2016 is Almost Here!

It’s hard to believe New Year’s Eve is here and 2016 is ready to burst in!!  The holiday season is flying by and it’s hard to believe I’ll be turning 52 in January.  Wasn’t it just yesterday that I was 16?  25?  Even 40?

As always the Shepard Family Christmas party, held at younger sis Erin’s abode, was a blast.  It was Steve’s second year so he was much more relaxed and knew what to expect.  Jordan’s wife Candy was the newbie so it was her turn to take in the food, the family, the questions, and the noise.  She had a fantastic time and enjoyed being part of a big family gathering.  Sam actually attended the party this year and he wound up having a fantastic time, bonding with cousin Maressa’s boyfriend James and Erin’s boyfriend Josh.  The gift game continued to be fun and I ended up with an awesome bag filled to the brim with items to be used in a car emergency.  Steve wound up with LED candles and a “52 Things to Do While You Poop” book; he conveniently left both at my house and ended up giving them to me.  The candles – yay!  The poop book will definitely be regifted.

We also had the annual girl’s sharing of shoes, clothes, makeup, etc. during the Shepard party.  I off-loaded a ton of shoes and makeup and wound up taking home a cute pair of beige boots, some black thigh high boots, a Spritz cookie press, and a few other odds and ends.  In addition, sis Eilene made me a fabulous high heel shoe wreath that I immediately hung up on my porch.  Thankfully it is fake so I can use it every year!!!

There is definitely never enough time to get caught up with each family member during the annual party.  We need to have gatherings more often so we can spend time sharing our lives with each other.

I took December 23 off from work so I could finish my Christmas shopping.  I was gone from 8:30am to 3pm at the stores getting gifts and then getting groceries.  My feet were sore at the end of the day!!!  Next year I will plan better and get my shopping done early!!

Christmas Eve found me celebrating at Steve’s house with his family.  This year I was included in the gift drawing and it was my task to purchase for his sister-in-law Michelle.  Along with a long-sleeve tee and fleece vest, I also made her a beaded bracelet, including charms with pictures of her family.  She unwrapped the bracelet and immediately began crying she was so touched by it.  Made my heart warm.

Steve gifted me a beautiful diamond and garnet ring and necklace along with another funky set of earrings and necklace which are similar to the bracelet I received last year from him.  I surprised him with a Black Sabbath tee, a hotel night, and tickets to see Black Sabbath in Tacoma on February 6.  He was beyond happy with his gift and immediately began humming some Ozzy song and rocking out.  Of course I’m going with him – in no way for the music but for the experience.  Right now I’m trying to figure out what rock-n-roll outfit to wear for the heavy metal shindig.

Christmas morning I drove home and watched Sam open his gifts.  Later, I cruised to Jordan and Candy’s for dinner and watched them open their gifts.  We also watched the thirties version of A Christmas Carol, one of my favorites.

The rest of the holiday weekend flew by, including Sunday when I took down all the Christmas decorations and changed up some of the pictures on the living and family room walls.  Sam has been frequently gone to his buddy’s house so Casa Diva has been unusually quiet lately.  No plans other than work for New Year’s Eve, although I received an invite to my friend Jan’s house.  Still up in the air as to if I want to be out on the road in the cold with a bunch of drunkards.

Happy New Year’s everyone!!!  Here’s to a fabulous 2016!!!