Saturday, December 26, 2015

Christmas

Here are some pictures from the 23rd, from Christmas Eve, and from Christmas day itself. We had a lot to celebrate this year.
My mom has more Pinterest wins than anyone I know!


The gingerbread house did not get much farther than this. The kit was a fail. Next year we will try royal icing. 

This cranberry bread, which a friend made, was a delicious treat.

The 23rd and 24th were very stormy warm days. The sun came out a few times on Christmas though. 

Present for his Uncle J (Legos!!)

My brother and sister in law's tree. 



Christmas morning. 

I meant to post this yesterday, on Christmas day, but forgot. 




So many reasons to celebrate this year. To be honest, 5 months ago I did not expect to be here during the holiday season. And to be feeling so well. Well, if we are being honest, feeling well in comparison. I had horrible stomach cramps and I ran upstairs to vomit three times during the opening of presents yesterday. Cancer and chemo side effects have great timing.

And here I am. I am venturing out of the house. On Wednesday Brycen and I went to lunch and shopping with a friend! Of course, I am not ready to go out with him one hundred percent solo. I don't know if I ever will be. Going to Biltmore on Tuesday, and shopping on Wednesday and to my brother's on Thursday left me exhausted. The pattern seems to be 3 days of small adventures and 2-3 days of rest. Walking around, especially in jeans, irritates my stoma but I know it is good for my overall health. I said above I am feeling so well, and in comparison to a year ago, or to last July, I truly am, but I have a long way to go.

I have no idea what 2016 will bring, but I stopped living like I am about to die. For the longest time I didn't buy a lot of things because hell, I will use it for a few weeks then my loved ones will have to figure out what to do with it? I have needed a coffee table for over a year now, and I have finally decided yes I am going to get one. (Actually I am  only going to get one IF we move the train table to B's father's house, but that's a different story). I have been living day to day, which is sometimes necessary, but very often it is depressing as hell. So, even though it's a week early, here is the beginning of my goals for 2016:

1. Organize downstairs living area, which also double as Brycen's playroom.
2. Organize my scrapbook supplies
3. Read 50 books
4. Teach Brycen to read
5. Take at least one trip
6. Be more optimistic
7. See Brycen enter pre-k, make him a bagged lunch everyday



Speaking of reading 50 books, I read 36 in 2015 - and haven't read anything in November and December. 36 books in 10 months. I will have a post about it soon. Any recommendations for 2016?

What did you get for Christmas? I received a lovely hat, scarves, mittens, 2 new vests, a fleece - all will do me well in this 75 degree weather! 5 gift cards to Barnes and Noble was a lovely treat. Actually one is from Books a Million. That should help get me started on my 2016 reading. I was also given a paper trimmer for scrapbooking - I will have a post about that soon too.

Brycen's biggest wish was to have the collection of Paw Patrol Pups - we found all but one - oops. And he knew exactly which was missing! He was still a very happy boy.

I hope Santa was good to you too, and I hope your post holidays treat you well.

6 comments:

  1. It sounds like you had a wonderful holiday!

    50 books a year sounds intense. I only read 19, trying to get through 20, which was my goal this year. (Get on goodreads!) I was thinking of having a goal of a book a week but who am I kidding?

    Let's do a virtual book club! At least for some books!

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    1. That sounds great! I think I am going to start 2016 with H is for Hawk. I have heard good things. I have also heard good things about A Man Called Ove, Girls in Trucks, A God in Ruins, Landmarks, Wolf Winter and Americanah. Have you heard of any of these?

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    2. H is for Hawk is on my list too. I started but got sidetracked trying to finish another book. Currently reading The Queen which should be quick. Haven't heard of those other books - I'll check them out. Should we start with H for Hawk...maybe in a couple days?

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  2. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Karen! I am to ashamed to fess up on the number of books I read, so I won't! :-) You had a wonderful Christmas and I am so happy for that! The photo of you and B is beyond adorable! Will pray you continue to feel well! Enjoy that first of fifty book!

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  3. You have set the bar pretty high for reading, but we should all challenge ourselves to be and do the best we can. I am so happy you are feeling well and enjoyed the preparations for Brycen's 4th birthday as well as for Christmas. I think everyone should try to live in the moment the best they can. No one is actually promised tomorrows. We just get used to the thought that there is time for everything and procrastinate doing. At least I do.
    I feel I need an invite, a push, a shove sometimes to follow my dreams. Ain't no one gonna do it but me, so I better stop looking for that perfect moment and just jump in the pool!
    You put so much love into what you do. I appreciate the example that you are for me!
    love you,
    Aunt Patty

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