Celeste, the pictures are beautiful! Instead of kids, the cats (except for Zeus who needs a big hug) are nestled all snug in their beds" Snow pictures are gorgeous...looks like a rainy Christmas for me...and a warm one. But our crazy weather yo-yos cold and hot, cold and hot. But all you do with weather is talk about it, right? Your grandson is precious...love the Santa pic. My two and four YO grands were here today to make cookies with Mimi. After frosting and decorating, the two year old went off to play with blocks, but the Noah, the four year old was made of tougher stuff. "Chocolate chips are my favowite Mimi, so we made chocolate chips, then peanut butter cookies, then "but waisin cookies are my daddy's favowite, Mimi, we have to make them." so we made raisin cookies, then their cookie buckets were full, as was an additional box of chocolate chip cookies. I had to sit down for a while before I even cleaned the kitchen. I'm already planning for next year. And Celeste, we all enjoy your beautiful pictures so much. The amaryllis are really pretty. They go in the ground here when they are through blooming, and they bloom in the ground the next Spring, sometimes twice. I enjoyed your Christmas card, Celeste. Here is a picture of my tree. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. kay

Texas.. We really had a wonderful time and I always look forward to heading back to Southern California . The great friends that i just made are priceless, but the ones that I already have there are treasures!! Never to be replaced... The pure beauty will bring anyone home... I love it there!! ;-) Chuy.. You are so lucky to live so close to Costa . A beautiful, place with wonderful friends.. So lucky!! We had a trip to always remember ....truly a trip to remember. I would have loved to have met you ! Totally agree with you Peg, it was a tip to remember. Always!!! I'm so glad to have been able to share it with you!! ;-). Makes me happy inside to share the awesome people and for you to see how warm hearted , lovely people they are... Roxanne... You are a shining light... We will always have awesome memories because of you. A new and wonderful friendship between us as well as with some of your guest. Truly a gift from above!!! Mahalo!!! George. Thank you for taking good care of us at the open house. You truly went above and beyond . Thank you so much for all that you did for us.. We really appreciate everything!!! You are the best as well!!! Thank you Bill.. You truly made us feel warm and welcome and I appreciate all that you did for us. I know Bud wasn't feeling up to par, but he was a trooper to go out with us on the boat ride as well as to dinner. I keep thinking about those " fish and chips". They truly were the best that I have ever had!!! I'm glad we listened to you... Great selection for dinner... Hearing what you said about what Bud said on the ride home means more to me than anything. He is a very special gentleman and I cherish our friendship. There isn't anything that is more important to me than to have the respect from a gentleman like Bud. Truly , he is one of a kind. You made my day to read this... I am so touched... Thank you!!! Tell sherry that I have some Texas Stars that I will send to her!! No worries about seeds, so the " hot" plants already have the questionable leaves... Just what you need in your yard ! LMAO!!!!! HA!!!! You are a very special friend as well. . You and sherry are the best and I always enjoy your company. Brad sends his best and says " hello " to you all.. Maybe next time he will head out with me! Maybe he can go down to the pier while I do the Plumeria thing!!! ;-). I will always enjoy heading out to California.!!! James.. Again.. Thinking of you and wanted to let you know everything Is potted up. Mahalo... You are so kind and I thank you for all that you do ! Jen... I showed the picture that you sent to me on my cell to show Bud at dinner. He loved it!!! He loved the colors and was proud to know it was growing well in Texas! ;-) Doug.. Was that me sitting behind you?? Were you the one who was winning all of those raffles?.. Lol!!! Next time .... Roxanne.. An annual get together would be so much fun!!! Love it!! ;-) That greenhouse was like an oven... Lol You had to get outside and take a break, but them you see something else on the opposite area and you crisscross over to another greenhouse. Lol Talking hot? OMG. Johns little boys selling drinks and hotdogs almost sold me the ice container so I could put it on my head... That's hot!!! Lol!! A wonderful time with awesome friends.. Mahalo!!! This was better than any gift or plants.... Just to be with you all was more than anything I could wish for... Simply the best!!! Laura

Hello all... thanks for all the kind words. I am still trying to struggle through the day. Somedays I am ok, but others not that great. It was her birthday on October 20th. She would have been 64 or "39" as she would have said. We went to the park and fed the ducks... she always liked to do that. I also brought daisys and popped the tops off and placed them in the water. I miss the way that I would call her and she would be willing to go with me on what ever adventure I wanted to go on that day. She was always there for me. I know I am lucky to have a person like that and that it was my Mom, but it hurts no less. I am trying to build a new "normal". It is rough though because everything I do reminds me of her. I started to move around furniture in our house and I was thinking that everything I touched we bought together. She was a great decorator and I have no decorating sense at all. I just wonder when the feeling that I am completly lost and alone will go away. The holidays are coming and I hate it. I think we are going to plan a vacation at Christmas so I don't have to think about it. I don't know about Thanksgiving. Mom used to make the best mashed potatoes. This is so freaking hard. I think I am going to check into counseling again. It is so hard because I put on a strong face when I am out, but crumble when I get to my car or at home. I talk to my husband, but I don't think he really understands. What do you all do for the holidays?? Any ideas on how to get through them?

Now that my memory has been jogged...I remember Kenny! I'm so happy he's doing SO well! Sounds like he has a pretty good life going!*S* Anyone here that wants to send a card, please do. I'm sure it would thrill them. I thought I'd deleted that part, because I didn't want anyone to think I was posting the update to get them to send cards.