My Confession/Rant

With just a few wrapped Christmas gifts left under our tree, I've got a confession to make.
Are you ready for this?
 I don't understand gifts.
 You read that correctly.
 I don't understand gifts.
 I don't get the whole tangible gift giving or receiving thing...not one little bit. 

Now before you label me as selfish or heartless, allow me to clarify.
I like giving gifts to children, mine included.  And I don't mean in a creepy I-have-some-candy-for-you-little-kid sort of way.  I love to see the utter delight in a child's eyes as he is preparing to unveil the prized treasure.  This I understand, and this is fun.  That's probably why our two kids are spoiled (rotten!). 

I think people deserve to be thanked, and sometimes a little gift or token of appreciation is warranted.  Teachers, employees, volunteers and a slew of other people deserve far more than they are paid.  Not that a gift card to a coffee place is enough to compensate them, but when it comes to this stuff, I feel that it's truly the thought that counts.

I also like helping people out.  Buying a hot meal for a cold homeless man, donating to a charity, packing up a shoebox with items for an underprivileged child, paying for a neighbor's overdue water bill, delivering a meal, arranging a night out with a friend...all things that I am called to do and enjoy doing. There's a time and place in everyone's life (i.e. illness, death, job loss, colicky baby (yes, that is a major life crisis) for a little neighborly and family assistance, but that kind of help can't be topped off with a bow.   Need someone to watch your kids while you run errands?  I'd love to.  Just ask.

If I ever happen upon an item within my budget that I know my mom or someone special to me would enjoy or need, I buy it and give it to that person.  Sometimes it is not even Christmas!  Gasp!

What I cannot get through my itty, bitty brain is why adults give tangible things to one another just because it's a certain occasion (i.e. Christmas, anniversary, birthday, wedding).  I don't think I'm like the Grinch as the spirit of Christmas usually fills me up.  I do love to be generous in many ways that aren't wrapped up and put under a tree, so a comparison to Scrooge isn't accurate either.  I simply don't get this present thing though.

In fact, buying an adult a gift stresses me out.  There's nothing warm and fuzzy about it.  First of all, I don't know what a family member or friend already has or wants or needs.  I certainly would hate to disappoint them or waste my time shopping for a gift that sucks.   Secondly, what adults really want or need is too expensive for most personal budgets.  Sure, we all probably have home remodels, dream vacations, L series camera lenses (ok, maybe not all of us), and elective surgeries on our wish lists, but that's just not something that the average family member can afford to give in a Christmas gift exchange.  Furthermore, who really holds off on certain purchases in hopes of receiving them for the holidays?  Not me.  In fact, I've never done that.  I evaluate my resources, weigh the want vs. really want factor, (endlessly) research prospective purchases, and buy the item...desired size, model, brand, color and all.  Why on Earth would I wait for December 25th to roll around to get new wooden spoons or socks? 

That leads into another topic:  gift lists or registries.  A list chock full of desired items is sure to make things easier for the gifter.  No doubt about it.  This realist doesn't want to come off as Negative Nellie, but talk about taking the "it's the thought that counts" right out of gift giving.  Of course, giving someone a list of specific things that you expect them to "give" you just because it's a certain day on the calendar might be viewed as helpful, but this also seems greedy, assumptive, and impersonal to me.

Now, just because I'm unable to comprehend this present thing, I surely like to receive gifts, right?   Actually, I'm quite uncomfortable opening and receiving presents, too.  Downright anxious, in fact.  I can honestly say that I would be ok never receiving a tangible gift just because it's a special occasion.  I know for certain that if my husband had me look out the window on Christmas morning  to see a Lexus with a giant bow atop it, I would be angry.  Really angry. 

Any idea what my love language isn't?  If you haven't read that book and you love someone, you need to. 

My take on a few scenarios...

Parents give adult children cash for Christmas.  Adult children give parents gift card to restaurant. 
My take:  Dumb.  This is simply an exchange of money.  No thought, feeling, or love is going on from either party.  Why doesn't everyone just keep their own money and say "Merry Christmas" instead?  (This is exactly what happens in my family and will likely continue for years to come.)

Each person in a group gives a present to each person in the group.
My take:  Dumb.  This is expensive, stressful, and leads to the accumulation of lots of useless stuff.  Why doesn't everyone just keep their own money and say "Merry Christmas" instead?

A group draws names and sets a spending limit.
My take:  Dumb.  Either a) no one gets what they want and has one more thing to add to the daily clutter or b) everyone receives exactly what they wanted and needed because they gave specific instructions on what should be given or c) the pouter in the group can't keep his mouth shut or forgets his manners and makes everyone feel uncomfortable.  Why doesn't everyone just keep their own money and say "Merry Christmas" instead?  (I've been involved with this before.  Stressful!)

Everyone in a group buys and wraps a generic gift and plays a version of a pass-around game.
My take:  Dumb.  People end up spending money on unnecessary junk.  People end up with unnecessary junk to add to the daily clutter or give away in their church group's white elephant exchange.  Why doesn't everyone just keep their own money and say "Merry Christmas" instead?

