have a merry christmas!

The little girl in me is always excited about Christmas. Not so much the "what will I get," but the "I can't wait to see their faces!" I like giving gifts. I like to see the surprise on each face when they tear back the wrapping paper. (Like the DVD I got for my daughter this year. I can't tell you what it is yet, because she might read this. But she is absolutely going to love it.) And it doesn't even have to be a gift from me! When I see that look on their face -- the look that says their heart has been touched and they feel loved -- that is what Christmas is all about.

Have a very Blessed Christmas!

say it with flair

On Facebook there are these cute little flair buttons to collect and send to friends. Yesterday I came across this one.

Um, ok. I didn't know that Christians, by saying 'Merry Christmas,' were hording all the joy for themselves. Wow, no wonder people get angry when someone says 'Merry Christmas.' They hear, "I'm a Christan and I've come to steal your joy!" That's horrible. This is just more proof that the true message of peace on earth (everyone on earth), good will to men (and women -- everyone) has not been well presented or people wouldn't have such an incorrect view of Christians.

When people say 'Happy Holidays' I don't think they are trying to take something away from me. I think of it more as a question, as in, "I don't know what holiday in particular you're celebrating, so I'll just wish you 'Happy Holidays.'" At which I respond, "Merry Christmas!"

tis the season

You've probably heard about the crazies out there on Black Friday in New York and California. Well, just be aware they're still out there.While it's not anywhere near as tragic, last night I was waiting in the express check-out line at Walmart. I was second in line and there were about two people behind me. We each had one or two items.

This guy walks up to me and says, "Ma'am, can I cut in front of you? I've got a broken jaw (it appeared his jaw was clamped shut) and I need to get home to get my medication. I just want to get some cigarettes."

I'd already stood there longer than I wanted just to purchase a couple of cans of vegetables and I figured the guy couldn't be in too much pain or he would've gone straight home. So I told him no. He asked the lady behind me and she said no. Then he throws his hands up and says, "Well, F-you all!" And then he left.

Now, maybe I should've let him in line ahead of me. It wasn't really that big of a deal, and maybe any other time I would've. But last night I just didn't. You know, after his reaction I'm kind of glad. Guess I need to work a little on my Christmas spirit.

desserts*

Here's a little post to let everyone know I've snapped out of it. It amazes me how I manage to get through the bouts I have with grief and depression. This week's episode was conquered (to a certain extent) by learning how to use a new software program my husband bought me for Christmas. It seems the more challenging, tedious, and time-consuming a task is, the more it releases just the right amount of chemicals in my brain to bring relief.

The software? Oh, it is Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 and I have been having a blast going through and editing our vacation pictures. Here are a couple of samples:

Ok, so before I start sounding too geeky and going on and on about how much fun I've been having, spending hours on the computer editing photos and creating hundreds (not an exaggeration) of layouts, I have to go pick up my prints.

*The mirror image of stressed.

grieving christmas

It doesn't feel like Christmas. There isn't the joy and the anticipation. No warm fuzzies. Just a cloud overshadowing the whole thing, threatening to burst a cold and icy rain. Maybe I want it too much, maybe I'm trying too hard, but the more I want to feel Christmas, the more it slips away.

There are a number of reasons for this, but mostly a sense of loss. Grief is a sneeky thing. It comes on strong, quietly slips away, and then pounces when you least expect it. And I know that it does not like to be ignored. It is persistent. It hovers, stands over your shoulder, pulls at your sleeve until it is acknowledged and given the attention it needs.

