An Angel Attachment

Had some running around to do today. The pneumonia is receding, but due to some unsightly stuff I am still coughing up occasionally, the doctor wanted me to tack 5 days onto my antibiotic regimen. They had the good stuff in the office so all I had to do is run in and pick it up. Thank God for doctors who care...

While I was down that way I planned to stop in and do our monthly Costco shopping. Which was an exhausting ordeal, and not really my best idea ever... when you're healthy and you have normal energy levels, you don't really give any thought to how much "work" is involved in buying bulk foods. By the time I pushed the 576lb cart thru the warehouse, loaded it all into the van, got it home and made a dozen trips between the van and the house...then put it all away, which included at least half a dozen trips to the basement pantry and freezer I fell onto the couch in a near coma. 

The entirety of this post thus far, was to tell you that while I was right in the area, I stopped into Hobby Lobby. I do dearly love Hobby Lobby. My goal was twofold...I wanted to check out their Valentine's Day decorations, and I wanted to see just how clearanced they have their Christmas decorations. Because, God knows, I NEED more Christmas decorations. (Rolling my eyes). It's an illness I think, because this year I actually decided to weed through the decorations I already have. Nearly 10 rubbermaid tubs full of garlands and santa's and I don't even know what all. Half of which I didn't pick out, some of which I display out of habit and NOT because I lovingly chose it...or even like it. Every year there are things I do not display...things I just never get out. 2012 is the year of the purge in the Garrett house...if I don't use it, it's GONE. So, I have been assessing each decoration as I pack it away...Do I love it? Is it tradition? Will my kids fight over it when I'm dead? And if I don't love it...it goes in a box for goodwill. So, despite the fact that the last damn thing I need is more Christmas decorations I went in and headed straight for the clearance. And was immediately drawn to the angels...80% off...lovely elaborate angels. Angels with white puffy gowns and boa feathers... our angel, is old. Old and broken. Her lights quit working a couple years ago and last year, in an effort to make do, I cut all the light cords off. She was holding two gold lights in her hands, and after I cut off the lights she held her hands out to us...imploring...as if to say...stop, take in the glory of this tree. Or, perhaps, Please help me. help me find my lights. She's kind of small, not really proportionate to our tree. And she has blue eyeshadow. But somehow, in Hobby Lobby, I just couldn't replace her. 

She has always been there, on the tree Jon and I share...and she has watched over our Christmas seasons faithfully. And when it came right down to it, I got all sentimental and couldn't replace her. So, she stays, with her blue eyeshadow. Because I love her...