Monday, December 27, 2021

Monday, Christmas aftermath


 We had a lovely Christmas here.  I felt bad for Hub's mom who also got the stomach bug, Christmas eve.  She hardly ate anything at dinner and by the time all the kids left was curled up on the sofa under a blanket.  Her temp was 101.4. 

Hub's, had me up at about 1:30 Christmas morning as he could not sleep, he was worried about his mom. I checked on her and took her a glass of ice water, her fever had broken, and she was sweating.  She did get sick a little later, but all was well Christmas day, she was just very careful about what she ate.  So far, I have been spared.

Christmas eve the girls came in about 2:00 and helped cook the large meal and then they helped with the cleanup.  I also told them to get the front room cleaned up after B and her family opened presents. Proving to myself I can delegate, and I was not going to do all the work. There of course were massive leftovers, which I had daughter take, as she was having Nate's family Christmas day.  SO, I did not have to deal with all of that.

I had to speak in church on Sunday, which added to my list of have to dos. But that went off well and I spent yesterday napping, and eating all the leftovers that daughter had not taken. Tonight, I will have to cook, but I am thinking of a cream of mushroom soup with asparagus, just sounds nummy and I need to use up the cream.

I received many beautiful things that were needs which always pleases me.  We needed new silverware as our set is 11 years old and I don't think I have even one original teaspoon.  I don't know where silverware goes, but it must be like socks, there is a zone for lost things. I also got another set of covered bowls which I love.  As much cooking as I do for others, I am always short on these.  I have my set labeled both the bowl and the lid and they always come back, but an extra set will be lovely. I also wanted a new set of nice crystal glasses as my set is down to 6. So, it is hard to set a table. It is always nice to get things you will use and need, and I love that.


Here is a picture and hub's and I and Schmill's lighting the outdoor tree.  There was a breeze, so we had a hard time keeping the tree lit, but it sure was beautiful while it was. Notice the Swedish apron and the sweaters, traditional holiday garb.  Schmills is holding his beloved remote-control snake that I gave him for Christmas, he had more fun with that creepy thing. Little boys are a hoot.

My eldest gave me a really nice set of china covers for Christmas so I can pack away my Christmas china and I will really use those.  Such a nice gift.

I am happy Christmas is over, are you?  This was just a very hard Christmas season for me, with so much sadness.  It was hard to capture the spirit.  I keep in contact with my nephew, and he seems to be doing well.  He is in my prayers constantly.

I spoiled my son in laws because, gosh I love them. The girls say I like them better than them, and that might be true at times.  But they are such an immense help to me. Anything I ask they just do for me and Hubs.  They are a real blessing.

The shop seems to be busy today which is nice as I really do need to make money and get to work again. We have alot of things to pay off in the New Year.

I am going to start to take down Christmas today.  I know it is early, but I just want my house back.  I won't take it all down, but I especially want to do the dining room. I really need to pack things away better, as the garage is full.   I have three very large suitcases in the garage that I am going to take to good will to free up more room. I also think packing things more carefully will help with the storage problem.

Are any of you relieved that Christmas is over or is it just me?  When do you take down Christmas at your house?

Have a great and productive day staying positive while you are int the negative.

Kim

35 comments:

  1. Have you seen the suggestion to take used suitcases to your local Department of Children's Services so that foster kids can use them rather than grocery bags when a move has to happen? Seems like a good idea, if you have an office close by. I'm giving my decoration the stink-eye but haven't bit the bullet of putting away yet. I so enjoy your blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YOu know I have heard of that, but our local union gospel mission, cleans and disinfects suitcases for them, so I took them there. I don't think the stink eye will solve the deco problem, but you can try....

      Delete
  2. Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas, as did I. Sorry MIL got sick. Hope she is feeling much better.
    I took down everything except my little tree and the lights I have strewn about. It is all white lights now and they are just pretty. Got everything (gifts) put away as well.
    I will kind of miss the anticipation of it all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YEs there is always that the anticipation, but this year I did not have much of that as I would have liked. But I am sure next year will be better. I am happy you had family and a great Christmas.

