Christmas 2022

 Like always Christmas at our house was Christmas Eve.

I spent the day watching old Kolberg Christmas movies. I knew my Mom was a great cook. I realized watching these movies she always put on a giant spread of FOOD. She was always flitting around make sure everyone got something to eat. Confirmation that She was amazing.

Everyone showed up around 3;30 and dinner was served at 4. I made 2 lasagnas.one regular and one spinach. Both gluten free. Mostacolli with meatballs also gluten free and Mac n cheese, which Mike doesn’t eat, so not gluten free. I think mom would of been proud. Table extended into the family room, so we could all sit together..

Food was consumed, tables were taken down, chairs were moved into the living room - time for presents.

Roger, Luke and Owen each bought me a present from the Santa secret shop at their school. For the second year in a row Roger got me something that said I ❤️Grandma on it. This year was a nail file which went directly into my purse. Luke bought me a imitation flower (tulip), because it matched the flowers in my yard. Owen tells me he found me “the perfect gift”  - it was a small knit stocking full of hard candy - because “old people like hard candies”. I truly love the thoughtfulness.

We had 3 winners in the lottery tickets. Kaylyn won $50, Luke won $20 and Todd won $10. 💸💸

When they all left my heart was full. Hugs and laughs and smiles and thank You will do that for me.

Grandkids picture

I did manage to leave the tree up for 2 more days then it had to come down. My Christmas was over and I had some puzzles to fix.

Drip Art

 Carrie face timed me and Sharen asking for our help.

Her classes (eighth grade English) were finishing up testing and midterm projects heading into Christmas break. Teachers in her group found a cool thing on TikTok called drip art. They thought it would be a great thing for students to come together, de-stress and make a fun project before break.

Drip Art….

Finished look

Each student was given a piece of paper with drips drawn and they would color in between the lines. Turns out the teachers didn’t have the time or the ambition to draw the blank sheets.

Sharen and I jumped all over it. Carrie dropped off supplies and We got together and started drawing.

Artist at work

Carrie suggested maybe 10 or 12 different patterns. She had to be joking - that was only 5 or 6 a piece. Once Sharen and I got started we texted Carrie some pictures of what we were doing and if it would work.

Our drip art

She texted back it was exactly what they wanted, so Sharen and I continued drawing and having fun. We finished with 12 a piece for 24 choices. 400 Copies were made for the students.

Carrie sent us a text message with pictures of her class filling in the drips. Turns out they were all into it and used all the patterns.

Carrie said it was a great way to wind down before Christmas vacation. I cannot wait to see the finished wall. She wasn’t sure where they would put it, all classes together in the library or each class in the hallway. Either way it felt good to help out some stressed out teachers with such a fun project and Sharen and I got to spend an afternoon together drawing. Win - Win for all….

Keep the Head Warm

 I follow a twinning store on instagram. Yes, I have bought from them. They are constantly posting twin sayings and jokes. Most hit home….and always make me smile or laugh out loud.

‘‘Who this Christmas is buying a gift for their twin, because they want one matching?” I could relate to this. But it was more me buying something for me and know that my twin needs one too.

I had an ear infection that hung around for 2 weeks. Every time Sharen and I would walk I would end up with pain in my ear. My earmuffs were not enough coverage. I tried earplugs, but that didn’t work either. I needed something more - Winter and cold weather was coming.

I found a buffalo print trapper hat in red on Amazon and knew I had to get it. There was no doubt in my mind that I had to get one for Sharen too. Hers in white.

Hat fits over the earmuffs perfect

Me in red - Sharen in white

 

The hats are warm and perfect for walking. So bring on the snow and the cold. I enjoy walking too Much every morning to not do it and this hat is helping with making it happen. 

Basketball

 There is nothing better than to watch the grandsons play sports.

We got lucky and got to see a double header with one trip into the city.

Luke and Owen both had basketball games back to back.

Grandma and Luke both need haircuts 

Choke hold

Let’s hope the weather holds up for more trips into the city to watch these boys play.

Cookies

 Not sure Christmas would be the same without my cutout cookies. I don’t eat them (strange I know), but Mike and the grandkids love them. I’ve perfected the recipe to gluten free.

Bryan and Mary brought the boys over to help decorate them.

I have always used my Mothers recipe for frosting - always. Until I was scrolling thru recipes online and ran into one that does not include shortening. Sorry Mom,  but this recipe is SO good. It’s all I use now.

We had such a great time. All 3 boys jumped in and frosted and sprinkle till they were all done.

Cookie decorating crew

Bryan just watching

Mike joins in

Soon we were all sneaking icing

The cookies got their frosting in record time. I tried really hard to bake small cookies, so we would have more to decorate. 

The boys believe that more is better, so I sent those home with them.

Bryan sent me this picture later that night. (cookies were decorated in the morning). 

I guess they liked them

Warms a grandmas heart.

Bears v Packers

 When Sharen called and asked if Mike and I wanted to go to the bears game with them, I immediately said yes. They had Dup’s sister’s season tickets.

This was a chance for Sharen to see Justin Fields in person for the first time. Sharen is a huge Ohio State Buckeye fan and has followed him all thru college. It would also probably be Dup seeing his star quarterback, Rodgers for the last time in person.

Mike offered to drive since we go into the city often. Didn’t hurt that our reserved parking was under the stadium with quick in and quick out.

We got there when the gate for our parking had just opened. Smooth ride in. Dup had been before so he knew to grab a table right as we got off the escalator. The crowd filled up fast.

 Cocktail before the game

Our seats were on the 50 - Yes, I said 50, yard line. Pinch me moment when we sat down.

It was 38 degrees at kickoff,  but I dressed for it. The cold never got to me. Went to the restroom at half time and the mens line was longer than the woman’s. Ha 

I had such a good time. I can understand why young Bears fans do this every home game. Drinking and laughing, dancing and singing “Bear Down”. Granted the out come wasn’t what we hoped for. Didn’t expect a W. Sharen and I thought we would be the lucky charms. Nope… but we did get to see a young quarterback the year he broke records playing for the Chicago Bears.

Winning at one point

I thought when Bryan took me into a game back in 09 (I think) that I would never go to another game. Thanks to Dup and Sharen I got to see my beloved Bears live again. 

Maybe next year!!

Walk the Dog

 No I’m not talking about the yo-yo trick. Sharen actually showed up with a dog one morning for our walk.

She was dog sitting for Barkley while his family Jon, Erica, Benny, Averie, and Trevor were vacationing in Cabo.

Grandma who’s she?

Berkeley looks like a Corgi. I think she comes with a little herder in her. I swear we took off walking and she would circle around us both to keep us together. We got tangled in the leach so many times. She soon learned that Sharen had her leash so she circled just her for the rest of the walks. Constantly!!

That dog loves to walk. She stayed on the road. Stopped for the cars. When it was time to turn around and go back down the street she would stop look up at Sharen and turn us around. 

Most of the time she would walk in front and faster than we would normally do.

You guys coming or what?

She walked with us every morning and even managed to get us out a couple times to walk in the afternoon.

She was a very good girl - walked like a champ for a 9 yr old.