Holiday Gatherings

Having realized that the blog of Britney and Juan Carlos' wedding day in Colombia, Sunday the 21st, had gotten too long, I broke up this week's blog into two posts.  This post has been extended a few days, because it started on Monday and ended with my family gathering for the Christmas holiday.  It too is about (and includes in its title) gatherings. 

Monday 12/22 - Even though Sunday had been a 'do nothing' day, I did wrapped the three (only) packages I had bought, and put them under the tree, without bows because the cats eat ribbon.  





I met Jan and Karen at the ranch and we went out on a nice four mile ride.  Notice the hay chaff, fine particles on Rico.  His fuzzy coat was so static-y, that when I brushed him, the particles kept flying back onto him.  








Rico and Cowboy were standing in their 'feeding positions', in their 'stalls' with all three gates open, waiting for their feed buckets when it wasn't even close to time.  
Like the horses, the chickens come running up to and along the fence in hopes of getting fed.    


We had a great ride with only one small challenge.  It got a little 'dicey' going past the construction site because of the noise.  Zorro was very reactive, but Cash and Rico did quite well actually.  Karen did well with Zorro.  








I rushed home, changed, and then hit the gym.  I ended up gabbing quite a bit so didn't finish my complete weight set.  Some is better than none, right?  

This was in the mailbox when I got home after dark.  And dark came just a tad later than the night before.  From here on out, the days will be getting longer.  Not dramatically.  Not all at once.  But measurably.  Even if you can’t feel or see it yet.
  

Tuesday 12/23 - Joe arrived home just after 1am last night.  I had to do a fasting blood draw, so did not enjoy my two hours here with my stomach growling and my mouth and brain longing for hot tea.  I was at my doctor's office by 8am.  The bone scan a week ago revealed that my lower back (lumbar area) was back to osteoporosis.  Rats!  However, it showed that both my hips had improved.  Even though my doctor said she questioned the back number, she is putting me back on Reclast.  So the blood draw was to determine kidney function before getting the Reclast.

I am posing in my new hat from Joe, cowgirl shirt from Judy, and purse from Juan Carlos' sisters.  



I was home before 9am to finally start my morning routine; tea, toast, and then cookies with more tea.

Early afternoon I rode with Jan.  She was saddled up early and rode out before me.  It was good to get Rico to leave the barnyard by ourselves, and then meet up with Jan and Cash (video).





We rode past the construction site (that was pretty quiet today) and around Stratford Circle.  Although, because of the strong winds last night, more trees were down and needed to be cleared so we could get through (video).


Yep, I forgot to wear my helmet today.  I left it hanging in the barn right by my tack box.  Guess I was just too excited to hit the trail and catch up with Jan.

While up at the ranch feeding chickens, I saw the Fed Ex guy come with a delivery for Debra, and knock over the fence post while backing through the open yard gate.  Ugh.  

This makes three times that this post has been knocked over.  
After talking with him and Debra, I finally went home.  


Joe and I watched the three hour ending of Survivor that actually aired last Wednesday, when he was gone.

It wasn't that cold, but I had the fire going, and of course all our fur babies gathered around with us.
 

Wednesday 12/24 - Christmas Eve.  I ran some errands including getting another book from the library because I had finally finished my last one.  I also had an extra day to work on my jigsaw puzzle and my computer advent calendar because I'd gotten behind.

Joe and I were at the ranch mid morning to do some chores; mend fence, look at the yard gatepost, and restock hay in the barn and upper feed room.  Wanda was asleep in the hay, what was left of it, before we brought more down to the barn.  

Then we set to the task of putting out the first round bale of the season.  First we had to roll the feeder up from beside the shop.  Cash was our project supervisor.  

Joe switched out the bucket to the spear attachment on the tractor and stabbed a round bale from the shop (video) to take out to the pasture.

Cash followed us to the back pasture and dug in before we even had the ring feeder around the bale or the baling twine off.  

The other two onlookers joined Cash for hay inspection.  Soon quality control got to work and it was clear they greatly approved of the bale.  

 



Patty, Joanne and I had planned to ride.  When I fetched Amiga from the front pasture, Zorro followed us to the corral.  Joanne, who was at the barn took this photo.  










Patty on Zorro, Joanne on Rico, and I on Amiga went for a nice, slightly less than four mile ride (video).

The only unpleasant thing about our ride, was all the gunfire, coming from past the power lines just beyond our barnyard.  




It was in the upper 50s, so we were comfortable, but our horses did get sweaty. 










I did chores, having switched with Jan.  Before leaving, I took Debra in to Amiga and Zorro's paddock to let her meet them.  It did not feel like Christmas eve because it was so warm out and because Joe and I didn't have much planned for Christmas day.  

Vale sent these photos of the girls on Santa's lap.  
The last one just cracks me up.  Layla was not having it.  But look at Santa's expression, surely not the first girl he has made cry. 

Thursday 12/25 - Merry Christmas.
Britney with Juan Carlos and his three sisters, niece, and brother-in-law... all in their festive matching PJs.  💗

It was a fairly quiet/uneventful day.  I worked on the week's blog, finally completing Sunday's wedding event.  I realized the blog post was too long after just covering the weekend because B&JC's wedding took up so much space and time.  So I (posted) it once I had the Colombian wedding description and photos completed.  

I went out to the ranch with the intent of riding with Jan.  Although it was 61° out, it was misting enough to dampen my spirits when it came to riding.  Plus somebody must have been trying out their new gun because there was a lot of gunfire coming from two different directions.  Amiga got her pill and I did a few things at the ranch before heading home.  Wanda was asleep on a different bed of hay.  

Since I had skipped the ride, I now had extra time on my hands.  I started a load of laundry with clothes needed for packing and then began this blog post, with Mama Styx under by desk for a change.  









