Much better, thank you

Christmas has come and gone and I’ve survived another year.  Actually, better than survived.  Hubby being home recovering from surgery has been a huge help. He did almost all the wrapping.  I discovered the internet for most of my shopping and we made it without a tree. 

Christmas Eve turned out quite nice.  We attended the Children’s christmas Mass.  Haven’t been to that for years.  Not since the kids got too old to participate.  Each of them took turns being angels, sheep, wisemen, and readers.  It’s a wonderful Mass, but it is so crowded and usually my hubby is working still at 3:30, so we have been attending the 9:30 instead.  Unfortunately, the priest that says Mass has a personality we simply can not tolerate.  Think massive nerd with a huge inferiority complex, who tries to cover it up by exaulting his “successes” at every chance.  Under the guise of course, of doing God’s work oh, and reminding us frequently that 2nd best is just fine and not to expect more out of life.  We always leave church just seething.  I really thought we were going to skip it this year (gasp!) when our oldest daughter suggested the 3:30 and I really couldn’t come up with a valid reason to say no.  My son contacted the music director and got copies of the music and told her he’d be available to play his oboe, so we were committed.

And even though the usual rude, chatty cathy sat behind me, I enjoyed the Mass and it was a good thing.  Christmas Eve ensued as normal at my in-laws house with ham dinner and presents.  I brought red velvet cake and green salad.  My husband’s nephew was there with his wife and daughters, 5 y/o & 1 y/o.  They are delightful children, well mannered and fun.  They had matching dresses on–so adorable–but itchy. The one year old had her dress off halfway through the night and delighted in being naked.  She was quite intertaining. other guests were 2 of my hubby’s favorite sisters and their husbands so overall it was a delightful evening.

I was prepared to gush over my gift no-matter-what.  My hubby had spilled the beans that my MIL had drawn my name and he suggested that I wanted a new quilt for our bed.  I really trully wished he hadn’t of said that because he knows how his parents shop.  If it doesn’t come from the thrift store, then it’s the dollar store.  They are very much of the depression era (82 y/o) and nothing is “cheap” to them, it’s thrifty and good enough.

Yup, well, needless to say, I’ll be shopping for a quilt.  I received a- quilt? it’s thin as a sheet, stiff as a board and the package calls it a “great value” brand with a tag of $19.99.  Absolutely, totally useless. I’d have rather had the $20 to put toward a nice quilt that I could actually use. 

I most certainly did NOT let on that I was disappointed.  Quite frankly it was exactly what I expected so I was able to genuinly say “thank you, this is perfect.  I will put it on my bed tonight.” and I did.  Over the top of my old quilt.  MIL didn’t buy this quilt out of meanness, quite the opposite.  She bought what she was told I could use and she did it in her usual thrifty way.  My hubby, totally clueless, meant no harm either.

Christmas morning. My kids were pretty happy with their gifts.  I decided that the “economy” wasn’t  going to keep me from spoiling the kids in my usual mannor, so I bought them many nice things.  They are always grateful for their gifts and are appreciative so it’s fun to give them things I know will make them happy.  The “batman” ring went over especially great with my 15 y/o. She’s hard to buy for as she’s not into clothes or foo-fah, but she is nuts about batman.  The ring was horribly overpriced, but she hasn’t taken it off–score.

I had quite the surprises from my hubby as well.  We had kind of gotten over the habit of giving each other gifts, prefering to spend what we had on the kids.  But, this year I had several lovely gifts to open.  I was shocked that he actually got me the strand of freshwater pink pearls from the Smithsonian catalog.  I had showed him the pearls, but the catalog laid around the house for awhile then disappeared.  I also got a turkish cotton bathrobe and vikings socks.  My kids came up with some nice things too.  Overall a pretty good haul.

My son had sold candles for a fund raiser at school.  When he got the order, 3 of the jars were broken, so he had called for replacements.  As these were expensive candles, I suggested we try to melt them down and repour the wax.  So that’s what we did for 6 hours today.  The house smells great.  I haven’t made candles for years.

Good day for it though.  The weather sucks bad. Getting house bound.  I just am not one to go out when there are travel advisories.  I will not risk an accident to get 1/2 priced ornaments that I really don’t need.  For the last 2 weeks the temps have been below zero.  We got 6 inches of snow on Christmas and now it’s warmer (25 degrees) but very windy so blowing and drifting.  Our road doesn’t get plowed, so it’s 4-wheel drive only.  I haven’t exercised for 3 days and my body (and mind) doesn’t like it.  I’m going to have to do something tomorrow, even if it’s just a walk to the corner.  I used to have cross-country ski’s but haven’t been in good enough shape for that for YEARS!

I do feel like I’ve got control of the holiday overeating fest.  I really WANT to reduce my calories again. I’m looking forward to working on the next 10 pounds.  I have a lot of confidence that I’m on the right road mentally about portion control and that “nothing tastes as good as being thin feels”.

It might happen this year. It might just happen.  I have a goal for my 50 birthday in April.  I will share that later. 

All in all, I would say it’s been a Merry Christmas.  I don’t have the usual joy that overwhelms my heart, but that’s OK.  When it comes back to me, it’ll be all the sweeter.  The guard that is up can be melted, I know how, yes, I am sure I know how.

Peace to all………

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