      Delete
  3. It sounds lovely despite the grief and all the illness. As your girls and your households intermingle so regularly, I imagine the spread of such a severe stomach bug is easy to transfer, but happy to hear you DH and MIL are on the mend. There's the being sick, and then the exhaustion for being sick. With me in m small bubble, I've had the odd headache, allergy and sniffles, but unless I a forgetting haven't been that kind of sick in nearly two years. I think Christmas will come down Friday or Saturday. I've got the gift remnants everywhere and need to get a box sent to my son with his gifts. Like Cheryl, I will miss the anticipation because the rest of winter gets so dull, but I'm also glad to move into a new rhythm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suppose with all the snow and severe cold you get very house bound. I know my Aunt in Bemidji gets very tired of getting snowed in. I might fly her out here for as many weeks as she wants to stay, but with COVID on the rise and her age of 87 I am worried about putting her on a plane. We will see.

      Delete
  4. After losing my son in March I was worried holidays would be hard. The week and day before Christmas it seemed like I cried every time a memory came up - even the good ones. Christmas day I honored my body and stayed home and in my PJ's and we snacked (my husband and I) and watched movies and I also read a whole book. This year I just needed something different and not do what everyone else wanted of me. My mother in law wasn't happy. We invited her over or said we could do a day before Christmas and bring a meal to her house and see lights after. She declined and stated - Maybe we can get together the week after Christmas. A bit of guilt and manipulation for the 3 weeks up to Christmas from her. But we held our ground so she did what she wanted to do which was go to her boyfriends house and have a big meal with all her friends there. I wasn't up to that. We had snow Christmas and on and off for the coming two weeks. I woke on the 26th with a peaceful heart and knew I honored myself and my son for Christmas. Take care everyone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Crystal how hard for you I am so sorry. Tearing up here. I always put my Franka's little stocking up every year at Christmas and she would be 36 this year, you never truly forget, you just don't visit as often. I get facebook messages from my nephew daily and some days he's fine and some days he is screaming. I am sure you can understand that. Take care and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you my friend. Good for you standing up for your right to remember and mourn the way you needed to.

      Delete
  5. Could you give those suitcases to the foster kid program near you? Kids often only have a trashbag when they have to leave a home.

    Sounds like a great Christmas celebration at your home.

    Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sent them to Union Gospel Mission . They fumigate, and clean all suitcases for the welfare department to give to the kids.

      Delete
  6. Glad to hear everyone is on the mend from the bug. Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas. Practical, useful gifts are the best aren't they? I will take our decorations down either NY day or the day after.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lori, I was really worried about my mother in law, especially that she would get dehydrated. I forced her to drink glasses of water. I would stand by her bed until she drank them. Tried to get at least 4 oz down her every 2 hours.

      Delete
  7. I'll try commenting again, as I lost my first attempt: Typically, I enjoy Advent far more than Christmas Day itself, but this year, that wasn't the case. I didn't manage to get into the spirit until Christmas morning this year. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with DH's health scare/recovery. But, several people I have spoken to say they didn't feel as if it was really Christmas. Also, Daughter has been in a snit of her own making since Thanksgiving, and it's been hard work ignoring her. I have a "Come to Jesus" meeting planned in February for the two eldest in our house if things don't change soon.
    Even in the best of years, I "strike the house of Christmas" by the 28th at the latest. Sometimes it's the 29th, sometimes the 26th. This year, I did it today, with the help of youngest. I don't enjoy going into the New Year with Christmas decorations out. I much prefer to head into the New Year with the remnants of a deep clean and organization which comes from putting the decorations away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't you hate that when you get something all written and then the computer gods snatch it away. So frustrating. I think part of it also might be COVID, but certainly having a sick spouse or relative can put a serious damper on things. My three girls don't always get along. The oldest is bossy, and the younger two gang up on her as a defense. But I just tell them to get along and be nice to each other. If they do something that I think is unkind I tell them that was unkind, I don't pretend it didn't happen for the sake of peace. KIds are just so wonderful and so....

