I arrived home late Monday evening after spending four hours waiting in a bookstore for my son to take me to the airport. I can’t tell you how difficult that was. (There was no room left in my suitcase for books) He insisted his waiting room at work would be too uncomfortable for that long. Then there was more waiting at the airport. The weather cooperated nicely and the pilots did an excellent job getting us up and down. I am always impressed by their skill. I do not like to fly even though I’ve done a great deal of it.
One of many tunneling around my son’s back yard. He managed to capture this.
I had a stop in San Jose, CA but no plane change and saw the ground was wet. Yay! They have been desperate for rain. We had some too in the LA area. You could see happy trees and plants everywhere.
My son took this California sky before the rain.
The sale of my son’s house is back on as of Wednesday. Loan problems for the buyer resolved, for the moment. That means my son could be moving out across Christmas. It’s easy if you are moving across town, not 1000 miles through snow-covered mountain ranges. Getting moving help during the holidays is another tough trick. But we are getting ahead of ourselves here. The right thing will happen in the right time. I’m optimistic.
This is getting left behind for the new owners. Too heavy to take back down the stairs.
Arriving home brought the usual chores; laundry, grocery shopping and contacting friends and neighbors. I hauled my Christmas decorations out of storage and put up my scrawny fake little tree. Some of the ornaments are on but I’m finding myself a bit…unmotivated.
These are the stairs. Have you ever looked under yours?
Maybe after my daughter comes by tomorrow to bake more for her work, I’ll get a splash of inspiration and energy. Today I’ve decided to take the day off to rest, read, rejuvenate and right. Oops, (write). More than writing about all the things I have to get done for the possibly procrastinated Christmas, when my son finally makes it here, I’d rather be catching up on what every one of you are doing. I’ll be addressing Christmas cards for a blogging exchange started by my friend at To Breathe is To Write. It’s a good way to learn more about some of those that follow her and send cards to a few that have smaller personal circle for many reasons.
My Thanksgiving was entertaining. How was yours?
My card list is smaller every year due to getting out less, my divorce and too many moves. I like real mail. I think most people who write do. Snail mail is fun and prettier if you do it right. I’m running out of time to get international cards out and have given myself till no later than Monday. The rest will follow. There will be no crafting of any sort this year. With my move into this home and my son’s move out of his, I’m out of energy and time. Here comes that old phrase you’ve probably used yourselves. “Maybe next year.”
Do you like to give and get real cards for special occasions? Or have you opted to send only virtual greetings?
From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself
insearchofitall 
Comments on: "In Search of my Holiday Oomph" (26)
Marlene, I am so glad you are home safe and sound. My first thought at your delay waiting in a bookstore was that it would be a lovely place to wait, until you said you had no room to pack any books to bring home, that’s just torture.
I am quite sure you will find yourself in the holiday spirit in no time but just need to settle in first. You have been going non-stop for months now and I am sure all you need is some real rest.
On receiving cards, I don’t think much about it, but I do miss the pen pals I had when I was young. It was fantastic to receive a letter by mail. Most of those friendships have fallen away over the years and I find my self missing them from time to time.
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It’s good to hear from you here Lois. I don’t get to you as easy anymore as you come to another e-mail account. I like writing letters but rarely get anyone to write back. It’s especially true for my family. Only my son reads my blog and one or two cousins.
The bookstore was a good place to wait. It was in walking distance of the mall and a street that had shops and restaurants on it so I walked for an hour since I would be sitting so much. Looking around the bookstore and the walking the mall was a safe way to spend four hours. I’d send you a card if you send your address to my e-mail at seamsright8@yahoo.com. I’d love to write you. I keep cards for any and no occasions so I can send notes. I’m getting better with a great deal of rest and eating better. It’s nice to be home. Hope you are keeping warm enough. Hugs my friend. M
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I feel you are doing exactly the right thing Marlene, having a day or even two of rest and recuperation is probably not only sensible for your well-being but also extremely essential for your over all joie de vivre!!
I am not a card sender at Christmas time – I went on strike some years ago and never quite got back into the swing of it. I think blogging has brought a wish to change that, but December crept up on me this year and I am way behind with all my projects. My daughter is moving house, not quite as far as your son, but it has eaten into my time and my energy. A friend was here for a week also and now I find there is even more to catch up on. So not this year. But I really want to do better for next Christmas!! I shall plan to start in September 🙂 Like you I adore snail mail, it is so rare nowadays and I love to be able to send it too!
