Le jour de gloire est arrivée

/ J. F. Riordan

Well, tomorrow.

What we affectionately refer to as the French invasion begins tomorrow, when our daughter and younger grandson arrive for Christmas. Today there will be a certain amount of bustle as beds are changed, the house is cleaned, flowers are refreshed and we stock up on coffee for our daughter, and bake Christmas cookies for boys.

Also the dog hair must be vacuumed from the back seat of the big car. And Eli, who is responding to the warm winter in true long-hair fashion (he is half long-hair), is blowing his coat. He will need to be taken out to the orchard and brushed. Brushing him near the house makes visitors suspect we’ve had some kind of massacre of enormous bunnies.

I still cannot find the fragile glass icicle ornaments I pack away so carefully each year. Most annoying. They add such a magical shimmer to the tree. And, of course, our appliance debacle continued yesterday, on our first cold day in weeks, when our five year old furnace motor found a dark spot. Whatever that means. I am hoping the new part arrives today.

Meanwhile, only three days of school left for our long-term visiting grandson. Last night he meticulously wrote thank-you notes to all his teachers, and together we put bows and gift tags on his Christmas gifts. He will return home with his family before the new year.

All the bustle is fun and carries the requisite note of Christmas cheer. But there is cooking to be done, and wrapping, and still a few elements of shopping. Ah, and all the bed linens to be washed.

Speaking of cheer, there is one other note of preparation for the coming festivities: A case of champagne and the big bottle of whiskey.

By the end of the night, grandma may require a wee dram.

In any case, she will have earned it.

Update:

My husband, upon reading the above: “You have started calling yourself ‘Grandma’ and referring to yourself in the third person?…Also, where’s this whiskey?”

23 thoughts on “Le jour de gloire est arrivée”

    • Thought of you today when, in a very crowded grocery store parking lot, I too had to climb over the back seat of my car. For some reason my key fob would not open any of the four car doors shave the hatchback. I climbed over the back seat so my head was on the seat and my rear end was gloriously displayed to all. Mind you this is in the frigid Michigan air. Upon righting myself I found the back doors still would not open even from the inside. So onward into the front seat. Success. I got out the diver’s side door to hear the man parked beside me (in his Maserati no less) say, “That was really great!” And this is why it’s vital to exercise even when you’re in your sixties.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. The hustle and bustle of preparing for all the good things means you are blessed, and we can tell by your writing you know that. ☺️ But the furnace… now that’s just wrong to do to a family expecting guests and I sincerely hope the replacement part remedies the situation pronto!

    Like

    • I lost our most precious ornaments this year, too. Husband insisted they were in the big Christmas box that I was sure we hadn’t opened last year. They were in that box. So, look wherever you are sure the ornaments aren’t.

      Like

  6. The thank you notes. Whispers of yesteryear. You don’t know how comforting I find it. Just so you know whee you spread cheer.

    Like

  8. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family! What wonderful memories you will make! Thank you for sharing your days (and beautiful dogs) with us. You bring gifts of calm and peace to a world in need of both! Merry Christmas!

    Like

  9. Despite all the hard word, it sounds like your Christmas will be very joyful. It’s always special to be surrounded by family. I love that your grandson wrote thank-you notes to his all teachers. How very thoughtful. I’m sure you all will miss him when he goes back to France. He’ll certainly have a lot of adventures to share with his friends. Enjoy your wee drams over the holiday season, Grandma. You certainly have earned them.

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.