CLAY AND WATTLES

A Very Sweet and Safe Christmas
Happy Birthday, Jesus
Thank You for Your Grace

When we left Thursday it was raining and rained halfway home to Iuka. Our rain gage in the back yard showed about five inches, Paul said, when he checked it Saturday.

We had a safe and good trip and visits with family, arriving Thursday evening around 4:00. We met Mike and Marsha for supper at a Mexican restaurant in town and later went to their house for a visit. Morgan is engaged! Her fiance's name is Steven, also. (We have a brother Steve - Stephan.) No date announced yet.

Mama Nick was in bed when we got back to her house and I stayed up a little while reading her Bible and looking at the family names she'd written in the front. Oscar claimed her chair in the den/kitchen and wouldn't come back to the bedroom with me.

Friday morning we were up early and went to David and Sandra's for breakfast - the J girls were home (Jessi and Will, her boyfriend; and Jenni), Aunt Ginny was there. We had a delicious breakfast; Sandra had even made homemade biscuits! After that large a breakfast we weren't that hungry; Mike and Marsha were going to her sister's in Alabama. Mama Nick offered us a light supper, but we really didn't want anything. We made another quick visit to Mike's and went to see Steve for a bit, then to Pleasant Hill cemetery. The wind was blowing so hard, we didn't stay out long. Mike asked about our Hubbard-Wadkins family and I really couldn't tell him - I haven't looked at that genealogy for some time. I'll print off what I have in Family Tree Maker sometime and send to him.

We stopped by Aunt Ginny's and left her gift, and picked up ours from her. Then we were on our way home, via Amy's. By this time we were starving and looked along the way to see what might be open. I spotted Friday's and when we got to Amy's she called and they would be open until 11:00. That's where we had Christmas supper. Then back at her house and the cozy gas logs, we opened gifts.

Today Paul and I have napped, snacked, and I've downloaded pictures to Kodak and ordered prints. I did send one album to friends and family. I used to make CDs for everyone, and before that I was the photo-keeper, making prints for everyone. I still like to get prints made - it only takes a blink or a click for all digital e-photos to disappear. I do make back-ups, though.

Paul still has a cold, but I'm not surprised what with getting in and out of the weather - rain, snow - yes, about 10 minutes' worth of snow on Christmas day! - wind, and cold. But all in all, a very blessed Christmas with family.

Water standing beside our patio.

A haze of rain, trees in the distance, near Parkin or Earle.

Mineral Springs Park in Iuka.

Mike (holding Tux), Marsha, me, Paul (holding Oscar). The pups got along okay after checking each other out - by that I mean ignoring each other.

Snow on the holly at David's.

Jennifer, Will and Jessica, Sandra and David, Mama Nick.

David's elf cap he was given on his and Sandra's trip to Denmark earlier this month.

I hope Mama Nick uses this Snuggie. She has her house warm and toastie!

The pine needle cushioned path through the trees behind Mama Nick's house. This was all cut several years ago and I'm glad it's grown back.

Aunt Ginny's house.

An old truck which we noticed was being "pulled" by lighted reindeer. It looks as though it would have needed pulled.

Sort of a landmark in downtown Iuka. It has maybe two tables inside. Great hamburgers!

Oscar helps Amy open gifts. Cozy fire!

I think she was most thrilled with the leaf blower. She and Paul had to try it out. She declared that it works great!

Oscar has to be in the middle of it all.

Family picture time.

Bitty has a good idea.