Merry Christmas!

Today is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. I pray God's richest blessings on you and your loved ones on this day.

Mark and I are spending a nice quiet day at home today. I slept in a bit today after I got up at 6:30 to feed the kitties. We've got a ham baking in the oven and I'll make something to go with it. I'm telling you, it's a very laid-back day around here, and I love it! It's cold outside, but we don't have snow this year like we had last year, so I'm a happy camper.


My Callie-bug girl had to be taken to the vet yesterday. She has CRF (chronic renal failure), but hasn't had a severe bout with it since she was diagnosed 5 years ago. Over the past week, her disposition had changed and she'd become hissy with Tumbles. On Friday, she didn't eat much and I didn't see her drinking much. Yesterday morning when I woke up and she hadn't used the litter box overnight, I knew something was going on. Mark took her to the vet in the pouring down cold rain. Dr. Cass gave her a shot to settle her tummy and some IV fluids to keep her hydrated. Callie also got a very thorough exam and her heart sounded strong, no fluid in her lungs, no temp, all her organs were nice and soft, so no bladder infection or anything like that. She ate a bit last night and used the box, so I was happy. She's a bit better today. She's been eating some today (nothing like normal) and she's had a couple of drinks of water. She came down to snuggle on the bed with me this morning and she's been up in my lap for a snuggle. Her eyes are brighter, but I miss my perky little girl. I hope she bounces back pretty soon. We're supposed to go visit my dad next week. I'd hate to cancel because she's not doing well. However, I know a very good vet in San Antonio that I wouldn't hesitate to take her to if needed.

Mark and I didn't exchange gifts this year due to our financial situation and the fact that we'll be getting a new to us truck sometime in the next month, but my non-blogging yet friend Robin sent me a very nice Christmas package. It's always wonderful to get a box in the mail from Robin! She stitched the Peace ornament you see at the top of this post, but there were also these items in the box.

Do you see my little helper?? He had been on the coffee table and almost absconded with one of the packages! LOL Also, that cup full of water is on the coffee table for the cats. They love to drink out of it! I refill it twice a day. There's also a water bowl under the table for them, but they like the one on top best.

Back to the packages! When I opened the packages, this is what was inside!
Such fun goodies! There's the ornament, the annual Longaberger breast cancer basket, some Hand Dyed Fibers silks, a piece of fabric from Sassy's Fabric, and a hand-made project bag in purple (my favorite color) from Susan at Afford Your Passions. I have been using the mesh bags that are approximately this size, so this project bag is just perfect!

After dinner, I think I'm going to make some more chocolate chip cookies. Not like I *need* more chocolate chippers, but I want some! Hope you have had a restful, refreshing, retrospective Christmas.