And It's the 25th Day of December, 2024. Another Christmas Celebration in Central New York - Nice Layer of the White Stuff Caressing the Ground

Karal is welcoming the day with her morning barks at Mimi Sue for a bite of her bagel. Dad is wondering what day it is & why mom is always yelling at him (as he lies back for a nap next to all her empty Diet Coke cans and piles of holiday treats). 

There are scratch offs. Perhaps we'll win, most likely we won't (and there's that Mega-Millions ticket that could be worth 900 million dollars, but won't be).

Nikki's at the hospital doing Christmas care for those who can't be home for the holidays and Adamo is spending the day in Poughkeepsie. 

Casey and Dave are awaiting John's prime rib,  but they got mom her Panera cinnamon crunch (which arrived unsliced)(and is beyond sticky to cut in half)

Very little traffic on the streets in a quiet neighborhood and I'm feeling like John Boy Walton typing these letters to the page as another year is chronicled on Crandall mountain. 

And Cynde didn't have the patience for a Horton ornament tradition, so hung all our bulbs on her own.

This is Christmas. Chitunga and Lys are driving to Florida tonight (and he took the better bottle of bourbon ... always forgiven). The runny nose has returned to sinus cement, and I need to start peeling the carrots and potatoes. 

There's a ham to be baked. Oink Oink. And for some reason, Cynde has stored Rudolph's nose on the table by her tree.

Snap. Need Dog Food. Need Cheeses. Need to Think About Christmas Morning Bagels. Also Should Get a Mega-Million, Cuz That Would Be Nice, Too

The thought of going anywhere near a store today causes my blood pressure to rise, but if I can muscle it up early, I should probably do one more run. Shoot. Should also do a liquor run, too. I was out yesterday and I could only think, "What happened to Cicero? Why so much traffic?" 

And the light do no align correctly. Only couple of cars can move at a time. Fa la la la la la la la la.

It's Christmas Eve, and I'm going to prepare my parents dinner (they want to bypass any chaos this year) and I'll likely spend most of the day in the kitchen. As predicated, the snow began to fall around 10 p.m. and we'll maintain a white Christmas.

Karal also go some cousin time yesterday, because she was growing anxious to have doggy play time. She, too, will not be part of the chaotic traditions, as we're slowing down this year. No Flake Like Mike or Dave's Christmas Cracker. 

But I do have a new story for the holidays. Mom came out to her chair wearing her pajamas as we were watching the SNL Holiday Special for the 4th time this week. She was doing her iPad nightly tradition of watching UFOs in Wooster, Massachusetts, when I hear her say, "What is this? Oh, my God," Well, whereas she pinched her oxygen chord earlier in the day which set off the alarm that she couldn't hear, I immediately jumped up to help her. She had these straps coming down from her pajama top.

"Oh, Oh. My," I heard her saying, I know what this is."

And then I witness her pull down her bra which she didn't finish when she went into the bedroom to change. "Oh, I thought I took it all the way off." 

She then curled up the bra and placed it next to her Reindeer food and chocolates.

This was, of course, the night before the night before Chrismas (that would be tonight) .

And here we go....

Spicy Stewed Chicken, Chocolate Glazed Raspberry Home-Made Sherbet, Kanyea, Courtney, and a Lil' Malia Celine Sunshine for the Evening

Santa's gonna love on Malia-nugget, and my curiosity will rise to see how fast this lil' creature will take on every word she can possibly handle. 1.5 years old and a chatty human who wants to know and learn everything. Pure joy. And the two most important people in her world: her mommy and daddy. I'm amazed by how much she grew since summer. And that laughter and happiness is contagious. 

Ah, Courtney...you masted that stewed chicken, but my stomach does not do well with the spices...but can I stop eating? Absolutely not. I licked my bowl and asked for 2nds and 3rds. So good. But the GERD and heart burn. 

I have today to heal. And Trader Joe's was still open. And I got my Danish Kringle for coffee in the morning. I am thankful. 

So now it is time to get Christmas-read. Sad to see Louisville lose the championship game of the NCAA tournament, but they should hold dither heads high...they fought incredibly hard this seasons. My heart breaks for Anna DeBeers, as I've been watching her rise to stardom for several years. It will be hard not to see her on the court next year. What a champion. 

Temperatures should be balmy today...heading back to the 20s after a day where it began at 2 degrees. And  it might even hit 30. I'll be wearing shorts.

Now, to bake the ham today to scent the air, or wait for Christmas Eve to tease the stomachs.

