Merry Christmas Day

It was SO NICE to have Thursday off after Solstice!  (Solstice was perfect, by the way.... delicious dinner, all of the music I listen to once a year, a fire in the chiminea, then a soak in the hot tub.  Stayed up til 1 am: not quite til sunrise!)

I was able to sleep in, and we got all of our grocery shopping and errands done.  I got the Sauerbraten started for tonight's dinner.

I've never had the time to actually start is three days in advance like you're supposed to, because I've always been at work (this is a relatively new tradition, this is only my 4th or 5th year doing it).

Then, on Friday, I spent the entire day cleaning house...really CLEANING it... to the point that I exhausted myself, and we missed a birthday party we were supposed to go to.

But, being on chemo, and being that fatigued, I didn't need to be around 40 people all at once.  Too risky, with virtually no immune system.

Dave also went down to his dad's on Friday and got his groceries, and did a couple more errands.

So we stayed home Friday night, and watched our netflix, and then got in the hot tub again.

Then, yesterday.... Christmas Eve....

The new ham pan worked out PERFECTLY.... It's an oval roasting pan with a rack that sits on the bottom.

When I ordered the Virginia ham, I asked them to send me the smallest one they had, and it was just right.

It fit in the pan as through they were made for one another.

While the ham cooked, I listened to The Messiah, and I dropped everything at the usual part to bow my head and weep.

Don't worry, Daddy.  I will never, ever forget.

We had friends around our table, and we ate of the sacred ham and spoon bread.  Our guests (our friends Peter and Rita from Edmond by way of Switzerland, and my friend Julie) brought yummy treats, conversation, warmth, and laughter to our table, and to my "sacred night."

Before we all parted, we had our Courvoisier toast to those who are no longer with us

It was wonderful.

We tried to stay up to watch "It's a Wonderful Life," but we were both too tired, and only made it about half way through.

The only thing missing was Dave's son.  He did not reply to invitations, and was nowhere to be seen or heard from.

That sort of hurt my feelings, because he knows how big of a deal Christmas Eve is for me, but I guess he couldn't be bothered to even say "no thanks" this year.

As my brother put it, that's his row to hoe.

Today, we got up and opened our presents.  My sister sent giardinera and muffaletta and olives that we can't buy here, and a new Chicago Cubs shot glass, and a WXRT radio cd.  My brother sent a book about the Grateful Dead.

Dave and I exchanged our major gifts already, so this morning, we just had little things to open.  I got him a book and pajamas, and he got me slippers and fancy soaps.

Then we had cold ham and biscuits for breakfast.

Next up, we are going to go see the newest movie in the Star Wars sage, "Rogue One."

Going to the movies on Christmas Day is one of Dave's traditions.  Once again, his son is "missing," but our friend Peter, who was here last night, will be joining us. (just to be clear, we know Dave's son is okay, he's posting on face book, just not communicating with us)

When we get home, I will start a batch of gin punch, and get the sauerbraten into the oven.  It not only marinates for 3 days, it also slow roasts for 4 hours.

Tomorrow, Dave's brother and sister in law from Kansas are coming down to do Christmas with Pop.  We will go over there for a while, but tomorrow will mostly be about taking down all of the Christmas and Yule decorations and putting them away.

As many of you know, that's been my "thing" since my mother died overnight on the Christmas of 1996.

In other news, the cortisone shots have worked wonders.

The cyst is still visible on the left wrist, but I have full function back.  The right thumb still pops, but I can bend and straighten it, without it getting stuck in the bent position, and without pain.

I hope this lasts, because I really don't want surgery.  At the moment, I am VERY happy with the results.

Okay, time to get myself ready to go to the movies.  Merry Christmas to those who celebrate... Happy Hannukah to those who celebrate as well!

EDIT: it dawned on me today that this is a milestone, of sorts.  My mother died Christmas night 1996. 20 years.

Wow.