The ghosts of Christmas past have visited again. I've just returned from Mason's walk along Fremont Street -- right alongside the Rose City Cemetery in Northeast Portland. It's not unusual for me to stare through the fence at the grave stones...thinking and wondering....I'm just that kind of guy. And tonight is deliciously cold. Perfectly clear with a strong possibility of fog. I checked out the stars above and I always take a moment to enjoy the amazing color of the sky after the sun has set.
And we're alone, Mason and I, until hubby arrives in a few hours from his working trip. And it's not unusual for me to be reflective during alone times. I've been considering the many Christmas Eves, year after year, that we spent at my grandmother's home in south Boise along with every other possible family member living nearby. There would be about 30 of us complete with a table of sliced ham for sandwiches, potato salad, a giant green salad with Fritos on it, and baked beans. Great Aunt Ruth would have made what seemed like a million Santa Claus cookies for each person. And my father would drive us slowly through downtown Boise on the trip back home -- so that we could look at the department store windows with their displays and decorations. Christmas morning would find us in our pajamas, cavorting and frolicking around the living room and tree. My mother always having prepared a special holiday breakfast for us. I swear, my parents took the best care of us. I miss my dad on days like this. And I am highly aware of the nearing of the end of my mother's life. It makes me sad. I miss those days.
But tonight, happily, my lover will be home -- in the city and home that we love. We may go to our favorite late-night Christmas Eve service at a beautiful old church in downtown Portland complete with top-notch organ music and followed by everyone going outside onto the nearly-deserted streets to sing Christmas carols at midnight. Mason will be with us, of course. And tomorrow brings ten of our favorite friends and family over to share the holiday with us. We'll dine on spiral sliced ham, roasted pork tenderloin, brussel sprouts roasted with walnuts, garlic green beans, scalloped potatoes, and some delicious dessert. And it will be all better. The ghosts will be gone. Until some other memory prompts their soon return to my head.
Merry Christmas -- to friends and loved ones -- those we see frequently and those who we may never have the opportunity to meet. For those who put up with me, for those who love me and have stood next to me, I thank you. I wish you the best Christmas ever.
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Where In the World Is the Cheer?
Is there any particular reason why I'm short $300 that I didn't have to spend in the first place in only a few short hours this morning? Oh yeah, groceries, a ham for Christmas, trip to Target and the liquor store. I've been on a very long six-day trip which set me down in such faraway ports as Los Angeles, Seattle multiple times, San Diego, Denver, and Dallas. I have today off, and then work the next three. And today is totally filled with errands, shopping (alas, I'm minus the aforementioned funds), we have appointments the remainder of the day and I work tomorrow. I haven't read any blogs in a week. I haven't posted here in a week. I haven't been to yoga in months. The gym hasn't seen my sweat in numerous months, either. My presence on Facebook has been pretty limited -- umm, except for that little post on Saturday evening about my watching the Glenn Beck Christmas Special on Fox News. Yeah, bitch, there's a good time. My sleep is fitful. I've been having headaches for several months now. I'm wondering why not everyone who is invited to Christmas dinner RSVPs when they are asked too -- I mean, if I'd been invited to a free Christmas dinner, I'd respond...right? I have a bad attitude and really don't have much cheer in my stocking. I've been trying to drum up some yummy childhood memories to relive with you here. But, they just aren't there. Nothing is coming to me. So, that's it. Merry Christmas for those celebrating. Well, it's Christmas anyway -- whether you celebrate it or not, really.
PS -- I haven't even brushed my teeth or taken a shower today and have been out in public! It's now 1pm.
PS -- I haven't even brushed my teeth or taken a shower today and have been out in public! It's now 1pm.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
We Dun Been Ta Church......
We Dun Been Ta Church..... having experienced an energetic Portland tradition last night for the first time, we joined our good friends Alex and Paul at the Oregon Symphony's Gospel Christmas program at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland. What a great time of year to be in any city's downtown area -- with the shoppers, sparkling cold winter nights, and everyone in warm coats, stylish hats, and finger-warming gloves made in China.
