Getting Ready for Guests

We worked hard all day, and got a lot done. Cassie came over and helped me clean. She even helped me sort the papers piled on my desk. As a morale boost for me, we put our illuminated village scene on the top of our kitchen cabinets.

Cassie was masterful at tiptoeing across the counter tops and placement of each porcelain piece. Now, Santa is sledding down a snow-covered hill, and the milk man is delivering his goods; the school bus stands ready to pick up the children as the snow plow clears the roads. And all the miniature houses and businesses are aglow with lights in their windows. We were quite pleased with ourselves as we stood back and admired our work.

After completing the village, Cassie was still game for more assignable tasks. We got the bows and labels on the remaining gifts, and placed them under the tree. Meanwhile, Richard went to Mamie’s.

Mamie has offered to let us use her garage apartment for overflow guests, so we agreed to get it ready -- preparing for the event that we have to take Mamie up on her offer. Armed with every manner of cleaning supply, Richard went forth to prepare the way. What busy bees we all were.

Six hours of Cassie’s help, and I can’t even believe that all the gifts are now wrapped. There were over one hundred this year. I can actually see the kitchen floor. There’s no wrapping paper or ribbon strewn across the room, and all the remnants of roasted pecans, macaroons, bourbon balls and various jams have been scrubbed off the linoleum. Our home is, once again, habitable, for the first time in over a month.

I found our manger scene, and Baby Jesus rests in his bed of straw. The angel is now heralding Jesus’ birth from the top of our Christmas tree. Richard returned from Mamie’s and is in the kitchen, preparing one of his sumptuous salads. I’ll make mashed potatoes from Richard and Mamie’s passel of home-grown spuds. With the addition of some of the simply delicious mixed greens from our freezer, Richard and I will have a feast, the last alone until our guests depart.

I must remember to call our air evacuation organization to make sure that all people here are allowed air evac’s emergency care. Living in the forest, we have to plan ahead. My brother is due tomorrow with his daughter and toddler grandson. I think we’ve gotten as ready as we need to be. The next day, the parade of people begins. Can anyone ever be ready for that?

At last count, we’re expecting fourteen adults, if you consider eighteen-year-olds adults, and nine children, ranging in age from less-than-two to fifteen (or eighteen)-years-of-age. There will also be five dogs, ranging in weight from less-than-ten pounds to ninety-six pounds. We hope a good time will be had by all, including our four-legged guests.