New Year's Eve 2013

I am finding it so hard to believe that it is already New Year's Eve, 2013. I have no idea where this year went. It was so fast. But it was one of the hardest years I have had in my adult life. But everyday is special for one reason or another, so I won't be complaining. Today, anyway!

I am going to catch up and end Holidailies! It was fun writing each day and I don't know what I am going to do yet in January or any of the months of 2014. So I will just get started with the last questions:

What Do You Wish you Had known 10 years ago?

Ten years ago....hmmmm! It was 1993. I was 53 years old and the only thing I was waiting for was the year 2013. Can you believe that? I couldn't wait to turn 62 years old so that I could retire from my nursing job and spend time with my husband. Maybe we would travel. Maybe we would re-model our home. Maybe we would hang out more with the grand kids. Boy what a difference 10 years can make. Right? My husband retired, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease,I broke my leg severely while on vacation and had to be non-weight bearing for 3 full months, he had a 5 vessel by pass surgery, 2 catroidectomies, a stoke and I was forced into early retirement. Two of our grand kids came to live with us permanently. Do I wish I had known all that 10 years ago. Heck no! I wish that I had known that I should live every single day to the fullest because you never know what will happen tomorrow....or even later today.

What is your Favorite Way to Celebrate New Year's Eve?

The same way that we celebrate every year. The grand kids (at least three of them) come over. We play games, eat good food, they have sparkling grape juice and we might have something a bit stronger and we watch the ball drop in Times Square. Who could ask for anything more?

What are you looking forward to in 2014?

Health, wealth, and prosperity! Of course. And maybe a little break now and then. And a few happy times with my husband....

Happy New Year's Family and Friends!

I am behind...once again!

Once again I find myself a couple days behind in Holidailies. Part of it has had to do with Christmas and part of it has had to do with my husband Richard. And part of it is.....hell, I don't know why but here I am ready to catch up.

Create a blog post that uses no written words...

I found this You Tube video on my friend Myra's blog recently and I have to share it:

Click here!

What will you miss/or not miss about 2013?

Unless my dear husband shows some signs soon of improving, I think that 2013 is going to go down in the history books as being one of the hardest years I have ever had to spend in my entire life. Until you have walked in a caregiver's shoes you have no idea what it is like. As we near the end of this year, there is very little that he can still do for himself. And it it hard! Hard! Hard! To watch, to do, to live through....so I don't think I will miss a single thing about 2013! 

The Big Day Has Come and Gone

Yes, the big day has come and gone. But we haven't even celebrated Christmas yet at our house. My son and his little family will be here this afternoon and the piles of presents under the tree can be ripped into and the sounds of joy will fill our house. I know there will be joyous sounds because I know what they are getting. Hehehehe! Now I have skipped a couple of Holidailies so I will catch up:

Share your favorite charities and tell why they are near and dear to your heart!

I will only donate to places that keep my money local. This year the church took on the project called "Hope Boxes". They adopted a school (yes, an entire school) and each child was presented with a box that was filled with gloves, hats, toys and candy (or whatever you wanted to put into them. No cash and no gift cards were allowed). Before Darian and Harley came to live with us they were the recipients of these "Hope Boxes". So this year, we filled 3 of them. The church then delivered them to the school. The kids' were so excited to receive them. And my kids learned a bit about paying it forward. We also give to every Salvation Army red bucket that we pass....every time we pass one. The Salvation Army is where most of my Christmas presents as a kid came from. It is the least that I can do to pay them back. 

What's the best piece of advice that anyone has ever given you?

I have been given a lot of advice in my lifetime. After all I am almost 63 years old. Some of it has been good advice and some of it hasn't been all that great. But there are two pieces of advice, if that's what we are going to call it, that I have heard from my mom and that I have repeated to my kids and to my grand kids.

• No one ever promised you that life is a rose garden!
• Life isn't always fair!

And she has been right on both accounts. I think it is what we make of it that counts. I haven't always made it into a rose garden. And I have had plenty of times that I thought I was being cheated because it just wasn't FAIR. But in the end I have plenty to be thankful for. And I wouldn't trade it for anything else. 

Christmas 2013

To all of my family and friends

and most especially

to my readers....

