Merry Christmas

Almost Time

It's getting closer! Somehow I'm just not that excited. I'm a terrible person. I have almost completed my Christmas shopping though, as I am sure the bank is almost done sucking every last penny from my account. Hmph!

Yesterday was my last day at work and I had to say goodbye to all of my buddies. T'was most unfavorable; though I do have actual free time now. What will I do?

We've been having the most wonderful christmas weather. 74º and sunny.

 

I've been doing some Christmas baking...

And the cats have been somewhat disagreeable lately.

 

This guy...

left early this morning to go home for Christmas. He has a total of 19 hours of travel time before he makes it home. Yish! He sent me some lovely flowers...

And I'll be going up to chilly PA in about a week to see him. Oh it's going to be cold. What if it snows??

In more important news, Mom says she has no announcements to make. She says she can't think of anything exciting to tell you two. That is all.

Christmasy-ness

We've been preparing for Christmas. (A thankless task)

 

Meanwhile...

 

All is well over here. Everyone is moving and shaking. Mom, Ellen, and I all went to Ellie's restaurant the other day for lunch and had a most wonderful time. We all had a bad case of the giggles and our friendly waiter continued to bring us food long after we had stopped ordering.  Later I went with Ellen to the Charleston Place Christmas Party which was most amusing as you could imagine. The outfits! The hairdo's! Oh to have been able to hear a Guy family commentary.

My work wraps up tomorrow. I've made some baked goods for everybody today and then tomorrow will be my sorrowful good-bye. Who's going to entertain me until March? 

When I told the guys that my apartment was too small for a tree, they simply got up and disappeared into our forest of over priced trees. I heard a chainsaw, then hammering, then another saw, and assorted shuffling and banging. Then I was presented with this little guy...

 

Our apartment smell so Christmassy now, which definitely beats the smell of our roommates' litter box. They even decorated its little base with leaves and berries.

 

Yesterday us gals and Giggles did a little Christmas shopping, though Ellen and I ended up buying more things for ourselves than for others. (Who can resist a good sale?)

Anyways, four more days!

Wine Under the Oaks

Last Sunday was a big drunk fest at Boone Hall. Every year they set up vendor tents and wine makers come and dole out samples of their stuff to all the local wine fiends. T'was most amusing watching the people as their mental states altered slowly over time. And it was very very busy.

 

My  job in all of this was to convince people to buy shares of the farm thus providing them with the best of what we grow each season. Once the pushy guy who gave me this job (also the guy who took these pictures) realized that no one was interested in buying shares of a farm whilst they are drinking away their financial worries, I was sent over to cut bread and cheese for the food booth. Then I ended up doling out the food myself as all the famished drunkards would take too much for themselves. I had a number of people stand uncomfortably close to my face while they told me about their sad lives. It was most entertaining.

Boone Hall News

Busy Busy!!
Tis a bustling time of year for the Boone Hall folk.
We have been frantically selling Christmas trees and wreaths and garland along with our usual stash of vegetables. This involves lots of running around and heavy lifting. Luckily for me, two of the guys stay with me now for most of the day so that they in fact can do the tree hauling. It has been most fun for me to sit with the fellas as they are very amusing and are teaching me Spanish. Soon I'm going to know what they are always muttering about me.

In between tree bagging and binding the guys are planting the spring crops. Look what they did with this field in just 4 hours.

 

Today we had a Goodbye party for Sotero (the guy in the far right of the picture). He is going home to Mexico and is going to meet his 3 year old baby for the first time. We are all very excited for him but quite sad to see him go. He's a very positive guy with an adorable smile. He was very surprised by his party and even took our "We'll miss you Sotero" signs home with him. Sweet little man.

