LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, December 7, 2018

And We Love Lucy

We've begun decorating for Christmas and listening to carols as we do so.  We are so grateful to have this Christmas together.  Last year I was discharged from rehab days before Christmas, still very weak, and we were anticipating chemotherapy as soon as the surgery was completely healed.  A totally unknown and frightening future lay ahead of us.  Our Christmas was low key as you might imagine.  So while we are still realistic, we are also optimistic and we are indeed celebrating with enthusiasm.

 We decided it would be too difficult to put up our regular tree which exceeds more than ten feet with very heavy sections.  So my husband went  to Lowe's and got an 8 foot tree we could manage.  To our chagrin, the top section of the pre-lit tree did not light up.  We did the usual troubleshooting and it still did not work so the next suggestion was "return to store."  My husband was not happy to have to take the tree and expected to have to argue with some clerk.

But when he told the clerk his story, she looked deadpan and said, "Well damn!  Let me go get you another one,"  He thought it was the best customer service he'd had in quite a while.  Best of all the tree did indeed light up all the way and a smaller one seems just fine.  He has enjoyed spending time selecting ornaments since we have far too many to fit on the tree.

Lucy was totally disinterested in the tree.  Her only concern came much earlier when we moved the armchair that was in the corner.  Like many other dogs, she does not like her environment changed.  Once the chair was gone she pretty much ignored the rest of it.  Alas, another sign of her aging.  In the past she would have stuck her nose into every ornament as it was moved to the tree.

She manages the stairs more slowly but doesn't seem to have pain




In the den she enjoys her soft bed




And upstairs she finds the sun puddles wherever they may be

We have very strong predictions for heavy snow this weekend.  All models predict at least ten inches for us and some of them say the snow will be measured in feet.  We are prepared with plenty of food and a generator with a full tank of propane.  We will dig out for Lucy first and then do the rest at our leisure.  (Actually, my husband will do the digging.  I use a cane for stability and can't imagine a cane in one hand and a shovel in the other.)

Experience has taught us that snow in the mountains is unpredictable.  Often a small difference in elevation will make a large difference in the amount of snow.  The valleys and peaks also make a difference.  So I'm hopeful that we will get much less snow than predicted.  I really should not mind the snow.  After all, we have no place we must go.  My chemotherapy treatment was Wednesday so that won't be a problem.  But after 20 years in Wisconsin, I had my fill of snowy winters.  It was great at the time and we enjoyed the outdoor activities.  But now I will stay inside and enjoy reading and watching old movies.

The quote for today is from one of my favorite philosophers, Marcus Aurelius.  It reminds us how important it is to think positively and with kindness and hope.

"The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts."


HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK, EVERYONE
STAY SAFE AND WARM
AND THINK POSITIVELY



14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love your new Christmas tree story. It is a lovely gift of the season. Hope the snows are light the shoveling easy, and Lucy enjoys a walk in the wintry beauty of it. Absolutely love this quote. Take care there.

Barbara Rogers said...

So we're all thinking the North Carolina winter storm may hit, may drench with snow, or may piddle out...the last is unlikely. But at least cabin fever won't be for long here, as it sometimes has been in other places. We are what we eat...read...see...and surround ourselves with! I'm happy to hear you got a tree and that the customer service was so good.

Cheryl said...

Beautiful quote....doesn't it just.

I cannot imagine what you went through last year.
I confess reading it went straight to my heart.
This is a new year, I hope your Christmas is everything you want it to be.
New tree will be perfect.

Dear Lucy,
She never ceases to make me smile. I do so love elderly dogs.

Vicki Lane said...

So thankful that this Christmas is much better for you.

I'm just back from a last run to the grocery store . . . it was busy but not frantic in the store. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best, as always.

I was intrigued by the cart off the gentleman in front of me -- paper towels, paper plates, plastic forks, toilet tissue, bottled water, a canister of fuel for a Coleman stove, and the makings for a huge vat of chili were the main items. Good planning for a power outage!

shoel said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Beatrice P. Boyd said...