Ho, Ho, Ho, and Bah Humbug

I will be very honest with all of you here. I am ready for Christmas to be over. It has never been my favorite time of the year. Probably for a variety of reasons and I would be a psychiatrist's dream patient if I wanted to go and dig into all of my problems. But I don't want to, so there! I am just tired of all the holly jolly and the fakeness of it all. I am surrounded by sickness. My baby son, the rock of my life, has the flu. We haven't seen him for over a week and Christmas with him is questionable. And that sucks! Richard is getting worse everyday no matter how much I try to tell myself that he isn't. Now, the grandson woke up this morning hacking and snotting all over the place. Just what I needed.....

But it is Holidailies time. And I haven't done it for two days so it is catch up time.

What are you best known for in your family, or circle of friends?

I suppose this means what I am best known for at Christmas time. These questions could really use a little work. Probably what I am best known for is that I really don't like the Christmas holiday. Never have! Probably never will. It hasn't EVER been a happy time of year for me.

How do you feel about outdoor holiday decorations?

This is the first year that we haven't put up lights on the house. I have a new roof and the old hangers that I had wouldn't work and I just said forget it. I like tasteful decorations. My husband likes the giant blow-ups. We have always had them because he liked them. I always teased him and said it made us look a bit "white trashy". But one of my favorite traditions (which we didn't get to do this year) is drive around and look at the lights, so I guess I can't say that I don't like Christmas lights. Just a few more days and we can all move on the a new year. Thanks for sticking by me (if you have).

Menu Plan Monday and Last Week's Real Life Plan

Sometimes life just gets crazy, doesn't it? Mine isn't so much that things are busy. (I haven't even wrapped a present yet.) But when you are caring for a loved one that can keep your pretty busy...either caring for them or worrying about them. Anyhow, first, we'll talk about how last weeks menu plan went.

On Monday I switched with Wednesday and we had biscuits and gravy. Darian and Harley really, really like it when we have breakfast for dinner.

Tuesday we did have Baked potato soup and it was delicious. I even had it for a late night snack and lunch on Wednesday.

Wednesday I finally made the John Wayne Casserole. It really wasn't all that great. In fact, if I make it again I will have to find a way to spice it up some. I know when something is really good.....the kids go back for seconds. They didn't for this. So I didn't even keep the leftovers.

Thursday was the day that Richard got sicker and slept around the clock. So I just had a sliced apple and cheese and crackers. Darian was wrestling and Harley had a basketball game.

Firday Richard was still down. And I was so depressed and feeling sad that we ate leftovers. The kids made a frozen pizza. And I felt sorry for myself. Boo! Hoo!

Saturday the kids were to go to their progressive dinner but we had so much snow and ice that they canceled it. So it was hot dogs for the kids and I. Richard had a pudding cup.

Sunday we were to have chicken and noodles. But the progressive dinner was on again. And my son, Justin, is home sick with the flu. So grilled cheese for Richard and I. He ate a half sandwich. Is still coughing but a bit better today. Very confused unfortunately. 

Now on to this week's plan:

December 23-December 29

Monday

Beef Stew

Tuesday

Beef Stroganoff

Wednesday

Although it is Christmas Day we aren't having ours until tomorrow so today we will finish off all the leftovers.

Thursday

Ham

Turkey

Mashed Potatoes/gravy

Creamy Corn

Stuffing

Cracker Barrel Green Beans

Rolls

Cranberry Sauce

Pumpkin Pie

Cheesecake Bites

Chocolate Cake

Friday

Ham and Turkey Sandwiches

Saturday

Ham & Beans

Cornbread

Sunday

Turkey Quiche

I am linking up with I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Check out some others meal plans

How Things Were Looking Today at My House

We had 7 inches of snow on top of ice last night. Kids got out and cleaned out the driveway of our house and the neighbors. Thanks Marvin, Darian, Harley, Piper, Grace, and Willow! 

You are the best

Catching up with Holidailies!

I had a very sick husband yesterday! So I skipped out on Holidailes and I will try to catch up today since they are easy:

Do you do anything special to celebrate Winter Soltice...the shortest day of the year?

A very simple answer is, no! And it was the longest day ever for us. Richard had not eaten in 2 days and was drinking very little. I was once again sure that his time was coming! But God is good (this is hard to say) and today he is awake, eating, drinking and watching the Kansas City Chiefs on TV. I am glad we have jumped that hurdle but this up and down is going to be the death of me, for sure.

Show us your favorite Christmas decorations...I have written an entire post called My Ten Favorite Christmas decorations and if you would like to see them just click here.

