It's Christmas Eve!

It's Christmas Eve and I find myself at loose ends a bit. There's not much on TV tonight. There's not much to read on blogs but wishes for a merry Christmas. So what do I do with myself?

Everything's ready--in fact, many of our celebrations, get togethers, and gift exchanges are done. The Wild Child won't be able to come for Christmas tomorrow, but we had a nice visit with her last weekend, so we will have to be content with that for now. Soccer Son and his Lovely Wife-to-be-Someday will come tomorrow afternoon to visit and have dinner with us. Dinner will be simple but good--steaks, sauteed mushrooms, green beans, mashed potatoes, and salad. Tonight they're celebrating Christmas with her family.

Oftentimes on Christmas Eve it feels to me like the world is waiting. Waiting for Christmas to arrive. It's quiet. The neighbors across the street are having a party, but still it's quiet in our neighborhood. Hubby is drowsing in his recliner. Spike and Stitch have been asleep on our bed all evening, no doubt dreaming of Santa and the mice they hope he'll leave in their stockings.

My office surprised us by closing early today, so I was able to come home this afternoon and take a nice nap--curled up with the cats! I awoke to a feeling of drowsy contentment and peace.

Tonight I've spent time thinking about the people in my life and how they're spending the holiday. Many will be with friends and family in large celebrations, many will observe the holiday in small, close gatherings, and some will spend the day alone. "Alone" does not have to mean "lonely" though. After all, I think most of us understand we can be "lonely" in a crowded space. Anne Sutton over at Bunny Hill expressed my sentiments about being alone on Christmas perfectly HERE. I DO hope that if you're alone this Christmas, you're still able to find joy and contentment in your heart and occupation for your hands; and if you're not alone but are lonely anyway--I hope you will soon find the time and space to engage in something that brings you joy, particularly if it will also bring you into contact with others.

As for me and my Christmas Eve LACK of plans, it feels like WEEKS since I've been in the Sweat Shop, working on anything other than Christmas gifts. Tonight I have visions of basket blocks floating in my head. I think I'll make myself a cup of hot chocolate and head in. I've told myself the same thing several evenings recently and never carried through because it got too late in the evening, but with the nice nap I had after work today and nothing planned for tomorrow until the afternoon . . . well, I think I'll go wait for Christmas to arrive surrounded by fabric.

Merry Christmas to you and may you find joy and peace during this holiday season!