Christmas Recovery

I do not count myself among those in a hurry to take down the Christmas decor. I still passionately LOVE it.
Since the Christmas partying is over for this year, I am more than happy not to have to think of preparing food or baking cookies.
Still, this is the time of year that I enjoy the music, readings and memories of Christmas the most.
And being a traditionalist, would not dream of taking down a single decoration at least until epiphany.
Today I resolved to recover from the Family Christmas Party which happened yesterday.
To do so only required that I not do ANYTHING. So, happily, I did not.
I slept in until 9:30, which is something I cannot recall doing for ages.
All morning I hummed the tune from The Wizard of Oz, "We get up at twelve and start to work at one, take an hour for lunch and then at two we're done. Jolly good fun!"
I took my new book-light and my copy of Little Women and lounged on the living room couch while listening to a recorded concert of The Messiah.
Several times I saw the hawk which has been frequenting my neighborhood as it flew from tree to phone lines and back again. I googled 'hawks' for the umpteenth time and do believe it is just a common red tailed hawk, but what is uncommon is that it would take up in a neighborhood so lacking in open fields as mine is.
For breakfast my cereal was in the form of homemade Chex Mix.
I spent the afternoon in nap-land, awakening just minutes before THGGM came home from work. He took one look at me and suggested we go out for dinner. I wouldn't hear of it, what with all those delectable leftovers we have residing under tinfoil in small and large bowls in the refrigerator. So delectable leftovers for dinner it was!
This evening I remembered to watch American Masters on PBS. Tonight's was Louisa May Alcott. It was very enjoyable, especially since I had just read the Bronson Alcott biography and a collection of Louisa May Alcott's short stories.
Oh, and I'm presently reading Little Women.
This paragraph caught my attention earlier today:

"The joys come close upon the sorrows this time, and I rather think the changes have begun," said Mrs. March. "In most families there comes, now and then, a year full of events; this has been such a one, but it ends well, after all."

Yes, please. May this year end well, after all.

Mid-December Musings

It has to be frustrating to be Famke who knows EXACTLY what she wants to do but lacks the language skills to bring it down to the level at which I can understand her.

Anyway.., on with my musings...

My sister came by today. We had a lovely time. We went out to lunch and to the thrift store. Since I carry a Coach purse which never has any money in it, she bought lunch. I happily spent more of my Christmas gift certificate at the thrift store - this time on a denim blue corduroy jacket. LOVE it. Oh, and more 25 cent baggies of plastic animals. The fun we shall have with those!

I'm having such a difficult time going to the nursing home alone. But, going with my sister was great! My mom looked very happy to see us and we had a delightful visit, and managed to avoid Bingo. I do not like Bingo.

It's a struggle to believe that Christmas Day is only one week away. Ours will be very low-key this year. We celebrated with our kids on St. Nicholas Eve. Of course, those in town for the holiday will be here for brunch. Then, on Sunday it will be my family's Christmas party, here. I'm looking forward to that.

This year I started early reading my favorite Christmas books and watching my favorite videos. I still have more to go, but I'm finding it so much more enjoyable spread out. I'm also reading "Little Women". It's been a very long time since I've read it. I'm picking up more 'new' stuff then I thought I would.

My December resolution has been to get eight hours of sleep a night. So far, I've done that for a week. I've also given up my two afternoon mugs of coffee. I still feel tired. Oh, well. I guess I can't expect to feel 21 at 51. Or, can I?

This year I have seriously curtailed my cookie making. I have GOT to accept the fact that I am diabetic and if I want to go on living I'm going to have to STOP EATING THINGS LOADED WITH BAD CARBS. As is my usual story, I do great all day, and in the evening I'm so tired I don't seem to care whether or not I live to see the light of another day.

Soon, hopefully VERY soon, I shall have my work space all set up in the basement. I'm getting excited for this. We are waiting on a new toilet, and then it should be possible to spend time down there with the grandchildren, who will have their own workspace down there too. Hopefully, they will enjoy that.

THGGM will have the first week of January off. He has plans to get the first floor of my parent's condo painted so that it can be put up for sale.

I'm happily looking forward to January and a NEW YEAR. I will admit that this year has worn me to a frazzle.

A frazzle, I tell you.