We stopped first for Happy Hour at another place we'd not been to yet (you'd think we lived under a rock, for god's sake). Saucebox. A very trendy, cool place filled with sexy wait staff in black t-shirts. Sweet potato spring rolls, spicy cold Chinese noodles, onion burgers, and edamame. Oh, and liquid too -- Sidecars! Then it was off for a leisurely stroll up Portland's trademark downtown street....Broadway. Past the historic Benson Hotel and it's annual giant Christmas gingerbread house and pretty lobby tree, through Nordstrom for expensive lip balm for dry cracked winter lips worn out from kissing, into Banana Republic where I did my best to chat up a nice young salesman, a breeze through Columbia Sportswear's flagship store in which I found no shortage of expensive things I wanted, a quick stop for dessert at Flying Elephant's Deli where I looked for my friend Stephen, and finally to the concert hall.
What the concert lacked in traditional Christmas-type music, it more than made up for in its energy and enthusiasm. The hundred or so vocalists are from quite a number of local churches and provided a performance that would rock anybody's world. They've been doing this with the Oregon Symphony for 11 years now. It was filled with the spice that lacks in many of the circles that I run in -- good old fashioned gospel Christmas music complete with hand-raising, foot-stomping, and worshiping. Praising and hand waving and standing up in appreciation and honor. It was clear that the four of us gays were like fish out of water. Although I did spot a few other typically Portland types -- sort of au natural, funky-hat-wearing, gray-haired, Subaru-driving, recycling sort of folks. I kept saying to myself, "I love this concert but I don't really fit in with the audience." Weird, but true. Everyone looked conservative. And I had to stop counting the number of fake-blonde-bottle-jobs I saw (are their any white women that don't have their hair colored nowadays??). I kept overhearing people around us talking about "praying for this or that," or "what a good job the Lord gave me." And the cross! The giant gold cross that gentle nestled itself between the aging breasts of the mid-50s woman in the top, center row of the chorus -- it kept catching the rays of spotlights just so and beaming itself right into my eye. But I'm just that way. I like things that are out of my element or activities that I'm not typically a part of. Sort of expanding my four walls in that way. It's good for us. To see how the other side lives.
So, it was a blast. A wild, rockin' explosive time of blues combined with gospel backed up with a full symphony and all done in a holiday sort of way.
We stopped first for Happy Hour at another place we'd not been to yet (you'd think we lived under a rock, for god's sake). Saucebox. A very trendy, cool place filled with sexy wait staff in black t-shirts. Sweet potato spring rolls, spicy cold Chinese noodles, onion burgers, and edamame. Oh, and liquid too -- Sidecars! Then it was off for a leisurely stroll up Portland's trademark downtown street....Broadway. Past the historic Benson Hotel and it's annual giant Christmas gingerbread house and pretty lobby tree, through Nordstrom for expensive lip balm for dry cracked winter lips worn out from kissing, into Banana Republic where I did my best to chat up a nice young salesman, a breeze through Columbia Sportswear's flagship store in which I found no shortage of expensive things I wanted, a quick stop for dessert at Flying Elephant's Deli where I looked for my friend Stephen, and finally to the concert hall.
What the concert lacked in traditional Christmas-type music, it more than made up for in its energy and enthusiasm. The hundred or so vocalists are from quite a number of local churches and provided a performance that would rock anybody's world. They've been doing this with the Oregon Symphony for 11 years now. It was filled with the spice that lacks in many of the circles that I run in -- good old fashioned gospel Christmas music complete with hand-raising, foot-stomping, and worshiping. Praising and hand waving and standing up in appreciation and honor. It was clear that the four of us gays were like fish out of water. Although I did spot a few other typically Portland types -- sort of au natural, funky-hat-wearing, gray-haired, Subaru-driving, recycling sort of folks. I kept saying to myself, "I love this concert but I don't really fit in with the audience." Weird, but true. Everyone looked conservative. And I had to stop counting the number of fake-blonde-bottle-jobs I saw (are their any white women that don't have their hair colored nowadays??). I kept overhearing people around us talking about "praying for this or that," or "what a good job the Lord gave me." And the cross! The giant gold cross that gentle nestled itself between the aging breasts of the mid-50s woman in the top, center row of the chorus -- it kept catching the rays of spotlights just so and beaming itself right into my eye. But I'm just that way. I like things that are out of my element or activities that I'm not typically a part of. Sort of expanding my four walls in that way. It's good for us. To see how the other side lives.
