Just call me Farmer Duffy.  We had a fairly warm day today so Alice came down and helped me get my bulbs planted in the front flower beds before the really harsh winter weather comes upon us.  I figure we had slightly over 250 bulbs and it took both of us over 2 and a half hours to get them all planted.  Boy!!! Am I tired and sore, and I shutter to think how tired I'd be if Alice hadn't helped me. I believe she planted twice as many as I got in the ground.  But it will all be worth it in the spring when we're greeted by all these lovely flowers popping their heads up out of the soil.   But after today, I don't believe I'll expend that much energy in planting tulips because they do not come back a second year here in Oklahoma. Just too much work for one season.

I went over and picked up mom about 10 this morning and here's she is opening her presents.  They were all practical gifts.

I should have used the "self portrait" feature of my camera so I could have been in the picture too, but I didn't think of it until just now.  We had a WONDERFUL Christmas lunch at Alice's house.  We had chicken, mashed potatoes, gravey, oyster dressing, noodles, carrots, peas, frozen cranberry salad and delicious home made rolls.  Oh, yes, and pumpkin pie too.  I was proud of myself . . . I didn't eat so much that I made myself miserable.  Much better this way.

I wish I could say that I painted this picture, but obviously I can't. I DO love it though.  I found it on a piece of old sheet music in my late husband's many boxes of music.  I am still in the unpacking mode and have completed about 10 more boxes today.  After 2 weeks of unpacking, I finally found the 4 glass insets for the coffee table and the large piece of glass that goes in the top shelf of my large ornate book case.  See, I told you I was making progress.

I am making progress, really I am.  It's just not as easy as it used to be. For one thing, I'm older than I was the last time I moved and also the last time I had Michael to help me. Alice has helped a lot, but she has her own household to run and we don't want her husband to feel neglected.  I just have to keep reminding myself that I don't have a deadline for getting all "settled in".  It's enough that I'm functioning in the house.  I actually cooked something today on the stove . . . a big pot of tortilla soup, so now I won't be eating just peanut butter English muffins.  As soon as I get the house a little bit more presentable I'll include pictures. Don't want you all to think I live in a trash heap.

WHEW!!!!  I'm FINALLY moved into my new house.  Boxes EVERYWHERE!!!  I have always gotten a house in order within 4 or 5 days when ever we've moved, however THIS time I believe I'll take my time.  After all, I AM retired now.  I may not have the last boxes open for a couple months.

I'm really tired, so I think I'll be taking a hot soak in my wonderful new deep tub.  Talk to you later and pictures to follow later.

Another shot of the snow fall we got Thursday. It was taken a little before nine Friday morning. I loved the long shadows this multi-trunk tree cast.

The snow and wiched wind together left beautiful reminders of their presence.  I went over to my new house this morning to check it out and had to stop on my way back to the apartment to snap a few pictures of some of the lovely snow drifts.  They could easily be mistaken for sand dunes were the coloring different.