Re: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Dave Smith wrote:
...

My wife has been more restrained this year. I think she finally accepted
that having a Christmas something on every wall and on every surface is
overkill.

  we have a few decorations and that is enough.  one shoebox
sized scene of miniatures which sits on top of the tv cabinet
and a wicker white tree with lights that stays on the little
table all year round.  we used to have two rocks (one green
and one red which sat on the window sill by the kitchen sink
but i don't know where those are now).  some other decorations
are in boxes in the garage but we don't bother with them any
more.  i don't want much at all any more so the gifts i like
are things that i appreciate - a day without having anything
scheduled is way up there.  :)

  in recent weeks Mom has tried to add me to events but when
i heard i was getting a day off a few weeks ago i was really
looking forwards to that day without nothing scheduled - and
then she tried to get me to go with her to something on that
day and i said no because i was looking forwards to that day
being off.  in other words, i'm protecting my free time as
much as i can.  then she did it again on two other different
events and i said no to one and we put the other off until
after NY's since i want to get other things done instead in
between now and then.

  yesterday was very productive for me and she went and did
her thing.  i gained today for free time, but we then
rescheduled today's event for Tuesday and that works out
better for me.  it's gotten a bit too crazy around here with
some things going on where Mom is busy three days a week
plus other appointments.  it took me a few weeks to get the
lawnmower in for some maintenance and that did get done last
week so we are ready for next mowing season.  the experience
was great and we came out a lot better than i expected on
the cost so I am happy about that.  to me that was more of
a welcome Christmas present than getting more stuff that i
don't need.

  we have a nice layer of sparkly snow here but i think that
is due to melt off this week.  the sun is out and it has been
some days since we had it this bright.  i'm snowblind if i
look out the patio doors (which are my main windows in this
room).  pretty cold last night (-2F was the forecast, i think
we got pretty close to that).

  shovelling is good exercise, i mostly push it with my legs
and avoid lifting as much as i can.  more snow doesn't bother
me.  fresh air and exercise helps keep me moving and my back
would rather have me moving instead of not.


  songbird