NYE

little girl Katie always planned and threw an epic NYE party for her friends. no party today. I took car to Big O to have the TWPS calibrated, then Christmas Clearance at Walmart. I came home, did WalkFit and then I just crashed. no motivation. none. we're marked safe from yet another NYE watching Centerline at The Smokehouse, but did eat at Crazy Horse Cafe. then a quiet evening at home in our jamjams. Kevin is bingeing Blue Bloods. (I ain't gonna bitch, better than the bar on NYE)

it's always a wonderful day when the cousins can gather at Gramma & Papas and hang out....

for a couple of hours we had 2 of our 3 little Ks and 6 of our 7 little grands here under one roof. all the kids but Ian wore their Christmas jammies, which melted Gramma's heart. and since today wasn't a holiday, there was no big family dinner or present opening...the kids could just run and play and do their own thing. they didn't need any grownups, so I could visit with big people. Rip was calm and actually played with the kids. it was pretty magical. recommend 10/10.

KJ & fam over for Christmas when Kevin got home from work.

the girls decorated cookies, had a snowball fight, played Christmas Barbies and were in a jingle bell band. it was a lot of fun.

Sunday, December 28, 2025 Christmas with Koren & gang. .

took them gingerbread cryptid cookies to decorate. a wonderful wonderful day. rain, snow, blustery winds. some presents were loved, some not so much.

I took Barbies to visit their Barbies for Christmas. we played the floor is lava, hide and seek, statues. they trooped outside in their Christmas jammies on porch to make a jingle bell video, since Daddy was sleeping after working all nite.

the author of a book I posted on TikTok that I'm reading liked my post! that made me feel kinda special. and Chris & Tracy gave me a shoutout on the Niagara Falls video. which also made me feel kinda special...the good kind of special.

went through bank account to find the payment on Ian's missing Lego guns...then went through emails. found original confirmation email and sent them a message enquiring about order status. imagine held up in Customs somewhere....

a listing of the Haunted Holidays Advent Calender figures I received....will be on the lookout for another fun advent calender for next year!

some of these I'm guessing...not even Google Lens could tell me who they were.....so.

Mothman

Bigfoot

Ghost

Judge Doom

Wendigo

Goblin Grinchlet

Robert The Doll

Slenderman

Krampus

Carrie (or Wednesday Addams or Elvira or Lydia Deets)

Chupacabra

Alien

Another Mothman

Goth Santa Girl

Santa Bigfoot

Krampus Elf

Alien Caroler

Man in Black (or Zak Bagans)

Ghoul

Reindeer Elf Girl

Ghost of Christmas Past

Goatman

Hookhand

Christmas Goatman

it's Saturday. my day off. (chuckle.) they're all my day off now. there were years and years and years of 12 on, 2 off.

I slept in. did a walk. decided I'm baking cryptid gingerbread and taking to the kids tomorrow. got their gifts all gathered up. was going to take car to take mom her gift and do a Walmart run since the gift Kevin ordered Ian hasn't arrived. satellite flashes a screen. hard drive in box is fried. we just got this damn thing a couple months ago....replacing one we'd had for 2 million years that was 'out of date.' I want to leave, "we'll deal with this later." I already have stuff in car, so we climb in, get about the park, Kevin turns around. flat tire. we come back, he takes off tire while I load stuff into truck. change of plans, straight to Big O, which closes at 4, since our tire warranty is there. it's not the tire, it's the tire sensor. so they replace it. I'll have to go back in actual car so they can program it. that's on next week list. then I'll have to go again and take the Toyota truck so they can check his sensors, since it keeps throwing low tire alarm. we find Ian's gifts, then to Mom's. visit a bit, give her a gift. showed her the pics of Everett since she can't get on her Facebook. she has some Christmas decor up, little trees everywhere. she always decorated to the hilt for every holiday when I was a kid. she has rearranged the living room furniture and was in good spirits. then we head out of town, stopping at donation box on the way (cleaned out some closets recently.) we get home, Kevin puts tire back on car, I whip up some supper and bake some gingerbread, divide up the frosting and sprinkles. divided up all the gifts that we're delivering, and the jingle bell sticks for kids. have decided since there won't be a large chaotic Christmas, I'll just take pics from our 3 individual Christmases and put them in a collage. the shirts would be funnier if they all 3 opened them together, but we'll all get together next year, most likely. some years are just gonna be like that and I have to get over myself. be grateful for what I have. I'm starting to think that Kevin is serious about trading my car off. it's fun to drive new stuff but it costs a lot. A. LOT. Kevin calls dTv. they're having problems with new boxes. they'll ship one out, we can install ourselves. no cost.

on a Xmas Eve truck ride with Kevin I learned that his favorite Christmas song is Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing Little Drummer Boy.

