Signs of the Season

I didn’t get any pics of the singers because I felt weird and awkward about it, maybe because the event was held in my parents’ church, and I hadn’t been in there in a VERY long time… but I attended a musical performance tonight of a larger men’s group that split off into barbershop quartets for some songs. There were other barbershop quartets who weren’t part of the starting group, too, and then a women’s group after they all finished. Then, the men’s group and the women’s group sang together.

The most important part of all this, though, beyond even the warm and fuzziness of my fleece pullover in gorgeous jewel-toned leopard print and the holiday vibe of the songs putting me more in the yuletide spirit, was that I went with my mom.

When we got back to my parents’ house, I stopped in for a splash of coffee just to make sure I was alert enough to drive home. Once my mom was out of earshot, my dad nearly wept and thanked me for going with her, saying that it had meant a lot to her. I teared up a bit, too, and said, I know.

We’ve all been pretty sad that my daughter can’t come home for the holidays this year (and I can’t really work around finances and work to go to her, without some planning and my paid time off rebooting after the first of the year). My dad and I talked about that, too, just briefly, and acknowledged one another’s sadness.

It was good for both my mom and I to get out and do something. I even sang along to the audience participation sections. Even the really churchy ones.

I wish I’d done a selfie of the two of us in our quarter-zip fleece tops and comfy activewear pants, all cozy and cute. I did, however, talk my mom into taking a pic of me in my “leopard finery,” to record it for posterity and share it on ye olde internet. Maybe you can see by my expression what kind of night it was and how much fun I had.

I also wish I’d had enough leftover funds to treat her to a late night brownie bite at Applebee’s, which I told her, but I need to hold off until payday before doing any more fun spending.

Anyway, here’s my leopard look. Or one of them. I love me some leopard.

It’s kind of holiday-adjacent, right? Sort of a coniferous tone of green? Blue spruce maybe?

I felt pretty fab in it. Still working on self-love and my overall health, physical and mental. So please be kind.

As the day draws to a close, I’m thankful for family, especially for my mom seeing to events for us to enjoy. Tomorrow we’re going to an Italian dinner inside an exhibit of art from the Sistine Chapel. I’m hoping they’ll allow photos? We shall see!!!

Either way, I’m super excited to see it, and to taste the multi-course meal.

OH and before I forget to mention it, I am also SUPER thankful for the dramatic distraction that is the Spanish Netflix series ELITE. I just started Season 2 last night and am already hooked with just one episode. I wasn’t sure how they would top the first season, but it is GOOD.

I struggle a lot at night, and it helps to have some fully-engrossing entertainment to get me through until bedtime.

It’s very racy, so if that kind of thing bothers you, steer clear. But the storytelling is solid.

Wow, just saw 11:11 for the second time in recent days. Supposed to be a good sign. With that, I bid you a good night. Stay grateful, my friends!