Wordless Wednesday

 

And December Goes On...

Sunday the 7th, my back started to act up and by Monday the 8th, I was in full blown pain.  I have osteoporosis of the spine and every now and then I forget and twist or bend or help put up a Christmas tree or something stupid like that and then I am in pain for days.  There is not a lot I can do to relieve the pain...hot showers and hot compresses, Aleve and my regular medication for the osteoporosis.  Usually it takes close to a week for it to become manageable but until then, sitting for long periods of time or sleeping at night, is difficult and painful.  Tuesday and Wednesday I got absolutely nothing done between the intense back pain and the weather.  I do not like being so idle this time of year.  I have so much I want to do.

Last week we got snow, snow and more snow.  Not a storm by UP standards but the usual winter weather here in the UP.  It continued until Thursday morning.  At least it is was not below zero temperatures.  I can deal with snow but I despise the frigid cold. And on that note, the snow was supposed to taper off by Friday and then the weekend temps went down to frigid.  I am NOT a winter person.

On the up side of last week, I have all my Christmas shopping done and spent the weekend wrapping (my back decided to cooperate) the house is decorated and the tree is up and decorated.  All my grocery shopping for holiday meals is done and I will be starting to bake this week.  Also, the upside of a very painful back is that I can sit and watch holiday movies without guilt as the cheerful holiday movies make my back feel a bit better (B smiles at that statement cause he knows its bs).

This week I am determined to get the rest of my Christmas To Do list done, back pain or not.


 

Friday Funny

 

First Week of December

 

The kids gave me their Christmas lists.  I usually pick one or two things from their lists.  Children's "toys" get more expensive as they get older.  However, my kids are pretty good at choosing things that are not too expensive for retired mom and dad. So I have all my Christmas shopping done. 

Wednesday was grocery shopping for the holidays.  It wasn't too bad as I already have most of my baking ingredients as well as turkeys and hams in our freezer.  I am also making a shrimp fettucine casserole as one of my dils is a vegetarian. I am only cooking Christmas Day as my youngest son and dil are providing Christmas Eve dinner.

Thursday afternoon, I went and got my monthly B12 shot.  Then B and I went to our local pet supply store.  We picked up a new kitty litter box and bed for our cat, Al.  We also picked up a few things for our local animal shelter as a Christmas donation.  The nice thing about that is if you tell them its a donation, they will bag it and take along with other donations to the shelter for you.  A lot more convenient than running it over ourselves.  They were also giving away free cute pets 2026 calendars.  I couldn't resist...pet pictures and free....I'm in.

Thursday night, B and I went with my son and dil and her parents to the local Christmas tree farm to pick out our trees.  A lot of people have suggested we get artificial but B says as long as we can, we will get real.  We had a great time at the farm.  There was hot chocolate, a firepit with chairs around it, music piped in throughout the farm and homemade treats and crafts as well.  There was even a sleigh and a decorated truck for picture taking. Afterwards, my son helped get the tree in the living room and then the 6 of us went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  Good food and not as expensive as I thought it would be. They are leaving Friday morning to go to Duluth, MN for the Christmas Lights Festival.  The weather for driving should be okay just very cold.

Today, B and I are going to decorate the tree and put the wreath on the front window.  Then this evening we are going to watch a favorite Christmas movie on TV, "The Bishop's Wife".  We lead such a whirlwind life :) .

Saturday, B has Christmas shopping to finish.  I am staying home to finish putting up my Christmas village and possibly start some baking (if the spirit moves me).

So on my "Still Left To Do" list...

             *Baking

             *Gift Wrapping

             *Holiday dishes washed and set aside for the big day

My family finds it terribly amusing how organized I have become but, to me, with organization comes a stress free holiday.  And a stress free holiday means more time to enjoy Christmas movies, Christmas music and time spent with the most important people in my life...my family.



        



         

December begins