Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas


All the stockings are hung, the presents are wrapped, the cookies are baked, the ham is ready for Christmas dinner and the spiked Egg Nogg is drank. There is a lot of work that goes into creating the special memories of a holiday, but in the end its all worth it to see the smiles upon the face of family and friends and two spoiled cats!


Since I did all the pre-holiday details I'm making Gareth cook the Christmas dinner. We'll be having Ham, Beef Barbeque, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Rice, Irish Soda Bread, and Corn Bread Stuffing. For desert we'll have Pumpkin Pie, Jello, and whatever desert some of our friends will bring.


Some of you may not know this, but I was sick for most of the year. I apparently picked up a viral infection in Haiti and spent many nights burning with fever and sweating and getting treatments to clear my lungs. I am much better now, although very susceptible to colds and the cold Irish winds are something I try to avoid these days. There were times when I wasn't sure I would even see the end of the year. So more than any gift I will receive this year, I am most thankful for the friendships I have with those I love and hold dear to my heart.


Gareth, we pledged for better or worse, but I don't think either of us was ready for the worse so soon after taking our vows. I'm not the best person in the world to be around when I get sick, but you were always there for me whether it was sitting in ice baths with me when I was being a puss or lying next to me in bed as I fell asleep so I would know you would be there for me when I woke. Even now as I write this and I look back over my shoulder at you sleeping on the couch in your boxers and white t-shirt, unshaven for three days, bare feet propped up on the table and cookie crumbs on your chest after eating half a dozen cookies I can't help but think, well I'm actually thinking what a mess you are! LOL But you're my mess and I love you more than any words can ever express.


We always sleep under the tree on Christmas Eve, so its time for me to say Merry Christmas to all my friends online. I'll be thinking of you throughout the day and hoping this Christmas is full of many wonderful memories of your own. The cats are already snuggled on the mattress awaiting us, so its time for me to wake Gareth and settle down for our long winters nap.

14 comments:

Ing said...

Holy crap sweetie! Sorry to hear you hadn't been well. Please take care and get better. You have been missed.

Hope you have a fantastic Christmas and so glad to hear something from you.

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and definitely a healthy next year.

Miss ya big head!

Kelly said...

Sweetie, I love you.

David said...

Your writing style makes one able to put themselves in your place and imagine what it is like in your world. Well done. Glad to hear you're feeling better. Merry Christmas to you and you family.

American Irish said...

Ing, David, and Kelly...hope your having a happy Christmas.

The New Me said...

Glad to hear that you are better. Have a Merry Christmas.

greenmansionscompost.blogspot.com said...

WOW, you were sick, I'm glad you're on the mend, and that you have Gareth and good friends there for you Steve! Merry Christmas to you both-I love your tradition of sleeping beneath the tree...hope you get a full recovery from such a long illness, we have missed your perspective !!!

Bill in CA said...

So glad to hear that you're feeling better! I had been wondering why the blog posts were so few and far between. I hope you and Gareth and the cats had a wondeful night under the tree...and many more to come!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christams to one and all and have a prosperous New year

Damo Mackerel

GardenMan said...

Glad to hear you are back on the mend. I know I'm not the only one who was wondering what had happened to you when you went quiet. I hope your Christmas was merry and wish you a prosperous, happy and HEALTHY new year! I hope 2011 is a good year for you and Gareth.

Anonymous said...

Wow! No idea you were sick. I'm so glad you are on the mend. Great to read your wonderful prose again, and hear tales of life with Gareth. Hope you both have a terrific 2011, with all the love and steadfastness it takes. Welcome back!

Best to you!!
Anthony

Anonymous said...

So glad you are back! You have been well and truly missed- keep up the stories!

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to hear you were so sick, I know your Gareth takes excellent care of you, enjoy your holidays.

patrick

WranglerMan said...

Continued success on the road to recovery. Merry Christmas, and it is good to have you back. I missed you!

Anonymous said...

Steve firstly sorry to read you were so unwell. I really missed you updating your blog. I do hope you get back to 100% health very soon and that your Gareth is looking after you.

You will have to start posting new photos of "our" Gordon D'arcy...

Love health and happiness to you and Gareth for 2011.