But before going to the happy things–
I had occasion to admit my advanced chronological experience this past week. Twice. The first time was at the local bagel store picking up bagels for a family breakfast. Without asking, without blinking, without any long glances or studying or even apparently a long thought, the lady at the cash register gave me a senior discount!!! I don’t really know how to describe the feeling I had…sort of like knowing your air mattress is slowly deflating while sleeping on sharp rocks. I’m sure you’ve seen those “What the hell happened?” posters and although I intellectually admit that I am no longer carded for alcohol…this was different. And so I guess i have to admit: I won’t be climbing Everest, I won’t be changing my career to hollywood star, and I probably won’t be going on that world rock and roll tour. I am flabbergasted. Oops, I just dated myself. The humanity!! And then to top off the horror of reality sinking in, later that day my children beat me in Foosball. Owwwwww. The crashing of my ego was palpable. A loud thunk as the last point smacked into the goal and the screaming high fives from across the table. O! M! G!
Now. Christmas.
The family is together! Hurray! Kirsten is home from school and Kelsey and Kyle have started winter break. And…Diane is taking several days of vacation!! The house is decorated (with care, of course) and Kelsey has organized the wrapping of presents, the careful placing of them under the tree, and has no doubt mentally choreographed the Christmas Eve gift giving ritual. There are lots of smiles this Season and we are determined to breathe deeply, enjoy the gift of Christmas, and share as we can. Yesterday was shopping day for me, Kirsten, and Kelsey. Kelsey and I went to this awesome design store, Decorium, in Old Town Alexandria. What a fun, fun place all the time but this time of year…well, I felt like I had dropped through the rabbit hole into a completely different world. A really unusual place. I looked up and saw a magnificent white peacock perched on a fabulous chandelier. This made me really smile and think about who the buyer might be! Kelsey was standing just below the bird and tried on a crown suitable for a pixie in the Wonderland of a Store.
As always, beautiful photos and lovely writing to go with them!! Sorry about the “senior discount”! I get carded once in a great while if I buy that cold remedy stuff with diphenhydramine in it. Maybe I look like a meth maker? It’s a silly law.You can certainly celebrate this Christmas for many reasons but especially because your bride has conquered the big C! I feel certain that that stuff will stay gone so everyone can just get on with their lives! Oh….the photo album arrived yesterday and it’s an extra exquisite one! Loved what the kids had to say! I must say that Mandi poses much better than Missy!I have all of my “have to” stuff done for the holiday so today I can play in the craft room! I noticed Sis wearing the little angels earrings in a pic! It was nice to see! You all have a terrific day and enjoy all of the days together!! Love to all of you!!