So Close To Amazing, Part II

True Home Confessions

Today is all about keeping it real. The realest of the real. In the spirit of a little hygge, I'm treading where souls illuminated by wellness and conviviality have trod.

I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Every.Last.Detail.

I think I'll start by using white placemats and for a centerpiece, root English ivy cuttings in a $.99 milk glass vase from Goodwill. (Aside: do not pay more unless it’s super cute; then you can spring for $1.99. The 20% discount on senior day can be a game changer.)

But what's a Country Living table setting without good carbs like Second Granddaughter's Italian garlic bread and dessert like Younger Daughter's caramel-poke brownies? 

They're even more delicious for snacking when you later curl up on the Big Bed to watch Captain Underpants or A Million Little Things. (Check the latter out on Hulu. It's marketed to make you think of This Is Us, boasts a good cast, and champions friendship.)

Maybe have warm gnocchi soup... nothing too fancy. Or wine with Muenster cheese and rosemary chips and bacon-wrapped scallops with Hubby and perhaps, neighbors and church friends. 

And heed Second Granddaughter's advice to not be a fuss and ditch the umbrella because a little bit of rain won't hurt. I'd cross my eyes like her, as she imitates her Daddy's low growl of a voice. 

And sip mocha peppermint coffee and munch on a cinnamon roll with Youngest Daughter. Or get another tattoo?! Or learn to wrap gifts Furoshiki-style with fabric.

Or watch Hallmark shows for reference, particularly when I have to make difficult life decisions. MI-Fallout is also OK. Hubby and I watched it on Roku at a discounted price. Recently, I went to see The Grinch. As in years past, the reclusive green character decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. But the story is revamped just enough to feel fresh and pretty fun. And I smiled because it was hands-down the greatest movie I’d ever seen specially in the company of a little girl and her Mama.

Perhaps enjoy the joyful notes of Beethoven's Ode from First Grandson as he practices with his Mama, and sit by him as he dutifully completes Achieve (an online reading comprehension app) each day ... and then... look over his shoulders as he air-drops out of a moving plane, and Fortnite-battles it to survive as the play space slowly shrinks to force people into combat. 

Or just like First Granddaughter, be a 'jammer' and become her favorite animal... (is it a cheetah?)... explore exotic Jamaa and meet other children from around the world who share their love for animals. Or in her favorite pink outfit, wearing a new sequined headband with cat ears, feel the wind on her face as she rides her new 'big girl bike' without the training wheels. And run and soak up the sunshine and dance to the sounds of the ocean. 

And like both First Grandchildren, perform the Baby Shark dance learned at Summer Fun. Or break out spontaneously into dancing infinite dab, boogie down, and orange justice by the marina in between bites of cookies n' cream and gummy worm frozen yogurt. 

Or watch Dirty Dawgs Coach in a huddle with his fierce flag football team. And as you sit and cheer your team to victory, before you know it, you understand that if the player with the ball has his flag pulled or if he goes out of bounds, he is called 'down' and the ball is dead. And all of a sudden you’re an expert. And you jump up and down with Eldest Daughter who's wearing a fan shirt with a matching cap at a touchdown because you know it scores six points. 

And since nothing says quality time more than shopping with your firstborn whom you get to see only four months out of the year, how about scoping out rows and rows of urns and picture frames and pillows and bird’s nests marked with yellow stickers for a mere 100 yen per item (equivalent to $1) at the new Daiso? And after that, savor chocolate mousse by candlelight in a French cafe? 

Or share all the really important things in life with Hubby. Like catching up on TV with the global high-stakes mission of SEAL Team and the inner workings of New York's FBI. And battle it out, loudly shouting out the answers on Jeopardy, framed in the form of a question, no less.

Or look at the back garden to watch the neighbor's cat Pifko cavort with the baby squirrels in the woodpile. And grin, remembering Andy Bubba's pleading face on my knees with a look that said, I'm not being fed enough. Or smile in anticipation of Meeka doing two happy laps inside the house before a walk. Or watch Asool fall asleep while nibbling his sunflower seeds. 

And how about growing my own tomatoes in the spring, drying my own mint for use in the winter, baking banana bread, and raising chickens, or just quail?

Yes, it’s true. Life isn’t about what you don’t have. Or what you want. Or what you are going to get.

Instead?

It's about taking a moment with family.

It's about celebrating all the gifts you have already been given.

It's about reminding yourself about what's truly important.

Not just at Christmastime but for all time, it's about focusing on the heart of living that is filled with

Hope 

Love

Peace
and 

Joy

And that will be so close... NO, not just so close,
but truly AMAZING!