Christmas 2018

Some of you may not like Last Man Standing, or Tim Allen...Kim lol but he does vlogs. He just did one about being a perfect parent. Raise your hand if you are one, raise your hand if you had one...the score is 0 to 0. I liked that. He then reminded me of the quote that says, Staying mad/holding grudges is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die. I apologize if I said that wrong, I cannot remember it verbatim



This year Christmas was almost like an after thought. I was spending time being a daughter, and trying to take care of my parents. All of us imperfect. Despite this, I managed to regift, or egift those that I care about. The best part of it all, was time. Kimberly, Shad and Desi made an amazing meal from veggie and fruit/deviled eggs to pumpkin pie. The turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, rolls, pistachio pudding, all of it, was incredible. We also played games off and on all day. Ashley and Andrew were able to stop over to eat and play a couple of games which ended the night on a perfect note.

I know that mom and dad appreciated the items I did to help around the house, but mostly, as always, we sat around and just spent time together.  I cannot remember who I was talking to, but we were talking about service. It used to be that money was what was needed the most. Now most people write a check and put it out of their minds when what is needed is time. Reading stories, taking walks, watching a movie, listening to them - thoughts and stories.

I have been learning that life is so very short. I know that we hear elderly people talk about how fast life is going, enjoy it, take time for yourselves and each other etc. but it did not really hit, at least not for me, until the last decade. Now, as often as I can I email or call mom to ask questions about her life, and I record as much as I can. I only got dad Larry on the recorder a couple of times and I wish I had so much more. I had slacked off on questions via email to mom and have not started with dad Dave yet, and I need to step it up.

I am unfortunately not going to be around for that long. Does not seem like it but I am over the half way mark already. As I have said before, no age bothered me except 25. Seemed so ancient back then. Quarter of a century seemed like wow, it is all down hill from here. 50 was no big deal to me. 54 is not a big deal. 55 is not necessarily a big deal but it has slapped me upside the head and made me realize that I am getting up there. Life starts to slow down in a decade or so and I am already going slow!!

OK, enough babbling. I love my family. I appreciate being able to spend time with you all when it is possible, when you are able. I think about you and continue to worry/rejoice/be proud etc. when you cannot. Just glad for all of it!! Love love love you all!!

Peyton home in Odell Oregon - Christmas Time

Mom goes all out for Christmas. The last few years she has had to cut down a bit but is not ready to give it up yet. For some reason I did not get a pic of everything. The wall tree in the kitchen, the tall cabinet in the dining room with snow babies, and the homemade village on top of the china cabinet, and the village in the sewing room are a few of the items that I can think of that I missed...But their home is very comfortable and inviting in the Christmas season. A lot of work goes into it, but even more love of the holiday and all that comes with that.                                 3 different views of tree/living room wall hangings

love this tree in glass that lights up, train on track

living room

front room wall, not even all are up

above front door

view down hallway

Dining room. Angel tree, snow babies from chandelier etc.

Moms kitchen, santa collection, takes 3 pics to see it all lol

Looking out front window

The 3 balls hanging outside light up 

View from front door

again

Main bathroom wall

Village in Main Bathroom

Full wood bin to be warm!!

Minnesota - Amish Community and Niagara Cave front

Grandma Carolyn Peyton and Christina Gordon before we start our tour 

stores at the beginning 

these 2 speak for themselves!!

Heading into the stores

Our tour bus, Michele Storbeck, Carolyn Peyton, Kimberly Holliman, and Christina Gordon were the only ones on the bus so it was fun. We were able to talk to the bus driver and ask more questions. (Carolyn Peyton is mother to Kimberly Holliman and Michele Storbeck and grandmother to Kimberly Holliman's daughter Christina Gordon)

We drove past a lot of farms/scenery as we went to our destinations

We were not allowed to take a  picture of their faces. Many will hide their faces when they are in places that the public can see. As the Amish do not use electricity or modern devices, they are plowing with the use of a horse and older equipment.  

The laundry was on a pulley system. You can see how they raise it and bring it down when it is dry. A lot more work than a washer and dryer in the house. 

There is a "barn quilt". Michele taught us about these as we had never seen one. Some were really beautiful and a lot of work was put into them I imagine. 

Although we shopped at every stop along the way, we could not resist revisiting the stores at the beginning again at the end!!

We went to eat locally at a restaurant the bus driver recommended. The family was trying to earn money to help a girl who needed medical attention. 

Beautiful church in the area. Mom (Carolyn Peyton) wanted to take a picture of all of the churches, each and every one had beauty. 

Restaurant we ate in

Front/Store of the Niagara Cave. Christina was the only one that went down into the cave. Michele, Carolyn, and Kimberly went to an antique store in town and spent a lot of time and money in the Niagara store!!

This was a funny story. I will try and find the other pictures and add this to it. We tried ... ok I tried, to get a pic of the carriage on the road. I had a 2 or 3 picture theme going....could not get just one good picture, I would get the end, the horse...we laughed so hard at my lack of skill...we had such a fun day!!