From the monthly archives:
Doggie coats and Santa hats. Seahawks, of course.
Cheap and easy decorating: Mason jar, glass pebbles, cranberries, and branches.
Whimsy.
Candy cane wrapping paper.
And real ones.
A welcoming entry.
Christmas kitty.
A mistletoe kissing ball. (One can wish, right?)
Room for family and friends.
And even more family and friends.
That’s the idea anyway.
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Thank God It’s Finally Over! (Blatantly stolen from a friend on Facebook.)
That sums up a lot for me.
<<— Maybe Lily agrees?
I’m glad the year is nearly over. I have much to be grateful for, but there is much that I will not be sad to see the door hit it on the a$$ on the way out. Namely, ill health for family members – and me. First there was mom’s near-death in September, my daughter’s crisis in November, and then the stomach flu that ran rampant through the entire family – except mom, thank God – all of December.
On the plus side, my mom didn’t die, my daughter is doing much better, and we’re all done with praying to the porcelain gods. More than done.
I missed out on Christmas this year. I had it all set to host my first Christmas Open House, and then I got sick. Highly contagious sick. So contagious that ninety kids in my grandson’s school were out sick earlier this month with the same thing. So, I had to stay put and postpone. Couldn’t even see my mom. Christmas Eve was spent alone and sick. Yeah, I kinda felt sorry for myself. I don’t mind being alone, but being alone and sick really, really sucks. Christmas Day I still wasn’t well enough to get out and expend much energy, nor risk carrying germs to my mom, so I stayed home again. This bug was so nasty, I lost 2.5 pounds. My daughter lost 5. Had my mom got it, the effect could have been devastating.
I postponed the open house. Instead I’m hosting it on New Years Day. I actually like this idea so much better. For me it will be the closing of a year I am so glad is over and looking forward with optimism to a wonderful year ahead of far less stress, worry, fear, illness and much more peace, relaxation, happiness, joy, and faith. 2011 has been all about taking care of everyone else in my life (which – don’t get me wrong – I’m honored to be able to do) but at such a manic pace that it’s not sustainable long term. 2012 for me – I hope – will be more about slowing down, enjoying my family, and carving out plenty of time for me to develop my own life. To follow some of my dreams and create new ones.
That’s the idea anyway.
I hope the season was good to you and that it was everything you hoped it would be.
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