Merry Jingley Everybody!

Things here have been so insane I don't know where to start... but I suppose, where I left off is the best place.

So I was supposed to start work at Amazon on Sunday, the 11th. On the 9th around 10:30 my mother called. She'd fallen on the ice. Doug and I spent the evening in the ER, well, me in the ER and Doug running back and forth. I didn't sleep that night and spent the weekend at Mom's. Needless to say, I didn't start the job. Mom lives by herself so she needs people to stop by to help with basic stuff. Not to mention Christmas on it's way...

But between David and Christina, Doug and I, and Mom's friend Betty Lynn (the same one that busted rear to decorate for the wedding) the house was just finished up and decorated and pretty when DJ and his girlfriend and girlfriend's sister showed up from their 15 hour drive from Wisconsin.

When you think of someone with a broken leg, the image is of the individual inconvenienced, but not out of commission. That, I think is the hardest thing to get across to two of my brothers, and various others. The crutches just weren't working for mom. She's in a wheel chair when she does get around. She couldn't use a regular cast due to cirulatory problems and her leg swells when it's down for too long. She's basically confined to the couch when we can keep her there, and is pretty uncomfortable.

So it's been rough, and I've been sick and depressed to boot. More than usual, but getting better now. I had my teeth cleaned at the dentist yesterday. I'll be honest, it's been over a decade since they've been done. I can't believe the difference. I will never not floss again.

The kitchen work is starting up now-ish. The plumber is downstairs handling that stuff, the electrician and framers will be in next week, then Doug and I start tile and drywall. We're still waiting on siding. If we dont' get siding soon, I think he's going to freak, our electric/heating bill was outlandish last month.

More later, just wanted to blow the cobwebs out o' here. I'll share one more story...

Many of our Christmas cards this year were sent out with a return addy of "Barnhenge" and our address -- because Barnhenge is the name of the property. Well aparently, this confused some folks. Just today we got a Christmas card in the mail for "Mr. and Mrs. Doug Barnhenge" from one of my cousins.. (well, his wife).... in total seriousness. She was even at the wedding!

*sigh* I don't have the heart to tell her but I'm still giggling. We even signed the card we sent with our last name. I suppose we'll have to get all pretentious and do the returns as "The S_____'s at Barnhenge" like some snooty golf course or something..... :)