‘Twas the week before Christmas and…

Depoe Bay, Oregon

This photo was taken the week before Christmas from our timeshare unit.  I woke up to this sight out my bedroom sliding doors.  From my bed we appeared to be floating on the ocean; no land in sight.  Standing in the kitchen and living room it was the same: the ocean surrounded us as though we were in a luxurious cruise ship. We made plans 13 months ago to have the week before Christmas at the beach, and it was harder to get away than I expected, but we took our international students, and one daughter came over for a few days.  I was afraid the boys would be bored which is almost unimaginable for me and DH since we both love to read so much and can lose track of mealtimes and whole days at the beach.  But the boys aren’t that easily entertained.  However, with their laptops and Netbook and the rec center and swimming pool and workout room they were satisfied.  We made them get up to walk into town with us one morning just to see what the little place was like.

Our typical beach behaviors^ Alan

  John

Eating breakfast oceanside

Walking into town

 

Buying salt water taffy for all the Christmas stockings—one of each kind for 10 stockings

    The Depoe Bay bridge over the channel into the harbor

Whales were migrating south but were 3 to 5 miles out so we didn’t spot any this time.

The shops along the waterfront   Inn at Whale Point      Sailing into the rainbow

 

From our deck      

Our kids had decided that our gift exchange should be handmade items, so I took my machine along and spent several days sewing flannel seasonal pillowcase sets for  them:

And of course I was eager to make something for my little grandson Noah; it’s a tubular pillow that keeps him propped on his side for sleeping.  He was born December 15 at 30 weeks, 10 weeks early, and only 3 lbs, 10 ozs.  We are so grateful that he was able to breathe on his own and is doing very well. He is a whopping 4 lbs. now!    

This past year has had some landmarks for me.  I turned 60 in May as did all my high school buddies and I became a grandmother for the first time in December.  I am filled with longing to make both the experience of being a senior citizen (oh, how can that be?) and grandmotherhood rich, fulfilling, and productive.  So many things to do/be!  Do/be/do/be/do.  (Has a certain ring, doesn’t it?)

It is New Year’s Eve now, 10 PM, and soon the calendar will turn a page to a clean start for us all.  I wonder what your hopes and dreams are.  I have many, but I’m not going to say them out loud now and thus be accountable to you all.  Mostly I am going to practice being an fabulous senior citizen and an adoring Grandma!

Happy New Year to you!