Spent my first Xmas not in High Point, NC. Flew mom up for a visit. Started out fine. Had dinner with her good friends, Kathleen & Jerry.
Click on pix for larger image:

               

                

Then I got that stomach flu/virus that's taking over the East coast. Was in bed all day for practically the rest of her trip. But, we were able to put up our 1st tree in NYC:
   
                        

I did have a brief reprieve from my illness to throw mum a brunch party. I invited a few ladies from our building, as well as my good friend Merritt, her mother and husband. Merritt is one of the few viewers of my blog, so I am finally posting a pic of her on my blog (although she can be seen more here: kateandalex.com/neworleans/). We took photos recently while getting fitting for our bridesmaids dresses, but they weren't very flattering.

                        
Jody, Alison & Justin (Zoe's son)       India (Merritt's mom), her husband, Jules, Merritt & Alex

                       
    Justin, Jody, Mom & Zoe                                          Alison & me

Got great gifts, though. I've used a fountain pen since high school -- initially just to be weird and different, but haven't been able to write w/ anything else since. So, Alex got me a beautiful Monteverde in Rose/Black and engraved Kate Robinson-Golden (haven't got around to changing my name officially just yet) and my mom gave me 2 antique ink wells, one of which is part of a matching set to hold the nibs and a tray for my pens (she also got me a staff pen to use w/ the nibs). Also got me LL Bean hiking shoes and she hand-carved ornaments for us (Star of David for Al and Rho Chi for me -- Christ's name in Greek -- will post pix of them once we're back in NYC, in NJ now). Guess I'll start attempting calligraphy next, since I've run out of home improvement projects! Alex also got me a couple of Cesar Milan dog books and an elephant book; Greg got me and elephant ring holder and in-laws got me 2 pairs of boots, coat, wallet, and a 3-tier serving platter (for my future parties).