Merry Christmas

It is hard to imagine it's Christmas tomorrow. December has been so full already for many reasons - of course losing Grandma (please see my post below) was very hard but a chance to reflect with family. Then I was also given a bit of a ride on my familiar roller coaster with lower than normal bloodcounts showing up a few weeks back, and repeated tests last week dropped further. Yesterday the counts were about the same, so at least they weren't lower. After a discussion with Dr. B, it seems the likely cause may be the medication I am taking to try to reduce my scleroderma, which can cause low hemoglobin. To be sure, the docs will have me do weekly bloodwork for a while and then we'll reevaluate the cost-benefit of taking the medication.

So uncertainty continues to play it's part in life! It's another reminder to take in the day as much as you can and focus on the good stuff. Like decorating trees...I helped decorated 4 this year: Tasha and Talyn's, Colleen, Allan, Grady and Joelle's, the Calgary Emergency Women's Shelter's, and Mom and Dad's. All of them very different and all contributing to the Christmas spirit.

I also was able to get to a few Christmas lunches, dinners and parties - everything from a simple lunch with a friend to my PwC Holiday Party to a "Drink the Christmas Tree Dry" party that included a tree decorated with tiny bottles that you picked off and drank (I did not help decorate or undecorate that one!) - and again all different and all contributing to the Christmas spirit.

We kind of already celebrated Christmas last weekend...Saturday Dad made Gnocchi for 3 of his siblings and their spouses - Marty and Karen, Mary Ellen and Bob, and (from Scotland) Louise and Dave. Sunday morning we had Christmas Morning Wifesafer, Citrus Pull-Aparts and cinnamon "donuts" as the boys call them, and we opened our gifts before they left Monday for Saskatchewan to spend Christmas with Dana's family. The boys' playing with their new Ironman robots was pure entertainment. Wednesday night I had dinner with Tasha, Talyn and Tasha's brother Chad and we exchanged gifts as well, before they left for Regina yesterday.

So Christmas itself will be pretty quiet. Which is another rare gift that we don't often see any more! It's really a season anyway, although it often ends up as one day to cram every possible person you love into, along with every special meal you ever dreamed of...so I will be happy to nap, play cards, watch movies and just enjoy the calm. And oh yeah, pack for my other favourite place...Maui. We leave New Year's Eve and Colleen, Allan, Grady and Joelle will also be there....so Mele Keliki Maka!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas season as well, and hope it continues into 2011. I am so thankful to be healthy and happy and loved - I wish for you the same. Cheers!

Tricia