Hello, again.

 I haven't posted since New Year's Day. I've composed a few posts in my head and even started a Year in Review post but didn't get past February. Blog follow-through has not been my strong suit this month.

One of the pieces from the mantle I'm missing.
BTW, I don't display it with the ribbon. 😀

I guess I've been preoccupied with other things. First, there were the busy holidays which, by the way, we have only one last thing from them to put away. Everything is back in its regular place except for the two framed cross-stitch pieces that we display on our mantle. I put them away somewhere they wouldn't get broken, and I can't find them. I looked where I thought I put them and then every other place I could think of. They will show up eventually, I hope. The question now is whether I should wait to find them or find other things to put on the mantle. Right now, I am still waiting for them to miraculously appear.

The other mantle cross-stitch I'm missing.

Also, I am retiring at the end of this month. Besides trying to wrap my brain around this significant change, there has been a ton of confusing paperwork to turn in, but I have done that successfully. In addition, we've been trying to get various doctor appointments in before our insurance changes in February.

And with more time on our hands coming soon, we're planning three trips next year. We haven't made any big trips since before the Pandemic, so we're out of the practice of planning. But we have friends and family helping, making things a bit easier. Soon, details will fall into place, and I won't feel quite so overwhelmed. 

Ward shoveling our driveway last week.

Amongst those big things, we've started back to dance class, gone to my niece's first communion, and shoveled snow.

And speaking of work, I had better get ready. 

Until next time...

Happy New Year!

"Again, time elapsed."
― Carolyn Keene, The Secret of the Old Clock

The new year is a time to consider new beginnings. It brings with it endless possibilities and hope. As the busyness of my morning has faded into quiet alone time, I have been pondering my life. My life is good. I have no major health complaints. I have sufficient funds for a warm house, abundant food, and occasional extras. I have a loving and supportive husband and kids. I have good extended family and friends. (Not the least of which are you, my blog friends.) For everything that is important in life, I have all of the boxes checked. 

However, I have lived long enough to know that life isn't always like this. Mine certainly hasn't been. And because of this, sometimes I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. But in the new year, I will work on living in the here and now and appreciating what I have.  And not let worrying about the future rob me of the joy of the present.*

Is the new year a time for reflection for you? 

Until next time...

*Not intentionally, but living in the present seems to be a common theme among my posts. 

Note: When I sat down to write this post, I was going to tell you about my holiday week, starting with New Year's Eve and working backward. However, it went in an entirely different direction. The short version of my holiday week: We had a fun program for kids at work yesterday, Noon Year's Eve, where we counted down to the New Year at noon with lots of fun activities. Before Christmas, my sisters and families came for dinner and a gift exchange. Once again, the toddler provided fun entertainment. On Christmas Day, Wally and Theo came for breakfast and a gift exchange. Then we piled in the car and went to VA to celebrate with Ward's family. That was a loud, chaotic celebration where a good time was had by all (mostly).

Happy Birthday, Mother!

My mother, 8 years old

Yesterday was my mother's birthday. She would have been 96. She was born during the Great Depression and had a hard life growing up in poverty and a troubled family. But she always said that she had it better than her siblings. Because she was the baby, they took care of her first. 

Times were tight, and often, there was not enough money to have much of a celebration for Christmas, let alone her birthday. She vividly remembered the Christmas when the Salvation Army brought them presents. It was a very special time. That's why my sisters and I always put money in every Salvation Army kettle we see. 

When my sisters and I were barely aware of when my mother's birthday was.

When we were kids, my mother's birthday was not celebrated much. We were too involved with the magic of Christmas to think beyond ourselves. My aunt always brought my mother a gift, but we never got her anything. I'm not sure what my father did. 

Fast forward to when we were in college, and my mother decided that she had had enough of not having a birthday celebration, so she "moved" her birthday to March 26. We were usually on spring break then, so that was when we could be home for it. We still didn't have big celebrations, but she always said our visit was enough. But over the years, we tried to have a cake and presents. 

My mother on her birthday many years later.

Fast forward many more years to when my mother was having memory problems. When she moved to a nursing home, we told the staff that if my mother said her birthday was March 26th, she knew what she was talking about. They kind of looked at us funny but said okay. 

So Happy Birthday, Mother. I'd like to think you're in Heaven with Daddy, celebrating your birthday whenever you want.

Merry Christmas!

 

 ^"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.^"

"...And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." 

 "A Charlie Brown Christmas" 

That Christmas Feeling

 Christmas comes with so many emotions, and most of the time, they are all jumbled up. At least, that's the way it is for me. That may be why I'm having difficulty finding a focus for this post. 

Holidays always bring up memories of those who are no longer with us, and for me, that also makes me think about my own mortality. Pretty heavy thoughts for a supposed joyous season. Also, I've been thinking about a past Christmas when we moved my mother to a nursing home just before Christmas. It was the right thing to do because, even with two caregivers, she couldn't be managed at home. But it also meant to me that was where she was going to die. That took me a long time to adjust to. Granted, she had another 2 1/2, mostly good years after that move, but I didn't know that then. 

But I'm also thinking about my childhood Christmases and the magic that they held. I loved the anticipation, and my mother made them special. Another time, I'll tell you about that. Then, I'm thinking about the Christmases we spent in Texas without any family around and how we're lucky that we can now visit with some of both Ward's and my families. 

I am thinking about troubled family members who will be spending this Christmas alone. 

I've just scratched the surface of my busy mind. I think it's time to move on to the here and now.

We are organized this Christmas, and it hasn't been very stressful. (Stress comes from everyday stuff like bank mistakes and leaking pipes) We've made and bought all of our gifts and have them wrapped. We've delivered cookies to the neighbors, candy to my coworkers, and have goody bags ready for all of Ward's family. We've been enjoying our Christmas tree and other decorations. Tonight, my sisters and families are coming over for dinner and gift exchanges. We've hit the easy button and are going to order Chinese. It's all good. 

Despite all of that, I've felt a malaise. That was until last night when Ward, Wally, and I drove around and looked at Christmas lights. While we discussed our favorites, we played Christmas music and sang along with the familiar carols. That little outing made me happy.

It just occurred to me. I think I know the purpose of this post.  Last night was special because I was in the moment. I wasn't preparing or anticipating anything. I was just enjoying the beautiful lights and singing. Hopefully, this epiphany will help me remember that "The present is the present."

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

(The guests are arriving. No time to add pictures.)