Boxing Day

Good morning! Happy Boxing Day!  I wasn't here yesterday because it was Christmas and I was pulling  loose ends together.

My daughter and her family came over last night for a casual meal and to open their gifts.  I don't usually "do" paper plates but I did last night.  Between her being under the weather from her procedure and my knees and ankles, nobody wanted to deal with dishes so....we didn't.

I am surprised that I didn't have the bah-humbugs once this season.  I changed things up, eliminated the things that caused me stress, stretched it all out so it wasn't so hectic and it worked well for me.

The weather was lovely, a bit overcast yesterday but it was warm.  Today we are supposed to have storms but that is ok too, we are all in and relaxing and safe so it can rain if it wants to.

I hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas.  I am looking forward to making some changes in my everyday life this year. Not resolutions.  Resolutions are meant to be broken.  Like diets.  I am going to try to live a more meaning, thoughtful life in general.  I need to make some new routines to get the things done that I don't like to do and to make time for the things I do like to do without feeling guilty.  So, that will be a challenge but I think I can take it on.

I hope to finish my current  read before the end of the year.  I am disappointed  because I am not enjoying it but I am not so I just want to get it finished.
  
So, off to do some laundry.  Laundry is one of those things I need to get control of.  There are only two of us here.  Seriously.

Have a wonderful boxing day!

Monday, December 24

It is the 24th day of Advent -- it has been a very good one, too. We  went to church, the 4:30 children's service.  I love that service.  Then we went to my daughter's for our traditional tamale dinner.  She had a friend from work over and we had  a really good time.

I am tired, though, so I won't be staying up.  I have more cooking to do tomorrow  but not much.  Then there will be gifts. 

It doesn't feel like Christmas Eve, probably because it is warmer than usual, but I have had a wonderful Advent and look forward to the next twelve days of Christmas!

I will leave you with this --

Saturday and Sunday, December 22 and 23

Today is the 23 day of Advent.  I wasn't here yesterday because I was in a great deal of pain and basically was angry and upset and I felt like it would just be a blog of grousing and complaining.ed

So, I didn't.  I also went to bed early.

Today was a bit better, I got a few things done, a couple of cards made and was quite lucky to have a helper in the form of Elf Bean.  She thought it hysterical that I made her put the bows on her own gifts.  Doesn't take much to amuse her.

We had the last advent dinner.  It was soup and sandwiches and ice cream for dessert.  It was quick and easy and I believe enjoyed by all.

I have had both knees wrapped and ankles braced all day.  I just took a second dose of aspirin and I think I am going to bed.  Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day.

Friday, December 21

Friday, December 21, the 21st day of Advent.

It is getting closer.  The baby Jesus is going to show up in the creche soon. I can hardly wait.  I love my little nativity and I love the anticipation of the season.

Today was a long day.  I didn't sleep well because I was thinking of my daughter and her medical procedure today. It all went well and we are confident everything is fine.

 I was up early with Bean getting her ready for school -- I am  used to afternoon pick up -- early morning drop off not so much.  But, drop off we did and I came home for another cuppa and a quick catnap before I had to go back for the classroom party.

We gave goody bags to the class and there was a book exchange.  Bean was pleased with what she received -- she loves those Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.  There was pizza and cookies and grapes and Capri sun.

Then we came home.  By the time we got home Mommy was well done with her procedure and Daddy came to pick up the Bean and I just sat down -- just sat down.  Tomorrow is another day.

Here are some rather random and chaotic photos of the party.

And to all a goodnight!

Thursday, December 20

Today is the 20th day of Advent--

Yikes!

That means it is 5 days until Christmas Day.

I read an article this morning about how it is going to take more than "put Christ back in Christmas" to get back to the real meaning of Christmas.

It talked  about how Christmas was banned in Early America.  It talked about the commercialization of the season.  It talked about how the modern day Santa came to be and how it is a big part of American culture now.

It was a sad article.  But, it was an eye opener.  I am really glad we "do" Advent in this house.

With that said, I am tired.  My daughter is having a medical "procedure" tomorrow and, while I am not worried, it is on my mind.  I also have the Bean for the night and I have to get her to school and then go back three hours later for her Christmas party.  

I made goody bags for her classmates but it seems a good number of them are either going to be gone for Christmas visits elsewhere or they are throwing up.

I have no words.

So, I have to deliver those and teacher gifts and make sure she doesn't eat any nut laced cookies.  Parties are just a little nerve wracking.  I will be glad when it is over.
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What did I do today?  Laundry.  Hubs was under the weather so we didn't do anything but make a run to the bank.  I cooked dinner and made a couple of cards.  I am trying to get all my laundry caught up because I would like to start a new plan to keep things up and done. "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry".  Ah, yes.  We shall see.

