It's a vow made every year. Next year I'm not going to wait until the last minute to do all my Christmas shopping. It's a resolution broken every year for many.
I always think about how nice it would be to buy those cards, the gift wrap and scotch tape essentials just after Christmas when they're half price or to get that extra set of lights so that one year out of our family celebration, the Lovestead Christmas tree won't look like a half breed.
The other day, after one of the two strings of old lights burned out, I vowed to stop somewhere in town and purchase another string---one that looked similar to the old one still attached to the top half of the tree. In fact, that was my very reason for heading to town, knowing I could take care of a few other errands.
As I prepared to back out of the driveway, my cell phone rang. It was Willie. He was still in Seattle the morning after his flight was supposed to take him and Debbie back to Boise, after which they would pick up their pups and drive up to Sandpoint.
He had just learned that the first available flight back to Boise, for anyone whose flight had been cancelled due to weather, would be Dec. 24---one seat.
Well, since it didn't seem reasonable for them to draw straws, Willie and Debbie stayed put in Seattle with friends from Boise. They would ride with the friends who planned to drive home the next day. That meant their trip to Sandpoint wasn't gonna happen, since Willie has to be in Boise today to cover activities associated with the Humanitarian Bowl.
We both lamented the unforeseen developments, but we also remained realistic that best laid plans of mice and lots of relatives in lots of families everywhere had to change, thanks to continued winter-weather problems. I eventually said "good bye" to Willie and as I got closer to town, decided NOT to buy that extra string of lights for the bottom of the tree.
This could be my silent protest against my maternal plans of seeing all kids and grandpuppies going down the tubes. So, I completed my other rounds and then came home.
The next day I reconsidered cuz, after all, Annie would be coming and I reasoned that she didn't deserve to suffer the half-lit tree blues just cuz Mom was sad and mad about Willie, Debbie, Todd and Brooke not coming.
Instead of going to town, I removed a string of twinkle lights from the dog kennel outside. We had run out of extension cords, so those light mixture.
Still, I know that I would be smart to go to town today or tomorrow and begin my Christmas shopping for 2009. I'm aware that Christmas lights might be cheap for the next few days, but right now shopping is NOT one of my priorities.
And, knowing myself all too well, it's very possible I could be digging through bags long about Dec. 15 next year and lamenting one more year of failing to replace the Christmas tree lights.
Such are the problems associated with Christmas, BUT---lights aside, ours was a lovely day. We took our time yesterday morning getting ready to open presents. Bill and I watched part of the Mass from the National Cathedral while Annie still slept with those sugar plums. I fed the horses a nice Christmas breakfast.
When Annie arose, an idea popped into my still sad mind. One way to at least connect Willie and Debbie to our circle would be to send them some of their gifts-----via cyberspace. I grabbed a white sheet, draped it over the couch and used it for a backdrop for several photos. The gifts photographed were those yet unwrapped.
Before we opened any presents here, Annie called Willie and left a message to go on line and "check your email. You can see some of your presents."
We all loved our gifts as Santa Annie distributed them one by one. Later, we spent time outside with the animals. Annie snowshoed through the woods and snapped lots of fun photos of dogs, trees and horses. Note the Flicker link at the bottom.
Later, we met Mother, Jim Barbara, and Laurie at the Beach House Restaurant, where Lindsay Yaw and her mom directed the operations at our table, seeing that we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas feast. Thanks, Lindsay! It was great to meet you, please give all your staff a big pat on the back.
The evening was topped off by a round of "Cranium," which involves teamwork, artistry, musical talent(?), knowledge of language, general knowledge and knowledge of songs most of us have never heard of.
Best of all, players get to act really crazy. How many out there can team up and spell "calculus" backward? Seems easy unless ya've got two so-so spellers and one good speller each supplying the letters.
All in all, it was a great Christmas, and we'd be smart to start getting ready for next year with all those bargains at the stores. But I think we'll forego that cuz we have a lot of snow for playing outside and a lot of high calorie food inside, giving us reason to play outside. Plus, company's coming.
Since we have 364 days to get ready, I think we can afford to take time to enjoy the truly meaningful aspects of this holiday----family, friends and simple fun. The lights can wait.
Happy Day After!
Annie's Photo Flicker link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nnlove/sets/72157611662371692/
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