20 Dec Holiday Wishes and Some Plans for New Year

Hello friends,

As you are reading this, I am in bed, recovering from 2 dry needling session this week I typically go once every other week. . My body decided to revolt recently and it seemed all my muscle groups in the upper and lower body were begging for attention.  I went several times because I wanted to feel better on our trip to PA, Sunday.

Holiday Wishes

Christmas is nearly here and we will be hitting the road – first to my younger brother’s condo in VA, about a 6-hour drive, where we make a pitstop overnight and rest until heading to PA the next day. The pups are with us of course, as we enjoy spending the Holiday with them, as they are family!! We could take the “easy way out” and fly to PA, ( sans pups) and it would be a 1.5-hour flight, but what fun is that?! Not to mention I’ve never taken them on a plane! We will be greeted by Pedro, my brother’s lively, 12-year-old Australian Shepard dog.

Just in case you might wonder what I might wear in the car for a long trip. I really love this leisure sporty outfit with the light grey sweater w/hoodie and jogger pants. Size reference, I am wearing both in XS.  I have a pair of slip-on sneakers as well. ( I’ll style this casual look on the blog in the New Year )

I am sure you have noticed, I didn’t have many Gift Guides on the blog this year, and I would like to know if readers prefer this or prefer to have them. Do you shop much from the blog, or do you occasionally look at links? I hope to have a Readers survey on the blog in 2020, so I can get a better idea of what Readers want and what you like, here on the blog.

What is important to you during the Holidays and has that changed as you age?

I know the appeal of getting up at the crack of dawn or before the crack, is no longer there, and since we are all adults, we get to relish our sleep a bit!

Giving to others, planning Holiday activities and sharing special moments with family is important to me, and always has been at Christmas time. My mom would tell you I always loved decorating, as I would get the artificial snow spray and stencil the windows at home where Mom still lives.  The tree, as I mentioned, in my Holiday Decor and Outfits Post, is something I enjoy every year, as old memories resurface when taking out each ornament from its box.

I love Christmas music and have fond memories of caroling with my best girlfriend and her brother around my neighborhood. Mara, a Soprano, and me, and Alto, would knock on doors, with a decorated coffee can in hand, stating we were “collecting for Children’s Hospital.” Every year, in Pittsburgh, those who collected for the Hospital would get an opportunity to be on KDKA, or the local radio station and sing along with giving their donation. We had a blast, and that was the first time I ate a “Farkleberry Ding Dong Cookie.” ( a sugar cookie with cranberries). We did this for several years and even had my friend’s brother play the flute as we entertained the neighbors.

As a Music teacher, I would prepare the Elementary students each year for our Christmas performance. It was months of rehearsal, but I always enjoyed it. And our hallway has great acoustics, so hubby had to listen to me rehearse The Grinch, many times!

I always loved gift-giving and just found it rewarding to find special gifts my family would love. My Dad, for instance, was a Kaluah and Cream kind of guy, and we would wrap a bottle each year. I still have a memory of my sister and I receiving Este Lauder Makeup packages which was a large box filled with lipsticks, eyeshadow, and lip palettes and more, and my sister and I thought it was such a treat!

The gift of “Memories”. Something that will be left in my brain as a heartfelt experience.  I love shows, and hubby one year, when we were in the early dating stage, bought us tickets to “The Lion King”. I loved every minute of it. And the thoughtful gift.

As the New Year approaches, I will write a post on Goals for 2020 as I may write more on my health, fitness goals and challenges, What I hope for the blog, and what changes I may make in my life. And of course, the fashion, that’s where this all started!   I do want to hear from you, dear readers in what you enjoy the most.

My favorite thing about the Holidays is the joy of giving and being with family. I was thrilled to be able to give the dog goodies/bed to a pup in need, and hope to continue this as a tradition.

I want to wish you a wonderful and Blessed Christmas and look forward to presenting you with new, fun, and fashionable content in the New Year!

I just love this picture of Gibson by candlelight, waiting at night for Santa!

And just in case you missed the puppies in their “ugly Christmas sweaters” last year, here they are!

Wishing you and your families- A BLessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

Jess xoxo

Please join me in the New Year for new fun with fashion and Midlife discussions on Elegantly Dressed and Stylish!