I hope you will be feeling more in the holiday spirit in a day or two. Be gentle with yourself! xoxo
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Wow, Pauline! That sounds like the story of my life. Maybe next year is my mantra. I keep hoping I’ll catch up but never do. You have your hands full too. I’ll be more in a holiday spirit next week. My sister is moving out on Sunday. I love her but living with her is not so easy. I’ve become somewhat of a hermit in my home. I love to see people… for a short while. I like my space alone. I’m going to send an e-mail. soon.
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Busy busy!! I was kind of a grinch myself last year so this year I’m more into Christmas! I stopped sending cards because it’s simply too expensive to spend 46 cents on one stamp. I’m all about the virtual cards and stuff now. Also more efficient for me. Hope your holidays are fun and stress-free!
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Thanks for reading Terri. I do send lots of virtual cards and only send out physical cards to those that really will appreciate them. I have lots of older friends that can’t do the computer anymore and love getting snail mail. I have an aunt in Australia who is 83 and I still send her cards to let her know she’s thought of. I’ve eliminated all those addresses of people who wouldn’t care if they ever heard from me again. Now those stamps aren’t so expensive. 🙂 I think we might have a prolonged Christmas this year because my son may not be able to close on his house in time to get here for Christmas so we’ll have it again when he gets here. Not presents, just food and family and lights and love. You know, the real thing. 🙂
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Hey Marlene … I know all about moving during the holidays. We will load our truck tomorrow morning, but I promise to have a tree up next weekend. Oh, and about the cards. I adore sending and receiving real paper cards. Merry Christmas to you. Glad you are home safe and sound.
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Thank you for reading. Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. Hope you are having a good move. I’m sending you good thoughts. I’ll keep in touch through your blog. Hugs and Merry Christmas.
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Same to you, Marlene!
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So you are finally home my friend! So glad you made it safe and sound. I know you are tired, you should be, you have been doing something for months! Monday should be good for international cards, I am sending mine Monday too. Ack, I meant to send them last week, but time just gets away from me sometimes. Good to have you back home, rest up and you’ll find your Christmas spirit. Big hugs!
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Thanks Jackie. Slept most of Friday and am feeling somewhat better. Still waiting for the vision to clear up. Do you have a Barnes & Noble by you? That’s where I spent 4 hours on Monday.
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I can so relate to lack of motivation at the holidays and to wanting to get real mail. I do a whiz bang Christmas letter every year and if you leave me an address, I’ll send you one! I think I saw on Laurie’s blog that you live in Portland? Me too! Hi neighbor. 🙂
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What a time of it you have had Marlene (and I’m with you about the flying, done it too many times across that shining sea and don’t like it any better), but it is so good to know you are getting the rest you need, you are bound to be exhausted after all that. Must say, I was thrilled to find out from my friends in California that they have had rain at last, long may it ‘rain’…sorry, had to say it 😉 I have to get my international cards written this weekend to catch the last date to get them out airmail, mostly to America, one to Canada. These are people I’ve kept in touch with ever since I left California 11 years ago, and I do like to take the time to write a proper letter with each card, or put a short note in the card and a photo of the kids for those who knew them when they were little growing up there. But I do also send e-cards. I enjoy receiving both. House buying and selling is so very stressful, I do hope that now it will be smooth sailing, although any move at the best of times and in the best conditions are stress-riddled, never mind with all the added obstacles. How lovely it will be when it is all over with, which hopefully will be sooner rather than later. Take care of yourself Marlene and I’m sure your Christmas oomph will soon return 🙂 xo
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I with you Sherri on sending and receiving both kinds of cards. I don’t care how I keep in touch with people, just that I manage to do it. I’m having great faith that the sale will go through and my son can start his new life here before the new year. All sales are stressful. This one especially so. As soon as it closes, we will all celebrate. You’ll be hearing from me.
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Dear Marlene, sending prayers and blessings to you and yours…see you soon 🙂 ❤
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Marlene, I just replied to your comment about just this thing. You’ve so much going on and it just saps the strength and desire to participate in the holiday season, even if we love all that it entails.
I’m so impressed with those who get international gifts and mail accomplished. I admire you for getting it done. Take a breath and try to find those moments to enjoy stillness (easier said than done – I listened to a TED talk about the Art of Stillness and I did it while running around not being still – ha!)
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That sounds like me. Listening about being still while running around. It’s like watching exercise videos and eating cookies while watching. I’ve taken a lot of down time since getting home. I’m learning to work a little and rest a little more. We can always tell when I’ve done enough by how tippy I get. My daughter was here baking yesterday and after I had put up outside lights, I started to fall over in the kitchen. She brought my a cookie and made me sit. Can you imagine this on a ladder? 😉 I’m a riot. No gifts are going out this year. Just cards. My mantra is “maybe next year”. 🙂 I still love the holiday season so very much. Thanks for reading.
