Fresh out of the draft folder: a belated Christmas recount

I trust you all had a good holiday?  Mine was really nice.  To the Island's surprise, on Christmas Eve eve, we were treated to a beautiful blanketing of white snow, giving headway to a wonderfully white Christmas after all.  I felt like a little kid as I stared out of the window in excitement at the big fluffy flakes coming down.  That evening, Chris and I joined Lana and Keir for supper at Cedars. Lana & I have the tradition of going out for birthday shawarma on each of our respective birthdays, and we thought we should add a new birthday to that tradition, so we celebrated the baby Jesus' birthday too.  Thank you baby Jesus :).  From Cedars, we headed over to Lana's for a few drinks while she and I exchanged our gifts and then we moved from there to karaoke at the Murphy Center.  It was a fun night, indeed! 

As I had mentioned previously, this season was a little more relaxed for us visiting wise.  Chris' parents actually celebrated Christmas in Truro this year.  This marked the first year in about 18 years since they've done that.  It must have been nice for the family to be all together again Christmas morning.  From what I understand all of Chris' father's brothers and families were together with his Nannie.  On account of there being one less location to visit on Christmas Eve we were darned sure not to miss the Bowlan's annual Christmas Eve bash!  We arrived just as the party was revving up, ate a litany of yummy goodies and had some great chats catching up with some people we only see once a year at this particular function.  As usual, Rhonda B, hostess with the mostest, was in the thick of it all, ensuring to give each and every guest some time, all the while making sure the goodies remained well-stocked. She's truly a superwoman.  Thanks again, Bowlans, for your rockin' hospitality!  After the Bowlans we headed to Mom's for a visit with her and Todd then back home.

Merry Christmas from us to youuuu!! 

Christmas morning was a leisurely wake up and we were able to take our time opening gifts and having breakfast (consisting of some just-like-Dad-used-to-make stuffing omelettes...hashtag that as 'Christmas to me' for all you tweeters). As in years prior, we were sufficiently spoiled. Many, many thanks to all of you for your kind gifts and special surprises! We were able to get the house back in order and dishes done before heading back to Mom's for turkey supper. In our turkey comas we then convened in the living room to watch a movie before heading back to the 'hood for a snoozin'. 

Boxing Day we headed back again to Mom's. Fred and Belinda just arrived that day. It was Belinda's Christmas gift to Fred for him to see Mom. We gathered together to enjoy some holiday spirits, laughs and take-out. On the 27th we joined Chris' parents at their home for a belated supper to 'end' our Christmas celebrations.  The idea now is for us to host the Christmas supper next year (err, this year), and have everyone gather here in our teeny tiny kitchen.  It sounds a little chaotic and maybe a little crazy, but it just might be the start of a fun new tradition. 

I hope you all had a magical Christmas season with you own friends and families - and I hope you were able to form a few blessed memories that will last you a lifetime...xo

reminder to search for the true meaning...

So the countdown is on.  Officially, we have only 3 more sleeps til Christmas day.  I've been ready for a while now, including even baking up a few batches of cookies (and if you know me at all, I NEVER BAKE. One of the recipes wasn't even from a pre-made mix!  It might have only been three ingredients, but I mixed them up with my own bare hands!).  Don't get on me though, I actually have 2 more gifts to wrap, and I can't wrap them, because they're not done. And I'm waiting on Christopher to complete them so I can wrap them.  And his poor brother will be opening up a belated Christmas gift because we couldn't fit our heads together to come up with a suitable something to forward along to the poor bugger.  Sorry Shawn!  I promise a little goodie is coming your way soon! 

This past weekend, there was a slight, slight snowfall, and on Sunday night we hit the road to Rustico to view the lights (good thing, too, because it appears we'll be having a green Christmas after a few days of milder temps melting the little snow we did have). Monday night I attended Todd MacLean's music school Christmas concert (starring my dear Chris playing "Greensleeves").  Tuesday night, I shared a lovely evening with some of my best girlfriends with our annual gift exchange, and I've been treated to two lovely dinners for Chris' work Christmas parties.  I've been feeling the little anticipatory butterflies of the holiday excitement, and really have started to look forward to a few happy surprises and quality time spent with my family and friends.  I love Christmas. I'm especially looking forward to it this year, because my momma will be home!  She's been in Ontario the last few years, and it just isn't the same when your family isn't close.  Fred & Belinda are joining us here on the Island on Boxing Day, too. 

Life, as it seems to always do, however, interrupts the reverie to give a devastating reality check.  While I sit in my own little bubble of happiness and dream of sugar plums and all such things, 5 families are forever changed.  Last week, on their way to the airport, 2 young PEI boys along with an Alberta resident were murdered.  Another PEI girl is fighting to recover in an Alberta hospital. Doctors claim that it's a miracle that she wasn't killed.  The incident appears to have been a random act - one that was domestic in nature. One of his victims was an ex-girlfriend of the shooter. The shooter, after having fired many rounds at his intended victims then turned the gun on himself, and he too, died from his wounds. 

