Well will life ever return to normal? Each year I make a promise.... "Next year, we will have a quieter Christmas"... however, it always develops into a major event... I tell you I could get a job at one of those large events with all the experience I've had over the years.
For my friends overseas, our Christmas is usually hot and held outside. The gazebo was ready, with fancy cushions on the seats. The porch seat was inviting, Keith scrubbed the BBQ and all was ready.... it rained.!!!!
Now I had set the table inside too. Pink roses set the scene for the Christmas table. The theme was Toile this year... pink of course. However, I just set the table... I wasn't actually planning on using it!!!...really!!! The troops spill red wine and gravy and stuff. Ha, Oh well, the best laid plans. We used the table inside and shifted furniture, the boys hoisted in another table and we all sat down to a huge meal.
Now Dear Daughter Callie decided to make seafood paella for an entree. I kept out of the kitchen, and the paella was a hit. However, I collapsed in a heap when I went into the kitchen and saw the mess... It took half an hour to clean before I could find the bench to serve the meal on.... honey, I love you and cook supremo you are, but I need to give you a few more housekeeping lessons.
The weather cleared and the afternoon and evening was spent outside. 35 people, five dogs, a noisy motor bike Christmas present, too much food, very loud music and a little overindulgence by some of the family and the day finally came to an end...
The dishwasher ran overtime and we spent the next day in sheer exhaustion...
Now back to the shed. Yesterday 3 gals arrived to take a casual class. In fact they worked on a new class I have delveloped. I was rapt at what they achieved. So were their disbelieving husbands when they arrived for BBQ dinner. The temperature was in the high 30's (100's) and it was a hot day... around 7.00pm the wind blew a gale and dust settled on everything...
Just as we were about the eat... it rained. So the set table got used again...
That's it, I've cleared the table, even the flowers went and you guessed it the weather has been great today, but then again, the company has gone too.
Work wise I completed my yearly printed diary. It ran to 187 pages, either I did a lot this year or I have improved my typing skills. I have to update the web page and finish 4 projects on the go. Tomorrow is shopping and planning and the weather will be super.
And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
It came without ribbons. It came without tags.
It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
~ Dr. Seuss
