Thursday, December 28, 2006

Christmas Ups and Downs

Twas the night before Christmas……




....when Ross and I set off for the Christmas Eve service at church, and had gone about 2 miles…..when, what to our wondering eyes should appear,…….. no, not a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, just….

......pitch black!

Yes, the headlights on our car went out. This was not good!
It was rather unnerving, to say the very least. I sat stunned, in panic mode. Fortunately Ross was driving and had the presence of mind to turn on the flashers, which still worked, and thankfully, gave us enough light to drive back home and swap my car for his.

Now we’ve only had this car since July and while it’s not new, it’s much newer than his, and supposedly the better vehicle! Our mechanic has had it for the last 2 days trying to find the problem…keeping it overnight to drive home himself, hoping it would have another ‘episode', but naturally it wouldn’t act up for him. Murphy’s Law, you know. So far, after checking everything he can think of, this knowledgable man hasn’t come up with an answer because his diagnostic instruments can’t detect where the problem is if there is no problem!! Grrr. He wants us to drive the car until it happens again and then bring it back. OK! I’m really looking forward to repeating that experience!


We wanted to drive it on the 3.5 hour trip tomorrow evening to have our Christmas celebration with our son, his wife and our 2 grandsons on Saturday. Taking the other car is an option, but it doesn’t ride nearly as well, and makes our backs ache. We've opted for comfort, so instead of leaving tomorrow night after Ross gets home from work, we'll go Saturday morning and come home on Sunday.

********************

The girls and Ko came on Christmas Eve and we enjoyed a bottle of wine together. While watching little bits and pieces of "It's a Wonderful Life", we arranged the presents under the tree. Kylie and I cried when Zuzu said her famous line in the end, and Kathy laughed at us :)

I thought of Tammy and her new grandkitten, Clarence.


I took this before it got too crowded




We nibbled on cookies

Yes, The sugar cookies were frosted and decorated!

*****************

Christmas morning dawned bright and green...no blanket of snow for this Christmas Day. I came downstairs to find Ross looking very green around the gills. He had woken up with some sort of nasty virus.....nausea and a splitting headache! The poor man could hardly function. He ended up sleeping most of the day, leaving us to open presents without him.



Here's Kathy in a "Mad Bomber" hat that Akio gave her.

Unfortunately he couldn't be with us because he spent Christmas with his lovely mom.

He also sent Ross a "Mad Bomber" hat which, I think, was his favorite present :) Ross got up in the early afternoon and opened just a few of his presents, then snuggled up in his recliner wearing the hat because he had the chills, and went back to sleep. The girls thought this was a perfect photo op.



They are their father's daughters!



Before he went back to sleep Ross managed to sit for a moment at the table for a photo, but the sight and smell of food was a bit much for him.



Our very good friend, Nancy, came in the morning to open presents with us, and brought her famous cream puffs for our dessert, as is her custom. She sat with us for a glass of milk and shortbread cookies (her favorite), before going to other friends to share their Christmas dinner.

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Kylie and Ko arrived home just a few days before Christmas from a wonderful 12-day honeymoon in Paris and Brussels. They couldn't get away back in September after their wedding, so had to delay the honeymoon until December. If you'd like to read about it and see some pictures, you'll find it here, on Kylie's blog. I promise you'll have a laugh at their adventures :)



They brought us the most delicious chocolates from Brussels. Truly, I've never had anything like them. They're amazing! Posted by Picasa

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I always love this week between Christmas and New Year...a time to relax and rest, after the hectic weeks leading up to Christmas Day. School is out for the week and I can catch up on things I want to do.

Tomorrow will be Ross's last day of work. His health is causing him to take an early retirement. He has plans to do lots of woodworking and is looking forward to finally having the time for it. I think I'll be glad to have him home?? I'll let you know how it goes!

I hope you're all having a nice restful week!

29 comments:

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Your family always looks like they are having so much fun together. I am sorry Ross was not feeling well. Several people in my family received that Christmas virus as a gift also. Not pretty...

All the best to you in the new year my friend.
Talk to you soon.
Connie

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I'm sorry Ross wasn't feeling well. It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas. I know you'll enjoy this weekend with the boys.

As for the car, my headlights some times cut out and I can get them back by turning on or off the highbeams. I know I need a new highbeam switch, I just haven't gotten around to it. It only happens once every 2 or 3 months!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Love all the family photos from your Christmas gathering!
That headlight problem sounds annoying!
When I worked in the auto shop, one of the hardest things to diagnosis is an intermittent problem. I'm guessing there is either a loose connection somewhere or it may be the headlight switch. Sometimes it's worth it to replace it and see if that does the trick.
So sorry to hear Ross felt bad over Christmas and now...retirement!
We'll have loads of stories to share now!!
xoxox

HORIZON said...[Reply]

They may be their father's daughters but both Kylie and Kathy look very like their mum!! Love the photos Kerri- love them all and can imagine the smiles, sorry to hear about your hubby- hope he is feeling better now.
Glad you survived the blackout- what a worry and what to do??? This was a great post.
l also enjoy this time of the year- a little rest after all the rushing around- a little time for us! :)
Keep well my friend
xxx

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I sure sounds like you had a nice time. So sorry to hear your husband wasn't feeling well. I hope is feeling better now.Good luck with your car!!

Anita said...[Reply]

Oh, I just had a look at Kylies blog and admired the photos they took in Paris! I just LOVE the French capital, I've been there many many times!