I've been wanting to write a post related to this event since it happened, but I haven't been able to put anything into words. Four families have lost a son or daughter.  Their family circle is broken, and while time will mend it somewhat, it will never be the same shape again. A horrific circumstance of 'wrong place, wrong time' proving our own mortality, and the ugly face of reality...I can't get my head around it. My cursor has been flashing in the same spot for so long.  I've typed, and typed over, and re-typed and then removed what I've typed...My heart aches thinking about those poor families and friends of the victims.  The survivor, though so, so fortunate to have escaped this tragedy with her own life, now has to live with the horrific memories of what happened, and the loss of three of her dear friends (one was her boyfriend).  The scope of what she must be feeling is unimaginable.  I pray for her, and for the families of the other victims. May they find the strength to deal with this tragedy, and somehow move on from it...

Christmas is a magical time of year. For those people who have lost a loved one, though, it can be especially hard.  As you're hurrying and busying yourselves getting prepared for the festivities to come, please, please take a few moments to reflect on what is truly important in life, and  remember what the real meaning of Christmas is.  Never leave things unsaid, and treasure every available ounce of time you have with those people that mean so much to you.  Life is a gift.

Are you ready?

Well folks, you'll be glad that I spared you all the frantic, "omg it's only 4 weeks from Christmas; omg it's only 3 weeks from Christmas and I have NOTHING done".  It's currently 2 weeks from Christmas, and aside from a few bows, tags, and gift bags, I'm DONE!  That's right. Done.  The tree has been up and trimmed for two weeks. The cards (albeit, store-bought on account of my wrist issues) are addressed and ready to go in the mail. The gifts are bought, wrapped and under the tree.  Heck, I even have Chris' stocking stuffed.  And, I'm not gonna lie...it feels damn good! 

Per my usual routine, I took the first full week of December off from work and stayed on 'staycation' to accomplish the preparations for Christmas in the 'hood. I truly don't know how or if I'd get it done otherwise.  Of course, there will still be some final loose ends we'll need to do, like a run to the grocery store and the liquor store.  And of course the house still needs a good scrubbing (which, instead of blogging, I should be doing right now).  However,  I plan to completely and utterly ignore, avoid and boycott the malls altogether, and sit in front of my fake led-lit tree and electric fire, sipping on a mug of coffee and Baileys and just let it all happen :).

How are your preparations going?  I hope you're all making it as stress-free as humanly possible.  If not, go a little heavier on the Baileys hand - it might help :)

Christmas - a recount

Like a flash, Christmas was here and gone. I'm a touch saddened ... it felt like we didn't have enough time for it to be Christmas. I'll try to recount our holiday...

Like last year, Mum & my brother went to Ontario to have Christmas with my older siblings. It's the 2nd year in a row that I've been 'orphaned', but Rosie eagerly welcomed me into their home for the festivities, so I was nowhere near 'alone' for any of it. On Christmas Eve, we went to the W homestead for supper. Every year, Rosie makes up a delicious pot of homemade seafood chowder, which is quickly becoming another symbol of Christmas for me. We sat around with a few drinks after supper. Chris brought the Wii over, and everyone, except for me, played for hours. With all the damp weather I was aching in every joint so I opted to stay seated in the lazyboy. Sadly, the W's lost track of time with the Wii play, and by the time they retired the wiimotes for the night, it was too late to head over to the Bowlan's Christmas Eve bash. We're so sorry to have missed it, Bowlans. We'll definitely convene for some post-holiday cheer very soon!

Christmas Day we slept in as late as our curious minds would allow, leaving the bed by about 9:30 or so. We didn't go too overboard on each other this year, but still managed to have a few little surprises under the tree for each other. My favourite store, Reitmans, was very popular this year, with 2 shirts, 2 necklaces, a scarf and several gift cards among my favourite prezzies. I can't freaking wait to go shopping!! 2 cozy pairs of jammies, soft slippers, the new Bon Jovi disc, a big bottle of Baileys, oodles of chocolate, sweet ornaments and the latest Grey's DVD set are also all snuggled under the tree for me. Probably my most favourite of all my presents this year is my oversized cozy throw from Chris. It's like a Snuggie on crack! It's huge and soft and so so so comfortable. Thank you to everyone for your generosity! xoxoxo

After clearing up the wrap and straightening up we then headed back to the W's for more Wii, a delicious turkey with all the trimmings, and a few movies. On Boxing Day, the W's came to us, allowing me to stay cozy in my jammies and my cozy throw (thanks W's!). Rosie brought us some leftovers for supper, and they stayed over for coffee and another movie (Chris has signed up for the free trial of Netflix. Let's just say they will be gaining anther customer next month). After our company left, we then remained snuggled and jammied, watching a bit more tv a la Netflix. We did get out for a drive that night to look at some of the Christmas lights we could find. Unfortunately, many homes were dark, possibly already packed up for another year. There wasn't any snow, either, so it didn't even feel right.

