Christmas Re-Cap

This was a VERY different Christmas for me.  Christmas was ALWAYS celebrated with my children. Since compromise is the key to a successful relationship.... we headed to Pennsylvania and spent it with Prince Charming's children.... all of them.  What a gift!  

First, a particular thank you goes out to my children who were understanding and supportive of my decision to "spend it with my other family".  I saw them all prior to Christmas - and we will all be together on New Year's Day.  I am grateful that we all live close by and can see each other often.

Next, a special thank you goes out to the "C-Unit" for their warmth and acceptance.  It was a perfect weekend!  Having little ones around just added to the magic that we call Christmas.  There were too many hugs and kisses to count.   There were special moments that will be forever etched into my memory.... eating, drinking, dancing, watching the kids play with their toys (the BIG kids with their remote controlled cars and playing with the LITTLE KIDS' Legos), cuddling on the couch to watch movies, etc.

Top 5:
- Having a stress-free drive each way (read that: NO TRAFFIC)

- Remembering to bring everything that we planned

- Getting unsolicited hugs from the babies

- Watching the BIG kids interact with each other with love in their eyes

- Seeing my Prince so happy and enjoying every minute....


Christmas miracles are always present... you just need to know where to look for them.

Put in on paper.... put it to rest

So, were things ever going so good that you started to stress about "waiting for the other shoe to drop"?  Well, that happened to me this week.  Once you start that downward spiral, you can only let go of the handrail and hope you land on your feet.

I decided to share my anxiety with the Prince.  I needed to express the turmoil in my brain in a way that did NOT make me sound like a lunatic.  He is an avid Islander fan....

Me:  Let's say the Islanders have won 15 games in a row.  OK, I know they are not having a great season, JUST PLAY ALONG!!!  So, with each passing game, you start to get nervous that they will lose..... Things have been going so good in our life, I'm afraid of losing a game.

Him: Hey, we are bound to lose a game now and then.... but we will ALWAYS have a winning season!

...enough said.....

Date night???

The Prince and I went "Christmas shopping" last night - not for gifts, but for clothes for us to wear this holiday season.

First, we shopped for him:

Me:  You need a nice dress shirt and a handsome sweater to go over it.

Him:  I have shirts in the closet.

Me:  (smiling) I know, sweetheart, let's just look around.

Him: (picking up an orange and green plaid shirt) How's this?  The colors are so festive!

Me: (throwing up in my mouth) That's nice, hon, but maybe we should look for something a little more subdued.  Look at this shirt! (navy with grey pinstripes)

RESULT:  2 classic dress shirts and 2 gorgeous sweaters - 

(Note to self:  Never send him out to buy his own clothes!)


Next, we shopped for me:

Me:  Do you like this?

Him:  You already have a lot of pink.

Me:  Is this long enough?

Him: (with a scrunched up face) I don't think so.

Me:  What about this one?

Him: That's perfect.

Me: Let's buy it in 2 colors, I'm done shopping!

RESULT: We are both prepared for the holidays.  

(Note to self: Life is good with the Prince by my side.)

The Christmas Letter

Each year, I receive several Christmas Letters where people tell me everything that has happened to them this past year.

That made me think about my life this past year...... perhaps the letter would sound like this:

Winter 2016
Well, I've made it through my first holiday season.  It sucked, but I survived.  Keeping my eye on May 26 - I am sure my life will change after that.

Spring 2016
Thankful that it was a mild Winter.  Just one real snowstorm, and my kind neighbors cleared it away for me.  Grateful that I have been able to get away often.  Looking forward to the milder weather.  Keeping my eye on the calendar.  I promised myself to make positive changes and become a human being again.

May 2016
The month came and went.  Whereas I will always mourn Mr. Wonderful's passing, I know I will be okay.  I know I am in charge of my life.  I know my kids are keeping a watchful eye on me, from a safe distance.  I am standing tall, once again. 

Summer, Fall, Winter 2016
Got my life on track.  Ventured out into the "real" world.  Met some other widows who are trying to get their lives back, as well.  Kissed a couple frogs.  Met my prince.

To Tree or Not To Tree

I haven't put a Christmas Tree up in a couple years.  For one reason or another, it just did not seem important.  

This year, I will be spending Christmas weekend in Pennsylvania with my Prince and his family.  We will celebrate Christmas with my family shortly thereafter.

It seems Christmas has just snuck up on me this year!   We've been talking about it for weeks - trying to plan.... but there were so many kids to consider..... Now that the holiday is quickly approaching. there just isn't the time (or necessity) to put up a tree.

Next year will be different.  We will start planning in July.... There will be 2 new babies in the family.  We have agreed to attempt a "yours, mine, and ours" Christmas celebration.  Now, how do I get 8 kids and their respective families on board with this???? 

Perhaps we should not wait until July....