Christmas and a Grinch-Mood

Our early Christmas was really fun.

The food turned out fabulous -- if I do say so myself. Brunch was a scramble but my DILs helped assemble. Dinner went off without a hitch. Timed well, prepped well, and so delicious. I forgot to take any pictures though.

Everyone was happy with gifts. I got a couple of albums for the record player and a bunch of very "me" things. 

Using a new mug this morning.

We played games and laughed a lot. Our grandson was in a great mood and had so much fun with new toys and books. He's getting into self-play now and it's adorable to see his imagination and play chatter. 

And now today ...

What's the theme for today, you ask?

GHOSTING and CANCELING. 

Geez.

Marketplace pickup ... I messaged to get the address for pickup this morning. 

Oh, we decided not to sell. 

Hello. 

Were you going to tell me? 

Guess not. 

Kids planned to come over for football and then we were all going to a Christmas lights show. There's a local neighborhood that puts on an incredible display for a children's charity -- only one night in December. As they were leaving last night, I said, see you tomorrow. They said, hey we're going to do our own thing instead. 

I know they had a rough week and I understand wanting a different day, but why not let me know? I planned food, kept my schedule open, etc. 

I'm happy for a day to myself (hubby will be engrossed in football), but I'm also upset. Here I sit with everything planned, setup, etc, and now I'm the one left out of plans. I worked hard for this weekend at a bit of my own expense.

Trying some coaching techniques:

Of course I'm upset. 

It's upsetting.

And ...

Don't covet what you don't really want (i.e. glad for a quiet day). 

Let both be true. 

Don't try and talk yourself out of your feelings.

Maybe re-evaluate things that are at my own expense. 

I hate that I'm ending a great Christmas celebration feeling this way though. It really took me by surprise. The kids are spending 5 days with the other side over Christmas. This was suppose to be our FULL weekend together. 

A part of the issue is I didn't have time to plan my day today so I feel like I'm left hanging -- which, of course, isn't completely true. I just need a minute to figure out my own fun. My dang foot is a mess or I'd hike -- it's getting worse, not better. I'm also tired this morning, so what I want isn't feeling obvious. 

And, I have more chores that are looming. So a last minute fun cancel might become a boring chore day.

Yep, feeling left out after having done so much of the work. 

All that said, I'm glad for a good day yesterday. AND, I'm really glad that my holiday work is finished. An easy, chill Christmas Day for me and hubby and putting away decorations when we get back from Asheville. I have one more gift to buy and that's a wrap on all things Christmas. That feels good.

Have a good Sunday. I'm off to figure out some plans for today and turn my Grinch-mood around. Later gators.

Merry Christmas (kind of)

It's here ... OUR Christmas morning. 

Lots of work left.

So little time.

Remember to have fun.

How it's going?

My espresso machine woke up and said, Let's descale RIGHT NOW. 

Could be worse ...

Could have happened DURING brunch. 

Never any warning, just a sinking feeling it's soon.

These are two very full days and now Monday too.

Daycare is closed and my son has 3 interviews (yea!!!).

Granny daycare open for business. 

Don't get me wrong -- I'm thrilled to spend all-the-time with our grandson, but I was really, really, really looking forward to Monday. Hubby's golfing -- left alone for a relaxing ME day to get life back in order. 

Tuesday won't hit the same with a semi-bored husband at home since his "sports" are all closed for the rest of the week. If only babysitting was Tuesday!!

Okay, very short and sweet this morning. 

Merry Christmas (kind of). Later gators.

Kitchen Time

It's getting done -- as it always does. 

Grocery shopping finished, more food prep ... and a little assembly.

 Like riding a bike.

My big days are today and tomorrow. 

I'm not sure my idea for brunch is actually going to make things easier. I should've made a quiche and called it a day. Live and learn. 

I'm doing a toast board -- all sorts of fancy toppings. No cooking involved. We had this at a restaurant recently and I took a picture of the menu. Should be tasty, but the assembly needs to be last minute-ish. So I'll be running around in the kitchen ... just what I was trying to avoid by changing up the menu from eggs and such. At least the clean-up will be minimal.

Before my day in the kitchen, I'm going to the Friday coffee meetup. I enjoy the conversation and getting to know more about my town and the liberal women supporting it. It's a triple win with little effort. 

Have a good day. Later gators.

Godspeed, Sweet Girl

Some sad news yesterday. 

My son and DIL had to say goodbye to their little chihuahua. We loved her so much, but it was time. She took a hard turn toward actively dying and they decided it couldn't wait for an appointment this morning.

Godspeed little girl. We'll miss you. Sassy, full of chihuahua spunk, a little mean, and my favorite chihuahua always. 

They've had such a hard month. Job loss, dog loss, and they're sick. 

It was back and forth whether I needed to go to the vet with my son. At the last minute my DIL got off work early and they could be together. 

This changed up my day a lot so I'm scrambling to regroup for today. 

I was able to get all the gifts wrapped and organized. Thank the lord for small victories. Today and tomorrow is FOOD. 

But first, I have a new grooming appointment for the dogs and that's cutting today into odd time chunks. (Hubby is golfing -- ugh, bad timing.) I should've pushed to next week. Fingers crossed we like this groomer. 