1828 - Euclid Hotel in Clay, New York. 2024 - Chitunga, Alyssa, and I Have Dinner There. Pretty Remarkable Landmark, Actually

Tunga, Lys, and I went to Freight Yard to get a craft beer, then ended up down the street at the Euclid Hotel. I drove by that place every day in high school, to and from work, and never paid any attention to its age or history. That's a pretty amazing lifespan, actually...pushing almost 200 years. That's almost unheard of, actually. The food? Well, about what I'd expect from an almost 200 year old restaurant, but I'm glad we went (the beers at Freight Yard were wonderful)

And bringing home an open face, hot turkey sandwich to the parental units was a hit, too. Not bad for a 7 p.m. brought to your lap treat.

The snow fell lightly all day and it was beautiful (even if it is very cold). Karal and I got 3.2 miles in, and that is always a better day (even if we had to bundle up). Looking like we'll have a white Christmas, which is always nice, although today I'm thinking only black and red cardinal colors. It's been a wonderful NCAA volleyball tournament and I'm happy for alma mater making it to the final match...and in the hometown of Louisville. Wish I was there in person to see the games, but something tells me I'm better off watching a television screen in upstate New York.

And a special thank you to Nikki Isgar who brought a tray of cookies to Mimi's which included Magic Layer Bars (which have greatly been missing from my mother's freezer)(especially before the actual holiday events). 

On the way home from Euclid, I recalled how I paid for college by earning commission at Sibley's up the road at Great Northern Mall. Insane that I made the money I did then, but also that those stores and that world no longer exist.

1828 Clay. 1990 Clay. 2024 Clay. Nope. Nothing sits still.

It's a Tough Life Being the Spoiled Grand-Dog in Upstate NY When There are Light Flurries Falling from the Sky

Had to leave the house by 7:30 for Dad's cat scan, and got their holiday banking taken care of. Karal visited with her cousin, Lucy, and there was cube steaks and smiley fries for dinner. Productive day? I'm not sure, but we caught dad before he put buttered bread in the toaster. That was a win for sure.

I think the day tired Karal out early. I decided it was too cold to go out to shop or get dinner. Easier during daylight hours in the winter. I very well could have given in with Karal. I'm determined to beat the cold down before it beats me down. 

Had another successful Price Chopper run with Papa Butch. We're two for two with no incidences. Fingers crossed we make it through the holiday. We bought 3 tubs of sherbet, so he should be good for now. And after he buttered bread and then tried to put it in the toaster, he now has two slices of buttered bread at his side, pretending to be he parakeet. All is well on Amalfi Drive. I think we should name her Bernadette.

And I vote not to have to get up early to take anyone anywhere to a medical appointment. It's cold out there at this time of year, and how is anyone supposed to leave their house before 8 a.m.? I'm out of practice for sure. 

Okay, Saturday....bring forward what you will. I think Karal and I will be ready for it.

Pulled Off the 80th Celebration of Mimi Sue, But Someone Need to Come & Get Butch Who Has Been Blubbering All Day (Who is this Man?)

Early morning Cat scans with Butch this morning (but we got him to take a bath and he loved watching all of mom's birthday wishes. Made the cake, as I do, and also a sausage tortellini soup, all the while I've been sneezing like a madman...even bought some Mucinex to help keep my brain in the drylands.

It was wonderful waking up at 6 a.m. and coming out to my mom pop-eyeing her iPad to see the wishes that were coming her way. I didn't anticipate the documentary going over so well, but that brought the most joy ("Hey, I've lived quite an interesting life, haven't I?"

One birthday, a holiday, and another birthday to go. With tissues of course. 

I suppose I now need to start thinking about Christmas shopping, but really I just want to get dad to the doctors and, perhaps, come home for more sleep...it's the only way to dry up a cold.

And I caught the Louisville/Pitt game in Syracuse - final four...not sure where my head is with this because it's too stuffed up at the moment and I have to have dad at North Med by 8:15. 

Do You Know What Today Is? Do You? Do You? It's Susan Marilyn Crandall's 80th Birthday (& We Are Under No Circumstance Allowed to Throw a Party)

Happy Birthday, Mom! 

I know. I know. Cynde told me that you wanted nothing but a low-key, uneventful birthday, especially as you celebrate the 80th lap around the sun. But you know me (and you know us), so when Cynde called with an idea, I immediately had the idea in place. First, make a video invitation. Second, create a platform so others can leave notes and upload videos. Third, convince you that I'm working on a memory project for the National Writing Project and need a volunteer to do a test run, and Four, create the documentary. 

We're thankful to so many who were willing to send photos, offer insight, and participate on this celebration. The best part of it...your day doesn't need to be disturbed. You can sit in your chair, plug in your earphones (to tune Papi Butch out), and walk down memory lane.

Your birthday celebration begins this morning...right here. We love you. The good news is when you read the blog this morning, you can yell over to me because I'm home to celebrate with you. I'll send you the direct link so you don't have to participate via my daily blog.

As the sands in the hour glass, so are the days of our lives. Enjoy. This was possible because of friends, family, and neighbors. Here's to you!