It’s Christmas morning here and the house is starting to come to life.
We don’t have much planned for the day. The “northern contingent” are getting together for Christmas. “Northern Contingent” means those of us who normally gather together, Karl and I, Kalissa’s family, Kelli’s family.
We’re catching Kelli and Kalissa between naps. Kalissa worked the overnight the night before and Kelli works the overnight tonight. We’ll have a small window of opportunity to open presents before both of them are napping. It’s the life of a family that has nurses who work overnight shifts.
This is more or less a “normal” Christmas for us. A long time ago Kramer and I decided not to make any demands for Christmas day. Whoever is here is here. We didn’t want the kids running from family to family to family on Christmas. We preferred they do their thing with their families and the “other” side of the family. It’s so much more relaxed this way. It’s not that we don’t want to see them, we just want them to have time to go to church and have a more relaxed day.
Karl got a ham from work so it’s a ham for dinner which is so easy along with a few sides…again, nothing over the top. We all are really easy going with limited expectations which makes the day so much more enjoyable.
I’m guessing the chessboard will come out. We are a chess-playing family and tournaments often ensue. Being Spencer, Kayla’s husband isn’t here, I have a chance of doing okay. Spencer often wins around here. Speaking of chess if you haven’t watched The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, you might want to check it out…I watched it and loved it!!
I hope where ever you are you can find some joy in the day. I know many of you are missing loved ones..some of who have passed…some who are here but Covid is keeping you apart.
The good news is that all of the missing and wishing they were with us it is only temporary. Covid will learn to be managed. Time on earth will pass and we’ll be reunited with our gone loved ones. These are the true gifts of Christmas and the ones promised all the years ago when the star showed over Bethlehem.
Everyone here at the Kramer house is wishing you a very joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Here is a copy of the Christmas letter I sent out to family and friends. I consider you all family and friends too so I’m sharing it with you as well.
Click this link to read it. ChristmasLetter2020
With that, I’m off. There are homemade rolls to be made. It’s a Christmas thing we do here. I’m wishing you a calm and peaceful day filled with love.
Merry Christmas and a healthy Happy New Year to you and your family. Thanks for sharing all that you do.
Merry Christmas Jo, have a lovely day with your family :)
Merry Christmas to you and the whole family. Thank you for all of the stories, smiles, and beautiful quilts through the year.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Wishing you all the best in the new year. God bless!
Merry Christmas my friend, to you and yours.
Love and prayers
Merry Christmas, Jo and family. May you hav many lessings in the coming year.
Merry Christmas, Jo, to you and the whole family. What a lovely letter you wrote. Thanks for sharing with us. Have a Blessed day with the family and enjoy. Take care and be well. Hugs!!!
To you and your family, I wish you the blessings of Christmas and joy of a new year. I enjoy reading you posts, no matter what the topic so thank you for this gift. The Queen’s Gambit was awesome!
Merry Christmas Jo and to all your family.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!
Merry Christmas morning! Listening to sweet carols, sipping tea from my Christmas mug, and reading this lovely post. I’m so glad to know you, Jo. Bless you and yours!
Merry Christmas to the Kramer clan. Wishing you a wonderful day together enjoying each other and this Blessed day.
Hugs all around!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Simple without big expectations make for a happy family time. Thank you Kellie and Kalissa for your hard work in your nursing jobs. Patients are blessed to have you caring for them.
Merry Christmas, Jo!!
May you and your family have a very Blessed Happy day. Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to all in the Kramer household and may 2021 be a joyous and prosperous New Year for all!
Have a great day with family and I enjoyed the family newsletter.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Have a wonderful day!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Thank you for sharing your life, your family, and your lovely quilts with us all year long.
I just had a moment to read your newsletter. You had a full year and you didn’t even leave your home! I wish you the merriest of days even though it’s past and a blessed New Year.
Merry Christmas to you Jo and all of your family, may 2021 be filled with blessings for each and everyone of them. We are just the two of us for Christmas and it will be a low key day, we unplug from technologies, we play card games and eat a simple meal. This year its a small ham with some scallop potatoes (I made them 2 days ahead, just need to bake) and a salad. We will talk to each of our children sometime today (they work and will reach out to us). When our kids grew up and left home we adjusted our holidays to not demand that we all had to gather, just breath and enjoy it together if that works out. We all live in different states so its not always possible. No stress or guilt is my objective. Enjoy your day with those that can be there and good luck with chess.