So while everyone is opening their gifts and greeting all with a 'Merry Christmas,' I will smile and play along, but in my mind I will be tending a broken heart.

gift idea

Along with most people this time of year, I've been trying to come up with gift ideas. The way my mind wanders, though, it's difficult to stay on task. The other day I was thinking about what to get my brothers for Christmas and thought how nice it would be if they were as easy to buy for as women. I mean, generally you can buy a woman things like candles and they're pleased as punch. Most women, because really I'm not much into the candle thing. But, anyway, I was thinking about that and then I thought wouldn't it be great if they had scented candles for women and men. Surely if they can make jelly beans taste like all kinds of things they can make a candle with any kind of scent. Scents that instantly send your mind back to your childhood or any number of memorable experiences. Then a list of scents popped into my head that I thought would be great gifts.

candle scents for her:
first snow
summer rain
newborn baby
fresh brewed coffee
Sunday dinner at Grandma's
bread baking in the oven
s'mores

candle scents for him:
popcorn
salami & cheese
hickory
bacon & eggs
saltwater
sundried denim
tanned leather

If I were to buy you a candle for Christmas what scent would it be?

o holy night

O Holy Night, performed by Barlow Girl

fashion police -- santa suit

Santa was in disguise today at the diner. I must say, though, he looks much better in his red and white fur suit. The grey hat and plaid shirt do nothing for him. His suit must be at the cleaners.

his and hers shopping

After 19 years of marriage, my husband and I have finally discovered the secret of shopping together: Don't. You see, my husband is a hunter. Not just the Deer Hunter, but the Bargain Hunter as well. Which, in some ways, is great. But when it comes to Christmas shopping, not so much.

The major problem with his style of shopping is that I HATE shopping. I want to go into a store, purchase the item or items I've jotted down previously on a list (I'm all about the lists), and get the heck out of there. Because, to me, there's no sense wasting a lot of time looking at things (1) I don't want/need, (2) at a bunch of different stores comparing prices, and (3) are not on the list.

So, this past Saturday we tried a different approach: we drove to the desired shopping area, related our shopping plans to each other, and went our separate ways. This was perfect! We each were able to shop for the items we wanted the way we wanted. And when we needed to catch up with each other, we just used the cell phones.

I know this isn't a new idea, because I've seen other people on their cell phones or even two-way radios and overheard the "ok, I'll meet you at the . . ." conversations. But this is a new idea for me and RL, because we've been trying so hard lately to do more things together. You know, going shopping "together" we just thought we'd actually be, um, together.

Now, there were still the awful crowds and seemingly endless lines at the cashier counters, but at least our stress was from those around us and not from each other. This made the whole experience so much better and helped me maintain some Christmas spirit. Well, up until the fourth hour of shopping, when I was just plain sick of the whole thing and wanted to go home.

fashion police -- holiday sweaters

With the holidays coming up, you're probably going to see some women (maybe even some men) wearing holiday sweaters. But if you're thinking of wearing one yourself, it would probably be better to have a costume party built around them. Seems most people in the fashion world consider those who wear such sweaters as 'holidorks.' But at a party where everyone is wearing them, you can "completely forget all fashion propriety."

christmas

vacation

Every year for -- I don't know how long -- I've taken some vacation time during Christmas Break to spend with the kids. This year's vacation has been anything but. The first two days I spent cleaning (it's amazing what a mess Christmas makes) and then two days of shopping (my daughter can't wait to spend every dime she received on gift cards), and today there will be more cleaning.

Well, tomorrow should be more interesting. We're going to a basketball game in Stillwater. We've never done anything on New Year's Eve, so I've been looking forward to it.

christmas challenge

This year, more than ever, there has been a lot of talk about Christmas. Unfortunately the talk has been negative. Apparently there are a lot of people who want to eliminate Christmas and turn it into Winter holiday. It has become obvious to me that, once again, there's no room for Jesus.

If we hand Christmas over to them, how long do you think it will be before the rest of our freedoms are taken away. It will happen, just as surely as there is no prayer in school. We must stand up for our freedoms. What kind of message do we send our troops fighting for the freedoms of others if we don't take a stand for our own?

We have nine days to show the world what Christmas is all about. We have nine days to say "Merry Christmas," sing Christmas carols, and tell others what we are celebrating: The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! Celebrate by decorating your house, your car, your office. Tell people any way you can that you are celebrating Christmas. Don't let it be another silent night.

christmas

• Why do people start decorating for Christmas before Halloween?

• Why would anyone want an upside-down Christmas tree?

• Why are so many people, in this age of tolerance, offended when someone wishes them a "Merry Christmas?"