So, it was a blast. A wild, rockin' explosive time of blues combined with gospel backed up with a full symphony and all done in a holiday sort of way.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Twas the Week Before Christmas, And All Through The House
Another wintry weekend in store...but at least it's finally the first day of actual winter rather than fall....now that's a switch. I see that much of our nation is under the gun with winter in full swing. There are feet of snow coming down by the hour in the Cascade Range to our East and the Oregon Coastal Range to our West. Portland is nearly at sea level....our house is at about 250 feet. We escape some storms with simple driving rain. Other times, we get hammered with severe wind and ice. It's always a crap shoot.
Today was a trip to Las Vegas and back for me....complete with a lovely lady dressed to the hilt and sipping on Courvoisier. There was nothing unusual until she proceeded to stand in the center aisle of an airplane on a mobile phone conversation and dive into the language of a truck driver. There she stood in her pretty little hat, beautiful hair cascading out from under the hat, and her potty mouth in full swing. And loud, may I add. Did it matter than 150 other people stood within spitting distance of her? Um, no, not so much. I'd have spit on her but I don't waste my hard-earned spit on trash (well, sometimes I do...but that's a whole other bottle of wine). I'd call her classy...except that it'd be a lie.
We've got an amazingly full Saturday planned.....up at 03:40am for a trip to San Jose and back. Then coffee with our former neighbors, a follow-up trip for hubby to the eye doctor regarding his new contact lenses, then drinks at Crush for a friend's 39th birthday party (yeah, right, sure you're 39), and then a trip to his home for some coconut cake concocted from the recipe files of Ms. Paula Deen (um, yeah, like that's on my list of eatable treats....I've asked for unadorned carrot and celery sticks to be served....on a silver tray).
Christmas Eve will bring work in the morning followed by some sort of delicious meal at our house during the dinner hour with my recently widowed mother in law. Following dinner we'll listen to my brother in law's radio program from San Luis Obispo, California, streaming on the WWW. Late night Christmas Eve will bring one of our favorite activities of the year -- an organ concert on the GIANT pipe organ at a church that we occasionally attend followed by a traditional candlelight service and then singing of carols outside in downtown Portland at midnight. Christmas morning will be spent with just the three of us, pick mommy in law up around noon, dinner at our house at 3pm, and then maybe a movie on the TV. Friday is completely filled up with preparations for the trip outlined in the next paragraph.
We're getting very excited for our trip to Albany, New York, next Saturday the 27th to see our buddy Sean and his hubby. I've met these two handsome and polite men....my honey has not. it's the first time we've ever gone away during the holidays. It snowed in Albany all day today....I hope the roads keep clear for their trip to Boston to retrieve us from the airport next Saturday afternoon. Hats and gloves will be packed.
I've been reading about many of you who are just not quite in the spirit this year (whatever that really means). It's amazing to me how much emphasis is put, and money spent, on one single solitary day on the calendar each year. And, I must add, that I feel differently this year than ever before. Not necessarily sad or depressed or any of that. But different. Low key. Subdued. Which is good for me. We've been putting tons of emphasis on the gym and yoga....and that's one of the greatest holiday gifts ever to ourselves. And our trip to Albany will be a heck of a way to ring in the New Year. But as far as the traditional buying/spending/eating/partying scene, we're not delving into it this year....thankfully. I just can't support the commercialism, the hype, the emotions and everything behind it. I stick with what I know.....my home, my honey, my pooch, my friends, my family, simplicity, no drama, easy and good times. To celebrate with those near you should happen daily, year round. Not on one day a year. And I don't find anything compelling about spending hundreds of dollars on people when I don't have it and they don't need it. There's nothing good about that. So, I search easily for happiness in my life. And I have it. Very much so. So, there's not much else that could possibly be put under a Christmas tree that would have any more redeeming qualities than that.