In other news, I am done with this semester at 9:30 Friday morning. Good riddance. I have turned in my final papers, final projects, and taken all of my final tests (except French). I'm almost done with my Greek summer application and plan on booking my flight as soon as I get the green light.
Ellen is still working her two jobs and has become very lively with the cool weather. Despite our freezing apartment, Ellen has been jumping around, dancing, and annoying me every night. I've discovered that my personal preferences do not matter to Ellen when she is excited. She has been barging into my room a lot lately to talk trips and trip funding. Never mind my studying, showering, or sleeping. She just comes on in.
Mom and Dad are keeping busy as well. Mom was conned into decorating the Christmas tree by herself this year and Dad goes off every morning to tend to various housing projects. It seems all of our busy schedules continue right up until Christmas, though now that I'm done with classes I'll have some time for more important things like finding new recipes and shopping for winter clothes.

And as a fun note, I found Sadie like this when I came home the other day.

Meet Baby

This little cutie has become a permanent Sunday fixture in our house. I think Buddy has a major crush.

 

Despite the fact that she's too thin because evil Colin won't feed her, she's quite the little fighter and gives buddy a run for his money. Buddy seems to be gaining his winter girth and is easily outrun by Baby. Luckily though, the two of them wear each other out and by the end of the afternoon they expect to be brought inside for treats and a nap.

Raking: An Historical Convention

It seems that Mr. Knoy here, being from such a tropical upbringing, has never raked a yard. So it was promptly remedied.

 

He was most entertained by the whole thing, finding it exhilarating and sweat inducing. He mostly enjoyed flinging me into the piles of leaves and trying to bury me. I had many-a-leaf in my hair.

 

After while, Ellen joined in on the fun.

And of course, so did Mops.

Overall, Jibbles had a nice visit. I had to take him to the airport and 4 on Saturday morning, mimicking your dreadful flight Aunt Georgie. Yick! He was most entertained by the family's cynical sarcasm as well as Grandma's pushy demands.

We all enjoyed having you here Aunt Georgie, though I could have used a bit more time with you to fully absorb all of your witty remarks. You'll just have to come back. It's settled.

Where are you Summer?

Oh I can't sand this dreadful cold feeling. I'm going to have to whine about it until it's over. That will help. Oh to be warm and frolicking outside.

 

Lately I've been scheming to get Buddy a little girl friend. Colin seems less than concerned about the welfare of his new pup, thus I am trying to take her off his hands. Ellen and I are going to borrow her for a play-date with Buddy, while Baby, with her cute puppy ways, will melt Mom's heart and become the newest member of the family. What do you think? I think I'm on to something. Mom's a softy. 

In other news, I'm keeping myself busy with school related annoyances and work. Work will be over soon. I'm not sure what will happen then. Free time? Nah. I have signed up for my next batch of worthless and redundant classes. Perhaps these will prompt that drop-out I've been waiting for.

Ellen has been working quite a bit lately in-between her scheming for our family vacation. Which by the way, Dave, you are not exempt from. Dad needs you. We need you!!

We are all very excited to see you this weekend Georgie. You should be prepared for some relentless nagging and thoroughly planned attempts to get you on board as well.

Smoky Mountain

I have discovered the best cookie dough there is! I'm serious. You have to order some.

We knocked out the whole bucket in just two nights!

Things are cooling down over here. It's dark when I get home from work now. I don't like that. I've only got about three weeks left in my semester. Only three more semesters to go! Awe geez.
In exceptionally exciting news, I've been approved to study here for a month this summer. I am especially excited. I've already started reviewing my leisure club checklist. Valid passport, blue blazer etc.

We're all ok over here. Ellen has contracted the cold that I had last week. We did finally get our heater working but we have yet to turn it on as it smells like gas and we find this scary. Instead, we sleep in all of our clothes and I don't know about her, but I wake up sweaty, and therefore even more cold.
Ellen continues her hostessing gig. Last weekend Susan Sarandon was staying in the hotel, though Ellen never saw her. Coming soon is a big-wig gathering of CEO's and other important government rich people who I should be in awe of apparently. Ellen has to be cleared by their security and sign forms saying she won't talk about who is there. Oh how governmenty!!

Dad has been quite busy lately as well but still finds time to torment mom with his cheap shots and offensive humor. Mom has gone to quite a few jewelry shows and overall is doing well. Yesterday's show however, was a bust! Ellen and I are headed over for our Sunday dinner tonight. I've been bringing Dad all kinds of winter veggies from the farm and his meals have just been delicious!