Outside my window...
On this gloomy day, the day before the first day of winter, we are still fairly warm for December. It is 48* outside. We had quite a 'foggy' start to the day. And the sun has not come out.
Pondering..
As is usual for me, at this time of the year, I ponder what it is about the Christmas season that brings me down. I really don't like it. I look around me and see so much of the hustle and bustle and wonder why people do this in December but not the rest of the year. Why do we hear so much about people being kind to each other, giving to people who have less than us, smiling and singing and being jolly, during this time of the year. It makes it all seem rather fake to me. Why aren't they helping and being kind all year long. I know some people are kind all year long, but the vast majority save it for Christmas. I think my feelings about this time of the year are directly tied to my childhood. I can choose to be happy. Or I can just choose to wallow in my "blueness" at this time of the year. I haven't decided yet which I am going to chose.
Reading...
I am still reading Breath Before Air. This isn't an easy read. Especially for one who is suffering from Christmas blueness. But it is an important book. I am listening to The Force: A Novel by Don Winslow. I don't know where I got this book but so far it is just okay! I finished A Criminal Defense which I will review shortly. I loved it!!
Decorating...
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| Add caption |
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| View From my recliner |
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| A silver deer |
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| We believe |
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| Angel wings |
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| Silver snowflakes |
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| A silver dove |
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| sparkley red ball |
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| on the mantle |
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Tree |
I have been enjoying hot apple cider. Which is so easy to make in the Keurig!
What's in the kitchen...
Wednesday...Chicken breasts
Thursday...Chili
Friday...Shepherd's Pie
Saturday...Tacos
Sunday....Christmas Dinner at our house!
A quote to share...
Photographing...
Harley, Paige and I visited the Botanical Gardens in Wichita. Justin works here as security in the evenings. It is a 'walk-through' display of Christmas lights. The rest of the year it is open as gardens. This was my first time to ever visit.
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| Harley and Paige |
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| Never to old for Santa |
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| Paige and Granny |
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| This tree glowed with all pink lights |
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| In a sleigh |
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| This area was set to music. |
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| Waiting to see Santa |
A final thought...
I want to wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. There will be many changes at my house in the coming year. Exciting changes! Some will be sad for this granny! Some will bring joy!
Stay tuned!
I've often wondered the same thing about people being so kind during the holidays.
ReplyDeleteLove your beautiful tree. I tried hot apple cider for the first time last week, actually it was caramel apple cider, I'm not a big fan. I love that quote! My daughter and her family like going to local Christmas light events, it never gets old.
Sounds like we think alike Vicki!
DeleteYour view from your recliner is worth the looking. A merry Christmas to you.
ReplyDeleteHope yours was good Joanne!
DeleteSorry to hear you are feeling blue.. but I do know how you feel... been there a time or two. Love seeing all of your pictures! Hope you do find some enjoyment this Christmas season!! Blessings!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jodi! Same to you!
DeleteHi Paula - all the best for you for the changes ... but enjoy this year's build up and then Christmas at Granny's - nothing better ... take care and cheers- Hilary
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Thanks Hilary!
DeleteAre you sure it's not seasonal affective disorder? Although, I'm not a fan of Christmas, either. I hope you have a wonderful holiday, anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt just might he!
DeleteI look forward to hearing about your changes in the coming year. I know Harley is graduating, but wondering about all the other things you eluded to.
ReplyDeleteLovely tree!
Wouldn't it be nice if people could truly keep the Christmas spirit in their hearts all year long?
I'm going maudlin a bit this Christmas, but I'm blaming it on the fact that one day soon before the end of the year I'll be turning 60. Where did the years go?
Merry Christmas!
betty
Well happy Birthday to you Betty. I will be 67 in 2018 so the 60's aren't bad. Hope your Christmas was good!
DeleteI enjoyed all your Christmas sights. It is such a nostalgic time of year and easy to get blue but like you say we get to choose and I for one choose JOY. My year of change was 2017 so I'm hoping for a year of Peace in 2018. Changes are a necessary part of life...some we choose and others come in the spur of the moment when we least expect them...all we can do is try to the best with what we've got each day. Merry Christmas to you and yours !
ReplyDeleteThank you Ma! Hope your Christmas was good!
DeleteHey there, Paula! The walk-through light display looks fabulously festive!! Just stopping by to wish you a Very Merry Christmas! Since you mentioned what you have been reading, I thought I would share what Santa has been reading: "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secret Santas" and "For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls." :-)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either. Both sound good! Hope your Christmas was good
DeleteYour tree's so lovely, Paula! But most of all, I love these photos of you with Paige and Harley. Methinks they could/should be models for Seventeen magazine!
ReplyDeleteDitto what you said about the holiday blues. Yesterday while driving into work I couldn't stop weeping, missing those who've gone before and feeling guilty for all the missed opportunities. Sometimes I wonder if we don't adopt a 'jolly' attitude so as not to bring others down?
PS - In response to your question? I honestly don't know yet if I'm going to try and find work in Alabama or not. I'm leaning that way, at least part-time ... otherwise Tom and I might kill one another. LOL.
They think they can be models too!! LOL! I know what you mean about "killing each other" I never got to experience not working with Richard until he was sick. But I'm sure we wouldn't have liked being retired together!!
DeleteYou and I share similar feelings about the month of December. Even with my dysfunctional upbringing I always enjoyed Christmas as child and a young woman - guess that is because of my mom and how she tried to compensate for our fathers' shortcomings. But as a grown up I know my current feelings of the holidays are directly related to the deaths of both parents within 3 days of Christmas, the Christmases when I couldn't share them with my son, and the last Christmases of my mom's life when she could not come home for even one holiday. I have learned to shy away from the Christmas season because it carries too many sad memories. Maybe when my new grandchild arrives, it will be different.
ReplyDeleteYour tree looks wonderful.
Have a peaceful happy holiday with your family.
Your mom sounds like a wonderful person Elaine!
DeleteThat Botanical Gardens looks to be a wonderful place to spend a day! Merry Christmas to you too! I understand "the blueness" about Christmas. Mine is the commercialism...I want it simple. I am already exhausted and I still have three more days. I wear my Grinch hat and it makes me feel better:)
ReplyDeleteI agree about the commercialism. It is over the top!
DeleteI know what you mean - about this time of the year. I have learned to not get caught up in the commercialism. Sure I still buy for my family, but the last couple of years I shop during the year so that I can enjoy this time. As a introvert, I detest the "hustle and bustle". I'm always glad when it's over. I also try not to dwell on those who have gone.
ReplyDeleteYeah this time of year used to suck for me but I am trying to learn a different way and so far it is working.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I'm going to work on that too Debby!
DeleteI think more people suffer from the blues this time of year than those that don't. I am beginning to hate December. But the New Year is upon us with promises of excitement and wonder.
ReplyDeleteYes! That is what is keeping me going!
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