Three words.  SO.MUCH.FUN!

 When traveling with the right people, even a 9 hour car ride can be fun!  Upon arrival in Manheim we got checked into the hotel and then headed over for Wine Tasting at the Mansion.  YUMMY!!  Some of us bought entirely too much wine!  Thank goodness for "jawsgoose" loaning us her Trailblazer or we never would have been able to fit everything in on the ride home!  After the wine tasting we headed over to the Farmer's Hope Inn for a wonderful dinner.  We were all a bit giddy from the long car ride and the wine tasting, so it's a good thing the place wasn't too crowded.  Our waiter was very attentive and handled our smart aleck comments very well.  Upon return to the hotel we all partook in our newly acquired libations and stayed up to watch what was left of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

 Saturday was opening day of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Festival, and we arrived just a little after it opened.  We spent most of the day seeing the acts we were interested in (Empty Hats, Tartan Terrors, Barely Balanced) and walking the grounds.  It wasn't nearly as big as I remember from two years ago, but the grounds are still just a lovely with the manicured gardens and paved paths.  The shopping did leave a bit to be desired, but as we were all trying not to spend too much, this tended to be an asset to us.  During the day we ran into some familiar faces and were received warmly by some, and with a cold shoulder by others.  This is to be expected anywhere you go.  We stayed through the finale and it was lovely.  We returned to the hotel, changed, grabbed some snacks, and headed out to the lobby to play some cards and watch the Olympics.  We ended up sitting next to the Queen and some of her visitors.  When they had finished their dinner we grabbed a quick picture with the Queen in ‘danes and let her know how much we enjoyed her performance.

 We spent Sunday doing a bit more socializing, hanging out at the Swashbuckler's Pub.  We met some fabulous people, and again were given a cold shoulder by just a couple.  No harm, no foul.  Kyas's nose flutes were a huge hit and much fun was had with them.  It was great to meet Devlyn's old friend Kristy, and she fit in with our group perfectly.  One of the high points of the day was when Kyas presented the Queen with her very own nose flute and she attempted to play it.  

 Overall, the visit to PARF was a very telling trip.  After years of reading all of the bragging and posturing that goes on on the forums, I was surprised not to see a lot of laughing and shenanigans from the local contingent.  For Opening Weekend, I expected much revelry.  Alas, there didn't appear to be much of any.  Also conspicuously absent from the forums was the talk of all of the wild fun that was had by all, the inside jokes, and the pictures that usually fly around following a weekend at PARF.  In addition, the weekend was an interesting study in those often used words of motherly advice, "People have no power over you unless you give it to them."    

     Yesterday I had an evening alone in my beloved home. We were allowed to leave work early, so I ran some errands and then went home to my sweet boys. As always, they were happy to see me, and I them. Then and there I decided it was time to get down to business.

     I changed my clothes and returned to the kitchen, gathering measuring cups, ingredients, and my trusty Kitchen-Aid mixer. Day 3 of Holiday Baking. It feels so good to be back to the person that enjoys baking. It's been several years since I've had so much fun in the kitchen.
Once the baking was finished, and the boys had taste-tested and given their approval to the new batch I settled in to watched Survivor, which I had recorded. I ended up fast forwarding through most of it, as I just wasn't in the mood.

     So up I went, to the bathroom. I'd been promising myself a nice, long, relaxing bath for weeks. Why not tonight, with the wind howling outside? So I dug out the new Patricia Cornwell book, drew an extremely hot bath, lit some candles, and I soaked. I just love the bath salts I got at OHRF, so soothing and relaxing. Once I was warmed to the bone and had my fill of soaking I pulled on the PJ's and went back down to the great room to continue my book.

     Instead of reading, I found myself just staring at the Christmas tree, and thinking. My thoughts started with "what a beautiful tree we have" and found their way to "what a beautiful life I have". Truly, I am blessed, in so many ways. A job that has truly made a large difference in my health and my overall outlook on life. A team of people to work with that is so open and supportive and helpful. A fabulous boss that "understands" my philosophy of education, as well as my personality. A wonderful circle of friends that love me and respect me for who I am and don't ask me to change my thoughts, feelings, opinions, and/or behavior to suit them. A large, loving, supportive family without the drama and back biting that so many families experience at the Holidays, and even year round. A patient, supportive, nurturing, loving husband that has stayed by my side through even the darkest and ugliest of times.

     The blessings are too numerous to count and too beautiful to describe with words. Truly, I am blessed, and humbled.

     And many blessings to all of you this Holiday Season. May your lives and hearts be filled with joy throughout the Season and the coming New Year.