Sunday Stealing For Christmas

A Christmas Meme

From the Archives

1. The Christmas Song I can listen to even in June is Silent Night.

2. Hot Chocolate, Egg Nog, or Mulled wine? I will have some of each. Yum!

3. When do you put up your Christmas decorations? I usually start the day after Thanksgiving with the tree. And then all that next week I finish things up.

4. What are you having for Christmas dinner? We are having ham and turkey, potatoes and gravy, stuffing, corn and green beans and Pretzel salad...pumpkin pie, cheesecake bites, and chocolate cake.

5. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
It has always been going out looking at the lights on the nights that our city has the luminaries. However; those were tonight and we have ice and snow and Richard has been down in bed the past two days. So we took a pass this year.

6. Have you ever gone carol singing? I should be embarrassed to tell this but when we were young kids we figured out that people would give candy and drinks to Christmas carolers so my siblings and I would go from house to house singing...and got plenty of good things to eat!

7. When did you learn the truth about Santa Claus? I can't ever remember believing in a 'real' Santa, but the year after my dad died at age 8, my grandma made sure we knew there was no man in a red suit coming with presents.

8. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? I like the traditional way with lots of ornaments of different variety. Then red and green beaded garland and lots of twinkle colored lights. A Santa hat sits on top! 

9. What's the best thing about Christmas? Having my family here. Especially the grandchildren!

10. All I want for Christmas is....Richard out of bed watching his grand kids open their presents and eating ham and turkey with us.

Merry Christmas to all of you visiting from Sunday Stealing.

Will I Ever Stop Searching for That Norman Rockwell Christmas?

In December of 2011 I wrote a post about searching for my Norman Rockwell Christmas. You can go read it here if you want.

We won't ever fit into that perfect little world where the tree is all decked out with the finest of ornaments. There will never be piles and piles of presents all beautifully wrapped in the finest of paper with big sparkling bows under our tree. I don't like wrapping presents. And the paper only gets wadded up and thrown away. And it doesn't really come cheap. 

We won't eat Christmas dinner at a table that is so wonderfully set with the finest of dishes. I have Christmas dishes. I am sure I will pull them out and put them on the table. But I only paid $29.99 for the whole set. And we just use our everyday flatware and whatever glasses are in the cabinet. Or just drink soda from the can. Whatever! No one is going to photograph our table and put us in the pages of any fancy-schmancy decorating magazine.

I follow many blogs that show us beautiful homes that are worthy of these magazines. And I will admit that I dream of my home looking that way. But I also know that it is not realistic. It is only bits and pieces of a corner of the room that has been dressed just for the picture. The rest of the house is surely messier than mine is right now. I can't imagine the stress of having a full camera crew in my house for anything at all. And don't forget about Photoshop. You can make anything look awesome with Photoshop.

So let's not forget what the season is all about. It isn't about decorations or trees. It isn't about presents or even the food. It is about loving one another. About celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Savior. I have to remind myself every year. I might as well remind you too!    

Ha! Ha! Crafting and Me??

Share your holiday crafting skills. What do you make, either for gifts, or for yourself?

This is today's Holidailies writing prompt.

So let's get on with it.

This year I haven't done a dang thing. And I don't know that I plan to. I am not really a very crafty person. It has to be really simple If I am going to make it. Like covering a holiday ball with glitter. I might be able to pull that off. My mother was so crafty. She could make the most beautiful things out of nothing. I didn't inherit that!

I can make cookies and candy though. I don't even know if I will get to that this year. Today is the last day of school for the kids and they only go half a day so maybe we will make a couple of things. What is Christmas without fudge, right?

Now I hope you share what it is you make. I like to be inspired...even if I know I am not going to become crafty this late in life. 

Friday Letters in December

The Third Friday of December is here. Soon it will be Christmas.

Today my Friday Letters are:

Dear Little Miss Redbird: I hope you enjoyed your brief stay in our house last evening. You scared me to death when you flew in the door. And what a couple of hours we had trying to get you to fly back out. I hope that you found your way back to your nest and are resting up today.

Dear Christmas:Your day is coming. And you will shine. We are celebrating on Thursday instead of Wednesday. But Christmas is whatever day you want it to be. Not just December 25. We have to wait for the 'cops' to have their day off.

Dear Santa: My kids don't really believe in you as a person any longer. But they are sure expecting that you fill their stockings. So don't get stuck in the chimney, okay?

Dear Little White 'Westies' who come running in my yard: If I thought I could get by with it I would bring you in the house and keep you as my own. You are both so darn cute. But I see your owner out there calling you to come home. You manage to get away from him once or twice a week.

