“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.”
I am much like the tide, ebbing and flowing. Today I made it to the kitchen with barely a moan. I believe I am experiencing a foreshadowing of my old age. When I wake up, I am stiff and my foot and leg hurt so getting up is a chore, but once I grit my teeth and bear it, I am far more mobile and capable. I made it to the kitchen today to clean up and change my clothes. I feel like a new woman. The guys are still working on the house on the last side, which happens to be a wall in this room, but I was so tired I slept through the pounding until 11:30; however, I don’t see a nap on the horizon. I guess I’ll have to let all those Hallmark Christmas movies lull me to sleep.
It’s cold. My friends brought me a bit of Christmas greenery, and I could feel the cold coming off it. Right now it is all the Christmas my house has. Usually by now the halls are decked and I’m tra la laing, but this is a different Christmas. Downstairs are boxes of gifts I never got to catalog so my family will celebrate Little Christmas when my boxes arrive, and my friends will be here for dinner and presents and music and cheer.
My town used to put strings of lights across Main Street. They were wrapped in colored tinsel which in daylight had seen far too many Christmas times but were still magical at night. They made the street glow in red and green and yellow. The fire station was outlined in colored lights, those big bulbs we all used to have. Santa with his bag of toys was climbing the fire tower. The churches all had creches outside waiting for the babe’s arrival. Some of the stores were decorated while others had scenes made from that white stuff you could buy to decorate windows. Our house had orange bulbs most years. The bushes in front were bright with colored lights.
Yesterday my neighbors lit up their bushes. They use all white lights. As for me, I’m still partial to the colored lights. They always bring me back to my childhood.
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
December 6, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Every post you make is like a lil’ Christmas gift to us all out here. Glad that you are on the mend and not fretting too much about what isn’t finished. This will be a Christmas of gratitude for tiny things.
xoxoxoxoxox
December 6, 2010 at 8:55 pm
splendid,
Today was a really good day with a tough middle, but here I am on my feet, more or less, again. I have to use a walker so I’m practicing for my old age.
December 6, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Christmas is in the heart. I spent the day in the village where I grew up. I had lunch with my beloved Uncle Paul at the Brewery. In the kitchen of his maisonette he has the Tottenham mug on display that I bought him 20 years ago when the two of us went to the Lane. I could cry.
I saw Dan and his Mum, I have known Dan since I was 11 and spent many hours with his family. His Mum sort of remembered me through her 90 years and then had moments of clarity as her mist lifted for a while.some days are very special and this was one of them. Christmas is in the heart and so are special days like today
December 6, 2010 at 8:58 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I woke up and knew it was a good day. For the first time in a while I felt optimistic and was filled with all sorts of plans for getting the house cleaned and the lights on outside. I felt the season when my friends brought me greens so my room can smell of fir and Christmas. Today is a special day indeed.
December 6, 2010 at 3:20 pm
My old town decorated in much the same way 🙂 But they also had huge crowns hanging in the air with lots of light bulbs in them (always white, never colored). They replaced those crowns this year with new ones made in aluminum and with smaller halogen lamps. They shine much brighter but saves a lot of energy. A couple of the old crowns were auctioned away 🙂
You have more christmas at Your place than I have here 🙂 The only thing I have so far is the advent candlestick. I haven´t even put up the Star of Advent yet. I´m getting lazier for every year. But I do sing christmas songs 🙂
I´m glad that You do feel better! But take it easy! I know how You want to get better fast, I´ve been there 🙂
Take care my friend!
Christer.
December 6, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Christer,
One of the guys working on the house puts up my outside Christmas lights, and he has already agreed to put them up as soon as the house shingles are done. My whole family just wants me to get better and that is enough for me. I learned the hard way last week that I have to slow down. I hurt myself this morning after everything I did and rested all afternoon. This will be the last of my sitting up activities.
December 6, 2010 at 4:40 pm
It’s like waking from the dead my dear Kat. No routine yet? It’s killing us checking in all the time and no Kat, no Coffee, guess I’ll have to buy my own. Hope you are doing better. It’s fun to see what neighbors come up with for their Christmas celebrations. My neighbor to the south put up a lovely string of snowflake lights from garage to pool screening. It really does look like it’s snowing over there. Keep those pain killers coming.
December 6, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Z&Me,
Some days I just can’t get on my feet even with the help of the walker. It is very difficult for me to sit here for too long. Today is my best day so far. I gave been able to be up twice. My laptop is in the shop or I would publish more often.
I miss writing and I miss all of your comments. I’ve been readjusting my head to accept that this will be a different Christmas, but it won’t be any less festive.
I do have the consolation that I have learned new ways to contort my body so I can get off the couch. I’m figuring I can supplement my retirement.
December 6, 2010 at 9:38 pm
i’m with you on the colorful christmas lights!!! who needs a ‘tasteful christmas’?…esp here in the snowy midwest we really need the color. the more, the better!
December 8, 2010 at 11:24 am
Greg,
My lights will go up this weekend, and I’ll hobble out on my walker to see them. I can hardly wait!!
December 6, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Good to learn that you’re up and about. All the best!
December 8, 2010 at 11:25 am
Thanks, Michal
December 7, 2010 at 7:08 am
I am wondering if you were expecting that your recovery would be like this? I hope there is improvement each day and that Christmas is still joyful for you.
December 8, 2010 at 11:27 am
Cuidado,
No one mentioned the sciatica. The actual surgery site never hurt after the second day. This other pain was totally unexpected. My surgeon told me nerves don’t like being toyed with, and this is their reaction. It will take time, but how much is in question.
December 7, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Hi Kat,
Glad to see you are coming along well. It is irritating when our bodies don’t live up to our expectations but don’t push it.
Our town has put some lights on the bandstand and had their Holiday Stroll. Santa has shown up. Perhaps the candy canes are on the light poles as well. So far I have only put up a door decoration and purchased a spruce smelling candle to assist my fake tree which is still in the box. You are way ahead of me.
Merry Christmas!
December 8, 2010 at 11:29 am
Hi Caryn,
I am so frustrated at this point, but I do have the morning get me up to a science with the yanking and pulling and grabbing. I suppose I should be glad of that. I feel like my life is in italics as I sit sideways when I’m up.
I ordered some on line so I’m doing something and I’m glad of it.
December 7, 2010 at 11:41 pm
I’ve been reading you for over a year now and it’s become part of my life. Take this as a Get Well card because things just aren’t the same without your daily words, music, photos and calming view of the world. My day is always brighter after reading your blog.
December 8, 2010 at 11:29 am
Jane,
Thanks so much! I’ve been disobeying the nurse by being on line so long, but I can’t help it. I’m aiming for every other day.