Someone gives you a gift, so out of obligation you get them one in return.
My take:  Dumb.  Aren't you just encouraging them to keep giving you gifts?  Why doesn't everyone just keep their own money and say "Merry Christmas" instead? 

A husband gives a wife a gift even after agreeing to a "no gift" policy for this Christmas.
My take:  Dumb.  He knows that, regardless of how awesome the present, the wife will react by saying, "Why did you do this?  You weren't supposed to.  I didn't get you anything.  Did you research this?  How much did this cost?"  Why doesn't he just keep his/your money and say "Merry Christmas" instead?  (This is exactly what happens at our house every. single. year.  Will he ever learn?  This year, however, I was able to dig through a stack of papers sitting on our counter top and hand him an exercise calendar that I prepared for him (with love).  Two can play this game.)

Giver(s) exceed set spending limit or personal budget.
My take:  Dumb.  This just sets the stage for unsightly competition and hefty credit card debt.  Why doesn't everyone just keep their own money and say "Merry Christmas" instead?

Well, now that I've put it all out there, this doesn't mean I don't want or need any gifts, just not the ones that keep retailers in business. What makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside? Well, since you asked...uninterrupted, meaningful conversations with my husband; fun experiences and time together as a family; and vacuumed floors and laundry that is put away. Now those are bundles of joy! 

What's your take?

Favorite Christmas Gifts

J

Books (imagine that!)

and a Pillow Pet (and not just any old Pillow Pet, but his first LSU item as well).

E

A Pillow Pet

and a gumball machine.

 There is, perhaps, no better gift for a girl who asks for gum several times per week. 

Now she just asks for it several times per hour.



Gettin' Crafty

We had a wonderful Christmas weekend.  We sang Jesus birthday wishes, attended two family celebrations, enjoyed unseasonably mild weather, ate way too much junk food, slept too little, played lots of cards (J now knows how to play Texas Hold 'em.  I'll be forwarding all future gambling and spending issues to his Grandpa B.), and had many crafty projects.

The edible...

There's not enough vodka to see me through this part of the cooking making, so I had to recruit some help.  We painted these cookies.  Fun and everyone could help. 

 The inedible...

The key to a successful Christmas craft afternoon:  an awesome elementary school teacher in attendance.  Ideas and creativity galore!

 Creating couldn't be everybody's priority all day though.

Football...

and one's duty as a volcanologist are more important.

 Any expert on volcanoes knows that one's equipment needs are quite minimal...a fabric sofa arm cover, an empty ice cream bucket, a two pound weight, and underpants to be pulled slightly higher than the waistband of your pants.  Love my nephew!

We may be crafted out for awhile, but we're not Christmas-ed out.  

 Thank God because we still have two more family celebrations ahead of us. 

Joy and cheer!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

‘Twas four nights before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a…Wait a second!  That’s not true.  I was stirring…and mixing…and rolling.

Last week I was feeling pretty darn good because we got a good start on our holiday goodies. 

(football field with score...NU 56   K as in Kansas 0)

Last week I was feeling pretty darn guilty and not good because we ate all of our holiday goodies long before Christmas.

I generally don’t get into the holiday baking much, but I was feeling it this year. Because all of the ingredients were already on hand, I didn’t want to be stuck with all of these sweets for just us again, so I started the process again at 10:00pm. 

Although productive, this baking night was too long.  I had certainly bitten off more than I could chew and my ambitious plans were met with very little energy as the minutes ticked by. 

It was finally time to call in the reinforcements because I knew I couldn’t do this alone.

Just as everyone else awake in the city was finishing last call, Katie’s bar was just opening.  Offering both drink and snack, she’s a perfect companion.

What’s Christmas-ish about this?

Well, for starters she’s red and green, so she screams Christmas.  Also, her name alone could be relevant to the story of Christmas if you use your imagination a little.  Thirdly, she packs a near fatal dose of sodium, so after hours of standing on my feet while drinking a couple of these, my ankles will surely look like Santa’s.  Need I go any further?

Hey, J, my down under friend…(err…mate?  Random thought:  Is mate, as in a friend, a gender neutral term in Australia?  Or is it like dude, usually used in referencing a male?  If so, then what are female friends called?)  notice the sausage garnishment.  That was added just for you!  I know your craving one of these babies right now.  Next time I see you, I'll have one of these and a plate of nachos waiting for you.

Since I spend time with my dear consumable pal so infrequently, it only takes a few quick sips for me to feel refreshed and gain a whole new perspective on what was once an overwhelming situation.

Before I began sipping:

After:

In moderation, my friend really was there for me when I needed the extra boost to power through.  Are you ready for some honesty?  I’ll admit it.  I actually considered overindulging with my dear companion because after enduring hours of pain and misery that cut out cookies bring, I really desired the amnesic effect that my partner in crime can offer.  Then I remembered the other side effects of overindulgence including, but not limited to, vomiting, headache, and diarrhea, so I chose to stay on the in-moderation path instead. 