Dear Richard: Keep smiling! We will make it another year. 2013 isn't your time! Hear Me?

Love,

Paula

Today I Grieve For What I Have NOT Lost

Very early this morning, before the first light of day had begun to break in the eastern sky, I sat in my recliner/rocker watching my husband breathe. In and out...in (long pause) and out. He has sleep apnea and sometimes it takes a while for the breath to come out. I have been putting his oxygen on at night the past several weeks. Especially with the pneumonia and the medications that all tend to suppress respiration. And as I watched him breathe I was going over what this year had been to us. It is so very hard to put my finger on why it is I feel so sad. I always seem to be sadder at Christmas than at any other time of the year. But this year it just seems to come upon me at crazy times and I feel the tears sting my eyes and the sadness over-whelm me. That is what I felt early this morning.

I had been awake off and on all night. He had called my name a few times. He needed to be reminded that he had a catheter or I needed to assist him with a drink of water. Or pick up the Kleenex box that had dropped on the floor. It is easy to feel the anger. But I remind myself that none of this is his fault and there isn't a thing he can do different. It is the disease. And I hate the disease.

Last year, at this time, we were sure that Richard would not survive past Christmas. But here he is still with us. Weaker, yes! More confused, yes! Needing more from me. Needing more from the kids. Just plain needing! If you know what I mean. It has been a hard year. But if I think about what the other side of this coin would be like, can I complain?

I am suffering from anticipatory grief. This kind of grief is so much like the grief that one goes through after the death of a loved one. Yet, the loved one is still here. I have read that there is far more anger involved in anticipatory grief. And I do feel the anger. And then I feel the guilt for feeling the anger. And then I feel depressed. It is such a vicious cycle. I find that I am struggling with the balance of 'holding on' and 'letting go'. I feel that grieving this way is giving up hope. And I know that there is NO hope. He won't get better. There is no cure. And he is almost 81 years old. And would I want to see him last, the way that he is, for more years. Or can I let him go. It is so hard. Letting go would be so much easier. But I don't want to let go. And I don't want to feel this sad. I want to wake up one day and not think about dying. I want to wake up one day and find some joy. I want him to know that I will be okay. Maybe that will bring him some peace. But right now I don't know that I will be okay......

Turn on the lights!

Egads it is December 19! Soon this year will be over forever. In the record books! Today our Holidailies prompt wants to know :

What is your favorite group/family activity to do during the holiday season?

I have spoken to this before when I talked about one of our traditions. We like to take a night and go out and look at all the Christmas lights. There are so many awesome displays here in Hutchinson. This year, on the night of the luminaries, the kids will be attending a progressive dinner with their church youth group so I guess it will just be Richard and me in the car. No Bailey's Irish Cream in my hot chocolate until we are safely at home. (After the kids are picked up). Merry Christmas everyone....

Quote Me Thursday

It is Thursday and that means it is time for

Quote Me Thursday

I am linking up with 

Daily Mayo!

Come join the fun and share your favorite quote.

So What Wednesday

This week I am saying "So what....

• if I am in such a shitty mood. I am tired of all this care-taking stuff!
• if my carpets need vacuumed and I don't feel like doing it.
• if I bitch about missing out on some of my favorite shows on TV. I am tired of all the Christmas specials.
• if my So What list is so short. If I keep this up my mood will only get worse.

I am linking up with So What Wednesday! I hope they don't mind that my mood is so awful and I used a couple of curse words here. Just how it is! Richard has had a few days with little sleep, due to his dementia, and I am tired. Today he seems a bit better...although still having a few hallucinations. He did sleep well last night (due to some pills I gave him) but I didn't sleep that well. I am sure that I will tonight.

Take me To The Beach....

One week from today is Christmas. Only 7 more days. Ready or not, here it comes! Today the writing prompt for Holidailes is:

Do you prefer your holidays to be white, or would you rather be basking in the sun?

I have never spent Christmas anywhere but in Kansas (except the one year I was in Newport, News, Virginia). Sometimes it is white. Sometimes it is freezing cold. And sometimes we luck out and have some warm weather. This year we have a big storm predicted for this coming weekend so we may well have a white Christmas. 

But, if I had my way, I would be having a white Christmas...somewhere in the Caribbean lying on the white sand.