I never knew. how weird is that?

today I took my car to Kirksville for a Free Happy Holidays Oil Change & Tire Rotation. then a Walmart run. finally resolved The Family Christmas Dilemma. we are not having a huge family Christmas. Katie is worried about having the baby around a lot of people, which is a valid concern, so Kevin & I will take presents to Koren's Sunday, spend next weekend at Katie's, and have KJ & Crew over when Zerelda gets home from her moms. I'll take Mom's gift to her tomorrow and show her pics of baby Everett.

all the after Christmas clearance specials are hitting online. bank fraud alert just called. can a gramma not buy silly goose gloves for her 7 grands for next christmas without throwing a flag? gee whiz.

Merry Chiefsmas to all and to all a good night!

a drizzly foggy day. a peaceful morning at home. Kevin watched football. I made gingerbread. supper at Mel & Dave's with KJ, Ann, & Iz. then here to watch the Chiefs play an interesting game of football where it almost looked like we could maybe win for a bit. Izzy wore the Grandma Grace nightgown, played hopscotch with the quilt squares, danced around a lantern, arrested people, and threw a pretend birthday party. she also gave her friend Rip treats and we all ate some gingerbread. she let me read her 2 Christmas books.

Christmas Eve continued...

got to town early so I asked Kevin to do a drive by of our 2nd apt. empty lot. the factory at the end of the street where sherry worked is also an empty lot. the laundry mat we walked to is still there. and the corner store where I walked to the pop machine... 16 oz glass bottles. Anaconda at matinee. drove through Simpson Park to say hello to Nessie, then a Tipsy Reindeer at Applebee's. Merry Empty Nester Christmas Eve. 🎄🎅🦌🎁❄️⛄🛷

Christmas Eve

Izzy came over for a bit while her mommy & daddy were buying stocking stuffers. she has a cold, poor dear. but was delightful company all the same. she brought her Christmas baby to meet me. I say I'm baking gingerbread today, but Kevin took an early out and now we're going to the movies and to see the Christmas lights. so maybe? watched Coyotes free with prime credits, cuddled in my chair in my xmas jammies, grinch socks, and new Christmas blanket. no walking or hooping. just plain old lazy movie watching. it was delightful. opened the last advent door. finished up the Christmas Haunted Holidays Advent Calender display. they all live in a gingerbread house...or is it a gingerDead house??? made glass jars of fake snow for the girls Christmas boxes at Dave & Mel's tomorrow. they are glued shut. used the new bag of snow...it is plastic shreds. clingy and nasty. nothing like the glitter snow I bought for Katie one snowless Christmas so she could have a picture blowing snow from her hand.

Tuesday hijinks

where are all these damn flies coming from in the grandkids room? I keep locking the windows. they have to be getting in there. it's like Amityville Horror in there. cleaned bedroom windows. took apart sweeper and cleaned it. retired the bigfoot and alien from my rear view mirror to Clarice, The Black Tree in The Creepy Corner. my emotional support knit bigfoot is now my car guardian. seemed like time for a change. have gifts to wrap and going on a Family Bible hunt to add Everett. (and maybe some other family events? hmmmmm. ) going to redo Grandkids sign to add Everett's clip. and ordered all new pics. going to make a collage in a big frame in Grandkids Room, ordered pics for that. and working on Everett's door sign is ALSO on my Today To-Do List. there's a movie on Prime I wanna watch too....are there enough hours in my day before Kevin comes home?

oh. The Big News. (I guess?) The Chiefs are moving to Kansas in 2031. we don't go to games anymore. doesn't effect me personally. and that whole area is basically the 'burbs of KC, anyway. would make traffic better on I-35. maybe? I dunno. we might have to use our life savings to go to one game in the new stadium. take all the kids and all the grands. we'd need a whole row of seats! right now we have 15. maybe another grandbaby or 3 in 6 years. we've created a dynasty. (insert heart emoji here.)

found KJ's birth certificate in basement at his request, but I don't have his SS card. he'll keep looking at his house. found family Bible and updated it with KJ's wedding and Everett's birth.

