My Christmas Morning 12/25/12

Christmas morning in a country of Christians. This post is just for my die hard readers, or those who don't celebrate as the majority of people are today. (At least by my understanding)

It is so quiet this morning. I love the quiet. No one is stirring now but me. We have a lighted tree, two actually. One is "The Christmas Tree," the other is our artificial corner tree, which has a string of blue lights on it. (The Christmas Tree has all white lights.)
If it were up to me, I would have multi-colored, flashing lights, but my artistic better half is a better designer. I was not happy when life was up to me. I love how her mind works. 

We have placed a dozen cards on our bookcase. Still a few people mail cards. We enjoy Unicef cards. We enjoy buying holiday postage stamps. Next year, as I say each year, will probably be our last. A dying tradition---sending cards. Too bad, because it was a  event. Aunt Vi used to get so many cards! She had so many friends, so many family members. I dreamed that one day I too would display so many cards---never happened. Oh well, she will remain "unmatched."

Some years ago, about 10, we had so few people to mail cards too that we still bought them and began mailing batches to hospitals and retirement homes. Funny, the year before we moved HERE, this was on our list. I always called first and asked if it was a good idea, if the place had people who might not be getting cards. Answer was always an enthusiastic, "Yes! What a great idea." So, most of our cards went to residents here. We ran out and ended up giving one to each dining table, but now as I write this I realize my error---should have taken them around to those who can not get out of their units anymore. DRAT.

The ornaments on our tree are those of memories. Only two are ones purchased, and those hold fond memories for me. They are two hollow birds that sit on a light bulb from the string, making them glow. I bought them on a whim after seeing them in a store window a few blocks from my office in downtown Seattle. It was a very expensive store, one I would never dream of actually going into, but on that day I decided I wanted to buy something frivolous and expensive, just because I could. Wow, did I have buyer's remorse, but there they sit, reminding me each year of a special time in my life when I was where I had dreamt of being, no worries, just good times. They tweet to me, "Believe. You did it. No one can take that away."

This joint is having  some kind of Christmas brunch, no lunch or dinner, one meal. None of us knows what this means. We don't care because we will dine on delicious Chinese delivered food, as we do each year. The other residents and staff here are jealous, and last year our delivery guy (the owner, he knows us pretty good now) said a few people tried to bribe him into giving the food to THEM! Hahahaha

I awoke at 5AM this morning, slept in! My caregiver and I did our morning ritual of cleaning up, exercising, eating breakfast, but snafu---no bananas again. Every so often this joint has no bananas, big deal here. At the place we plan to move to next there will always be bananas. I'll tell you how I know after we move there.

There are two gifts under our tree. I have no idea what she got for me. She won't read this anytime soon, so I'll tell you I got her a bottle of perfume, Black Orchid. I tried to follow all the instructions that media outlets were suggesting on how to get "deals." I must have spent 3 hours, never did get any special deal. But computer shopping beats in store, something I couldn't handle now if I wanted to, so, no complaints. We bought a few gifts for some special friends here, candy for my mom, that's it. Everything just becomes less with each passing year. I must admit, it feels just as meaningful, and that is what matters.

It is cold for Seattle, maybe upper 30s, light rain. At some point yesterday I watched most of "Roots" again. What a fantastic TV show that was. At 9PM we watched the movie "Prancer," and once again cried like babies. That is really one good movie. The acting, the location, the DIRECTING, the music, just put together so flawlessly, we dissect it all---fun.

Okay, no Face Book for me today. I will write. After dinner last night, two friends here insisted I share my story from the book (one of them, it is the one about the day my love and I met in person, just one day) I am writing. I put it in a nutshell, they loved it! That made me feel good, a bit worried it will not translate well, but it appears to hit the spot.

Enjoy YOUR day, my loyal readers. Perhaps I will find time to visit YOUR blogs and see what's cookin'!