Traveling Tuesday

This morning I got up in the horrible fog and took my time getting to Austin. You see today is my mother's 84th birthday and I surprised her by coming to Austin to go to her Birthday dinner tonight. She was stunned, but said she had a feeling....Wha a treasured day, getting to spend the evening with my mother and my sister.

This time of year is hard for a lot of people and my family has difficulty with it too. My brother committed suicide 4 years ago December 26th, just 6 months after my father died of alzheimers and 1 month after we had to put our 11 1/2 year Chocolate lab to sleep. My father and brother both loved Christmas...and usually go over the top. My brother and I used to see who could collect the most Santa statues/figurines. All cute, no tacky ones of course. Dad had red paper bells that he hung from everywhere and we would go the day after Christmas to Cornelius and Neiman's to shop for a new box of ornaments for the next year. Dad loved to make fires in the fire place, make fudge, pop popcorn and play cards. SRM, one of oldest friends and I used to get our homework done early (I prob. just skipped it), so that we could enjoy this bonding time with my parents.

I long for my family to be close, since my Dad got sick and my brother died, things aren't quite the same. My wonderful hubby and I have started many fun traditions for our little family oif four. We started picking names for stockings and then we are all given the same amount of cash and we go to Target or Wally World and sneak around, try not to get caught and buy stuffers. We have such a great time!

I seem to be rambling today, sorry, I guess I just needed to get it off my chest. I know with God's help that I will make it through.He will make me strong! I am asking for prayers too for a job. I would like to find something to help out with LSH's bills.

Until the next time...thank you for listening!

Ellen