Today was a trip to Las Vegas and back for me....complete with a lovely lady dressed to the hilt and sipping on Courvoisier. There was nothing unusual until she proceeded to stand in the center aisle of an airplane on a mobile phone conversation and dive into the language of a truck driver. There she stood in her pretty little hat, beautiful hair cascading out from under the hat, and her potty mouth in full swing. And loud, may I add. Did it matter than 150 other people stood within spitting distance of her? Um, no, not so much. I'd have spit on her but I don't waste my hard-earned spit on trash (well, sometimes I do...but that's a whole other bottle of wine). I'd call her classy...except that it'd be a lie.
We've got an amazingly full Saturday planned.....up at 03:40am for a trip to San Jose and back. Then coffee with our former neighbors, a follow-up trip for hubby to the eye doctor regarding his new contact lenses, then drinks at Crush for a friend's 39th birthday party (yeah, right, sure you're 39), and then a trip to his home for some coconut cake concocted from the recipe files of Ms. Paula Deen (um, yeah, like that's on my list of eatable treats....I've asked for unadorned carrot and celery sticks to be served....on a silver tray).
Christmas Eve will bring work in the morning followed by some sort of delicious meal at our house during the dinner hour with my recently widowed mother in law. Following dinner we'll listen to my brother in law's radio program from San Luis Obispo, California, streaming on the WWW. Late night Christmas Eve will bring one of our favorite activities of the year -- an organ concert on the GIANT pipe organ at a church that we occasionally attend followed by a traditional candlelight service and then singing of carols outside in downtown Portland at midnight. Christmas morning will be spent with just the three of us, pick mommy in law up around noon, dinner at our house at 3pm, and then maybe a movie on the TV. Friday is completely filled up with preparations for the trip outlined in the next paragraph.
We're getting very excited for our trip to Albany, New York, next Saturday the 27th to see our buddy Sean and his hubby. I've met these two handsome and polite men....my honey has not. it's the first time we've ever gone away during the holidays. It snowed in Albany all day today....I hope the roads keep clear for their trip to Boston to retrieve us from the airport next Saturday afternoon. Hats and gloves will be packed.
I've been reading about many of you who are just not quite in the spirit this year (whatever that really means). It's amazing to me how much emphasis is put, and money spent, on one single solitary day on the calendar each year. And, I must add, that I feel differently this year than ever before. Not necessarily sad or depressed or any of that. But different. Low key. Subdued. Which is good for me. We've been putting tons of emphasis on the gym and yoga....and that's one of the greatest holiday gifts ever to ourselves. And our trip to Albany will be a heck of a way to ring in the New Year. But as far as the traditional buying/spending/eating/partying scene, we're not delving into it this year....thankfully. I just can't support the commercialism, the hype, the emotions and everything behind it. I stick with what I know.....my home, my honey, my pooch, my friends, my family, simplicity, no drama, easy and good times. To celebrate with those near you should happen daily, year round. Not on one day a year. And I don't find anything compelling about spending hundreds of dollars on people when I don't have it and they don't need it. There's nothing good about that. So, I search easily for happiness in my life. And I have it. Very much so. So, there's not much else that could possibly be put under a Christmas tree that would have any more redeeming qualities than that.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas
What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace -- Agnes M. Pharo
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful -- Norman Vincent Peale
Friday, December 21, 2007
Merry Chrismas to Each of You
It's finally arrived...the big holiday weekend with all of its crazed shopping, super-sized commercialism, families that we may not even be friends with if the truth were known, stressed out drivers on the road, and naughty (in a bad way) people that Santa wouldn't even consider being nice to. You know, it's been a hell of a year around here....as with many of you. I guess that's life, isn't it -- ups and downs. Cycles. Seasons. Happiness. Sadness. They all blend together in some twisted sort of a picture to make what we call life. And it's ours....our life. We can hook our name on it and live it. I'm trying to laugh at troubles and kick bad vibes and attitudes out the back door. I just plain old don't need 'em any more. And you know, my family is on my brain over and over throughout the days. Wondering. Wishing. Waiting. I keep hearing these sappy seasonal songs with great lyrics that make me cry. I find myself staring into space.
