Although hubby and I went to bed a little later last night, I was frequently awake throughout the night, and at 4:30AM when he got up to 'walk down the hall' I asked if it was time to get up. He laughed at me and said to go back to sleep. I said I can't. So he said then let's get up! And we did! He got our coffee while I found a fireplace on the TV screen to crackle and pop and make the room cozy. He distributed the gifts between us two. We opened our gifts and ate Danish this morning. I've had a shower and now am in here to do my 'quiet' time. We will be heading over to the daughter's around 1PM or so for lunch. I am to make a salad - and realized too late last night (not that I would be going to the store) I forgot the cheddar cheese to put on it. Oh well. It does give it a better taste, but I forgot it. I do have Parmesan cheese - maybe that will work? Although it isn't Italian salad?
Hubby got me several things.... he filled my stocking with bags (yes, BAGS) of chocolate - the good, dark chocolate kind. And one wonders why I can't lose weight? At the moment, I have eaten way too much chocolate the past few weeks that chocolate doesn't even interest me. He got me a Christmas t-shirt, which I asked for, a Christmas sweatshirt... a couple other sweatshirts; a sweat suit; two pair of pajamas... and I don't remember, but I think it was all clothes. One of the shirts still has that metal thing the stores put on it for theft so will have to take it back to get it removed. I don't know when the sweatshirts will be worn... our temps don't really require it; don't know what he was thinking. He does wear sweatshirts, but I don't go outside much... I do wear my hoodies more often as they are easier to get on and off. He goofed on a couple of the sizes and got XL ... and one was a medium. Not a big deal. I still have XL sweatshirt hanging in the closet from last year. All in all, it was a good Christmas. I'm wearing my Christmas t-shirt today.
My big brother had sent three gifts to us and wouldn't let us open until this morning. One was a photo of hubby and I with him when we visited a few years ago - he had it put on a canvas and then ordered a frame and oil paints for us to paint. I don't think it has brushes with it; will have to double check - but it is 16x20 and I wonder where to put it once it's done. I told him I need to finish the Last Supper diamond art project before we can start on this one! He also got us an advent puzzle - but since I opened it today, will wait to put together next year, along with the one my daughter got us last year (and yes, I did put it together again this year). He also got us a truck/snowman/tree snow globe that lights up and plays. I managed to find a place to put it and the snowmen snow globe he gave us last year. Nice gifts and fun to open. He always surprises me with unique gifts.
Distractions. Texts from family and friends and of course I had to answer right away! It's going to be a good day - although a lot different than the past. It is nice to relax and enjoy time together without rushing through everything, but I do miss it being closer to Christmas. Less stress is good for everyone. I'm already thinking ahead to next year... Christmas is on a Thursday so I will probably be taking Christmas Eve and the day after off work. Don't think I'll take the entire week. It won't be required to take extra days as it was this year. Corporate was closed M-T-W this year - open the next two days but I decided why work - so I took those off as well - and then it's closed again M-T-W next week - but I will go back to work on Thursday, January 2nd. I see someone has been working for I have 14 messages. I'll get on some time the next few days and clear those out.
We had Christmas with the daughter and family last Saturday as the grandson had come in from New Mexico. Christmas this Saturday with the oldest son and his family; Christmas again on Monday with the youngest and his family. I just keep celebrating! But with all the celebrating, we do pause to remember exactly WHY we are celebrating this day.
Luke 2:11-12 (NLT): The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.
If you think about it, we wouldn't be celebrating 'Christmas' if it wasn't for Jesus. There wouldn't be gift giving; there wouldn't be Santa Claus; there wouldn't be reindeer that we imagine flying across the sky. People had to commercialize Christmas because they can't understand the REASON for the SEASON. It's all about Jesus. It's more than the gift-giving - which is fun - (sometimes) - but it's pausing to remember that God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to earth, born in a manger, to show us how to live a godly life, to die on a wooden cross, to be resurrected - all to show us the way to Him. Christmas is all about Jesus. Not about the gifts. Not about family. Not about food. Jesus. The One and Only Son of the Living God.
I did take a cheeseball and bread over to Ms. Diane last night, but her daughter and one son was there and they were getting ready to sit down to eat so I didn't stay. Ms. Diane kept asking me to come back. I told her that I would try to go over tonight when we get back home. I don't think we'll stay long at the daughters - but we aren't eating until around 2PM. I can visit Ms. Diane tonight. She did give me a nice container filled with - of course - chocolate. Her son said I could always regift it (was this a regift?) but I told him 'no, it' chocolate!' I tried to take a cheeseball over to our neighbor, but they weren't home. May try later today unless we see them outside.
And with all that, I think I will sign off and get moving. Need to dry my hair (yes, it's Christmas so I took a shower) LOL - maybe I'll fix something solid for breakfast for hubby and I and not just Danish. My little brother sent a breakfast Swiss Colony so may make pancakes and bacon. :-)
Have a very merry Christmas and I hope that you not only receive all that you desire, but remember the reason for today.
Blessings!
