My assigned winter holiday shift was Thanksgiving this year. I decided to celebrate at home the day prior, so we had a traditional full dinner on Wednesday!

It totally warmed my heart at work to received this video and picture of the Christmas tree being set up.

Here's some daily life pics from Nov-Dec 2025. Somehow they got mixed up in order, so never mind that! I'm trying to catch up on a lot of journalling and I can't be bothered!

The far kitchen cabinet had been a little crooked for a long time, but in November if suddenly sagged farther. I guess I overloaded the cabinet for what a drywall anchor can handle, because it started ripping off the wall. Ben and I disassembled a few cabinets. I decided to repair it by cutting down the cabinet so it will fit entirely on the support bracket. I learned about drywall patching and did my own paint matching to cover the tears. I took the Ikea cabinet apart and built it up again as a single cabinet and a shelving unit using the old parts. Had to trim the soffit and do other annoying tweaks too. It turned out pretty good in the end, but what a headache!

Last fall Jack performed in the pit orchestra for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." It was unusual for the director to choose a fall musical instead of a play. This production was especially fun for him because the pit got to be on stage. They created a very small orchestra and he got to wear costume and make-up. He said it was great fun to get to watch the show at the same time - a lot less than boring than the dark black pit.

I got Jack's permission to share some photos he took during the show's run. His POV is fun.

Sam dressed up like a weathered pirate. Ben dressed up as a Ninja jajamaru-kun. Jack dressed up like a vampire. I dressed in my bones hoodie as a generic, comfortable, ghoul. With bat earrings.

I made pumpkin pancakes for breakfast and ate leftover autumnal foods I cooked earlier this week (fall veggie chicken-kale bowls, and leek soup with homemade bread) (Doing physical work is the best for my ongoing vertigo. Lots of cooking and laundry this week).

Sam attended the fall social and also wore his costume to school. After school we carved pumpkins (really down the wire this year!) Jack changed into his costume after coming home from rehearsal around 6:30. I had a fun time helping him accessorize (he stole most of the clothing pieces from me in the first place!). I stayed home to hand out candy. We had about 30 visitors. Ben helped Sam meet up with his friend. The weather wasn't too cold, and the leaves were still crunching underfoot. Sam came back late with their spoils to eat and watch The Nightmare Before Christmas and Jack got back from his party to join in. I went to bed first! This morning my Saturday Zumba group had a delayed costume class (the teacher was out of town last weekend too). I put together all my spooky-adjacent athletic clothes to make a ghoulish costume. It was an easy, fun Halloween!

Sam's second concert of the year was the Area Festival. It's mostly promotion to keep kids in the music program. They gather all grades 5 - 12 and have them perform together to show the growth they can achieve. This year his school gathered at Ralston Valley High School.

All advice said to arrive 3 hours early for my flight. I woke up before my alarm and had no reason to delay the morning. I packed and left hotel before their breakfast service, around 5:15. It was raining lightly while I schlepped my luggage back to the shuttle, and back to the terminal. By 6:30 I was at my gate with 2 1/2 hrs to wait. I thought there would be a Monday morning rush, but I must be ahead of the crowds. The business lounge is great to have in these situations for food, WiFi, and quiet. I found a corner with outlets and ate breakfast slowly while watching some sewing and ballet videos. I’m glad I put my Annie Bouquet project in my carryon bag! My sock knitting project is good for planes and short bursts only (it gets boring).

After 4 gate changes I got on the plane to Frankfurt. The pilot said there was a lot of traffic. In Frankfurt I purposefully walked in circles for exercise and had lunch in the lounge. I wasn’t sure how to handle sleep. I wanted to stay awake the whole flight so I can sleep when I get to Colorado in the evening. But, as Sam says, sleeping is time travel. I aimed for a good nap after the meal service to match the plane lighting, and I got about 3 hours. The seats were spacious and comfortable (except the headrest).

it was a very long and bumpy descent into to Denver as usual. Immigration/customs was smooth and Ben picked me up with comforts from home! He brought me a large icy water, peanut MMs, and a hoodie! 💜 Now I’m home. I had a relaxing shower and watched an anime with Ben. Sam and Jack are taller than I remember. It’s good to see my three boys again. 💜. Except for the nap, I’ve been awake for 24 hours. I want to read/watch online a little bit before I go to sleep, but I’m having a hard time. I have disembarkment syndrome so the room is swaying and bobbing. I hope it goes away soon! Tomorrow I’ll tackle my laundry.

That’s the end of my tale! It was a remarkably smooth trip with plenty of happy occasions and great experiences. Good night!