Joe and I went to Patty's for Christmas/Birthday dinner at 2:00.  Patty had prepared the bulk of the meal and Karen and I each brought a dish to add to the spread.  The four of us enjoyed a great meal.





Vale sent more photos of the girls and Dan.  We also got word from Courtney that she and Kent made it to his parent's house.

Joe and I 'Face Timed' with Britney and Juan Carlos around the dinner hour.  It was good to see and talk to them.  I finished the load of laundry and then packed and got pet care stuff in order. 

The best Christmas gift is knowing all my children and granddaughters are happy and healthy... as well as my siblings, extended family, and friends.

Friday 12/26 - Now it was time for our Sidenstick family gathering in Louisville KY.  Originally we didn't think Dan's clan was going to be able to make it, so after dropping off Maggie at Patty's, we drove to Dan's and dropped in on them.  Ava and Layla opened their Christmas gifts from Nana and Papaw.  

Soon Joe and I were back in the car, finishing our drive to Kentucky.  We arrived at the Embassy Suites by Hilton and got checked in and settled into our room.  This view from the hallway outside our room, with the red arrow, shows where the Sidenstick family members were already gathering in the atrium.  This continued to be our hangout area all weekend.   

As has been the case the last three years, they had the atrium all 'decked out' for the holidays.  




We all enjoyed the complimentary evening reception with free drinks during the 90 minute happy hour along with veggies, dip, popcorn, pretzel mix and chips.

Later, some of us went to dinner and others ordered from the hotel menu.  Patti also brought out her bin of homemade Christmas cookies.  Danger, danger.  We all decided we were on vacation/holiday mode, and dug in.  








Some folks played games late into the night.  (This was a strategic game of Power Grid.)  We moms mostly chatted and reminisced of days past and told some good stories of more recent adventures with our families.  I made it up to our room just before 11pm.

Saturday 12/27 - The free breakfast buffet and cooked-to-order eggs started at 6am and Carol and I were there ready to eat.  Patty soon joined us and before it closed at 10 am, most everybody else had made an appearance.  








As always, throughout the day and well into the night, the tables in the atrium were the gathering place for everybody.  In this photo, Kent is helping Courtney set up the new game (Stardew Valley) that he got her.

Later they got started on a game, with Chris joining in and Travis watching.  










Joe and I went on a very brisk, three mile walk with Dave and Patti.  We two older folks, in less conditioned walking shape, had troubles keeping up with the 15.3 minute pace, but almost did it.  

I hit the hotel's mini Fitness Center (which had minimal equipment) and worked out for about 30 minutes, before getting ready to go out to Brick House Tavern for a late lunch/early dinner.  

There was a quick game of Monopoly Deal as we all started congregating in the atrium to go to the restaurant.  





Dan and Vale arrived from Murfreesboro and Layla immediately started getting passed around...  

...while Ava went around to say hello to everybody and then played hide-&-seak with any willing participants. 

Once it was time and we were all gathered in the atrium, we all hopped into various vehicles and drove the seven minutes to Brick House Tavern.

They were a little short staffed, but did quite well accommodating our party of 19 people.  We ended up sitting at two separate tables but were right beside each other and had our own little section of the restaurant.

Patti playing with Layla (video) and Dave showing her a straw trick.  





The 'adult' table - Chris, Carol, Dave, Patti, Cathy, and Ralph.  Missing are Joe and I.  

The 'kids' table - Bert, J.J., Travis, Courtney, Kent, Michael, Vale.  Missing are Nicole, Dan, Ava and Layla.  
Unfortunately, we never got a group photo of all of us during the weekend.  Just too many people going in too many different directions.  



Ava has gotten so grown up and did very well at the kids table.

Bert and Nicole had to leave for his folks before the Birthday surprise (three cakes) came out at the end of the meal.  So she missed her cake, but Kent has a December birthday so he got it.  We all shared because the cakes were so big.  

As soon as we got back, Ava was quick to get in the pool.  Papaw accompanied her.  

Ava swims quite well and enjoyed playing with Pawpa (video).

Happy hour started at 4:30 and most of us were back in the atrium enjoying libations with the snacks they provided.  I was still too full, but managed to find room for the two free drinks.











Joe got a poker game going that Travis and Chris ended up winning, finally splitting the pot (for first and second place) instead of playing it out to the bitter end.

They had started out with eight players, which is a good number and more than usual. 





Patty took this photo from up on their floor hallway/balcony where their room was at.  














I got an up-date from Patty.  Maggie was doing well, and being good, even (sort of) sharing her bed with Patty's cat Ellie.  

It was another late night for me, actually after 11:30 by the time I was in bed.

Sunday 12/28 - The morning was similar to the previous morning with the breakfast routine.  










I went back a few times in the course of a few hours while different family members kept joining the group.  

Layla proved to be a squirmy, strong, busy handful as usual.









And she loves putting everything in her mouth.  




At this point my tea was long gone and I was drinking ice water.  But I closed the lid on my mug... so no spills.  




Michael and J.J. went out to toss the football.  

Dan and Ava went for a quick swim.  

We each went up to our rooms at various times to pack up.  And most of us hung out in the atrium until the noon checkout time.  

Layla was being very snugglie, burying her face in your shoulder.  

I suspected that yesterday's sore throat was becoming a cold.  I tried to keep my germs to myself.  At least I wasn't coughing or sneezing.  But I did have a runny nose.  







There were hugs in the hotel lobby and more out in the parking lot.  It is always so hard to say goodbye.  










I napped during the 4½ hour drive home.  My condition had deteriorated, and a sinus headache, cough, and sneezing now afflicted me.  









We picked Maggie up at Patty's and I started right in on Sunday evening chores once we got home.  There was also unpacking and putting away several things.