Merry Christmas, everyone. We made it, literally.
Congratulations to all of you, the Holiday Bringers And Makers. You brought it to life again. Well done. In the coming days, insist on your rest. Everything else can wait. Truly, it can.
In this photo you are seeing Theo's gifts from Nana and Pa and Gunga. Our family decided only to buy for Theo, gratefully streamlining our Christmas. Pa made him a solid oak rocking horse. The biggest (and most) packages are from Gunga, who is the most indulgent uncle ever. Those two are smitten with each other.
Enjoy your family, friends, and your tree this Christmas. Cherish your health and your home. And remember to treat yourself as the athlete you are for accomplishing this feat called Christmas: relax, rest, and recover.
Love, love, love this, Nance. I especially like that the presents are all dedicated to Theo. And that your tree lights are all white. And, oh my gosh, a solid oak rocking horse!
ReplyDeleteOur Christmas got hijacked somewhat. Rushed Mr. O. to the E.R. on Christmas Eve. Nasty post-surgery infection. He’s on heavy antibiotics and hopefully home by tomorrow when we can both “relax, rest, and recover.”
Looking forward to a better year for all of us, most especially dear friends like you who always find the best words and manage to shine a light on us even in your own moments of hardship. You are a real trouper and my best blog-friend role model... 💕💕💕
P.S. — Yesterday's hospital Christmas lunch was served with the most adorable little teddy bear. I named him Theo. 🥰
DeleteOrtizzle--Oh my friend! I hate to hear this about Mr. O! I do hope that he is recovering quickly and that he is out of any danger the infection may have presented. Of course you want him home--no one can truly rest in a hospital--but those post-op complications really require careful treatment. I hope all is well. Keep me updated whenever you can spare the time.
DeleteYour kind words at this time in your life are so very, very appreciated. I'm wishing the speediest of recoveries for Mr. O, and I hope Teddy Theo is a good health talisman for him and you! XOXO
Merry Christmas Nance! I was awoken by a shit ton of rain and wind at 3:30 this morning and started worrying about the drive we are making today. I didn’t really sleep well after that, but I relaxed in bed with a collagen mask. HA! Now we’re waiting for Maya to wake up, and the rain has passed us by for a bit.
ReplyDeleteJ--Thank you. I've been wondering about all the rain and flooding out there and whether or not it will affect you severely. And power outages! Please reach out anytime and let me know how things are going.
DeleteHow smart you are to use that time for skin care! I usually lie there and try all sorts of mental exercises to wear myself out and induce sleep (god forbid I make any noise or anything to alert Piper, who will start hollering for his breakfast).
I hope you had an uneventful drive and a lovely Christmas with delicious food.
Reporting back, all is well. We have an uneventful drive, a lovely time with family, a crummy night of sleep in a hotel, an uneventful drive home, then out to visit Ted’s parents for Boxing Day, since they were unable to join us with the rest of the family. Home now, and tired after two crummy nights of sleep, ready for a good sleep with a quiet mind.
DeleteI tried the mental exercises, nothing worked. Ted got up, so I wasn’t bugging anyone by getting up and putting on a face mask.
My lemon cheesecake was a hit, there will be photos (of that at least, my phone mostly stayed in my purse) when I get to my blog.
J--I understand how difficult it is to sleep well in a hotel. I am, however, happy that your drive was safe and that you are home again having delivered a Victorious Lemon Cheesecake to rave reviews.
DeleteHotel stay - mistakes were made. We were all tired, and didn’t bother to check the thermostat, which was OFF. Halfway through the night we were all HOT but trying to not bother each other so none of us got up to turn on the air. Then Ted had issues with down pillows. There was a synthetic fiber pillow in the closet, but we didn’t look for it. And Ted snores, which I am used to (as much as anyone can be) so I can put my head under a pillow, but Maya was miserable and would have been much happier with her new noise cancelling earbuds in. Plus the air would have been a bit of good white noise. SIGH. Lessons hopefully learned for future hotel stays.
DeleteThat little boy can't help but have the best childhood. Merry Christmas to all of you!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I was wrapping gifts for our Friendsmas this coming Sunday & found four books I had bought the boys & completely forgotten. I'm putting a note on my calendar to remind me for next year. Ha!
Bug--Thank you. Theo is certainly surrounded by lots of love, and he shows the benefits. If only all children could grow up in the same circumstances.
DeleteLOL re: the forgotten books! I can see how that would happen. If they're not Christmas-themed, you have instant birthday presents.
Merry Christmas Nance!
ReplyDeleteBirchie--Thank you! It has certainly been.
DeleteMerriest of christmases to you! I just woke from a 2 hours nap (which was so needed) to a quiet house as the boys went sledding with dad with their new sleds from Santa!
ReplyDeleteThat rocking horse sounds amazing and like it will be a family heirloom! Theo is getting to such a great age for Christmas and will understand it better this year! Enjoy - and make sure to take your own advice and rest!
