Preparing for Advent

Okay, I'm going to allow us to be sad for a few minutes.  There are so many things that we will be missing out on this Christmas.  Toronto has had so many Covid cases lately that we have now been placed into lockdown as of today. Not only does that mean retail stores, restaurants, church, and other places will be closed, it also means we are following the advice of our Prime Minister and reducing the people we see.  The kids are still going to school, but other than that we don't plan on doing much. I know there are different restrictions depending on your area but no matter where you are, things will be different for you this Christmas, and we are allowed to be upset about that.  So here are some specific things we cannot do this year:

My parents cannot come for Christmas this year.  They are in the Atlantic Bubble and travelling to this hot spot would not be a good idea. 

We cannot have our Annual Christmas Drop In.  It was to be our 7th year hosting and we will miss welcoming our neighbours and friends into our home.

No concerts at school or church pageant. 

No in person church services for Advent or Christmas Eve.  

No Santa visit at the mall. 

No shopping. I love the hustle and bustle of the mall and checking out small local shops, but online will have to do.

No looking at the lights downtown and then going for dinner at a restaurant. 

No parades.

I always tell my children (and myself) that it is okay to be sad and mad about something, but you just can't be sad for too long and let it ruin your day.  I know that is pretty simplistic, but it works for us. 

So we can choose not to dwell on the events and visitors that we usually have and instead remember that the true meaning of Christmas cannot be taken away from us.  We can still celebrate the birth of Christ and spend this Advent season preparing for that gift.  We may not be able to sing at concerts or in church, but we can listen to Christmas music and sing in our homes.  We can also send love to our family and friends by sending cards or other gifts.  We can make donations to special places where the work of Jesus is being carried out.  We can find things that bring us peace - maybe that's a run outside, a glass of wine while you sit by the tree, reading, attending an online church service, spending time in prayer, watching a movie, or so many other things. The quality of our faith is not reliant on being able to do the regular holiday activities that we are used to doing.  Jesus will come regardless of whether we have done all of the things. 

So while I will be missing out many different activities, and I am allowed to be sad about that, I am going to focus my intentions on preparing for Christ the Newborn King this advent season. 

Friday Favourites

 

Happy Friday Everyone!  Did you undertake the challenge I issued on Monday? Did you send a thank you note and go on a walk during a different time of day than you usually do?  I went for a run with some girls on Thursday morning and got to see the most beautiful sky as the sun was rising.  It didn't last long and I didn't get a photo, but imagine orange and pink.

I enjoyed Dancing with the Stars, with some wine, my cozy blanket, and a fire on Monday night.  It was the best place to be :)

I went into the office on Thursday to do a few things and stayed all day.  I had the most glorious sandwich for my lunch, the OG from Union Chicken.  It is the best and I have been thinking about since March.

Last year, Q got an espresso machine toy and he loves it, and so does E.  I don't know if they still make it but I see there is a tea set, which is not the same, but still looks like fun. 

If you're looking for some fun new Christmas albums, check out Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton!  We all love Dolly anyway but since she's saving us from Covid, we love her even more.  She does a fun little song with Jimmy Fallon, so check it out.  I listen on Spotify and added these two albums to my already huge Christmas playlist. 

We don't watch This Hour Has 22 Minutes very much but when I see their clips shared on Facebook or wherever they are always spot on.  Check out the latest one about that same conversation we are all having with each other right now.  I can't get the video to embed here but you can click on this link to see it on your Facebook.  Good times.

Linking up with Andrea and Erika.

Thursday Prayers

Before I got into my current prayer list, I wanted to extend an invitation to "attend" our church's online services.  Now that the Christmas season is coming up, you may want to join us.  Now is the perfect time since you can just watch on the YouTube channel live at 10:30 am on Sundays or catch a past recording.  Check out their page here (or just Google "Royal York Road United Church YouTube").

I feel better when I am able to connect to the music, bible readings, and the message in the sermon, so maybe you will too. 

This post follows our church's structure of the Prayers of the People. First are prayers of Thanksgiving, where we give thanks for all of the blessings in our lives, then Petitions, which are prayers for specific people that we know that need the prayers, and finally Intercessions, which is a prayer for wider global concerns.  

Thanksgiving

Our safe and cozy home
My good health - I do question every sniffle and beginnings of a sore throat, but so far I have remained healthy.
My healthy family - both my immediate and extended family
Stable jobs - Especially now when the economy is so unstable, I am grateful that Dave and I are both able to continue working uninterrupted.

Petitions

People who won't be able to be with family this Christmas
People in hospital and long term care homes
Health care workers
Educators 

Intercessions

Countries that are really struggling with Covid, including our own
The countries that were recently affected by Hurricane Eta, especially our own favourite place to visit, Jamaica
The people of Ethiopia
Victims of violence against transgendered people
Our politicians and public health officials - they are working hard to balance all of our various needs, it is not an easy job and I pray they make the good choices.

Lord hear our prayer.

