10,000 Maniacs - These Are Days [HQ]

This song is a go-to happy song for me--love Natalie Merchant.  While the video is a little lame (it was the early 90's after all), this song brings nothing but good memories to mind.

Joy

Christmas dinners are now officially done and time to turn my brain towards the start of a new year.  So many wonderful things happened this year:  we got our new family member, dd2 found her "place", dd1 had some success in the pool, dh found a job that makes him happy, and although i can't think of something monumental for me, i did get to enjoy all of the above and be pleased for the ones i love.

These last few days of 2011 have been difficult in the sense that there is so much attention focussed on shopping, buying, and having stuff.  It's a full on assault really.  Is it worse than in previous years?  I can't say for certain but what I do know is my desire to be a part of it has never been smaller.  As I wandered through the mall with some Christmas money in my hand, I realized that none of this was bringing me any joy and, in fact, was making me decidedly unhappy.  Now I can't tell you why that is (believe me, i enjoy spending money as much as the next gal) but let's just say that my Christmas money ended up in a much better place, spent in a way that did give me some joy.  As 2011 winds down, I am certain of very few things in life save these:  my family comes first, no exceptions; everyday I have with my parents is a gift; my girl friends are a treasure like no other; and that life is a truly beautiful thing when one can tune out the background noise.

Here's hoping that as you head in to 2012 that you hold firm to your own certainties and enjoy what truly brings you joy.

Eat, Read, and Be Merry

So far this holiday, we have a done a great deal of nearly nothing.  It's been absolutely perfect.  Reading, card games, eating, board games, more eating, walking with the dog, eating, watching junior hockey, eating and of course, more eating.  Pure relaxation.  It's been a tremendous gift.  After years of hosting Christmas, having house guests, planning activities for 13 on a daily basis and generally acting as our family's "julie mc coy", this week of pyjama time has been all sorts of wonderful.
But good-ole-Julie is never out of commission for long....."family fun" (in quotation marks to reflect what I am sure will be DD#1's reaction to my ideas) is on the horizon.  That is, if I can put down The Hunger Games.

Merry Christmas Part 2: Can we return to Christmas Past?

This morning was the day I'd been dreading for some time.  After staying up well past midnight, DH and I were completely unsuspecting that a certain determined DD#2 was still awake and saw us lay the stocking down by her door.  That would explain her lack of enthusiasm in the morning.  When asked why she was so glum, she replied "I saw you and daddy with my stocking" which I mistakenly took to mean that she knew we were Santa.  Mistake.  Huge mistake.  When I later told her how I'd hoped she'd like a certain Santa present, the world almost seemed to stop for a moment and then the wailing began.  And I do mean wailing.  And crying.  And accusing.  So much for our "It's a wonderful life" kinda moment.  And there was no buying of the "Santa is the spirit of Christmas" line.  She felt out and out hurt, betrayed, and very very sad.  Even despite some pretty good presents.  How to manage this plan b style?  I am at a loss however, a good friend gave me a mug which I am using as I type this.  It says "Embrace the Moment" and indeed, I will just keep my mouth shut and give that a try.

Merry Christmas

As I stumble along in my constant plan b world, I am ever mindful that at least I have options and the presence of mind to consider changes.  May we ever be open to the possibilities of life and embrace the simple joys that present themselves to us in big and small ways.  Tonight I am grateful for so much for truly I am richly blessed.  And so are you, if you stop the craziness of life to properly consider things.  May you all have a wonderful Christmas tomorrow.

acceptance

How to explain the way of the world to a 10 year old girl intent on doing her own thing?  That is the question of the day around here.  While I appreciate that she's spunky and has her own "look", unfortunately that look is driving me crazy--hair pulled back, unbrushed, into a knotted pony tail with the occasional slick back with water.  Seriously?  I would rather look at purple hair, a nose ring, or inside out clothing than watch her walk around looking like she just rolled out of bed (or out of a bin of hair gel).  Raising the issue delicately (which, admittedly is not my forte) does not register and as I get more insisting, she becomes more resisting (I forsee nothing good when the teen years come along).  I am not sure why I care so much.  That's not entirely true.  Girls are mean and I can well imagine what will be said about her today and I am frustrated that she's setting herself up for a huge serving of nasty.  She has told me the problem lies with me (having a logical, perceptive child is all kinds of frustrating) and I know she's right but oh man, isn't life hard enough without giving people a reason to mock you?
So, off she goes.  Dressed in her pajamas (have I mentioned it is NOT pajama day?), bathrobe (a compromise from the fuzzy blanket cape she intended to wear), and a big old Santa hat (at least maybe people will assume the hair comes from hat head??).  And as I watch her with my fingers crossed for a good day, I must concede that I love this crazy girl who is intent on teaching me a lesson in tolerance, patience, and acceptance.

Home Stretch

Well finally, shopping is done (family gifts anyway)!  Cookies are underway.  House is half-decorated but no one seems to mind at all, least of all me!  It looks as if Christmas will make it's way here after all. What a relief as the past few days I have been waking up in a state of panic wondering how it will all happen.  Guess my university mantra of "there are many hours in a day" still holds true today and good things can happen to those who are willing to give up a little sleep.