Christmas Week

Monday: My headache subsided, and I woke up before 5 am - so started wrapping gifts - stopped at 8:30! Got many wrapped - then helped AA in the shower, drove to Ford's exercises, I then drove to pick up my new eyeglasses, new clear ones and will get new sunglasses too. Great having new eyeglasses, even though so expensive. 

Once back home, we drove to St. Augustine for AA's knee surgery follow up and for her skin allergy. All went well, she has a new antibiotic cream to use, she can walk as she can tolerate, still need to protect knee for full six weeks. Once she is out of the locked brace, she will wear a sleeve brace, but her skin needs to be cleared up first.

We drove to Leaa's and dropped off Christmas gifts and some pumpkin bread. We visited, played with Dolly (the part-Velcro dog and kangaroo) then drove to the new music studio/business. It is going to be quite large with lessons and recordings. 

Heading home, we picked up take-out Smokin D's BBQ. We drove by the Christmas trees in Spring Park (GCS). AA pointed out "Ian's" tree.

My Mom called, she received the flowers I ordered from Eileen Emmons.

At home, I continued to wrap gifts, got about 95% done.

Tuesday:

We slept in a little, we really needed the rest, been a zombie, partly AA's school pressure and part losing Ginger, part being busy readying for Christmas.

I took Ford to Walmart to pick up prescriptions (and new cream for AA), shopped, then took Ford to Target while I went in Publix. Ran into Chloe and mom Vanessa and Penny during our errands.

Once home, we realized we picked up the wrong thing for AA, so back to Target, then to Fresh Market for some Stonewall Pepper Jelly. 

I made the Christmas morning breakfast casserole, then the do-ahead mashed potatoes, then baked an apple pie and prepared for our dinner of panzanella. AA napped and Ford did the dishes!

I went to Christmas Eve church service, gave Steve his gift of money and soap made by Leisa Ashline; made panzanella for dinner followed by champagne, Advent calendar and opening mail.

Wednesday: Christmas Day! We did not sleep well, AA did sleep in until 8:00 a,m.; we had coffee, opened our stockings while the breakfast casserole baked. We ate breakfast (with pineapple and orange juice) then opened gifts. So many from Terri, Melissa and Mom. Fun stuff, plus practical. Ford gave me three earrings, new K-cup machine, dust-buster-type vacuum, tons of stuff in my stocking. We didn't have a "big" gift for AA, so gave her some money - hoping to get some shopping in this vacation break. 

We had planned to visit with Leaa and family, but she has a cold and we were so late opening gifts, and hadn't taken showers by 1:00 p.m., anyways, we begged off. Just tired, Ford had a nap, but he is tired, his legs are starting to swell again. AA still has a dry cough. We really need our rest, trying to de-stress.

We watched some baking show, NFL football, The Holiday (again!) and the new first episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy with Jeremiah joining the crew. We had ham, mashed potatoes and green beans plus my homemade apple pie for dessert. We spoke to Justin and texted many people, wishing joy and happiness to all!