Christmas is on the way.

I'm really looking forward to enjoying Christmas this year.

Last Christmas, was not very enjoyable. We had found out 2 days after Thanksgiving 2005, that my mothers cancer had metastasized to her brain. She was unable to walk, and talking was very difficult for her, as the cancer was located in the left brain. With me living in New York, and my parents in Florida, it was rough. I flew down to Florida with my daughter for close to 10 days. My daughter wanted to see her grandmother for the last time.

The visit was very hard on both of us. At the end of the stay, we were both emotionally drained. So much so, that it was difficult to even cry. Two days after getting home, my cat was not himself. Took him to the vet, only to find out that he had a tumor behind his heart, and he was in bad shape. The only fair thing to do, was put him to sleep, so that he would not suffer anymore than he already had.

So, you see, preparing for Christmas was not way up there on my list of things to do. But, I pushed myself to get a tree, and decorate it. But, that was pretty much the extent of it. No baking, rushed shopping....and sitting on pins and needles, jumping in fear, every time the phone rang. Worried that is was bad news about mom.

SO...this year...we are excited and looking forward to Christmas. Of course, it's not the same because mom is gone. But, she is still here in our hearts, and the memories of how wonderful she made Christmas for me, are always going to be there.

The tree is up, and the inside of the house is almost completely decorated. I do most of the inside decorating. The lights are up outside. My youngest son helped me with that. He loves to help. The Christmas shopping is almost completed, too. My daughter loves to wrap gifts, as do the boys. So, I let them go for it. Each time I shop, I'm asked if there is anything for them to wrap, and can I sneak the things into their rooms. Gotta love them, and I do!!

Just a quick picture of my kitty peeking through the branches of the tree. Even the pets love the tree! Peaches has been sleeping under the tree, nestled between the presents. She crouches down low, and waits for one of the dogs to pass, then she charges for their legs. So far, one ornament has been broken. I wonder how many will become casualties this year? :)