Merry Christmas and God Bless Each of You

Merry Christmas and come on in Through My Back Door. I have White Christmas coffee on, and you know where the cups and plates are so help yourself. Plates, because we have so many choices of cookies and snacks, I know you will find something you like. I am so happy you came by. This will probably be our last visit until after Christmas, so lets set by the fireplace, eat, drink our coffee and visit. Would you like that? I certainly do. Well, it is 5 days until Christmas and me being the procrastinator I am, have some wrapping to do and two gifts to buy! I am embarrassed, but, it is what it is.lol I was beating myself up for it until I realized I have been too busy socializing to get my "doings" done.!lol I think I may have to join Socializers Anonymous. I have been to about three parties last week and the week before. Sunday my sweet aunt Annie, my cousin Shirley and her husband and another couple came to supper. Shirley and I alternate hosting and it was my year. I love having them and we have so much fun. We eat and laugh and laugh and eat. Then we eat some more. Shirley is a graphic artist and she made me the most wonderful scrap book for Christmas. It pictures of some of my blog posts. I love it and will treasure it forever.

This picture doesn't begin to do it justice. I am going to learn to take better pictures and that is a promise.

This is such a neat album, I wish I could show you better. I didn't even know she read my blog. I will have to watch it!lol I am 12 years older than her, but we are so much alike it is scary. We are both left handed, both collect antiques, and we both like the same things. We are always saying to one another whether its a "thing" or clothes. "I have one just like that."
Last night I hosted my card group party. We have been playing together for 28 years and still have fun.

Regina and Linda having a laugh.

Fran and Regina waiting for their turn.

Linda and Dasko having a serious conversation. I think he is telling her, he is afraid he isn't getting anything for Christmas. In our group of 7, there are 2 Lindas, 2 Reginas, and 2 Bettys. Isn't that weird? I enjoyed having them last night and we had such a good time. Everyone brings finger foods and the variety  always shocks us.
See I would rather be doing this than what I should be! Well today my only sister in law came for lunch and a quiet visit. We ate, drank Hot Cinnamon Spice tea, and talked while the carols played. We were both so relaxed and rejuvenated when she left.
SOOO, after she left, I decided I would go get the gifts I needed, grocery shop, and come home and wrap. Well, it didn't exactly happen that way. My friend Dottie had called earlier, so on my way I called her and she said she was on her way to Marshalls, as was I. We met up, shopped there, ran to a book store that was going out of business, decided to stop at Cheddars and have an early supper. Can you guess the rest of the story? Bet you can. lol I will get it done, I will wrap, and Christmas dinner will be ready by 5:30  Christmas Day. I can't help it I love being with friends and doing things. I am blessed to have so many friends and family. I am also blessed to be a part of the blogging world. Some of my procrastination is your fault. I HAVE to look at all of your decorations. Then I have to go change mine and it goes on and on. Well as this Christmas is coming to an end. I wish each and everyone of you a blessed time with your family and friends. Some of us have loved ones who for various reasons can't be with us this year. Some of us will have family who are there in body, although their minds have faded and they don't know they are there, but you will. Some of us are missing loved ones who have passed away. But let us remember who they were, how we are richer for having them in our lives and let us celebrate the Birth of Jesus with a loving spirit. Merry Christmas.
betty
PS: Beth is fine and Amanda is doing well. Thank you again for your prayers. I am going to leave you with a few of my favorite Christmas vignettes.