Taking Down The Tree

Yesterday was a day of taking down the decorations from Christmas. It seems a little early to me, but we needed to make room in the basement storage room before the new carpet for the family room arrives next week. Furniture will be temporarily moved in there, and it will help to have bins of Christmas stuff up off the floor and on the shelves in a more organized way.

We finally got some snow. Now there is a snow emergency going on in Minneapolis and I need to figure out where I can park when I go to work tomorrow. You'd think I'd have this thing figured out by now, but nope. The snow is pretty, though.

Last night we met some friends at Merlin's Rest, a British pub in south Minneapolis. They had music and interesting food. I had the Bangers and Mash, Bruce had the Proper Steak and Mushroom Pie. We're not usually hanging out in Minneapolis late Saturday night, but I think we managed quite well!

And as I was putting decorations away, I realized that I hadn't really noticed the top of the tree! It was beautiful with the dove and star, so I had to take a picture. Mom's tray of cookies and bars is a work of art, too, so deserving of a photo.

I'm thinking that when January arrives, I might make another attempt at decluttering and emptying this house of things. It's an ongoing battle, but I think it helps for me to label it as an official attempt. Anyway, more about that later.

Christmas 2014

Sending a prayer of thanks for all that we have, and a wish for peace this Christmas time.

Better

I finally started to feel more like myself yesterday. I don't know if it was all the Tylenol I took, or that the antibiotics were finally starting to work, all I know is that I'm grateful. When I got home from work, Jake surprised me by having decorated the house for Christmas, including the tree. What a nice little elf!

Today I finished up the last of the Christmas cards and got them in the mail. We went to visit Grandma Gloria, but she was napping, and we decided to come back another time. Then Bruce, Jake, and I went to hear A Blueglass Christmas by Monroe Crossing.

I suppose I should figure out what I still need to do before Christmas gets here, but not tonight. There's always tomorrow.

Time Out

More rest, less stress, right? I had big plans for the past weekend, plans for finishing up shopping and wrapping presents, etc, etc. Instead, I spent the weekend in a fog of dozing and running high fevers, thinking that I most likely had the flu. It was a nasty weekend, and when I woke up this morning to yet another fever of 102 degrees, I decided maybe it was time to go in and be checked. I was surprised to find out that I had a kidney infection! Well, maybe after the fact it made sense because I was so ill.

Anyway, after a shot of antibiotics and another 10 days of oral antibiotics, I will hopefully be good to go. Just in time for Christmas. There's still a bunch to be done before then, but really, what's the rush? I'm just grateful that it was discovered before it turned into something much worse. Life is good.

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas is a Coming

Christmas is less than three weeks away!

I finished writing out our Christmas cards and put them in the mail this morning. Do many people even bother with cards anymore? It will be interesting to see how many we get this year as it seems to be less and less as time goes on. Maybe with things like Facebook, people are already staying in contact with others on a regular basis and don't feel the need.

I sort of have an idea of what we'll eat on Christmas Day. Everyone seems to enjoy lots of appetizers, so that is what we'll have.

Gifts? I need to get moving here. I'm not a big shopper even when the stores are quiet and so how do I try to avoid the holiday crowds and traffic? Ordering gifts online is good! Waiting for delivery is not ...

But you know, maybe this pace is good. If some things gets missed, I wonder if people will notice, or even care.

More rest and less stress, sounds good to me.

Night Out

Katie came home for a few days to take her teaching exams, all of which she passed.

We went out for a bite to eat at The Good Earth to celebrate, and I ordered the bento box for my supper. It was so pretty and tasty!

Then Bruce suggested we stop by the 318 to listen to open mic and have a glass of wine. It turned out to be a later night out than expected, but it did feel good to be out and about in the world.

Even when it's cold.

Wordless Wednesday