I honestly did NOT want to go to town yesterday but I had no choice. I had to go to the bank because I was having an issue with their app and they couldn’t help me over the phone. If it didn’t involve something that needed completed right away, I would have blown it off. But, it was time sensitive so, there ya go…another trip to town.
It was bitter cold when I left bright and early. The frost was heavy on the Louisa the Lincoln’s windows. I have no idea where my window scraper is, so I waited till the heater softened the frost then wiped it away with the wipers. It was so cold, I brought out the big guns…my Canadian parka and the new L.L.Bean boots I got from my friend Janine for Christmas. I was toasty warm!
I got to the bank and waited my turn in line at the counter in the lobby. When the cashier called me over, I promptly tripped over the rug they used to keep the floors clean and ironically…less slippery. I fell into the marble counter and jammed my right arm pretty hard. They were most apologetic and filled out an incident report…just in case it bothers me later. It’s always something, isn’t it?
Someone tried to help me with my tech issue and as it turns out, it’s actually a glitch inside the app itself and they are trying to fix it. They have no idea how long it will take to get that corrected, so they suggested I contact the other bank I was trying to connect ma account to and see if they can connect from that end. I made the phone call on the way home and they walked me through how to do that online.
The bottom line of that is…I made a trip to town that I didn’t need to make because I could have taken care of it from the comfort of my big red chair. What can I say? I was already in town and Mr. FixIt thought of something he needed. I stopped at the big box store on my way home to get it and made it home by 1:00. Overall, that wasn’t a bad trip…time wise.
I got home, settled myself in the big comfy chair, and worked on Operation Christmas Stocking 2023. I made great progress and it’s a cute one. Mr. FixIt had to go to our little town so I had him stop at the Piggly Wiggly to get some things. I am going to make a quiche today for something a little different!
Looking at our calendar, I honestly don’t think we need to go to town at all this week. They are predicting snow and frigid temps by the end of the week. Mr. FixIt tried to get the generator started yesterday to no avail. We had it running this past summer so it should start. He has some trouble with his hands since his strokes, so if he can’t get it started tomorrow, I’ll go out and give it a pull.
Sometimes you have to tag team chores to get them done. You each have your strengths in a relationship, and time often changes those roles. You have to learn to adapt in order to make things easier. A burden shared is a burdened halved. My memory takes me back to that long, cold winter with the horrendous snowstorms after Mr. Virgo died. When I was left to do everything on my own. Thank God I had wonderful neighbors who helped out with some of the heavy lifting.
Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice!!! From now on, the days get longer and the nights get shorter. It won’t be noticeable at first, but there will come a day when we think…hmmmm, it’s not getting dark till X:XX!!! I love that and it gives me hope!
I’ll never forget the morning I woke up and heard a small engine running out in front of my house. Wrapping my robe close around me, I tiptoed out to the front door and peered out through the sidelight window. There was my neighbor with his brand new snow blower, clearing off nearly three feet of snow on my driveway and front sidewalk!
Believe me, I know how incredibly blessed I am to have Mr. FixIt in my life…my helper, my love. But I still can conjure up that feeling of emptiness and desperation I felt that first Christmas alone. What a long, dark, and lonely time that was. If you are feeling this acute loss this holiday season, please know my heart is with you and you are not alone, dear ones. Even though it feels like it, you are not alone in your suffering.
God weeps with you and for you….as do many of us here.
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“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
#Busy, #Holidays, #Errands
December is my month to hibernate since losing my PC. I haven’t had to run into the big city all month but I do Wednesday and Thursday for Dr appts. Today I have a Zoom call with a third. Christmas eve marks 6 years. Christmas day I’ll be alone as my adult children and I are now in 3 different states. A dear friend has it worse than I as she fell 4 days ago and broke her pelvis and fractured 2 ribs. She will spend a few weeks in rehab about 8 hours drive from me. Phone calls will be made and I’ll pop a rib roast in the oven. First time in many years that I’ve made one too. January I will come out of hiding and stop feeling sorry for myself. Until then I will play with a newfound craft and see what I can make.
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Yep, Christmas is always a sad time for me…seems like too many in my family died around the holidays….all deceased & now my husband is gone. His birthday is tomorrow & he would’ve been 80 years old. Seems impossible that he’d be 80. Here I sit worried about the bitter cold weather that’s coming with no idea what I’ll do if everything freezes up around here. We’ve not had this kind of cold weather in many years. Hopefully I’ll survive. There’s so much sickness in our neighborhood right now so I’m a little skittish about asking for help with anything. I’m hoping I’ll be able to get out Christmas morning to go have breakfast & open gifts with my son, his wife & my grandsons. I’ll also go to church for a short service if weather permits. Then this sad journey continues. Merry Christmas to you & Mr. Fixit!
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