Lesson learned.

Never.
Drink wine and watch "Stepmom".
Alone.

Tough being a grown up.

I have had a sick headache all afternoon. Today I decided to give up a trip to go see Mom so that Mr. Macho could be available to help his family. He was willing and ready to take the trip. But. He really could not have gone out of town and relaxed with his dad recovering from a stroke. I could not have enjoyed myself, either.  I COULD have gone by myself. That didn't feel right, either. It was not an easy decision to give up going to see Mom and to give up celebrating the new year with my siblings and commemorating the third year since Dad died.  In fact, it broke my heart a little. Yet. It just would not have been right to leave town when father-in-law is not well. It was a rough day. A really rough day. It felt like sacrifice and the right thing to do all at the same time. I am sad but peaceful. 

Mr. Macho is spending another night at the rehab with his dad. I am having wine and chocolate for supper. It's that kind of night. 

Where meek souls will receive Him still...

The morning dawned quiet. I have never been alone on Christmas eve and Christmas morning. Ever. And somehow I did not feel lonely this morning. 

Mr. Macho's dad had a stroke earlier this week. He and his sister have taken turns staying with him at night. 

I woke early to eat my own breakfast. I read Luke's story of the birth of the Christ child. And cried through the entire reading. My Christmas waffles, the old family recipe, were extra crispy this year. 

I want to write how I have felt through this week, but I don't think I can express it well. I have felt warm of heart and generous of spirit. It did not upset me to be by myself last night, nor this morning. I must say that I drove up to the hospital before 8:00 to deliver a hot breakfast to Mr. Macho. Then I spent the morning just being there with him and his dad.

The best part is this. I was gifted a special moment there. In the hospital room. Close your eyes and picture this - a son shaving his father. (I am going to make this schmarmier than it was - but I am the one telling this, so I am taking license, it is based on a true story.) Picture the son wetting the face and spreading the shaving cream across the jaw. Then the hands wipe, and touch, and shave his father's face. The hands caress the face. They wipe with a warm cloth. They stripe the cheek over and over with the razor, ever so gently. In those moments of watching I savored the gift. 

I knew Christmas had come. In that very place, on this very morning. 

The weather is warm, my heart is warmer. 

...The dear Christ enters in.

Twas the weekend before Christmas...

...and down deep in the south

The babies were lined up.

The scalley wags out! 

The aunts were in costume.

The great grands looked  tough.

The grand children battled

And if that wasn't enough...

The cousins played sweetly.

The siblings - how silly!

Father and son - Roll Tide fans.

Yes, really!

Stories were shared.

Bed hair, messy but clean. 

Millie made faces

Like you've never seen!

With our best "Silly Millie" faces we wish a

Merry Christmas to all!

And so it begins...

...the Christmas frenzy. Mr. Macho started his Christmas vacation yesterday. His first real vacation time off all year. Today the toilet woke me up doing its spooky running thing. I thought, "Oh no! This is the first day of sleeping late!" And. Then I looked at the clock. (Insert smiling emoji here.) It was 6:45!!! That made me happy.

We hit the ground running...after breakfast Mr. Macho has worked in the yard, only coming in to eat lunch. I have boiled my eggs for the deviled eggs I will make tomorrow. I peeled and cooked 5 lbs of potatoes and put together my potato salad. That will go with the chicken gumbo we will eat on Sunday. I put together a batch of sausage balls. I have assembled the pack-n-lay for Miss Cecilia. I am in the process of vacuuming. I needed a rest for my back, so here I sit.

I still want to put together some fudge and spinach dip. I will attend a bunko Christmas party tonight. I still have several things to accomplish this afternoon...

Listen. This one little minute I am sitting here anticipating with warmth and love the gathering that is about to happen. This one little minute I feel peaceful. This one little minute I am not worried that something won't be just right or something will go undone. This one little minute.

