Deciding on Christmas 2025

Happy Sunday evening everyone!

How was your day? Were you able to accomplish most of your Christmas shopping? I got a couple things on my list but still have more. Even though John and I won’t have a tree up and our home is one hot mess due to the major containment up, I still have some gift buying to do for our loved ones.

I have to be honest, I’ve been feeling pretty sad about not having all my Christmas decorations up. I am missing my Christmas trees too, but I know having this surgery is for the best, so, I am grateful for that and I must say, God must know how much I enjoy Christmas because I got a wonderful gift from my niece yesterday. She has gifted John and I an entire week at her timeshare resort when I get out of the hospital. She’ll be keeping my pups for a couple of weeks while I recuperate, and she knows my home isn’t a place to come back to after a surgery. She said I’m always welcome to be at her home, which I spend tons of time at, but she thought it would be nice for me and John to have a week in our own space while I recoup from surgery. I am so appreciative of that.

Guess what, I’m going to get out one of my small trees and a couple of ornaments, along with our stockings and I’ll have them in the car, so when John retrieves me from the hospital, hopefully the next day after my surgery, we can go to the condo/timeshare and put up a small little tree.

The timeshare condos are so nice. It’s a little one bedroom with a living room and kitchen and usually a balcony with a view. Only one time that’s she gifted me the timeshare/condo I didn’t have a view. Whatever condo we get, I know it will be just wonderful. I am so excited. I have an entire week to find some small decorations and pack them in a tub.

Last night at the Christmas boat parade, I was blessed to be able to go to our friends and sit on their balcony and enjoy the entire event surrounded by friends. It was a small group and sadly, John was too sick to join us, but he insisted I go and I am so glad I did. Just walking into their home, I felt the spirit of Christmas. The decorations were beautiful. The tree was amazing, and everyone was so encouraging and festive. It was the evening I needed. I was reminded that even if I can’t have the Christmas of my dreams in our home because of the chaos and flood damage, I can still have the spirit of Christmas.

I woke up with an entire new attitude today. I decided even though I can’t have a big Christmas, I can still have a different version of Christmas this year. So, I called mama Sandy and asked her if I could borrow her kitchen for the evening. She was beyond happy to oblige and the pups and I spent the best evening with her making chicken noodle soup for John and rumballs for all my friends and neighbors.

It’s become a tradition where I give out rumballs to all my neighbors, and it brings so much Christmas cheer to them and to me. I love it.

Christmas is about remembering the reason for the season. It’s about giving. It’s spending time with those you love. It’s about gratitude for all Christ did for us. Christmas is spreading cheer to all who are near.

When I walk around our little condo cove, I am immersed in the spirit of Christmas. The lights and decorations are stunning. The spirit is so alive here. I am beyond humble to live in a community that loves Christmas as much as I do. I am reminded by friends and family that next year John and I will be in our new home, and we’ll be able to decorate the way we want. God has most definitely blessed us with a house we’ll make into a home.

Tonight, making rumballs with Sandy and being surrounded by all her Christmas spirit, I knew that Christmas was still going to be amazing this year. Different from years past, but still special. It will be quiet. Perhaps a gift or two on Christmas morning, but it will be extra special being able to just have a place that is free from chaos.

Below are my rumballs. Tomorrow, after they set, I’ll go over to mama Sandy’s and put them in their containers and begin handing them out. John will take some to his family too so they can enjoy some.

I even made gluten free rumballs for Sandy to enjoy. They are made with gluten free cookies and an almond sugar. She said they were pretty tasty. I’m so glad, because they do bring a little extra Christmas cheer to all those that partake.

When I got home from mama Sandy’s I stopped to reflect on how lucky I am that John loves Christmas as much as I do. He made sure that our home is lit up with lights and the true Christmas red and green. Ahh, I just love my lights.

Below is a couple of photos of our lights. Aren’t they amazing?

The candy canes spin around and make into a heart. I love it!!

Well guys, I have another pre-op appointment tomorrow morning bright and early. I have to be in San Diego by 8:15, which means I need to leave by 6:30. So I’m off to bed now. It’s been a busy, yet very rewarding day. Time to say my prayers and give thanks for a wonderful day.

Thank you, Jan, for my morning positive thought. You suggested that today was Sunday Funday. You said I should do something fun and I’m beyond grateful that I took you up on that thought. While making rumballs is a task, it was so much fun and it gave me a boost of holiday spirit, so thank you for always brightening my day and reminding me of all the things I need to be grateful for. You are the best, and I appreciate and love you so much. You are a dear friend who means the world to me. Hugs!

Until next time my dear friends, don’t forget, Love Life++ Hugs