HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!

I think we need a "new year". This last year has been one for the books. I am pleased to report that Lee is 100% back after his accident. If I ever didn't believe in miracles, trust me I do now. He was as close to checking out that anyone wants to be. I witnessed a miracle before my very eyes - his total recovery. What a true blessing!!!
Looking forward a new year and all positive, new beginnings. Scott and Megan are now engaged and plan to marry. Shawna is doing much better ( 1 relapse) but back on track permanently, she says. So far, so good. Chris still single and prefers it that way.
We have a new president, new goals and new future. I pray we are blessed with each other and good health.

DINNER IS SERVED!
Prime rib, twice stuffed
potatoes, broc. salad, toss
salad, fresh veggies, hot bread AND
Aunt Carol's Red Velvet Cake.
Stuffed to the top!!!!!

Shawna and Ricky Hilton
Christmas 2009

Scott and finance' Megan
Christmas 2009

Lee helping me with
Christmas baking. YUM
Christmas 2009

Mom, Carol and Me
Christmas 2009

Santa's helper???
I think it's Mrs. Claus

Shawna
Christmas 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS NITE'

What a wonderful day it was.... All the family were here except Christian(had to work). It was good food, great conversation and loads of fun. My prime rib was rare upon serving time YIKES So Scott just cut the steaks and threw them on the indoor grill. YUM! I got a beautiful simple cross from Carol that I just love. Funny, I gave Shawna a serenity cross that she loved. Mom got "new" everyday stoneware. Beautiful pattern. Scott and Megan got 144 Christmas ornaments to paint and seal for next Christmas. They'll be all prepared by Dec of 2009. HA! Rick and Shawna gave Lee a really nice hiking knife and as luck would have it, Terri and Dave gave him a new down vest for hiking in Prescott. He's set to go. Our greatest gift by far was to be together with each other feeling the warmth of true love.

IT'S HERE AND I'M READY!!

Tomorrow is Christmas and believe it or not--I'm ready. For dinner this year is prime rib, twice stuffed potatoes, big salad, steamed veggies (for others), hot bread and Carol's red velvet cake for dessert. YUM!! I baked 9 dozen pepperoni rolls to give to the kids in tins. They just inhale them and love to get them at Christmas. Baked 8 different cookies and one candy. Looking forward to a great time with my family. Lee will go up on the 26th to spend the day with his mother. I go to court with Shawna to explain "why" we didn't pay another $10grand for the third month of rehab after spending $20g I don't think I'll have any trouble with this at all =Ha!
Lee's sister.Susan and husb.Tim will be coming in this weekend for 8 days. This was an unscheduled visit. The original plan was to arrive last weekend but Portland was shut down due to snow. Will leave on the 2nd for Holly's wedding in Pinetop. Jeanine Ford(local tv anchor) was doing the reception but too many people rsvp'd. Her place only holds65- they have 100 coming.
Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!!!

Three days 'til Christmas!

I have just about finished everything. This year is different than ever before. We are exchanging "special" gifts. Ones that a lot of thought have gone into. Some homemade, some hand picked but either way given some thought. I get my LAST knee injection tomorrow and man!! will I be thankful it's over. My knee has very little improvement after surgery and this series of painful injections. Sometimes the work and sometimes they don't help at all. I will have all three kids home for the holidays along with Mom and Carol. Right after Christmas, we will be traveling up to Pinetop for Holly's wedding if it's passable. I'll do a little more baking and distribute the goodies to neighbors and that's it!!

Christmas dinner at my house...

I had such a wonderful time with my "scrappy girls". I feel such love, comfort and support with each of them and every single one has become a "very" special friend. We never run out of things to talk about and love listening to each other's trails and tribulations. I will cherish these friendships forever. I had honey baked ham, pot., veggies (for Jamie) and blue cheese wedges. Little brownie parfaits for dessert. But best of all the company. Really hated to see them leave. This weekend brings assembly line baking. Gotta get going. Lee and I are going to do it together - this is a first!! But I really need the help because my knee hurts. Just a couple more gifts and then wrapping to catch up. Let me get busy~~~~~

Christmas is upon ME!!

I have the tree up and some decorations but haven't started the baking. Still have cards to mail. Tonight is Lee's Christmas party. Got a gorgeous gold pantsuit and will wear a gold band in my hair. My dinner party is one week away YIKES! Need to go up to Prescott to get my china out of storage up there - remember I thought we were moving so I have two storage units FULL. Think I'll serve crab stuffed manicotti along with prime rib. Some like beef,others fish. This is all I could come up with. Christmas will be with my side of the family this year YEAH!!!!!! I always like it better. Well got loads to do. Later. . . .

27* Brrrrr

I'm in Prescott for the weekend and it's a bit chilly. Tonight is the Courthouse lighting and parade, awesome time. We drink hot cocoa and enjoy the festivities. We invited Mom but she couldn't make it work this year. Mom S is going with us though. Back to CC tonight. I still have angels to hang from my ceiling to help decorate my tree, gifts to wrap, etc. Shawna relapsed and was back in the hospital ARRGGHHHH!! This is the 12th time in 16 months. We did NOT go to the hospital. She is now discharged and starting over. It was simply heart breaking. I think of all the time, energy and $$$ spent and she was only sober 60 days plus a week. Sixty of it was in supervised rehab, so not sure that really counts. Lee and I have come to the conclusion that she will die young IF she doesn't get her act together. She can NOT move back home again!! We did offer her Prescott temporarily. With AZ economy she is unable to find any work at all. Here she will have shelter, food and can have her dog. That's it though!!!! We need to be enjoying our golden years not still babysitting!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On another note!! My Aunt Pat was diagnosed with panc/liver cancer. Very, very sad for me. She has about three weeks. Never drank or smoked. Had to understand but it God's will so we must accept it. Mom is very concerned and not sleeping. I told her, Let go, let God. That's all we can do.