Christmas 2010

Originally, I was going to blow off Christmas this year.  Brian and I were going to spend the holiday by ourselves, the weather would be crappy, we’d be stuck indoors, finances are tight since Brian got laid off from work, yada, yada, yada. Bah, humbug.

But, then, we decided, “what the hell!” So, we chopped us down a little Christmas tree, decorated the inside of our house a bit, invited some family for Christmas Eve dinner at our house, and voila, happy Christmas!

Christmas has come and gone by so quickly. I am already planning my New Year’s resolution!

But, here are my Christmas 2010 memories. Please share yours, too!

Debbie and Eric brought their dulcimers and regaled us with music!

They played a number of songs, including, 'Shenandoah,' 'Oh, Danny Boy,' 'Little Drummer Boy,' and my personal favorite, 'Joe Clark.'

Here are Steve, Carrie, and Grandma!

And, here we are getting ready to sit down to dinner. Rib roast, Yorkshire pudding, roasted vegetables, stuffed baked potatoes, caprese salad, cranberry cake, pumpkin pie... OMG! Fabulous, if I do say so, myself!

Sam Dog loves Steve and Steve loves Sam Dog!

And, after breakfast on Christmas morning and the last of our guests left, Brian and I went to Folly Beach! Folly is always jolly!

Whenever I need to get my bearings, I come here! See the dolphin in this photo? There were a bunch (think it's called a pod) swimming and playing up and down the coast!

And, I found this cool star fish. It was still living, so I carried it to the water's edge and gently tossed it back to sea.

That's my sassy self wearing my purple scarf.

This is Morris Island Lighthouse from our vantage point from Folly Island. Yes, this is the lighthouse that is now surrounded by water and you can only get to by boat.

Here is my man, Brian! Woohoo!

JOY

On Sunday, it snowed! Rare treat for us. Big, wet flakes, but just a little too warm to accumulate.

Woodpecker at the feeder!

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From all of us

To all of you…

We weren't going to put a tree up this year, knowing full well that Charlie Cat would bring it down! So, last weekend, Brian and I walked through our woods and found this one that I have decorated with sand dollars and am keeping safe out on the back deck. I think it is beautiful!

Peace!

Love!

Joy!

Catnip!

Happiness!

Abundance!

Milk Bones! Woof!

 

 Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!

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Dennis Speicher, In Memorium

My nephew, Dennis Speicher, died in a tragic accident on November 13. 

I have included his obituary and link to the video played at his memorial service. 

March 4, 1968 - November 13, 2010

Dennis Speicher, age 42, of Denton, Texas, passed away November 13, 2010. Dennis was born March 4, 1968 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was a heavy machine technician, an avid outdoorsman and was a member of the NRA as well as a staunch Republican. He enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, and four-wheeling, animals, his pets, and nephews. 

He is survived by his mother and father, Susan and Steven Startz of New Braunfels, Texas; sister, Lori L. Gunningham of McKinney, Texas; nephews Aidan Gunningham and Liam Gunningham; grandparents Andrew and Arlene McCauley of Cloudcroft, New Mexico and Willard and Elaine Startz of New Braunfels, Texas; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his dog, Drake and his cat, Rowdy. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Dennis Lee Speicher in 2004, and his grandparents, Margaret and Robert Speicher. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 in Allen, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SPCA of Texas, www.spca.org.I 

Click here on his name to see the video: Dennis Speicher

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