Thoughts: The Day After Christmas


December 26, 2025 and I am sitting here eagerly anticipating the snowstorm that is to come our way today.  Okay, maybe it shouldn't be "eagerly", but anxiously.  I have to drive back to NJ with my son today. (He was supposed to work/volunteer at the food pantry this afternoon and tomorrow morning, but it's been postponed due to the snow forecast, however, I still need to get him back and the two of us can work together to dig out over the weekend which is better than just one person.  Hubby will stay in PA and let the plow guy dig us out when it's all over...This will be the 5th time we've seen him this month and that's more than we saw him all of last year!  His wallet will be happy. Mine will not.)  I am hoping to "outrun" the storm and get to NJ before it hits.  I also need to hit a grocery store as there really isn't any food back in NJ (because no one was there) and my son is going to need food.  I'm sure it will be nice and calm at the store on the day after the holiday with a big storm coming.  (Should I ask for thoughts and prayers?)

As I wait (and not in joyful anticipation), I figured I'd share some thoughts on the holiday as well as the days leading up to it.  Before I list the good (and the bad), let me say that our family consists of the 3 of us.  We do have relatives, but they are far away and we're still adjusting to the changes that we've made to our celebrations.  I may never get it "right," but I think/hope we are improving each year and suspect that things will things will continue to evolve over the years.  (How could they not?)

  • Monday:  A reasonably good day.  I worked and my son (once he got up...as an early bird I always have to adjust to a young adult sleep schedule.  I know I was like this once too...I must have been, but I can't remember!) did some "exploring" as he took my car and went to Skytop and then explored the neighboring village of Buck Hill Falls (something I have not really done and need to). We also visited our local library as they did a fundraising raffle and I won a prize (there were nearly 50!).  The print that I won looks perfect in our "reading area" in our bedroom. 

     My plan of defrosting pork chops for dinner was squashed when I found what I thought were pork chops were actually steak strips!  Alternate plan of Chinese for the boys was also squashed as the restaurant is closed on Monday.  Hubby came to the rescue with a tuna noodle casserole.  We excitedly ended the day with a trip to ShopRite.  Hubby and I had planned to do that Tuesday morning, but...snow storm was in the forecast so we went as a family that night.  Don't ask how much fun that was.
  • Tuesday:  Snow...and more snow...Son was not happy as he was "trapped" in the house with nothing to do.  I made some suggestions, most of which were greeted with a "no."  (Sigh.)  He did put the train around the tree.  He was not happy.  I was not happy.  The snow kept falling.  Sigh.  The snow finally stopped late afternoon and our plow man came and dug us out.  (Hurrah!)  Made sure he had some Christmas cookies to take home.  And realized that much of my cookie stock was gone!  We did have the anticipated pork chops a day late since we had gone grocery shopping  
  • Wednesday, Christmas Eve:  I worked in the morning and made cookies when I was done.  (It was stupid to take 1/2 a day since we were told that morning that we could call it a day at 1.  I worked till noon so...I'm thinking 1/2 day of New Year's Eve might be a bust too.)  Final call for biscotti (I used all of the unsalted butter) for the year.  More chocolate chip cookies were made too.  Maybe later next week I will make some more chocolate cinnamon cookies (because they seem to be going fast.)  My son was in a better mood as the sun was shining.  (And he apologized for his Grinch like behavior.)  He was able to get out and drive up to Skytop (again) which made him happy.  We had a nice dinner and although I was tired, we went to the 10:00 service at the church I attend in the Poconos.  The service unofficially began at 9:45 with carol singing which was lovely. Actually the whole thing was lovely.  It was my first time attending at evening service there and I'm so glad I did.  Over the course of the week I've attended 3 services which exceeded my expectations.  I LOVED that at my NJ church, Mary the Mother of Jesus was referred to as a bad ass (think about it, she really was) and that on Christmas Eve in PA we were reminded that all are welcome at the stable and that being a Christian (a follower of Christ) is not about wearing a cross or carrying religious items or even being in a pew; it's about FOLLOWING what Christ taught...and I can get behind that!  When the service was over, my son and I watched a little of A Christmas Story (it IS on non-stop in the house) before calling it a night (morning?) around 1.
  • Thursday, Christmas:  "Slept in" as I had been up till after 1 AM.  That means I got out of bed around 8.  Hubby and I had coffee in front of the fireplace.  I also made raspberry cream cheese Danish, which I have done before, but this year did not turn out too well. 

    (At least when it comes to looks...they tasted good.)  I'm making good use of our fireplace and our sound system this holiday. (Because why not?)  Once my son got up we settled in the family room and opened gifts.  Since we don't need much, we don't buy much.  It was all about sweaters for my son and a few Legos as well (yes, STILL).  The BEST gift I got was from my son who had taken one of his sketches from his art class and framed it for me.  (He found the frame and did it himself.  He says it's a crappy frame and not the best job, but I LOVE it.)  I immediately found a place in the entrance hall for it where I will enjoy it every day. 

    In the afternoon, we bundled up and headed up to Skytop (yes, again!). 

    I sort of started this as a new tradition last year.  We've made friends with several people who work there and I know how crazy the holidays can get so we go up and find whoever we can and wish them a Happy Holiday.  We are respectful of their time because it IS incredibly busy, but it's important to me to let them know that we are thinking of them.  And a holiday hug is the best.  We did take in some of the decorations and relaxed in the Pine room (lobby) for a bit, but it was very crowded and loud.  Since we live so close we don't do vacations there (although I'm making plans for a one night stay for my birthday...which also means I will get to enjoy the new aquatic center they've been working on for about a year and should be finished by my birthday...fingers crossed.)  We had a lovely dinner of steak (because that's what the kid asked for) and baked potatoes.  I crashed early because that's what I do...

And so it was another quiet holiday for "we three".  I'm already thinking on what definitely needs to be repeated (late night church service) and refined (more "activities" for my son; of course if the weather had been nicer there would have been more to do on Tuesday).  I've come to accept (or mostly accept) that holiday traditions will evolve and change as the years go by.  I've learned to enjoy the now and let the future be what it will be.  (At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it for now...)


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