Quiet Morning Ramblings

"It's December the 24th, and I'm longing to be up North", The beginning words to White Christmas have been rolling around in my brain this morning. Don't know why, I've never had a white Christmas.
I'm almost ready for the holiday festivities. A few more gifts to wrapped, potato soup to make, and packing for a long over due trip to visit Nick & Lindsay.
Ron has been busy in Grandpa Santa's toy shop making rocking toys for Katie and Abigail. Katie's is a lady bug (because she is the Katie-bug) and Abigail's is a train (Benjamin has a motorcycle and Curtis a plane, so this way they can be "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles). I'll post pictures when they are finished.
Ron and I went to the Chandler Mall last night for a few last minute things (new slippers for me and See's candy for the family). Most of the stores were not very busy, but the line to see Santa was crazy long. Ron commented how nice it is to not have to wait in those lines anymore. But he was willing to wait in the candy line, the man has his priorities.
So here in the quiet morning hours before the hustle and bustle of the last minute "want to get dones" I can reflect on what I miss most at Christmas time. I miss my Dad every Christmas. I remember making Kleiner with with my parents of Christmas Eve. My failed attempts at Rum Pudding (which he drank anyway, yes drank I said failed). I miss Nick and Lindsay. There is a Harry Conick Jr. Christmas song called "When my heart finds Christmas" and for me the heart of Christmas is my family. I am so looking forward to seeing them this week-end. I better get busy, the "last minutes" are calling my name.