The Best Laid Plans...

So much for "I will be posting here and there" - I've been completely and 100% absent! I apologize for worrying any of you (thank you so much for the email, Ann!). Long story short - L and I both had/have Covid. 

L tested positive last week, right before our vacation time, which necessitated us having to cancel our usual US Thanksgiving All Day Football Celebrations with Nick and Casey.

"Not a gift you want to pass along?"

Definitely not! We were able to do a secure Chili Pick-Up so that my guys would be able to enjoy the chorizo bison chili I'd made earlier in the week, but we missed seeing them and hanging out yelling at our teams on the television. 

I felt fine for the first 3-4 days, but L was pretty wiped out, so we watched a lot of movies, napped, read and played board games when he had the energy.

"I'll show you energy! Look at my muscles!" 

I had to cancel two separate brunch/lunch dates with colleagues/friends, plus shopping expeditions planned for my Friday off and Saturday afternoon (this is what I thought I'd be posting about). Very disappointing, but I wanted to keep my friends safe. 

"And what about me?"

Vizzini's loved having us home - there have been lots of long naps on the couch. 

I woke up on Sunday not feeling 100% - it's finally my turn to get Covid (prior to this, neither L nor I have had it). However, catching it just over a week from my booster jab means I've got a much lesser case - I feel like I have a bad sinus cold, and I'm very tired. 

I took Monday-Tuesday off work specifically so that I could do my Christmas decorating at a leisurely pace, so today/Monday - screw that Covid! - I got started. I pulled a couple dozen bags of decorations out of the hall closet and lined them up in the dining area. Oh, that's a lot. 

It often feels overwhelming, which is why I didn't decorate last year (I last put my trees up here in November 2021). This year, I decided to not put up the village (it takes a long time), to scale back some of my decorations. My 4.5' tree is in the skinny box on the rug, and a 2' tree is in the bag on the right. 

And my 7.5' slender artificial tree is in that box. 

Plus Kleenex for my drippy nose. 

I lit the main tree and secured it with thick wire around the centre post between the two deck doors...in case "someone" decides to pull on it. 

I alternated white and coloured strings of lights. 

L had asked me to incorporate our little-used Stormtrooper cardboard cut-out into the décor this year. 

"Stop! These aren't the decorations you're looking for!"

The Santa figure in the foreground is one of my favourite of all my Christmas pieces. In case you forgot/didn't know, I worked in a year-round Christmas store between 1986 and 1997 - I have a MASSIVE collection of beautiful things that I bought from my store during that period. 

I added lit pine garlands to the top of the pie safe (on the left), and trailed lights up and over the kitchen doorway to the Scotch Bar (no outlets on that wall). 

I'm not sure what I'll put in these areas yet - I like to decorate differently every time. Heck, I never wear the same outfit twice, so why should my decorating always be the same? 

The 4.5' tree got lit next. I rested in between all the lighting. 

The sun was going down, making everything golden. That white thing is my stepladder. 

Once all the lights were done...so was I. Vizzini came out from hiding on the bed to inspect it all. 

"Ah, yes, the tasty branches."

He's always been fond of chewing on the trees, little monster. I am sure he does it just to get attention.

"Why else?"

I'm off tomorrow/Tuesday...and likely the rest of the week, even though I'm already starting to feel better (fingers crossed). I may tackle the actual ornaments if I'm up to it. If not...

"There's always time for cuddles."

Exactly! Taking it easy and letting my body get better is the priority! 

So, there you have it, my friends! The best laid plans...I am hoping to be back in regular shape by the weekend, so send me good vibes! 

I hope you're all safe, healthy and happy, and I thank you so much for visiting. And now, back to riding that couch...