We didn't end up in Boston for Olive's first birthday due to weather and Jim's mom.  We did go the following weekend and had her birthday and Christmas together.  She's growing so fast.  Shannon was there also so we really had a great time.   Christmas here was quiet, we went to spend some time with Jim's mom, she's back in the nursing home, doing as well as she can.  She's depressed and unhappy but we can't let her go home.  Then because it's just Jim and I now--we were invited to dinner across the street.  So we had Christmas with the Farrell's, since we all spend so much time together anyways it was fitting.  Been busy at work since we had short week due to the holiday and staff being sick or out on vacation.  We've also lost quite a few patients in the last week.  Not a good time of year to lose a parent, friend, or anyone.

I lost my "other mother" Christmas Eve.  Ann and I lived behind each other growing up--there were 3 of us, Ann, Betsy and me.  Betsy lived 2 houses down from Ann.  Lorraine took us all in, reined herd on us when we needed it -- Betsy was the youngest and her parents both worked.  I was the oldest and Ann was an only child.  Lorraine would take us to the family camp during the summer so we could swim and enjoy time with their HUGE extended family, see Sheffy her husband was one of 8 or 9 kids who all had at least 3 kids so there were cousins galore and we all grew up together.  Sheffy owned a hot dog place when we were growing up and Lorraine would take us there for lunch. Lorraine gave us all love, she gave us a taste of ethnic cooking - though we didn't know it at the time, I just knew it was stuff my mom never made. She was loving, generous and totally committed to family.  I will miss her almost as much as Ann will.  She always asked about Rob and my granddaughter when I would see her and of course she would just light up telling me about her great grand sons and her grand children.  Nicole is a year older than Rob and Travis is almost 2 years younger. 

My sister Kelly turns 50 today, where did the time go?  We've had our ups and downs as most sisters do but she remains my friend. Happy BIRTHDAY KELLY 

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all