Merry Christmas - Monday, December 25, 2023

Christmas is here. As is a head cold for DH. Since he had COVID just 3 weeks ago I don't think we need to test for that.

Santa (me) needs to stuff the stockings this morning. I gave up years ago on trying to do it the night before because I was always so tired. Not that it is a big deal as I give the same things every year to my adult children: a couple of gift cards and a snacky food item. The only effort is wrapping them in tissue paper so they fill the stocking.

So my effort in trying to get a prescription for a semaglutide for prediabetes failed. I had sent a note to my PCP about it informing him that my father had type 2 and my brother is also prediabetic. He replied yesterday and said that the only treatment was dietary and insurance won't cover it for prediabetes. So crazy that it would put me in a better health position but Medicare won't cover it.

DD had been incredibly down in the dumps this week because though her boyfriend had said there would be an engagement ring by the end of the year he told her earlier in the week that he wasn't ready. She was sad and disappointed but also angry because she felt that he had been leading her on. Well, her boyfriend apparently was just pulling her leg. He has purchased it and they go to the jewelry store tomorrow to pick it up after making sure the size is right. What a relief! I had a tiny suspicion that he might be doing that but didn't want to add to her angst by suggesting it and potentially fueling her disappointment if it wasn't the case. We are supposed to act surprised when the boyfriend asks if he can marry her today. I'll do my best - maybe the fact that I am so happy about it will help.

Time to do my Santa thing and get cracking on final preparations. No hurry thankfully as arrival time isn't until mid-afternoon. The table is already set and beds for guests made. Just some clutter removal is required. Luckily DS does all the cooking.

Have a Marvelous and Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas all!

Liz, I feel bad for your daughter! Seems kind of mean for him to tease her like that...

We just did stockings this year and even that I didn't do very well. Argh. I feel bad. But need to remember there were years I went lol out and they didn't really get me anything. Still there is that lingering feeling of responsibility to make it a nice Christmas for everyone.

I think Kirby grew overnight.

Anyway, hope you all have a wonderful day!

Kirby is your best gift! I think they grow in spurts after big eating periods.

Quick check in! Diane I did listen to Aretha Franklin. Joy indeed.

I agree CC, that the new fiance didn't need to tease her like that. If he is otherwise good to her, I would chalk it up to the pressure of proposing and trying to make it a surprise.

As I said before, DHs proposal was not very romantic. What is romantic is the way he takes care of our family, and does nice things without my even asking. Examp!e, he switched out the lightbulb in the lamp next to my reading chair, because he thought I needed more light. I hope for your DD Liz, a life of kindness from her soon to be husband. And a wedding to plan, what fun!

DD is not getting better. She will have to skip Christmas at the Grandparents. DS and I will spend the night, DH will drive back because we don't want her to be alone all night. 2 years ago I was super sick at Christmas. I guess it's that time of year.

Merry Christmas everyone!

So sorry DD is so sick. That's a tough way to spend the holidays.

I do think the prospective husband is extremely nervous about the whole thing. He is a very kind young man.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I am having a very unproductive morning. I'm sipping coffee next to the tree, feet up on the ottoman. My Christmas mornings are always low key and peaceful. Ron is off to his third Mass in less than 24 hours.... The duties of a church music director...

Yesterday's very different Christmas Eve was indeed relaxing. I enjoyed not having to prep and cook dinner for the usual 8-12 of us, depending if my niece and her kids come. Gifts were minimal this year, so that was also pleasant and made for little stress. I try to give experiences to BFF, so on Friday we are all heading to San Francisco to a comedy show to see one of our favorite "internet" comedians!

This afternoon we will drive to Sonoma for family Christmas dinner. BFF will join us.

Pups/dogs are all well... if the weather holds pups will be meeting the great outdoors later today!

Yes, Kirby is the best gift!

Liz, DD's fiancee took that one a little too far, IMO. Poor DD! I hope he's otherwise a solid bloke! Sorry DH is sick again!

Greetings all

Merry Christmas! I celebrated by sleeping late. I pretty much do that every day. Even when I was a kid I was not especially eager to get up early on Christmas. But I have now made all the cheese crispies and need to do the spinach side dish. Party starts at two.

DH has actually boxed up and moved some stuff. But I am not sure where it's going. Gotta police this. It's a no go if it just goes from one bedroom to another.

Liz sounds like DD's fiancé was trying to make this into a big deal but resulted in a bit much drama. Hope it's just good intentions of a young person and that the big announcement is fun for all. Make the most of it for sake of DD and all. Sorry for DH head cold. Elderberry zinc lozenges.

DD sorry your daughter is still not well. Good on you for modifying plans for her sake. She needs it. Enjoy the day. I will listen to Mahailia. Glad you liked Aretha.

Peps your day sounds fun. No argument from me on relaxing. And yay for doing "experience" gifts. Thats what most of us need most. Not stuff (unless it can be eaten).

We watched the Hanna Waddinham Christmas special last night. Pretty good. Then a bit of the Mormon choir. We also watched some episodes of a series called Monarch. It's about Godzilla and other monsters. Kind of dumb but tolerable. Godzilla is my favorite monster and I was annoyed when they introduced some other less charismatic monsters.

Pot roast made for another good dinner. Dogs will get some tonight as a christmas treat.

I am craving some really good christmas cookies. Not gonna bake. Maybe this will pass.

Cheers. Diane S

Lordy, nearly set off the fire alarm with searing the beef tenderloin! I hate that this house has no kitchen exhaust! Cheap *******s! The contractor and designer are still trying to figure out how to put one in given the ceiling joists run the wrong way and doing a counter island one would require ripping up the floors and trenching concrete. Who doesn't put a fan in the kitchen?!

Very strange that in such a beautiful home they didn't put in a kitchen fan. We had one home with a Jenn-Air stove which vented under the floor. When we redid the kitchen we replaced it with a newer Jenn-Air so we wouldn't have to redo the exhaust system.