Tea Time: I Know This Much is "True"

Well, hi, 2015!
I'm having a bit of a hard time acknowledging you because I'm still busy reminiscing about Christmastime 2014! I'm stuck in a time warp!

Also, I am not a writer!
I've been sitting on this blog for a few days now...
pictures loaded, memories floating through my head,
and words just won't come to express
the tapestry of emotions from my last week of the old year.
(I used "tapestry of emotions" to make you THINK I'm a writer!)

My pictures will tell the story, and I may throw in some commentary for good measure :)
Just imagine every feel-good emotion out there in the universe collecting together in a tornado type funnel and cutting a path through Duval, St. Johns, Putnam and Alachua counties, spreading contentment, joy and happiness in its wake. Starting with a concert with a friend and ending with
that last hug of "see you soon!" as my eldest and her family loaded up their car, the holiday held laughs, talks, lots of food, and some tears. Memories to cherish. Thank you, Jesus, in celebrating You, we celebrated life!

So without further ado (Shakespeare used that word!...maybe I am a writer!)...

Amend this sign to read "This day......"

This vauum repair store has been giving out words of enouragement for decades!

Reunions!.....You can imagine the emotions surrounding these pictures!...

Having three Grandkids under the same roof at the same time....talk about hearts-soaring...

Family baking time....Rachel and Christa, where are you?!?!.....

Talk about a "Newark face"!....and this girl has the attitude to go along with it. She knows exactly what she's doing, and don't try to tell her otherwise......she is one tough cookie...pun intended!...

It's a good thing she balances that look with her "Princess face"!....a tough cookie and a princess rolled into one. A good combo I'd say!

During the week, our Reindeer turned 15....

did you HEAR me....15!!!!...

I'm still not over the shock...

but I will...

We had a night of celebrating Hope

which inluded a vigerous game of "Six"...

Christa, of course, would want me to mention she was the winner,

although I think Nolan holds the record for the most sixes rolled with the dice.

(Speaking of Hope, after they left, I discovered she had hijacked my phone and left

about 60 selfies on it...brought a smile to my face :)

And during the week, we also

celebrated our Sweet Jayce.

Picture curtesy of Michelle

This boy still encourages us to be better people

as in his memory we decided to "pay it forward" with an anonymous

act of kindness in his name.

And as one sister put it, "that felt so good, I'm going to do it every day!"

Jayce,

I think we made you smile,

and you put a smile in our hearts every day!

Now, just some special moments captured...

Caroling at work...

Snuck in a Gator game...

Oh-oh, someone got into Auntie's shoes...

We're still trying to figure out how she knew every word to every song...

Rachel celebrating the announcement of winning the photo challenge...

Christa being a soar loser...

Oh-oh, someone got into their Auntie's lipstick...

Now, how heartwarming is this...

My first oyster roast...

I found out Hope loves poetry...

photo curtesy of Mish

Well, there you have it, Family and Friends. I know this much is true... I have thought of each and every one of you without exaggeration. Memories that warm me like a blanket on these cool winter nights and allow me to step into this new year carried by each of you!

So, cheers to you all!

May hopes be fulfilled

and dreams come to reality

and may

God watch over us all in this coming year!