Trunk Bay St. John Island

Who could ask for better than this? Someday this is where you will find me at Christmas

That Naughty Little Elf

It is crazy to think that we are already on day 17 of Holidailies. Today we have the writing prompt of:

Elf on a Shelf: Adorable childhood tradition or creepy stalker?

I have seen Elf on a Shelf for the past several years all over the internet. Our 'adopted daughter' has one for her kiddos and they have a lot of fun with it. I think it would have been a fun thing to do with my boys when they were growing up. They would have found it to be a hoot. He sure can get into a lot of mischief. I think parents need to find him doing some good as well as the naughty little things. But I am not bothered by it at all. And I don't find it creepy either. 

My Top Ten At Christmas

I love Christmas music and it is hard to decide what are my favorites. And who is my favorite artist that sings each particular song. But for List It Tuesday these are my favorites:

1. Silent Night...Bing Crosby

2. Oh Holy Night...John Denver

3. Blue Christmas...Elvis Presley

4. Away In A Manger...Faith Hill

5. The Christmas Song...Tony Bennett

6. Jingle Bells...Frank Sinatra

7. Santa Claus is Coming to Town...Frank Sinatra

8. Joy to the World...Faith Hill

9. Oh Come All Ye Faithfull...Nat King Cole and Dean Martin

10.I'll Be Home for Christmas...Bing Crosby

You can go here to read the rules for List it Tuesday and then join along by linking up at Many Little Blessings. 

Using You Tube for Education

Holidailies goes on...and we are thankfully done with Grinch Week. Although today I am feeling a bit like a Grinch. I don't know why. I just feel blue today! As in a Blue Christmas. I love that song. Especially sang by Elvis. 

Today's prompt asks us to tell you about:

Something you did/experienced for the very first time this year

I swear the only thing I can think of that I have done new this year has to do with home repair. I had this 'running toilet' problem and my water bill was showing that it was certainly a problem. You can go on YOU TUBE and learn how to do anything. So that is what I did. And I fixed that dang toilet myself. I was so proud. I know this is lame, but I am tired of being such a 'downer Debbie'. There are so many things I have experienced for the very first time. But I am tired of talking about it and I searched the lighter areas of my brain and this is what I came up with.....

Menu Plan Monday and Last Week's Real Life Plan

My menu plan is just a guide and sometimes things just don't go as planned. We will go over how things worked out for us this past week and how I changed things up.

Monday..we had so many left overs from the weekend that we had those instead of what was on the plan.

Tuesday..I made the Turkey Pot Pie that I had planned for Monday. I got the recipe from my friend Wendy and it was yummy. I have this in my recipe file now. So I will make it again. And it was easy. And now all the thanksgiving turkey is gone.

Wednesday..Richard wanted egg salad as he just wasn't feeling good and didn't want a big meal. So egg salad for all but Harley and she had a roast beef sandwich!

Thursday..I wanted to try a recipe that I found so that I could use up the remainder of Thanksgiving ham before it was no longer good. We we had Scalloped potatoes, ham and corn casserole. It was so good and cheesy. Definitely a comfort food. Richard really liked it.

Friday night I wasn't up to cooking so we had McDonald's. Yuck but easy!

Saturday we stuck to the menu with Shepard's Pie. One of Justin and Darian's favorite meals.

Sunday we check the beef stroganoff for spaghetti. Justin didn't want the heaviness of pasta so we made spaghetti sauce with spaghetti squash. If you have never eaten spaghetti squash you have to try it. Fabulous.

Now on to this coming week:

Monday: John Wayne Casserole (one way or another we will get this recipe tried out).

Tuesday: Baked Potato Soup

Wednesday: Biscuits and Gravy!

Thursday: Take out Thursday Both the kids have sporting events tonight.

Friday:Pizza

Saturday:Kids have a progressive dinner for their church group...we will figure this out! 

Sunday: Chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn

This is going to be a busy week for the kids. Finals! Church and last minute shopping! So we are keeping the menu simple and quick.

I am linking up with I'm an Organizing Junkie. A great place to find meal plans and menus.

I Don't Want to be Responsible!

Well Grinch week has finally ended and we are back on track for Holidailies. Today the writing prompt is:

What do you miss most from your childhood holidays, now that you are an adult?

I wish that I wasn't the one doing all the work. I would like to help decorate the tree, knowing that I am not going to be the one that is responsible for taking it down and putting it all away. The same with all the rest of the decorations that I spread all over the house. By the time January gets here I am asking myself: why did you do this?

