Eating sandwiches in front of the television, Monday night, was a far cry from the fancy restaurants that I had been experiencing the previous week, and the fact that I had cleaned my own room, and changed my own bedclothes reminded me that I was no longer in the lap of luxury, but back home. It was glorious! Of course, reminiscing about the previous week brought smiles to my face and filled the room with giggles, but as the saying goes, "There is no place like home".
There was much to do at work, and despite feeling like I had been pulled through a hedge backwards on the one hand, and dancing through the day on the other, Tuesday was another day! I had plans for Tuesday morning, but they did not materialise, and I spent most of my 'first thing' putting things back in their proper place. Dana had put on, and unloaded the dishwasher in my absence, and it made me laugh that after seventeen years, he does not know where everything goes. It is true that he only uses what he needs, and he knows where his 'needs' are, but in his zeal to make sure everything looked copacetic upon my return, some things were amiss. I cannot blame him for not knowing that the tartan spatulas do not go in the draw with the regular set! The kitchen is my domain, and after the first few years of married life, and explaining that just because it is efficient to one, does not mean it is for another, he decided to give up! Although we think along the same lines on so many levels, we are also candidates for the 'opposites attract' category!
Suffice it to say, by the time I went to work on Tuesday morning, I was unsure as to what I had accomplished. My friend and neighbour, Cathleen, had been messaging to say that she had a 'little something' for me, and could she 'pop it in'. As I was away last week, and the weekend was somewhat busy for us both, Tuesday evening was the best time for us both.
Dinner was chicken chacatorie. I know this because I had actually not only put a note on the bag in which I placed it before putting it in the freezer, but I had placed said bag into another bag so that when (not if) it fell off, it would still be in place! It was rather delightful. We ate, and waited for Cathleen's call. She sent me a message to say she was in the car port at around 8:30 pm., and did not want to intrude on our evening. I told her to come in, as it was cold, and also she was bringing me a gift, and it was rude to just leave her standing in the garage! She had been to see her horse, so was wearing boots, which were rather muddy. "You can take them off!" I said, rather like a mother. She did. Dana made some tea, and we had a lovely evening around the coffee table, just chatting and enjoying the company, rather than snoozing in front of the television! I felt more alive than I had for days!
Dinner was indeed a mystery! However, we enjoyed the fish dishes that had defrosted! Dana's daughter popped in, om her way to her mum's, accompanied by her four month old largish puppy, and stayed for a couple of hours. Not only am I not used to a bigger dog, but I am not used to a bigger tail! A bigger, very happy tail! Yofi ran about exploring, no doubt sniffing the 'boys' and generally having a nice time. We all sat on the floor to accommodate him! Another lovely evening of no snoozing in front of the television and enjoying family time. As I was not going home, again, this was very special! Chara left around 8:30 and we had a late dinner.
The office was technically closed on Thursday, but not actually! I went shopping after regular chores, and came home around lunchtime. I put all my things away and wondered how I was going to spend the afternoon. I had plans, but they were not very exciting. I was going to steam clean my kitchen. Wow! I was going to clean out the second bedroom. Wow! I sent Cathleen a message. "Are you around? Do you want to join me for coffee?" She responded that she was waiting for someone to come and fix something in her house, so would I like to go there. We enjoyed some tea, and biscuits! Cathleen spent her university years at Oxford! This born and bred Texan picked up some English traditions that other Texans just don't get! I do! We chatted for a while, and Dana called to say that Chara wanted to go and see a movie. What were my thoughts? I thought it would be a good opportunity for him to spend some time with his daughter and keep at least one of their traditions going! Was I sure I did not want to go? Yes, quite sure! I am a daughter. I have a daughter! Some things are sacred!
