December Rose

It’s been eons and ages since I’ve updated everyone on what’s been going on, and I thought it was about time to write what we’ve been up to. Not everyday around the 3T household is tears and fears. 

“Busy and socially rewarding” would be the simplest way to sum it up.

We had Paul’s brother Tim and his wife Anita come for a desert visit in November. Anita has a brother living here as well. In addition to the opportunity to catch up on family, Paul and I had the priviledge of meeting Anita’s brother and family. “Down to earth” and “fun” would be how I would describe them. I did a first while out at Anita’s brother’s house: A straight shot of Patrone Tequila, followed by the most amazing coffee that I wished I’d gotten the name of! As it’s expensive, it wouldn’t be everyday coffee, but it would be great to have it around for special occasions. (Starbucks works for everyday use)

We simultaneously were preparing for a crowd on Thanksgiving. With both the kids’ Dad and his Mom, as well as my new D-I-L’s parents and all of the kids it was a tight fit, but we made it work. And had a wonderful time visiting with everyone! (Photos of both visits to go up on Flickr as soon as I get the energy back to edit, crop and upload all)

On the heels of Thanksgiving came Christmas shopping. Admittedly this year was not quite the chore (or expense) it has been years past. I spend all year collecting eclectic stocking stuffers as well as piles of makeup from Lancome free gifts to make little goodie bags for my teen neices. That’s something I’ve made a habit of doing over the past seven years. Our families decided that this year we would all cut back, not buy for the adults, and the 3T family would hop a plane to Washington state for my first Christmas home in eight years.

As it was a wonderful time to be with family over this special Holiday, I’m glad we did it! Tayler and I worked hard all month putting together a DeHart scrapbook for my parents as a Christmas gift. An idea that didn’t spring up until the beginning of December, so we scrambled for photos, stealing from facebooks, flickr accounts, and what we had managed to take over Rob & Cheryl’s wedding, as well as our quick trip to Las Vegas to watch Gregory perform at a convention on his skateboard. For my parents, I had three of my Dad’s best shots out in the Mt. Adams area blown up. Hitting Michaels for frames and matting, it was fun putting it together myself. In some ways I found the sentimental gifts far more rewarding than retail shopping. And to top it off, this was the first Christmas EVER we didn’t put gifts on credit cards. Which gave the Holiday a much freer feel to it, knowing that come January the statements would not be rolling in.

NOW, on returning for Christmas to Washington state, I have only two words: NO. WAY. The first time I go home for a visit in the dead of winter and they have their worst snowstorms in 50 years. My doctor had prepared me with medication that would take the edge off of the Fibro pain, but trust me when I say it wasn’t enough. Dad, I know you can understand this; He refers to the state of Arizona as “you moved to Hell Teri.” Well Dad, you live in a wet, cold, mossy, moldy state that I half expect will break into the ocean, giving US ocean front property.  Washington will not see my shadow again until the dead of a summer. Paul and I froze our asses off. We’re thin blooded desert dwellers now and that cold snow, ice, wet winter just doesn’t cut it for us. My mild winters here seem too cold sometimes.

Well after the Holiday travel, getting home was pleasant. For a few days, until all the activity caught up with me. Add some weird flu bug to a nasty episode of Fibro and you have a wife and mother who has very little energy, and spends part of her days each day in bed. I think I’m feeling better now, at least in spurts. Last night was rough, but this morning has me feeling a little more energy.

I want to thank those who remembered us this Holiday Season with Christmas cards. It meant a lot to us. Even though I didn’t get the time to send many out. A special “Thank-You to Margie and Mike, (Paul’s sis and B-I-L) for the huge box of baked goodies! Trust me when I say NONE of it went to waste. Although it did go to waist. (Grrrr..) You did break the rules though, by sending gifts to Riley and Tayler. A very generous and sweet gesture, I graciously thank you for. Margie, you are one in a million, and we love you!

The kids ended the school semester fairly well. Tayler is doing the advanced classes and came away with a cumulative 4.1 GPA . Riley just started Jr. High and spent the semester getting used to a whole new program from elementary school. I’d have to say he’s had his rough spots, but managed an average GPA for the semester. A work in progress, I have faith he’ll finish getting it together.

Rob and Cheryl seem to be very happy. As it is with many young marrieds I know they lead a very busy schedule between jobs, house, and the wide array of friends they socialize with. Still, they make time for family. They took Riley and Tayler overnight on our Anniversary for us. A gesture I’ll not soon forget. Thank you Rob & Cheryl, we love you both dearly.

The problems I was not at liberty to discuss a few months ago in this space have resolved themselves. Well, for now anyway. One of these days I need to really embrace “and this too shall pass.” And trust God more. I know what gets in the way of it. An obssessive need to feel some sense of control over life. I have to give that up, to really be able to relax, let go, and let God. WOW, how many cliche lines did I put in this paragraph? Cliche or not, I know the truth. I know it works. I just need the strength and discipline to apply it.

I hope everyone had a good start to the New Year! Ours was quiet and homebound. Which was exactly what we needed after the last two busy months.

My prayer is to a better year in 2009! A year I hope that will hold health, learning, loving and laughing.

Love,
3T
PS. GOOOOOOOO CARDINALS!!!