Creatures of the house

I worked night shift last night, so I was puttering around, till I could wind down, and I was just about to get to bed. I heard a noise in the back patio, and wondered if something had fallen. It's been raining a lot, and surprise surprise, I still have stuff on my back patio. I went downstairs to investigate a plant stand that maybe fell or if the hot tub cover was upset. There was a freaking raccoon on our trash can. At first I thought it was a cat. A very big cat. Then I saw the face, that unmistakable mask that a big fat raccoon owns. The first thing that came to mind is, this animal is not right, raccoons are night time animals, like Conan and Jay Leno. It was early morning and still dark out, so maybe this was just a raccoon that was out late and snockered , late into morning. It was not the least bit afraid of me I shouted, I banged, it did not budge. Then when I freaked out and slammed the door, the raccoon just sat very calmly on my patio hanging out, like it was loopy or something. I don't like wild animals, and I do not like seeing them up close and personal. I do not like them feeling at home on my patio. I go out in the hot tub at night by myself, not often, but I don't want critters hanging around me. Now I have the creepy crawlers that he has a home under my hot tub, and just waits for our parties to be done, and goes through our trash. It was bad enough that we were in the Smokey Mountains, where bears are supposed to be, but I do not want animals in my space, where I live.

Happy 2010!

What a whirl-wind these past weeks have been. We had Christmas, New Years, and now we are well into January. Rob and I have visited several states just in December, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Yes, I know you are all jealous at our huge array of world wide traveling.(Well statewide at least.) Starting with Christmas at the young'uns. That was so fun!We had two days before Christmas to do our traditions, french onion soup, and prime rib. I am so glad that Robby and Sara live close and we could enjoy our traditions with all of us together. Jake had alot health issues happening this season, but pulled through like a trooper. Rob and Bri seemed to do all the cooking , I really got off easy this year. We are so blessed to be able to see Abe experience Santa coming on Christmas morning at their home. That is truly what Christmas is all about, a three year old opening a big surprise on Christmas Day. We loved every second. Little Sam doesn't have the concept yet, but he will. He is taking in every single thing his big brother does, and I have a feeling he will do everything times ten. " Nobody puts baby in the corner." This kid will be involved in whatever is happening , and if nothing is happening he will make it happen.
After our morning at the Drlich house on Christmas, off we drove to Ohio. Which, note to self, make sure you eat something on Christmas morning cause NOTHING is open. We were lucky to find a gas station open. No Egg McMuffins to be had anywhere. No worry cause when we got to Y-town there was food and drink galore. It was that great Y-town food, that we love.
We got to see Gaga, and the whole Mullally gang. Joyce and Sam were our hosts, Samantha and Pat, who are going to have a little one in June are precious, Adam was in from Washington, Jaci who looks like she could be a model from Seventeen Magazine , and Jenn 's personality captures you as soon as you lay eyes on her.
The next day we had another fabulous meal, a Giada Delaurentis breakfast. Helloooo, this is like a five star restaurant, but this is freaking family.
Went to my sister's to see some of the new babies that were born in 2009, half of them were sick, couldn't make it. These are my great nieces and nephews, good Lord I'm old. Griff and His daughter Shannon came in from Cleveland, Janet and Christopher, and Jeansie. Jerry,Caroline Cassie and Mackenzie came. I can not get over how much these girls have grown up in just a year. They are funny and poised, I just remember them as little ones, and they are so grown up! It was very sweet for everyone to make the effort to come and see us. Judy of course put on a giant spread, which I didn't want her to go to that trouble but, that's the Y-town way.
Off we go to Jim and JoLynn's and meet with Rob's cousins which was very nice to see them. There was more food . I loved every morsel. It was fun to see everyone's decorations, and to visit family over Christmas, then back to Indiana,
before the snow hit. We were very lucky.
I didn't mention that Rob had intestinal flu while we visited. Oh yes, that was not good. Our Brother-in-law, Sam was donating his kidney to his brother on the 28th. He did not need sickness in his house. Thank the Lord he did not catch it. Really Joyce made sure the germs were cleaned up. Sam did great, and his brother did well. Holy smokes, just what they need their Hoosier relatives bringing germs into the house just before this big surgery.
On the road again, to Tennessee for New Years Eve. We met Ron and Patty to golf over the holiday. Now before you start laughing, we have gone there other years at this time, and the weather was fabulous for golf, not this year. Whatever Al Gore is spewing about global warming, is not the case here. It was freaking cold! The one nice thing is we got to see the snow in the Smokey Mountains and that is a sight to see. Again with the great food, we had some really good dinners, and New Year's Day watched some serious football. It was great having New Year's with Ron and Patty, we haven't done that for many years. That's one of the best ways to bring the New Year in is with old friends. We loved it.