I took down the frames and pics in grandkids room. have ordered new pics to make a collage. and made Everetts grandkids door sign. he's The Grasshopper. have decided to put off the grandkids sign in LR till I get the new pics, then re-do it. Kevin made chili for supper. Katie called with baby life update. I had my first grilled pb&j.

today

I picked up Rip, finished the Christmas blanket, which turned out pretty damned cute if I do say so myself, and made Everetts book. also ordered a personalized book that will be for his first birthday....10 Little Everetts. I know I got the other grands some kind of personalized book for first birthday...like I Lost My Name or something, but that was long ago and this adorable ad popped up. Ian's big Xmas gift hasn't shown up yet. may have to do an emergency Walmart run. David's gift arrived today. I NEVER cut it this close. I. am. off. my. game. this year. made a shit ton of TikToks from all my Baby Weekend pictures. whew!

our Nebraska weekend.

had a wonderful weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska. Baby Everett Gregory arrived Friday, Dec. 19 at 12:49 p.m. 6 lb 15 oz, 19", black hair. he is perfect! (his middle name is for his paternal grandfather, which is why it was a secret. Brayden wanted to surprise his dad.) We stayed in the Haymarket District, did lots of chilly walks, ate meals together, and spent a couple of hours daily visiting at the hospital. we found a Christmas Village for the kids to explore, walked to a rumored haunted hotel, and played at an area park. we explored all the stairwells, and the kids would run the stairs from 3rd floor to lobby, racing the elevator. their room was right around the corner from ours, so it was easy to keep track of each other. we played hide & seek. I even found a couple of ghosts in their room that communicated with me vocally AND by text! on our way home, I walked a cemetery to find the grave of a spree killer, and walked around the grounds of The Clarinda State Hospital (former insane asylum). which were both bucket list items for me. and we were right. there. Kevin tolerates this. I think he enjoys the peace and quiet when I get out of the truck and roam around for a half hour or so. Millie, Mommy, and Papa went to an antique store, where Millie found lucite icicles for their Christmas tree.

booked hotel rooms for us and Koren & kids.

we'll head out tomorrow after Kevin gets off work.

today got a lot done on The Christmas Fleece Throw and visited the girls. it's fun just low key hanging out with them.

back to court house to finish business. started sewing my little fleece throw quilt together.

played with girls after school. talked to my girls, making baby arrival plans. KJ & Z wore matching Christmas jammies to school today for PJ day.

the old barbershop on Princeton square has been demolished. and they're knocking down the haunted house at the end of the street.

spent time at the court house paying our taxes

have to go back tomorrow to finish up. long story. what a day. picked up Rip from boarding. ordered pics on Snapfish. I didn't put code in box, then had to google it. I am kinda a deal.

we got everything back to 'normal' again....trips cause such chaos.

unboxed The Mystery Inc. gang and found them a spot in Katie's room. KJ & crew over to watch The Chiefs not make The Playoffs. I don't think any of us are surprised. so many injuries. Patrick went down today. is it the end of a chapter? we were fans in the bad years. we were fans in the good years. we had an amazing run. and we can ride out the bad years. Izzy had pillow fights with her mom and dad and helped Gramma arrange quilt blocks. I talked to Millie & Violet. texts from Katie and Ian. a good day.

a whirlwind weekend....

spent the night in the hottest hotel room we've had since that frat house in Ames. ate at Buffalo Wild Wings, hotel breakfast, Texas Road House. shopping at 1313 Mockingbird Lane. the owner is a rock star! follow him on FB. photos with Krampus. shopping at Bass Pro. Bert Kreisher at Cable Dahmer Arena. home midnightish.

today saw the completion and wrapping of The Special Homemade Christmas Gift.

bought next years Xmas wrapping paper half off at Tractor Supply....and (4) 10 cent halloween characters with air plants. supper at El Napol. saw Cindy Burkeybile Soptic there, and Viv's dad Glen, and our dentist.

last night was Ian's orchestra concert. it. was. amazing.

decided to wear my cheap boots I haven't worn in years cause they looked cute with my outfit, half the sole came off one walking into Koren's. I'd took my Mucks for snow, Koren loaned me a pair of Uggs for concert. AND Tracy finally received her well-traveled Xmas gift. spent night. treated myself to Hardee's cinnamin raisin biscuits, then the thrift store, where I bought a bunch of fuzzy xmas jammies half off to make into a tie quilt for me. and found a cute old polar bear, a baby hat and vest, I'll dress him up for the Coke collection. drove through Bethany McDonalds on way home, Grinch Meal was still on the drivethru board, I asked for one and they are out, so I just said "thanks" and exited stage left. I'll just buy myself some damn grinch socks. no big. snow all melted while I was gone. except the ice in driveway and on our street.

today is the oldest I've ever been. 61. I spent the day my favorite way...in my jammies.

birthday texts from my 3 little Ks and My Strong Handsome Hero. birthday calls from Izzy, Mom, and the girls. birthday video from Zerelda. made myself a doll that has been in the works for a while....was originally going to be a scarecrow. vaccumed. worked on my top secret Xmas project. the bulk is done. now on the finishing stages. finish -------, then wash, and wrap.

