Thursday 12/24/21 Columbus, GA at Erick’s place for the week.

Christmas Eve and I am up at 7:30am to 33 degrees outside.  Very toasty 78 degrees inside the Alto tho.  Today it’s suppose to be 32 to 67 degrees.  As long as it does not rain then all will be well.  Besides, we’ll be with family and friends waiting for Santa to arrive.  

I can’t believe it but it’s now 12:30pm and Eldon has walked Moreno, I fed Moreno and I am trying to get caught up on the OPB.  I think I'm lucky to have  Moreno to keep me company in the Alto.  I better go inside the house to shower and find some orange juice.  Eldon already showered and now it’s my turn.  I sure hope I can find someone in there that is good at Blogging so I can transfer all this info onto the Blog site.  Erick has Wifi so I should be sending out all these so you too can be up to date.

It's a different way for us in celebrating Christmas.  We usually do our main meal on Christmas day.  Erick and Judith are doing it today in a Panamanian style, Christmas eve dinner and waiting for Santa to come at Midnight.  No plan to go to church.  That is alright for Eldon and me:):)

So the day is full of people (adults and kids) and 3 dogs (Moreno, the best behaved, Luna, noisy, "Jordan" little one).  It was something that we have not been used to anymore.  Even on our Summer Party days we have controlled chaos.  Not here.  

I'll include the photos below and mark up the photo with peoples names.  Blood relative wise, it's only Erick and me.  The others are very close friends of Erick and Judith.  Also his boss and wife.  Once Luna went to bed, Moreno ruled.

Merry Christmas!!

Food was plentiful, though no one apparently took a photo.  If someone left hungry, it would have been their own fault.  Of course only one couple left.  The rest of us were staying here!!!

We had a huge turkey and huge baked ham with Judith's brown sugar and "purple" fruit glaze.  Home made potato salad, spinach and strawberry salad, Eldon's cranberry beans, pumpkin soup, stuffing of sort, turkish bread and of course many desserts.  Throughout the day there was munching and drinking (beer, wine, soft drinks and who knows what else).  So far all I have seen is people eating and drinking all day and night.  Wow, I think Eldon and I are the oldest and I know I feel it:):):)  Everyone has been great tho.

I found my spot in the midst of all this, doing dishes and cleaning up at the end.  I escaped into my world where I can control something:):).  It was wonderful.

Once we could no longer eat any more we retreated to the living room where there was a beautifully decorated tree and other festive sights.  LOTS of presents under the tree.  Santa did not miss this place!

We made a few toasts to special people in our lives and we could feel their presence.  We thanked each other for sharing this special occasion and wished for even better times for next year.

When I finally finished my "job" at 2:15AM I finally headed to our Alto to rest.  I found a passed out Eldon and Moreno.  They did not even stir when I opened the door.  Usually they know when I open the door but they were on top of the bed without changing to sleeping gear nor putting warm covers over them.  It was funny!!! We all had a great time.

Merry Christmas!!