Christmas, A Cold, A Root Canal, A GPS & A "Chip off the Ole' Block

Both Mom and I were able to see our children for Christmas. Mom was with Marie and family. She was able to be there for 3 weeks.
My plan was to spend the Christmas holidays here at home, but much to my surprise and happiness, some friends paid my way so I could be with Stewart, Russ, and Lisa and their families. They had sky miles that needed to be used before the end of the year or they would dissipate into thin air. What a gift. I was as ecstatic as I ever get. I have so many stories and pictures I would love to share. It would be a book, though

Because of the gift, I was able to arrive there on Russ's birthday and stay 4 days with he and his family. It was my first time to see their newest addition. She was born on July 14th. Russ, Abbie and I went sledding at Sugarhouse Park. It was very cold and had been windy. We were blessed with a break where the wind didn't blow.

Next I stayed with Stewart and family for 8 days (don't mothers-in-law start to stink after 3 days or is that fish?). They at least pretended to enjoy my staying all of that time. Stew's wife Nicki had a birthday while I was staying with them. They also had a new addition who was born on November 19th. She is the 6th granddaughter. My first 3 grandchildren were boys, but there has been quite the run on girls.

Next I went to Lisa and family's home where I stayed for 5 days. Part of my time here was spent having the stomach "flu". wasn't much fun for the most part but we all had a great time. They had had the flu before I got there so they were still kind of recuperating, too, though children's energy level is much higher than an adults even after being sick. I wouldn't give it up for the world.

I was supposed to return home on the 1st of January, but ended up going to be with Jen and her family. Jen is pregnant, and was having some problems that necessitated her taking it easy and not doing the laundry or being on her feet too much. Anyway, I was able to spend a week with them. It was a great experience to be able to be of help. The kids and I had a great time playing, reading, building castles, doing homework, etc. I found that I'm still the same 'naggy' mother I was when rearing my children. "Hurry up, you'll be late to school"; "Hurry, let's get your homework done."Does one ever change? Maybe, with practice. Anyway, I had a great year and Mom did, too. She has been blessed with great friends and family.

After I got home, THE COLD hit. It's too bad that everyone can't follow the advice you always get for curing a cold - you know - REST, Lots of Water, REST, Eat Healthily, REST. Believe me, it really works. Only trouble is, you have to wait until your children are grown, you have no other obligations that are pulling on you. Never, maybe. Thanks to the people I work with in my calling, I was told to stay home and do all of those things listed above. Ella's brother was sick so her mom didn't want me to come. This is the first time I have taken the advice and it worked. Just watch, it probably wasn't the BIG COLD going around.

I was just barely feeling better when I did in my left foot. I stepped off a step with my right foot. Too catch myself, I over corrected and fell to my left side and turned my foot over and landed and started to roll down a hill. Luckily my rolling went to the side a little bit or who knows where I would have ended up. It turned out to be what they call an avulsion, which means when the ligament pulled away, it broke off a teensy piece of bone. Guess what!!! The people I work with put me on bed rest again!! Got me some crutches, etc. This happened on Wed the 28th. I'm doing really well now. Crutches for a couple of more weeks, rest the foot, and I'll be good as new?

I almost forgot to mention the GPS. I was able to use it today for the first time. It worked great. Got me to my appointment without a hitch. However, on the way home, I decided to go the way I have used before instead of the GPS way. The fact that I thought I was smarter than the GPS can be verified by Jen since I was talking with her while I was driving home. The GPS and I argued for a bit until I could see my way wasn't working. I turned around and let the GPS take charge. I think I might learn obedience by using it. Maybe!!! I must say I love it. It was a great gift. Thank you all.
The root canal was unexpected. Not painful so no big deal.