For the first time since we moved here in May 2005, we are celebrating Christmas in Merida. Normally, we've headed north to Chicagoland, but boy oh boy, are we glad we're not doing that this year -- brrrrrrr!
Instead, we dug out decorations we'd not seen since 2004 and happily arrayed them throughout the house and outside on the front (how much easier that task was with Jose to do it for us, climbing 
ladders, and replacing lights and how even easier it will be to take down those outdoor decorations in 80 degree weather and with Jose!!), lit the lights, and are set to enjoy the season.
ladders, and replacing lights and how even easier it will be to take down those outdoor decorations in 80 degree weather and with Jose!!), lit the lights, and are set to enjoy the season. Tonight, we fetched Marilla from the airport and have the joy of her company for a week. In her honor, we will have a cocktail party tomorrow night and have been baking and making for a week since about 75 have accepted our kind invitation. This afternoon, we joined friends for a potluck, so Eva made her deliciously famous stuffing while I finished up the last of the dips and began organizing tables and things for tomorrow.
On a day like this without anything much to distract 
us, and with carols playing on the iPod, we have been reflecting on what a blessed life we have been leading here in Merida. We have a beautiful home which we enjoy and appreciate every day. We are healthy enough to walk around and competent enough to drive around even at night. We can take care of ourselves and each other. We delight in just sitting around talking or watching TV (mucho thanks to Angie for that!!!) or joining friends for activities or drinks or meals or all of the above. We thrill in having a swimming pool -- even though right now it's too cold to actually enjoy going into it (for me anyway, Eva is in it as I write this). Our garden is a constant source of wonder for us. We can afford (barely) help almost full time to spoil us. As the song from Candide says "we have everything we need, life is happiness indeed."
us, and with carols playing on the iPod, we have been reflecting on what a blessed life we have been leading here in Merida. We have a beautiful home which we enjoy and appreciate every day. We are healthy enough to walk around and competent enough to drive around even at night. We can take care of ourselves and each other. We delight in just sitting around talking or watching TV (mucho thanks to Angie for that!!!) or joining friends for activities or drinks or meals or all of the above. We thrill in having a swimming pool -- even though right now it's too cold to actually enjoy going into it (for me anyway, Eva is in it as I write this). Our garden is a constant source of wonder for us. We can afford (barely) help almost full time to spoil us. As the song from Candide says "we have everything we need, life is happiness indeed." We hope for this season and well beyond that everyone reading this feels as we do about their lives.