As this year draws to a close, I am thankful for all of you, my good friends....and you are...you can count on that. I need you. I trust you. Hey, how about this: Let's look for peace where there is none. And if you have any extra, pass it around. Let's stare down trouble and give it the evil eye. And if you don't have any troubles, maybe put a warm hand on the shoulders of those of us who do. We'd appreciate it. And let's pray and trust for brighter days ahead, my confidants. Okay with you? I wish you each a beautiful holiday....whatever you celebrate, whatever you believe. Who cares. Unification and having one voice never comes from finger pointing, name calling, and thin-skinned attitudes. From my house and heart to yours, Merry Christmas. And a very happy Ho Ho Ho.
Here's How Our Weekend Is Lining Up:
Friday: Our good friends, and neighbors, Todd, Linda and Patrick, are coming down for Southwest Lasagne and a yummy delicious new salad that I've found.
Saturday: Honey and me are going to do something Christmassy....is that a word?
Sunday: Church, lunch with a pilot friend Stevein the early afternoon, open house at our neighbor's at 5pm, and then dessert open house at James and Bill's house at 7pm.
Monday: Cooking up dinner and taking it to my in-laws at 4pm; appetizers and drinks at Jan and Mike's loft in The Pearl District at 7:30; late night Christmas Eve service at church at 10pm...finished by going outside at midnight and singing songs in the cold darkness. I can hardly wait.....it's one of our favorite Christmas traditions.
Tuesday: Open a few small gifts around our tree; brunch at Alex and Paul's at 11; dinner at Alan's with other friends at 3:30pm.
Are you worn out yet? Hope yours is a happy one too.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
However You Say It, I Hope For It
I don't care how you say it, what language or sentiment is behind it, I wish for it. Hope for it. I hope you'll join me in spreading it. My thanks to you and amazingly great wishes to you for a great holiday. Thanks for being my blogger buddies! Peace.
Pax (Spanish) Shantih (Hindi) Shalom (Hebrew) Mir (Russian)
Paix (French) Vrede (Dutch) Frieden (German)
Heiwa (Japanese) Pace (Italian) Irini (Greek) Paz (Portuguese)
Su Thai Binh (Vietnamese) Hetep (Egyptian) Hau (Tahitian)
Fred (Swedish and Norwegian) Sidi (Tibetan) Salaam (Arabic)
Let justice join with peace
Redeeming the whole wide earth
All humankind stands up
Affirming their rightful worth
So raise each voice, let the world rejoice
When each soul is whole and free
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
(New words by Ed Segel)
Pax (Spanish) Shantih (Hindi) Shalom (Hebrew) Mir (Russian)
Paix (French) Vrede (Dutch) Frieden (German)
Heiwa (Japanese) Pace (Italian) Irini (Greek) Paz (Portuguese)
Su Thai Binh (Vietnamese) Hetep (Egyptian) Hau (Tahitian)
Fred (Swedish and Norwegian) Sidi (Tibetan) Salaam (Arabic)
Let justice join with peace
Redeeming the whole wide earth
All humankind stands up
Affirming their rightful worth
So raise each voice, let the world rejoice
When each soul is whole and free
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
(New words by Ed Segel)
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Holiday Cheer At Its Finest
I'm telling you, there's just nothing like getting together with the perfect family at the holidays. Fragrant pine tree is up, decorations just so, lights wound properly around each branch, hot cocoa, presents by the gazillion piled up deep under the tree, normally crazy kids all well behaved with their stockings hung on the mantle, and parents on their best behavior. Yummy food being baked and devoured at rates only kin to the $$$ we're spending on the silliness in Iraq and other places. And did I mention the pretty little angel perched ever so carefully on the top of the tree with the pine branch poking up her skirt? Listen carefully as I describe this totally whacked out father's true Christmas spirit being displayed so preciously with his two six-year-olds:
Son: But, daddy, I want more presents! The kid is crying and slobbering all over the place. Spoiled rotten little brat.
