We'll be getting ready for church soon. Kids and I will at least. Husband will stay at home and use the time while we're away to put the presents under the tree, lock the living room and prepare our Christmas dinner.
For us (and the Swedes, and who else?) is today THE big day. After dinner we'll wait until we hear Christ-child's bell, this is the sign that it has been here and left presents. Then of course it's the kids' big moment.
The rest of the evening, we'll try their new stuff and play together.
Tomorrow we'll go on tour to visit my husband's family all day. On the second Christmas holiday we'll go and visit my family. I'm so much looking forward to all family gatherings. 
There will be 15 to 20 people on both days.
On Monday, two of my kids and I will see a ballett: Swanlake. This is a Christmas present for them and they don't know yet.
Over the course of the next week, we'll meet friends we couldn't see on the three Christmas days. And when all of this will be over, I'll be happy to go back to normal. 
I love our yearly Christmas tour, really looking forward to it. But it's also exhausting, and in the end I'm always happy to get a few quiet days before my birthday rolls along and the family will gather at our house.
This evening, I will espcially think of one elderly ex-neighbour who normally spends Christmas Eve with us. This year she's too sick to come and will be all alone. I'll call her after church.
That's a wonderful description, Chrissi - thank you for sharing with us. I love the
Swan Lake surprise - it will be a real treat!
We are doing things out-of-order this year, so our holiday will be lasting and lasting and lasting....
Excellent news is that I have eleven days off from work - I don't need to be back until the 4th of January - so, pressure seems low and I feel like we can have a leisurely long week for the most part.
Last night I did some shopping, but most of it wasn't really 'gifts'. Mom and Chris were in no way prepared for Boston winter, which showed up last week with a vengeance.
We get a White Christmas, so I'm not complaining...in a few weeks, that'll likely change and y'all will call me 'Jack'.
I went to Goodwill (a second-hand thrift shop) after work and truly found some amazing deals - I won't go into details because who knows what nosy person might be reading?!
Suffice it to say though, for about $105, I got two terrific home decor type things, a new job interview outfit, and what I actually went for - winter clothing in like new condition - almost all brand names - for Mom and Chris - they must learn to layer! I think I have a button that needs to be sewn on, but that's it. What a fabulous deal!
Today I will be doing more shopping for things that won't be going on sale after the holidays. While I'm out, Chris and Mom are going to 'shop' for me via the computer. I showed Chris a few things I'd like, but the point is that I am absolutely thrilled that Mom is showing interest in Christmas. I know that part of it is that she wants to ship a gift or two to Billy in Tennessee - she's worried about him being alone for the holidays. It turns out that Chris says when they were there, she worried about me the same way.
I love her to death, my ((((Mama)))).
Tonight is Christmas Meeting - I'm making that artichoke dip - followed by carols and fellowship.
Andy may join at the last minute, depending on what they have going on. Afterward, I am going to hear Ronny's (
SuperD's) band (Hipshot - they've got a FB page!).
Tomorrow will be spent probably wrapping gifts and listening to music and visiting with Mom. She loves to sing, once I get her started, so if the police come knocking on the door, I wouldn't be surprised.
I may even try to accompany a bit with my guitar.
Then another Hipshot performance.
Sunday is Meeting as usual but again with carols - this time I am going to try my darndest to get Mom to attend. I know she would love the music, and she can slip away afterward if she wants.
Monday night is dinner and
Love and Other Drugs with friend
Sandy. And at some point I want to go to
Paul's and gaze upon his gorgeous crystal Christmas tree and just 'be' for a bit...
And Tuesday or Wednesday nights will be our Christmas, depending on the mail order. No rush.
Paulie recently reminded me of the good idea of anchovies, so Titania and Oberon will have a gift under the tree as well.
Lest you think this is too much about me... although Hipshot once again is performing New Year's Eve, they will be fine without me there.
Chris is going to experience his inaugural First Night celebration in Boston and I will be home with Mom. We will have some sort of movie marathon - we'll have to arm wrassle over John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart.
(Oh, yes, there will be cooking going on more or less continuously also...I'll have to report back on that because the only request I've had is the cornbread stuffing and maybe a ham.)
Love and Light, my Friends,
Lynnie
