Christmas is just a week from today. This has been a different Christmas year for Karl and me and the kids and grand kids. I decided awhile back that I wanted to redo my kitchen and dining area. We have lived in our home for a little over 16 years and some things like the tile and cabinets had begun to show their age. I stumbled upon a newspaper add/photo that represented what I wanted to do and moved forward from there. So, I talked with two cabinet companies and ended up choosing Chris and Dicks for the cabinet purchase and my design.
In the past month, and with a lot of help from Karl, my new kitchen and dining area are nearly finished. If all goes well, counter tops will be installed sometime next week just in time for Christmas.
So, with the dysfunction and confusion that comes from remodeling, my Christmas preparation and decoration has taken on a simpler look and feel. It's been interesting to say the least. I hope to have my tree up on Christmas Eve and put the presents out then. I have some cooking I'd like to do for my family, but I have decided we can eat out instead, and that will be fine. I haven't done near the shopping and fretting over Christmas like I usually do, and that's been okay, too.
I will forever remember this holiday season as the one in which I turned a corner -- coming to terms with delegating and sharing. Thanksgiving was held at Annie's - just our Petersen, Howden, Binggeli family. I missed not seeing all of our extended Huber and Petersen family members, but for the first time in many, many years I took on a more supportive role in Thanksgiving festivities.
There are more changes/adjustments for family Christmas celebrations, and I know everything will work out well. I am so looking forward to a few days off and some time to chill with family. An added bonus will definitely be skyping with Elder Petersen and having everyone for breakfast at my house (keep your fingers crossed on the counter top installation and hooking up the sink and dishwasher) on Christmas morning.
I would like to send a Christmas message to any and all who read my blog. I heard the poem below read a few years ago. I liked it then and like it now.
Merry Christmas!!
My Christmas Wish for You
By Ruth Kephart
My Christmas wish for you, friend
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun.
I wish you love and friendship, too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer.
May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totaled by the lot
May you find all you’ve been given
To be more than what you sought.
May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old,
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold
I wish you this and so much more
May all your dreams come true,
May you have a Merry Christmas, friend
And a Happy New Year, too . . . .
