~New Year 2010~

~Happy New Year to all my Blogger Friends~

~Merry Christmas from Our House to Yours~

~It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas~

It's finally beginning to look like Christmas here in Ohio because it snowed. I LOVE snow. I mean, I really love it. Okay....not driving in it when it's icy. But snow, I love. Since I was a kid. So...it has finally snowed here. Finally. And it looks like Christmas~

I decided to count all my packing slips to figure out how many orders I had filled. I knew it was a lot. But I was stunned: I sent out 264 packages since Thanksgiving Weekend. Considering that I make each item or items IN those packages....that's a LOT. The orders are still trickling in....but hopefully, the end is near. I have to laugh at the emails I get, with questions of: "When will I get this?" (they don't bother to tell me WHERE they live!!) Even with shipping within 24 hours, they still insist I tell them exactly when the good ol' USPS will deliver their treasures to their mailboxes. (if I could predict that....I wouldn't be making dolls and jewelry!)

At least that explains my fatigue, and the reason I'm mainlining caffeine in any shape or form: coffee, lattes, chocolate, Excedrin, Diet Coke, more chocolate.....

I've finished baking cookies: Snowballs, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Italian Iced Cookies, Thumbprints, Date Squares, Coconut Bars, Hello Dollies, Spritz Cookies, Rum Balls and Decorated Sugar Cookies. Phew! Over 40 dozen cookies. Jim asked last nite why I bake so much every Christmas. Why? My mother did. Always. For the three of us kids. So when I became a mother....I did, too. Always. And now as a grandma...I still do. And always will~

I'm off to see Mom. I'm bringing Christmas cookies. Made from her recipes. Just like she made. Always.

Happy Thursday~

Dear Mom......

Thanksgiving has come and gone. You couldn't join us this year. You said it was "too hard". We missed you. I know this is all so hard for you. It breaks my heart. You can't walk anymore. Your legs are too weak to hold you up. But your brain doesn't remember that, so you keep trying. And keep falling.

The kids were here all weekend. I'm so glad they all came to see you. Ella's eyes light up when she sees you. You got to see Jackie's pregnant belly....and looked at Amy's sparkly engagement ring again. I know it was all overwhelming for you, but I'm happy we were all there with you. I will remember it for a long time.

You have no short-term memory now. Only very long-term. And only sometimes. I am so thankful you still know who I am. And I believe you know Ella and Jackson, too. At least I think you do.

My shows are finally done for the year. I'll have lots more time to visit now. Remember how you used to help me with them, Mom? Remember that cold Ohio Mart that we wore long-underwear and mittens it was so bitter out? Long-ago memories.

Hospice has come in to help now, Mom. I know you don't understand exactly what is happening. I'm not sure I do, either. I just know that they are angels. All of them. They give you lots of extra attention; bought you a new, padded wheelchair, and a new, lower-to-the-ground hospital bed. They brought special padding to put next to it so that when you fall, it's not as hard.

I know you can't understand any of this. It's just not fair.

Just know that you have a family who loves you dearly, Mom. And we are here for you. Always.

With Love,

Carol

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