I've already been thinking about "different" for next year and I think if we celebrate Christmas on an off day, I'll cater the day. Sushi or something good. I'll still make the brunch and bake, but Christmas dinner will be off my plate.

I'm still thinking if Christmas is on Christmas -- how can I simplify to what matters in a way that takes away the "too much" work?

When the work is less, there's time to ADD -- something better, meaningful, fun, etc. I have a whole year to think about it. 

Signing off early again today. Two more days of prep ... two days of hosting and then CALM. Later gators.

Let's Do it Differently Next Year

I had another good day yesterday AND got a lot of holiday prep finished. 

It sort of feels like a never ending road though ... so much finished and yet endless lists to go. It's always this way, right? I'm seriously thinking about putting "a new way" on my 26 for 2026 list to see if it can be done differently. Not sure what that looks like for me, but it's time to try.

I have a court hearing this morning. It's going to be a happy day -- huge step toward reunification for the family. I'm excited for them and so hopeful. My time assigned to this case is coming to an end -- it's been 2 years. I expect to get another case in the spring, assuming this case completely closes (3-6 months from now). 

Picking up hormones while I'm up north. I'm self-pay now so I can get a 3 month supply AND next time everything can be mailed to me (don't have to wait until the last minute for insurance to approve). 

I'll have a quick lunch with my aunt since we're both in the same area today. Always a fun time with her. Glad we can sneak in a meet up before Christmas.

The rest of the day is holiday work. I'll make it as festive and fun as I can -- and my back will be bonkers. Goal to have everything wrapped and ready -- fingers crossed. 

I got this pin to add to my hiking pack. I love his message and his energy and it feels like a part of history. 

Short hello today. Hope you're finding some cheer and ease this week -- later gators.

Trucking Along ... With a Bit of Cheer Too

I did it. I had the book "conversation" with my hairdresser. Most of it was very sincere and the "I really enjoyed the book" was acted well enough. She was excited to talk about the behind-the-scenes so once I asked a few questions, she was off and running without needing me to drive the conversation.

Phew. Now we can continue to talk about the book and process without me needing to say I liked the actual story. 

I sorted gifts.

Found a few holes.

Filled said holes.

Done and dusted. 

The table craft.

IG reel.

Some holiday cheer in my day.

3rd year and my least favorite, but still fun. 

Christmas snow people candy bars.

The originals were white, but I did COLOR (because my year of COLOR).

Chatted with my bestie while I made them. 

It'll make the table look a bit more festive and I chose candy bars specifically for each person. This might be my last year of table craft. I'm scraping the barrel for something fun and easy. But who knows -- I have an entire year to think about it. 

No more time for more -- but that was the complete list for Monday. If I can sneak ahead a little on my days, all the better. Not yet and maybe not at all. Thursday and Friday are heavy hitters and I'd like to offload a bit. 

Today has some potential. I'm not hiking because of my foot, but I'll join for lunch. This leaves a long stretch this morning for a Peloton ride and something else. I can start wrapping and a little bit of food prep too.

Tonight is dinner with friends -- looking forward to seeing them and walkable for us (assuming my foot holds up). Walking to "things" continues to delight me. 

Definitely holiday cheer today. 

Hope you're having a good week. It's strange that this is my Christmas lead up week. I'll be curious how it all feels after the fact. Will there be a let down next week? Will I be delighted for the freedom and space Christmas week? I think the latter. A little preview of my year of SPACE, maybe.

Later gators.

FIVE Days -- Oh My!

I had another fun holiday day yesterday. 

Brunch and bookclub book exchange -- take a look at the before and afters. We all received a book we hadn't read before, but had we done the exchange the other way, we would've had to switch up. 

Serendipity. 

My selections

I've read this.

The book I received.

I want to read this.

Creative and fun!

Kids were over for football and they helped move the stuff I bought at my neighbors. Turns out a few things he "sold" me, his wife didn't agree hah. Got a refund -- oh well. More to come on these items once I get them placed and such. Holiday prep is taking priority over my house so I have to wait -- something to look forward to when Christmas is finished. I'm enjoying the re-do.

On a less-good note ...

My foot isn't happy. The walk to brunch did it in again. Resting and NSAIDS today and I'll see if I can hike tomorrow. I think it's just inflammation -- nothing broken, pulled, etc.

I was beat to the bone when the kids left. Crawled into bed, read a couple of chapters, and sound asleep. I ALMOST feel like I'm getting sick, but my recovery stats are staying great. Guess it's old-fashioned tired.

I have 5 days until OUR Christmas. Lord help me with everything. I'll get a HUGE thing finished today -- sorting gift piles and seeing if I have any holes. Sometimes that happens -- I end up with just one thing for someone's stocking and I didn't notice. This "unknown" is weighing on me because I may need to add shopping to my week. (I think I'm low on my eldest son's stuff.) Maybe some year I'll be organized enough to keep a list instead of a haphazard pile on a bed. 

But first, HAIR APPOINTMENT and another kind of book discussion -- oh boy. I need a little divine guidance on this too lol. 

Have a happy, fun, holiday-style Monday. I'm trying to add a little holiday fun to every day this week. Later gators.