Friday, December 23, 2022

Christmas

We woke up this morning and were surprised that the forecasted winter storm had already started. Things were not predicted to get ugly until the afternoon. 

It is windy and snowy and dark. The wind kicks up the snow, making visibility an issue. The temperatures are in the single digits. They claim that with the windchill the temperature was -27F, which is -32C. Nothing at all to folks like Red or Anvil Cloud, living up there in the great white north. To us, it's pretty extreme stuff. It's supposed to be even colder tomorrow. 

It is two days before Christmas.By the time that you read this, it will be Christmas eve.  My daughter and son and their spouses called today to chat with William. He opened their presents. I'm grateful for the video chat, but it is certainly not the holiday that I've been planning in my mind for months. We were to leave the day after Christmas to travel east, to be with all of my kids and their families, everyone under the same roof for the first time in years. We bought a smoked ham from a traditional old time butcher. I have made Grandma Violet's fruitcake. We're all being practical and we're all being sensible, but it is not what a one of us wanted, not at all, and I've been really down in the dumps about it. 

I had a hairdresser's appointment today at 4. I'd scheduled it back at the beginning of the month. We were going to have family pictures done to celebrate us all together for the holiday, and I wanted my hair to look nice. In the hubbub of the unraveling of all those plans, I forgot about it. She called to let me know that she'd had many cancellations and my appointment could be moved ahead if I was interested. She's not more than five minutes from the house, and I wavered a bit, but decided to get the hair cut. I needed it. At least I'd look nice for the video chat. 

I started out. Traffic was sparse, and the snow was blowing badly on one stretch past the river. On a slight bend, I felt the rear of my car slide. I was going very slowly, the car took corrective action and I steered slightly into it. The car straightened out quickly. A big rush of gratitude and relief washed over me. 

In that moment, I realized that things could be so much worse. Disappointment can be borne. Plans change on a dime all the time. It happens to everyone, everywhere. We will all be having another video chat Christmas afternoon. I have all the makings for a very nice dinner. We have company coming Christmas eve and then another round of activity again on Christmas day. Tim is about nuts to give William his Christmas present and I think that we've got a nice batch of gifts for his kids and grands. 

It didn't come out exactly how we planned, but plenty of people would be happy with this. I can be happy with this too. 

Merry Christmas, everyone!


43 comments:

  1. Whew! Glad your short trip didn't slide into the hairdresser's shop! Heads of families have the authority to move holidays to keep their family safe. Between covid, flu and RSV, and the horrid weather cancelling all types of transportation, I think "Christmas in July" makes sense, and for sure has better safety options. Enjoy your quieter holiday! Linda in Kansas

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    1. I suppose it was silly to make the trip out, but....

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  2. I know you made the right decision, Debby. We will be video chatting with our kids tomorrow too. Have a Happy Christmas! I know things will look up in 2023.

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    1. You are right, Kay. We have a great deal to be cheerful about.

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  3. It is such a shame you can't go but you seem to be making the best of it. Merry Christmas.

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    1. It is a heartbreaker, but in the end, we must relax and simply go with the flow, at times.

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  4. Have a Happy Christmas Debby with the family. X

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    1. I will, Thelma. Our very best wishes to you and your house.

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  5. The best made plans of mice and men Debby . . . Sorry that snow has changed everything, but thank heavens for video links, at least you can chat/open gifts and have that connection. Merry Christmas.

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    1. Exactly! I guess that I'm a bit of a Debby Downer when plans fall through. I just needed someone to give me a good shake.

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  6. Enjoy your day, Debby and wishing you a happy and healthy New Year.

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    1. You and Lord P as well, Jaycee. Raise a glass tomorrow...if Elfie has left you anything! I will miss the little stinker.

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    1. Our best wishes to you and your house, Northsider! Do you go into the barn at midnight on Christmas eve?

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  8. For the first time ever, it will just be the four of us home alone for Christmas too. I have to keep telling my self that at least my two kids will be here because they still live here and others like you aren't as fortunate to have even that. But I can't help but miss those days of yore when we had upwards of a dozen people making noise on Christmas day. Sending you good thoughts!

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    1. It's a change up, isn't it? It's happened to us before and we're okay with that part. It's just that mama had PLANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm over myself now. Merry Christmas to you and your house, Ed.