Lisa--Thank you. Hooray for a quiet, long nap on Christmas! That's a super gift from your husband.
DeleteThe rocking horse is beautiful. I'll sneak in a short post with a photo soon and talk about our rocking horse days. Yes, it will be an heirloom for sure. Theo loved it, and he was so much fun this year opening each gift himself and being excited about each one (well, not so much the clothes).
Today, the 26th, I am putting on lounging clothes and doing Absolutely Nothing all day except much-needed laundry. (I'm already on my second-string underwear, if you know what I mean!)
It will be a very restful day, I promise.
Merry Christmas, Nance!!! We had the kids last night and early this morning before they rushed off to her parents. I think my favorite Christmas moment this year was that my son got up ridiculously early with me and joined me on my walk. It seems rare these days to have him all to myself for a bit.
ReplyDeleteGigi--Thank you. How wonderful to have that One On One time with your son, and out in Nature to enjoy the fresh air and a walk. It sounds heavenly to me. And grandkids overnight for Christmas morning? Perfect happiness. This Christmas is one to remember for sure, Gigi.
DeleteMerry Christmas, Nance! Congratulations to all the Bringers of Christmas indeed!
ReplyDeleteFiona--Thank you. We did it, all of us, again. Someday, the world will celebrate us and marvel at our accomplishments.
DeleteMerry Christmas my friend! I love the simplicity of buying only for the children, and, of course, the rocking horse will be the most special thing ever. Gunga. :) How I love that name!
ReplyDeleteI hope you were feeling well and you were able to enjoy your amazing family. XOXO Onward and upward.
BB Suz--Thank you, friend. It was a lovely Christmas for us all. The gifts were a hit, and Gunga loved watching Theo open his presents.
DeleteYours had to be quite special as well. I can't wait to read about it. We both have so much to be happy about! XXOO
Hi Nance, I come to you from Lisa's blog, because I saw you were a Browns fan. I guess Lions are my first choice (I'm in Michigan) but this year I think we can compete for losing records. My family is in the Greater Cleveland area so I am a Cavs and Guardians fan too. I enjoyed looking down your blog posts and realize that we may have much in common. But meanwhile, I wish you a happy rest of the holidays. I loved your salute to the holiday makers -- we all deserve a rest and a big one! I will be following your blog from now on. Happy, healthy, safe new year and enjoy the rest of the holidays -- emphasis on the "rest."
ReplyDeleteJeanie--Hello, and welcome to The Dept.! I'm happy to have you here.
DeleteThank you for your kind wishes, and have no worries: I have no plans for today but laundry. The rest of the day will be for much-needed rest, and I hope you can follow suit.
One day, we'll be able to revel in another NBA championship and World Series win. (But they'd better hurry up; I, for one, am not getting any younger!)
Merry Christmas to you and your family! 🎄💜
ReplyDeleteKari--Thank you. We had such a great Christmas Day together. I hope you had the same with your loved ones.
DeleteMerry, merry late Christmas! I am behind reading blogs, but it is fun to see what everyone did, or didn’t do. I love your tree. We did not buy for each other either, really no reason to as we get what we need whenever we want these days.
ReplyDeleteG Sue--Thank you! Christmas is a Season, after all, and not just a Day. I really love my tree this year, too; it's a beacon of light in my living room, and I look at it so often. Usually by now, it's been taken down and everything is stowed away, restoring my home to order and more minimalist tidiness, but this year, I find I want to keep it up longer.
DeleteA beautiful tree and the presents waiting for Theo... My heart! I imagine Theo having many adventures on that rocking horse. No matter how amazing parents are, I think (know) children always benefit by having a trusted uncle or aunt they are close to and can confide in and it sounds like Sam is shaping up to be that person for Theo. Love and blessings to you all!
ReplyDelete(And thank you for that labor-forward message about rest and recovery, Nance. It's very union boss of you! <3)
maya--Jared and Jordan's car was so full when they left that his rocking horse had to be left behind to make the trip home on Sunday. Theo was so exhausted when he left that he didn't notice it until he got home later and asked for his Pa Horsey. He was greatly reassured that it was staying a bit longer at our house and would be coming home soon.
DeleteYes, Sam will be Theo's first BFF. The bond there is strong and reciprocal. It benefits them both so, so much.
LOL "Union Boss"! I guess that could fit. I am very, VERY cognizant of the labour involved in virtually everything, and Christmas is no exception. It really cannot be helped: raised by a steelworkers' union man, member of the teachers' union, and married to a carpenter.
I do hope you are resting, my friend. I know you are in the arms of your family, but you also need to embrace yourself. XOXO
I’m finding a few minutes to read blogs while at Curly’s last tournament game. Between hosting 2 Christmases Coach’s side later this afternoon) and this tournament I have yet to find down time. But the end is in sight. And the party today is Fun-side party- and I am here for it.
