Oh, the Weather Outside is...

I have a small confession to make, on my way back to a normal life: I just turned on the heat in my home for the first time this winter. And only because company is coming. You see, I just can't see warming a four bedroom house just for little ol' me when I have afghans, electric throws and all manner of flannel jammies for the few hours I am home each evening. In my defense, I live in central Texas where it rarely gets very cold, and my new energy efficient windows (coupled with the new attic insulation) keep the house pretty comfortable. I guess I've become used to dressing in layers, but I had a friend drop by today who noticed the pervasive coolness of the house. So, I changed the HVAC filter (I am handy like that) and cranked the unit up.

And while I'm on a roll, I will admit that I did a cooking marathon that involved turning the oven on as well. Cooking, using the oven, turning the heat on...what can this mean?

Married daughter and her husband are on the way here from Pennsylvania for Christmas!

The original plan had been for me to go see them. I'd bought my tickets and planned to ignore Christmas decorations in my home for one more year. There is some illness on my son-in-law's side of the family that caused them to need to come here for the holidays.

Screeching turn in plans, so I decided to rip off the bandaid and embrace the decorating, the cooking, the traditions. And apparently the heater. And oven.

And guess what? I'm loving it! I have more energy than I've had since July 2009, and I'm really excited about this holiday season in my home. Could it be that this unexpected change in plans was really a Higher Plan all along? One that would force me to open my home to guests and the holiday? I'm thinking yes.

It is time to resume my former place at the front door, throw it open and declare, "Let the celebration begin!" like I have in former years. With a big smile on my face.