Ahhh...

I finally got some sleep last night! I've been sleepwalking the past few weeks, not able to sleep, yet falling asleep and talking gibberish all the time, in all kinds of situations. So embarrassing! I apologize; I don't know exactly why that's been happening, except that I was putting my new c-pap mask on upside down and it was leaking air all over the place. Duh! So, we had a nice, peaceful New Year's Eve and Day. The LDS version is much more toned down than most others, and t Ihis was no exception. I've been to some great parties at the church, but not in recent years. Last year in Las Vegas they had a dinner and a singer (you can see pictures of Mark dancing in my January 2011 blog), but it ended early, because of it being Assisted Living. I'm fine with quiet, though, and just resting after Christmas. : ) Did I tell you about our Christmas? I'll have to check. Hold on... Wow, I haven't even posted about it! We went over to Melinda's on Christmas Eve for a family gathering with hors d'oeuvres that everyone brought. We had fresh salsa and chips, small sirloins wrapped in bacon, ham roll-ups, clam dip and chips, little eclairs, meatballs, little smokies, vegetables and dip, black olives, and a dessert that Haley and Dallin brought (sorry, but I can't remember what) (Mark and I brought the little eclairs). We didn't even sit down to exchange gifts, but just gave ours out informally. I loved doing it that way, because then they weren't the center of the evening. Linda brought some costumes and the kids did a nativity scene while Danny read a Christmas Story book (I could swear I've already written this - maybe in a comment? Oh well!) It was so funny because the angel (Hunter) got pushed over by the wise man (Josh). Also, Alaina was such a devoted Mary, and Tristan (Joseph) so devoted to her. (I can't get the italics to turn off. Another "oh well!") We sang Christmas carols then, and it felt so peaceful. I really enjoyed the evening. Thanks, Danny and Melinda! We dropped Seth off where he lives and picked him up the next a.m., after Mark and I had opened our own presents. Mark got me more than I gave him, as usual, but we had already gifted each other our little "wood stove" heater and an Alice game. Mark found the maker of Privelege perfume and ordered it for me online - I can't wait to get it! Mark also got us stockings (wasn't that sweet?) and Color Wonder metallics, Candyland, and Rummikube. Cool, huh? I got Mark some dvds and a funny sign that says "We hope our ship comes in before the dock rots!" Mark had us cross out the k on dock, and now it's really funny, and personalized, too! He also got a tie from Megan and Brooks that he likes a bunch. Yay, 'cause he needed a new tie. :) I rec'd. a beautiful scarf from Melinda and Haley and we got a cool wide wooden spoon and chocolate cinnamon bears from Ben and Linda. I got a Vintage Pearl-type necklace from Megan and Brooks, with the imprint "Wonderland." As if that weren't enough, Megan nominated me to win a real Vintage Pearl necklace and I won! They inscribed it "Mark and Diane," which I love, and they even wrapped it with an extra pearl tied in the bow! We also rec'd. a bunch of candy from people who a vendors to Gables, especially the hospice people. Everyone just generally exchanged candy back and forth. Fun! I know I'm forgetting things, but may edit this later. In the meantime, Seth seemed happy with his presents, including clothes from Danny and Melinda and Haley and Dallin. We gave him a gift card and the pictured tee with Leto on front, plus a hardback set of Fablehaven books and an original Redwall book. I can't remember everything, but I just know we all went to church and heard the choir's wonderful program, then came home and relaxed with Seth, playing some games and watching Red, one of Mark's new DVDs (the other was Inception, and Bride Wars for me). Finally, Mark drove Seth home and we went to bed, still in our nightcaps and gowns, hahaha. What was most remarkable was that we had everything wrapped by Christmas Eve afternoon, which is a first for me. What a relief! It really made Christmas so much better. I hope you had a merry Christmas, too. Thank you all! xoxoxo (pictures posted separately)