‘Tis the season or “Look Doris, someday you’re going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn’t work. And when you do, don’t overlook those lovely intangibles. You’ll discover those are the only things that are worthwhile.”*
by chuckofish
Regular readers of this blog know that the dual personalities are not particularly social animals. We like to stay home, but ’tis the season, as they say, and lately I have been very busy. And please note: This was all happening during a period of snow/snowy mix/sleet.
The other night I went to our church ornament party which is a fund-raiser for Outreach. This ladies-only event is always a “hilarious” good time where 40 or so church ladies of various ages choose a wrapped ornament and then hope it won’t get stolen by the next person in that favorite holiday tradition: the Dirty Santa game. Who invented this? Thanks a lot.
The associate rector clowns around.
Well, I had to fight for it, but I got the ornament I wanted!
Saturday morning I ran over to church where the Christmas cookie sale/used book sale was underway and bought a bagful of books. Yay!
Later that morning my three best church girlfriends piled into Carla’s SUV for a trip to our flyover state’s first capital, the quaint town of St. Charles.
It was their Christmas Walk weekend so it was very crowded despite the bitter temperatures.
Santa arrived and there were Victorian carol singers. Chestnuts were roasting on an open fire. There was even a band.
Most of the “quaint” shops are full of dreadful tourist-y merchandise, but there are some nice stores and I picked up a few things. It was a lot of fun, although super crowded.
Then we were off to our 3rd annual overnight at Monette’s Cabin, a charming bed ‘n breakfast nestled in the rolling hills of our picturesque flyover state. Last year it was 71-degrees when we arrived. This year it was 21-degrees! But we saw a lovely sunset.
We came prepared with lots of treats.
Between the four of us rocket scientists we could not figure out how to get the DVD player to work, so we could not watch the Christmas movies I had thoughtfully packed, but oh well. We talked the night away and when we were all gabbed out we came back home on Sunday.
Then I talked my old man into going with me to our friendly Optimists tree lot to buy our two Christmas trees (in the snow). Now they are defrosting and I will tackle them later this week. Phew.
How was your weekend?
*Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
dual personalities 
Was so fun to spend time with you and company, doing the things we do best: talk, eat, and care!!
15 days and counting…
Amen.
Talked into it my runny nose!
IIRC your old man, after a brief grumble, donned his long underwear and declared, “OK then. Let’s git ‘er done!” The trusty middle-aged Subaru (now MY daily driver) did yeoman’s duty with the large tree on the roof and the small one in the back and, as commonly occurs, prompted some questions from the friendly Optimists tree lot helper, who wants a Forester.
To her credit the lovely wife neither lingered, nor hestitated to select the trees on her first sight. Her comment was, “It’ll probably come down just fine. Besides, it’s frozen. We can’t tell one from the other.” Maybe it is the wisdom of years of tree-buying; maybe pity for her poor (now) cold-blooded Old Man; or maybe she was just too chilled to care.
But it was fun! (and for this old man that is quite a statement!!).
I’m not quite there yet – but I’m starting to feel the mood.
So much socializing!! AND you left out dinner out on Friday. Quelle popular lady.
OMG–is your ornament a glass of wine? You know I want that. What a fun weekend!
I’m exhausted just reading about it! But it does sound like a great time. It’s snowing here today… jingle bells and all that.
Did you get your grading done?
For me, work today will be a quiet respite!
What a weekend!