One day left in the year!! (Sorry, Sharon. Although it won’t be the complete end of blogging for me–just the end of daily entries.) Unfortunately, I somehow managed to bring the Northern chill to Texas with me. In fact, the sun even disappeared, which is a bummer. But it’s still way warmer than back home and we still managed to have a good day. My boyfriend’s family gave me Christmas presents this morning, which made me feel both bad (I wasn’t sure about it, so I didn’t bring them anything) and good (they got me presents!). It was unexpected and awfully sweet and made me feel accepted. Then we spent time just wandering around Austin, popping into consignment shops and whatever else looked interesting. The huge Whole Foods was amazing. We ordered tacos at one of the specialty cook-to-order stations. It would be dangerous for me to live within walking distance of a store like that. I’d stop by daily for something interesting and maybe never cook at home again. But…then, we also went to a cool spice shop which gave me ideas for wanting to cook. We also found a couple of book stores and got a few Dr. Who books to share and a couple of Dr. Who figurines because we’re geeks. Oh and coffee. Always coffee. By the end of the day, I found things for his family to return their kind gestures, my boyfriend saw parts of Austin even he had not seen before, and we had a lot of fun. Much to be grateful for despite the lack of sunshine.
December 29
I made it to Texas. Finally. The layover included a broken plane in Dallas that created a domino effect of delayed flights. I put my name on standby for an earlier departing plane and got the last seat, which made it possible to have dinner with my boyfriend. Mmmm Tex Mex. It’s been a long, somewhat frustrating day of traveling, but I’m thankful to be here.
December 28
Sunday. It doesn’t feel like it. I’m thankful for…
sleeping in
candy cane coffee my kids gave me
clean bathrooms
painting the storage closet, finally
white chocolate mint tea
clean sheets
taking the dog for a walk
seeing my friends, Paul & Heather
packing, again
Texas tomorrow!
December 27
Tonight I’m thankful for safe travels, both mine home and my kids with their dad to North Carolina. It makes me nervous to everyone on the road and out of sight. I’m also happy that Chance seems better today than he was last night. He must have had an upset stomach because I had to take him out about every hour and a half all night long. I felt bad for him and then for me as we stood out in the cold rain at 4:30 this morning. But at least I wasn’t trying to do my business in it, poor pup. I’m also glad to be in my own bed tonight in my very quiet house. I love my family but they are a noisy bunch. Ten people playing games, watching tv, and having rowdy conversations will do that, I suppose. It was a good visit though, and I’m thankful for the time we had together.
December 26
This picture pretty much sums up my day. As much as I love it, I think the buildup to Christmas is exhausting…so I’m thankful to have had this day with no expectations. It was relaxing, filled with a little grocery shopping, a bit of reading, and some card playing. And puppy watching, of course.
December 25
Merry Christmas! I hope yours was as joyous as mine. I spent it with my family, doing what we do best–joking around, playing games, and eating. I’m thankful for the generous spirit we had at my mom’s house, and it wasn’t just the pile of presents that were exchanged. Although that was impressive. In fact, even though we exchanged names so we didn’t have to buy for everyone, my oldest sister gave us each bracelets and my younger sister gave us a heart paperweight with “sister” on it and a framed poem she had written. I’m blessed to be part of a family that really enjoys being together and giving to each other. Sometimes the giving is in the form of teasing, especially when we are playing cards. But it’s all in good fun and we know it. At the end of the day, we pitch in to help clean up or carry things to cars or give hugs. I’m grateful we were able to spend Christmas together this year. I know it won’t always be possible.
December 24
I’m thankful for safe travels, a sleeping puppy, lots of laughter, and too much good food. Merry Christmas Eve.
December 23
So today was my kids and my Christmas together since we will be with my family over Christmas Day. It was just the three of us. And the dog. The cat refused to participate, which was probably best since Chance snagged his catnip stuffed tree and ripped it up before Sousi got to even see it. When we finished dinner (chicken gravy over mashed potatoes and biscuits–and I actually cooked everything from scratch since I get grief from everyone for my instant potatoes), we opened presents from each other. Im not sure how others do it, but we always take turns so we can see what everyone gets and made the appropriate oohs and aahs. Bree said I did a good job this year. She was especially happy with the Baymax stuffed animal and Hobbit book. She’s a bit of a geek, like her mom. Poor Emma got two pair of gloves because I forgot what I had bought and already wrapped. Thankfully, she liked everything anyway, especially the Converse shoes she knew I had purchased a couple weeks ago and had been begging to wear ever since. And Chance loved his new bones, of course. Although he really, really wanted Bree’s stuffed animal. Unfortunately for all of us, he’s a destructive force with anything soft and stuffed. Baymax was immediately hidden. And me, well my kids gave me a cool sweatshirt they had painted a tardis on and a snow globe, which I love. And they also helped me clean up the basement earlier today. That I was super excited about considering we have not been able to use the basement since we moved in. Now we have a spot for yoga as well as doing crafts. But the real joy was hanging out with my kids, laughing and watching a sappy Christmas movie. And knowing how lucky I am. Tomorrow we will see my family, and then my kids will go with their dad to his family and I will head to Texas to see my boyfriend who’s with his family. It’s already a good Christmas and its not over yet. I’m thankful.
December 22
A long day of final shopping and wrapping and cleaning up at home. I’m exhausted and didn’t get my basement as cleaned up as I had hoped but I got other necessary items done. I’m thankful for being able to spend some evening tonight with a good friend and some eggnog wine. She and I don’t hang out that often anymore, so it was great to sit and chat. And I’m also thankful my guy and his puppy made it safely to Texas. Lucky them to be in the warm sunshine instead of the cold rain. At this point, I wish it would snow already, which is saying a lot since I spent a lot of time last winter complaining about the cold and snow. But it would make Christmas much more festive than this dreary drizzle. Maybe tomorrow…
December 21
It doesn’t seem like Sunday, but apparently it has been all day. Therefore, my list:
I made it to church. It’s been a while.
Met my girls at Starbucks.
Shopping, shopping, shopping. And I didn’t swear at anyone.
I survived the mall. (They should hand out stickers at the exits.)
My boyfriend survived his day of driving. In my van. Which he now hates.
But he still called to say goodnight. 🙂
Watched Scrooged this evening. So bad, yet funny.
Hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows!
Chance was a good puppy all day.
melissagratitude 