Waddle, Waddle, Quack Quack

I’m a planner and boy am I out of my comfort zone.  I like to have my ducks in a row, all waddling, quacking, and singing the same tune.  I’ve tried my darndest this Christmas realizing that so much was out of my control, but it’s driving me bananas!  There are days that I feel it will be a miracle if I make through Christmas.  This is what is planned thus far.

Sunday, my mother and sister in law will be coming up to spend the day and night with us.  They will go to church along with us, and then we will take them out to lunch somewhere so I don’t have to cook.  Sunday night, I’m planning to make a loaded baked potatoe soup in Panera Bread bread bowls.  Monday, we’ll open a few items (mostly stocking stuffers in boxes rather than in stockings) and I’ll prepare the meal of: Prime Rib, twice baked potatoes, mixed steamed veggies, rolls, and peanut butter pie.  Belle Zora is to bring (based on Joel’s request) homemade chicken and dumplings  and her cheesecake as he remembers it to be, which really isn’t the normal cheesecake but it’s what they called it growing up.  I’m planning to bake the potatoes on Saturday and have the bacon for them cooked already.  The rolls are frozen this year so there shouldn’t be much standing prep time for me.  Following lunch, I’m expecting that they will leave sometime later. 

Tuesday will be a day off for both of us so I plan on taking down Christmas decorations then and recouping from the excitement of having guests.  That is if I don’t start Saturday putting a few things here and there away so I don’t have so much to do all at once. I would imagine I will spend a great deal of time on the couch that day loafing.  (man that sounds good to me today )  Tia and the kids will come sometime that week (the day is uncertain) in preparation for Ruthie’s arrival.  She is determined to prepare freezer meals for me, go grocery shopping, etc. so I can rest. 

We have yet to paint the cornice board for the curtains in the nursery and I will have to wash the bedding in the cradle and the crib again as the cats have left their hair in both places.  I’m almost done with Ruthie’s gown as buttons and button holes are the only thing lacking now.  That may get done on Saturday so I can have it washed again and pressed, ready for the hospital.  I’m really proud of it as it turned out not too shabby for my first smocked gown. 

It’s quiet here at work today.  Very few people are here and there isn’t a whole lot to do.  I will help Alfa Health with some mailing labels but other than that, the phone is quiet and I’m doing whatever I can find to keep me busy.  Joel found a web sudoku puzzle that I’ve been playing so that has helped pass time.  I keep hoping they will let us go home early but I don’t think they will as we’ve been given Tuesday off instead.  Tonight, Joel and I will go out with Trey and Christina for dinner and probably hang out at their house.  It will most likely be our last time with them without a baby.  Things are a changing.

Christmas is definitely different this year and I can’t wait to see the family, including our newest member.  Film has been purchased and the camera batteries are charged up ready to capture the excitement.  I find myself in a different spot this year, not looking as forward to Christmas as I have done in the past but to the birth of my baby.  So with that, I’ll try to relax and let this chicky’s ducks waddle in their own formation and quack their own tune to the best of my ability.  One or two may get out of line and I’m sure it won’t be the end of world.  Just pray that I let it go as if water ran down their back.