Musings of a scattered family

It's cold and crisp. No snow. We had quite enough snow to last me a while last week. The positive side of the snow was shoveling the driveway. Good brisk exercise!

Eric is working. He always works Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Personally, I find that very annoying. I understand that planes have to keep flying, but I'd like for him to be home on Christmas Day. We had Christmas dinner yesterday. I cooked a Prime Rib because he doesn't like turkey and I don't like ham. He likes Prime Rib and I can tolerate it.

I'll attempt to call my sister today. She and her partner just completed a wild and wooly round about trip to Maine, then down to Indiana to see family, then to Graceland, and then to some casino in Mississippi before returning to Florida. Hopefully, she'll get to see her son and his son today. She may also get to see her step daughter and family today. She left Indiana 30 years ago and has created a full life for herself in Florida. I don't understand the attraction of Florida, but I don't have to live there. It's too hot year round. I miss her, but I have no right to criticize. I left Indiana more than 30 years ago. For me, there are only ghosts left there. I miss those ghosts terribly.

My son and his family are in Texas. They will visit in a few days. I look forward to seeing them. They have a son who just turned two and a son just born in August. I told my son he needs to get himself snipped. He'll be 60 when those boys start college. I don't think he's planning to take my advice about the snipping business. And, that may be wise. Having only one child is sad.

A friend recently confided that her husband wants to have their seventh child. They have six under eight years old. Her husband's thought is that children are the only thing that can't be taken away from you. She's an attorney and given the business we're in that's probably true!. But, it's going to be a lot of expense right when he or they are getting ready to retire and social security probably disappears.

Anyway, the family is scattered hither and yon: Forida, Indiana, Texas, Arizona, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota. Holidays are made up of lots of phone calls, emails, car trips and TSA security checks--------and never enough time to go around. I so tire of TSA security lines, but in this culture they are now a necessity I suppose. I remember when flying was a joy to anticipate.

We have a newly engaged niece in Kansas. Tentatively, the wedding is scheduled for July in Kansas. Her sister married last July. It was great fun! There are three nieces and they do weddings well. There are two nephews in Missouri, but much too young to consider marriage (I hope). Their mother is dropping by Saturday. We are scheduled to help her get some application packet ready to submit for a potential job in Texas. I hope she gets the job. It's a good job! I dread her potentially moving to Texas. She's one of my favorite people and I will miss her dreadfully.

Oh well, my son was born in Texas and has moved back. Two of my absolute favorite people in the world live in Texas (Mike and Ruthie) and if Maggie moves to Texas, I'll just have to find a way to visit Texas more often.

I was recently in Denver for a week for training. It was absolutely world class training that unfortunately was held in Denver. I'd be happy to avoid Denver for the rest of my life. But, the training was wonderful.

Another chatty little note later or another day. Chores are calling!!!