Christmas Month - Day 5

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It's the most wonderful time of the year when people give without a thought of getting. Well, most people do.  Let's look for the positive everywhere.  

And I totally agree that we should fill the season with magic!!!!

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Christmas Month - Day 4

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All the things about Christmas make me feel so good inside and outside.

My favourite time of the year when life feels surreal.  

Day 30 Christmas Ending

While listening to "Praise and Worship" songs, I feel energised even after doing the laundry, my morning chores and everything else that needed tweaking.  

The children left us with a glow that should carry us through the next days and until we see them again.

Stephen is back to his ad hoc work and I'm going to catch up with all that I've put aside these last few days.  

Looing back, we had a superb Christmas meal cooked by our GG and she impressed us with her culinary skills.  Her first attempt at Devil Curry was outstanding.  She asked me to give it a go as she thinks I can.  Maybe I will.  I'll have to see how it goes.  We wined and dined a bit but now we're on slow down mode.  We don't intend to go overboard.

Overall, this time we didn't stress out over visiting people except for Grandma Grosse which is part of the reason why the kiddos spent Christmas in Singapore.  

Anyway, it's peaceful and quiet this morning.  I'm alone with my thoughts but I'm not lonely.  There is so much in my heart to keep me company. 

Day 28 Christmas Season

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When I was still working, it was always at the back of my mind that the holiday would soon be over.  Yes, there were moments when I completely forgot about work or commitments but eventually, I'd remember that I had to get back to the routine of being employed.  Juggling leave, travelling and merry-making during this intense period sometimes left me tired and worn out.

However, now I do feel the whole 100% of the holiday magic.  There are no more rushing deadlines or wondering if I have enough vacation leave.  It really is wonderful.

But it has come as a result of already having done my duty and now being able to bask in the afterglow of it all.  I did my part when it was necessary and now I should learn to kick off my shoes and enjoy the essence of this holiday season.  I've earned it.

Day 27 Christmas Magic

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We've had the children with us since the 22nd and we've made memories during our quiet moments as well as when we are rolling on the floor laughing out loud.  It's what has made this holiday season magical and precious.

We never really know if or whether we will make it through to the next Christmas, so it's important to make each day count.  I think in these last days, we have done just that.  

The kids go back today and we return to our usual routine but that's also okay because as long as Stephen and I together, we'll be fine.

Day 26 St Stephen's Day

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So we're still reeling from the merry-making.  Still busy with the children and making memories.  It's my favourite thing to do when they are here.

Happy St Stephen's day!!! And also 

Day 24 Christmas Eve

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Everything is set for today and tomorrow.  We have church to attend and then prep for dinner.  

Whatever it is, we're celebrating not only because Christmas is tomorrow but also because today is our wedding anniversary.  

When we decided on this date, we knew that it would always be doubly special because it's in the most wonderful month of the year plus everywhere is filled with joyful, happy people.  It's contagious.

Anyway, despite and in spite of the odds being against us to last, here we are, still together.  

Happy anniversary, darling!

Day 23 Christmas Baby

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Oh yes, indeed!  A baby changes everything.  Even when our children are all grown up, they're always our babies, no matter how old they get.

Just like Baby Jesus and how his birth changed everything, our babies change everything for us.  

Even when we don't think about it, our lives revolve around them.  We think about them.  We worry about them  We pray for them.  We talk about them.  We connect daily with them.  What would life be without them?

To have them here and to be able to shower them with our love, care and concern means so much to us.  I always like to think we're making memories: Christmas memories, to boot!

Day 22 Christmas Hearts

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Oh yes, they do!  Two hearts are coming home for Christmas. We're always happy when they do plan to be with us.  It's exciting and fun to have our children with us, especially, at Christmas.

We do understand that they won't always be able to spend it here in Singapore but we love it when they do.  There's so much happening that we can happily fill each day with loads to do or buy.  Sales are on everywhere and we already started our shopping ten days ago.  Sorry, kids, we didn't wait. 

It'll be a full house!  Full of fun, love, and laughter when we get together.  And eating, that's a foregone conclusion, since we all love to eat. 

Blessed Christmas Wishes

Day 21 Christmas Things

So I've started using some of my Christmas stuff.  I have a few things which I like to bring out during this season.  

These four earrings were bought last year but I didn't get a chance to use them so they are relatively new.  Altogether, I have about 7 pairs of Christmas earrings, one Christmas handbag, one Christmas hair clip, and one Christmas hair thingy.

