And it happened this week, twice.
These were the thoughts drifting through my happy head as I sat in my toasty snug house, sipping hot coffee, admiring the glorious view outside all of our windows as my darling husband donned his choppers and boots, fired up a cigar and the snowblower and cleared the drive so that life could go on as planned.
And then it happened again the next morning! Only this time, the storm had fully passed, the sky was clearer and in the East, a rose gold sunrise was tinting the world pink!!
I love it.
On Friday night, we went to a party over the river. It was at my brother Joe's house and like most of our family parties, included as many generations as cared to show up. My Mom was there, most of my siblings and some of the cousins from out of town were also there, kids in tow. BoopityBoop and #6 were there, along with three other of my Mom's great grandkids, under the age of 5. The food was out of this world, the company even better and a grand time was had by all. The party began at 5 and my sister Katie and I had to carry Mom to the car at 10:30. Not because she'd over imbibed or anything but because she doesn't do stairs easily anymore. And it wasn't actually me and Katie doing the carrying, it was several of Mom's big, strong grandsons, who were more than happy to provide the service. It's nice to be Mom's driver because we always get the best parking spots.
Saturday felt like Sunday not just because of the party Friday but because there was football on all day and Zach and Sara brought #6 over to watch football and eat chicken wings and pizza. It was a swell afternoon: I got #6 to giggle! Her parents left her with us for a bit after the game so they could go do some Christmassy stuff. She was as good as gold while they were gone. She fell sound asleep on her grandpa's lap and stayed that way until her parents returned.
Sunday, Jay and I headed down to Ty's neck of the woods to watch the Great Kitten and Babalouie perform in their church Christmas pageant. Xena, at 1o, has aged out of the Church program but she was in the front row, helping to remind the performers of their hand motions. Babalouie had a big part, with many lines. Kitten had an even bigger part (the Virgin Mary) but had no lines. They were both terrific.
After the show, we all headed up the road to a very fun annual Christmas party thrown by my Mom's side of the family. My maternal grandmother was one of nine sisters, so we have cousins, second cousins, first cousins once removed and connections coming out our ears. My grandkids got to meet fourth and fifth generation relatives. They met cousins so distant that they could someday date and no one would lift an eyebrow.
It was all great fun and since it was a brunch party, Jay and I were snug at home by 2 in the afternoon.
There's nothing better than that.
Merry Christmas!