Winter Solstice Sunday December 21, 2025

[CathyS]

The days will start to get "longer' with the sun being up a few minutes more every day!

How will you celebrate?

[CathyS]

I'm going to try to get certain areas of my house shinier. I hoping that we will actually see more sun today. It's been overcast for a couple of days.

Later...

I cleared off the island and cleaned it!!
One litter box is done..
Bed sheets are ready to go back on the bed. Now I am starting with blankets. First one is done in the washing machine.

[Twins' Mom]

I love it that the days are getting longer now, even only a tiny bit. Around the time of the solstice, the change is only seconds. I love it that we face west and see the sun setting to the south right now, and by the summer solstice back to the most northward point. The high windows that we added to our great room face south so we have the winter sun coming in to greet us. You can look up the length of your day light, and time of sunrise and sunset at this site: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/

Dh has added something that he wants me to do today. We're already going to a Hanukkah get together tonight, and he wants me to go to nearby town with him for a "bourbon raffle" because if I go I get two chances and he has two. Without me, he's limited to his own two chances. Someone he knows as a collected offered him the additional tickets because this guy couldn't go. I'm not particularly happy but I'm trying to remember that we are retired and this shouldn't be a problem.

I need to inventory the cards I have made and see how many more I need. I can't seem to get a block of time, wonder why?

The next week is still busy, workout tomorrow, body work on Tuesday, lunch with my cousin on Wednesday and then dinner on Christmas eve with friends, and another holiday dinner party the 25th. I am craving my quiet time.

[Lady Maverick]

Good morning

I'm still coming down from the high enjoyment of yesterday impromptu family gathering. DBro has been texting me this morning thanking me over and over for making it happen. I didn't do much and it mostly just happened on its own. It was one of those experiences when you just wish you could pause time and soak it all in.

I am soooooo ready for the days to start getting longer. More time in the sun please! Yesterday was too warm to wear a light-weight hoodie. it felt strange to be in December not needing any type of coat or sweater.

DH has been awake since 3:30am. He isn't wandering but mostly just sitting which makes it easier for me to monitor him.

I am embracing the familiarity and comfort of my hourly pathways. I might be addicted to the reward feeling received when checking off all items assigned to each hour.

[Nancy]

I slept in till 8:00 got good rest except for when ddoggo alert me with a short soft bark at the door.
Thought she needed out but I heard gun shots in the canyon, after coyotes howling earlier in the week
I was not surprised I hope they got them. Ddoggo went out briefly, she is usually afraid of shots fired.
We often hear them target pratcting on our walks and she wants to head home immediately.

It's cloudy and rained lightly today glad it's not snow.
a.m. stuff for the most part dine.
Did my
Had bfast.

A bit of knitting next before my shower.
Resting my foot today & the rest of me too.
It's been a busy & active week for me.

Barely any inside stuff got done this week but wanted to work outside while temps. were still good.

[CathyS]

Blankets are still being washed, dried and put back wherever they came from.

Second litter box has been deep cleaned.

Bathroom is very clean and shiny. Time to move back to the kitchen.

Yay!! Football is on, so dh can have his nap now.

My goal is to have a clean and shiny house before lunch time on the 24th.

[Lady Maverick]

I've given 3 projects for DS17 to plan and execute. All of them should provide him life skills lessons and some money in his pocket.

I'm trying to decide on what I will cook for the family today. No one has any requests or ideas.

[Harriet]

Have been able to talk to both dds. Leaving ds alone because they had larger church responsibilities over this weekend. Made a grocery order including some things ddolder asked us to find. DangerBoy also asked for Snack Pac pudding (poor baby), easy to add to our order. That arrives later. It took some finagling, but finally one store did have everything. At one point, we were going to have one order and one trip out, just to get it all.

For the Eve event, a huge casserole (batch?) of my homemade lasagna is planned "from" us (thank you all for giving me so many smart permissions to do differently, but HRH is just too hopeful). Also, plenty of my Wassail, which is a good thing because a gift I received from multiple children through the year was vintage foundlings of the Nestle mugs that are etched like world globes. So, I can be appreciative of those at the same time I remember WonderBoy. who loves Wassail. Plus, the house will smell great.

What I'm giving up - I won't take up space ( oven, buffet table or brain space ) to make pie(s) this holiday. For months, I've been assuming I'd make pie and really go all out decorating with remainder dough for images of apples or cherries, leaves, lattices, and would color with food coloring, even, for very festive knock-out pie(s). But even though perfecting those little home economics splurges has been a creative jaunt for me this year, no one else hears anything but "pie" and can't find much interest. So, I'll be just that much more expert next time.

Dd27 may arrive early that morning - Wed - and help me with some general readying around here. She works Monday and Tuesday. I haven't heard from the other kids when they work. Pretty sure the children are out of school all week, but that doesn't mean their parents catch a break.

[Kittykatt]

I'm taking advantage of a quiet evening on my own to plan the week ahead. A lot of the order of doing some of those tasks is provisional still, as some things are outside of my control and may change as the week goes on, but hopefully everything is listed!

I'm planning an early night tonight, so I can get started early on my list tomorrow morning.

[blessedw2]

hello - I haven't seen dd in 4 days - she has quarantined herself in her bedroom bc she is worried about dh. She feels better. very thoughtful but very boring. covid is dangerous for d mom and especially dh. dd older checks on her.
dd older took care of all of us especially mom yesterday!

I have been trying to think about the christmas feeling for my family. Simple and fulfilling.
I am glad I shopped and wrapped presents early!
I feel like I can clean house again - I tend to get tired around 4 pm but each day I can go longer.
food wise - Christmas Eve is easy. Christmas Day I was going to make some special yearly dishes but I think we have to just be okay with rest and joy! I think I will make ????

I will come up with games for our family on Christmas Day - if I can get out of the house Tuesday or tomorrow. We have a girl helper coming tomorrow that normally isn't here but is lovely.

waving to all of you
happy happy holidays to you all