Father: Now if you don't drop it right now, you're going to lose two more presents! Ouch, not two MORE.
Son: I want more candy, daddy! (Sounds just like me at home....but I only take candy from them if they're cute.)
Father: Don't be such a little boy! (Earth to papa....the dude is, maybe, six.......)
Son is still crying, still stomping, pouting, and yelling........God, it's sickening (couldn't daddy have kept his pee-pee in his pants....this kind of thing wouldn't happen if he had).
Father: Okay, that's it, now you're losing THREE presents! Oh god, not THREE presents....I can't believe he was ever going to get THREE presents.....I think the kid needs a kick in the ass.
Okay, the kid's going to have nothing under the tree if this keeps up. Boo hoo. The tears are welling up in my eyes.
The holiday cheer just continues to mounts.
Son: But, daddy, I want more presents! The kid is crying and slobbering all over the place. Spoiled rotten little brat.
Father: Now if you don't drop it right now, you're going to lose two more presents! Ouch, not two MORE.
Son: I want more candy, daddy! (Sounds just like me at home....but I only take candy from them if they're cute.)
Father: Don't be such a little boy! (Earth to papa....the dude is, maybe, six.......)
Son is still crying, still stomping, pouting, and yelling........God, it's sickening (couldn't daddy have kept his pee-pee in his pants....this kind of thing wouldn't happen if he had).
Father: Okay, that's it, now you're losing THREE presents! Oh god, not THREE presents....I can't believe he was ever going to get THREE presents.....I think the kid needs a kick in the ass.
Okay, the kid's going to have nothing under the tree if this keeps up. Boo hoo. The tears are welling up in my eyes.
The holiday cheer just continues to mounts.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Christmas Cookie Disaster
Sunset Magazine December issue made the Frosted Ginger Cookies look so yummy....and the Cornmeal-Fennel cookies too. After three trips to the grocery store over the last few days, I thought we were all set to make them on this, the day we set aside to "get in the spirit" by making a few cookies. (Let's just say that we did, indeed, get into the spirit.....which spirit, I'm not sure....but, oh yea, we're in the spirit alright.) Should we double the recipe? We went back and forth on that a few times.....I was running back and forth to him with the ingredients, he was measuring and mixing. So, the first batch goes in the hot oven. You can see the results in the first and second picture that he's holding up for god and country to see. It's crap. (Damn that Paula Deen...she always makes it look so easy.) We left out a cup of flour. (I love the art of cooking.....I never did get very good grades in science.) They are flatter than pancakes and all ran together. Second round, we'll be OK, we decided. We'll just space them further apart so they don't run together. Should we re-grease the pan--no, it's got enough on it. You should have seen me down on my knees on the kitchen floor, spatula in hand, trying to get the second batch dislodged from the cookie sheet. Straight into the waiting trash can. Cornmeal-fennel cookies are in the refrigerator now waiting to be baked after the dough chills. We move onto the last recipe from the Food Network. We thought we may actually have one of these recipes work out. But, alas, not so much. I put the Baker's semisweet chocolate in a dish and into the microwave to melt. I think when we saw the black smoke coming out of the middle of the chocolate we knew there was trouble. "Just scoop out the burned part," he says to me. Um hum. Sure, I'll just do that. It all went straight into the disposer and down the drain. So, we have this nifty little bottle of semisweet dark chocolate syrup used for ice cream. It's been in the refrigerator for a while....and has now been drizzled across the top of the Orange Nut Bars (picture three). They may actually be edible. This is why I don't bake. Way too much science involved. I mean, I'm a good cook and can whip up an amazing meal for dinner. But screw the baking thing. I'll leave it to Homer and Adam. Let's go to their places for dessert.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Snow, Fake Trees, Snoring, and (No) Sex
The frozen white specks from the cold winter sky have (sort of) arrived. For those of us in Portland, it usually doesn't happen when it's forecast too....and always does when no one expects it. It's not a rarity here but really doesn't happen that much. So for 20 beautiful minutes yesterday afternoon, it came down. Right after the snap-crackle-pop appointment with my D.O. And a little after 5 this morning, it happened again....stuck just enough to be beautiful. Supposed to fly to a meeting this morning but it was cancelled. Even more snow in Seattle than in Portland. We just plain old don't handle it well....roads are a mess, people freak out and don't know how to drive on it. So, I think the (fake, plastic, made in China) tree is going up this morning. But first it has to be pulled out of its little cardboard box, complete with handle attached. It's in the basement now. We've finished a pot of coffee (Coffee Mate eggnog creamer, of course). Time to light the proverbial firecracker under our ass and get going. Last year, we waited so long that it was nearly past spring break by the time the tree went up. What is it about growing older that takes the excitement and steam out of holidays and other special days. Honestly, sometimes it's so ho-hum. We don't do gifts for either family any longer which is one of the smartest decisions we've made in recent years. Hell, what else do I need? Except for a new spine and neck, the ability to sleep through the night undisturbed, and a little less shimmer on the balding spot at the top of my head (I hear that jock itch powder can take the shine away.)
