and then there were FOUR!...

Clavier Family Weekend Visit...

JJ's on his way to Virginia...

Feeling Better By the Day (Fr. Tony Update)...

and Christmas is looming large...

AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR:

Well, it's official.... having heard no little feet scampering about in the ceiling, for days... another little furry visitor was heard, then caught. This morning, I'm hearing a fifth critter, so the humane trap is set. Their living accomodations are getting a bit cramped, so this week will be freedom week for my furry little visitors. Must find a warm and welcoming place to set them free.

CLAVIER FAMILY WEEKEND VISIT

Philip and family came for a brief visit, and it was wonderful. Tony was pleased as peaches to see his boy, and I got to meet Erin and Kaylen (sp?) for the first time. Kaylen is absolutely adorable, and cute as a button!!!

Philip and family purchased a little DVD player for Fr. Tony, for Christmas.... so he'll have a way to watch DVDs while he's doing the stem cell transplant thing, some time in February. He'll have quite a bit of time in isolation at Ruby, during that time, so movies might help pass the time. It's quite a nifty little techy thing!

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA BOUND

JJ will be making his way to Virginia this morning, via a wonderful Vet Tech (Cheat Lake Animal Hospital) whose grandma is an avid avian lover. I'm sure JJ will be in good hands. They've promised to keep in touch, send photos, etc. I look forward to hearing reports about how JJ is getting along. He so deserves a good and loving home, as we tried to give him, but are now unable to provide. His grumpy, funny little self will be greatly missed.

CHRISTMAS IS LOOMING LARGE

Christmas is just on the horizon and there's much to do. I've managed to get several gifts purchased on line, but still have oooodles of gifts to make. The procrastinator in me has been doing a fine job of putting things off till the final hour, as usual. I can't tell you the number of Christmas' I've spent being up all night on Christmas eve, finalizing gifts. WHEN will I learn??!!!!

It doesn't help when there's an anniversary on the 22nd (me and Fr. Tony), that always seems to get lost in the holiday shuffle. Then, there's a birthday on the 25th (me) and the 28th (Mark's). If that wasn't enough, there's also a birthday on the 13th (Kaelin) of January, and the 22nd (Megan) of January. So much to do!!! I wonder if I'll get my all time wished for Christmas desire.... a home made Coconut Cake! hahaha

So, today.... I must get a schedule posted for myself! Santa's little elf has a lot to do!!! When Christmas is behind us, and gifts have been opened, I'll post pictures of what I've made, for all to see. Would love to post them sooner, but don't want to ruin the surprise for family reading the blog. grin

FEELING BETTER BY THE DAY..... Well, maybe not.

The past few days Fr. Tony has been feeling fairly well. He still gets some numbness in his extremeties, and bags under his eyes, but it comes and goes. The 26th of December he returns to Ruby to undergo round three of the chemo. He's a bit nervous, especially after feeling so darn rotten for the past few weeks, but he shall endure, like a trooper. His mother (God rest her soul) would expect nothing less of him!

This morning Fr. Tony took the 10:30am Service, and did QUITE a sermon! The youth choir sang a couple of songs, and were a joy to watch. The adult choir was, as usual, fantastic! The church was quite full, as usual, and it was grand to see the Elmes' offspring in church. Unfortunately, the service took quite a lot out of Tony, and he's feeling very rotten this afternoon. (Might need to pay a visit to our Dr. Craig tomorrow. Geee, I hope he's in town!).

The parishioners gathered after the service for a Covered Dish Supper, and you should have seen the dessert spread! Our Becket youth were selling many yummy desserts, with the profits going to an organization that purchases livestock for poor families living abroad. I'm continually in awe of our Aurie, the Sunday School director, and the wonderful way in which she teaches the Becket children about outreach! Fr. Tony had to be taken home, and couldn't mix and mingle, because of the "germ factor". Too many colds and flus going around, so we figured it more prudent to be on the safe side.

I think I feel a nap coming on, after a not so good night of sleep. Hopefully I'll have more pictures to show you later this afternoon. Much love to you all, and please do keep Fr. Tony in your prayers. He's feeling migthy badly today. PitterPat