Oh Christmas Tree!

It's been a very busy year for us. 

Making a list and checking it twice, 

I realized that I haven't been a 

very good blog friend this year. 

I have failed to respond to many of your posts and emails. 

I hope you'll let me make it up to you by sending you a 

real live Christmas card.  They call it snail mail.  

Please comment and leave your address. 

I would love to know that you

"GOT MAIL."

Let the show begin...

The Christmas tree is always the focal point of my home.

It is now done.
Filled with ornaments from my mama's tree
and a few of my own, it is always my favorite.

It's skinny and perfect for our apartment. 

Growing up the children had the privilege 

of spending every afternoon and holiday with Nanny.

Her tree was full of silver and gold, white and crystals.

Her favorites were the crystals.

The crystal ornaments glittered with the lights, creating a prism of colors.

The first thing Chad did when he got to Nanny's everyday

was to count and pick out which ornaments had been added.

He had his favorites.

I had mine too!

I've shown you a few of mine. 

I now have 4 heavy silver pine cones that my daughter 

bought last year at Macy's after-Christmas 75% off sale.  

They are now my favorites.

I'm busy adding to and taking away.

Will show and share more every day...

I hope.

I have shared with some of you that my daughter has Best Disease.  Best Disease is a disease of the retina. We discovered this when she was tested for Lupus as a teenager in 1996.  After several weeks of not being able to bear weight on her ankles and a lupus-like butterfly rash across her face, she underwent multiple tests for RA, Lupus, and MS.  When her eyes were tested for Iritis, an eye disease resulting from arthritis, the optomologist discovered Best.  He said, "She will probably never have a problem. The yolk-like appearance may remain the same or she may notice some changes when she is in her 30's and 40's." When she was pregnant, she began to notice that she wasn't seeing as well . She could not see road signs, could not read the screen at church, could not read a menu and I was concerned.  She is losing her central vision and there is nothing that can be done to reverse or correct it. 

People say, "Get stronger lenses."  There is no correction because regardless of how large, the print is blurred.  She can't read facial expressions.  She recognizes Harper from across the room by the clothes that she has on.  

She and her husband recently made the decision for her to stop driving.  This is a big life-altering challenge, but one that she is walking through with grace.  I am picking up Harper and getting Christy back and forth to work when Troy is out of town.  I am usually with them two days a week.  I am beginning to understand now why the move happened so quickly. 

When the progression of the disease was confirmed, her first response was, "What if  I can no longer see those big blue eyes (of baby girl)?"  The thought tears me apart. She has an appointment with a low-vision specialist where her vision will be tested again to determine it's progression. She saw a retinologist in August who confirmed the diagnosis but was unable to get an appointment with the specialist until December 31.  There are clinical trials being done and we are believing that we will see a treatment or cure in her lifetime. 

We are hopeful and believe.