The Kitchen Nightmare really has no update to speak of since our last installment. Everything went on hiatus during the holiday last week and after demo of the cabinet, we’ve been waiting on our plumber. The waiting is frustrating.
My sink is laid out in the garage and all of the equipment has been removed. It’s so sad and pathetic in there.
In other happenings, we had a lovely Thanksgiving with 29 members of my mom’s family. The food was wonderful and my expertise at Mexican Train meant I won two games before dessert. We saw some cousins I hadn’t seen in a few years and mostly, enjoyed being together.
Grandpa and the Twins
My grandpa (in middle, who turned 91 in October) and his twin brothers (who were 88 in May) enjoyed visiting. They’ve all lost their wives and their older sister but they keep on trucking. Grandpa is as sharp as ever, and in pretty good health. He lives with my parents and my old room is now his TV lounge. We’ve been spending a lot of time at my parents’ during the kitchen nightmare and it’s always a nice way to end the day, sitting with 3 generations around the table.
My sister and family were down on Saturday. 
Natalie insisted my dad read the Grandpa Bud book that she loves. Of course, Ryan cuddled right up there with them, even though he was feeling a bit off. Watching my dad with them warms my heart. Rob has gotten used to being an uncle and it’s so sweet when he plays with them.
The Christmas tree is up even though I wasn’t sure I wanted to do much this year. This has been a really trying year in so many ways but here we are, still doing this crazy life we chose. Decorating the tree always floods me with memories of the places we’ve traveled, the people we’ve met, our beloved fur babies, and how many great things we’ve had the chance to do.
Our holiday season this year is focused on doing less, being more present in the lives of those we love, and giving to those who have great need. It’s making the holidays infinitely more satisfying.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.