RANDOMNESS #1 - These last few weeks have been really eye-opening for me.
I am FINALLY willing to admit there are some Christmas things I do very, very well...
And some Christmas things not so much.
For example...
I LOVE to work on my Christmas card every year. And to make matters even more pleasant (for me), it appears I also LOVE to address envelopes and mail them out each year.
However, I am NOT a good decorator, and in the past few years it has become very overwhelming for me. I do the best I can, but in the end it is not what I have envisioned. (No sugarplums over here, Folks.)
I LOVE to wrap one, two or three gifts every day in December so when Christmas Eve comes around, I just pick up wrapped gifts and strategically place them around the tree.
However, the last few years, I haven't COMPLETELY completed my Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve, so even though I LOVE wrapping presents, I can't wrap what I have not bought!
I LOVE to bake in this season of my life. (That hasn't always been the case.) I have learned over the years baking takes some patience, the right ingredients and NO shortcuts. With age comes some wisdom... and better tasting (and looking) cakes, pies and cookies.
However, as much as I LOVE to bake, I'm not very good at carving out the time I need to do it properly, so I probably bake less the month of December than any other month.
I LOVE making lists.
However, my December To-Do Lists do not bring me comfort or a sense of satisfaction. My December To-Do Lists make me feel anxious and inadequate and S-L-O-W.
I LOVE Christmas sweaters.
However, I do NOT love that every Christmas sweater I've ever bought, worn and loved is now considered an Ugly Christmas Sweater. So ugly, in fact, two of them have won first place at a couple of parties I haven't even attended. (I don't mind loaning them out!)
I've mentioned the above to reassure myself (and perhaps someone "out there") that accepting and enjoying the things you do well is a much better way to spend the Christmas season than beating yourself up for the things others do better than you.
I don't want to wake up Christmas morning black and blue and out of sorts because of all the "howevers" in my life.
I want to wake up Christmas morning happy and ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
No regrets.
No "howevers."
No "maybe next year."
No "I wish I had done more."
Just a simple, "Thank you, God, for sending your Son."
Just a simple morning with my family.
Just a simple afternoon with extended family.
Is that too much to ask?
No. No, it isn't.
Especially when the only person you're asking is yourself.
And sometimes "yourself" needs to give YOU a break!
RANDOMNESS #2 - We went to the Christmas Tree Farm last weekend.
It was fun and easy and comfortable and festive.
My favorite kind of tradition.
The farm.
The now-obligatory Go-Pro pic.
The always-obligatory good-camera pic.
The chosen tree.
My Josh.
Reindeer.
Can you spot Santa?
Roxie and Mikie.
Just Mikie.
While we were there, a young mom with a baby in a stroller, a toddler and a preschooler picked out a tree, walked down a small mountain to the reindeer pushing a stroller and rode a wagon with her kiddos (and a stroller) back to the top of the Christmas Tree Farm.
She then proceeded to shop with the children in the Gift Shop, purchase items (large and small) and walk EVERYTHING back to her car where her Christmas tree had been expertly attached to her roof by the employees.
She never broke a sweat, raised her voice or asked for assistance.
I have to tell you, I was mighty impressed.
Mighty impressed, indeed.
Christmas Moments
In my attempt to celebrate a simple, more enjoyable Christmas season, I have decided to try to have at least ONE Christmas Moment each and every day in December.
The following is what I have so far:
Monday, December 1 - Buy and begin reading Ann Voskamps' new Advent Book, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift.
Tuesday, December 2 - Decorate front porch.
Wednesday, December 3 - Decorate dining room table AND have dinner by candlelight with Christmas music playing in the background.
Thursday, December 4 - Attend Gardendale's Annual Christmas Parade.
Friday, December 5 - Christmas shop for a needy child.
You get the idea.
And for all the Christmas-type things I did in November (and the extra Christmas moments which may just "happen" from time to time), I made a "bonus" page in my little notebook to keep track.
So when Christmas Day comes and goes this year, I don't have to be sad about all of the things I didn't accomplish during this "most wonderful time of the year."
I can look at all of the little moments I truly did enjoy.
And relax.
And sip hot chocolate.
And not beat myself up ever, ever again!
Weekend Happenings
1. The Chick has a basketball game tonight, so Mike and I will be attending that game.
2. Roxie will be taking the SAT Saturday morning.
I will just go ahead and say it for her.
Ughhh.
3. Josh has not submitted his weekend plans to me in typewritten form, but I know he's going to work a little, watch football a lot and enjoy a pretty easy weekend.
And there will be various and sundry Christmas moments scattered all throughout the weekend.
I can't even wait.
Have a lovely December weekend. I hope you have some wonderful Christmas moments of your very own. I'll be back Tuesday with the Weekend Wrap-Up, pics and maybe a new-to-me recipe.
Take care, and I'll talk to you next week.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
