MONDAY IS ANOTHER WORK DAY

 Being retired does not take away the need to get things done.

Work at home. Inside and outside.

Work on the Blog.

Work on Christmas preparations.

Getting those bills paid on time.

Wrapping and shopping and more wrapping.

Mondays still feel like there is so much that needs to get done.

Then I race around all morning and by noon all is done. 

The good news is I can take a snooze. I do not have to wait for quitting time.

So Monday bring it on. I am ready for you.

#mondays#mondaysareworkdays#workonchristmaspreparations#gettingthingsdonearoundthehouse#wrappingchristmaspresentsiswork#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DOES CHRISTMAS HAS TO BE MAGICAL OR CAN IT JUST BE GOOD

 I remember as a child feeling the magic of Christmas. Maybe believing in Santa helped.

Then growing up Christmas did not feel the same.

When the children arrived, I got to play Santa and some of the magic reappeared.

As Mom and Wife I made the magic happen for everyone else.

Christmas has always been one of my favourite times of the year but it is work and more work.

Maybe coming out of Covid I see magic and Christmas in the same sentence so much lately.

MAGIC

MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

So I ask the question? Does Christmas have to be magical?

For me good is okay. To be with family. Eat good food. Drink good wine.

Watch sappy Christmas movies.

Listen to Christmas music.

See the joy on my little grandchildren's faces when they see Santa.

When someone we love is no longer with us, Christmas can stir up so many feelings and emotions. So feeling okay about it all can be more than enough.

Treasuring all the good memories from past Christmases. Making new memories with this one.

Magical or good! What do you prefer?

#magicofchristmas#agoodchristmas#doeschristmasneedtobemagical#christmasisoworkforthewomen#havingagoodchristmasisgoodenough#enjoyingalltheperksofchristmas#grandchildrenandsantaiswonderful#missinglovedonesatchristmas#lovechristmasmovies#lovechristmasmusic#lovebeingwithfamilyatchristmas#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THE LANGUAGE OF POINSETTAS

 Poinsettas at Christmas time bring joy to the home.

Coming from Mexico- our wonderful Southern neighbour and partner in trade.

A joyous plant for the Christmas season!

#poinsettas#mexico#theymakethehousejoyous#lovepoinsettasinthehome#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

A QUIET DECEMBER DAY OR NOT

 The frenzy of the Christmas season is picking up.

Concerns about supply chain and buy up what you can.

Then going to a store and there lots of things to buy. If in doubt get a gift card for January sales.

My grandchildren especially the older ones want money. Boring for Nana as I like for all of them to have something under the tree. 

Fun to open presents. What do they know?

So to try to wrap more presents. I am trying to use up my resources at hand.

Tags and wrap and tissue galore. Fended off my temptation to buy more! I still will not use up all that I have.

Sent off another box of misc stuff to the Northern Mini Project campaign. It is a good way to give away so many little odds and ends that I have. For example, all the stickers I save from everything. My grandchildren use a few of them but the envelope full of misc stickers will be good for the RCMP up north to use with children.

So plodding away and trying to help the family as best as I can.

Of course two pots of poinsettas. I think I want to buy more for the house.

Oh Christmas poinsetta how I love thee!!

#christmas#christmaspreparations#wrappingpresents#keepingbusy#supplychainissues#sendingstuffupnorthtothenorthernminiprojectcampaign#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CHRISTMAS SURE HAS A LOT OF GOOD EATING

So reviewing previous posts of both this blog and Adolph;s Granpalovestocook blog, I realize so much of the festive and family season has to do with food.

Granpa loves to cook

Sonya on her House of Kerrs blog has written some delicious holiday recipes too.

House of Kerrs

The seafood sauce so divine at Christmas.

I may find myself rewriting some of my favourite posts from Adolph's blog. It helps keep me close to him.

#christmasisaboutcooking#sonyawritesaboutfood#keepingthosefoodmemoriesalive#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

PARCELS AND CARDS ARE ON THE WAY

 Being organized and having items ready makes life easier.

I wrote my cards over a couple of days.

Wrapped my parcels- only 2 now used to have 6 or 7 to mail to family in years gone by.

So Mailed and on their way.

Now to wrapping presents. My bedroom is Santa's workshop. So it is a task that is done slowly as I feel like it.

The trouble with being older is the energy level. So being methodical and going at a manageable pace makes life easier for me.

So how are your plans going?

#wrappingparcels#christmascards#beingorganized#goingatyourownpace#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DECEMBER IN FULL SWING

 Love the lights on houses.

But last night went with family to an outdoor light show in Milton at the Country Heritage Park in Milton.

Short drive from Toronto.

So more outdoor events are safe for family and kids and nanas like I.

What Christmas fun are you having?

#christmasfun#lightsatchristmas#goingoutatchristmas#havingoutdoorfun#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#babaradimambro