MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Day, 2017


What can I say about Christmas in an RV, in a park on the Gulf, in Florida????  IT'S DIFFERENT!!
It's not necessarily bad....just different.

I made cinnamon rolls, one of our Christmas Morning "Traditions" and we had those and coffee from my new Keurig, while Roger opened his gifts.  Roger had a few presents to open, but one of mine from him I chose to give away to a family in dire need and the other one was put to use a few days ago...a new red mini Keurig & flavored coffee.  I did open one from the RV park and it was a very nice and useful LED light and I got a beautiful card from Roger.

NOTE:  I am ticked!!!  I had written out this whole story about our special gift...and this darn website deleted it!!!  ....or maybe it was user error...I'm not sure!!

Anyhow, I was writing about a gift we opened this morning that had FIRST been opened 50 Christmases ago, when we had been married 4 months and were living in Married Housing at U of M (when you had to have a marriage certificate to get an apartment).  We had splurged on a bottle of liquor that was beautifully and professionally wrapped.  We carefully opened it and removed the bottle and then closed up the empty box, re-taped it and put it back under the tree because it was so pretty. Since that Christmas, it has become the first gift under our decorated Christmas Tree and the last gift there when all the other gifts are opened.  Then when all the decorations are packed away, this one was lovingly wrapped up in tissue and put away till next year, when, God willing, it would once again become the first and last gift under our tree.  Somewhere along the years we decided that if we were still here and still together in 50 years we would reopen the gift and see what it had been.  Neither one of us could remember what it was but were guessing it was Southern Comfort, as that was our drink of choice at that time.  So, this morning, it was 50 years and we debated on whether or not we should really open it....we decided yes, we needed to.  So, carefully we reopened it and took the box out slowly and with eager anticipation.  What we found was a plain white box totally devoid of any writing or pictures!!!  Absolutely no description or hint of what had been inside.  Ha Ha....50 years of lovingly caring for a plain white box!!!!  I couldn't stand to part with it so I patched it up again and put it back under our little RV Christmas Tree.  I'm sure over the next 50 years we'll again forget what was in it and have to open it up again !!!

We Facetimed with our children and their families this morning and got to see Livvy and Cece open some of their gifts from us. The DeWulfs had opened theirs from us on Christmas Eve.  Both Howell and Woodstock had gotten a few inches of snow overnight and both places looked beautiful...like a Christmas Card.  I'm sure tomorrow they will wish it all gone!!!

I could say we had a white Christmas too, as the sand and the dunes on the beach are white as snow and drift as the wind blows. 

We went for a little walk around the park and visited with Stu and Diane for a short while but it was quite cool and windy, albeit sunny, so we didn't stay out too long.  However, Roger decided later on to go over to Navarre Beach and go for a long walk....while I took a little nap.

I had put a roast and carrots in the crockpot early in the morning and by 4:30 we had a delicious roast beef dinner with carrots and mashed potatoes and baking powder biscuits.  Again, not traditional for us, but then nothing has been "traditional" this holiday season.   Roger said it was the best roast beef dinner he had ever had and reminded me how special I was to him and how much he loved me.  Awwwwww :-)  Best gift ever!!!

 I am missing my family more tonight than I have since we left home 2 months ago.  I was not emotional this morning, but as the day went on, I kept thinking something was "missing".  It's kind of hard to explain, but I'm writing it down so that years from now when I read this blog, I'll recall my feelings. Honestly, I can see why so many people wait until after the holidays to head south.  I guess I'll be alright tomorrow, but I have to say, I will be glad when the holidays are totally over.

I will also be glad when we leave here in a week and head farther south to our next park.  I believe it will be much more active, in terms of activities, and it will definitely be warmer.  Not that this park isn't nice...because it is VERY nice.  The staff and RVers are all so friendly and so willing to help out everyone and to include everyone in all they do.  It's squeaky clean and close the Gulf beaches.  I'm just ready to move on and see what's over the next hill................