That Just Happened!

I think any kid would tell you that the best part of Christmas is December 25^th when Santa has visited and left all those goodies under the tree.  Or, if you are allowed to open presents on Christmas Eve (which I was not), it might be December 24^th.  That’s Christmas, after all. 

I fully believed that all the way through until high school, long after waiting for “Santa” ended.  That is, until one of my teachers was trying to prove a point in English class.  She said, “After all, the best part of Christmas isn’t Christmas morning!  It’s the days leading up to Christmas that are the good part.  It’s the anticipation of Christmas, not Christmas itself that is the best!”  I remember how we all laughed at her and shook our heads in disbelief.  Of course the best time was Christmas morning!

Over the years I have come to agree with her.  When you are opening up all your presents on Christmas morning, the end of Christmas is fast approaching.  Then come some family events and everyone is on to New Year’s.  I like the weeks leading up to Christmas; finding the perfect present, making plans to bake, buying some new decorations, wondering what Santa is going to bring you…

Each year I look at all the home magazines and the perfectly decorated Christmas trees and perfectly laid tables.  I drool over the exotic turkey recipes and the sugary cookie confections.  I look forward to making plans with family and friends and think about all the wonderful outfits I could wear.  The Christmas music and holiday shows are new and fresh; friends from years past.  By the time Christmas morning rolls around I realize I never did attempt those almond balls, my tree looks bare from the back, my apartment wasn’t transformed into a winter wonderland, and I look fat from the knees up in every picture.  I am sick of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Mariah Carey’s latest Christmas hit.  The thought of even having to go out for milk sends me into paroxysms of fear over traffic and parking and I am praying that the snow holds off until after our day of driving.  Presents need to be returned, hangovers need to be nursed, and the pressure to have the perfect New Year’s Eve is on to make up for the stress-filled holiday begins.  For many, there is also the thought that the next day means back to work for a few unproductive days before the 31^st. 

I love Christmas Eve the most.  When you are spending time with family, eating turkey, and wondering Santa is going to stop at your house.  You can indulge in the goodies and one last Christmas movie together until new video games and books take your attention.  Perhaps you go to church and everything is filled with Christmas hymns and candles.  Carollers are out in full force and all along the street houses are lit up with family all cozy inside.  Those traditions are the ones that I hold most dear and I wish would last just a little bit longer.  Unless Santa is bringing me those books that were on my Santa list.  In that case…see ya next year Christmas Eve, I’m moving right into Christmas morning!

That Just Happened!

I am a bit behind in posting some book reviews, so this week and next that is primarily what I am going to be posting.  I hope everyone in the U.S. had an  awesome Thanksgiving and spent some time with loved ones.  This weekend was particularly busy for MPW and I.  We did a lot of visiting and my dear friends Becky and Jeremy were kind enough to dog-sit for us.  (She is, after all, a super dog sitter.)

On Saturday we went to my Aunt Sharon’s house to visit with her and the family.  She lives outside the GTA, in a small community, so it kind of feels like you are going to a cottage.  In the summer there is even a river that you can go tubing down!  It was a lot of fun to see them and catch up.  Then it was on to the next stop…

That night we went to Chris and Elizabeth’s house for their annual Christmas party.  It was so nice to hang around and not have to worry about the dog, or getting home in time to take the dog out.  Their little girl, Sydney, is one year old soon and quite the little mover.  She is all over the place, though as the night went on and she got sleepier she was walking like she was on a swaying boat. 

This was taken 6 months ago, so you can imagine how big she’s become.  Unfortunately, MPW and I both didn’t think to bring our cameras. 

The other awesome part about this weekend was being able to spend time with people who are super excited for MPW and I.  Yes, that’s right.  Excited.  For our news.  And now I get to share it with all of my bloggy-friends.  MPW and I are engaged!  Yes, after 9 years of relationship bliss (and a lot of not-so-subtle hints), we have   MPW has finally decided to make it official.  And I have the ring to prove it!   We’re looking at 2012 to get married, so there is a lot of time to plan this thing.  Also, I promise I will keep posting about books and random other stuff, I have no intention of turning this into a wedding-planning blog.  There may be the occasional story, because weddings get crazy and people who have them get crazy and people who help with them get crazy, and of course I would have to share, but the wedding stuff will be kept to a minimum.  So, yeah.  I feel like an elephant has been lifted off my chest, but another slightly smaller animal is taking the spot…there is a lot to do.  However, for now we are just going to enjoy being engaged.  I haven’t even bought a wedding magazine yet!  (Hey, I sad “yet”, there will be magazines.)  I’m getting married!!!

YEAH, THAT JUST HAPPENED!

The final day of Happiness week.  The things that have made me happy so far are Angus (my pug), going to the theater to see awesome shows (like Wicked), flowers for no reason (especially daisies) and winning things.  There are so many other things that make me happy.  Sunny days, decaf-grande-non-fat-no-whip-mochas from Starbucks, going to the bookstore…  

I recently realized I need to start appreciating the things that make me happy and that means actively seeking them out, so this week I did Happiness week.  These things all made me happy in the last 5 days.  Now, I am not a natural optimist, or cheery person, like Mille.  I am not a busy, call-it-like-it is new wife like Stephtastic.  I’m not an amazing, plethora of fun-filled facts of book and film like Kricket.  I don’t have the ability to create magical worlds like my bloggie friend Blond Duck.  I am not a hilarious mom like Jenners (whose blog is one of the first I ever read and started following). But I can learn from each of them.   

Day 5 is about friends and family.  People that are always there to laugh with, leave a supportive comment, or share experiences with, whether they are in the real world or in blogland.  MPW, and The Art Owl (formerly known as Jamo!) are two men in my life who I can always count on.  I have an extensive family and dear friends who sometimes get featured on the blog, but always let me know they read it.  Friends and family are always there to lend a helping hand and to offer kind words of wisdom and advice.  Friends and family are really why I started this blog just over 1 year ago.  

I’ve been blogging for a year (as of October 5th) and have 189 posts (this is my 190th) and 794 comments.  It’s those comments that keep me coming back for more.  The sharing of the craziness that can sometimes be life and all the reads along the way.  I’ve talked about work, family, weddings, engagements, books, challenges, friends, my life at home, and shoes.  Thanks for sticking around through my first year, I hope you are here for the second.   

Not my 1st Bday, but I AM wearing a tiara.