This is the blog I meant to post over the holidays, but, alas, I was stuck in the land without internet. Dad’s completely cut the cord. He only really ever used the ‘net’ for his online banking needs, and to check the lottery numbers. At first I was like, “WHYYYYY? HOW? BUT I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT AND SO I CAN NEVER COME HOME AGAIN UNTIL YOU GIVE ME MY INTERNETS BACK!”
But then something magical happened. I realized I COULD live without it. *GASP* And Dad and I spent so much more time together, talking and laughing, watching old Carol Burnett classics from my DVD collection. We went out places, played games, I wrote and Dad helped me brainstorm, we ate lots and lots of chocolate-covered almonds, and we just spent time relaxing together and talking and…being. It was wonderful. 🙂
I’ll be honest. I had been dreading the holidays a bit, knowing how hard it would be to celebrate without Mom. The decorations were lacking, we didn’t have certain traditions, like opening a new pair of PJs on Christmas Eve, or enjoying Mom’s homemade fudge and chocolate bark, but I made darn sure we had our hot chocolate with loads of marshmallows and whipped cream on Christmas morning. We spent time with family–SO much time–because we know that’s what Mom would have wanted. Dad made his special turnip, my sis-in-law did her best to recreate Mom’s famous stuffing, we had turkey and all the trimmings…And, most importantly, we had each other. Togetherness.
Here are some pics!
The fam-jam!
The Royals!
Me and Grams 🙂
Me and Daddy 🙂
Poor Prince Charlie. He hardly got any toys this year. 😛
Charlie thought the piano stool was a toilet and started taking his pants off…and so naturally, being the sweetest aunt that I am, I captured a picture. 😀
Last but not least, the food! You know I had to sneak a food pic in there. We had food for DAYS, yo.
Thanks for reading! Here’s hoping 2017 is wonderful for all of you! 🙂
Award-winning romance author & PE teacher who plays sports, sings, juggles, dances, has a sneaker obsession, & lives on PB! 
I see Joyce being all over those new traditions. <3
I think she would be, too. 🙂 Exes and Ohs and hearts times infinity!
I may or may not be crying right now. Let’s just say I can relate. I’m two thumbs up regarding chocolate covered almonds, not so sure about the turnip. I can really see the resemblance between your dad and brother! Glad you made it through. It’s supposed to get easier, right?
I’m also laughing a bit – just think, next year my living room will have TWICE that many toys!! Poor Santa will break his back!
Aww, A-M, I know. *hugs tight* You just need to try my Dad’s turnip. It’s got extra butter for a flavour sensation that’ll blow yo mind!
You’re so right about my bro. I’m seeing it more and more the older he gets.
Toys, toys, and more toys! Hey, Charlie can even donate a few to the twins when he’s tired of them. 😉
It *will* get easier. The firsts are all really hard, but you’ve got a couple gal-pals who’ve been through it, who you can turn to whenever you need a shoulder to cry on. Love you so! xoxo
Bless your heart, Julie. It’s hard. I’ve been there. But it looks like the love family wins–and saw you through just fine.
It does get easier. The first year for everything was the absolute worst…
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Teresa. It’s especially hard on me right now, with my birthday coming up. My last birthday was also the last time we were all together before my mom passed away. Family is everything to me, and I don’t know what I’d do without them…or my supportive friends! xo