No Christmas Tree, No Christmas Tree...

For the first time in years (I think since 2000 when I went to Australia for Christmas), I did not put up a Christmas tree. I am surprisingly okay without one. Why no tree? Well, my pre-lit tree is an old one and a strand of lights no longer works. For the past two years, I have been annoyed looking at it. This year I decided it was time to buy a new tree. One thing after another took precedence over the tree, so now I've decided I should just wait for them to be on clearance after the holidays. I want a 7 foot multi-colored tree. The all white ones are pretty, but I kind of like the hint of garishness that goes with Christmas. For me, it's not about an elegantly trimmed tree; it's about a tree packed with ornaments that evoke memories.

I love my ornaments. I have ornaments from many years of travelling. A wooden kangaroo from Australia, a gold leafed maple leaf from Canada, some wooden trains from Germany, lovely red paper ornaments from Denmark, tiny mittens from Estonia, little boots made from reindeer skin from Sweden...and on and on. Sometimes I'll buy a piece of jewelry on a trip and turn that into an ornament. I also have some quirky and homespun ornaments from my sister Linnea's tree that I claimed when she passed away. I treasure a beaded star from the year my mama and Linnea made dozens of beaded ornaments for the family tree. Oh, and the ceramic bear that Parker and Landon painted for me when they were 3 and 6. It's heavy, so I have to put it on the bottom, tucked near the trunk. Near the top of my tree sits a small plastic angel that adorned our tree when I was growing up. I can't verify its origins, but I like to think it was my grandmother's. It's not large enough to be a tree topper, but I use it as one.

I'm lucky that Christmas, for me, evokes happy, warm, joyous memories. I know for many it is bittersweet--full of unfulfilled expectations of family peace and love.

I'll be with my sisters at Christmas. Annette's brood is coming home to roost, so from Friday 'til Sunday it will be delightful chaos. That night I'll drive to Loene's for our all day movie-fest the day after Christmas.

May you have a Merry and Bright holiday. I can't wait!

Is Boyd Infected and Will They Have to Do Surgery (Again) Next Week

1:57 AM: Is it time to get up? I just want to know one way or the other. Ever since last Friday I've been stewing. After all, this will affect many holiday plans.
4:00 AM: Just go back to sleep already! What am I most anxious about? Not getting an answer. If not this, then what? Seems like my body is always a bit off--test results show problem, more test results follow, eventually my body just fixes things. The process, however, wears me out. All those tests! All that waiting!
7:29 AM: I deserve a Dunford's donut for all this stress. My stomach is already churning, so why not add gluten to the mix?
7:57 AM: I call just in case. Answering service. Nice lady says call at 8:00.
8:03 AM: It takes all my willpower, but I wait 'til just past 8:00 so as to not appear too eager. Still answering service. Lady still nice.
8:07 AM: Arghh. I will wait 'til 8:15 to try again.
8:15 AM: I'm going to scream... the nice answering service lady suggested I try at 8:30.
8:20 AM: Distraction. Employee needed a shoulder-her laptop was stolen from her cubicle last night.
8:29 AM: Now a group has gathered to offer her many shoulders. I want to call. Would that be rude?
8:35 AM: Busy!
8:37 AM: On hold while Dr. Kimball is located...eek!
8:40 AM: "Hold on, we don't have... hold on..."
8:45 AM: "No infection in that knee for sure. Sometimes we don't know why the knee is painful."

Sigh.

Yay!

Three Healthy Practices for The Holidays

I really wish I could think of a more clever title. Any suggestions?

At work we can get a $10 Target gift card by sharing three things we will do to remain healthy during the holidays.

Here are my three:
1) Drink twice as much water as usual -- a quart at home and a quart at work.
2) Eat one fruit serving per day. I know, I should already do that, but I don't!
3) Stop eating after 8 p.m.

I think that deserves ten bucks, don't you?

I'm fighting my second cold in a four week period. Sniff, sniff, cough, cough. Umm, what else? Done with my Christmas shopping; have three gifts to wrap and 5 to put in gift bags. That's it!