Christmas Eve

 

Wednesday

I got up at 8:30, after having a very long night of not being able to sleep for no discernible reason. I prepared for meditation morning with exercise, etc. Jamie texted asking me to come over to sort canned goods. So I finished meditation and tapping, and cleaning the bathroom and washing dishes. I took a shower and tried to print Korea lists.

I went to her house with a large marker. But there weren't that many cans and jars. She invited Saronna over to help clean out her freezer. She encouraged me to use her cooler and I packed it with frozen meat and flour. Saronna had lots of coolers to fill. Randy put the big cooler in the back of his vehicle. He followed me to my house where he carried the big cooler inside. We talked and they left. I unpacked the cooler and took it back to Jamie.

She and I talked. She gave me the money for 648 and I gave her a portion for 111. I stopped by 648 to check the leaf project and the driveway. The 'cat litter' was wet but might dry out yet.

I went home and made egg salad. Chris went to the commissary for pie shells. I read messages and listened to some videos as I ate. Jenni came by to exchange one's for twenty's. After she left, I got dressed for Christmas Eve service. I packed my trombone stand and music and headed to the chapel.

When I arrived, Michele and John were already there because Rod asked them to come early. But he wasn't there. So the three of us practiced O Come All Ye Faithful. But it didn't go well because I was trying to play 4 bells. Then Michelle stepped in, but it was confusing for her. Eryne arrived and did better. Finally Saronna arrived. It was her part, but there wasn't time to practice.

We all sat in the front row. Cpl Popken gave the message. Then Rod had Isadora read a verse while we musicians took our places. I announced the songs one at a time and we played two verses of each. Rod encouraged the congregation to clap. Then at the end, the bells and piano and flute played Silent Night. He spoke to the congregation again as if to wake them up. I turned out the lights except for the tree and we hummed another verse. Rod motioned to Keli to keep playing and we did another verse. It was nice and quiet, but when I turned the lights on, he spoke loudly to the assemblage again. I thought it ruined the mood.

After that, people chatted with each other while John and Michele and I put away the bells. I turned out the lights in the bathrooms. People talked to me, and then I put away my trombone. Rick turned off the main lights as I walked to the door and left.

I went home. Chris had just changed his clothes, so I changed mine. He made himself a burrito. I listened to an end-of-the-year podcast. When it was over, I posted to my blog and made tea.

We watched one episode of Criminal Minds. I sorted out the money for 111 and put some in an envelop for John. I also added up hours for 648, but did not distribute it because it hasn't passed inspection yet. Then we went to bed.