I wish that it wasn't up to me to decide what everyone wants or needs for Christmas? And how to afford it. And where to hide it. Or how to wrap it.  I want to be a child and just wake up in the morning with the joyous expectations that the old man in the red suit has been here and answered all my dreams.

 However, when I was a child I hardly remember ever having that expectation. From my 8th Christmas on my grandmother made sure that we knew there was no such thing as Santa Claus and that because my dad had died we were  not to have big expectations for lots of things under the tree. She was a mean old witch. And I don't want to go back to those days ever!

Sunday Stealing

It is once again time for Sunday Stealing. Today we will play along with:

The Blerp Meme
from Lucy B. Survey's

1. When you get headaches do you take painkillers right away or try to wait it out?

I am a terrible 'pill-taker' so I wait it out!

2.Is there a really funny You Tube video that you would like to recommend to me?

I am really not into You Tube videos

3. Did you watch Sesame Street when you were little?

No! Ha! Ha! Sesame Street was first broadcast on TV in 1969 and that is the year that I graduated from high school, went to business college, and got married! I am old!

4. What's the last thing that you touched, other than your computer?

I fixed a snack for Richard. So I touched snack cakes.

5. When was the last time that you talked to your best friend?

I haven't talked to my best 'female' friend in a couple of months. We texted last week. My other best friend is my husband, and I just talked to him.

6. How often do you listen to music?

Not as often as I would like. Always in the car. But at home our TV is on 24/7 for Richard.

7. What color is your cell phone?

My cell phone is an HTC Rhyme...so it is purple.

8. What is the last non-alcoholic drink that you drank?

At dinner tonight I had a glass of peach tea.

9. Do you like to wear sweatpants?

Sure! If they are big and sloppy then they are comfy. I don't own any right now but that is a good thing to put on my Christmas list. I rarely dress in much of anything but Yoga pants anymore (and mine have never been to a yoga class).

10.What song are you currently listening to and who sings it?

I am currently listening to the news on TV.

11. Have you ever gotten a black eye?

No I have not.

12. What caused it?

See above.

13. How many times have you checked up on your ex?

Lately....never! Why would I. He has been out of my life for 34 years and I couldn't care less what he is up to.

14. If you had to get a tattoo what would it be?

I have thought about getting a small magnolia to honor my friend who died a few years ago.

15. How many tabs are open right now?

Four

16. Are you scared of needles?

No, I am a nurse. However I don't like getting shots, having IV's or blood drawn. But I do like sticking people. But I am not afraid of them.

17. Do you believe that love can last forever?

Not the kind of romantic love that makes your heart do flip-flops but yes love can and does last forever. 

18. Are goodbyes easy or hard for you?

Well it depends on why I am saying good-bye. If it is family leaving and I know they will come back it isn't hard. If I am saying good bye to someone for like the final time ever, then yes it is hard!

19. Would you rather sing or dance?

There was a day when I would rather have danced. But now I am older and my joints hurt so I will stick with singing.....

Dear UPS Man:

We will soon be  starting on the downside of Holidailies. It is day 14. I know I have said it before, but I will say it again, where in the world did this year go?

Today is another Grinch week question: Write a letter to the person/company/group that is annoying you this season.


Dear Mr.UPS Man:
    I hate how you just walk up to the door and throw my packages on the porch. Even when I am home. And you never smile! Is that part of the season or part of the job? I can imagine how difficult your job becomes at this time of the year, but you could at least answer me when I yell 'thank you' out the door. And what if what I ordered was fragile. Would you still toss it? Or if I was gone on vacation. Would you still leave it? Anyway, this will soon be over and you can go back to the normal way of delivering my package, you know: tossing it on the front porch and walking off, with a frown!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Paula 

Twas the Night Before Black Friday

Today is December 13! Day 13 of Holidailies and we are still fully immersed in Grinch Week. I am ready for some holiday happiness. How about you guys? Today's prompt is:

What is your holiday pet peeve?

My holiday pet peeve is all about Thanksgiving. I am going to rant and rave for a moment here...and this probably is not the first time that you have heard this...but here I go. I hate how Thanksgiving has become the forgotten holiday. And it is my favorite day out of the whole year. I love Thanksgiving because it is not the big commercialized mess that Christmas has become.

