Let There Be Lights....? Please?

Several problems can arise from waiting until Christmas week to trim the tree.

One very obvious situation is that the same lights that worked in January

now belong in the stack labeled "find out where to recycle"....

Shopping for lights days before Christmas proves fruitless

and produces panic attacks.

Luckily, my Father in law had a large strand in his barn

from 30 years back that, when plugged in,

roared to life as though straight from the manufacturer.

 I really enjoyed the trip down memory lane

as I recalled the people and events that are attached to each ornament,

like these, representing the year that each kiddo was born.

This carousel horse is the 1 left of a set of 4

that I received as a Christmas gift from Doug's brother,

2 weeks before he was killed in an auto accident.

My mom began collecting Hallmark ornaments for us

sometime during my childhood

and continued even unto Grandchildren.

She tailored each one to the person.

From ballerinas to Boy Scouts and hiking...

Fishing and new homes...

It is fun to look back and reflect on what has changed

and what has stayed the same...

Like horses.

This one is mine and is dated 1985,

the year before I graduated from High School...

This one belongs to Solomon

but JD represents the whole family in various ways.

From the longing to fly, to remembering folks we don't see anymore,

our ornaments speak of our lives.

Adrianna, wondering if she longs for the dog more than the sweets.

Oh, the realism.

Mom's first ornament to Doug.

The year we planted ALL those trees.



I have slowly developed this "thing" about Santa.

 I mean, Rudolph I can take and HE isn't real.



Not quite Santa disdain. Let's call it overload.

I have been slowly witholding some of the Santa in our Christmas

over the past few years with the exception of an ornament that has

special sentimental value.

We all agree that this one is a keeper.

My last insight into last minute shopping

is that most people out at that point have lost a bit of their right mind.

The body, I have found, simply goes into survival mode,

saving energy and mental clarity for the most basic actions:

driving and shopping.

Like me, some really go over the edge, like this

Santa's helper (disguised as Rudolph), who swooped down on me in Michael's around 10:00 at night.

Whew. This Christmas was exhausting in many ways.

I'm just glad I not the only one who succumbs to the stress.

Relax Rudolph, Christmas 358 days away.

Whoever you are.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!