And. There it goes. Gotta run finish the floors. Then the fudge.
Tomorrow and the next tomorrow our guests will arrive.



People, look east. The time is near 
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the guest, is on the way.
-Eleanor Farjeon

Elf, is that you?

You wouldn't believe the fairy dust all over my house. Every time I turn around I am vacuuming fairy dust! AND! All of a sudden presents have appeared under our tree. I don't know how this has happened! I'm just saying...there are spirits in this house (wink wink).

Do you need a little Christmas? Right this very minute? Well. Get yourself to Hobby Lobby because Christmas is 50% off. You have no excuse.

Jingle those bells!
Peace.

Welcome Christmas!

Christmas is sneaking up on me this year. And. That is just how it will have to happen. And. It will be wonderful. Marvelous. King of kings. Lord of lords. (We so enjoyed the signing of Handel's Messiah earlier this week.)

This weekend got sidetracked. Son-in-law had an overnight hospital stay ending with a colonoscopy. All is well in the end. (Hahahaha!) Really. He is okay. Scary diverticulitis! Not fun. So thankful that it was this outcome. I was worried about him.

In the midst of that crisis, Daughter got her pathology back. She needs a little more tissue removed from her forehead. Squamus cell? SHE. Has had the rough week.

So, Mr. Macho and I drove over yesterday so Daughter could be at hospital with husband, and bring him home after colonoscopy. The kids were terrific. They got along. Were well behaved. Did their chores. And. Minded their manners. It is easier when they are in their own home environment. I love those guys.

This afternoon we will go tour some homes decorated for Christmas. I will actually help host in one of the homes. It is the home of my friend. Their church is raising funds for a mission.

The chicken gumbo is getting made today instead of yesterday. To be served next Sunday. It is good,  I have little gifts bought that I will be happy to give this week. Only a few more must do's before next weekend. Which is when our family will gather around the tree..."Fah who for-aze! Dah who dor-aze! Welcome Chrismas! Come this way!..."

A few more loose ends will be gathered and tied this week.
I am letting my heart be light.
Peace on earth.

Breathing again.

Okay. Confession time.
I have pre-traumatic-birthday-disorder.
It's true. I suffer from it. Every year.
It is something I try hard to ignore and just get through. The emotions, I mean. Let's just say it stems from a combination of things. This year wasn't the worst. I was fairly successful in faking it through the week leading up to and the day of.

The week started with a nice dinner at sister-in-town's house. Oldest sister was driving through town. So we gathered to celebrate three birthdays...mine, oldest sister's, and nephew's birthdays. I received two lovely gifts that night.

The day was gorgeous yesterday. My birthday. Mr. Macho did remember to wish me a happy birthday as soon as he woke up. That was good. It started the day out nice and softly for me. All three of my children called early to wish me a happy day. That was the best.

Mr. Macho needed to work. On a Saturday. I had planned to fill my day with things to do so I wouldn't dwell on being alone. I made a batch of Belgian waffles that filled the house with the most delicious cinnamon aroma. I took a long walk. My sister-in-law unexpectedly arrived with a lovely gift and stayed for a good visit. I had calls from some of my siblings. My mom remembered to call mid-day! Bless her heart. I got 2/3 of the bathrooms scrubbed and washed and folded two loads of clothes.

Mr. Macho got home around his usual get-home time. We watched a little football. Then we showered and went out for the loveliest meal at my favorite restaurant in town. It was a cold night and I suggested we window shop downtown. That didn't last long. I got cold fast. I'm getting older, you know.

I am another number now. Facing a bigger number next year. I am breathing. Whew.

Peace on earth. Good will to all.

Dust and tissue paper.

I am chasing the dust. But it is winning. Dust was already in the house. And now?! More dust from the decorations making their way down from the attic. 

My angels are out. Hark, Harold, and all the rest.

The bear is in the witness protection program. His whereabouts will remain unreported. 

This Christmas season is on!

Shalom.