Many of you are aware that my husband is in management for UPS. For twenty-five years, he has pretty much worked around the clock during the holidays - when he is not at the facility, he is on call (and he always answers his phone). With his (our) night schedule, I expect this season will have additional stress. During peak season, he works six days a week, with only Saturday off (except this coming Saturday, of course he works the Saturday after Black Friday). This always leaves me feeling alone and alienated at holiday time, as our family is all quite a distance away...and it is usually just me (one of the reasons I still haven't spent the money on a good artificial tree to display all my handmade ornaments - I know, I know, I need to save the money for a tree). So, I decided this year I would schedule something every Saturday to get me (us) out of the house and enjoy the beauty of Kansas City at Christmas time. I will be sharing those outings here with some festive posts. I know others can relate to feeling down and alone during the holiday season, so let's get through the next month together!
Over the last weekend, we went on our first outing - a trip to GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium. This yearly fundraiser is presented by Saint Luke's Health System and is a nighttime, walking journey with over a mile-long spectacle of intricate lighted sculptures. The animals are not on display at night, but the KC Zoo Railroad is decorated for Christmas (with the Grinch as the conductor) and travels through a lit Christmas Tree Farm. You can visit Santa and decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus...ride the Endangered Species Carousel...listen to local music and choirs...and have holiday food and beverages. This year the theme is “Legends & Lore” - an enchanting nighttime journey through two distinct loops: the adventure loop, with elements like Atlantis and dinosaurs, and the fantasy loop, which includes an enchanted forest and a fairy garden. I took some really fun photos and thought I would share them here...come along on this magical journey with me...
It really was a fun experience...and while it was chilly at night, I was bundled up and comfortable for our stroll through the lighted sculptures. I really enjoyed this event and hope to make it a yearly visit.
I will be back tomorrow (Thanksgiving) with the post you have all been waiting for - the unveiling of my 2024 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament...so, be sure to stop back to see the new addition to my Woodland Ornament Series...this year's ornament truly brings a smile to my face...💖
Okay, that event is now officially on my bucket list! Thanks for sharing all those wonderful photos. Magical!
ReplyDeleteAnd I hear you about the holidays. With my husband’s job he is away at least half of the holidays, and I have family too far away to travel to affordably, so holidays are often spent alone. You are doing the right thing - schedule some fun activities to do, and those memories and photos will be a great source of comfort. One of the nicest “alone Christmases” I had was where I spent the day making a calendar for the next year with photos I’d taken. The time went by fast as I recalled so many wonderful times, places, and people. Then I had all the next year to be reminded of them again when I looked at the calendar.
Looking forward to this year’s ornament and more beautiful photos! Happy Thanksgiving!!!