Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Peace and calm

At least I am hoping everything calms down for a while.

We had a very nice, although busy, Christmas. Everyone was finally well, so we were able to attend all of our get togethers as normal. Right now, my boys are playing one of their new video games while I eat breakfast. They got so much stuff they don't know what to do with it all. I'm going to have to take a few boxes of old toys to Goodwill, just to make room for the new.

Seems like a good way to start the New Year, doesn't it? Out with the old, in with the new.

In a little while, the boys and I are going to take down the Christmas decorations. I know a lot of people like to leave them up thru New Years. But, that is just the way I am. When it is over, it's over. I'm the same way with vacations. I look so forward to them, enjoy my time there, but when it is time to go home, I get up early, pack it up, and head to the house.

My best friend and I are going to pick up my kitten on Friday. It is a 3 hour drive each way, so she's going to keep me company. Then hubby wants to turn around on Saturday morning and go to the beach ( 4 hours away) for New Year's weekend. I just don't think I'm going to want to do that. It sounds like fun, and very romantic. But, I've waited 20 years to get a Ragdoll kitten. I don't want to get him, then leave for 3 days the very next morning. Oh well, we will see.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

It is time for the fun to begin!

MERRY CHRISTMAS LADIES!

Today began my two weeks off for the holidays. I am SOOOO excited. Everything just worked out wonderfully for me to be able to take some extra time off to be home until JANUARY 4th. HURRAY!

That said, I sure have been cranky today. You'd think I would have been just bubbly and full of joy. I guess it is a combination of things. Stress. PMS. Tim being home all week and me getting NO time alone in nearly 2 weeks. (sigh). I love my husband more than I can express, but I really do enjoy my alone time as well.

I will try to be better tomorrow. The kids and I have a lot to do. We are running some errands, meeting my mom for breakfast, and maybe catching an afternoon movie.

Saturday we are making a round trip to Georgia. (GASP!) It will be able 4 1/2 hours each way to my sister-in-laws. Originally we were going down tomorrow and spending the night with Tim's parents. However, with everyone on the mend from the flu, we thought we'd better not. My mother-in-law has leukemia and the chemo has greatly compromised her immune system. I realize if any of us are still carrying it ( I don't' think we are) she could catch it regardless of how long we stay, but I'm hoping the odds are less from just getting together for lunch and us actually staying in her house.

Christmas Eve we are having breakfast at my parents house, here in North Carolina. We will do our gifts with them then. At 1:00 we are dropping all the kids off at our ex's homes. We switch from year to year...who has them Christmas Eve night, and Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve evening, hubby and I are going to a candlelight worship service. I attend one every year. I just don't experience the joy and peace of Christmas until I sit down in a church and spend time focusing on the reason for our celebration. Hubby and I might go catch a movie Christmas Eve night. Perhaps even do something tacky like eat at a Chinese Buffet, since it will be just us.

We will get the kids back on Christmas day at 1:00. When they get home, they will open all their presents from us and Santa. ( Only the 7 year old still believes in Santa). Then we will load up the van and head to my aunt & uncles house for my extended family Christmas celebration.

WHEW! I think we should all get a lot of rest tomorrow. The next few days are going to be busy busy busy.

Oh, and next Friday...the 29th, my best friend and I are making the trip to pick up my Ragdoll kitten. He is my Christmas Present. Hubby will be thrilled for me to get the cat.....just so I will shut up about him. I put the deposit on him back in early September, before he was even born. I'll have to share some pictures as soon as I get him home.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Christmas party and THE FLU

Saturday night was hubby's company Christmas party. It wasn't quite as wonderful as last year, but still very nice. First we all met at Jillian's...which is kinda like a Chuck E Cheese for adults. They have all kinds of video games, billards, bowling, sports bar, etc. After that we all went to a very classy Italian restaurant for a wonderful dinner.

Now, everyone in our house has the flu. Except for me. I got the flu shot about a month ago. I do have a naggy headache, but I think that is just the flu trying to get me. So, obviously I am the house nurse....taking care of all the sick ones. I just hope and pray everyone gets better by Thursday. All of our Christmas family get togethers start on Friday ( one every day thru Christmas) and I won't take them if they are sick. I hate for any of us to miss anything, but I hate it worst to make other people sick, especially the elderly.

I am almost done with our shopping. I opened a new checking account about 2 weeks ago, so this payday our checks were real, actual checks instead of being direct deposited. Because of it being a new account, they put a 5 day hold on hubby's. The money will not be available until Friday. I started to get really bent out of shape about it, but I figured there is nothing I can do about it. I was still able to get cash back out of my check at least. I will just have to kick it into high gear on Friday when I have access to his check too.

Always fun, dealing with banks.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. I am going to do a blog later this week about all of our Christmas plans. I just love this time of year!!!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Everywhere you go.

And finally, the weather is complimenting the season as well. The weekend we put up our tree it was in the mid 70's. I made our usually candy cane hot cocoa while we decorated, but it just didn't seem right with it so warm outside.

But, last week, the Artic air moved in and it feels like winter. Everywhere I look I see beautiful decorations. I love everything about Christmas. The sights, the lights, the smells, the food, the family, the traveling, the music, the spirituality, the traditions.

Sadly, I have come discover that I am alone in this love of the holidays. At least within my immediate family. This weekend we attending an annual Moravian event called the Candle Tea. As a child I attended every year...and loved it. My husband and stepchildren didn't want to go at all. And in the end, I think me and my 9 year old were the only ones who enjoyed ourselves.

Saturday night I offered to take everyone riding around to look at Christmas lights. My 7 year old was the only one in a family of 6 that was interested in going with me. We still went, but it wasn't the same. I so want my family to enjoy the spirit of Christmas like I do.

I guess this is just part of life, though. Everyone is different, with different preferences and interests. I just have to psych myself up to enjoy everything just for the joy it gives me. If they want to miss out, then that is their loss. I hate it, I really do, but I cannot deny myself the pleasures that Christmas gives me because it does not have the same affect on the rest of my family.

From here on out, I will always offer to take my family with me to Christmas events and festivities. But, I will no longer take it personally when they do not wish to join me. I will do what is important to me, and be grateful when some or all my family chooses to join me.

Merry Christmas, everyone. God bless you all at this magical time of year.

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