All I wanted for Christmas was to be well!

This is me a week before I came down with Covid.

I was finally on the mends with my broken shoulder.

I was elfing fudge and crafty ornaments to my neighbors.

(One asked to take this photo. Look how good I look?)

Let's turn the clock back to the other good times 

I had in December 

and then I'll double back to today.

(But just know, the worst is over and I am feeling decent.)

This adorable clock is from the Vermont Country Store.

where I bought a lot of gifts.

I bought a set of cards from Instagram's John Soss.

I bought this cute plate at Heritage Trail Mercantile.

I found vintage gifts I sent to an unforgettable friend.

I saw a cool vintage car. 

Each day I opened an advent calendar and then on the paper window squares 

I wrote down what I was grateful for 

and put it inside a pocketed advent calendar. 

The Christmas tree was decorated by others since my shoulder was still sore.

I was thankful. 

(How do they fit all the ornament boxes back into that plastic box?)

I ate yummy foods.

I went thrifting with a good friend 

- AND - 

gave her film loving son 

my Marlon Brando look alike contest prize poster!

Win, win!

I got to dog sit for three of my favorites.

And made a new friend! 

Poppy loves to play fetch and defines her favorite- the Hyper Pet frisbee.

There were moments of relaxing.

As I've gotten my strength back I've even done some yoga!

Check out my new threads from I Love Mandalas.

I didn't get permission to walk dogs 

until December 19th 

but I had family and friends who helped me.

There was a neighborhood caroling party where I rang sleigh bells.

It was all Peace on Earth,

Goodwill Towards Men.

I sent Christmas cards.

We got Christmas cards.

We went to see the Lightscape at the Chicago Botanical Gardens.

Beautiful!

I watched some of the Disney Beatles six hour show.

It was great background for wrapping presents.

I received some surprises in the mail and gifts from friends.

I went downtown to see a play 

at Theatre Above the Law and saw a friend perform.

Then the next week I went back downtown to attend a writer's group

AND to hear BARRY MANILOW.

I mean I was back in action y'all!

Before the concert I walked around the 25th annual

Christkindlmarket - masked - even though it was outside.

I knew Covid was racing. 

Well, at 6:10 Fanilows were lining the streets, 

circling the building of 

the Chicago Theatre.

At 6:15 the concert was listed online as

CANCELED.

Stupid Covid.

The orthopedic surgeon gave me permission to drive on the 19th.

I immediately picked up a friend for some thrifting 

and a few days later drove to PT. 

And I was ready for more fun...

but then Covid blew my mind.

On Christmas Eve no less.

My version of it began with the sniffles and a sore throat.

Then aches, pounding my head and body.

My eyebrows and knuckles hurt.

Oh, and my broken - I mean healing - shoulder is still in need of icing, PT and meds.

When the coughing started on a Sunday night 

I barely made it until Mucinex arrived the next morning. 

There were both gagging and puking...

Two drugged days later I started to rally.

Now I am just waiting to be sprung. 

Sunday will be Funday.

My quarantine ends on January 2nd.

Covid stole my child's 2021

New Year's Day wedding festivities 

and now it's completely stolen this year's holidays too.

I did all I could to prevent this virus from spreading.

I am triple vaxed. 

Illinois and my community have mask mandates.

I have worn a mask in businesses.

I have rarely been in restaurants.

But it still got me.

Those nasty germs got me.

But, I am thankful to science for my vaccines and booster.

I know Covid didn't take me because of those shots.

Thank you scientists.

Thank you front line.

Thank you to the urgent care workers who helped me get tested,

even after I slept through their return calls to me 

as I waited in my car in the parking lot.

I am grateful I have a home with a room where I can quarantine.

Thank you to my family, neighbors and friends

 for your understanding when I had to tell you 

I may have exposed you - unknowingly - to Covid.

I am so grateful to report no one I was with 

before my diagnosis has become Covid positive.

Thank you to my husband who has gone up and down stairs 

for days and days bringing me meals, meds, and ice packs.

Thanks to the neighbors who gave me these medicinal 

chocolate covered pretzels and a puzzle and to the friend

who brought me local honey from bees in her yard.

Thank you Netflix, Hulu, HBO, You Tube TV, 

Disney, LPs and books for helping me in my 

Darkest Hour.

And thank you to Leave & Live who gifted me a prize package

of goodies just when I needed the extra loving.

I know this is not as entertaining of a post as dear Magnus would post.

He was quite the muse. We all miss him. 

Sorry.

Y'all are stuck with just me. 

GRATEFUL

to be able to BREATHE me.

I'll hope to have more joyful news next month.

But I can't promise...

life is just too unpredictable.

BUT remember, 

LIFE IS GOOD!!!

Peace be with you,

Jen Pen