helped James get up and get dressed. Then we settled down in the living room next to the Christmas tree and began to open presents - before breakfast. First James looked in his big red stocking and was so excited to receive 10 bars of Ivory soap. I captured him waving it in the air!Then he started opening his gifts from "Santa" that had been under the tree for several days, "To: James; From: Santa". And then came gifts from family and friends. One favorite was a set of videos about trains from a friend Bucky who lives in Panama City, FL. He is a retired policeman and has a hunting lodge at Danley's Cross Roads and we see him and his family when they are here for awhile. He
knows that James is a big fan of trains and railroads. He has been watching these videos all afternoon.
You will notice he is wearing a new Clemson cap, a gift from his brother Bill. James' niece Nerissa is a freshman at Clemson. James likes Auburn and they are playing Clemson in the Peach Bowl. He said he guessed he'd wear the Clemson cap and his new Auburn sweatshirt that day. We visited the Clemson campus in November to see Nerissa and her apartment, etc. Now James is a big Clemson fan!
In the next photo you see James looking at one of his many big books he got for Christmas. Ally gave him 2 train books, Lizzie gave him one, and he got one from Santa. Bill's girls also gave him a large book "Santa Claus". Caroline thought James would like it. He is a big fan of Santa's.
Not everything under the tree was for James. Jim smokes a pipe and needed a new one, really bad. There is no place to buy a pipe in Elba, AL! A local service station orders pipe tobacco for him - Borkum Rif whiskey flavor. He was so excited to get 2 brierwood pipes from our oldest son Ronnie and family.
And Jim got something else he has wanted for a long time - an air compressor. He knew he was getting this because he was the one who ordered it. But we wrapped it when it arrived and he didn't see it until today. He promised to use it to dust "hard to get to" places, including behind the computer, etc. Maybe he'll try it out one day soon. He also got a 5 ft ladder which was a surprise and Santa left it out front behind the bushes last night. Now he can reach light fixtures to change bulbs, etc. His 8' ladder was too tall. And to reach things on shelves, etc. He has a step ladder but it's too short. Santa usually leaves practical things for the two of us. James was kinder and gave him a bag of his favorite candy, Tootsie Rolls. He got books and other nice gifts from other family members.
I received a beautiful lightweight fleece robe from Cindy and Ron and a beautiful red silk scarf from Lizzie. And a kit of bath products from Ally. Liz and Chad gave me a nice "grandparent legacy" journal to fill out. I always love to get the good-smelling products from Cindy and girls at Christmas time; things I would never go out and buy for myself.
I had asked for some new stainless steel flatware for Christmas. I spent a long time looking for just the right pattern, etc. and didn't give much advance notice. Jim ordered some online and it arrived Christmas Eve. He thought he wasn't going to get it in time.
I chose Oneida "Julliard" pattern and got four 5-piece sets for everyday use. I will pack up all my mismatched flatware and save it for someone's cabin or college dorm. Today we used the new silverware and our Christmas dishes, even though it was just the 3 of us here for Christmas Day. We had a good time!
I have been inside all day - a record for me since I am an outdoor person. My feet have been "tapping" to go walking but we have had rain most of the day. Maybe tomorrow.....
