35, treinta y cinco, τριάντα πέντε, тридцать пять

That's how many years I've been married. I've surpassed the amount of years I belonged to my dad by 15 years. Even when I say my un married name, it starts to sound alien to my ears. My sisters don't have that name and my mom is the only one. And we only use that name when we call her Grandma Stucker.

We had the chance to spend 3 day away from home and from work. I took off a couple of days (what a treat!) and so did the Husband. We spent the time away from home, but nearby on Shelter Island. I got a room at a very nice resort and had a great time of getting to know each other and getting a good rest. I did not realize how tired we were! With both of our schedules going in opposite directions, it's been a race daily. The Husband work seventy hours a week, and I work 30ish (usually more) and different times, he on the second shift me on the milk route. Add to that the stresses of elderly parents and we were ready for a long winter's nap.

We did get a pleasant surprise while we were there. The annual boat parade of lights had their water parade that starts at Shelter Island every year, so we got to see the whole thing from our balcony. What fun! I've wanted to see it for years, but I can't handle the crowds. It was great. We enjoyed the weather the whole weekend, in the mid 70's, and were able to sit out and watch the parade sipping coffee in shirt sleeves. I wanted to post a video of the parade but it looks like blobs of lights floating past. Trust me, it was pretty cool. The odd thing was, the room next to us was enjoying the parade, as well, and decided to light up a doobie. They are at least my age! I guess some of us just didn't grow up all the way, yet.

Today, was a big turn of weather. I woke up to drenching rain at 4:30. It rained all day, and boy did we need it. Stick Dog would have nothing to do with it. We looked outside together and went back to the couch. We stayed on the sofa alllll day and he watched me work. It was relatively slow, and I took the opportunity to put up some Christmas decorations. The tree is up, the lights are on it, but no other decorations. Girl and I will do that tomorrow. I put the swag on the window and then I called it quits. I needed to clean the house and go to Target and....make peanut brittle. I love brittle! This is for my brother in law.

I have several more food gifts to make, but the brittle and the cranberry bread is all done. I'll make cookies next week for the neighborhood exchange and finish the granola and Texas trash on Saturday. I have to be at the post office Monday. Yahoo.

So, 35 years have gone by, many Christmas celebrations, and lots of life. I hope the next 35, should we be still living, will be equally as fulfilling as they have been in the past years. Well, maybe less drama, that would be nice. Some grandkids would be good, too.