It’s Saturday and I’m a day late for 5 random thoughts … here goes!
1. 5 – count ’em – 5 upper respiratory infections this year – with another landing Tuesday. By 4:30 I was in the Doc’s office, feverish and aching. Today marks 4 days of rest mixed with work, lots of fluids and antibiotics and somehow I still sound like Kermit the Frog. But at least it’s not Christmas Eve! 🙂
2. Opened a package from my cousin recently and to my delight I found this:
The World’s Greatest Toffee. Only in Canada, eh! Mmm mmm good.
How do you enjoy toffee with 4 temporary crowns? Very, very carefully LOL!
3. A friend found out yesterday that her job ends Jan 2nd – after 34 years of service. She’s 55 and couldn’t be happier. Why? Severance pay & time to spend with her grand kids and sister. There’s planning and then there’s planning meets opportunity. I couldn’t be happier for her, either.
I love her Moxie!
4. 3 days left of work for me this year then some much-needed vacation; I plan to be on the ‘whatever’ schedule for the duration! Whee!
5. Mid-week, huddled under blankets and feeling miserable, Hubbs brought me a package that had arrived in the mail. I unwrapped it, read the little note with it … and cried. Seems my brother and his family were cleaning out an old farm building when they came across 7 sleigh bells on a leather strap — all curled up in a pail. Turns out these were the jingle bells Dad would add to the team’s harnesses at Christmas-time. The sound of all those bells – the crunching of snow beneath draught horses hooves – and our squeals of delight singing, “bells on bobbed-tails ring, making spirits bright, what fun it is to laugh and sing a sleighing song tonight,” – well it was so wonderful to revisit those memories again. The bell is substantial, it fills my palm, and as I hold it I swear Dad is right here with me. One word: Magic.
Dad’s sleigh bell; an Emjayandthem (C) photo
And how was your week? Care to share your “Random 5” with me?
That was some week you had. Hope you are feeling better for Christmas and the much needed vacation. (I hate being sick for vacation!) My mother had a strap with jingle bells on it for the back door. Don’t know whatever happened to that.
On the mend, Kate. I am slowly feeling better. I think you need another jingle bell strap 🙂 MJ
Memories of Christmas past…are the opportunities of Christmas present. Merry Christmas, MJ, to you and yours.
Thank you, Butch. Merry Christmas to you & Bonnie 🙂 MJ
Aw, I’m so sorry you’re sick, and hope you’re much better soon, so you can enjoy Christmas. Good for your friend on her retirement; glad that worked out so well for her.
And I love the gift of the sleigh bells…how special!
Take care of you!
In talking with my sisters we all shared our story of receiving our very own bell – and of course, each of us cried!
I am on the mend, not yet 100%, but close. Sliding into the finish line just in time for Christmas 🙂 MJ
I want you to read the Polar Express with grandkids, and when you get to the last page, pull out those bells and say “I believe!” or watch the movie and at the end surprise them with the jingle of your very special bell that belonged to great grand dad. It will become a tradition. Warm thoughts go your way that all your senses can enjoy Christmas. 🙂 Take care.
That’s a great idea, GS, thank you!
Thanks for your kind wishes; I am on the mend, not 100%, but much much better than I was. Rest was critical for sure! MJ
I sure hope you will be feeling fit and happy again in time for Christmas! In spite of being down though, you managed to post a beautiful set of “randoms.” You Dad’s sleigh bell couldn’t have been a more fitting Christmas-sy ending. It’s a memory you can hold in your hand and listen too, as the past comes back alive. 🙂
I couldn’t wait to share my sleigh bell story with all of you ~ so glad you enjoyed it with me 🙂
I am mending, and will pace myself this week so I fully recover.
Hugs
MJ
I love the gift of the sleigh bell! I don’t like the sickness part, though. Hope you are quickly mended and ready to face “whatever.”
It is just a priceless gift and so very thoughtful. My sister pointed out last night that the little heart shaped leather piece attached is part of the original rein ~ my niece carved us all or own! I had missed that part 🙂
I am on the mend and pacing myself – Merry Christmas to you 🙂 MJ
What a lovely gift!
I couldn’t agree more! I just love it 🙂 MJ
Aww. I love the bell; and what great memories associated with it. Sorry to hear you’re under the weather, but glad you’re almost done with work for a while and can be home and rest. That toffee looks amazingly delicious! I’ve been trying to get a few last minute things done before Christmas, including getting presents delivered locally, and a few need to be popped into the mail. And I still haven’t created our Christmas card, but it will happen. As the anniversary of my mother’s death is fast approaching, I want to blog about that. Have a heart-filled Christmas.
I love the bell, too. Took it out of the box and held it in the palm of my hand tonight ~ magical 🙂
I am on the mend, but pacing myself b/c this is the kind of stuff that can return.
Hopefully you can get all your “to-dos” done and then just enjoy … I can imagine you have some angst about that anniversary that’s coming .. I wish you peace as you go through it. Merry Christmas to you & yours, MJ
Aren’t those unexpected gifts the best treasures! I’m so glad you are on the mend and have those wonderful sleigh bells to enjoy over the holiday. Merry Christmas MJ.
Thank you Renee. I am on the better side of the respiratory infection and for that I am sure grateful 🙂
Merry Christmas to you!
MJ
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