A Pretty Nice Day

Katy and me throwing out reindeer food on C.Eve.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

...although I imagine most people with more extended families aren't going to be reading blogs on Christmas Day. I'm waiting on the prime rib to cook and the potatoes to boil, etc. so it seemed like a very good idea to write a quick little post (if that is possible for me). 

It's been a lovely day: a reasonable wake-up time, great Santa bounty for Katy, good gifts for Max and me, Dean Martin crooning out Christmas songs all morning.  Max bought Dean last night.  All the Christmas music left with FH and his computer (we all use i-tunes and the computer rather than cd's though we listen to it through the big speakers). We've always listened to Christmas music by country singers, but it was clear this year that Max wanted to begin a new tradition and heck, I was up for it.  After several decades the same music had gotten a little stale and it was too FH.

I think Max has had a few sad and bittersweet moments.  On the one hand, as I've said before there is just NO anxiety, crankiness, and negativity in the house like when FH was here, but on the other hand, the family structure must seem to be missing one important person to him after all those years.  His dad hasn't called him or emailed him and it hurts even though he acts like it doesn't.  With the exception of contacting Katy occasionally, FH has pretty much emotionally deserted the family.  How does a man do that?  Especially when he has almost a whole entire life invested with that family.  I haven't spoken to him in over four months and it is the same for Max.  sigh   Well, that's negative stuff to think about right there and that just isn't how I'm feeling now.  

Last night was different but pleasant. After Katy went to bed wired and couldn't get to sleep for hours, and was crying because Santa won't come if I'm not asleep but I CAN'T GO TO SLEEP!!!  Max and I listened to music and burned CD's for each other so we could share and later I wrote some comments on blogs that I hadn't visited this week to say Merry Merry! But, around 12:15 pm (she's still not asleep) I received a wrong number call...three times.  On the third time I joked around with the woman calling.

Well, that set off an amazing and interestsing hour of conversation.  She was in northern Colorado visiting her kids.  She is 70 years old.  Janet was trying to call her boyfriend here in my town but she kept dialing my number instead, which by the way isn't even similar to his.  So we got to talking and of course we were talking men because that's what she had on her mind.  She said her psychologist out in Pennsylvania has told her she's obsessed with this guy who won't ask her to marry him, nor will he ask her to live with him after eight years of dating.  The doctor wants her to move on, but there she was furtively calling him at midnight and feeling guilty as hell. To me it seems that romance at 70  might should  be revered whatever its nature but as she talked more I realized that from her doctor's point of view it is a matter of self respect.  She said sex with this man is FABULOUS, hence some of the obsession.  (Isn't that wonderful though?  Fabulous sex at 70! It's something to look forward to, for sure.)  Anyway, after 1:20 when we decided to get off the phone, we exchanged only first names and phone numbers.  I would have done emails because I could tell she liked getting things off her chest with me, but she doesn't do email.  I said Well, it's after one, are you going to call John now? and she said she wasn't.  It's too late.  I think I was meant to call you instead so I would talk too long and not call him.  I'm leaving tomorrow.  I won't call now. We agreed it was all destiny and hung up.  It was just fascinating to me.

Well....gotta go make those decadent mashed potatoes...Linda's recipe of course.  She's got all the best recipes.

So, if anyone is reading this, Merry! 

 Can you believe it is finally over!

Comments

[Judy in KY]

Hi Anya,
It's a delight to read your posts. Have you heard the recent study that shows happiness is contagious? Well, you sound so happy when you write that your happiness is spreading all the way here to Kentucky! I'm sure that's why that woman wanted to talk to you on the phone too. Your family is lucky to have you.
Judy

[Mrs. C]

What a beautiful pic of you and Katy!!

Yes, it must have been a good thing she kept dialing your number. I keep wondering what this man's motivation must be. When your girlfriend is 70, you don't have 8 years to just hang out. You just don't. :[

[anya]

That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me, Judy. Thank you.

Well, Mrs. C, it sounded like his motivation was to just have a woman near for his occasional beck and call with no intention of giving anything back. Yes, at 70 I'll bet the urge to get things done gets pretty strong.

[fire byrd]

Whata gal! Hope I'm still up for it at 70! Although bloke sounds a bit of a rotter.
And I 'm sure she was right about you being the person she should have talked to.
1st Cristmas is the worst alone, so lets hear it for next being the one with no sad bits!
hugs xx

[Alexandra]

I so LOVE the picture! Wow! :)
You hang in there, things do get easier day by day.

*hugs*

[Pam]

Yay Anya! What a great picture! Look at your happy faces! You go girl,with those new traditons and Squirt the Xmas tree, and your lovely, lovely family.All the best for the holiday season,with good food and lcompany.I look forward to more of your postings.

[Robin]

What a great picture!

[Pamela]

Edward and I wish you and Katy a most Happy New Year, Anya!! All the best!

[Mmmm]

Happy New Year, Anya!

[Alexandra]

HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

[risingrainbow]

The idea of starting over after that kind of time scares the cr*p out of me. You are one brave woman! I wish you all the best.

Hope you have a Happy New Year!

[Carmon]

Thanks so much for the visit and comment...I enjoyed reading back through your entries and I wish you the very best in 2009 as you continue your journey - Carmon

[BumbleVee]

Am I the only one who smells a rat here?

I would be tempted to ask her for his address.. just to play PI >... check out a few things.... I'm betting he is not living alone for starters.....