Yay me! A much better Christmas across the street

 So I seem to have made it halfway through my ninth decade, and thank you everyone who messaged and emailed and sent electronic and paper cards and wishes already!

At least we think this is the right day. Back where I was born, homebirths with records only in the official log of the midwife, carried away with her,  the father had to go to the town hall to register a new baby. 

My mother wasn't well after the birth, and, one thing and another, it was after Christmas, big family, busy time, that he finally got there. Knowing him, he'd forgotten the exact date, so much going on, and I suspect estimated the likely date! Anyway this is my official bday, fight me! 

He also got the wrong name, having completely forgotten Mom's choice by the time he got to the church for the baptism. This was always performed asap after birth, because you never know. She wasn't up to the walk, babies always carried to church, so Dad did the honors. 

When the priest asked the new baby's name, they had a quick male conference and ended up naming me for the priest's mother. Which turned out to be the same as my mom's name. Which sent her as ballistic as she felt up to being, when we got home,  since she hated the Old Tom, Young Tom tradition of her brother's family and didn't want an Old Liz and a Young Liz in her own!  Terrific guy in many ways, physically one of the most courageous of men, my dad, but not clerically  gifted.

Yesterday Gary came over to wish me a happy bday and  check my tire pressures! He had the compressor out anyway for the neighbor across the street, so he did his and mine, too. I returned the bday wishes, since his was last week, you might have guessed he's a hellbent Sag!

This is a great Christmas for the neighbor across the street, this time last year newly diagnosed with cancer and facing chemo, this year tests clear, feeling fine! Hence the tree, no tree last year.

And Gary helping unload.

Yesterday was the smallest misfits box ever, missing eggs, 

Everything yellow or orange or pinkish.  Every now and then I have enough food in the house to cut way back on ordering. 

And since I can officially start the Christmas season, here goes

They'd have arrived on time, too, no wandering hopelessly across the desert for twelve days, not asking the way, claiming a star was leading them.

Happy day, everyone, and I hope you get as long and happy a life as I'm lucky enough to have