Winter is here! The only thing we are missing is snow. It's been extremely cold and is going to get colder. Monday morning the windchills are supposed to be 0 to -10. No matter where you live...that's cold!

Our Christmas was very quiet and we both didn't feel well. I managed to get our little dinner cooked and we both barely ate anything. So most of the ham went in the freezer, which is OK. There is so much sickness going on now.

Because we didn't feel well, we cancelled our family Christmas yesterday. Emily was sick, too, and Kayden and Kiyann have been exposed to the flu. Mistie and Joe both have it. The kids did get their flu shots so that may help even though it's not very effective this year. We have given out the gifts/gift cards/checks in spurts. The only ones left are the ones for Kayden and Kiyann and Mistie said that maybe by Monday they will be well enough to come and get them.

We finally started feeling better Wednesday. I think we have both just been worn out from everything. Since the middle of September when both of us had a sinus infection, one or both have been sick. Throw in 2 hospital stays for Bill and then a quick trip to Mayo and it's not surprising that we are drained. 

Bill has not left the house since before Christmas. It's just too risky for him. Yet, it's not good to stay cooped up in here either. But, he won't wear a mask unless totally forced to. I've only been out to the store when necessary. Of course I am out every day to feed the cats so I do get some fresh air. And now that it's cold, it feels great to take a deep breath of it! Emily recorded their church service and sent it to me. It was a short candlelight service with carols and a short sermon, but very nice. 

When we cancelled the family Christmas, I went ahead and took the tree down and got everything except the wreath on the door packed away. This is the first time that I have ever taken the tree down before the first of the year. That's usually something I do on New Year's Day while watching the parades. But this year, again I think due to being tired, I just wanted it gone. It's not in the attic but maybe when Kayden comes over we can get it up there. He said he would help get it up and down for us now that he's not a little kid anymore (he's 13)! The cat is very happy that the tree is gone. Her perch is back in the front window and she can look out on the world. She just didn't like it in the dining room!

We have no plans for New Year's Eve, but then we usually don't have any. We can watch the ball drop in New York at 11 our time so we usually do that and then are able to sleep for an hour until the gunfire starts at midnight. This is the only place I have lived that this is done. Don't people realize that even though they are firing the gun into the air, the bullet has to come down somewhere? Hopefully it won't last too long.

So, that's been our Christmas week. Hopefully our new year will bring renewed strength and better health for us. Even though it may seem like we have a hard life, we are happy just having each other. Yes, we could wish that things are different, but they aren't, so we just make the best of it. I wish everyone joy, happiness, and health. See you next year!