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Although some traditions remain, Christmas for the Cloutiers is changing. The tree is smaller and the decorations, simpler. There are fewer presents and participants. It is quieter, slower moving and does NOT start at sunup! Fortunately, Cindy is still here to share it. Otherwise we would probably lose almost all the flavor of a celebration.
Before we get to Christmas, I am happy to report that Durelle's GRWS (Golden Retriever Withdrawal Symptoms) are no longer evident.
Christmas Eve has, for a long time, meant a dish of lasagna with salad and garlic bread and this year was no exception.
Our tree is no longer one that would be suitable for the town square. Thankfully, the cat has decided to leave it alone.
Although they weren't here,I thought I'd include recent pictures of our two youngest great-grandkids: Madeleine and Anthony.
I hope all you kind folks out in the blogosphere had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to a healthy and prosperous new year.
This past weekend, from Friday to Monday, we hosted David (32) and Kevin (30) as they were in town to run in the half-marathon on Kiawah Island. If they are not "great" grandsons, there aren't any. They enjoyed the use of the Corvette, but on race day the rain and the alternate parking caused them to return and switch to the Jeep. I noticed today that the Corvette had a full gas tank. I have not yet checked the Jeep. They ran together until the last couple of miles before the finish when Kevin out-legged his "big" brother. They both finished and were happy with their times. I didn't ask what they were.
Since I have neither the mobility nor stamina to position myself at the finish line of such an event, I have resorted to using images provided by Dave that are for sale by a vendor who does.
The following morning (Sunday) they teamed up to make a generous breakfast for the five of us. Can you tell that they are brothers?
The race determined a couple of meals. They night before was a big bowl of spaghetti. Carbohydrate loading is a common pre-race tactic. The pre-race breakfast was just energy bars. Saturday night I grilled some pound and a half ribeyes. I expected them to consume more beer than they did, so I'm going to have enough Yuengling to last me a while. It was a most pleasant weekend, and we could not have asked for a couple of more enjoyable guests.
On another front; our "dip your toe in the water" start of a search for an assisted living facility has stalled out. I'm mentally more ready than Durelle. While I'd like to make the commitment while we are still healthy enough to enjoy the new lifestyle, Durelle is not yet ready to embrace a change of that magnitude. We'll work it out together, eventually.
