Sunday, December 23, 2007

Moment to Moment

Dear Friends

Thursday through Saturday afternoon found me totally alone. Except for the occasional phone call, I didn't talk to a soul. Crocheted. Shopped. Around the house stuff was taken care of. I was missing Don a lot.

He and Quanah called Friday afternoon after they pulled out of Fort Wayne. Q was driving the U-Haul. Don was driving Q's car (an unanticipated event as a towbar hadn't been reserved). This made for interesting communication possibilities. Quanah did not have a car charger for his cell phone. Don didn't HAVE a cell phone. It was raining, snow was coming in. I was pushing anxiety away, ruthlessly. Don followed Quanah and they worked out a series of signals to communicate problems, needs to pull over, etc. The idea of getting a set of walkie-talkies was a good one but they required charging before using. Since that wasn't possible, they relied on signals.

By the time they reached Oklahoma City, Saturday night they had gone through a bad storm and they decided to spend the night in OK City, get a good night's rest and than push on. Weather projections through the Texas Panhandle, NM, and AZ (along Interstate 40) were looking clear. Projected icy conditions for heading down to the panhandle and westward didn't happen. Thank you GOD.

Food shopping is finished (she thought hopefully) and tomorrow is preparation day. We are picking Erin up at Sacramento airport tonight so we will have three women in the house having fun in the kitchen. This will be a first for me. Another first is sharing cooking preparations for another household. Elaine suggested we make larger portions of food and trade, thereby reducing the cooking work overall.

How cool an idea is this?, I ask. So I'm making double batches of cranberry sauce and green bean casserole. Elaine is make double batches of yams and mashed potatoes. We'll trade off tomorrow afternoon or evening.

All I really need to do now is finish wrapping some gifts, pat myself on the back for not forgetting a card for Don this year, and get the turkey cleaned on Christmas Eve, all prepped to receive the dressing and get slipped into the oven Christmas morning.

I'm off for the airport now. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Merry Christmas to all of you. Have a wonderful and fun-filled holiday season.

Hugs
Annie

12 comments:

Susie said...

Hi Anne,
Sending you warm wishes for a very Merry Christmas.
((hugs))
xo

Naturegirl said...

Annie ..sending you Christmas blessings to you and yours! hugs NG

Unknown said...

Merry Merry Christmas dear friend!

love,
stephanie

Pauline said...

happy christmas annie - discovering your blog was a gift this year

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to you.

We have a full house here, I must confess that some days I dream of a lonely island.......

Geri said...

Blessed Be and Happy Holidays!! You've been a wonderful surprise gift to ME this year, Annie!
Hugs

Mary Timme said...

I got your card Annie and thank you so much. Argh! I think I forgot to mention it! How could I? Oh, it must be a senior moment, at Christmas. Can I blame it on that? Thank you anyway! I'm so sorry and Bless you my dear.

One Crabapple said...

Merrry
Merry Christmas to YOu Dear AnNie


Love, S.

Gypsy Purple said...

Wishing you a blessed and merry Christmas....may you have peace, love and joy....

Gypsy Purple

Anonymous said...

Quanah and I arrived home at noon on Monday safe and sound.

Pear tree cottage! said...

I am so pleased your family are all together safe to see the Christmas star shine brightly.

Love to you all.
Lee-ann

Tammy Brierly said...

Great idea for double batching! Have a wonderful new year Annie.

Hugs