So, I am off to hang up wet uniforms, wash my hair, put somebody to bed and probably collapse.  There is a reason God gives children to young women.

Goodnight.

Wednesday, December 19

It is the 19th day of Advent and....

it is trying hard to rain.

I have done nothing today but wash towels.

I did make a couple of cards --

I have learned a lot from making these cards this year.  I have learned a little patience.  I have learned some about planning and balance.  I have learned that glitter paper is evil.  I have also learned that they need to be mailed to the UK in August to arrive in December.

I have enjoyed making the cards and am
honing in  on my style which is pretty simple.  There are a lot of lovely things out there but I am just a simple person and it shows in my cards.

Now I can start on my birthday stash considering I have January birthdays to acknowledge.  At any rate it is good fun and I enjoy doing it.

So, the rest of the day just involves dinner, more towels to wash and picking up "stuff" that has migrated all over the place. 

This part of Advent has been very uneventful.

Tuesda y, December 18

Today is the 18th day of Advent and....

I am pooped.

Had semi-sick baby all day.  She didn't do much, watched a couple of movies, read, worked on a project -- she was quiet and not hungry.  She complained about her stomach hurting a couple of times.  I am not sure if it is a bug or something else.  I am seriously thinking something else. 

I don't have much to add to the post today.  We went to the library.  I have lost my library card so I had to replace it.  It cost me $2.  I have no idea where I lost it.  I don't like not having a library card so I am glad to have a replacement.

I am going to bed early, I think.  I think I need a little extra sleep tonight.

Monday, December 17

It is the 17th day of Advent and......



my granddaughter just tossed her cookies all over the place.


Sigh.  Why did I think we were going to have a sick-free Christmas?

Silly Nona.

See you tomorrow!

Sunday, December 16

Today is the 16th day of advent.  Today we lit the pink candle for gaudete Sunday -- the Sunday of joy.

Joy -- what makes you joyful?  My family makes me joyful.  Sunshine makes me joyful.  Good movies, good books, good health.  Church makes me joyful. Church music makes me joyful.

Tonight's meal was spaghetti and meatballs, salad and bread.  Ice cream was for dessert.  I have never enjoyed cooking and I think I have figured out why.  I always make things too complicated.  Lately I have been making simple meals and it has been going better.  I even made my own salad dressing tonight.  It was all good.

I finished wrapping gifts and I am working putting together Bean's gifts for her classmates -- just about done. 

It was a nice day -- it is warm and I am looking forward to running a few errands tomorrow. 


Watching "Love Actually" right now and getting sleepy so I will bid you a goodnight.

Saturday, December 15

Today is the 15th day of Advent.  I didn't really forget to post because I have an exciting post but.....I fell asleep.  So, here it is.

Today the Hubs and I went to lunch at a local barbecue place before grocery shopping and guess who we saw?

Santa and one of his elves!  They were right there getting barbecue just like everybody else! 

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera and I don't know if I would have felt comfortable snapping a pic and disturbing them although others did. 

And Santa was such a GENTLEMAN.  He actually took his hat off and laid it on the table during his meal.

And you know what else?  I am pretty sure this was the real deal.  Why?  Because I truly believe his beard was real.

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

His elf was super adorable -- a little lady elf with the cutest little pointy ears (they may have been on her hat) you ever did see. 

As I headed to the ladies room I smiled while passing by and I couldn't help myself -- I had to say something so --

I said "you just make people smile" and she smiled and it was a MOMENT!  So cool.

I need to learn to carry the camera with me.

Friday, December 14

On the 14th day of Advent -- there is a Girl Scout Christmas party.  Our troop grew from 7 to 17 this year so this was no quiet little affair.  It was big and noisy and messy and these girls are so much fun.  With that I will share the photos of the evening.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos of the food which was abundant.

Our fearless leader -- pumped and ready for the shindig

The Bean Tree

Tasteful decor

Surprise gifts from our fearless leader

A quiet moment for two of our Brownies before the festivities begin

An unexpected, but welcome, guest

the gift table

The pottery projects from the trip to the pottery studio

A short meeting

bad lightening but more of the short meeting

lining up for food--and there was so much of it. 

chow line

Tuppy, our resident Elf, decided to show up for the event

Such a good group of little girls -- it is a privilege to be able to work with them

 

And here is our fearless leader after the fact

 After the food and the gift exchange the girls had voted to decorate cookies and watch a movie.  They were all pretty droopy by 8:30 but I think it was a good time for all.