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'Twas the Night Before Christmas And there I sat watching the jello gel and the veggies bubble. It has been a quiet peaceful season for me for a change. Somehow I managed to get all of my stuff done in an orderly fashion and on schedule and nothing unplanned popped up. I think this was a first for me. I found myself on Christmas Eve with only the food to prepare and time to actually think about what I was doing. My mind drifted back to those hectic family years when things were a frenzy for 2 weeks this time of year. What changed other than the fact that I am older and slower? The schedule is no less full. Between today and tomorrow I will attend 3 different gatherings but I will not be hosting any of them. There will be the usual big meals but I did not have to plan them. The younger generation did all of that. My daughters are in the mother stage of life. I'm not sure if they like to be in charge or they just fell into the role as it developed but they both do a good job. My sis and her significant other are in the process of establishing their own traditions as a blended family. She is doing a great job even with financial pressures, a very demanding work schedule and on going chronic health issues. The in laws will do their usual get together at a restaurant. They spend a few days in the area on a stop over between London where they currently live and their vacation condo in Hawaii. Their life requires incredible planning since both have jobs that literally take them all over the world. I purchased and delivered all of the food for my residents a couple of days ago. One of the more capable ones is taking the lead and they will prepare and share for a change. Since I am not hosting any activities here I did not have to do any "deep cleaning". There was time for a relaxed dinner with some friends and even a couple of sessions at the gym this past week. So here I am with the smoothly flowing holidays I always fantasied about back in "the day" and guess what? I keep thinking something is wrong, that I am forgetting something etc. I joked about watching the jello gel. This is one of those recipes from the "jello era" that my mother in law used to make and my family still wants for every holiday meal. Very easy to make but it requires rather exact timing of adding stuff. Back in the day I did this while doing all sorts of frantic last minute stuff. With everything running smoothly I actually got to think about the jello!!!!!!!! Time marches on and things change, in this case for the better. Things have been nearly greeting card perfect so far this year. You'd think I would be over the moon ecstatic but as I am sure it is with others who have had to do so much over the years I can't seem to shake those feelings that I must be forgetting something. The holidays are just not supposed to go this smoothly. Spiritwoman ^i^ |
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12/25/2015 1:02 pm |
Since we lost Debbie this year, we decided to forgo a Christmas celebration. It isn't as if we are any less aware of the meaning of Christmas but we elected to spend time here and share the memories of Christmases past. It isn't a sad Christmas but one in which we let go of the sad. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Fossil God Save America ! Spiritwoman ^i^
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12/25/2015 1:03 pm |
Same to you. Spiritwoman ^i^
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I like keeping the Holidays simple. My son and a young man who is like a son and I went to a Chinese Restaurant. No cooking, no cleaning, no Drama. It totally works for me. Abracadabra 
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12/25/2015 10:09 pm |
That is true and I have been here in CA for the last 6 weeks so no catch up needed. Got to see my daughter all stressed out hosting her first large family celebration. She still thinks things have to be perfect. Tomorrow it's off to Pasadena. Enjoy the rest of the holiday season. Spiritwoman ^i^
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12/25/2015 10:11 pm |
I like keeping the Holidays simple. My son and a young man who is like a son and I went to a Chinese Restaurant. No cooking, no cleaning, no Drama. It totally works for me. Spiritwoman ^i^
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2016, to you and all of yours, Spiritwoman and thanks for this blog. Kind regards, Lisa.
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Spirit, I like it now that things are slowing down, to think of all the work preparing food and last minute shopping because you missed something on your list used to frazzle me, but we all seem to have made it through them. This year I didn't go all out, didn't prepare a huge meal, didn't make desserts, we started a new tradition last year, it's called order Italian beef from Portillo's, and all I have to do is heat it up. Everyone loved it and now look forward to our non traditional new tradition. I hope you had a Merry Christmas!
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12/26/2015 11:25 am |
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2016, to you and all of yours, Spiritwoman and thanks for this blog. Kind regards, Lisa. Spiritwoman ^i^
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12/26/2015 11:28 am |
Know what you mean. My sister has a daughter in law like that. Watching her melt down and spoil celebrations has become an annual event. One time when the DIL was especially dramatic her father looked at my nephew, a mr fixit type, and asked "Can you fix this?" Spiritwoman ^i^
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12/26/2015 11:31 am |
Spirit, I like it now that things are slowing down, to think of all the work preparing food and last minute shopping because you missed something on your list used to frazzle me, but we all seem to have made it through them. This year I didn't go all out, didn't prepare a huge meal, didn't make desserts, we started a new tradition last year, it's called order Italian beef from Portillo's, and all I have to do is heat it up. Everyone loved it and now look forward to our non traditional new tradition. I hope you had a Merry Christmas! Spiritwoman ^i^
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Hope you had a peaceful and merry Christmas. How do you celebrate the New Year's Eve?   Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.(Khalil Gibran)
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12/26/2015 8:03 pm |
Christmas went as smoothly the preparations. I'm not planning anything fort New Years this year. In the past I have done everything from being in Time's square to being sick in bed with the flu. Hope you and your family are enjoying your holidays. Spiritwoman ^i^
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12/27/2015 11:11 pm |
You are right about feeling let down. Back in the hustle and bustle days I used to call it "over done" but it is actually the let down - like "Now What?' Now it will be on to Mexico but that is a bit over a month away and we have to get Chuck's BP back under control. . Spiritwoman ^i^
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