An Adventurous Day with Carissa

I loved it in Missouri, but as we crossed back into Texas Odie and I both were happy to see Texas. Missouri is too far away from family!! I was so excited to get my Carissabella, but had to wait because I had a job interview Monday morning. When the job interview was over, I called Jonda's cell and Carissa answered. She was ready to be picked up to start an adventurous day with Grammy.

I asked her what she wanted for lunch, and of course she didn't really want anything. We discussed various menu items that might entice her into wanting to eat. As we passed Bass Pro, I asked her if she wanted to eat at the Cracker Barrel. I could almost hear the wheels in her little head turning as she yelled out, "Yeah!" Don't think for a minute that it was for their food. They have a toy corner in the shopping area. It was a win win situation, though, because although Carissa got a new dog (Rowdy) and a white fox; she also ate corn, carrots, and biscuits.

The day was beautiful, and I still had a small amount of shopping to complete. We headed over to the Pearland shops. I took pictures of Carissa as she danced to Christmas music on the sidewalk. Onlookers smiled and wished us Merry Christmas as they passed by. We went into Yankee Candle and of course we had to make a stop by Barnes and Noble. Carissa really needed a Rudolph book, but as we looked at all kinds of toys/books she found Scooby magnets. She said, "Grammy, Scooby is my favorite." I told her Christmas was right around the corner. "But Grammy, Scooby is my VERY favorite." It is wonderful being a Grammy, I was thinking as we stood in line to pay for the Scooby magnets.

Our next stop was at Granny and Pawpaw the Great's home. We just missed Santa, but he dropped off a musical moose. When I sent the picture to Jonda, she wanted to know if it was musical and staying at Granny's house. No such luck Mom. It is musical and will be coming home with Carissa. I have a feeling that those batteries will die shortly!!

As we progress through our adventure, we share pictures with Travis and Jonda of what we are doing. We started it when Carissa went to Illinois for a couple of weeks. Carissa loves showing Mom and Dad (By the way she can spell both!)what she is doing. They like keeping up with what she is doing also.

We went on down to Aunt Vickye's to pick up some Christmas I had shipped to her address. Her and Bill had painted the floor in their new shop. It looks almost like a linoleum and is a beautiful floor. Carissa was walking around checking out the work. She was standing in the middle of the shop, looked at Vickye, and said, "You did a very good job on building this shop." She sounded like she was a twenty year old building inspector instead of a beautiful three year old girl.

We traveled on the Aunt Johnye's house to see her new puppy and leave some money for her to pass on to this young family that has been less fortunate this year than us. Morgan has a German Shepard that is beautiful and huge. Carissa played with Macye and Granny the Great. Johnye has (had) a 12-14" snowman that has disappeared. She looked in all the rooms, but is not sure what her animals must have done with it. She now has three dogs and a cat. There is never a dull moment in that house!! I will love to hear the story when the snowman shows up!!

We ended the day eating Mexican food with Pawpaw the Great and Johnye Leigh. We drove around a little while checking out the Christmas lights.

This morning she was excited to help me wrap packages. I bought Colton a Disney Zippity. She spent a minute or two checking the outside of the box. She looked up at me with those big brown eyes and said, "Grammy, do you think he will share."

I still have two of her presents to wrap. We had a five + minutes discussion this morning on how she could play outside while I wrapped them. (which blinds to close, which ones could stay open, how I would be able to hear the door, so I could hide it before she came in, how she wouldn't look, etc. etc.!)

This year has almost slipped away, and as in years past God has blessed my family and me month after month. Yet another prayer has been answered. I prayed to either get a job or hit the lottery. As usual in his infinite wisdom, I didn't hit the lottery, but have been blessed with a good job. I start back to work on January 4.

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Leaving on a Jet Plane

The other night Hunter called. I hadn't talked to him in a while, because he is not much of a phone talker. Becca said he had been asking for me for several consecutive days. He was on his way to Mamaw and Papaw's house, so Becca could get some Christmas shopping done. He was telling me he didn't want to go. I told him I wish I wasn't so far away, or he could stay with me. He started yelling at his Mom, "Mom, Grammy said I can stay with her!" Uh oh, I messed up. I was trying to tell him that I was too far away or he could, but he was no longer listening as he tried to persuade Becca to bring him to my house.

I got him calmed down and explained I was still far away with Pawpaw and would see him in a couple of weeks. We talked for a few minutes, and I thought everything was smoothed over and okay.

A little later Becca called me back, after she dropped them off at Bobbie's house. A few minutes after Hunter had hung up, he told his Mom to take him to the airport. He said, "Grammy said to put me on a plane and she'll get me off." Becca asked him if I really said that, and he told her yes. He needed to get to the airport. He was going to ride a plane to stay with Grammy. I had not mentioned anything about a plane at all!! (too funny)

Tonight Hunter called to tell us he received a coupon at school for a free float, because he knew when Jesus born. He said, "Jesus was born on a cold winter's day!"
I can only imagine what interesting answers the teacher received from asking her class that question.


LATER