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Though it may be Christmas day itself, I'm still meandering through the hours of yesterday. Well, considering it's so horribly cold, you know how molasses gets. Just call me molasses. Though ... too sticky. Yes, I think my brain is soggy, too.
It felt so strange to have the entire day spread out before me, with no responsibilities and no need to go out until the evening. I could get used to this; it's quite a departure from the frenzied activities of yesteryear ... uh ... yesterdecade?
So I just took it easy. In the afternoon, I watched an epi of S1 of Stargate SG-1. Ah, yes, "The Torment of Tantalus" where we see exactly how the desire for unparalleled knowledge puts Daniel Jackson into mortal peril. Good stuff.
When I started to get ready for the evening, I despaired over my hair. It wasn't quite long enough to pull into a semi-updo – though I certainly tried to give it more stick-to-itself-ness with the light application of hairspray – I decided to wear my black beret with my red jewelled pin at the front as a festive touch. But, first, I just needed to cut my bangs. Just a titch. Oops. I hacked them off way too short. Hello, Mia Farrow. So I had to sling the beret low enough to hide most of the mistake.
As for the rest, I decided to wear one of my pushup bras for the occasion. Okay, so it was a shock to see how not-tight it was. I knew from my hospital visit that I'd lost weight (from anxiety about my living situation that shouldn't surprise anyone), but hadn't worn the bra for a long time. I topped it with my lacy long black sweater and my red velvet/satin combo scarf with jewelled fringe. And my red sparkly bee earrings. Then, just to be contrary (and warm), my stomping black boots. It's obviously not a night for street shoes. ::sighs::
I'd been in touch with my guest (and co-volunteer) and was so pleased she found the place. We set off on a fairly quiet ride downtown. Ashley took some roads I wasn't accustomed to. When we got to RTH, though, I was not impressed. Uh ... supposedly we should have been able to get backstage via the tunnels. But we couldn't, so we had to – brrr – go outside and walk around the corner. As I'd left my walker at home, this was extra hard for me. ::sighs again:: It's a good thing I'd taken my arthritis meds at home. I will be complaining to whoever said it was possible.
Then came the other aggravation part of the evening. Someone had ignored my helpful suggestions for improvement from last year and had presented me with a list of names by level. Uh ... most of the people showing up didn't even know what level they'd been assigned to. Cue frustration over extra time to register people. But, finally, that part of the evening was over and we were free to get to our seats with plenty of time before the carols and service began.
OMG. The seats were FANTASTIC. We were in Row F, seats 1 and 2. The premier and other dignitaries were in a special parterre-type box a couple of rows behind us (and she ended up reading scripture on stage). Even though the view was at an angle, I could see just about everything. So that made me a happy camper! I also discovered I could actually see (and sing) the carols because I'd packed my lit magnifier. It made an enormous difference! The incidental music was fabulous. One of the best things was a rendition of "The Prayer". I was really impressed by the exceptional quality of the musicians. The "band" was better than ever (not that they're not excellent on a weekly basis) and our musical director had found some power sopranos whose voices just soared in the choir. Though Brent had hoped to be well enough to preach, he refrained, merely doing the welcome and then the call for offering (which was accompanied by a brilliant PR video to show just how our church is making a difference), the sermon message was shared in an often humorous dialogue between Revs. Deanna and Kevin. They did a terrific job. And, then, it was over far too quickly, though it was around 12:15. I can't believe next year will be the 25th anniversary. I'm sure it'll be a stunning evening.
Ashley and I struggled to get out of the lobby, as that was the only way we could get to the elevator to the garage. At least my special parking permit meant we were two steps (okay ... five) from the elevator. Considering the fact that all I had was my cane, that was one tiny bit of relief.
Ashley took the more relaxed route back via the Lake Shore. And then I was home. It was after 1 but I needed time to unwind. And have something to eat. Because I hadn't really had anything since the early delivered lunch. Bread and soup did the trick. And, finally (FINALLY), off to bed at 3:30 a.m., leaving the fireplace Christmas lights on. That's a good yay!
