Jesmyluk

I stepped back from social media before the holidays because I really didn't want to see or hear about people in my own realm going on trips to see family or friends during the holidays this year.  Normally, I love seeing pictures & hearing those stories from family & friends but this year with the pandemic I believe it is dangerous & selfish, harsh as that may sound, to travel.  All the traveling that is happening is frustrating to our family who has been on lockdown for the last 9 months, doing as the experts have asked.  We keep hoping people will put the needs of the many ahead of the needs of themselves but they keep disappointing us. Parties & get-togethers are more important than trying to slow the spread & save lives.  The more we all work together for a concerted effort to slow the spread of the virus; giving the vaccines a chance & the hospitals, Drs, nurses, & so forth a chance to breathe while trying to care for those who get desperately ill,

Made it through another Christmas.  No, we did not get a white Christmas.  On Christmas Eve we enjoyed flurries off & on all day but no measurable snow.  And frankly, we were glad.  Kier left for Florida on the 26th & so we were praying hard for clear, dry roads & good weather for his long drive.  He is now happy & safe in Florida so now we are happily awaiting a nice big snowfall.  Especially with us all ensconced safely in the house due to the pandemic. Captain Awesome is working from home & the kids are schooling virtually so I'm good with some yucky winter weather.   Leading up to the big day found McKenna & I enjoying some time together getting crafty. The finished product: She is so amazingly talented my daughter! I am so proud of her.  While she worked on the new Christmas card display I was working on wreaths for the back door & bows for the Christmas tree.   Luna wasn't that impressed with our craftiness but she definitely liked the village.

  It took me a week before I was able to do this post...  Last Thursday at 3pm we had to put our 15+-year-old cocker spaniel, Nikki, to sleep.  Needless to say, it was an incredibly emotional day.   It wasn't a shock to us as she was 15 years old, had severe cataracts, & was deaf.  This summer she started getting really picky about food.  Then she started going to the bathroom in the house fairly regularly so we had to sequester her inside the laundry room, where there is no carpeting.  This fall getting her to eat was becoming more and more difficult, I just knew we were going to lose her.  I kept hoping she would turn around because it's already been a really bad year for loss in this house & honestly I just didn't want to face losing another furry family member. But last week we noticed her left eye was beginning to ooze mucous & we could clean it off but it would crust back over within half an hour. And then she officially stopped eating completely. I called

This last week we celebrated Christmas with one of our favorite traditions, making gingerbread houses.  And of course, while everyone was constructing their houses I had to take pictures of the Christmas lights & the tree.   I hope you are all enjoying spending time with the loved ones in your homes & enjoying the slower, quieter Christmas we've been gifted this year.  This is how I am choosing to see it this year.  A chance to slow down & focus on the important things.   All my love, Jes