Life is good...

First of all, let me wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Last year at this time, we were wondering if we were even going to be able to get to my mom's house because of all the snow. This year, the weather has been very nice. In fact, today is absolutely gorgeous…It's a little cold, but I'll take that any day over snow.

Today's Christmas Tree photo

Last year's Christmas Tree photo...look at the snow!
(Every year I set up everything almost exactly the same...
I'm such a creature of habit!)

A few days ago, a friend of ours who lives in Tahoe was talking to Hub, and mentioned he didn't have any plans for Christmas. In fact, he was a bit depressed because his kids were going to be at his ex-wife's place for Christmas, plus there were several family stresses going on related to that. Hub said…"Why don't you come here for Christmas?" So he did!

He left Tahoe yesterday and drove straight through and got here this afternoon. I'm thrilled…he's such a nice guy, and it is especially fun to have company when you have such a small family as we do. JD and Hub are old friends from when Hub got back from Vietnam in late 60s, they were both mechanics at the same gas station. So they've already started on some guy project in the garage.

The only "problem" is that JD has a little dachshund Zoe and she drives B crazy trying to get him to play. Christmas Day will be a real fido-fest at my mom's house with 4 dogs… B, Zoe, Rosie, and Bonnie. Lots of doggie fun!

We went to Mass at 6 p.m. (the singing was wonderful) and then to dinner at a seafood restaurant. It's a tradition for Catholics to not eat meat on Christmas Eve so we had lobster, clams, fish filet, and shrimp. And I had 3 sakes. I love sake. ..everyone asks "Why do you drink sake at a Chinese restaurant?" Because I love sake. That's the only reason. So if they have it, I order it.

Anyway, we're home now, watching "It's a Wonderful Life" but I don't think I'm going to be able to stay awake. I think B & I should go to bed. I have get up fairly early tomorrow to peel potatoes (for blue cheese/parmesan scalloped potatoes) and boil eggs (for my famous deviled eggs). We're also having a pork roast which Hub just put into a brine. My brother will be baking sour dough rolls and is also making plum pudding (a Scottish family tradition).

SO…take care, everyone…don't eat or drink too much…drive safely if you're going anywhere…and I hope all your Christmas wishes come true!

P.S. I just noticed I've been blogging since December 16, 2008. So this is kind of my "bloggiversary." I can't believe how much more sane and stable I feel this year than last year...plus I've lost 14 lbs in the last year...and I hope to keep getting better in 2010. And thanks to everyone who helped me SO much in this journey...I love you all.