So happy to read about your holiday plans in comparison to your medical ordeal last season. You have much reason for joy and happiness with loved ones this Christmas. And what wonderful customer service on the tree return and a smaller one should be easier to manage. After years of having real trees that were quite large, we have downsized as well, but still have too many ornaments for larger tree size.
And, this year we are able to decorate here in our NH apt as last holiday we were in VA for the anticipated house sale which then was delayed until Feb. Yet, we made the best of it and recycled a tree the neighbor was discarding and bought lights and bows then left it with the house! Hoping that your Christmas beings many happy times and all the best in the coming New Year for you and your family and Lucy too.
I've been reading about the forecasted snow storm for southern states and hope it won't be too severe - we have none here in Nashua, NH now :-(

Nance said...

This post struck many, many chords with me. It is so true that finding joys in pure, good kindnesses and simpler things is so satisfying. That is a good Theme for the season.

Any season, really.

Arkansas Patti said...

What a joy when all our build up for an argument at the store just evaporates. So glad it turned out so well and the tree is just right. Lucy seems very content to enjoy her creature comforts and can't be upset by an 8 foot tree that grew in the room.
We are supposed to get snow but so far I am just watching ice build on the tree limbs. Never a good sign but I am all ready if the worst happens and it gets dark. Sounds like you are ready too. May we both dodge the bullet.

KB said...

That does sound like the best customer service!!! I am glad that you can celebrate with joy and optimism this year. I sure hope that they over-estimated your snow. One trick that works for us to avoid too much shoveling during a storm is to use snowshoes to pack down an area that they can use for "business".

I love Lucy too. I'm glad that she can retreat to the den and avoid the hub-bub. With R well on the road to blindness, he has good reason not to like changes in his environment. We'll see what he thinks about Christmas excitement this year.

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

I wondered how your weather was? I'm just far enough southeast of you that we only had a dusting of snow but lots of rain. I'm so glad you are able to blog again and I love the Lucy pictures.

The Bug said...

Well here I am commenting on the other side of the snow. I went back to work today - left the house about an hour later than usual so it wasn't terribly bad after I got out of our neighborhood. These are the times I miss being a work-from-home employee!

I'm so glad that this Christmas is more joyful for you. I was going through the angst of losing my job last Christmas, but that's nothing compared to what you went through!

Lowcarb team member said...

Just so thankful that this Christmas is much better for you.
Pleased that you were able to get the Christmas tree sorted ok, and lovely pictures of Lucy.

All the best Jan

Tara said...

What a difference a year makes, eh? So glad you are able to celebrate this Christmas with a little more umph! My parents had the same exact problem with their tree this year. Maybe there is a tree rebellion going on....

I'm guessing that you did get that snow? I don't know how people live in snow. We're going to Colorado for Christmas, so if it's snowing I will likely hang out indoors.

Lucy looks lovely bathing in the sun. Give her a good cuddle from me, will you?

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

Robin - Thanks. We had it so much better than many but it wasn't fun.

Barbara - I hope you were safe and warm in the storm.

Cheryl - Thanks. I've chalked it up to a benchmark day of bad days. And I am grateful every single day that I am doing as well as I am. Have a grand time in Lapland.

Vicki - I'm laughing about the beans. My husband went to the store and I needed beans to make a big pot of Minestrone soup. He said the aisle was filled with people grabbing beans and sharing chili recipes.

Beatrice - Thanks for the good wishes. I hope the same for you.

Nance - So true

Patti - Yes, good customer service seems so rare nowadays that we really appreciate it when we find it.

KB - I am so hoping R does not lose the sight in his eye. But I know all of you will adapt if that happens.

Ginnie - Thanks a lot

Bug - We can all find things to be thankful for this season, can't we? I loved your shovel gift but I do think Dr. M should have put a bow on it.

Jan - Thanks. I know you will be doing some marvelous cooking.

Tara - Sorry, but in Colorado you will have to spend a little time sledding with the grandson. Hope you have a great time but make sure you have a good book and good wine just in case.