Turn out the lights ...

 ... the party's (almost) over!

I hope everyone thoroughly enjoyed -- in his or her own fashion -- a wonderful Christmas!

Ours was certainly made brighter by Encouraging News from DH's oncologist the day before.   Baring any unforeseen 'uh-oh's', they don't want to see us again until March!   
Recalling Tom's original diagnosis, I can't begin to describe the enormity of our relief.   
....then again, I hadn't counted on the army of angels who've held us up! :)

My FB pal, Danny, sent this link just the other day.   At the time, I supposed there wasn't enough time to spend 6 minutes sitting, watching a film about gratitude.  This morning I watched.   Then twice, three times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nj2ofrX7jAk

Silly lady!   Looking back, I've probably wasted more time telling myself, "I don't have time"!
So, the party's nearing a conclusion, and I'm left to consider its parting gifts.   

Before saying "bye" ... and speaking of gifts, here's a poser:  

Is it just me, or does anyone else wish Victoria's Secret would go away ..... like far, far away?   
I'm not sure about you or your circle of friends -- but (aside from Cher) I don't know any 60-something gals who boast perfectly flat abdomens and anorexic hiplines. 
 
God bless hubby, I'm sure he thought his was a sweet gesture - but even the more "matronly" pajamas (can I use that word in conjunction with VS?) came up only to the top of my (not-so-anorexic) hips.   
Return-to-sender and happily, no feelings were hurt!   

Right now, I'm enjoying the sweet gift of not setting foot outside in two days.   Let the crowds thin a bit, then I'm planning to have a whee old time buying something really risqué .... like a new coffee maker!

Hugs from Phoenix!

Myra

     

This, that and the other

So much do ...
yet, I'm sitting here like a clump of clay with a smile on my face, acting out "Doe, a deer, a female deer" for the thousandth time.

While my voice should never be mistaken for that of a real singer, of late I can't stop singing!  Around the house and in the car ... up n' down the aisles at Target (my home-away-from-home).   

Blame it on the holidays, you say?   Okay.
.... but how can I explain some of the weird lyrics coming out of my mouth, like a Dickins' apparition or something!?

"John-Jacob-Jingleheimerschmidt .... thatttttt's my name, too!"

... or, "From the land of sky-blue waters, comes the beer that's so refreshing, Hamm's, the beer refreshing ..... Hamms."   

Does this sort of thing ever happen to you?   ...and should I be concerned that I recall all the words?   LOL.  (For the record, my parents enjoyed a beer now and then, but never purchased Hamms.)

Little things mean a lot, don't they?   
Last Friday, for instance.   I'd taken the day off work, presumably to clean house and start decorating.    Instead, I felt this honest-to-goodness need to visit Hallmark.  
Mind you, the closest free-standing store is nearly 25 miles away, but it had probably been 3 years.   Hey, some folks like Disneyland.   Me, I get a case of "glad-all-over" at Hallmark.

Poor Tom.  By the time I wandered out, he'd fallen asleep in the car -- but still felt up to having lunch at Cheesecake Factory.   Talk about another "glad all over" spot.... goodness!
   

Almost heaven ...

 

OK.  It's impolite to stare, but I couldn't help stealing glances at the couple seated alongside Tom:   Nicely dressed, mid-60's perhaps: they sat, just staring at one another.  Not angry, just indifferent.   I don't think a single word passed between them.   It just felt sad, you know?
  
Lots of time I'm prone to start imagining all these scenarios about others' lives.  But this time I was too busy enjoying "RJ"..... that almost-extinct species of waiter:  listener, informant and entertainer!  His opening salvo?  "I really shouldn't be so nice to you, since I hate your guts already."   (We were wearing Auburn Tigers hoodies; he's a "Bama" fan.)

Ya, little things mean a lot.  
There's dirty laundry waiting and decorating's not begun -- but it feels like Winter outside (humor me!), and the puppies are rolling around my feet like a couple of fools. :)  
     
Please don't get me wrong; I don't want to come off as some kind of Pollyanna.  There's plenty to concern myself with - both in the workplace and here at home.   
The deterioration of DH's hip has made it almost impossible for him to accompany me to the store w/o using of those little electric scooters.   We thought cortisone injections might provide some relief - but they don't mix with the blood thinners.  So, Tom's scheduled for another PET-scan next Friday, then we're to learn the results on (of all times!) Christmas eve.  

For right now, life is pretty some of that OK.  
Nevertheless, your prayers and positive thoughts are most appreciated!     

Hugs from Phoenix,
Myra