Christmas Parade!

Friday night. I am wiped out. Been the longest of days, but the best of days. I thought I would get to sleep in but the Lord had other plans for me. I was awakened early by a phone call with an invitation to a Bible Study in just an hour and a half. I was so warm and cozy that I almost weaseled out of it, but something in me said go. So I said yes and then promptly fell back asleep. I woke up with forty five minutes to spare, and this girl has never moved so fast. In that short space of time I took out the dog, fed the dog, made the coffee, started a load of laundry, bagged up some trash, and got myself ready to go. I arrived right on time, and had the privilege of meeting a new friend and four hours of intense Bible study from the book of Revelation, and chit chat. While I was there I got a call from Katie asking me to get the girls, so I booked it back home and quickly picked up what I didn't pick up before I left and then gave myself thirty minutes in my chair with my eyes closed and then I was off again to get the girls. The girls were kind of in a mixed mood. Claire had the "Best day ever"! and Arya got in and told me she was bullied today. She wasn't crying but her feelings were hurt. I asked her who was bullying her and what they were saying. I don't remember their names, just that it was boys AND girls. They were teasing me and saying I loved Leo! Who is Leo? I asked her. Leo is the one I love! She said. I told her sometimes kids can be mean. We arrived at her house and she didn't say anything else about it, but all of a sudden came a ruckus from the back seat and Claire was having a rare meltdown. WHY ARE WE HEEEERE! I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO YOUR HOUSE! No, I told her, that is tomorrow. Today you have to get ready for the Christmas Parade. Remember? You're in it? With your scouts? With that she doubled down. I thought we were going to have Grandma time! She wailed, and kicked the back of my seat. She refused to get out of the car. I actually had to get out and urge her to get out of the car, but she tripled down. She just wasn't going to budge. Finally I was able to persuade her that she needed to get out. I walked her to the door and then headed for home. I was finally able to have a few minutes rest, but not much, because Amazon had delivered and my new Christmas tablecloth was here. So I spent most of the few minutes I had fixing up the table scape, with the manger scene in the middle of the table, and some candles and light up holly garland. And it looks pretty spiffy. No time to rest, however, because before I knew it, it was time to go to the Christmas Parade to see the girls on their scout float! The Mr. and I found a pretty good parking spot and set up, and waited. Now last time we had a parade, which was six weeks ago, it took all of five minutes and I expected no less than this because this is a small town. The parade started and an hour later we were still watching the floats go by, bouncing to the Jingle Bell Rock, and so so so cold. FINALLY Katie called me and said they were coming up next, they were number 49, and that they were facing opposite the courthouse, which is of course where we were standing. I said, something smart alecky, like Of course, it figures and hung up quickly, and then ran across the street. Unbeknownst to me, she had switched so we would see her, not knowing we were now across the street! So they passed us, and I just kind of shrugged my shoulders, because I didn't really get a picture, but then I realized they would be coming around again, on the adjacent street to us, and we WOULD be on the right side, so again, as quick as we could, we sidled over there, and this time they were right in front of us, and lo and behold, the float stopped right there, so I got a decent picture. 

By then I could hardly stand. My knees were screaming, but my heart was happy. We turned as the float departed and walked back to the car and then decided a pit stop to the store was in order. However, no sooner had we parked then Katie called and asked if she could come in our house, and would the Mr. drive Jeff to their car, so he could come back and get everybody. I guess the float dropped them off close to our house, but not close to their car. So we said sure! We didn't even get out at the store. We just turned around and headed home, where Ally, who just got home for the weekend, had just made a big pot of Marry Me Chicken Soup. And it was a good thing, because as we pulled up we saw that Katie and Jeffrey had all of their nieces and nephews with them, too! We had a houseful! It was chaos and confusion and lots of fun! The kids wanted to put the new decorations on the little tree. Everybody wanted some of that Marry Me Chicken, there were toys everywhere, somebody was playing the piano, and there was cake all around, leftover from Thanksgiving. Finally everyone departed, and the kitchen was cleaned up. Quiet has prevailed and I.am.tired. Finally. I am going.to.bed. zzz.