<p>DH and I ill be here alone…appetizer buffet for the two of us. We will wrap presents, listen to our favorite holiday music, and maybe I will bake some cookies. </p>
<p>Christmas won’t be celebrated here until December 27…when everyone will be here!</p>
<p>Lady Lorna, I’m sorry about your mom. I hope she recovers quickly! smdur-I am just glad my kids can help me now! </p>
<p>I hope your momis OK, Lorna.</p>
<p>I am still at work, the last of 2 people here. Most people were told to leave early, but no manager in my department was here to tell me to go. NOT happy.</p>
<p>We will have Christmas dinner at home , then church. After that we might unwrap some gits and watch a movie. With the youngest in college , it’s pretty relaxed.</p>
<p>It’s not quite two in the afternoon here.
We are still traveling, but traffic is light and weather is fairly dry.
But we forgot the chains so hope our return trip is equally dry.</p>
<p>Leaving work now…but honestly, I basically edited college essays all day today. Quite the enjoyable day!</p>
<p>Waiting for my 18 guests to arrive.
Three families have been celebrating Christmas Eve together for nearly 30 years as we all decided not to be away with our kids for Christmas morning. The menu never changes, the venue rotates. We all bring our usual specialty menu items, all kids/parents and SOs are included.
This will be the first time I host since my H died and it is the last hurrah in this house. I will be moving to a condo in the new year.
More remarkably, this is the first time in at least 10 years that all 7 kids will be here together; and now they have 3 spouses and one long time SO. We expect 3 of the elders to join us this year, too.</p>
<p>D and I went and got massages this afternoon. Tonight is our big to do dinner - prime rib roast and the whole nine yards. I buy new jammies for everyone to open, and we open the “cousin” gifts, and from grandma and grandpa. We’ll watch a movie together tonight. Tomorrow is easy to heat appetizers and jammies and games.</p>
<p>Our small family of four here together. Wrapped presents under the tree, DH makng crab cakes and homemade mac n cheese. DD convinced her brother to play Wii games with her. Im sipping merlot and reading on my kindle.
Sooooo nice to be all together on christmas eve.</p>
<p>Best to all here on CC.</p>
<p>Met florist to accept poinsettias and then arrange them at two churches. Set up for communion at one church. Discovered aisle candelabras at one church had no candles and figured the magic candle fairy would not be arriving so went shopping. Multi-tasked by letting the dog I’m watching for someone ride shotgun. Paid a couple of bills. Fit in a couple of home visits. Running to feed husband then off for two church services (I’m the pastor of two congregations) then back to tend to the dog. </p>
<p>Am Jewish and we don’t celebrate Christmas. Have bee doting on DS who had his wisdom teeth out yesterday and making chicken soup with matzo balls.</p>
<p>Haven’t had hot water since Tuesday. Called service company and they won’t be able to send anyone out till next Monday. Praying for hot showers and that contractor is able to come on Friday since most are off today and tomorrow for Christmas. Warranty company doesn’t consider this an emergency. </p>
<p>Watching Christmas movies and admiring the beautifully lit Christmas tree. </p>
<p>Cutting up fruit and watching it rain. Didn’t leave house all day but do plan to attend candlelight service at church in a bit. Christmas Story marathon starts tonight, until then, Doctor Who. Very glad to not have travel plans for the next few days.</p>
<p>Mominva…we do,the same thing with friends here. But we will go there for dinner tomorrow night. Same menu every year…I have to make my potatoes Romanoff…but that will happen tomorrow. We’ve been doing this for 23 years. </p>
<p>Made three kinds of cookies. Sent dh to the grocery store twice. Nephew arrived and the boys have been playing board and video games. Waiting for sil to arrive. Luckily we’ve all been sick already. I felt pretty miserable yesterday, but got a bunch of more effective meds and feel much better today. Usually we do the fancy dinner today, but I decided this year to do it tomorrow and keep it simple today. (Steak on the grill.)</p>
<p>So sorry for you, Lady Lorna. My family is going through similar stuff.</p>
<p>The best parts of my day have been chatting with DD, who is home for the first time since August.</p>
<p>Spent the day wrapping…ugh, WHY do I procrastinate…made sausage balls, now with family. Oh, I watched “Love Actually”. Cute movie, great cast.</p>
<p>Sadly, I am at the emergency room with my parents. My mother is being admitted to the hospital. She’s had the flu and her oxygen levels are really low. They can only treat her in the hospital, it seems.>>>>>>>></p>
<p>Oh, poor thing. Yes, she has to be on oxygen. I’m sorry this has happened now or at all for that matter.</p>
<p>Oh no, VaBluebird. Thoughts are with you.</p>
<p>DH is out of town, and I had a desperate call from a now client whose child was accepted ED to a school they may not be able to afford ((yes, I KNOW-- but they didn’t). So not only did we have an emergency meeting today to discuss how to address this, but I am furiously looking for any possible outside scholarships (they are looking at institutional money) to try to handle this challenge. So, its a good thing I have the opportunity to do this holiday good deed.</p>
<p>More prayers and good thoughts for anyone being affected by illness and missed travel. :(</p>
<p>Busy day. Wrapped the stocking items, prep for some food tomorrow, trip to the post office, delivered a few plates of Christmas cookies to neighbors/friends locally, mid afternoon rainy run outside (felt great!). Now waiting for H to come home - both D’s are playing “PayDay” on the living room rug, S is watching. About to go and make dinner - shrimp, crash potatoes, asian salad. Pouring outside - still contemplating midnight mass. I’m tired!!! </p>
<p>Anyone but me have to work tomorrow?</p>