Retirement is a week filled with Saturdays and Sundays interrupted only occasionally by a holiday.

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Monday, December 8, 2008

Just Catching Up...Again

It's hard to believe that I haven't been around BlogLand since Thanksgiving. Actually, I have been lurking about...reading new posts by my blogging buddies but I just haven't felt like posting or commenting. So trust me...I have been keeping up with things even if you didn't see me.

One of the reasons for my absence was a general feeling of punkiness. I kept feeling like I was coming down with something...achy muscles, sore throat, headache. The symptoms kept coming and going from one day to the next and I never knew how I was going to feel when I got up each morning. I'm still not feeling 100% and I continue to have trouble sleeping a reasonable number of hours each night but I'm trying to go about my business now and ignore how I feel.

Despite my general feeling of malaise, I've managed to do some holiday shopping so I don't feel too frantic or panicked. Our family and friends have decided to do away with gifts for the adults and just concentrate on the kids. That's made this season much less stressful although I'm still trying to figure out a few gifts for people. Most of my shopping has been for my Mom and she will be getting lots of clothing and other necessities. I've been trying to take advantage of all the sales and coupons and I have to admit I've gotten some amazing bargains.

Today I actually started wrapping some gifts so I don't fall too far behind. I had to wait for the plumber to come to replace a leaking old garbage disposer so it was the perfect time to sit down with wrapping paper, scissors, ribbon and tape. I managed this year to remember to label all the boxes so I know which is for whom when it's time to get ready to exchange gifts.

I've been visiting lots of blogs to see how everyone is decorating their homes for the holidays and I've seen some incredibly elaborate scenes. It puts us to shame so don't expect photos of a beautifully appointed house and tree from me. Nope...no decorations for us this year except for stringing all the beautiful Christmas cards we receive from family and friends. For us it will be a lowkey holiday season. How about you?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you're not feeling all that great. This is a terrible time of year to be feeling sick.

I'm doing a low-keyed Christmas too. I'm cutting WAY back on presents - only one or two each for the granddaughters and only one for each daughter. I don't have any idea what to get Dom, but it will be small.

Money is just too tight right now to be spending on things that aren't needed - just to have a lot of presents under the tree.

Renee Nefe said...

Was it my imagination or did I see comments from you on my blog? I'm so out of things lately...too busy for my own good.

I'm glad you're getting an easier Christmas...wish that could happen here.

Take care of yourself...you might need to get this illness checked out.

Linda said...

So sorry to hear that you've been feeling punky. I haven't been feeling any too great myself here lately and, like yourself, never know how I'm going to feel when I wake up each morning.

I haven't decorated a thing myself and am not sure if I am going to do or not. There's a part of me that really wants to and then there's another part of me that says "nah, don't bother".

Some days I feel like such a grinch ...

Patti said...

Sorry you haven't been feeling well, Joan.
We haven't decorated yet. I figure there is still time ;-)

It has to be a low-key Christmas this year. We can't do much shopping at all. Oh well..

Mary said...

Joan,

I'm sorry that you too have been feeling a bit under the weather. I've been feeling the same for about two weeks. Not a nice feeling and here in Ontario, there is vicious virus going around.

I am way behind in my Christmas decorating this year. The boys came over on Sunday and we got the village up. That is a tradition, but I'm not sure how much more decorating I'm going to get done.

Take care and be sure to rest and take time for yourself. I was thrilled when I saw you'd stopped by my blog and left a comment.

Blessings,
Mary

rosemary said...

I lurk a lot too....hope you are feeling better.

low key holiday, low key, decorations....now if kids were here we would be totally decked out!