As the song goes, it’s Christmas once again.
But once again, it doesn’t really feel like it.
I miss the building excitement when I was a kid, of a sparking morning and family and the chaos of presents and dinner. It’s not so much nostalgic, it’s that I end up dreading Christmas because either I haven’t planned for it enough, or just that I end up working on the 24th and don’t really get the chance to settle into the vibe until about the 27th, which is two days too late.
Plus, Monkey and Choo Choo are now well into their teens (and Monkey is now an adult, to be really picky), so there’s a lack of the Little Kid energy that used to run rampant through the house. It’s all very laid back and … well, unexciting.
Then there’s the shopping panic, which was on the weekend – one day with Choo Choo, the other with Monkey. I’m glad I can still take them shopping (one day, that will stop, too), even if the holiday shopping season can be immensely stressful (this year, thankfully, wasn’t).
Suffice to say, I was up earlier than everyone else this morning. That’s usual. I’m a 9-5er and that’s engrained in everything I do. Sleeping in is a challenge. (But that was good as I had stocking stuffers to sort out…)
It was just the four of us. Stockings, breakfast (pancakes, I forgot the sausages), then presents. It was a good morning, the cats thoroughly enjoyed playing with the paper. Big wins were blankets, interestingly enough.
Dinner was quieter than usual, too. While I had hoped months ago to have numerous people ‘round the table this year, we lost Brenda and Mike a month ago due to a surgical matter (which only went down two days ago), and then Janice caught a cold yesterday that has her huddled up at home. So it was only Mom out tonight. One year, I will have my large, loud Christmas dinner.
Still, it was the usual: Turkey, stuffing, fried potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, and beans. Dessert was Alex’s first Yule Log, which turned out quite well.
I’m looking forward to not going anywhere near stores tomorrow … or the rest of the week, if it can be avoided.
