V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N.

Hello all!

It's been a crazy, crazy week. Sorry for the moaning earlier, I was just in a funk. Things are a bit better. I'm finally feeling like myself again, except for the straggling tickle in the throat. My father was rushed back into the hospital on Friday because of very low blood pressure and an extremely low blood count. They were not taking very good care of him at the Rehab. They just didn't get it. They had him lifting weights in his bed. He's 80 and just had MAJOR surgery. He had an infection in his wound. He was dehydrated and in pretty serious condition. I was a wreck. Fast Forward to today, he is still in the hospital gaining strength and his next stop will be home to my mother with a visiting nurse coming in. Probably the best place he can be. He was disheartened for awhile, but Mom says he is coming around. He asked his male nurse who was doing a very good job of taking care of him if he would marry him.. which is more like my Dad to be making jokes.

Anyway, we had a great Christmas. Bill's family was at my house on Christmas eve Day and we did our traditional Yankee swap. . Bill ended up with the gift I put it, (chocolate fondue pot) which I am thrilled about! Went to the 8 p.m. vigil with Billy and came home and watched another old Scrooge movie. This time was 1951 (?) with Alistair Sym (sp?). I have to get the one with Albert Finney which is amusical and I know the guys in my family will not like.

Christmas day we went to my brother Mike's and had PRIME RIB which was out of this world. The whole family was together (except Jess :( and my father) but we really did have a great time and had lots of laughs. We didn't leave til 8 p.m. The kids absolutely love being with their cousins. Matthew got his electric guitar and lessons will start next week. Billy loved his IPOD and has already downloaded music. Bill and I exchanged small gifts and he did a great job surprising me with some beautiful perfume, chocolates, candles and a spa gift certificate so I can get a massage or facial :) He was very happy with his new clothes, flannel pj pants and deer whistles for his car (and mine).

We spent Tuesday lounging and then went to see Casino Royale. I'm a total fan of this new Bond. I think he's the best since Moore/Connery. The movie was great and I can't wait to see the next one.

We decided to come up to NH for the rest of the week and Bill and I broke in our Ski Legs at Loon this morning. He got me up super early, had the car packed and bacon/egg sandwiches made and coffee brewing. Kids were still sleeping. We took Matt's friend Tommy with us. We skiied nonstop for an hour and half and then our old legs were shaking and the crowds were coming so we came home and had some more coffee in front of the fireplace. It was snowing and it's so pretty up here. I'm really glad we came. Bill's sister Karen is heading up tonight and will ski with us in the morning. The kids don't really want to ski yet, not enough trails open for them. I'm hoping to meet one of my friends who lives up here for lunch either today or tomorrow and we will come home and have New Year's and chinese food with Bill's parents on Saturday night. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Just want to say a big heartfelt thank you to you all for listening and commenting.. your words of kindness mean alot and I'm really really looking forward to 2007 and all the good times to come... :)