Christmas Wish List

I found this year especially hard to come up with things for this list.  Many of the things I usually think of for gift ideas are sort of obsolete now - I don't need makeup or hair supplies, work clothes, or gift certificates/tickets.  So you'll see that my gifts reflect staying at home :)

Want

Cozy Blanket - We have a few cozy blankets around our house, but there are a couple that could probably be replaced.  Our two living areas have mostly blue accents, so a plain cream colour or shade of blue would work in either room. 

Need

Bars of Soap - I like to use handcrafted bars of soap (like these ones) in the bathroom.  They don't dry our our hands and they are suitable for washing my face as well. 

Wear

Short socks - Not sports sock, I have a few pairs of those, but instead thinner socks that I would wear with my sneakers when I'm not exercising.  I also wear them around the house with my slippers. 

Read

Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld - I love Jerry and this isn't something I'd just want to get at the library.

Weekend Recap

We are wary that the Province and/or City may initiate another shut down so we all got haircuts in the past few days.  Q had an appointment after school on Friday.  He looked pretty cute when he was all done.

Then we picked up E for a classmate's house and we headed home for pizza night.  I made the self-proclaimed pizza of the week.

Q enjoyed his pizza too.

But everyone was tired.  We watched Over the Moon on Netflix after supper.

On Saturday morning I went to get my haircut!  Meanwhile Dave worked on the leaves.

Then they all went for a walk with our neighbours so when I got back from my hair appointment I went to join them.   It was pretty chilly out and I didn't think the ice cream truck was required.  Now if they pivoted to sell hot chocolate and coffee, I could support that business model.

Beautiful day to be by the river.

This tree climbing happened before I got there.

Hot chocolate at the table he made

After lunch I took the kids for an eye appointment.  Q insisted on wearing his Hulk costume.

We had steak and french fries for our supper, and then watched Jingle Jangle on Netflix.

Sunday was supposed to be rainy and windy all day so we mostly just did things around the house - cleaning, groceries, muffin baking, watching church, and the Masters.  Around 2:30 I went for a run because the sun was actually out and it was quite warm.  I snapped this photo because I couldn't believe I was in a tank top in mid-November.  This was right as I turned around and good thing too because then the rain and wind really kicked in. I had a long sleeved shirt and headband that I put back on.  The rain was almost comical since it was really coming down, but it wasn't cold so I didn't mind too much.

Some Lego building for the rest of the day, then wings and caesar salad for supper. 

Sunday was a long day but it was successful to feel ready for the week ahead. 

Challenge

I want to challenge you to do a couple of things this week.  One thing is to go for a walk or run an errand at a time that you wouldn't normally go out.  We often get stuck in our regular routines, particularly now that non-essential trips and events are discouraged. Recently I have done a few things out of sync with my normal routine and I'm always surprised by how different it feels and what I notice. 

For example, last Saturday we ordered noodles for our supper and instead of having them delivered I walked up to get them.  I am very rarely out and about around suppertime so it was neat to get out in the dusky light, seeing other people out enjoying their Saturday evening.  

I had to take E to an appointment last week and picked him up from school after recess so I saw his teacher and classmates as they were going into the school, and saw other classes using the outdoor space for learning.  I'm usually at the school well before and after the bells ring since the kids go to the YMCA before and after school program. 

Another challenge to you is to send a note of thanks to someone who has been making efforts during this time - I emailed our minister and choir director to thank them for putting together a live stream church service each week.  And I messaged my fitness instructors to say thanks for the virtual workouts.  It's difficult for them to speak to the camera but we're out there, and we do appreciate their time and attention to keeping us feel connected during this time.  Who has connected with you virtually?

Friday Favourites

Well, Ontario (mostly the Greater Toronto Area) is not doing well right now.  Our Covid numbers are skyrocketing and it's hard to know what to do.  

It has been hard on the fitness studio that I workout with, Saor. But they have been amazing at providing so many online options for us and keep adding more things for us, even though we can't actually be in the studio having in person classes together.  I am so grateful for them!  They added back in a live Zoom workout where we can all see each other, which makes it so nice than just joining a digital class. I get to see other people and I'm held accountable because I know others can see me if I give up!

E tried out piano lessons this week and we will sign him up for weekly lessons.  Q and I had a quick snack and then went for a walk while we were waiting. 

We made some paper poppies for Remembrance Day using a pattern provided by the Sunday school.

I made a turkey pot pie this week with leftover turkey from Thanksgiving that had been in the freezer.  I felt like I was on the Great British Bake Off since I had a limited amount of time to blind bake the crust, prepare the filling, and then put it altogether before picking up the kids.  Dave finished it off with an egg wash and stuck it in the oven.  It tasted so good and the best is that I had enough for two so there is a second one in the freezer to eat another time.

Speaking of workouts, I had this little guy join me early on Wednesday morning.  It is so convenient to workout at home and it is nice to have the company sometimes, except when you want to experience the meditation at the end and someone (ahem, Q!) won't stop talking! 

We got some new Christmas mugs this week.  I said on Monday that I wanted to buy local gifts where I could so when I started browsing around Indigo's site for mugs, I reminded myself to check out some local stores, and I found these mugs there!  Plus they were $3.95 each!  I don't think anything costs that little at Indigo.

Linking up with Andrea and Erika today.