A Wonderful Christmas

Well, tomorrow morning I head back to Orlando. I'm sad to have to leave my family, but I'm also ready to head back to some warmer weather. I need to head to the airport around 5am. At midnight, I can print my boarding pass, so I'm trying to kill some time by updating my blog.

Once again, I had a really nice Christmas. I arrived in Detroit Metro Airport around 1am (an hour later than I was scheduled). I went to bed as soon as I got home.

When I woke up Christmas Eve morning, I was thrilled to see about 4-6 inches of crisp, clean, white snow on the ground in the backyard. It sparkled in the morning sunshine (yes, the sun was actually shining). I spent most of the day wrapping all of my Christmas gifts. Mike & Sonia arrived around 5:00. At 7, we went to church. It was a very beautiful service. After church, we went next door to Grandpa's house for the annual Cook Family Christmas. All of my aunts, uncles, and cousins were there. My cousin Ryan got me a really nice red leather mini backpack style purse. I scored points with Joel by getting him something that he actually liked and wanted (a book on how to draw superheroes). Mike, the comedian of the family, was on once again with his witty remarks. One such example (you really needed to be there to get the full effect): Ryan walked into the room with a trash bag for all the wrapping paper. Mike remarked, "now all you need is an orange jumpsuit and cornrolls." Like I said, you really needed to be there.

On Christmas morning, we opened presents with my immediate family. Sam & Kristie gave me a camel colored purse and inside was a scarf and a pair of sunglasses. Mike & Sonia got me Season 7 of "Friends" DVDs. Mom & Dad got me the game "Scene It: Disney Edition." And from "Santa" (aka Mom & Dad), I got a Bose Wave Radio and a portable DVD player. Sam & Kristie got Mike & Sonia the regular edition of "Scene It." Mike is the trivia master. His brain is just a sponge for useless knowledge. It took a team of four people to bring him down. Later that day, the Schroeders (minus Heidi & her family) came over for dinner. We also continued our Christmas tradition of watching "Claymation Christmas." For those of you that don't know, it is a half-hour clay animated special that we had taped off the tv many years ago. A while back, we lost that tape and it no longer aired on tv. We went several years without watching it until a few years ago when Andy found it on VHS. Now we watch it every Christmas.

On sunday, I didn't exactly make it to church (even though I was supposed drive Grandpa). I had forgotten that there was only once service and that it was earlier than normal. Mom & Dad weren't around because Dad had a dr. appointement. When I did get up, we all met at the Cracker Barrel for brunch. Later that day, my mom & I went with Pam Schroeder to see "Spanglish." This was a very good film and I highly reccommend it. It is definitely a good mother-daughter movie.

I didn't do a whole lot on Monday. My mom & I went to to post office to ship my Bose radio (it wouldn't fit in my bags) and my birthday present (which I'm not allowed to open until my actual birthday - which is a week from today). In the evening, Mom, Dad, and I went over to Sam's place. Dad helped him hang crown molding on his kitchen cabinets while my mom and I sat in his newly finished basement and watched tv. I also picked up some champagne for my New Year's Eve party this weekend. When Sam & Dad finished, we went to Applebee's for dinner. I chipped in with a gift card that I had received (last Christmas).

Today, the Kushnirs came up for a visit. I made some tacos for lunch (it's one of the few things that I know how to make). It was so nice to see them especially since nowadays, I only see them once, maybe twice, a year. My half brothers and sister have grown so much. Paul is getting married! Michelle is driving! Christopher has just grown like a tree and I barely recognized him! This means that I'm getting older, too. I'm going to be 26 years old in a week. I can hardly believe it. After the Kushnirs left, we went to Dundee, to watch Ryan play basketball. It was so much fun (even though they lost). I hadn't seen Ryan play since grade school. He had 16 assists. After the game, we all went to a local Mexican restaurant for dinner. Since I had tacos for lunch, I wasn't really in the mood for Mexican food again, but I had a really good bowl of chili con carne (that's "chili with meat"). It had the perfect amount of spiciness with lots of cheese.

Now we are to the present. I still have 20 minutes until midnight. I'm just going to have to surf the web until I can check in for my flight.

A Prayer For Sam & Krisite

Our family received some rather sad news yesterday. Sam & Kristie went to the doctor for a routine ultrasound, only to find out that they lost the baby. Please pray for them as they recover from their loss. I can only imagine what they must be going through. I love them ever so dearly and I want them to believe and understand that somehow, this is all part of God's Plan. Even though it is hard to see what that plan is at the moment or ever. But I believe that everything happens for a reason, good and bad, happy and sad. Sam, Kristie, I love you and will continue to keep you in my prayers.

BTW, I made it home safe and sound. I was about an hour late because we were waiting on a flight attendant to come in on another flight. But I made it. I'm happy to be home and to have a nice Christmas with my family.

P.S. The snow is so pretty!!!!

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas

It looks lilke my dreams are going to come true! The forcast is calling for 6-10 inches of snow for southeast Michigan. Woohoo! I love snow (I just hate cold). I just hope that this winter storm won't mess up my travel plans tomorrow (like at Thanksgiving). I finished up all my Christmas shopping last night. I just have to pack everything up tonight then I'll be ready to leave tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow should be an easy day at work. First of all, I'm taking a half day. At noon, we have our monthly State of the Company meeting. Also, I will be having my annual review in the morning (I was supposed to have it today, but it was postponed). I'm not really looking forward to my review. Not because it will be bad (everyone loves me here), but because I just don't like them. The only reason that I look forward to my reviews is because they tell me how much more money I'll be making! I'm not expecting a big raise or anything, but every little bit is nice.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!!!!!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Yes, Christmas is just around the corner. I have a short week this week (3-1/2 days). Then it's home I go for Christmas. I had another good weekend. Friday I went to Happy Hour with some coworkers for my boss' birthday. It was fun and very interesting. You know, there are some things you'd rather just not know about your coworkers. Saturday I actually got up early and went to a yoga class. I made a deal with one of my friends that I would go to her yoga class if she came with me to my dance class tonight. Sat. night I went with some more friends (Kristin, Jen, and Jeff) to the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. Kristin, who works at Disney, got us in. The Candlelight Processional is a show where a celebrity (Sat. was Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman) reads the Christmas story and there is a 50 member choir made up of Disney employees and various high school choirs from around the country. It was really neat. The choirs sounded great. I sang along during the Hallelujah Chorus. Sunday I had to sing in late service. I went to see a movie (National Treasure) later in the day.

I can't wait to come home on Thursday. I hope that the weather won't be a problem like at Thanksgiving.

Baby It's Cold Outside

BBRRR!!! It has turned cold here in Florida. It's 55 degrees right now. This morning, it was in the mid 30s. I guess compared to what it's like back up north, I shouldn't complain. It is December after all, but I'm not used to it anymore. This is Florida for goodness sake. It's supposed to be warm and sunny (well it is sunny).