12-24-21 Hookers and Blow Save Christmas
I slept until 8:30, got myself relatively organized and dressed nice, make-up and all before heading to the office. Once there I recorded myself reading Hookers and Blow Save Christmas. Then I migrated a clients file from Sage to QBO so I could be ready to work on it on Tuesday. I then did a short video of my photo books to share with the ABCers as many of them were a part of the two trips, one to Santa Fe and the other to Santa Barbara. It was a peaceful way to spend the day and get things done. I then headed out to drop off a gift, pick up some things including a white turnip to substitute for the water chestnuts which town seems to be sold out of. I gathered all my things at home and dropped off stocking items to Emmy at her grandmas. She gave me an adorable stuffy to which I said, Oh a Falalallama and she said quite sternly, it’s an Alpaca Nana. Of course she was right, no getting anything past her. From there it was to the Guedes household for Raclette before heading to Bill and Deanne’s church. It was lovely and old fashioned as it should be. I took the three teens in my car and we headed out to see the lights at Candy Cane Lane and then go find Santa on his rounds. Back at the house we organized stockings and played Family Business, a fun Mobster Card game. The two exchange students love it. And then it was midnight and time to sleep as the boys will be up early.
That was the sugar coated story of my day. In actuality, I was up early and had it confirmed that as long as Emmy was sick she wasn’t welcome to visit, fell to my knees, sobbing, unbearably done with all amounts of stress and disconnect. I did not throw myself together but took time to paint on the spirit of the season. I was wonderfully graced with a video from the H’s in the UK. They always know the right thing to say and do. I really did not want to engage with anyone, feeling like it is easier not to live here than make uncomfortable choices. Danika was lovely and told me Emmy wanted to stay with her so I didn’t need to feel bad. As it turned out, her baby sister, Gwen has RSV and Danika spent the evening at the hospital with her. That is scary, and Malcolm is at work for two more days so I am glad she is with family. Diane loved the snowflake I gave her that matches the one I got. It really sums up the way I feel. I shoveled a couple times today, my cat was very cold because she would not come when I called and I had to leave and come back later. She kept rubbing against my legs in what i can only imagine is gratitude. I didn’t realize we were going to church, the one I went to in the 80s so didn’t rush over for raclette, thus didn’t have a lot of time to eat. The service was fine, freaked me out a little that they were using the same microphones. My experience with performers and announcers is we have our own foam covers to swap out. The church are very accommodating to Deanne’s wish to stay protected and allow them to sit at their own spot in the back of the sanctuary. They even had reserved signs on the chairs for our chaotic bunch of 12. I did like being the kids at the back of the bus. It struck me that times have definitely changed, It used to be that the main focus behind the pulpit and pastor was a large, usually wooden, cross. Now it is a TV screen, much like a living room where all chairs are facing it.
It is time to sleep, visions of sugar plums or not, I am grateful this day is over. I am biting my tongue, as my button says… be kind or be quiet. Actually, to be clear I am going to bed happier than I was at the start of the day. Part of the fun was sharing it with the students. So many things were new and exciting to them.
triumphgal 