Happy Christmas Eve

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

And...

Happy Christmas to Lynlee

and....

Happy Birthday to Twins!

I wish you all a Happy Day!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

"Happy Christmas Eve" by the Oak Ridge Boys is one of my most favourite Christmas songs. It is also why dh and I wish each other Happy Christmas Eve (including at 3:45 when we were up to go to the bathroom!) Dh had wished me Happy Christmas Eve Eve before going to bed!

The Oak Ridge Boys don't seem to have much of their music up for streaming but there is a concert version of the song and I'll share the lyrics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dtTIKqI-Ko

The lyrics:

The snow is falling
Look out the window with me
Come and hold me tenderly
And watch the wind blow
And the people passin' by
The snow is in the street
The kids are fast asleep
We're all alone now
Happy Christmas eve

I'll turn the lights down
And set the tree aglow
You wrap the presents
And trim the bow
And say you'll love me
For another year
The stockings have been hung
The carols have been sung
We're all alone now
Happy Christmas eve

The snow is falling
look out the window with me
Come and hold me tenderly
The streets are empty now
and Santa's on his way
So while he's on his flight
we better say good night
And wish each other
Happy Christmas Eve

This song came into my life when I had small children and the rush of the season and up late, wrapping on the 24th sometimes robs us of the magic that is there for us to reach out and grab. This song is a reminder to pause and appreciate the moment while the rest of the world bustles along.

So dh and I try to make a point of pausing on Christmas Eve to just enjoy the lights and the atmosphere in the quiet of the evening.

One year we went out very late for a walk around our neighbourhood to enjoy the lights. We came home around 11:30 and the Christmas Tree was lit but the rest of the apartment was dark. Since it is on a timer to go off at 11, it took a moment to realize that ds had come over after work and was sitting by the glow of the tree, soaking in the atmosphere. So years of me listening to the song had worked the idea of pause into his head as well!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

I'm up. Less energy than yesterday despite a decent night sleep. I have a lot to accomplish this morning, including an extra shower morning (in theory tomorrow is my shower day but we need to be at dd's first thing.)

I have a list going but it is woefully incomplete (for instance, I finished off the tea at dd's yesterday so need to bring some over in case she didn't get to the store.) I also have to pack up everything to take to her place.

I've unloaded the dishwasher and done tea and chocolate. I'm debating leaving Monday chores until another day or week. We'll see.

[Twins' Mom]

Yes, Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!

And thank you for birthday greetings! I really don't count them much anymore, and I took my birthdate off my Facebook page.

I slept terribly on the eve of my 63rd birthday. I found a zyrtec on the kitchen counter this a.m. that I must not have taken last night, I wonder if that would have affected me so? I was also awake around four a.m. for awhile but finally went back to sleep. Excitement over the birthday? I think not.

I need to get into gear and get going. PODA in a perfect world...
-Drop off at Goodwill optional
-drop off at library optional
-drop off at animal shelter optional
-buy gift for 12 year old - probably a journal, stop at the gift shop I went to on Friday?
-buy cookies, drop off at temple (What time will office manager be there today to open up?)
-while at grocery, pick up milk for us
-at 2 p.m. pick up fruit and cheese tray for staff at assisted living and drop off at assisted living
-wrap three, maybe four gifts?
-go to friends' home tonight, dh is checking in with them for timing...

[Twins' Mom]

I've always loved "Christmas in Dixie."

Christmas In Dixie

Alabama

By now in New York City, there's snow on the ground
And out in California, the sunshine's falling down
And, maybe down in Memphis, Graceland's all in lights
And in Atlanta, Georgia, there's peace on earth tonight

Christmas in Dixie, it's snowin' in the pines
Merry Christmas from Dixie, to everyone tonight

It's windy in Chicago. The kids are out of school
There's magic in Motown. The city's on the move
In Jackson, Mississippi, to Charlotte, Caroline
And all across the nation, it's the peaceful Christmas time

Christmas in Dixie, it's snowin' in the pines
Merry Christmas from Dixie, to everyone tonight
And from Fort Payne, Alabama
Merry Christmas...Merry Christmas tonight

Now....
-breakfast and meds
-get dressed, wash up, brush and floss (s2s later)
-walk the dog
-out the door

[blessedw2]

d twins ---- you are our birthday gift! Happy birthday to you!
I hope you can have some rest today! It sounds like a very busy day!
Hope it is wonderful!

happy day to you too d kathryn
sweet song!
I wish you a wonderful day at your sweet dd's Merry Christmas

I love all the lyrics d kathryn and d twins.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[blessedw2]

I woke up thinking the kitchen would look beautiful - I had left the soup stuff in the sink, counters need put away, kitchen table is full of notes and bills. my how did that happen. I think I get used to how it looks at night and bc I was so busy and tired, it looked great to me.


dd older made the appetizers
and dd younger wrapped gifts yay I still have theirs.


need to do:
put gifts in car and lock.

dd still has to roll out her ginger bread and bake it.

shower
routines:

toss another load in the washing machine
fold and put away laundry one done
swish and swipe toilets
first floor vacuum
call aunt - I had thought I would see her before Christmas.
freak out - lol no just kidding -
pack car with pop, sparkly water, appetizer, dd's dessert, jello thing, check presents

[Harriet]

Oh, now I feel like Charlene Darling. Oh, PA! that'n always makes me cry!

Merry Christmas, Australia!

Lynlee, I hope your time with family is terrific.

Twins', have a great birthday. It sounds like a kindness/donating day on your part, and that's gotta be cheerful.

Ds was over here late last night at our barn, hiding gifts. (ho, ho, ho!) Dstepson told us what was going on - we were clueless. I think the two of them are becoming better and better friends. That's quite a gift for me and future, I think. Ds and dd38 got along well yesterday, as did dd20 and the two of them. But always there is a quicker irritation between the siblings - rivalry that can be closer to the surface than a mother likes to see. All three pick out their favorite in dstepson, who is oldest of all and untouched by "when you were little you used to" syndrome. lol

[blessedw2]

sung to it's beginning to look like Christmas-

It's beginning to look like CHAOS
Everywhere you go
Take a look at the laundry once again
dishes and counters filled with dough

It's beginning to look a lot like CHAOS
every kind of chore
But the scariest sight to see, is the clutter at my feet at my
own front door

A bunch of dirty floors and clutter that has taken root
presents that aren't wrapped
cookies that aren't cooked
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait to have the house clean again

It's beginning to look a lot like CHAOS
Everywhere you go
There's a tree that fell on the floor, and the oven and house full of smoke
The cat even escaped out to the snow

It's beginning to look a lot like CHAOS

Sorry I couldn't help seeing the humour in yesterday and today.
I started to feel the anxiety and thought "nope" find the joy instead

[blessedw2]

Merry Christmas d Harriet!!!

I love that you hide gifts in the barn!
so happy your ds and d stepson are enjoying each other.

totally understand about the underlying competition at times. dd's will get frustrated with each other (usually for the same reasons) but there is a lot of laughter and love as well.

may you and your blessed family have a wonderful Christmas