Run Rudolph, Run

The weekend began like our typical weekend does, nice and relaxed. Even the fur babies were cuddling up next to each other, each in their sleeping position and cutting Z's like a boss. It made me smile seeing Togo and the older kitty, Bella, curled up together. The camera had to come out for that. 

Christmas gifts are arriving, one by one at the front door, reminding me that the "big day" is right around the corner. I have yet to listen to Christmas songs this season. Terry and I heard one while in a restaurant the other night but that was it so far. For that, I am thankful. 

I'm not in a grinchy mood or anything, but enough is enough! Christmas music, year after year, moment after moment, starting the day after Halloween and going through Christmas is too much. The radio stations were so on board with that. I couldn't bring myself to listen to music in my car because of it. Takes the fun out of hearing those classics and the latest in holiday sounds.

Terry was off by Wednesday night, as usual. It was a quiet evening, spent talking, watching shows, and petting our babies. So nice to spend a quiet night at home. Tuesday meant a doctor's appointment for Terry. He has an issue going on with his thumb for a while now and the visit to the orthopedic specialist was to have an injection of a steroid put into his thumb to see if the irritated tendon would calm down. It can take up to two weeks and if it does not appear any better by then, it could mean surgery for my sweet man. 

We planned an outing to the local Coastal store to see a couple of the reindeer who had dropped in with Santa and the elves. Being animal lovers, the idea of seeing reindeer was appealing, so off we went. There were two antlered Santa helpers in the pen, Dancer and Noelle. 

Noelle spent the afternoon laying in the straw, panting away. I believe the weather was a bit warm for her. 

Dancer would monitor her condition. It was all very sweet and lovely. 

Those antlers were huge! She was a beautiful girl. 

Dancer kept a close eye on the camera, in a very protective stance. 

They both remained in their positions until the food came out. Then it was snack time!

The reindeer were brought to Roseburg from a farm in Springfield, Oregon. A couple of women who were handling the animals were showing everyone a reindeer fur, which felt very soft. It grossed me out a bit too because it was the fur. I like the complete animal, not parts of the poor thing. 

We stayed for only a few moments and drove home. It was nice to see the reindeer and the children seemed to be enjoying Santa and the elves as well. Cute presentation. I guess Rudolph was at home, preparing to lead the procession taking the big guy around the world in a couple of weeks. But all is well. We met Dancer and Noelle. 

The Macrae house is quiet this weekend, that's for sure. We are expecting a visit from Mallory and Hayden Saturday and that's about it for excitement. I even put Seymour back into a deep sleep in the fridge until I felt like baking again. I will make a loaf or two of white bread sometime this week, but I was not up for it yet. 

Terry was outside on Friday, smoking his cigar when he ran across a post from Jess, our granddaughter. It seems little Zyrah was in the hospital with a 103 temp and absence of food and water intake. Immediately grabbing my phone upon hearing the news, I texted Jess and Brandon to find out what was happening. Doctors had tested her and after a while the results returned to the elated parents. She had a typical cold and was simply feverish. Big blessing! 

Being sick at all is not good, but to have COVID or RSV that is going around is an even worse scenario, obviously. That's what my mind immediately went to upon hearing she was in the ER. My granddaughter, Kylee, had RSV as a baby. It was horrid! Watching that little baby gasp for every breath she took, pulling her chest and abdomen into her spine was horrifying and so sad. The hospital was filled with tiny babies suffering the same illness. Today Kylee has asthma but outgrew the RSV. 

Plans have begun for my birthday. I received a call from my middle daughter, Marina and she has started the process of planning the party she hosts once a year. I love her for that. My main thing is for the family to gather, but a birthday celebration is always so much fun! This year? Pajamas and breakfast for dinner! Hot cocoa bar and doughnut trees are also involved. There will be plenty of photos, believe me!

Mallory and Hayden will be joining us for the fun. It should be a wonderful evening with a movie or games, plenty of food as usual, and of course, our awesome family. We are excited to make the trip to Eugene for the festivities. 

The hot cocoa bar is being set up already. Marina is the best party planner! We had a birthday party for Brandy, my youngest daughter, in the snow one year. Best party ever! Hot dogs, marshmallows, and s'mores cooking over the fire pit, snow penises being built by the boys (of course), and snow writing with spray bottles filled with water and Kool-Aid. We had an absolute blast! Brandy was given a cream filled doughnut from Voodoo Doughnuts, shaped like a penis. We had to. Brandy is embarrassed so easily and we thought it would be cute to see her reaction. It was a fun day and Brandy took it like a champ! 

Anyway, the birthday party isn't until the 23rd of this month, a day after my official birthday. We thought about Christmas Eve but too many of the family members have other families to celebrate with, causing some scheduling conflicts. Friday is just too busy, so the 23rd it is! Now comes the hardest part ... The wait. 

We are ending this post here, as it is. I know it's pretty bare, but the weekend isn't over yet. Until our next post, we hope you are enjoying your December days, preparing for Christmas, New Year's Day and having fun. Hugs to all. 

Vicki & Terry