December 25, 2009 (Christmas Day)

The day was wayyyy toooo busy to keep track of what happened, but I haven’t forgotten a thing! This is my very first Christmas. The weather was frightful—and I MEAN frightful. Mamaw wasn’t really anxious about the kids coming, but they came anyway.

Dan, Kim, James and Jonn arrived first—I’ve never met them before. What a great family—they made over me big time and of course I love that. I decided to try to be the best I could be but shoes laying around and people trying to read the paper are hard for me. Of course, Mamaw closed off the bedroom and bathroom; which are my EXILE ROOMS. Well, I guess that’s okay, she can’t be everywhere at the same time. And trust me, I am a hand full. We got to visit for a while before the rest of the kids got here so that was nice. I think the family really liked me cause they played with me—even talked to me. That Kim—she’s a real sweetheart!

When the next car load came there was merry making—I mean merry making! The house was abuzz with noises and the smell of foods. I’d like to get my hands on some of that but it’s only going to happen by accident. Dodi said Kris and Aston stayed at home because the weather was so bad there wasn’t enough seatbelts go to around. Well, maybe better to be safe than sorry! And I heard them talking about Dodi’s “driving” so I suspect it is questionable? So Dodi, Deb, Hayleigh and Emily played with me some. I just met Emily for the first time and I got a little excited and did a “nervous pee” on the carpet but we don’t care—the family was together!

Because of all the food and shoes and stuff, I was in LOCK-UP from time to time. Would I have liked to be out—of course. But I understand. Mamaw has worked so hard to help me learn to be a good girl that she wanted to maintain the status queue.

Dodi brought some really good apple cider—ummmm, I can smell it. She put some really huge cinnamon sticks in it and heated it up till it was hot. Now, I’d liked to have had some of that.  We snacked, talked and just enjoyed the fact that we had our old Debbie back!

Poppy put the grandkids to the test and asked who wanted to play pool with him. They opened that big door that leads way, way down into a tunnel like room and I could hear laughing and giggling and balls rolling around. Cool! They’re having a good time!

We have survived the two heavy storms and the excitement in the house Christmas Day with all of my kids! What a joy it was.

Mamaw and Poppy decided to send a personal check to each family member as we know times are tough for them right now. Poppy is always very generous with them and says he will continue to do so all long as he can work—in fact; that’s WHAT he works for. He is a real blessing in my life; loving my children as his own. And what a blessing it is to hear them call him DAD and GRANDPA. I told them they were to give us NO GIFTS—that I had a “special” present I wanted from each child.

They arrived in the midst of the storm all full of stories and excitement. Scarlett had her first “nervous pee” in all the fuss but who cares? How important will that be in 100 years? So—we ate, shared fun time and truly were thankful to have our Deb back! Praise God!!!

Then Mamaw asked Dan for a “special” Christmas request—"would you please help me put a blanket on the water heater"? Down the basement they went and wa-law; done in 5-7 minutes.  Next she asks Deb to replace 2 lights in my kitchen—she laughed and said, “Mom, this is getting to be a regular job for me.” Mamaw explained to her that with her arthritis, she's afraid to take the globes off for fear they will break.  And then Dodi—God love her! The shortest one of all and Mamaw requested she clean the fans to the fan onour cathedral ceiling. The first thing as asked for was a ladder; she brought her to 3-step stool. Then she prepared water w/soap and away she went. Deb did tell Mamaw they make covers for them now so we measured and we'll will search.

When all was completed, she told them the morale of the story—in which Mamaw wanted the grand kids to hear also. The morale is: doing something personal for someone who has trouble doing it themselves is worth it’s weight in gold. She said, "As we age, we need less and less “stuff” so these are the kinds of gifts I think we “elderly” would really appreciate."

All left at about the same time and Mamaw made them promise to call when they got home so she wouldn’t worry. Mamaw went right to the kitchen to clean up and complained to Poppy about her feet hurting. She finished up and ran the dishwasher—washed some extra stuff that wouldn’t go in the dishwasher, and sat down to read the paper. That’s where I come in, I WANT THE PAPER! Well, needless to say—I’m busted. Goodnight all…