What traditions do you have?  Are you able to do them?  How do you celebrate Christmas?  What are the memories you have of "past" Christmas traditions?  We were talking about it last night because we were in worship at 7 pm - which felt WAY early!  Christmas Eve services are supposed to be at 11 pm so you are coming out of the church a little after midnight -- THEN it is Christmas.

Or what about how we dress for Christmas service?  Do you still get the new outfit for the service?  We always got a new outfit for the first day of school and Christmas Eve.  No, I didn't get a new outfit in September OR for the service.  I did think about it as I was "people watching" before the service though.......

Do you explain the tradition?  "We always did it this way"........  Why?  I love the story of the new groom asking why the bride was cutting the ends off the ham.  "Because this how my mother did it."  So.....ask new mother in law who gives the same answer.  Soooooo...... ask new grandmother.....  "because I didn't have a big enough pan to fit the ham."  Sometimes you get to laugh!

​And....sometimes you go look at neighborhood lights after an "early" worship service.

So.....how are the roads where you are?  Do you have snow?  Can you get out even "just" for errands?  ARE you going to be traveling this holiday season?  We have an interesting mix of family "close" (an hour's drive away) and "far" (plane ride or 2 day drive).  We live "up north" so driving conditions can be an interesting (remember we laugh not scream!) challenge.  This winter has had some especially interesting weather from flooding (northwest) to SNOW (northeast) to "dangerous" windchill (Midwest) so travel has some issues.

​Yesterday I was traveling, flying to be with my son, and working through "dangerous wind chill" and "winter weather" (where he lives) so expecting delays.  The fun part was the delays......  The first delay was the plane arriving was late.  Then "those who need more time" were boarded.  I had just sat in my seat when they told us we needed to get off the plane.  "Something is wrong we have to switch planes."  So there were three of us climbing back up the jetway and sitting in the first chairs we found!  Then the delay while they found another plane (and crew) AND we had to move gates (of course!).  The three of us, by this time, were having a great time!  Others were starting to join our conversations.  We decided that "old" people could say anything! Then the second plane came and we were each in our own seats.

The fun didn't end though.....  The "winter weather" where we were landing caused some issues getting to the gate.  As in our plane slid right past where it was supposed to turn.  The crew (on the plane AND on the ground) did GREAT! I just wish I could have had a picture of the tow truck "turning" the plane into the gate......   Like I've said...... you need to laugh or you will start screaming!! 

Sometimes memories, and laughing, is how you get through the more recent difficulties.  Like trying to walk with "slippery" conditions.  Or climb steps.  The difficulties, now, were steps in the balcony with nothing to hold onto while going up, or down, to where we were seated.  Then there is also trying to cross with snow on the ground.  Someone had shoveled but the "white" lines in the cross walk were where it was slippery - the pavement was OK.

All of which brought to mind the first cruise with Dad.   We were "booking it" back into port with some pretty good sized waves.  The captain had come on the loud speaker..... "rough seas so when walking please use the hand rails."  This is a very good idea!  My balance, and walking, was causing interesting difficulties.  I couldn't grab Dad - I would have taken us both down.  I thought the hand rails an excellent idea.  One problem...... there are large portions of the ship WITH OUT hand rails!  I made new friends in a hurry.

So.....now....... slippery roads and steps in balconies.........  I tend to walk like a duck in slippery conditions.  Thankfully there was a person to help at the steps in the balcony. As with most learning experiences..... it is better to laugh or you will start screaming!

How are you doing with getting things done, changing seasons and being ready for them?  Have you thought about "opening" things like I asked a couple of posts back?  Have you found the various things you have put "in a safe" place?  How many people are in your "village"?

The three sisters are living in the same house taking care of the three sisters.  We are the village and have found that we are regularly helping each other.  Sometimes it is the sister who can get things open - jar, medicine bottle or box.  Sometimes it is the one who can find the "safe" place something was put in/on.  Sometimes it is the one who keeps cleaning things up/off.  Recently it took two of us to figure out how to work with the lining of the winter coat.  We also, thankfully, have wonderful neighbors who help "open" jars AND clean snow away.

So......  how big is your village?  What does your village help with?  Like I've said before laughing is better than screaming!  Something to think about........