Ringing in the New Year

Wishing all of my friends a wonderful Blessed New Year! I'm beginning the New Year with apologies for neglecting my blog. :) We had overnight company from the 22nd through the 4th and then I worked all day on the 5th. I didn't have one minute to spend on the computer with the exception of placing orders for my mom and making alternate flight plans for her so I've got a lot of catching up to do with y'all. My mom was slated to fly out on the 30th, but her flight was cancelled. They told everyone to not leave the airport so she sat there for 6 hours until they finally confirmed that all flights were cancelled. Only 3 flights go out each day. Flights were also cancelled on the 31st...and the 1st...and the 2nd. We made 3 trips to town with boarding passes only to find each flight cancelled. I signed up for notifications but never received any and calling our tiny airport only resulted in no one picking up. We tried to get her out through Lubbock and booked a flight. Just as we headed out for the 2 1/2 hr drive, it too was cancelled. Unload luggage again. Next up: let's try Amarillo. Its just over 3 hours away. Booked a flight for her, but it meant leaving right that second so we  reloaded and headed north. A pretty good snow storm was headed our way, but I just prayed that we would be able to squeeze through the narrow window. The closer we got to Amarillo, the more I realized we probably weren't going to make it so I called the airline and walked mom through the booking process and had her one a flight that left 45 minutes later. Finally! She was on her way home!

Halfway home I collided with the storm. Freezing sleet and a hard snow accompanied me home on 100 miles of icy snow packed roads at a snail's pace. Thankfully the good Lord got me home safely.

                      

We ended up with 6" here at the ranch.

                     
                                             
Having both kids home made this Mama incredibly happy! We picked up our boy on the 23rd. Alas, his luggage did not come with him so a frustrating 2 days ensued until he and his luggage were finally reunited.

 My BIL and his girlfriend arrived a few days later, while my mom and in-laws were still here, so that meant more juggling of sleeping arrangements. Beds were stripped and sheets were washed and more food was cooked and 9 people shared our one and only bathroom. My in-laws were here twice and 3 sets of friends joined us for meals at various times so many happy hours were spent in the kitchen:

                         

When we weren't all gathered around the table for meals, a game of Texas Hold 'em or Cribbage or 42 was in progress:

                      

Quail hunting is another favorite tradition:

                                  

The kids and DH also added a duck hunting adventure into their schedule. Apparently one floated out into the dirt tank and our boy waded out into 3' frigid water in order to retrieve it.

Smoked duck for supper!

                             

Tiny duck drumsticks!

The last of our company pulled out on Sunday afternoon. I was already a tad weepy since DH had taken our boy to the airport early that morning. I wanted so badly to tag along, but the 2 of them hadn't had one minute alone together so I stayed behind. Many a tear was shed. We only get to see him once or twice a year and although this Mama is thankful for every moment, she is also selfish and wants more time with her chiddlers.

It was a wonderful Christmas, but I am absolutely DONE. My decorations and tree are still up although they are coming down today. Everyone wanted to know why I was so quiet at work yesterday. I was just plumb tuckered out.  I have once again reached my social saturation point and I am going to have to recharge before I take even one more step. I don't even have the strength to flip the switch on my sewing machine, although my washing machine will be working non-stop for a few days.

May 2015 overflow with blessings for you and your loved ones.