I love the week between Christmas and New Year's. It is super relaxing and chill. Like some kind of bizarre time warp. We've been playing games and doing puzzles and generally lazing around. I love it.
This year, I've felt more scattered than ever before. Mark has caught me looking up "early Alzheimer's" and insists I don't have it.
I want to write more and blog more next year. I really, really do.
I feel behind on so many things (emails, blogs, paperwork, work stuff, family stuff, school stuff, personal stuff . . . you get the idea), but also ready to tackle projects as the new year starts.
Our best friends moving here has been one of the most wonderful highlights of this year. I can't begin to describe how great it is.
We couldn't wrap up this year without another plumbing incident. As we speak, water is dripping into a bucket and we await the plumber. Again.
Those friends I mentioned? They came by tonight with a pot of homemade potato-leek soup and bread for us, as well as paper bowls and plastic spoons (knowing about our plumbing issue). Awesome.
Our son's birthday is a few days into every new year, so when you're Christmas shopping, you're also thinking ahead and shopping for that. It's tricky business!
We love celebrating New Year's and go all out with food and fun. Then on the 2nd of January, we take down ALL Christmas decorations. Then, it's all about him. I love birthdays.
Most of the time I think I'm a really great friend, but sometimes I think it must be difficult for people to be friends with someone with anxiety/depression. It's kind of my friends to call my neuroses "quirks." This year has been rough in the anxiety department for some reason. I don't know why.
Six years ago at this time, I was keeping watch at my father's bedside as he lay dying. We were three hours from the time he'd look at us one more time before he passed away. It's hard not to think of that every year at this time. I miss him.
I got one of the sweetest texts ever today from my dear friend. It says: "My son is morphing into a mini-Max. Thanks for raising a boy we're proud to have our boy imitate." I cried and saved the text.
I feel so grateful for my family. Mark and I feel so ridiculously lucky in the kid department. I'm also beginning to feel a sense of urgency as the years fly by and they keep getting older and growing up.
(Wow. 13 Thoughts. I didn't even do that on purpose.)
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8 comments:
Has it really been six years? I think about your dad at this time of year too though I never met him. I can't believe it's been six years.
I am loving this week too, though I finally broke down today and threw out all the wrapping paper and boxes that have been piled in the corner since Christmas Day. I couldn't take it for one more second!
It's not tough to be friends with you at all! I feel like our families are two peas in the same pod!
Potato-leek soup???!!! Yummm. I need to talk to Christie and Dave about that recipe.
Not another leak! That's just wrong.
Bittersweet about your dad. It's so tough for those left behind, but it must have been a gift for him to find peace that night while surrounded by his family.
Happy 2014.
The last half of your year has been busy. Being an ANGEL is time consuming. I'm sorry your plumbing is still giving y'all problems. The holidays are always bitter sweet. My grandmother passed on the 15th and grandfather the 20th. On the up side I have 3 wonderful sons and and daughter in laws. Seven beautiful grandchildren and truly blessed with friends. You all are miles away but always close in our Hearts. Happy 2014 and hopefully we will see you in a few months.
Fortunately the plumbing ended up being a quick fix of what had already been done earlier this month, so that wasn't as scary as it could have been.
I'm really glad we do our memorial every December 31. It's a nice way to acknowledge your father and also prepare to ring in a new year. Such a wonderful person. I feel fortunate to have known him for even a short while, and feel like our kids really got cheated.
The soup was awesome, but I will say that it is not very vegetarian friendly. It begins with bacon. Need I say more?
We are really lucky in the kid department. We have two wonderful children who wow me more and more with every passing day.
I wouldn't worry too much about the quirks. When you're as good a friend as you always try to be, those things just don't end up mattering that much. If anyone thinks he doesn't have issues that can affect a friendship he is living a lie. I'm glad I have you as my best friend.
Here's to a great 2014!
My employer banks several federal holidays so that we shut down the week between Christmas and New Years and calls it "Energy Conservation Week." I love it.
It's hard (for me) to make a birthday all about someone--so I admire that you do that for Max and all your family. It reminds me to put more into what/who is most important to me.
I like(?) Mark's thought that he feels your kids were cheated by your father's death. How he would have loved and enjoyed them! And I believe that in some inexplicable way, his love is still felt by them.
Thanks, Emily. That is so sweet and thoughtful.
Aww, thanks, Sherri! Happy 2014 to you, too!
Fran, you are so kind. Thanks for sharing about your grandparents - it is bittersweet, isn't it? Happy 2014 - so glad we get to see you soon!
Mark, thank you for always encouraging us to do the memorial. I love how you look out for me. You make me feel so loved.
I'm glad you're my best friend, too.
Jimmy, that's a great idea your employer has! And I agree about the feeling cheated part. Thanks for the kind words.
Really glad we're here too! You guys have really made it feel like home - we couldn't ask for better friends. Every time you guys talk about your dad it makes me wish I'd known him. Love your memorial idea - bittersweet indeed.
P.S. have you explored the possibility that there are chocolate chips clogging up your plumbing? Just thinking out loud here...
Really glad we're here too! You guys have really made it feel like home - we couldn't ask for better friends. Every time you guys talk about your dad it makes me wish I'd known him. Love your memorial idea - bittersweet indeed.
P.S. have you explored the possibility that there are chocolate chips clogging up your plumbing? Just thinking out loud here...
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