I hope she’s there to support me when it comes time to frost all of these tediously made treats.  You can come too.  Bring your friend!  The more the merrier. 

Together we can have a bloody Mary merry Christmas.

Making a List & Checking It Twice

E takes her food seriously. Always has. Her Christmas list reflects that this year...

Didn't know she had a sister, Ellie?  Me neither.  I do know she has a wildly vivid imagination.  E cracks herself up too (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, you know).  Before she could tell me what she wanted to buy for her father, she prefaced it with plenty of giggling and the words, "This is gonna be a funny one...a Husker cheerleader shirt for Dad!"  By the way, I wouldn't get your hopes up if you see your name on the "To give" list.  That was mainly to see if E would say anything completely out there.  It would be interesting to see Daddy in a cheerleading shirt though.

Now, J, he's an all or none kind of guy.  That first item is "a little lego star wars set." (Love how he included little in his request.  Have you seen the prices of Legos lately?!?)  After a gentle reminder that it would be helpful if his list was legible, he could only think LSU.  He's jumped on the bandwagon, but swears that he's a tiger for life.  Even though we're a Husker household, I'm delighted that he's comfortable marching to the beat of his own drum.  I'm even more delighted that he independently wrote his own Christmas list, with the exception of asking how to spell Micah, Chicago, and Francisco.  Way to go, J!

On the sixth morning of December, J and E didn't need to rely on a paper chain to let them know that jolly, old St. Nicholas had made his annual visit.

With work, school, and daycare awaiting us, St. Nick's Tueday morning arrival left us all scrambling to enjoy and capture the moment...with a camera set to auto.  Gasp!  I know, that shadow and even paler than normal skin tone makes me nauseous too.  I'm thinking we should let this St. Nick guy know that he can stop by the first Saturday in December from now on. 

Such a fun way to kick off our Christmas season!

Decorating the Christmas Tree

We removed a link of our Advent paper chain,

and we discovered our activity for the day would be putting up the Christmas tree.

At our house that apparently means you select an ornament from our random ornament collection, carefully hang it on the tree,

stop to catch a little of the old DVR'd Husker game, and then choose another ornament to hang. 

Repeat this process until all embellishments are perfectly hung with love and care. 

If you end up with a beautifully decorated tree with seventeen ornaments (Yes, I counted.) narrowly distributed on just three branches, then pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Psalms

As he was paging through his Bible today, J exclaimed, "Psalms wrote a lot!"

Atypical

On a typical Tuesday, Steve and I work, J goes to school, and E is at daycare.  Yesterday was atypical ...

It was decided that E and I were staying home after we received an early morning text from our lovely and amazing (but not feeling so well) daycare provider. 

J had a previously scheduled doctor's appointment for a non-urgent issue.  It was nothing big, but it just needed to be addressed at some point.  I was relieved that we were in and out with ample time to get him to school before the official starting time.  That's when the healthcare provider informed us that he should not be going to school for the day.

So, three out of the four of us had a change of plans for the day.  To be honest, it was rather welcomed.  Being home unexpectedly isn't always desirable, but when no one is feeling terrible or puking, it's sort of nice.  J was a little bummed to be missing out on library day and chicken fingers for lunch, but he quickly let it go because we had plenty of other things to do.

The day consisted of playing, playing, and more playing.  At one point while I was putting away a few things, I turned around to find them stealing Christmas.  Poor E Max was down on all fours pulling around the Grinch and his bag of stolen items.

Then we pulled out a blank canvas and some paper for an afternoon art project.

Here's the Christmas scene that we created...

complete with a person sledding on the right.  Any ideas what's on the left lower corner?  If you guessed King Herod in the hills in a far off land wondering how he was going to find Baby Jesus, then you are absolutely correct.  What?  You've never seen a nativity scene with King Herod and a sledder? 

No animals were hurt during the making of this art project, but E did abruptly announce in a fearful voice, "Mommy, I accidentally cut my pants."  Sure enough a pair of pants didn't survive our day.   Because I was too preoccupied being thankful that it wasn't her hair, my only reaction was a dull, "Hmm, ok."  A strict we-only-purchase-cheap-clothing policy made this non-reaction possible as well.

We completed our day with brinner (breakfast for dinner...a J favorite) and a daddy home before bedtime.  Yeah!

Atypical isn't so bad.

Slow Down

So today after my daily reading of photography blogs, I decided to try to get the sparkling Christmas light look.  Because most of my subjects are in motion I don't have a tripod, so this made it a little challenging.  But here they are...

Hold your excitement. 

Then I decided to really spice things up with a slow shutter speed. 

These fun shots are straight out of the camera...no editing.

I'm pretty sure I could entertain myself for hours doing this.

I sure know how to have fun, huh?