The fabric squares remind me of various parts of our dorm room decor (think early 90s). ;)
I asked that question a while back, and now I have the answer(s)!
I had long wanted a necklace from Nozomi Project, made from broken pottery from the tsunami, but never saw one I really really liked. Then came the news that Nozomi Project would be closing its doors in December. I watched their site, and as soon as I found one I really, really liked, I ordered it, and told Jim, "I've ordered your Christmas gift for me." :)
He told me to get something else, so I ordered the hymn calendar from Little Things Studio, the version that is designed to be cut out and framed. I have long admired their work, but am reticent to splurge on it for myself. I'm envisioning a gallery wall of hymns!
Then he asked for my list, so I found a few things ... appetizer plates & a tablecloth to go with my Christmas dishes. He didn't think that counted, because it's not for *me,* but for the house. I think it's for me, because I like it. :)
Then, while shopping for people on our list (& food for Christmas events), I kept finding things I liked, so I bought them in the name of Jim. :) I now have a festive sweater, a new pair of luxurious pajamas, and an off-white, cotton, cable-knit cardigan. I had been searching unsuccessfully for one, and then turned a corner in Sam's and saw one for less than $20 (originally marked $80).
It was the year of too many gifts. :) I'm not good at coming up with one big item. Are you?
Wednesday, December 26
I was up in time to keep hydrating and then pre-medicate at 7.30, before my nurse arrived at 8 AM.
The rest of the family woke slowly.
The IV pole with the glass bottle of VERY expensive plasma was almost knocked over by jumping feet (x4) and a drone. It was a tad stressful.
My nurse kindly made LM's breakfast, and then everyone got unlimited screen time. I was barely moving after my nurse left around 12 or 12.30, but eventually rallied to have a huge bowl of salad and some more vegetable soup. (This may be the winter I eat soup & salad.) Jim had tuna sandwiches. BK had Bagel Bites, and LM had cheese I think. (It was fend for yourself for sure!)
It was nice to have a leisurely afternoon. I enjoyed afternoon tea (decaf tea with some g-free ginger snaps I had put away for such a day), using the new appetizer plates I received for Christmas.
Jim put in lots of hours catching up on pig work.
BK went to swim practice from 6.30-7.30. He always reports that it was "tiring," but I believe that it's tiring in a good way.
Tuesday, December 26
The alarm went off at 6, and BK and Jim left for the farm around 6.30. But not before BK flew his "drone" around the living room for a bit. :) (His gifts from the family gift exchange were a 3D pen, a drone (nano quadcopter), and a pair of inflatable buddy bumpers. Fun!!)
I was planning to go back to sleep, but LM was up for the day before 6.30 AM... So we ate breakfast and had lots of messes before 8.30 AM (read: before my brain woke up).
I felt like I had jet lag, and spent a lot of time on the couch, even though I had a to-do list a mile long. The house is a TOTAL wreck, but so far, we're keeping the TV room (where the tree is) 85% clean. I'll count that as a success. :)
I finally rallied to find some pork chops in the freezer, and dumped them and some potatoes and a can of g-free soup and some water in the crockpot. Pork Chop Surprise for lunch! I made a mid-morning smoothie for myself (trying to improve my nutrition!). And I put a pot of simmering popourri on the stove to help my mood. :)
After lunch, I helped LM do crafts from the Target 12 Days of Christmas Crafts box, and I did a few loads of laundry, hung up the drip-dry load, went to the post office, emptied the dishwasher & did the dishes. It took me until 4.30 PM. I. Moved. Very. Slowly.
We needed a day off. I needed a day at home, and my body needed a day of eating salad and vegetable soup after the rich foods of the past three days. How was your day after Christmas?
And this stack is what has been on my night table most of the year. The Power and the Glory was a Christmas gift in 2022, and it’s an excellent book. I just need to sit down and read it. Every time I read a page, I’m totally enthralled.
Sunday, December 24th
Jim had to leave for church early. I aimed to leave with the children by 8.15 AM, but at 8.15 was still trying to coax LM out of bed. (Last night was a late night.)
Our church had our full regular Sunday morning schedule, in addition to the normal two Christmas Eve services in the evening. I heard of other churches that only had morning, or only had evening, or only had morning worship with no Sunday School, etc.
Jim helped in the children's party & lesson during first hour, while all the adult Sunday School classes combined to hear from our missionary family returning to the field this week. The sermon from Matthew 1 was masterful, and concluded with this video, powerfully illustrating that "His name shall be called Jesus, and He shall save His people from their sins," includes those from every nation, tribe, people, and language. (I don't think I had ever heard this hymn before. Had you?)
Saturday, December 23rd
Christmas Eve Eve
Once again, I was up at 5. After a cup of tea, a light pre-breakfast (just a littl chex cereal), and playing Wordle, I was overwhelmed by the state of our house. I tackled what I could (& quietly) ... the laundry couch. :)
The house may be a mess, but I'd like to keep at least one room presentable & inviting (if even to us!) & peaceful.
Does your dining room table serve double-duty as your work station? Ours, too! And it's right by the front door. For many months, it held Jim's bookwork. Almost as soon as he finished using it for his tax appointment, I changed the tablecloth to a festive & somewhat formal Christmas tablecloth ... and then promptly covered half of the table with MY piles! :) Oh, well!
There wasn't a lot on our calendar today, but the to-do list was a bit overwhelming. We accomplished all that was necessary I guess ... remaining bills to the post office before the mail was picked up, caught up on dishes & laundry, kitchen table & counters cleared, and kitchen floor swept, and a few pictures drawn for a new widow & a hurting church member, and a few ornaments delivered to neighbors.
6 PM found us with our (store-bought) appetizer and dessert, gathered with 28 members of Jim's extended family at a nearby cousin's home. A pleasant way to end the preparation stage and begin the celebration stage!
We came home after 10 PM, and the children were asleep around 10.30 PM.
