All, I went back and reread a few of my old posts especially the ones from when I first started to write here. As I read them now, I feel that if I hadn't lived through all of this with my DH and adult skids, I wouldn't believe it. And as I reflect on all of the other drama that so many of us experience in the stepfamily scenario I really breathe a sigh of relief. Two Xmas' before I posted the above, I bought Christmas stockings with my skids, stepgrandkids, DH, DS and my names on them. Hung them over the fireplace with stocking stuffers DH and I bought, the whole routine. This past Xmas when I unpacked the decorations I found them. I offered them to DH to give to his brood as they are very nice wool embroidered stockings, too nice to throw away. He tossed them in his trunk saying "That was your thing." The whole togetherness, holidays, Brady Bunch scenario I tried to make happen. He was right, I was the only one who really ever wanted that. There is a gentleman who is interested in dating me but things are just too fresh right now, and the divorce isn't done. However, the BIGGEST thing by far that is making me look hard before I leap is that he has an 11 year old daughter for whom he has joint custody. He has told me many times he thinks I'm a good mother vs his ex. Oh boy, totally the wrong thing to say!!!

Christmas Eve was (and still is) magical to me. As a child we would go to my grandmother's and have a buffet of baked ham, deviled eggs, potato salad, home made baked beans and her famous chocolate cake. Then we got to open the gifts from my grandparents, aunt & uncle (they were teens when we were kids). My grandmother's house was filled with family heirlooms and was so warm and cozy when lit up for Christmas. She had a fireplace in both the kitchen and living room and they both were blazing. It seemed liked it always snowed on Christmas Eve in those days, and I can remember carolers coming to the door. Not to be a downer, but my Dad was an alcoholic and my parents fought a lot in the weeks before Christmas because of all the "festivities". I never knew if we were going to have a Christmas at all. Then, somehow, they always made up on Christmas Eve. I attributed it to the magic of my Grandmother's house. Grandma is now gone, but I have taken over the Christmas Eve tradition. I follow her exact menu (with a few additions). We go to a candlelit service at 5:30, and then all my siblings come over with their kids. We tortue the kids by eating first, and then they each get to open a gift (we do a gift exchange). My parents and even my 102 year old grandfather attend and get the biggest kick out of watching the kids. It is a lot of work, but worth every minute spent preparing.

Well, I finally put the tree up yesterday. Liz' telling us about having 13 trees up, did it. :) Today, my plan was to overhaul DH's closet, make some chocolate mousse, and then wait for daughter and hubby to arrive. BUT The weather turned to carp, and I listened to the forecast. Called and told DD about it, and she decided to come over last night. Good thing, cause if she had come when planned, the roads are all icy now. DH went to the gym like always, and then planned to go to work. We got started on the closet thing, and realized the shelves we got were to wide, and planned a quick run to Lowes. Phone rings. It's DH, he wants me to check, if he doesn't have to go to work (is just about to leave the gym). I go to the website, and lo and behold, all un essential workers are to stay home. DH is one of them. Coats come off, boots back in the closet, and quickly hang all his shirts and stuff back up, and put the shorter shelf from my closet in, and put everything in, and get out of that room. By the time he comes in, I am putting my stuff on his new shelf, luckily it fits here, BIG SMILE! Now we made the chocolate mousse, but no Ellen to watch. The local news tells us over and over how "bad the roads are", and to stay home. Big laugh on our end. I guess, I'll go and fix lunch now. Have a Merry Christmas all, and stay warm. Moni

A hot dog I found in the freezer, wrapped in foil since..? Tasted good tho. That's about all, not counting all the cookies I made plus all the cookies and candy friends and neighbors have dropped off. Just got back from Christmas Eve service at the church, and I'm sure I'll start picking through the plates of goodies again. Ooo, hash with poached eggs - one of my favorites. Wish I had some for my breakfast tomorrow. All by myself Christmas Day as we had the family dinner at my brother's today at noon; but I have a big slice of ham to cook tomorrow for my dinner, some dressing, sweet pot., and probably corn.