That Time In-Between

 November 26 - December 8, 2023

Tombstone, Arizona

There is a marked drop in the energy level following our family visit. We miss them immediately, and already can't wait for their Christmas visit. Excited that Jeff will be joining us all as well. Weird to think we haven't seen him since April, after his being part of our everyday for a few years. 

"They" say looking forward can make us anxious (fear of the unknown, the "what-if's), and looking back can make us depressed (the "should-have-done's, the losses, the failures), and focusing on the present day is best for our mental and emotional health. I can't say I disagree for the most part, although I found great enjoyment in looking forward to the travels I was planning and the places we'd be seeing. I also find big smiles and reasons to be grateful when I go back and read past blog posts. Most of our blogging friends (so grateful for all of you) have commented at one time or another that one of the main reasons they blog is to capture what's happening in their lives to always remember the good times. And the less-than-good-times they survived and learned from. Wrapping the present day in the good memories of my past and the joyful anticipation of future events is a comfortable place for me these days. 

Christmas 2016 in New Orleans.

Christmas 2018 Marathon, Texas

Our present day is pretty good. Bill continues to have no ill effects from dialysis, the people who care for him there are friendly and professional, and he fills the time with audible books and television. I keep busy (Christmas decorating and shopping and wrapping and immersing myself in the season has been a wonderful diversion) on the days he's in treatment whether I drive him or he drives himself. When we don't have other appointments, Rebecca and I enjoy breakfast and craft group on Tuesdays and usually a day trip on Thursday or Saturday. 

And the weather is glorious! Bright sunshine with chilly mornings, warm and breezy afternoons. We have one day of a good female rain, slowly soaking into our dry land. Nothing more cleansing than the smell of washed greasewood and softening earth. 

San Pedro River

Back porch.

One of the many places from Gay's blog posts that I'm excited to visit is Gathering - A Vintage Market, open once a month (twice in December) in Tucson. Rebecca and I check it out the first weekend of the month, and have a fabulous time perusing the seasonal dazzles on display. We make several rounds in the converted warehouse, visit the attached home decor stores (oh to have a big house and a bigger bank account!), and make a few fun purchases. 

Floor to very tall ceiling Christmas joy.

The many 12 foot trees are stunning with hand-blown, hand-crafted ornaments of all kinds.

We warm up along the cute brick sidewalk in front.

I send Bill a pic of this - he agrees we probably don't have room for it :-)

Donnie comes up for Cribbage every week, Anna and  I get together for coffee and catching up. It's lovely having long-time friends so close. 

We're planning our first mini-travel for Super Bowl weekend. We'll drive the Jeep to Kingman and spend three nights at our friends' lovely home. It will be our first adventure without the motorhome, but we'll be staying in their fifth-wheel so the transition will be gentle :-) Bill's dialysis team will arrange for Friday and Monday treatments at their Kingman facility so that will also give us a trial-run for future excursions. With his 50th reunion coming up in April (we already have reservations at the RV park in Desert Center) it will be helpful to know how it works!

I love this time of year.

Elliott, Brian, Shalise, Ezra and friend in their small town holiday parade.

M and M get to meet Pete at a local event.

The youngest, Cassidy, lighting up her world already.