HO HO HO and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Ok, so Christmas is here today and so am I! (Yea!) My husband and I are enjoying a wonderfully quiet and peaceful Christmas day together along with Myrtle of course. We opened our gifts to each other and gave Myrtle her doggie stocking full of goodies and toys. She has been chasing balls around all over the house and teasing and enticing us to play with her by bringing her ball/toy to us and bumping our legs wirh a 'playful' little growl that begs attention. It usually works and we all have a little game of throw and fetch and of course chase as she expects us to chase her from room to room. Rick does most of that of course.
Rick has been working so many hours and days for a long time and then I've spent my time away at the 'Inn" in my 'suite' (hospital) so these 4 days off this week are a real blessing and truly enjoyed. Just sitting around doing nothing together and watching Myrtle play or whine to get attention is all we need for entertainment. Oops, well almost since there is the newest discovery by my husband of the sportsmans channel where he can watch hunting and fishing all day and all night if he wants. I can join in of course and I do for a little while but enough is enough for me like right now while I'm taking this break to do a little blogging.
I have made several Christmas Day calls to family and friends which is a nice way to share the day without all the travel and hullabaloo. We still have one more day of Christmas Cheer tomorrow as we go to our in-laws for a meal and game and then home where my daughter and sister and families will gather for a little while.
No matter what religion or beliefs a person has, I think this season has a reason and all people can use it as a time to share good feelings and good food and good deeds for and with others, whether that is with family or friends or strangers just needing a helping hand. I hope you are one of those people and I hope I'm one of them too. Please look for the good in the people around you and show them the giving side of you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO Y'ALL......

Chrisrtmas Joy!

This is where my mind is right now! Wish I was there.....

Well, I've finally returned to the blogging world after a brief (month) rest in some of my favorite private rooms at the "Inn". I would say "I'm baack!" again but then it would have been 'again' and 'again' and 'again' since I have had multiple trips to the hospital in the last month. (4 to be exact. Hence the reason it's been since November 1st since I last blogged).

I'll tell you, every time I've spent time locked up in a little room that I laughingly call my 'suite', and generally tied to my bed by cords and hoses and monitors, I feel like I've been there for ever and the four walls just keep closing in on me.

When I finally do leave I really do feel like an excapee from prison. On the way home while my husband or daughter or sister drives, I look at the world outside with a new wonder. The trees look alive and the motion of the cars is exciting. Birds in the air are a wonder and people going by just keep me busy trying to figure out what they have been doing that day.

I have actually felt like looking over my shoulder and almost felt guilty, thinking I would be in trouble for leaving. I know that may sound strange but being confined for long periods really does something to my psyche (sp?) While on the way home I begin to breathe deeper and I get excited when we drive up to the house in anticipation of seeing Myrtle again. You would not believe how much a person can miss a dog and I know she has missed me. Since I'm usually a little weaker and Myrtle would knock me over in her excitement, I stay in the car as they let her outside. She runs to my open car door and jumps up enough to kiss my face all over with love (the only time I allow her to apply her slobbers on my face). Her back end and tail are wagging back and forth so far and so fast her butt travels sideways in a wide swinging arc of wild joy! Her bully dogge face actually smiles, even with the saggy cheeks and we are in heaven, even if only for a few moments, together.

I stayed in the hospital just long enough that Rick and Brenda got the tree put up and decorated so I didn't have to lift a finger but I've been able to enjoy the scene. Now, the gift wrapping has begun and it seems to be never ending even though we really cut back this year in dollar amounts just like most people. It's a good thing Rick shops throughout the year and I got some early shopping done in early November otherwise no one would be getting much of anything. The grandkids would definitely be dissapointed but then life does happen.

Anyway, we are planning on having a wonderful Christmas filled with family and friends and I am planning on being home for Christmas this year for sure and healthier too.

This year that song "I'll be home for Christmas" really does have deep meaning for me. I have had to spend Christmas in the hospital in the past and have been in right up till just a couple of days before a few times too. It's always a close call that way every year, even for Thanksgiving just as it was this year.

I know I'm going on and on about the hospital but that has literally been my life so much the last several years and I deal with it by talking about it. No sympathy needed, it's just something many people have to deal with whether because of illness or accident and then to boot, the hospital is really a lonely time during the holidays.

I know I preach this alot but if you know someone who is alone in the hospital or at home during the holidays, please give them a call or a visit or at least a nice card or a sweet. Just let them know you know they exist and you care.

SHARE yourself at Christmas!

That is the best gift you can give anyone at anytime. MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!