"We're ok, Melissa." -Andy Reid 0-10 halftime 🏈❤️💛

after a bit of really good football, it ended 10-20. at home. glad I watched this at home, at least it was warm. and Izzy's antics kept us from getting too bummed out. She can put on chapstick by herself now, by the way. Burt's Bees Watermelon. she talks like a grownup. big words. paragraphs. and she has quite the imagination. Kevin watched football all day. he made a FB snack, so we didn't eat until 5ish. which was Jethro's leftovers.

today we went to Des Moines.

snowed on way up and most of way home. spent our rebate checks at Menards, ate at Jethros, then spent Kevin's Hy-Vee Christmas gift card.

today was another wonderful gramma day in the books.

journeyed to Overland Park Oak Park Mall to watch Coralie sing in the Celebration Choir. then we got to hang out withe Ms. Niki and Zoe, eat lunch, and shop at the mall. what a fun day!

frustrating project morning.

something was wrong, I made adjustments. I ripped out. and ripped out. and ripped out. and repinned. made more adjustments. still not right. finally realized I was adjusting The. Wrong. Thing. and then it all worked out. but project has been put away. not taking any chances. I have to be in the right frame of mind. and obviously today is not the day. put white lights I found in basement in front window to frame tree. beautiful. next time I looked, half the lights weren't working. today is trash day, so there they went.

here's my worst nightmare.....have taken out personal info. but ugh.

A Missouri woman was found dead in the ------ after being reported missing a few days prior, according to the ----- County Sheriff's Office.

On ----, the family of --year-old ------reported her missing to the --- Sheriff's Office after concerns about her well-being and having no contact with her since ------.

The Sheriff's Office said it employed multiple law enforcement resources to locate -----. Some of which included a Facebook post asking the public for information on her whereabouts and providing the public with a description of the vehicle she was driving. (no no no no no no no!!!!!)

On -----, the Sheriff's Office received information leading to the discovery of ------ vehicle, which was parked and unoccupied on a field access road outside of ----, near -------

After a preliminary search of the area, ----- was not located.

The Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri Department of Conservation ----rescue teams to assist in continuing the search of -----------

The -------------- search began on ------, with an accompanying land search of the outlying timber and row crop land bordering the-----. The search stopped due to the need for more specialized equipment, but later resumed on-------.

According to a news release from the-------County Sheriff's Office, at approximately ------., a female was found deceased in ----- and was later identified as ---------.

----- County Sheriff -------. said the investigation is still ongoing, and no other details can be given at this time.

Zerelda's Christmas Concert. I picked up Ann & Izzy, we picked Z up at school and took her to Walmart where we went Christmas sweater shopping, then hung out in Daddy's classroom and played History Jeopardy until time for her concert. Her mom, step-dad, brother, step-sister, aunt, ncle, & cousins were all there, her other grandparents, plus Daddy & Ann and her sister and grandma. she has quite the fan club.

I tried to make a snowman. not my best effort. snow not very cooperative.

Izzy invited me to play in the snow with her, so put my project away. she stomped and dug and threw snow in the air, declaring it The Best Day Ever and me her Bestest Friend. Kevin made chili when he got home, I could smell it as soon as I pulled into the garage. KJ & Crew put up their Christmas tree. they let the girls decorate it, which I find adorable.

decided to add Mothman and today's advent cryptid Goblin to my Gingerdead House.

had to do some evening out on The Christmas Project. but it is now square, and 2 rows are sewed together! so. much. sewing. my old fingers ache. but I should get it done in plenty of time.

tags on trucks, so cross that off the list. today is Ian's birthday. I have delegated one of my list items to Kevin. it was on YESTERDAY's list. he says he'll do it tomorrow. he had me do some research. Kevin did a grocery run after work. sunny and warmer today. wrapping gifts as they arrive. trying to stay on top of shit, because as a Tiktok ad for a $89 necklace reminded me, you don't know how many Tuesdays you have left.

December 1st.

super secret Christmas project hit a milestone today. I am on track. started advent calender. took a trip to PO to check on Tracy's traveling package that is back on the road - again. snowing - still. area schools cancelled today. wrapped gifts that arrived. took a pic by Christmas Tree - kinda like those glamorous 1960s pics, but in my jammies. just for me. changed sheets. distributed all Santa hats I've found. bought the Key West ticket to meet Robert The Doll in 2026. no more spending for me. most expensive ghostly ticket to date.