Happy Holidays

Holiday Greetings from the Nagans
It's that time of year again: sleigh bells ring, children sing, holiday music plays in all the stores. Whoops, I'm in a time warp! There's been no snow in our parts recently and with no kids or grand kids in the vicinity we haven't heard any school groups singing and as for the stores? Well, the whole holiday spirit seems to have disappeared.
But the holidays are certainly here -  you can tell from the way everyone bustles about with circles under their eyes and a dazed look that says "hey there aren't enough hours in the day for what I have to do!"
But we're taking a page out of Winnie's book this year - and just laying back and enjoying the best parts of the holiday: seeing nearby friends and family, having lengthy conversations with friends and family far away and listening to good music while we enjoy the glow of the tree lights and, of course, eating good food.
For those in the family who have criticized me for referring to my dog rather than my granddaughters as "princess" or "best girl"  I would like to relieve their minds and set the record straight. Winnie is  henceforth nicknamed my "best bitch." Argue that one!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving visit with my sister and brother-in-law, Beth and Gene. Even enjoyed the 21 hour trip in each direction, listening to good books on tape as we drove.  The weather in Alabama was fabulous: sunny and around 80 every day till the day we left, when the thermometer dipped  into the 30s,  preparing us for the colder northern climate. We enjoyed one (poorly played) round of golf and had delicious meals prepared by Beth.
While we were there, I was even inspired, or maybe insane, to go the the 5:00am Walmart electronics sale. I couldn't believe I was really getting out of bed at 4 in the  morning just to  buy a Christmas present. I had such a good time that when I arrived home with Doug's gift, Beth and I went back for more. By the end of the day we'd wracked up two new computers, two new printers and a new kitchen overhead light. (The latter out of necessity).
The trip to Alabama was the only one Doug and I took together this year but in May I went to Santa Fe for a 50th reunion with four of my WPHS friends. We had a blast and got to know each other all over again.
(For more about that trip read my previous blogs).
This is the time of year to catch everyone up on family doings. Our children are well and busy with work and families. And our four granddaughters are growing up remarkably fast. 

Hannah is now 13, very much a teenager and in her last year of middle school. She is an excellent musician who plays the upright Bass, and is currently very involved with dance lessons.

Sophie is 11 and rapidly changing from girl to teen; guess she's a tween. Sophie is a competitive swimmer and medal winner. She is also taking dance this year and plays the saxophone. I have to say that in both cases the instruments seem almost as big as the girls.

The Danish contingent is also growing up fast: Molli Malou is now six and Maddie Marie just turned two. Who would believe these girls both started out as preemies!


Doug and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year!