It felt so strange to have the entire day spread out before me, with no responsibilities and no need to go out until the evening. I could get used to this; it's quite a departure from the frenzied activities of yesteryear ... uh ... yesterdecade?
So I just took it easy. In the afternoon, I watched an epi of S1 of Stargate SG-1. Ah, yes, "The Torment of Tantalus" where we see exactly how the desire for unparalleled knowledge puts Daniel Jackson into mortal peril. Good stuff.
When I started to get ready for the evening, I despaired over my hair. It wasn't quite long enough to pull into a semi-updo – though I certainly tried to give it more stick-to-itself-ness with the light application of hairspray – I decided to wear my black beret with my red jewelled pin at the front as a festive touch. But, first, I just needed to cut my bangs. Just a titch. Oops. I hacked them off way too short. Hello, Mia Farrow. So I had to sling the beret low enough to hide most of the mistake.
As for the rest, I decided to wear one of my pushup bras for the occasion. Okay, so it was a shock to see how not-tight it was. I knew from my hospital visit that I'd lost weight (from anxiety about my living situation that shouldn't surprise anyone), but hadn't worn the bra for a long time. I topped it with my lacy long black sweater and my red velvet/satin combo scarf with jewelled fringe. And my red sparkly bee earrings. Then, just to be contrary (and warm), my stomping black boots. It's obviously not a night for street shoes. ::sighs::
I'd been in touch with my guest (and co-volunteer) and was so pleased she found the place. We set off on a fairly quiet ride downtown. Ashley took some roads I wasn't accustomed to. When we got to RTH, though, I was not impressed. Uh ... supposedly we should have been able to get backstage via the tunnels. But we couldn't, so we had to – brrr – go outside and walk around the corner. As I'd left my walker at home, this was extra hard for me. ::sighs again:: It's a good thing I'd taken my arthritis meds at home. I will be complaining to whoever said it was possible.
Then came the other aggravation part of the evening. Someone had ignored my helpful suggestions for improvement from last year and had presented me with a list of names by level. Uh ... most of the people showing up didn't even know what level they'd been assigned to. Cue frustration over extra time to register people. But, finally, that part of the evening was over and we were free to get to our seats with plenty of time before the carols and service began.
OMG. The seats were FANTASTIC. We were in Row F, seats 1 and 2. The premier and other dignitaries were in a special parterre-type box a couple of rows behind us (and she ended up reading scripture on stage). Even though the view was at an angle, I could see just about everything. So that made me a happy camper! I also discovered I could actually see (and sing) the carols because I'd packed my lit magnifier. It made an enormous difference! The incidental music was fabulous. One of the best things was a rendition of "The Prayer". I was really impressed by the exceptional quality of the musicians. The "band" was better than ever (not that they're not excellent on a weekly basis) and our musical director had found some power sopranos whose voices just soared in the choir. Though Brent had hoped to be well enough to preach, he refrained, merely doing the welcome and then the call for offering (which was accompanied by a brilliant PR video to show just how our church is making a difference), the sermon message was shared in an often humorous dialogue between Revs. Deanna and Kevin. They did a terrific job. And, then, it was over far too quickly, though it was around 12:15. I can't believe next year will be the 25th anniversary. I'm sure it'll be a stunning evening.
Ashley and I struggled to get out of the lobby, as that was the only way we could get to the elevator to the garage. At least my special parking permit meant we were two steps (okay ... five) from the elevator. Considering the fact that all I had was my cane, that was one tiny bit of relief.
Ashley took the more relaxed route back via the Lake Shore. And then I was home. It was after 1 but I needed time to unwind. And have something to eat. Because I hadn't really had anything since the early delivered lunch. Bread and soup did the trick. And, finally (FINALLY), off to bed at 3:30 a.m., leaving the fireplace Christmas lights on. That's a good yay!
