In the Books

The holiday season of 2013 is now officially done for me.  My daughter and grandkids came here on their way to Florida for Christmas to open presents and drop off the cat for me to watch in their absence.  Then I went to my sister's for a couple of days for Christmas Eve and the actual holiday, with my neighbor checking on the cat.  Then I celebrated New Year's Eve with the family via the Internet, and waited for them to come back through here on their way back to Illinois from Florida.  This happened last night. 

The grandchildren had already flown back to the Midwest before NYE.  Megan and Denis stayed a few days longer, then started the long drive home via my house for an overnight to pick up their cat.  They arrived in time for a traditional corned beef dinner and a movie...then we all crashed.  I would love to have visited more with them, but we were under a stressful situation: a major snowstorm due tonight into tomorrow, with one to start earlier in the Chicago area.  I figured we had a small weather window to work with so wanted them on the road as soon as possible this morning. 

I did my best to get them on the road quickly.  They didn't even bring suitcases in last night...just things that would be affected by the cold.  I washed the clothes on their backs, putting them in robes and sweats for the evening.  Fed them a substantial Grandma "skillet" this morning and sent them on their way.  They were on the road slightly after noon, Indiana time, then kept track of their progress via text message.  They didn't experience any bad weather between here and there and were back in their garage after stopping for groceries in pretty good time.  Grayslake, IL, where they live had 16 inches of snow last week.  More to come.  Here, too.  I'm just happy that everyone is where they are supposed to be now, before the storm.

I've been a bit amused by posts on Facebook talking about how crazy the grocery stores have been today.  Ha!  I beat the system!  Because I spent too much money in December, I was largely out of funds before the 1st January.  Thus, on the 2nd, when I DID have money, I headed to Walmart.  This was Thursday....before anyone really got serious about storm shopping.  I went in the morning.  That helped.  I spent over $100 on food and ingredients without running into huge lines or empty shelves.  I should be able to eat for weeks now!  Bring on the snow!

Okay....so....I had the opportunity to go to Florida with Meg and family.  I was invited.  Even my "ex" who lives down there called to say I was welcome, which was a total switch from previous intentions.  I just didn't think it was wise for me, for a lot of reasons...and I still feel that way.  So I missed the warm weather and the trip to Disney World, but I didn't have major stresses to deal with...and my family didn't have to worry about my presence.  I'm 100% okay with all of that!  They all had a wonderful time; the cat was taken care of; Denis's mother got surgical care that was terribly necessary (did I write about that??); and I got to be with my sister and family for the first time in many holidays.  It's all good. 

God's in His Heaven; all's right with the world!