Merry Christmas Eve!

I guess it is probably normal to reflect back on life experiences during the holiday season. I certainly have been doing that the past several days.

Today was my first chance to go into town and get to the cemetery to visit Jennifer’s and my grave site. Today I got pretty choked up. Like I have said before I don’t spend a lot of time when I go, but visiting her does provide me a weird sense of comfort. I pretty much tell her hey and tell her how much I miss her and today wished her a Merry Christmas.

During our years together we usually spent Christmas Eve with her family and Christmas Day with my family. There were some years where our families spent the days together. However there were years we did not. Again Jennifer and I were truly blessed that our families spent time together and enjoyed each others company.

After I visited her, I went to Walmart and picked up a baby gift for one of my financial advisors who was passing thru town today. I then went and visited with Jeanne and Rob, my first chance to see them this trip. Jeanne was looking great and has made so much improvement from her stroke last year. I am so happy for her. They are planning to come out to the ranch for dinner tomorrow.

Then I went to meet up with Chris and his wife and new son Bucky at a local coffee shop. I was a little early and just happened to see Jennifer’s cousin Marron and Sue who were at the coffee shop. So it was to catch up with them for a few minutes.

I had a very nice visit with Chris and his family. Bucky is a cute baby. If he continues like he is, he is going to be a big boy. He is a very mellow little guy.

Then I went and grabbed some bottled water and hustled back to the ranch to meet up with my Cousin Pat Ryan and good friend CD Holter who came out to visit. My sister Colleen had put together a nice spread of food and we had a very nice visit. Just before the guys got to the house. My folks neighbor Merri and Mark Galette stopped by to drop a bunch of Christmas goodies. After the guys left another set of neighbors the Lyons’s stopped by to drop off some more Christmas goodies. We have enough Christmas food to feed an army. Mom and Dad are sure blessed to have good neighbors. Another set of neighbors Bernie and Dean Hanson had already brought us a whole bunch of stuff as well and their newest neighbors the Rebich’s also brought a big dish of Carmel rolls.

I guess I am no better I brought a bunch of Town Talk maple bars home. I was driving by and saw they were open. So I had to stop and see if they had any maple bars left. They did. Jennifer would haunt me if I did not get some of those. I will eat one in her memory tomorrow at breakfast. Also Dad will be happy.

This evening Colleen and I started getting prepped for tomorrow. Cindy, Chad and the boys and Chads Mom will also be coming over tomorrow along with Jeanne and Rob. So it should be a nice day.

The weather continues to be crazy. We were in the mid-40’s today so a lot of the snow is melting. Usually this time of year we in the -40’s. We are going to barely have a white Christmas. In town they have very little left and you can see green grass in a lot of yards. We might get some rain tonight, which is not great that will just lead to more ice. There are some treacherous spots in Mom and Dads yard and you have to be very cautious walking or you might find yourself on your behind.

I watched the Hawaii bowl tonight and that was a crazy game between Hawaii and California. California was up 21-0 at one point, but Hawaii came back and scored with 10 seconds left to win the game.

Well enough for tonight. Merry Christmas to anyone reading this.