FullaBella's Journal, 26 December 2013

Thursday - December 26th. Another good night of sleep again albeit chemically assisted. Yesterday was okay; the grandson's actually came over a little early offering to help set things up. Rare. I let them help me prepare a couple of dishes - a rarity for them. Their parents don't let them do those types of things and that is tragic considering they are 14 and 16.

Then the train of food and the rest of Blondie's crew began arriving but everyone was chowing down on my appetizers to the point we just stuck the 'meal' food in the oven on warm until nearly 6pm.

I prepared all the dishes I mentioned yesterday and as fast as I'd fill a serving tray I'd need to refill it. The mantra 'There's just something about Mom's cooking...' outnumbered 'Merry Christmas'. Not a single leftover. I did have enough sliced deli to make a few more wraps but I think had I done that the 'dinner' food would not have been touched at all.

And in a final note of 'all things food' I never did eat to 'overfull' but I wasn't exactly hungry every time I shoved another little tidbit in my mouth. I hope part of that was the result of drinking a pint of water at least every half hour. I had my oatmeal at bedtime but made a small step back toward the better by not adding the brown sugar and decreasing the butter by half. Time to back away from that slippery slope. And I made it to bed without grabbing cookies or eggnog.

This morning I woke confused though and entertained delicious plans of curling up with Mushy and the Sunday paper and zoning out. I will open the shop and see who wants to spend their Christmas money or sell things to pay their bills. Hope it's more of the former than the latter but a customer is a customer.

Mushy goes for her dental checkup this afternoon; if she gets the all clear sign we'll get her some new chew bones and toys. Her companion tags came in and I have a new harness and lead ordered for her to start out her new year in style as well.

I phoned Cutty's two children up North to wish them a Merry Christmas and explain the change in the Memorial; they seemed somewhat relieved; at the very least, accepting. Either the other shoe is merely waiting to drop or I've scared the snot out of everyone as I've yet to encounter the usual post death greed and nonsense as witnessed with all of the other family member passings. His son did ask for a few personal items and I'll be accommodating those requests as possible. I ordered the engraved plates for the boxes (to distribute Cutty's ashes) and will be shipping those out probably after the first of the year.

And then? I was surprised to note there was a 'caretaker's support group' meeting listed in the local paper this morning. Had never seen THAT one in the past and I always read the daybook first looking for something local. There were also three separate grief support group meetings listed where there is usually only one. I may phone for details.

And that's about it for now. Hope you all have a great day after Christmas day.

Bella