4 posts in December is just pathetic

I just noticed that I have posted only four times this month so far. Four times. That is just wrong. If I am really a blogger (though no one ever said I was; I just write this blog which is different than being a blogger), then I should be posting more often than that.
I am not exactly sure why I have not been more faithful to my blog. My best guess is that my dear departed loved ones are heavy on my mind this month and I am not certain that folks want to keep hearing about that.
But that is kinda where I am.
Winter break started Friday at 3pm. It has been productive so far. I have started and almost completed my Christmas shopping in just these past three days. Of course, I don't have that many people to shop for :)
On Saturday, we celebrated my father-in-law's birthday. We met for lunch at a fabulous microbrewery in Bucky's neighborhood. It was so good to be together. There is always lots of yakking and it is fun to sit there and take it in. I love to listen to the younger generation and even better, I love to hear Jack's dad's very astute questions and comments about his grandkids' lives. I love how close our family has become. We have always been a pretty tight family, but for me, it has just gotten deeper and more meaningful. We have been through a lot together in the last three years and it has only made our bonds stronger.
On my side of the family, it is pretty much the same story. Sue's house went on the market on Friday. Jenny has worked many long hours on getting the place ready. It is absolutely amazing the amount of work she has put in. Jack and I went there yesterday (Sunday) so that Jack could replace a broken light switch (Jack is pretty darn good at electricity). As I walked up the steps, I was flooded by memories and sounds of my family. It was kinda comforting in a strange way. When I opened the front door, I could almost hear a dog barking. In my mind's eye, I pictured my mother sitting at the kitchen table, reading one of her four newspapers. I heard my dad laughing. There were so many great memories in that home, which was in our family for over 40 years. I am hoping and praying that it will become a home for another loving and fun family. The other day I told Jack that I felt Sue's physical presence in our house. He asked if I felt her presence as in she was coming to get me...but no, not that at all. I just felt her with me.
And that is a beautiful gift.