This year, I decided to be daring and paint my nails in a more festive colour to match my bling bling Fitflop.  #YOLO

Day 20 Christmas Blessings

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As we reach the last few days before Christmas, Let's count our blessings and look around to see who we can bless during this beautiful season.

We haven't decided yet what we will do but we always make it a tradition to shower someone with a surprise blessing.  There's still time and we will finalise this before the year is over.

Come on, Stephen, put your thinking cap on! 

Day 16 Christmas Coffee

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So it's really easy to please me because all I want for Christmas is COFFEE!  I usually drink coffee only in the mornings and will risk one in the afternoon, if I am out and about.  

I find that coffee does keep me awake at nights, sometimes.  But if I'm dead tired, I sleep no matter how much caffeine I have ingested.  

So, yeah, coffee is all I want for Christmas.  Easy peasy, y'all!

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Day 15 Christmas Time

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It's really been a good two weeks of December for me.  I haven't felt rushed or stressed about getting organised for Christmas.  

Plus I can check off every thing on this list, despite binging on Christmas movies and my TV series, I should add.  

When I was working, I used to feel a bit of tension the moment we hit the first of December.  I wondered when I would start to "Christmastise" the home.  I wondered how I would do it all.  More often than not, I would work a full day and then after dinner I'd start on the decorations.  It wasn't easy but I did do my best and always felt satisfied with everything.

These last years, it's been easier.  I've either become better at it or I've become more easy-going.  It's not about overdoing but just about doing.  And I'm done!  

Yay!  Celebrate!  

Okay, maybe not yet.  I'm still tweaking some things every now and then!  

Day 10 Christmas Wishes

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When do we send Christmas cards out?

According to a google search, the answer is "Send out Christmas cards to family and friends 2-3 weeks before Christmas day. You should always send out Christmas cards during the first full week of December to avoid sending your cards out too early or too late."

Now we no longer have to worry about it, as most people wish via a social media platform.  But I'm sending out our first wish today  (more to come, why not?) even while I'm making a personalised one that I will share with close family and friends.

Day 9 Christmas Stuff

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I've been thinking of making a cheesecake since a month ago but, as always, I keep postponing.  So I will get to it and then just before Christmas I'll make another one.  Calories!!

And we've been watching Christmas movies every night.  Stephen loves them and, with Netflix, there are so many to choose from.  Plus we've been binging on snacks.  He'll take a packet and I'll say, "No".  Then he'll pass it to me and I'll start.  Or I bring out the potato chips and he'll join me.  Calories again!

But this is what Christmas time is all about.  Being happy and contented with the simple things in life is all that matters.

Day 8 Christmas Feelings

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Almost every mall is decked with Christmas decorations. It's lovely to see the different themes of each one and as always the famous Singapore Orchard Road is brimming with people who go to take in the sights and sounds of everything.

It's impossible not to feel Christmas in the air if you walk through Orchard Road when the lights are all up.  

We haven't gone yet but we've seen some images and videos already. Maybe we'll wait for the children to go with them.  Or maybe not! 

Day 4 Christmas Thoughts

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I do agree that Christmas means a little bit more.  

Before if you wanted to have a beautiful tree and home, you had to go to Robinson's to buy your stuff. People recognised that they had the best selection of christmas decorations.  

Today, you can go to Daiso and get everything you need and your home will be just as lovely as any other.

Stephen commented to me about this and said that it would be so easy for young couples to buy what they need from one store.  He's right, of course.  

But Christmas for us, truly means a little bit more than just store-bought stuff. 

I'm glad to be in Singapore to celebrate again to enjoy this wonderful month of all things nice!

Post-Christmas thoughts

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We may not have snow but December is definitely the coldest month in Singapore.  It's the rainy season and most days it looks just like winter without the snow.  The sun stays behind the clouds and the weather is lovely for any outdoor activity.  

We have hardly put on the air-conditioning and the horrible hazy months are just a distant memory now. 

Such a wonderful time of the year and makes me look forward to each morning.  Feeling so mightily blessed.  

Christmas: The day after

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Well, we survived Christmas day with all the merry-making, eating and drinking spree.  Today is to recharge the energy levels, before the evening comes, for another round of fun.

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 Just relax, take a deep breath before making new memories. 

By the way, Stephen will never fail to remind us that it's his day because some countries celebrate the feast of St Stephen on 26 December.  Okay, we get it.  Let's go eat your favourite local food!!!

Christmas Day

 

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