December 24th

Christmas Eve?  How the time flys.  I can't believe that I've been here for 20 days now and this is my last week.  I'm making the best of it enjoying each and every moment, especially the time I'm getting to spend with my sister Pam.  I'm sure going to miss her.  It was a great day starting with getting to Julie's early.  She had her last presents that she wanted to get so we were off.  At least the store was close and we found everything.  Julie wasn't feeling well, but it was her stomach and not her hip so that was good.  She's continuing to wean off her drugs and still moving a lot.  We stopped at a dollar store to get wrapping stuff so all presents could be wrapped and then back to Julie's.  I left her there to rest and was off to return the first backpack that I got her.  Not the right kind.  I thought I had lost the receipt but found it in the backpack itself.  I was so happy.

I had to go to stop in Pinole.  It took 1/2 hour just to get off the highway and park.  Once in the parking lot there was plenty of parking so I didn't understand the clog getting off the highway.  I went to return Julie's first backpack and found I needed to wait in the line which was at least 20 people deep.  I just pulled out my phone and listened to my book.  It's so nice to just be able to enjoy waiting.  I asked for a different way out of the parking lot and found I could go around the buildings and it was an easy back to the main road though that was still clogged a bit.  The drive back to Vallejo was smooth but as soon as I got near a shopping mall it was stop and go.  I did need to stop by another dollar store for wrappings since I forgot to ask Julie for the boxes that I needed.  

At home I tried taking a nap but the dogs kept barking since they knew I was inside.  I finally got up and was so happy that Pam got home from Sacramento seeing Steve.  She too had issues with traffic.  The world was out shopping.  I ran back to the store for some fruit for Christmas brunch and found it not too bad.  I guess I'm learning how to slip in and out without much fuss.

While I was out Pam had a friend come over and exchanged gifts.  We went to Debi, another friend of Pam's, for dinner.  What a grand meal she had.  Ham, mashed potato's, broccoli, salad, and my favorite, her homemade tamales.   The tamales and sauce were wonderful.  Debi is a great lady and we had a lot of fun.  On the way home Pam dropped off another present and the Christmas delivery's were complete.  It was a nice evening of relaxing.

What a grand Christmas Eve!!

 

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