the hopsickle...does that seem odd to you?

We met Aaron's girl friend this week. She had a trial by fire. Gene was here and we were all in rare form. Bless his heart, Gene helped Scott wax the church floor when all he wanted to do was go for a motorcycle ride or to go home. Then when he finally did get on the road yesterday morning there was a big accident only 20 miles up the road and he was stuck at exit 143...with the Pilot station...the one with the fried cinnamon rolls and the coffee bar...poor Gene. (Gene, I told you the crunchy ones were the best, didn't I?)

Back to Michelle. She is a cutie and really sweet. She and Gene talked Texas a while, she moved here (Tennessee) from Garland about 3 years ago with her family. She's at APSU with Aaron. She is the one who told Aaron she just wanted to be friends and Aaron told her he thought she was a liar. So, they've been dating about a month. Aaron is totally smitten. Michelle gives as good as she gets and will have a comeback to most all of Aaron's commentary. She also was comfortable around Scott, which is major. It did help that he wasn't doing his impression of stainless steel. However, the big thing is...she knits! I personally believe she is a keeper.

Gene and Scott are planning some sort of ride for the spring. I've not mentioned Beckie's idea of visiting the rest of the cities on the Grand Tour. We did Paris and Bethlehem this past summer. I think Memphis to Rome might be a good one, maybe with a swing through Oxford on the way!

I hope my buddies are enjoying their Roman Holiday. Bless you girls! Eat Nutella for me!

A Christmas Story

Beckie and I just signed off from a wonderful conversation. Such a good time. She reminded me of a conversation I had with the mother of a student a few years ago about this time of year. I promise this conversation is true if not 100% accurate in the exact retelling!

We'll call the mother Sonja. Sonja probably was a communist in the 60s, ate mushrooms she found growing at Oak Ridge Labs, and smoked a pack of Happy Strikes daily. Entering the 90s, Sonja found herself the mother of a handicapped child, married to a stuffed shirt lawyer, and heading the election commission for various candidates for local and state offices. Sonja had come back to Earth for the most part. At least I thought she had.

One day, Sonja had come to pick up her child a little late from school and was in a bit of a dither. As we packed up her child to leave, she was explaining why she was late. She had been to the local Christmas decor manufacturer's open house getting things to fix her husband's office and a few things to put out at home. With lines and traffic and school zones, she arrived a few minutes later than she intended. "I still have to go home and take Mother out." Now, you must understand. I was under the impression she lived in her Mother's house because the old lady had passed away some years before, so innocently, I said, "Oh, I thought your mother had passed away, how nice you still have her with you." Whereupon she replied with no sense of affront or sign that I may have put my foot in it, "No, Mother's been gone about 10 years. I just pull her out of the cedar chest about this time every year so she can enjoy the holidays with the rest of us. Bye!" And then she swept out with her child, wild cape billowing in her wake, and my mouth hanging wide enough to pass a small herd of sheep through. My coworker, who had known her for years, explained that Mama resided in an urn which showed up on the mantle around Thanksgiving until just after New Year's and that she was part of the yearly decor.

Beckie suggested presents from Mama probably continue to show up under the tree. I can just tell you, I'm not going to that house for trick or treat.

I have seen sleet, so it is time to start

Click the title.

The snowflake site is one of my absolute favorites, and it is time to start again. Aaron's is the one you will see from the link. Games are one of my lesser addictions, but creating snowflakes in the winter is exceptionally hard to resist!