Sunday 20 December 2015

Christmas card from the Turtles

The title is kind of sarcastic because I don't have any greeting card sentiments to share. But for all the challenges, highs and lows of the year I am grateful for the living we did and the rest we will hopefully get in the next couple of weeks. Here's how Christmas looks and feels this year:
  • The outside trees have lights, hung by Mr Turtle (who got the timer to work, too!)
  • Some modest presents for our close family bought and mostly wrapped, just missing one for AJ. We don't buy her a lot of special occasion presents because 1) our parents and siblings always do and 2) we buy her stuff as she needs it / is age appropriate. But I do want to buy her a book about cats, because she loves books and cats (the toy kind, anyway).
  • Cards and small gifts were distributed to people at work. I received more than I gave out though. I dunno if I should experience this as a social faux pas or just be grateful. It is my first year so I had no idea what people would do. It kind of makes me resent being a woman though because seriously: do men ever give a s**t if they didn't reciprocate a card or a chocolate? Ok hold on, let's try the grateful route instead.
  • Cards also distributed to daycare staff and cook. No need to remind myself to be grateful in that case; AJ is doing so well there and I have no anxiety about dropping her off mornings (some existential sadness, of course, but mostly gratitude that she is thriving and well cared for)
  • I cleaned the house yesterday. Yeah! Except the bathroom; that's Mr Turtle's job and has been ever since I cleaned the bathroom the night before our wedding day and then spent the morning throwing up / getting intravenous medication and fluids (luckily we had planned an evening wedding, lol)
  • Speaking of sick, I seem to have a mild GI something right now. Please let it not get really bad! Also on a 46 day cycle and counting. All tests negative. Ugh. 
  • My mom and dad are are hanging on. My dad is at home and has completed radiation treatment. No word yet on whether it was effective. He eats through a tube but has also been swallowing a little broth lately. My mom handles his care 24/7.  They say they are doing OK. I'm not sure I believe them, but then what does OK actually look like in this situation? Alive, in control of your decisions and mind if not much else? 
  • We fly out for a week on Monday to visit my MIL. I am looking forward to getting away for a little while (however the trip goes, at least I have the anticipation). I am kind of guilty about feeling this way, considering my dad's condition. But something I've really missed the past year is travelling, or even just going on a day trip. It's my fantasy of choice. And it is important for AJ to see all her relatives and grandparents, to whom she is so important.
  • I still have to do the gifts to charity that I do every year. I wish I had the time / organizational skills / energy to do something personalized but I dont, so it will be giving money over the Internet. Oh well. When AJ is older we will do something together, because I don't want Christmas to only be about getting stuff.
  • I had highlights put in my hair for first time in months.
  • We're mostly ready to fly tomorrow I think. I did some research on flying with a toddler and made some preparations. But I'm not going to worry too much about it. Guess what? Since I've been a mom for a bit over a year, I've learned to let (some) things go and not get in a dither. Or maybe it's that AJ is a bringer of joy and she doesn't trigger my crazy.
  • Speaking of AJ, well overdue for a random cuteness upate. Maybe over the holidays.
  • 36th birthday later this week (I am not coy about my age. No "29 again!" crap for me!) I think I'll ask for a date night with Mr Turtle. We haven't had in a long time.
That's how December 2015 looks for us. I truly hope everyone finds peace and happiness somewhere in the next few weeks, but always remember there is room for all feelings at the table. A hopeful, loving, inclusive Merry Christmas to all.

14 comments:

  1. Hope you have a great holiday season! And happy birthday!

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  2. You're doing better than me! Some minor decorating, but family/friends have been informed we're unable to do gifts this year (move and the mountain of debt). We'll do thank you cards over the next week. But otherwise it's too much for us.

    So I vote for grateful. You can decide to reciprocate next year on that level. And anyone who is "keeping score" about giving and getting clearly has too much time on their hands.

    Happy early birthday! I'm also a holiday baby. May there be a moment of celebrate amongst the holiday madness.

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    1. Ha, thanks for the sanity. Yes, there is much to celebrate. One must never lose sight of that. Sending the good wishes back to you. xo

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  3. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  4. i like these bullet style posts. Last year my colleagues and I decided not to give gift and contributed to a charity instead, but when my colleagues gave their medical assistants extravagent gifts (one month paid gym membership, a Coach purse) I felt that I had to do the same for mine. I'm glad your parents are doing as well as they can. I have the same feelings about Kate and Christmas, I'm sure my parents will go overboard and eventually we'll have to teach her about Santa, so I don't want christmas to be all about getting. I feel badly as I missed the adopt a family deadline at my local Starbucks. That's always my favourite thing to do, especially as I feel so sad as the kids ask for such practical gifts. I try to fulfil the requests and then chose fun gifts as well. Hope you have an uneventful trip!

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    1. I would like to do adopt a family sometime; it sounds fun. My goal with AJ would to do some kind of service for others every Christmas. Of course it doesn't have to be only at that time but it's a good time to really think about it.

      What an awkward situation with regards to your colleagues and the expensive gifts. Gift giving can be lots of fun, but I hate when it starts to feel political, especially at work.

      I hope you gave a beautiful holiday with Kate!

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  5. I love your holiday card! So many good things. I'm glad your dad is taking some broth, that sounds positive! I hope you feel better. Merry Christmas to you, Mr. Turtle, and AJ!

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    1. Thanks. I am better; my dad has taken a turn for the worse again with fluid in lungs this time. Wait and hope and wonder: life is hard and confusing sometimes.

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  6. There's a lot here! Hope that your dad is better soon ... fluid in the lungs is worrisome. :( Sending good thoughts.

    I like the "gratitude" approach. A friend asked me the other day: what one thing delighted you this past week? It was a good way of considering thankfulness without the usual "I must be grateful for X instead of complaining" thing that I do.

    All best wishes for safe and stress-free travel!

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    1. Thanks for the comment. Yeah, the situation with my dad's lungs is a setback, and causing him a lot of distress/pain which is affecting his outlook on the challenges he is facing. We think pulmonary embolism (doctors have been slow to confirm; my brother thinks because they missed diagnosing it earlier.). The trip went great; I feel lucky to have had the opportunity! I like the one thing a week that delights. :-) Perhaps as we get older it becomes more obvious not to take those things for granted.

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  7. I'm so behind, but Merry Christmas, happy birthday, and happy New Year! I've always struggled with gift-giving reciprocity, too. I hope you guys have had a wonderful holiday season xoxo

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    1. Thanks. Holidays were good, all things considered. Happy new year!

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