ReplyDeleteLove your Christmas tree pic and your plan to buy for Theo only. I hope your day was delightful and relaxing.
Yesterday was The Day- after a long time coming I confronted my sisters about their offensive behavior, so life will be different now, as I don’t think I will ever see them again (willingly). It was quite telling and three of my older kids joined me in the meeting and they were appalled. Friends are the family you choose.
Ernie--It's so good to see you here. I know you are terrifically busy, so I'm flattered that you've prioritized not only your own needs, but that I'm among your choices.
DeleteI completely understand what it took for you to put it all out there to your sisters and set some boundaries. The choice is now theirs as to what they do with the new parameters. Rick and I both have gone through the same thing, sadly, and it's very difficult. As you said, friends fill the spaces quite easily quite often. Sometimes, family forgets that siblings are full-grown adults with real lives; we are not the people they think we are.
That is a splendid tree. We have our usual 'Lanark special' that JG cut just after the first heavy snow. It is actually more symmetrical than usual and has, as well as the ornaments tha the YD put up, stars and icicles added slowly by me. There was a frightening pile of parcels under it on the 25th. And a lot of it was baking, since the grandkid hit the deck running from her program in England and baked about six boxes of goodies for grandpa. And one, that I have secreted, for me. Also chocolate in large quantities. Luckily both sweaters I was given are loose and forgiving. We did have fun. JG thought he had lost the gloves he was given ... until I remembered that they seemed too small and so the daughter took them back to exchange.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fine, fine day with a lot of turkey to cushion the baking (both my pies turned out okay in spite of crust dough that stuck unmercifully to the paper it was rolled out. Into. Sigh.
Your day sounds wonderful and I am looking forward to a snap of the grandpa construction.
Mary--Thank you. I am fond of my tree even though we bowed to the inevitable and got an artificial one a few years back. It was a difficult decision, borne of necessity.
DeleteI am trying to forget about all the chocolate here in my little house. Sugar is not good for my condition, nor is it good for my waistline. I made a few pounds of candy and gave much of it away, but some remains, taunting me. With Rick's help I managed to put out a good spread for Christmas, taking a few days to prepare everything.
Good for you, making pies! I defer to the local pie shop always, unless it is a chicken or turkey pie, which I make myself, but still using a store-bought crust (thank you, Pillsbury). I know my lane and stay well within it.
I shall post a photo of Rick's rocking horse and a little narrative of our side business of selling same. It was so long ago! We were children ourselves.
Solid oak rocking horse is a BALLER gift. I love that Theo and the uncle are smitten with each other - my kids ADORED my husband's middle brother and it was so special when he visited.
ReplyDeleteI go hard until the end of Christmas Eve (which I host any family in town at) and then collapse, and my husband cooks the turkey and my parents make some sides and I just roast Brussels sprouts on Christmas Day. I wore leggings and an Avenger t-shirt and we watched A Muppet's Christmas Carol and it was lovely.
Bibliomama--What a huge undertaking, to host the community for Christmas Eve! Do you do this at your HOUSE?! I can't imagine. I used to host an open house for friends and family, about 30-40 people total, arriving at various times, but yours sounds much bigger. Like you, I'd collapse then. It's A LOT!
DeleteI love A Muppet's Christmas Carol! Rick does not appreciate the true genius of the Muppets, so we don't watch them. Did you watch the Jim Henson documentary (maybe Netflix? Disney+?)? It was fascinating and so inspiring.
The day after Christmas I wore a "lounging outfit", which is one step above pajamas, and a huge cardigan. I barely moved the whole day. It was wonderful.
Merry belated Christmas and a happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteJean--Thank you. It seems impossible that 2026 is so close.
DeleteFeliz navidad y año nuevo, espero que la hayas pasado increíble con tu familia y amigos.
ReplyDeleteAhora te deseo un feliz 2026 que sea lleno de amor y de paz.
Blog de Bea- recomendaciones, animes, juegos & más!.
Bea--Gracias. Te deseo también un feliz y tranquilo Año Nuevo.
DeleteMerry Christmas! A solid oak rocking horse is an amazing gift. I am all in favor of streamlining Christmas gifts for adults but not for the youngest among us.
ReplyDeleteCHM--Thank you. Theo loves it, so that's all we need.
DeleteYou know, we found that we didn't miss exchanging gifts one single bit. We thoroughly enjoyed watching Theo open things, being together, sharing a buffet and mimosas, and generally being a family. It was a terrific Christmas.
Catching up with you, Nance, to wish you a happy and healthy new year!
ReplyDeleteGS--Happy New Year, and may yours be healthy and prosperous, too.
DeleteBack at you Nance! Happy New Year and I hope that your year is starting off well!
ReplyDeleteKyria--Happy New Year to you as well, and I hope you have another rewarding and adventurous one.
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