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  9. That's the spirit! Last year my husband had COVID and we had to open presents with the grandkids via Facetime. It wasn't our favorite Christmas, but certainly the one we will remember. I'm sorry the trip didn't work out for you all.

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    1. This one will be memorable, that's a fact. Merry Christmas, Collette.

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  10. It is good that you can visit on the computer. Better than nothing as the saying goes. Hope your holidays are happy and you can plan another get together during the New Year. Wishing you peace and joy, Debby!

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    1. The problem is gathering all my chicks together. Cara and Colin do not live in the USA. It will be awhile before everyone can gather together. I can see them all individually though. You are right!

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  11. Last year I didn't get to have Christmas at my daughter's house with all the grown grandchildren because two days before Christmas Grandson, who lives 50 miles away, called that they had covid. So it was decided if he couldn't be there, Christmas is about the people not the holiday, and we celebrated Christmas in February when everyone could be there and healthy. And you know what? It was beautiful.

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    1. Whenever everyone gathers together, it is a memorable occasion.

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  12. Debby I'm sorry things didn't work out, but it sure sounds like you have a nice cozy setup at home. I hope you have a very happy Christmas, I can smell that ham already! 😋♥️🎄⛄

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    1. We do, Doug. If you make your way north, you can have some ham too.

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  13. As John Lennon said- Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.
    I know you and everyone in the family are disappointed but as you said- that can be borne. Making the best of what it all is, I suppose, the way to do it. Everyone staying warm and SAFE is the most important. The love will travel for you.

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    1. Wise words from my wise friend. Thank you. Merry Christmas to the Moons. Every last one of them!

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  14. Sorry about the disappointment. So many are being affected. We only go 7 minutes across town, so we’ll be fine.

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    1. It appears that things are clearing here. Hopefully you are seeing things improving there. Seven minutes. You are a lucky dog. Merry Christmas to your family, AC. Take plenty of pictures.

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  15. We will be home alone. My daughter hosts her MIL, BIL, and my youngest child, whom I have spoken to in several year. We've postponed our Christmas with my daughter and family, as they've colds. We cannot risk it. It is an unusual Christmas, again. We celebrated in February last year. What can one do. It is bitterly cold, and blowing snow.

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    1. I was very focused on what we couldn't do and I was struggling, but it is important that we make the best of what we have been dealt. Merry Christmas, Jenn.

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  16. It's crazy weather and we southerners aren't use to it. We're not supposed to have single digit temps! 🥶 We had one celebration yesterday and will have our second today. Our oldest granddaughter got trapped in MO, so she's the only one who couldn't make either day.

    I'm sorry things didn't turn out like you wanted them to, but you really do have a lot to be thankful for. It will be a nice holiday.

    Merry Christmas, Debby.

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    1. Tim bought William a minibike for Christmas and he's so excited to give it. One problem. It's so cold that it doesn't want to start. *sigh*

      Merry Christmas Kelly!

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  17. Merry Christmas Debby. The big day has dawned here (shhhh - just me and the cat up at the moment). Definitely take a screenshot of everyone together on the video chat! So sorry that the best laid plans were moved awry on you, but so very glad that you are safe and that your hairdresser and you got quality time together xxx Have a wonderful day.

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    1. Merry Christmas Jeanie. Enjoy the calm before the storm!!! I hope that you all have a wonderful day. Is Ysa home too?

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  18. Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous, joy-filled 2023!
    Stay safe, warm & well

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    1. Oh we will. We are. My best wishes to you and your house as well

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  19. Merry Christmas, Debby. Have a wonderful day and I hope the weather warms up enough for William (and Tim!) to enjoy his Christmas present.

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    1. Thank you, and our very best wishes to you and yours.

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    2. Supposed to be 38 degrees on Wednesday. He and William are going to do some trail riding at the retirement property.

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  20. One of my favorite sayings is, “The secret to life is the ability to accept Plan B.” (Or sometimes C or D.) it’s not the date that’s important, it’s the efforts you make to get together. Voice of experience here; we’re getting together to celebrate on the 26th, waiting for temps to be more tolerable and black ice to disappear from the freeways. And, yes, I am still a bit disappointed. Cheers.
    Bonnie in Minneapolis

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    1. We won't get together again for a few years.

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  21. As another whose Christmas plans got totally derailed, I can identify! But yes, overall, we have everything to be thankful for. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Your plans were spectacularly derailed. Are you feeling better?

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