Christmas tree is up and house is decorated. Probably nothing outside for us this year but the neighborhood is beginning to sparkle.

Lexy has been celebrating all week. She has a new bed and a new very large bone and as far as she’s concerned this is as good as it gets.

Hosted my book club Wednesday evening and we reviewed The Trickster and The Troll. Since my father’s family all settled here from Norway, this book had special meaning. And I love how the author weaved the two cultures (Norwegian and Lakota/Sioux) together for her bi-racial/bi-cultural children.

Bought Mother’s Christmas tree, installed it, spent several hours decorating it only to be awakened the next morning by a call from her saying it had fallen over during the night and broken ornaments were everywhere. Ah….the best laid plans.

Initial test results in on my hands, wrists and neck: Osteoarthritis. The Good news: Doc put me on a new medication that has taken away almost all of the chronic pain. I didn’t realize how used to the discomfort I had become until it wasn’t there. Wow. Very nice. Tests continuing. Spent 4 ½ (count them) hours tonight in the x-ray clinic with a tech that couldn’t quite figure out how to use the machine. I noticed there comes a point in which you realize you’ve already invested so much time you’d be crazy to leave and start over another day. Got home at 9:30 p.m.

Mother’s visits with eye doctor continuing. We’re now on our third specialist. They scheduled her for a corneal transplant today then cancelled the surgery when the doctors couldn’t agree. More testing now scheduled. When I think of what to be grateful for, I’m putting this at the top of my list.

Holiday party #1: women’s organization dinner party last Friday with good food and good friends. Let the good times roll.

Fabulous grandson turned 8 years old this past weekend. Fabulous backyard party with friends, Uncle Matt, Uncle Luke and Anya, Pops and me, complete with silly string chase, musical chairs, bean bag toss, big cookie, gifts, squeals, etc. He liked his new chess game from us. He’s in the Chess Club at school and had voiced a hope of getting a set for his birthday.

We spent one day Christmas shopping and almost completed our list. Starbucks in one hand, list in the other, Santa has nothing on us.

After-church lunch with good friends on Sunday. He’s almost officially in remission from his cancer. Fingers crossed. Girlfriend diagnosed with breast cancer Thursday. The C word continues to mock us all. Statistically, 585 U.S. women will get that diagnosis each day in the foreseeable future.

More later.