Busy Times

It's been a very busy time for me, but everything is falling into place.  There is still a ways to go, but it is starting to look like a home.  Last night I set up my tree.  Yes, there is still much more to be done in the apartment, but I've only gone one year without a Christmas tree, and that was the year I moved to New York, a Christmas that left me with nothing but bad memories.  I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I was to set up up in front of my living room window...and actually be able to light it.  This year, my Christmas village will be on hold.  

Hubby and I were talking last night, and both of us are in agreement.  Despite all that still needs to be done, we already feel so much more comfortable.  No more of the insanity of the other place.  No more family feuds...although, believe it or not, my ex-landlady did give me a call yesterday to chat about what had been going on at the other place.  Very politely I told her it was not a good time for me to chat.  What I REALLY wanted to say was that there would NEVER be a good time for me to chat.  

This place has such unbelievable ambiance. We'd seen larger, more modern apartments in fancier buildings, but none 'called out' to me like this one did...and, ironically, I didn't even want to come see it.  It was my late night at work, and after putting in a full day, who wants to go check out apartments?  But, I went, anyway and knew from the moment I walked in that this was 'the one'. 

First of all, it is one of New York City's great pre-war apartments which, with their  high ceilings, hardwood floors, doorways and other old world charms, are prized by renter and buyer alike.   I haven't measured, but my ceilings are at least double hubby's height which makes them about 12 feet high, quite appealing, but not when you have to change a light bulb.  Older, pre-war apartments tend to be sturdily constructed with thick firewalls between apartments lending to a quieter living environment.  I 'must' get some pictures.  I'd love to learn the history of this building, and once settled, I plan to do some investigating.  And, after the holidays, my sister-in-law will be coming to bless our home.


Christmas this year will be  a time for family appreciation, a to say thank-you and I love you.  There will be no high-priced expensive gifts. Money is very tight for us this year.  Each year I watch the Christmas movies where how many gifts one gets matters not. One special favorite is Christmas in Canaan where gifts are pictures from wish lists torn from a magazine...and there was oh, so much love, there.  The joy comes in being together, and that is what I am looking forward to....a good old-fashioned family Christmas with plenty of good eats, love, and laughter...Christmas the way it was meant to be.

In the bleak mid-winter 

Frosty wind made moan, 

Earth stood hard as iron, 

Water like a stone; 

Snow had fallen, snow on snow, 

Snow on snow, 

In the bleak mid-winter

Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him 

Nor earth sustain; 

Heaven and earth shall flee away 

When He comes to reign:

In the bleak mid-winter 

A stable-place sufficed

The Lord God Almighty 

Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him whom cherubim 

Worship night and day, 

A breastful of milk 

And a mangerful of hay; 

Enough for Him whom angels 

Fall down before, 

The ox and ass and camel 

Which adore. 

Angels and archangels 

May have gathered there, 

Cherubim and seraphim 

Throng'd the air, 

But only His mother 

In her maiden bliss 

Worshipped the Beloved 

With a kiss. 

What can I give Him, 

Poor as I am? 

If I were a shepherd 

I would bring a lamb, 

If I were a wise man 

I would do my part,-- 

Yet what I can I give Him, 

Give my heart

--Christina Rosetti--