Putting Christmas Away

It has to happen. I have to put Christmas away. 

I was hoping to have some hour long time blocks in the middle of the work day but the past few weeks have had me not wanting to engage with anything, much less with ending the holidays. 

I haven't turned the lights on in a while, half the string of white lights hanging on the folding string blew out, so I've just.... left them. 

Packing up the angels, putting the tree away, goodbye sock monkeys, it's all a little sad and I don't like it. 

But we're past Epiphany. We're into the second half of January. I was remembering a colleague at a former job, Sandy, who passed away years ago and her memorial service was outstandingly wonderful. So much laughter and tears. The right balance. Her daughter got up and talked about how she kept her Christmas tree up one year until March. I hope it was artificial, to be honest, I don't know. And through her tears, her daughter said mom's reason was "It's so beautiful, I just can't bear to take it down." 

I have friends who pack everything up on 12/26. Boom, done. Gone. Others wait until Epiphany, Twelfth Night. But me, I think I am just lazy. 

But this weekend, it is time. And it is time to evaluate all the strings of lights. Be prepared for 2025's season.

Having this second dog is forcing us into some new routines. She's an early bird, whereas Toffee will happily stay in bed cuddled up like a croissant warming in the oven for hours, keeping the human sleeper happy as well. 

I ended up at the gym today after work, finally. I cut out at about 5pm, and did a mile on the treadmill. Circuit room had too many humans. Geoff made dinner (it was his day off today) so that helped me with timing. 

There's an app at the gym where you can pick songs that get played over the speakers. Sometimes the staff skips over anything that isn't "boots and pants and boots and pants and..." Today they let some wild stuff play. I had my headphones but saw this on the display, and thought to myself, Okay Boomer! Good workout choice!

Digits below.

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours.  Gym treadmill, 24 min/1mile; 8200+ steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

9am: 171
5pm: 136
11pm: 178

food:

coffee/water
11:15am: cinnamon raisin english muffin w/pb; metformin
2:30pm: protein shake
7pm: 2 cluck pucks w/american cheese, some waffle fries, metformin+jardiance
8:30pm: ramekin of mixed nuts