Wow, can you believe how fast this year went? It’s a blur to
me, that’s for sure—one of those ‘I’ve enjoyed every day, but where the heck
did they go?’ years. Which means that it’s almost time to Release The Tree. And
by that, I mean pull out the box that houses my 6’ faux tree, which resembles
nothing more than a collection of giant green pipe cleaners, massage them into
a vaguely conical shape, and decorate it with a variety of cat-friendly
decorations (i.e., relatively sturdy and too big to be inserted beneath any
kitchen appliance).
Last year was the first in a long, long time that I had any
urge to dress the house up for the winter holidays (which I contend is, in New
England, as much as anything a way to gird our loins for the coming winter).
And this, along with my deep pleasure at Arizona’s having installed shelves in
the storage room and feeling of accomplishment at trimming our electric bill
with a combination of weather stripping and fuzzy blankets, tells me that I’m home now, in a way I hadn’t even
realized I wasn’t before. And, more, that I’m home for the holidays.
For some people, the holidays begin when Starbucks busts out
the red cups and the gingerbread lattes, or when Coke releases the
ornament-shaped bottles (which Arizona calls “Coke balls” and adores). For
others, it’s when the strings of colored lights go up in the neighborhood, and
the candles appear in the windows.
Then of course there is the flip-side of holiday cheer—the
stuff that sets you on edge. For me, it’s when my usual radio station switches
over to 24/7 carols, forcing me to go elsewhere for tunes from now until the
New Year. Or when the stores start with the holiday decorations in October
(Home Depot, I’m looking at you!). Oh, and the deluge of junk mail. Seriously,
people, I prefer shopping local, and if I want to buy something from you, I’ll
go online!
But on the up-side, there’s eggnog, fruitcake, and
red-and-green M&Ms. Oh, and candy canes! I’m not a big fan, but the horses
at the rescue love them.
So that’s me, I guess—thumbs up on the tree and food, thumbs
down on premature decoration and noise pollution. How about you? What are your
loves and hates of this time of year?
I love decorating the tree, the first snow, baking cookies, and making a fire in the fireplace. I dislike the ice that comes after the snow and the commercialized side of the holiday that breeds greed. That's cool that the horses like candy canes! Does the shelter put bows on the stall doors? That would be an awesome pic for their site :)
ReplyDeleteEvery year, we get a head start on the holiday feasting. Friday was MacGuyver's birthday, Saturday was our 34th wedding anniversary, Thursday is the Turkey's day and Saturday is my birthday (note the difference between me and the turkey.) Each day involves dining. I haven't decided where we're going Saturday. I usually pick an adventure, too, which also involves dining. I did enter a drawing for an event on Saturday, so we'll see.
ReplyDeleteI guess you and I traded houses Jess. This is my 2nd year not decorating. Little to no kids coming home and it's too much for me to deal with putting up and taking down. Will find a 2ft tree to put on the table and call it good. I live for red cups at Starbucks, but hate gingerbread lattes. Love, love, love peppermint mochas. Pouting because they are not doing gingerbread this year. I'm with you on the early decorations in stores and continuous Christmas carols.
ReplyDeleteI used to mark the holidays with the kids Christmas concerts, a never ending week at all the different schools, it was crazy, hectic, fun and a war getting certain kids into dress clothes. Kind of miss that. This year I am headed to TX on the 28th to see Micky and her guy and to go to Allison's wedding. Will be fun and doing late Christmas there. I hope you, Arizona and Pixel have a filling Thanksgiving and Wonderful Christmas.