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I love getting snail mail (haha!) but not Christmas cards… which mostly seem to be just a chore for the senders. I’d rather have a lovely piece of mail at a random time of the year than a Christmas card. And I’d much rather send a proper letter or card than churn out dozens of cards with little thought. Recently I have been inspired to make and send little gifts to blogging friends – I love sending them and the recipients love receiving them. I have a little something in mind to come your way… nothing to do with Christmas and everything to do with spreading some smiles.
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I agree on the churning them out. But I love writing to people and I love the pretty cards. I always pick out festive cards. I don’t like cheap, just get it done cards. I have eliminated all those people from my list who never give another thought during the year and spend my energy on those I’l like to know better or keep in touch with. I too liked to include things in my cards but this year has just not afforded the time. I will get caught up, I will get caught up…next year. 🙂 haha.
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Marlene, I love to send cards that are heartfelt, that include a photo that I like and even allow me sign off using my signature ~ check out my website and send a card for free on me! http://www.sendoutcards.com/deanery
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Welcome home, Marlene! I think you just need some time to rest and get acclimated and then your Christmas sprit and energy will return. I’m a big card sender, year around. I have cards that my grandmother sent to me when I was young, they’re so special. To see her handwritten messages makes each card worth a fortune. Cyber greetings, just aren’t the same, especially when they are usually deleted. Take care of yourself.
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Thanks for reading Jill. I too send out cards all year long. I search out unique cards of all varieties to have on hand when an occasion arises. There are lots of people in transit or who I have no physical address for that I e-mail only and always send a virtual card under those circumstances. I would have like to keep more but moving so much meant paring down to bare essentials. I still kept quite a few cards. I like old fashioned letter writing but we seem to be a dying breed. I do miss spell check when I write by hand and my brain often gets ahead of my hands so there are a few strike outs. Yes, my energy is slowly returning with a great deal of rest. By the end of this next week, I shall feel festive indeed but the crafting and sewing will not get done. Some things I just have to let go of. Hope you doing well. Looking forward to catching up on my blog reading.
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Welcome Home my dear. Aren’t those travel days completely tiring? Our flight to San Diego departs at 5:30am, then a stop in San Fran. By the time we arrive, I will need a refreshing nap I think.
Don’t you love Palm Trees. You can’t help be warm when you’re looking at a palm tree. I’m totally frozen right now. I was outside for 3 hours doing lights and greenery. But it looks pretty. I haven’t finished my indoor tree yet either. Or much indoor decorating at all. I don’t want to put out my snow babies until we’re back so the kitties don’t break anything. Accidentally of course. They are mischievous at times.
I baked a little batch of Ginger Snaps Friday night but we ate most already, HA! So no Christmas Baking here 😀
Hey? are those stairs outside? Did you find treasure? I’ve think there’s probably just a lot of leaves under ours, or at least I hope that’s it….eeeeek! xoxox ta ta 4 now K
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Thanks for stopping by on your way out sweety. Yes, the palm trees do make you feel warm. They are all over where I was. We had them in Burbank too. Those stairs were INSIDE. Bottom step of the top set. Filled with concrete crumbs and junk. Lazy contractors who built the house in 1967. They built them so fast as spec homes and no one cared. It was a fixer when my son got it. He put $100,000. into it and lost $200,000 the second year when the rest of the bottom fell out. So in essence, he’s giving the house away for what’s owed on it and still working to make it better. He will be working on it till he moves out. A young family is buying it.
I’m glad you came inside to get warm. Be careful about spending too much time at once out there. I dug out my snow babies box but waiting till my sister moves out next Sunday to put them up. She doesn’t mean to be destructive, it just happens around her. I got some outside lights up yesterday. We will see if I’m inspired to do more.
Have a wonderful time in San Diego. I loved the area but never spent much time there. Looking forward to hearing about your trip. Hugs.
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My son is getting married on Saturday so he is moving too. And that naturally means the ‘mom’ is helping clean, cooking, packing, unpacking, etc. I may not get my Christmas cards out either. We’ll see.
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You make me smile with your comment. My son is 47, single again and that’s what I have been doing. They never outgrow mom. I hope all goes well with the move and the marriage. Christmas cards can be late. No one minds. At least no one that matters. Thanks for reading.
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