Last night he popped a couple of NyQuil night time tablets because he hasn't been feeling well. After we climbed into our warm bed and slithered underneath the down comforter, he started putting Vick's vapo-rub under his nose (to help him breathe better). He had already squirted Astelin up his nose to clear things up "up there." And now, the crowning glory, he opens up a new box of Breathe Right Strips from Walgreen's. You see, we've been fighting this snoring thing lately.....and we're pulling out all of the stops to get it nipped. So, with one of us trying to read the tiny-tiny instructions on the box, and with him holding the sticky side of the nose strip hovered precariously above his snout, he lowers the thing into place.....perfectly. And I start to sort of fool around a little. You know, running my cold hands down under the covers thing. And he turns to me and says (with all of the sweetness and smiles that he's known for): "Oh yea, just wait until I've taken my night time medication, squirted Astelin up my nose, smeared Vick's under my nose, and hooked a plastic strip to the top of my nose and then try to fool with me......Not Tonight." We both laughed, pulled the comforter up around our necks, and went to sleep....spooning together just like a perfect fit. Ah, who needs fooling around anyway? Oh, there was not a snore all night......my gosh, how could there have been?
I'm really thankful for the blogosphere opening up for me and being able to meet so many new people around the world. It's been a month right now since I started blogging. To all of you who have posted, commented, and emailed, thank you so much. You're awesome. I really enjoy hearing from you.
And now, off to make another pot of coffee and put the tree up! Happy, safe, and warm journeys to you all today.
Last night he popped a couple of NyQuil night time tablets because he hasn't been feeling well. After we climbed into our warm bed and slithered underneath the down comforter, he started putting Vick's vapo-rub under his nose (to help him breathe better). He had already squirted Astelin up his nose to clear things up "up there." And now, the crowning glory, he opens up a new box of Breathe Right Strips from Walgreen's. You see, we've been fighting this snoring thing lately.....and we're pulling out all of the stops to get it nipped. So, with one of us trying to read the tiny-tiny instructions on the box, and with him holding the sticky side of the nose strip hovered precariously above his snout, he lowers the thing into place.....perfectly. And I start to sort of fool around a little. You know, running my cold hands down under the covers thing. And he turns to me and says (with all of the sweetness and smiles that he's known for): "Oh yea, just wait until I've taken my night time medication, squirted Astelin up my nose, smeared Vick's under my nose, and hooked a plastic strip to the top of my nose and then try to fool with me......Not Tonight." We both laughed, pulled the comforter up around our necks, and went to sleep....spooning together just like a perfect fit. Ah, who needs fooling around anyway? Oh, there was not a snore all night......my gosh, how could there have been?
I'm really thankful for the blogosphere opening up for me and being able to meet so many new people around the world. It's been a month right now since I started blogging. To all of you who have posted, commented, and emailed, thank you so much. You're awesome. I really enjoy hearing from you.
And now, off to make another pot of coffee and put the tree up! Happy, safe, and warm journeys to you all today.
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