Posted on by granellen

Christmas Eve

Totally excited with my Christmas package contents!
Trying out the hammock for the first time. Loving it!
Full moon among the clouds, seen from my hammock.

Homemade books for baby Mira and sister, Blessing.

This week was different than expected. Sam and Sara, PCVs from my group, live in small villages and have the option to stay the holidays with other volunteers in their region. They came to my town to stay at the primary school hostel since it has plenty of spare room. I invited them for dinner their first night in town and we’ve had dinner every night since, taking turns with the cooking.

Not only have we shared dinners, but Sara and Sam spent the first two nights with me since the hostel property was locked. The volunteer who lives there is traveling and forgot to make arrangements before he left. Having that issue resolved, they moved in, but they prefer my kitchen. Unfortunately, their kitchen is roach infested and does not have the luxury of a 3-burner stove with working oven and a microwave like my kitchen. Their kitchen has an all-in-one appliance of a toaster oven combined with two burners on top, one of which does not work well.

My matrone noticed their coming and going every day and after I explained their situation, she said they should stay with me again, at least while Ester is gone. They moved back over here. My dancing like no is watching was short lived but we’ve been watching movies together, playing some cards, but mostly playing a ‘new to me’ game, Settlers of Catan.

The other surprise of the week was receiving a big package from my family just in time for Christmas. Family kept asking what I needed or wanted so I finally put together a list. My brother’s wife, Barb, jumped on it, promptly bought everything, packed and shipped it. I scoffed when she was told it would arrive in 8-10 days since I have not received school photos of my grandkids sent around November 1st. When the family realized Barb bought everything and sent it already, they chipped in and made it a family Christmas package. I was notified of its arrival on Thursday and picked it up Friday, just over a month from its shipping date. Still no photos…

My favorite is the hammock and the suspension system. I started using it right away and have allowed myself one treat a day until Christmas. I feel guilty since I know this package cost an arm and a leg and I really don’t need anything, but I also must admit how happy it has made me!

All for now with all my love

14 Replies to “Christmas Eve”

  1. Merry Christmas!
    Enjoy your blog-Miss you-
    The full moon has been beautiful-one night it had a halo-like an angel-
    So glad you have company to share Holiday with
    I will be at Boyd’s seeing Santa
    Love ya Georgia

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  2. Merry Christmas. I am sure that your family didn’t mind spending an “arm and a leg” to send you that package. It filled me with joy when my daughter got her packages from home. Looks like they did a great job getting lots of comfort items to you.

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  3. Ellen
    I finally figured out how to subscribe to your blog… don’t know why it took do long. I’d been reading randomly but also couldn’t respond with comments.
    Anyway so happy to read your words as they’ve been posted and am glad that you have some people to spend time with even though your quiet time is gone!
    Merry merry Christmas to you!❤️❤️🎄🎄

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    2. Glad you are following me. My blog is not very sophisticated or particularly user friendly but it is easy for me to keep up. That’s my priority for now. Maybe I will get one of the young folk help me make it more user-friendly.

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  5. Merry Christmas Ellen! Roy and I love reading your postings-wonderful to “take” this trip with you. You are loved and missed, Debby & Roy

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