And all through the house...It's beginning to look like Christmas around here, finally. Last weekend we learned that Armstrong Garden Centers had a package deal that included a 5' - 6' tree, cedar garland, a fresh wreath, and three poinsettias for $99. I also happened to have a giftcard to Armstrong! So, we headed over there on Wednesday evening and brought home the prettiest Noble Fir. It took me a couple of days after work to get everything decorated, but I'm happy with how it's turned out. I didn't put everything out this year - just my favorite things. I'll post a few pictures later after I clean up the living room a bit.
I still have lots of shopping to do. Aside from the gifts I purchased on Etsy for my classroom volunteers, I have done nothing else. Today I will make a list, and I guess I'll be spending some time shopping after school this week and I hope I can get it done. If Michael is feeling well enough, we are supposed to go to Las Vegas next week for a few days. I guess I could do some shopping in Las Vegas if need be, but I don't want to feel like I have to.
We decided to go to Las Vegas for my birthday because we got a great rate at the Encore. We stayed at the Wynn last year on my birthday, and it was the same night that the Encore had its grand opening. We checked it out before we left and decided that we'd like to stay there some time. Recently we got an invitation to stay there for dirt cheap and I jumped on it. If we go, we are going to see Love and O. Michael has a friend who works on the O show, and he was able to get us free tickets to see Love, and deeply discounted tickets to see O. I have never seen a Cirque du Soleil show, and I'm really excited about seeing two! But, it all depends on whether or not Michael feels up to going. We'll decide later this week if we're going to keep our reservations.
We celebrated Michael's fifty-fourth birthday last Thursday. I arranged for him to have a massage that afternoon, and then his parents treated us to a very nice dinner at Pinot Provence. The day before his birthday, he made some morbid comment about making it to his fifty-fifth birthday. I told him to have big goals and to set his sights on sixty for starters. We are still waiting to hear back from Dr. K about the results of the latest CT scan compared to August's scan. Perhaps we'll hear something in the coming week. Who knows what the future holds, but I do believe that it's important to remain optimistic.
8 comments:
I too cut way back on Christmas decorations this year. I had hit a point where decorating was stressful instead of fun and I spent most of the Holiday season dreading putting it all away. Live Simply Live Well is my new motto!
I believe there is a mind body connection between remaining optimistic!
We got a fresh tree this year instead of putting up our 10 ft. have-to-fluff-it artificial tree. It had become a task instead of a joy to put it up and take it down. We bought new LED lights (kinda weird looking) but easy to drape around the shorter tree. We'll be visiting our children and grandchildren instead of their coming here so i didn't go all out.
Enjoy your trip to Vegas, or not, as it evolves. We decided not to use our theater tickets tonight. We would've enjoyed the play, but neither of us wanted to move. We were enjoying football games and just being home so we passed them along to friends. They were thrilled and so were we.
Hoping that the news from Dr K is encouraging for you both. I read your blog all the time, but I don't comment much.
Thinking of you this Christmas
Anne
Oh no! Only 12 days left? I really need to get my shopping done!
I agree...you need to be optimistic! Don't let Micheal get morbid or broody...men tend to do that I think. When is your birthday? I hope you have a wonderful time!
Oh, your decorating sounds lovely...and I just know you will have a wonderful time together on your little getaway!!! I'm praying with you for 60!!!!! And that Michael will be encouraged!!! Love you~Janine XO
Absolutely, hope is always there and I am filled with hope about your future!
I love the picture!
I have been following you for years and have never commented much. Know that I am praying for you this Christmas season.
For some strange reason, I also feel compelled to ask you to read "There is No Me Without You" by Melissa Faye Green. I think there is a little soul out there waiting to come home, waiting for love, waiting for hope...
Blessings to you and your family.
Catherine,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, and thank you for praying for us.
I checked out the book you referenced on Amazon, and I wish we were in a position to adopt a child from anywhere, but we are not. Cancer has really changed our path, and if adoption is on that path we'll pursue it. But, I just can't see that far right now.
Have a blessed Christmas.
Joannah
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