Not only your Ross will officially retire tomorrow, my mom will as well! But I am sure you will be glad to have him at home... ;-))

Happy New year to you Kerri!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

How scary with the car lights. A good thing that no accident happend.

Val said...[Reply]

Thanks for the stories and the lovely photos. Its so much fun sharing other blogging friend's Christmases. Ross certainly looks snug and cosy in his hat - I hope his retirement plans go well.

A Happy New Year to you and all the family!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Happy New Year Kerri! My, that is a terrible problem to have with your car! Maybe if you took it by one of the auto parts stores that have the computer that you hook up to the car, theirs might detect the problem. I would hate to have to drive it till it does it again. Maybe the dealership has had problems with other models just like yours. Sometimes they have recalls on problems if enough report it.
Love those family pictures!

Dianne said...[Reply]

Thanks for sharing your Christmas photos. I do feel for Ross as I had that virus or food poisoning about 2.5 weeks ago. I hope this note finds him much better.
Happy New year from me too!

Tanya said...[Reply]

Hope you find out what is wrong with your car soon. Mine is having temperament issues as well, but is nothing as frightening as losing headlights.

Hope you all have a wonderful New Year, and Ross is over his virus soon.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Hello Kerri ~~ Thank you for sharing all those happy family photos and fun times.
Do hope that your husband is better now.
Thank you for your comments and your friendship ~~~that's the best thing about blogging - the people we "meet"
and learn about. I would like to wish you and your family a very Happy,Healthy
and Prosperous New Year in 2007.Take care my friend, Love, Merle.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I am sorry that Ross wasn't feeling well. Love all the family photos from your Christmas gathering! Sounds you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Have a great and Happy New Year! Many hugs!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Loved all of your pictures...it's like a spring day here...can't wait for the daughter and family to get here!!
:-D
Happy New Year!!

Naturegirl said...[Reply]

Lovely that you shared your family Christmas with us! ~*You have twins!!*~ Double blessings! Wishing you and your precious family good health peace harmony and JOY in 2007!hugs NG

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I hope that Ross is feeling better, and that his retirement brings him more health and happiness!
Happy New Year, Kerri!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Kerri, I'm back home.

I wish you and Ross a Happy 2007 and Health, Health, Health.

Sigrun

Anonymous said...[Reply]

We had a few sick folks right after our Christmas. Whatever is going around, I hope it runs its course. You house decorations were warm and cozy and the food looked very delish!

Reflection Through The Seasons said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri a very happy new year to you and your family and may Ross enjoy a happy and healthy retirement. Thank you for your friendship it is very valued. Marion

Michelle said...[Reply]

Loved ALL your snaps!! Your food looks fabulous too. Though I have to say I would head straight to the Eclairs!! Scary about the car lights - hope it never happens again!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU and YOUR FAMILY KERRI.
with love

DellaB said...[Reply]

Oh dear, those goodies just look so scrumptious! Those cream puffs especially, my daughter makes those, I cannot, thank heavens!.

HAPPY NEW YEAR KERRI!
:-)
Della

Jellyhead said...[Reply]

Thes are such gorgeous festive photos - makes me want to re-do Christmas all over again!

Happy New Year Kerri!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

GDay Kerri.
I hope Ross is feeling a lot better.
Those goodies look so yummythey make me feel hungry.
A Very Happy New Year to you and the Family.

Carole Burant said...[Reply]

Happy New Year to you and your family, Kerri!! Looking forward to all your future posts and comments:-) I so enjoyed hearing about your Christmas and seeing the wonderful pictures but what a shame that Ross wasn't feeling well! My son Corey got hit with that bug too over Christmas. Yikes, I can imagine how scary that was when the car lights went out, especially on roads where there are no streetlights! Hopefully the problem can be found soon. Much love xox

Val said...[Reply]

Poor Ross, he did look unwell in that photo (where the girls were making unkind faces and gestures!). But that's news that Ross is retiring! I am sure his health, to say nothing of his feelings of happiness, will improve soon. Congratulations, Ross.

I would have been very scared to drive that car, what a horrible thing to happen. I hope you get that sorted out soon, and that the anticipated blackout happens close to home on a well lit road!

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

This was a great post, Kerri, with suspense, family warmth, and photos of cookies!
My best wishes to both you and Ross as you begin a new adventure, spending lots of time together. Perhaps it'll remind you of those first days of marriage, with a lot of adjustments, and a lot of fun.
Since a guy who would wear that hat must have a sense of humor, you'll probably have more laughs than tiffs!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Kerri hello from down here in Australia, gosh your Christmas holiday was filled with many ups and downs but one thing I did see in all the photos and that is the love of a family and how nice that is to see.

I have dropped in to wish you a wonderful new year and hope that for you and Richard it is filled with all the hopes and dreams that you wish for. may this year be yours.

Best wishes always.
Lee-ann

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Kerri gosh what a ninni! I am I knew it was Ross and not Richard the moment I pressed the post button so sorry about that truly I am.
Lee-ann :o(

Diana LaMarre said...[Reply]

I am so sorry to hear that Ross was sick on Christmas day. Hopefully he was a good sport about the girls taking the photo opportunity - (big grin). They sure seemed to enjoy it.

I hope they find the problem with the car lights because that would be very scary.

Retirement wishes to Ross. I do hope you enjoy having him home with you.