After Christmas Sales...

I took my daughter shopping for the after Christmas discounts. Where did all of these people come from? Didn't they spend all of their money on black Friday? Now, there was no pepper spray or beatings but they were all just angry...tired but still angry. You've seen the type, trudging along, feet dragging, hauling their newly discovered treasures that two days ago were $50 and today were $ 4.99. Why are they still angry? Aren't they saving a lot of money? Or is everyone ticked off that two days ago they spent so much? Well, don't be a part of the big holiday game. Really, if it makes you so angry, why do you do it? How about celebrating the actual holiday next time? Remember the reason that we were doing all of this in the first place? Does anyone really enjoy the frantic shopping, scurrying from place to place ripping things out of the hands of some weaker shopper and running to the nearest cashier, hoping your credit card won't be declined.
We watched people dragging small children around, screaming. I watched my daughter's face light up when she discovered some item in her size and color. She went cheerfully into the fitting room and tried it on and VIOLA! Gorgeous. I waited in line for a month or two and paid for the item...thanks mom, you are the best. There is no need to be testy about any of it, after all we bought chips at this table. If we don't like the game, don't play. And remember. only only 364 shopping days till next Christmas...smile, life is too short to waste one minute on senseless anger. love and peace to you all....

Visiting relatives...

So my mom has come up the mountain to visit for the holidays. She was coming up on Saturday, but changed to Sunday...forgot to mention that to me. I walked through the house imagining the worst. I just know she is on the side of the road with a flat or worse a blown radiator hose. No cell reception, can't run the engine, snow piling up outside, wolves circling.....too much drama? So what, I was always an imaginative child growing up. Oh, where could she be? Time passed and my pacing increased. Should I drive down, scanning the roadsides and drainage ditches ? "Mom, she isn't a escaped puppy; hit by a car while crossing the street", my daughter laments. "Get a hold of yourself, call her", well, I can't do that...she might think I'm overprotective, clingy and possessive. "You are !" screams my daughter. Where is she!? Somalian pirates, Taliban? "Okay! You call her," I tell my daughter, "so she won't get the wrong idea". Aleida calls... she is coming on Sunday. Why do you ask she says, " Oh, no reason," I say. Love and peace to you all and Merry Christmas.

Waiting for the UPS truck

Oh how shopping has changed. To avoid the parking lots, crowds and the pepper spray, we make use of those stacks of catalogs that appear this time of year. And then we wait for the UPS truck. There I was minding my own business (for a change) studying in the library... Okay I was in the bathroom, when, I heard the truck. The low rumbling engine, the squeak of the springs, the slam of the cargo door. I quickly dressed, uh I mean ended my studies and rushed to the door. OMG, what will it be? A lovely delicacy ordered to celebrate the season? A rare gift ordered from a far away land for a special someone? An electronic toy, out of stock for months? Maybe it is a special delivery from an anonymous admirer who recognised all that I had done and how hard I worked all year? Santa?....

I throw open the door, breathless with excitement, yes, yes I'm here!

The pest control man was very surprised to see me at the door. He wished me a Merry Christmas, handed me the bill and mentioned I might have my sweatpants on inside out.

Cleaning up

We had quite a wind storm a few days ago. I mean WIND storm! I looked out the window and the trees with their beautiful red and gold leaves gently swaying in the wind. The sky was cobalt blue and clear. When I looked again the trees were still swaying but they were naked and the house began to shake. The anemometer was spinning 35-50 mph gusts. " Close the door!!" oh crap, the cat blew out the window. Hummingbirds were flying backwards and leaves, which before were beautiful red and gold ornaments in the trees, had become blowing crap that was clogging our downspouts and culverts. Squirrels were blown from trees on to passing cars to the surprise of the drivers, not to mention the squirrels themselves. How quickly things change, one minute a lovely setting of pristine fall colors and peaceful vistas, the next swirling crap. So when you stop by, grab a rake and hit those leaves. We are still looking for the cat.

So, how YOU doin' ?

We had our Christmas tree completely decorated November 25, 10pm. We had our outdoor decorations in place by 6pm. Do we have too much time on our hands ? Our we insane ? Nope, we are Craigs and there isn't a holiday we can't over do. I keep saying, "A back-rub is nice, but when you over do it, it starts to hurt".

When I was a kid we put up the tree about two weeks before Christmas. Mostly because it was a cut tree and would have burst into flames under those enormous C7 twinkle lights after several weeks of drying time. Still, we had to move furniture and find the right spot so my dad could nail it to the wall after 3-4 tries to level the stump. Then my dad and I would go out side and surround the house with more lights and viola, Christmas. If no one was hurt, yeah! it is going to be a great holiday.

Now, the stores start decorating for Christmas before Halloween. And after this terrible "black Friday" tradition, well it just makes everything seem cheap and desperate. And people wonder why they feel sad at Christmas. Not really surprising actually. Well, I refuse to play into this hijacking of the holidays. I resolve to :

• Enjoy eggnog by the fire
• Make delicious English fruitcake
• Hug as many people as I can chase down
• Sing Christmas Carols
• Sit outside at night and watch the stars
• Wear fuzzy socks
• Have some more eggnog
• Walk the dog through the neighborhoods looking at the decorations
• Say "Merry Christmas" to everyone
• Drink sherry by the fire...too much eggnog gives me gas
• Smile at everyone...even mean people
• A little more sherry will help with that last one
• Re-read Dickens's "Christmas Carol"
• Listen to Christmas music
• Paint more
• Get some more sherry, we seem to be out...
• Sit, absolutely still and think about my blessings
• Hug a tree....too much sherry ?
• Laugh...it's not so bad. Just don't over do it

Whew, I thought I would never get those damn bullets to stop.

Love and peace to you all...try some sherry...

Happy Thanksgiving...

I am trying to be less Eeyore-like. My daughter says I have gone too far to the happy side. Hmmm, make up your mind!!

I just came back from shopping. Well, I came back two hours ago and I have just regained enough strength to post to you all. I had to shove a small child out of the way to get the rolls and lied to an old lady, I told her they were giving away free cranberry sauce in the next isle. She was going for the last whip cream container. I win!...te he he.

Tom and Leida were arguing the whole time so I sent Tom to get some marshmallows. When he returned I told him he had the wrong ones. He got the large ones and I needed the minis. He sighed and went back. (ahh peace) when he returned I asked him where the large ones were. He said he had put them back. I said I needed both sizes. He sighed and went back. I sent Leida for produce, she told me she didn't know what it looked like. I think she figured me out. Anyway...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!

All the news that's ....

I know, I know I sent out the link for Tom's newspaper write-up. He has just passed his Board of Review for his first palm on his Eagle award. Leida is working on her next medal in scouting, the Trust Award. It is an advanced award in religious studies and I and very proud that she chose it as her next project. Well, I need to go help Guy... Love to all.

Okay, back to normal?

Wow, when did RSVP become un-cool? Remember, it is a practice which lets the host know how to prepare for your comfort. So, we ran out of everything. It rained and was soooo cold. My computer fried and the power point/music was wrecked, but, Tom said it was perfect. He is happy and working on his thank you cards. I am being blamed for everything, including the weather. A very well-meaning person whispered in my ear, "You know, dear, these things require planning". Hmm, maybe I'll try that next time.