NOW AND AGAIN...

 

In the past, 

I have been known to look back

 over the last year 

to see what I wrote about then

 as compared to now.  

It sounds like a perfect plan and can be very informative at times.  

However, it usually is just a ploy

 to cover up the fact that 

I can't think of anything to write about. 

 So, this past week, 

I have looked back in time and found a post that was written

 right around this time last year 

and if history can be said to repeat itself,

 this is what that looks like.

The post dealt with a promise made (here) 

and if you can believe it,

 it is a promise that was made and fulfilled 

but now is broken again...

...another year, same situation.

It is after Christmas for most of you,

 but for us it hasn't happened yet. 

 I thought I would leave all the decorations up until our time came 

but it has been so long now that I finally started putting most things away. 

 I plan on leaving the tree up and decorated in the parlor 

but almost everything else 

will be packed up 

except those that just happen to fit

 the winter scheme.  

We have come up

 with the date of February 19 

so I am hopeful 

that will be when it happens.  

Poor Santa's head must be spinning, 

wondering when this was

 all going to take place.

 

 It will be just

 that much sweeter when it does.

Sunday morning it started to snow.  

It does look pretty

 but probably won't last too long.  

That is the way it is around here.  

It is beautiful looking out the window

 but it is very cold so 

lighting the fires. the candles and lamps, 

seem to make it a more enjoyable situation.

I went back to the eye doctor yesterday

 after seven weeks

 from my last appointment. 

 My tests show

 such improvement each time 

that I now don't

 have to go back for ten weeks.  

He is hoping that

 I can have a laser treatment then 

and might not have to have 

any more injections.  

That would be a good thing!

I am down to only two more rooms of Christmas decorations to be put away

 so I think I am right on schedule.  

Hope you all are staying warm and cozy 

and while you are celebrating 

Valentine's Day, 

I will be thinking of you! 

 I might even add a few hearts to the Christmas tree!

...xxoJudy...

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Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda

LOOKING FORWARD...

 

Believe it or not, 

we still haven't had our Christmas celebration with the kids.

  Our first go-round was scheduled a week before actual Christmas 

but due to illness we postponed it until two weeks after Christmas. 

 As you have probably heard, 

Northern California had some

 pretty nasty storms 

and the kids were actually put under a voluntary evacuation in their areas.

  We had some snow

 and lots of rain and high winds, 

although we didn't lose our power.

  All and all there were some

 pretty bad spots 

between where they were 

and where we are, 

so we decided 
better safe than sorry.

 
 We are now expecting 
more bad weather 
during the coming week.

We will plan again for a date that is right for the kids and their work schedules. 

 We can't help but think

 that this is the first time in over 60 years 

that we haven't spent time 

together at Christmas.

In the meantime, 

I won't take all of the Christmas decorations down for now. 

 I know that at the time up until Christmas, 

I have always been so happy to bring out all the decorations 

and always comment that I wish it could be Christmas all year long. 

 But as the new year enfolds,

 I do get antsy to put away the stuff and give everything a fresh start. 

 I will take my time packing up

 and for sure

 I will leave the trees with

 their pretty twinkle lights 

in place for as long as needed.

At this point, 

I have cleaned up the parlor mantel

 although I have left the garland, 

minus all the Christmas,

 now set up for a long winter 

with white winter berries and snowballs.

 It certainly looks like winter 

outside the Cottage 

so might as well add a little to the inside.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas

 and are in the process of

 enjoying the new year so far.

  I expect we will all have

 some unsettled weather 

throughout the rest of winter,

 but here is to being

 safe, healthy and warm inside.

...xxoJudy...

"Winter, a lingering season,

is a time to gather golden moments,

embark upon a sentimental journey,

and enjoy idle hours."

John Boswell

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Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda