I had told hubby the day or so before I wanted to get the tree up this weekend. I needed some joy in my life, which unfortunately, I had let go of. Christmas always brings me joy; the thoughts of my children and their families coming around and even though I only have them a couple hours, it is joy of being with them that sustains me for awhile. Yes, it is work to accomplish all that I want - the gifts, the food, the cooking and all - but it is all worth it to me. I love being around my family.
So after we had our quiet time, I cooked a fairly decent breakfast - over easy eggs, toast, bacon, tomato slices and avocado slices. We were both full! Hubby worked on cleaning the dishes and he even gave me a good attitude (which he contributed to God helping him later! He said he asked God to help him have a good attitude - and He did!) while getting the things out of the garage. He didn't grumble, he just carried everything in to the house for me. It made putting up the tree much more pleasant than hearing grumbling - especially about it being even before Thanksgiving! This is the earliest I have ever put the tree up. But two of the grandsons will be in town this next week and although the hopes of them making cookies with me may have fallen by the wayside due to I have to work and they have other things going on, we may not be able to connect for cookies. So - I may just have to bake them myself and let my son take them in December to them. But I expect to at least get to see them at least once this week.
Back to the tree - it is up and the majority of the gifts have been wrapped and separated and under the tree. Since some won't be with us over the Christmas holiday, I have put in boxes out in the garage to keep them together. The son will take up with him in December and my granddaughter will facetime on Christmas so that we can see them open their gifts. Will they really wait - or ?? I don't know!
I even made it to the 2nd bedroom and got all the gifts out of here - and the bed cleared off! It really looks nice with the Christmas quilt and shams on it. Unfortunately, I still have some boxes around one side of the bed - gifts to pass out and to ship out - just don't have them altogether yet. These don't go under the tree. I expect several boxes from Amazon on Tuesday - and that should finish up all orders from them. I think I have another package from Macy's and Penney's and maybe Kohl's yet to arrive. If all come this week - then by December 1 I am finished - well, expect perhaps for hubby. I have a few things for him but probably should get a couple more. There is nothing he nor I need, so shopping for each other is a bit of a chore. Several of his sports t-shirts are getting worn as are others. He rarely wears a dress shirt anymore - only when he speaks. Which can be a topic for another day.
I fell asleep - deeply asleep - in my quiet time this morning. I had awakened at 12:44AM with my foot in a deep cramp. It would not settle down and I was too lazy to go lick a tablespoon of salt to get it to stop. I haven't been drinking my tonic water at night so it is my fault, I reckon. I don't know how long it was before I was able t get it to calm down and I fell back into a fitful sleep. I finally got up at 3:44AM because I couldn't sleep and was tossing and turning. So it is not surprising that I fell asleep in here after I finished my reading and closed my eyes. But what is weird is the dreams I had. None of them make sense! They were all snippets of things, pieces of whatever, making no sense whatsoever. I awoke an hour later and although still struggling to stay awake, and longing to fall back to sleep, I managed to wake up enough to read some more and now here I am.
It's now 7:30AM and I'm surprised hubby hasn't come in to see if "I'm ok". That's always his excuse to interrupt me. I will come out of this room when I finish this. He is probably wanting breakfast and on weekends he generally expects me to prepare something. Today I may just fix oatmeal - and I do it the 'old fashioned' way. Then add raisins and walnuts and milk and brown sugar or honey to it - yummy! We have really been pushing on Sundays being a day of rest - as it should be - but I generally end up crocheting or sewing - which is relaxing for me. And I'm sure we will be watching more movies. Unless he watches a football game. This morning though, we will watch Jentezen Franklin's service at 9AM and then watch CCV's message (because we didn't go last night - I was exhausted) at 10AM. Or is it 10:30.... I don't remember for sure.
Because of 'life' and because of getting older, I am finding I can't keep going like I used to. That is really something I am struggling with. Hubby is 12 years older than I and has slowed down quite a bit. And with that, I have also slowed down immensely. I remember when I used to stay up until midnight many times, baking and cooking and canning - and loving every minute of it - and getting up early the next morning to go to work. Life sure has changed a lot since that time. We rarely stay up past 9PM because we get up at 4AM (I try for 5AM on weekends, but my internal alarm goes off). There is no reason for me to bake that late at night. I don't have to go into the office anymore; rarely see friends since we don't do much. I was surprised at how tired I was last night after working on the tree and cleaning out the room. Perhaps it was more than I thought it was - or it is becaues I am so out of shape.
I don't want to leave my room this morning; I want to stay in here and enjoy the quiet of the day. I don't want to talk to anyone (other than God). I want to withdraw and just be alone. Internally I am struggling with so many things; things I cannot discuss with anyone but God. Life goes on and we are not to live in the past. Memories are good, and I have some that I will always hold in my heart.
Today is the day that Lord has made - rejoice and be glad in it! Choose today to smile at someone and to do something special for them. Take out the trash, wash the dishes, cook the meal, play the game, watch the movie. Show those who are closest to you how much you love and care for them. It is in the little things that we remember and cherish each other.
Blessings!