I think Black Friday is crazy. There is nothing that would make me stand in a line outside a store, all night long, waiting for the doors to open. Just so I could make a mad dash, hoping not to be trampled in the mob, to get a kid his most coveted  toy. Especially if I could get said toy on-line for the same price. There is just nothing of material value that is THAT important to me. But if that is what people want to do then I am not complaining.

I am, however, complaining when the stores all want to open on Thanksgiving day so these crazy-ass shoppers can get an early start on Black Friday. It is Thursday. Thanksgiving Day. A day when people should be with their families and not plotting their attack on Walmart. Close all the stores and allow people to be thankful...and be with their families. It's only one more day. 

And all the people out there who decorate BEFORE Thanksgiving...what is wrong with you. Put up turkeys and pumpkins and pilgrim hats. Leave the Christmas lights turned off until AFTER Thanksgiving! We need to learn to be thankful again...and don't rush Christmas. This year I have refused to shop in any store that opened on Thanksgiving Day!

Friday Letters in December

The second Friday in December!

And it is the 13th.

Are you superstitious?

Today I am writing my Friday Letters to:

Dear Darian:

We are so proud of you!! Your first win on the varsity wrestling team. I sure wish grandma and papa could have been there to watch. But you were in our thoughts and our hearts!

Dear Harley:

I know you did a bang up job at the Christmas concert. Hopefully papa will be better in the spring and we can come hear you sing. (hey, you like how I made a rhyme?)

Dear Richard:

Don't give up! We are going to kick this thing called pneumonia right in the butt! I am dedicated to you and I will be there for you. I think you are coughing less!

Dear Christmas Cards:

We have one! And I don't even know who the lady is that sent it. I think she is a long lost cousin of Richard's. Pretty old! And she didn't put a return address on the envelope. I will try to see if we can find someone in the family who knows her. 

Dear Friday the 13th:

I am not superstitious and I am not afraid.

So bring it on!!

Love,

Paula

Softer and More Beautiful....

source

It is time for Quote Me Thursday...and today I offer you a quote from Norman Vincent Peale, the best selling author of THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING!

I am going to link up with The Daily Mayo for this Thursday

I am not Really Cold!

Can you believe that in 2 weeks Christmas will have been here and gone. Time just goes by way too fast. Today is day 12 of Holidailies

and we are in Grinch week. Today's prompt is:

What beloved holiday movie/play/TV show leaves you cold?

As many of you know, we are not big into movies at our house. I have to admit, that although I have seen bits and pieces of 'It's a Wonderful Life,' I have never sat down and watched the movie from beginning to end. Maybe I will do that this year. I am not a big fan of all the cartoon type TV shows that are always around at all the big holidays. Like 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' or 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer'. I do remember watching 'Charlie Brown Christmas' when my boys were young and finding it to be a rather pitiful story. So I guess I can't be much of a Grinch cause there just aren't many that really leave me cold.

Our journey continues....

I don't know why, in our society, talking about death is still a taboo subject. Death is inevitable. It will happen to everyone of us and everyone we know. We just don't know when it will happen. And that is a good thing. I wouldn't want to know. But for some of us we know when it is getting closer. There are signs. Richard does not talk to me about death. But he tells me that he wants to stay in our home 'all the way to the end.' He tells me that he wants me to take care of him. And he tells me that he does NOT want to go back to the hospital EVER!

I don't know when it will end for him but I do know that I will be at his side. I will hold his hand. I will take care of him until he takes his last breath. We talked about this a long time ago. Long before we knew it was soon going to happen. Long before we started counting our days together. This is what he wants.

We have all of our legal documents in place. We both have powers of attorneys for health care decisions. I am his power of attorney and I know what he wants. I can speak for him when he can no longer speak for himself. And I will! We have the legal document called "Do Not Resuscitate", which means we will not take any heroics to save his life when he stops breathing or his heart stops beating. We have talked about this. Back when we were able to discuss things without being in such an emotional state, as we are in now. When we both had level heads. That is the best time to discuss with your loved one what they want when their time comes. Don't wait until they are dying.

He is resting peacefully now. Lots of coughing through the evening. Bringing up lots of phlegm. Which is a good thing. Antibiotic is on-board and he has received two doses of the new cough syrup (this time with codeine). I helped him sip a cup of hot spiced chai tea which soothed his throat. He has his oxygen on. My alarm is set for 4 a.m. to give another breathing treatment. I've talked to God and that is giving me comfort. We will be okay! I am off to fix myself a cuppa tea with maybe just a small splash of bourbon to soothe my soul. We accept all prayers!!