      Delete
  8. Sounds like overall your Christmas went well. We did Christmas with daughter and her family on Thursday and just hung out at home on Christmas Eve. We had to work Christmas Day. Christmas at my mom's will be on Jan 2nd. I haven't started taking down Christmas decor yet, but all I have is one figurine and a sign. The house had been in chaos with working on putting in new flooring in the bedroom. It did not go well. I love that you have cut back so much on your Christmas yet are still able to keep traditions. Hope you stay well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Isn't it awful when you are doing a remodel that the whole house has to go to hell along with it? I hope you got good overtime working Christmas.

      Delete
  9. What a lovely Christmas celebration.

    We had a quiet day at home, opened gifts, and had our usual feast for supper on Christmas day. We then went to a relatives and spent some time with a few members of the family. Had some munchies and came home.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was Jackie, I am happy you had a good time also. I love the peace that Christmas brings....sometimes!

      Delete
  10. Hello Kim ... I am back from my Mum's & just catching up on your posts. I am sorry to read Hubs & his Mum got sick over Christmas but I am pleased you did not get it too. I love the photo of you all lighting the tree - gosh it looks cold there. We are sweltering over here & wishing for some rain. Yes I feel like taking all my Christmas down too but I will spread it out over the next week. Take care of yourself Kim xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We actually live in a banana belt, or so they call it that here in the northwest. It was 20 here today, but will get colder tonight.

      Delete
  11. Large suitcases sound like a great place to pack things. I am glad your Christmas was good. What are dish covers? Do you mean like the round cases to put plates into and zip them? I would love some of those. We will probably take the decorations down tomorrow--3' tree, about a dozen ornaments on it, wreath on the door, pot of fake poinsettia. So easy, so little. I think I will leave the three electric candles out for the year. If we just take it down at once, we will be done in 15 minutes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes the plastic zipper cases that store china. I have some that are white plastic and most of the zippers are not working any more. These new ones are really heavy padded cloth with felt separators for plates and things. Much nicer than my old ones.

      Delete
  12. Children throw out the silverware, check your garbage after they leave. I use to find spoons and forks in the garbage when they were little after having them "help" clean the plates before placing them in the sink to be washed. They would just dump whatever was on the plate, silverware included, into the garbage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know I have tried to really watch them the little buggers. But I think the majority is hub's packing lunches to go places.

      Delete
  13. I love the holidays but just never felt it this year.I am glad Christmas is over because this is the one week of the year when TheHub is not overwhelmed at work so he knocks off a little early and we get to spend some time doing things we want to do.
    We use the "good" stuff for family occasions so I count each spoon, fork and knife after I wash and dry them (No they do not go into the dishwasher) Most years I have to do a search for an errant spoon or fork, but I always find them.
    I took down the den tree today, but will leave the living room tree up until NYE. The remaining bits and pieces of decorations will disappear a little at a time for the next couple of days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do the same thing with my grandmother's silver. I wash it by hand and dry it and count it and put it away. It is the everyday I am careless about, and it is very obvious if you count it.

      Delete
  14. I’m so glad you had a good Christmas even with all the sadness you’ve had lately. I was sad to see Christmas go, but we can’t stay forever either. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well Belinda if it did we would not appreciate it so much.

      Delete
  15. Traditionally, I take my decorations on the 5th (the 12th day of Christmas) but not this year. I am taking a personal day on Friday, and will strike down and pack my Christmas decorations this year. I am determined to start on the great declutter process on January 1st.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you, I have to sit down and figure out a new budget and I am dragging my feet. Need you to come and kick my butt!

      Delete
  16. ((((((HUGS))))) for the sadness my sweet friend. I am glad though that you had a nice Christmas despite that and that you are so blessed with your amazing family.

    I'm going to enjoy the Christmas tree lights and magic for a few more days I think. I have taken the tree down on New Year's Day most years. I was later than normal getting the tree up this year, so I am really craving the magic of it to last a bit longer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am leaving up our tree for a while, but it is sure nice to reclaim the house.

      Delete