Yesterday, we had a full-on jammie day - neither one of us leaving our jammies, save a shower and donning new ones, and we watched an embarrassing amount of tv (again, thanks to Neflix!). I guess you could say we had a very relaxed holiday! Well... that was until 5am this morning when the power went out and the winds picked up for our first winter storm of the season. Thanks Mother Nature, but you're a little late with your 'gift'.

I hope all my faithful readers had a warm, relaxing holiday, filled with too much good food, and oodles of happy.

Point form

• the decoration boxes are hidden away
• the floors are scrubbed and the mat & couches vaccuumed
• the bathroom is clean
• most of the laundry is done
• the bank account is waaaaay into overdraft
• the wrapping is complete
• the tree is trimmed to perfection
• the tree now has a star
• the presents are under the tree.

By God, I think I might be ready. Now, if only it would snow.

dear passage of time: please SLOW down.

Wow this week passed me by in a flash. I have the wrapping pretty much done - aside from the few gifts that have yet to be purchased. Yes, there are gifts left unpurchased - I'm not proud. I vowed I'd not leave it this late. The worst part? Next payday is Christmas Eve. Helllloooo Visa ;). After wrapping up the odds and ends that I picked up for Chris and sticking them under the tree, I'm feeling a little chintzy. We did say that we really weren't going 'big' for each other this year...but I might have to brave the crowds once more. Pray for me. On second thought, isn't chintzy the new "smart & responsible"? Am I reaching?

The house has yet to be cleaned and dusted. I guess this weekend will not be one of relaxation and looking proudly over the work I've accomplished. Damnit. Tomorrow morning I have an appointment to get my winter tires put on (perhaps THAT will bring on the damn snow??), and today I have a lunch date with one of my BFF's and my new boyfriend. He's fairly quiet and is scrumptiously CUTE!! After my visit with Tanya and Ryder I'm heading onward to Mummy's for our final "Mummy & Me" night for the year. She's leaving me again for Christmas *sniff* to spend the holidays with Fred, Belinda and Cathy and her family. I'm a little bummed about it, but again, it will be an easier holiday with less running around. I hope she stays her butt home next year, though. Hey Fred & Belinda - Cathy, even....come to PEI next year, would ya?

Okay, okay, once more it's time to sit down, shut up, and relax -- and try to look beyond the hustle & bustle and the stress of the preparations to think about the true meaning of Christmas, and the love of family and friends. If one has this abundance of love, they have the best Christmas present in the world.

...checking it twice...

Ooh-kay! Well, I did make it to the post office yesterday, so now the cards are off to meet their intendeds. Based on the flow of incoming cards, everyone else is in the same boat as me; that, or I just won't be getting many this year :P. I did a quick stop at English Butler to finish a few gifts, and we did get out last night to pick up a few groceries (though without a list in hand, so I can rhyme off at least 5 things we forgot). I didn't start my wrapping yet, and the house is still a mess. I have two gifts left to buy - but I know what I'm getting so it shouldn't be too stressful, unless you mention my account balance. Jeeeebus that went fast. And I don't get another pay cheque til Christmas Eve. So yeah, I'm just about done. My bank decided that one for me.

My goal is to get the house cleaned and the wrapping completed today - in time to stop over at my momma's for Mummy & Me day. I fear I may have to postpone that. It's almost 8 o'clock and I'm still wiping sleep crusties out of my eyes. So, with that, off to brew a cup of java and dig around for the scotch tape. Oh, and I'm also going to do a snow dance. This rain and damp weather has turned me into an aching, arthritic mess. Besides that, how can anyone get into any Christmas spirit without a nice blanket of snow? I can't even visit the Rustico lights without snow on the ground. Do join me, will y'all?

Happy Hump (oh sweet baby Jesus it's Wednesday already).

Making a new tradition

The traditional Christmas tree can be topped with a star, or an angel. I've always preferred an angel - seems so much more special to me. Our tree at home as I was growing up always had an angel, too, so it might be that the nostalgia alone is what I hold onto.

The other day I was catching up on my friends' Facebook status updates (jebus almighty, what did we do before Facebook??), and I came across one including the following quote: "I don't need an Angel on top of my Christmas tree, I have one in Heaven watching over me"*. Ironically, I had just finished trimming our Christmas tree the night before. It was all done except the treetop was bare, because my angel was still packed away in another Christmas box that I'd not yet gotten to. The words hit home, and for a moment, I thought to myself, "Hmmm....so true; perhaps, this year, to honour our own Angels in Heaven, I'll leave the treetop bare". That same friend commented that this year, she instead put a star atop her tree, to remind her that she's had a good year, and to to signify that she and her family and friends are all stars in their own right, and they should shine brightly, like those shine above us, in Heaven.

She's right.

I am going to buy us a star for our tree. And the star will now have a brand new meaning for me - to symbolize our own very special shining stars who can't be with us in person this Christmas, but who will always be with us in spirit, shining down on us from Heaven, twinkling, and shining brightly, always.

*Thanks, Shemla, for your words of inspiration, and wisdom. :)