Christmas Eve started off slow. Dana went into the office, as there were several, "Can you?" emails. I did the exciting things that I had put off on Thursday, and then just waited for him to come home. We had a cup of hot chocolate and just lounged for a while, wondering what to do for dinner. He had suggested a 'fancy' lunch, but he had not come home in time. Instead, we went to IHop! It was lovely! A typical American diner, on Christmas Eve, dressed in jeans and boots, and of course my hat, I just fell into my seat and ordered. Everyone was happy. It was lovely to see a busy restaurant and happy faces. I am not sure how many were there because they were alone, but with everyone being so friendly, smiling and generally joyous, all appeared to be having a nice time!
Traditional things do not always have to be done in the same places! As I was clearing out the second bedroom, (I have plans for remodeling!) I found my mother's day present from my daughter. A jigsaw puzzle! Out it came, and I sorted through the pieces. I felt alive! It is funny how somethings just provoke memories of the past. I spent some time finding the 'edges' and then started to put them together. Although it was fairly mild outside, it felt rather cozy and very seasonal inside.
What was not traditional was the heat! It is the one thing I cannot get used to at Christmas time. I remember going to Disney World one year when my kids were much younger, and we wandered around in shorts, amid fake snow falling from somewhere! It did not work! I went for an early morning stroll this Christmas morning, spoke to my neighbour Paige, and then came home for a cup of coffee. We were going out for lunch. I had tried to book one of our usual haunts, but it was full. They said that they were keeping 33% for 'walk ins' but I did not want to take the chance. Instead I booked another branch, which after booking noticed that the reviews were not particularly good. Oh well!
Arriving at 11:30, I spotted one of our friends, who was having lunch with some of his friends. He was delighted to see us, and introduced us, as the host was trying to lead us to our table. However, the host seemed just as animated, in his red hat with white trim, and a bobble on the end, as we were that we had seen a familiar face! He went back to his stand and seated another couple before coming back and showing us to our table. Samantha and Edward arrived shortly thereafter, and after getting the same enthusiastic greeting from our friend, walked over to the table.
Dinner was wonderful! Everything was cooked to perfection and we enjoyed a lovely lunch. We laughed, and chatted. Edward asked if I wanted him to take me back to Las Vegas next week, and I said that would be a wonderful idea! Dana looked a little shocked, but only for a moment! We were all dressed for summer! Outside, there was a lake with a water fountain and ducks wandering along the edge. Children were feeding the fowl, and having a great time. The sun shone! It was Christmas Day in Texas! All was well!
My daughter apologised for not wrapping my present, but made me hold out my hands, and close my eyes. I received a 'frost blanket' for my plants. My excitement was obvious! It was exactly what I had wanted! She is quite good at that!
I spent the afternoon at my 'happy place'. I was by the pool, reading! My friend, Lynda, sent me a message, wishing me yuletide felicitations, and I asked her what she was doing today. She responded that she was waiting for her family. When I told her that I was 'chilling' by the pool, she said, "No, you are not chilling! I am chilling! It's going to snow here in half an hour! That's chilling!" Having grown up within a stones through from each other, and now living on the the same continent again, it is funny to think that she is experiencing the same weather that we were brought up with, and I am experiencing what it was like to spend Christmas 'abroad'! It made me smile! It made me smile that we are still wishing each other a merry Christmas!
Dana and I watched a typically sentimental Christmas film, where the family were struggling with the loss of a parent, and gave each other refurbished presents, and the wicked neighbour who had everything mellowed, and everyone became best friends, and all were happy, and families who had shared with those who did not. What is Christmas without a reminder of what it is all about!
Sunday morning was damp. The drizzle was quite wet, and I walked around the block later than usual. I saw some neighbours and everyone appeared to be quite joyous. It was virtually all over for another year.
Tomorrow is a normal day for us, although I know many will have the week off. I don't suppose it will be particularly busy, but then again, anything is possible! This week was, as expected, a far cry from last, but it was nice and as cozy as it could be in Texas. I spoke to my family and Ollie sent me several messages telling me what a great time they were having at their 'theme' hotel. I was so pleased for them.
Obviously, I am unsure as to how next week will 'ride', but as we go into 2022, and presumably all wonder, "Where has the time gone", once again, I wish all a happy new year, and hope to see y'all in ...... another story!
No comments:
Post a Comment