Hey, Mom! How are you? I know it’s been a couple weeks since I wrote to you. Truthfully, I had been dreading Valentine’s Day. Honestly, Cliff and I never really celebrated Valentine’s Day previously. That was his anniversary with his first wife, so no need for us to celebrate. But since we lost you last year on February 13th, there is absolutely no reason for me to look forward to the bogus holiday. All it is now is a chore for me to do something for the kids at school. But regardless of all of that, Jade, Ramsey, and I ventured to Cherryville. It was time to celebrate Christmas. Ramsey was really excited to see the family and visit “Austin’s house”.
You know what the little knucklehead liked best of all? Some stress balls she got from Jennifer and Winnie. She got lots of makeup this Christmas and a few other toys, but she seemed most excited about squeezing those stress balls. She also liked a baby doll that Richard brought to her that wasn’t even part of her Christmas. I don’t know how many times she dressed and undressed that doll over the weekend.
Austin and Chloe did a nice job with their thoughtful gift. I bet you would be able to name everyone in the picture.
Funny story about Ramsey. We were all at Papaw’s house playing games after Jennifer made us a steak dinner. Chloe couldn’t make it as she was feeling ill that night. Ramsey was playing by herself, and Leighann showed up to get Jade for their quality time. When she walked in the door, Ramsey excitedly said, “It’s Chloe!” It’s like she had been waiting for her to show up. Leighann was flattered, and we had to tell Ramsey who was visiting. But her excitement was so sweet.
Jennifer is really motivated to get Papaw’s house. When you last saw it, it was quite the wreck. Well, thanks for Jennifer’s persistence at getting stuff trashed, donated, or otherwise claimed, it’s really shaping up. In fact, our steak dinner was eaten at the dining table in the middle of the den that will eventually be Jennifer’s dining room. Oh, and she’s completely ripped up the carpet in the hallway. The hardwoods are beautiful, but also a bit creaky.
One more story, and I can let you go. Yesterday, I brought Ramsey home from school because there were people at the house working on projects that Cliff had to supervise. One of the projects was adding skirting to our deck, which we hired our yard guy to do. He brought his kids to my house, which was fine. When Ramsey got home and saw the kids (a boy and girl) outside, she made a beeline out there. They were all swinging on her swing set, and Ramsey seemed to really enjoy their company. When her therapist got to the house, Ramsey opted to go inside to play upstairs. Later that evening after therapy and dinner, Ramsey went to the back door asking for “brother and sister”. We knew she wanted to resume playtime with those kids, and she was sad to learn they had already left. It was so sweet.
Our next trip to Cherryville will be your birthday weekend. Hopefully, I’ll be back in touch with you before then. But when we go, it will be to demo the playhouse. I’ll try to get some photos to share. And since we’ll have all that wood, hopefully, we can have a big bonfire that evening. And when we return home, we’ll have two new family members. I hope Dandi will get along with Peach and Honey.
Love you lots. Talk more soon.
Hey, Mom! How are you? 