Christmas season

Hi everyone.  I’m back.

Did you have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day?    I hope so.   Mine was VERY nice and after weeks of preparing and reminding myself of the true meaning of Christmas I felt good once the celebration arrived.    Just a reminder to you: Christmas is a season.  There are twelve days – and they start on December 25th, and go until January 6th.

A little this and that this morning…

We made it to the beach this morning. Now that we live farther away from it we don’t get there as often.  But, one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to make the beach a weekly visit come 2020.  So many times I’m in Pawleys Island and I really need to take time between errands, etc. to go and walk the beach a little.   It’s good for the heart and for the soul.

As Hank Williams Junior sings:   Are you ready  for some football?     Today starts the major football bowl games.   The Gamecocks did not have a good season so they didn’t make it to any bowl.  Tonight is the Clemson vs. Ohio State game and I have friends on both sides  – so who to root for?!?!

Lately I have noticed a vendor has been setting up on a vacant spot on 17 in Pawleys Island, selling Trump flags, shirts, hats, and other paraphernalia.   Question:    Do you think he has a permit to be there??   Is it right of me to call the township and ask?   I mean I know it’s our president and normally it would seem fine to sell stuff that supports the leader of our country.  BUT…. these are strange times.  I have to admit that each time I drive by the vendor I get a little sick to my stomach, especially when I see people there.  Yesterday  I saw 3 or 4 cars parked – and people shopping.   Around here I see those Trump  flags on boats and on flagpoles.   Never before have we flown flags like it’s a sports team.  It’s just weird.

Phase Two is done in our riva house construction process.  It turned out really nice. We still need the decks put up….and then we move on to Phase Three: the kitchen remodel (which is really gutting the room and totally redoing it.)    I have never gone through a kitchen remodel before but I know that  timing is important.   How long can you go without appliances?    Eeek!

I’m very pleased that the kitty (Moonlight) I moved from our old house to here has finally acclimated herself.  It was definitely a process.  I wasn’t sure if she might just disappear one day.  But, she has  found the screened in porch as ‘her’ spot to come back to for food and comfort.  During the day she still wanders outside.  The other two cats here tend to leave Moonlight alone.

More new year resolutions:   I’m going to try and up my number of books read this coming year, over this year’s total.  The app “Goodreads” keeps track of it all.   Right now I am reading “Little Women” for the Black River Neighborhood Book Club selection.   Okay – it’s true.  I had never read it before.   So, I am happy I am now… but it’s long and a bit dry in  some chapters.  I’m sticking with it though.     My next book to open up is the Tim McGraw book “Grit and Grace” because it seems like the perfect time, for starting off a new year.   If you are not aware, the man transformed himself by making food and alcohol changes, and then working out like a field.    Okay – I am NOT going to go as crazy as he did, but I am hoping to  make some differences in 2020 that will make me feel better physically and emotionally.

I’m not sure where you are right now as you read this, but I am in the lowcountry and I have to brag that we have had exceptional weather the past few days.  It feels like spring!  (I know it isn’t – and won’t last).  I have our doors open, and I am  wearing shorts… and I could be happy with it this way all.year.long.      Lovely, lovely days!

Another new year resolution:  Stay active (and maybe get more active) in the time leading up to the presidential vote.  I just think I have to, because if I don’t and it turns out badly then I will kick myself.  I need to ‘do something’ to get out more voters and to help get our country back to proper leadership, back to respect for other countries, and people.    I will try to  stay  involved with it on Facebook BUT not be mean – because that is what too many are doing now.    Seriously, I will try.

Lastly, for today, a huge thank you to both my daughters and their spouses for hosting Christmas get-togethers in December!   This was the first time the younger generation took the reins… and hubby and I traveled there.   Daughter #2 had a mid-December gathering for all the Carolina family.  It was a great day to see each other.  Daughter #1 had us at her home for Christmas Eve and Day.  I’m not sure how we got blessed with such thoughtful, prepared, kind daughters – who picked wonderful guys to  marry – but we did.   So, as I reflect on this year I am VERY thankful for them.  Oh, and of course, those most adorable, amazing, funny, sweet, huggable grandsons I have!!!

Merry Christmas to all….  and a Happy New Year!