Celebrating the Month of December: Day by Day

Holiday Manifesto:

I will enjoy the quiet moments.  Pay attention to the small things.  Remember to breath.  Do what I can.  Perfection is not a word in my vocabulary.  I will celebrate the shiny happy people I am blessed to spend every day with.  I will reminisce and shed a tear or two, but this season will be about living in the moment.  God Bless us everyone.

 Monday, December 1st:

We were just coming off a 9 day Thanksgiving Break so facing this Monday morning was a tough one, although the kids were bright-eyed and bushy tailed before 6:00a.m.  Mr. Fix It spent the day @ the office and I actually had the house to myself for the first time in eons.  It was strangely quiet and I relished it.  Had to get my business back in gear after two almost back to back fun trips.  Happy to be home with my animals.  Dexter, our long-haired chihuahua thinks he's supposed to spoon with me every single morning.  That pup is a sweetheart, but slightly needy! 

I went for a run in the 40 degree wonderland and bragged about it on Facebook.  I love to be out in the chilly weather.  Mr. Wonderful went with me.  We had to go the moment he walked in the door as the sun sets so early.  Ended the night with a venti non-fat latte w/ a couple of splendas.  Well, four.  :SIGH:  And to my friends at Starbucks: is no foam a foreign concept.  You never get that part right.  Ever.  Well, once when I sang : "NO FOAM!  NO FOAM!  NO FOAM!" in three part harmony with myself at the drive up window.  That's okay though.  My new more mellow self can deal with the foam. 

The Christmas tree is up and decorated.  I use an old quilt as a tree skirt and the kitties amuse themselves by dragging it all over the house in the wee hours of the morning so I wake to find it in unusual places.  I know the cats are laughing on the inside.  And so is the Universe.  Always a patience lesson for yours truly.

Tuesday, December 2nd:

 

Chilly, chilly, chilly!  We once had a white Texas Christmas while in Grad School in Lubbock, TX back in 1996 I believe.  It was magical.  Zachary was only one.  We celebrated with Greg and Lance.  And we had a white Christmas last year while visiting family in Boulder and parts of Nebraska.  Very white.  We've never had a white Christmas our 11 Christmases in the Heart of Texas.  Not one.  I love the cold. 

I worked all day today and enjoyed the chill in the air.  Had the house to myself.  Had a heated conversation with the mail delivery lady who keeps living packages in various places.  Near the garage.  On the back of the car.  On the basketball goal.  Has she heard of the front door???  I thought I was polite, but she informed me she was not a mind reader.  She is right.  She was not gifted with the ability to read minds.  Nor was given much common sense.  Bless her heart.  You'd have thought I'd asked her to deliver the mail down the chimney like Santa.  So patience and the Universe came knocking at my door.  I answered.  And took two ibuprofen and wasn't my usual stellar productive self.  The outdoor lighting was finally completed and it looks lovely.  We went for a less is more look this go round.  Time constraints I tell you.  With both kids now in the double digits I truly miss all the December art work that comes home all crumbled up and proudly presented.  Time marches on!  Watched the Grinch with Jim Carrey.  What a weird ass movie.  As we watched it with the kids I kept thinking "this is so inappropriate".   I am getting old!

Wednesday, December 3rd:

Today is Mamaw's birthday.  My namesake.  The maker of the sweetest Texas tea this side of the Brazos.  Her fruit pies and chicken spaghetti bake were a little lacking!  I am so sad she's gone from this earth, but she visits my dreams and assures me all is well.  Alzheimers stole so much from her.  I'm comforted by the fact she's now reunited with the love of her life and the best man in the whole world.  I lit a candle for you both.  I still cannot fathom I will never pull up in your driveway and see you both rocking on the glider.  Always so happy to see us.

Had a highly productive day at home.  Kids arrived home safely and as soon as their Dad walked in the door we headed right back at.  Headed into Fort Worth to look @ lights and eat out.  We had Chinese.  And the lights in our old neighborhood were so disappointing.  A noticeable amount of people just aren't decorating this year.  We were rather dejected.  Coffee always helps!

   

Did manage to barter a quick girls trip into Target for a boys trip to Sports Authority.  Boy, I am almost ALL finished with ALL of my Christmas shopping.  I really scored.  How I miss having a Target nearby.  Walfrickinmart dulls the soul.  Kicks your spirits butt.  BLAH!  Plus, they should fire the people who chose their Christmas offerings this year.  So bad. 

Thursday, December 4th:

Woke up to a super cold morning.  Colder than a well digger's butt as my Gaga use to say.  In the 20's.  BRRRR!  Today was the 5th grade field trip.  A 10 mile walk in the woods.  They are studying Alaska and this was their homage to the Iditarod.  Mr. Wonderful chaperoned and our daughter was so excited and proud to have him there.  He's a local celebrity to the kids due to all the weather talks he does.  In fact, they were "consulting" with him to determine if it would be too cold for the walk.  He said Miss Meg was a trooper.  No complaints from her.  He says she's spunky and I couldn't agree more.  Came home from the walk and went straight to gymnastics.  Everyone is situated around the TV while I type.  Playing some nice mellow music and chillin'.  Had 2 lattes today.  I need stock in Starbucks.  Happy to be home.  Warm.  With my family.  And my fur babies.  All of them.