Reflections of Christmas 2009
No snow for Christmas again this year, so I asked some friends from the "late great forum CFnS" for help on getting into the Christmas spirit.  And here are some great tips they offered which I wanted to share with others:

• Assemble a Christmas jigsaw puzzle thanks to wayout
• Attend a Christmas party(-ies), staff, family or friends thanks to wayout and LB
• Baking thanks to sgosche, LB, jen_81 and Cookiejen
• Buy some seasonal scents (glade, candles, potpourri, natural evergreen, etc) and put them throughout the house thanks to zale, mrmick and wayout
• Buying gifts thanks to sgosche
• Do something with children like volunteering at a kids Christmas party thanks to sgosche
• Drink eggnog, mulled wine, hot apple cider or other seasonal beverages thanks to zale and mrmick
• Drive or walk around neighbourhood and look at people's Christmas lights/displays thanks to tiger2338
• Eat Christmas treats thanks to zale and mrmick
• Go to a local Christmas craft show or bazaar thanks to wayout
• Host a friendly get-together or party thanks to LB
• Listen to Christmas music thanks to skylark135, sgosche and Cookiejen
• Put up Christmas decorations thanks to mrmick
• Put up Christmas tree thanks to jen_81
• Send Christmas cards thanks to LB
• Sing Christmas carols thanks to sanne
• Solve Christmas crosswords, word searches, etc. thanks to wayout
• Volunteer thanks to sgosche, sane and tiger2338
• Watch Christmas movies or TV specials thanks to Figgychips, tiger2338, skylark135, LB, jen_81 and Cookiejen
• Wrap gifts thanks to sgosche
  

What's that in the air?

Why, it's

CHRISMASS!! 

 

Happy HOHO and all that, I actually feel pretty festive this year, I even bought doughnuts for the office on the way in today, which I hardly ever do ;-)

I didn't even join the company Secret Santa gift exchange this time around, but I wonder if having that one little less thing to think/freak out/worry/fret about made a difference?  There's just something special about it this year; I'm NOT overthinking it, heck, I'm just feeling it, not thinking how I should feel anymore.  Thinking is SO over-rated sometimes LOL

Best wishes to everyone out there, in whatever way you may (or may not) celebrate!

Oops

Well, I faltered on the weekend.  I got all snarly about what a farce Christmas was, but after a couple of moments' worth of that meltdown, I remembered my blog.   I logged on and read some of the passages; it's been a long 20+ year journey to adapt it into my life to suit my own beliefs and convictions, so to not be able to change how I feel "overnight" (or within 2 years haha) is something I should forgive myself for; I just shook my head at how I had behaved Saturday morning.

"It's CHRISSMAS, stupid, ENJOY it!" I said to myself, LOL.  I resolved not to take myself so seriously and let it go.  Then I went ahead and decorated the house and the tree for therapy ;-)

It doesn't help that I hate crowds and I had to go shopping for groceries that morning, so...okay, that's probably just an excuse because, aside from a couple of numnuts, people were generally in a good mood and polite, including myself ;-P

In case I don't post again before Chrissmas Day,

 

MERRY CHRISSMAS EVERYONE!!

 

 

 

 

We've had our Thanksgiving, so...

...I'm getting excited already.

It almost started before November 11th, but out of respect for those that have fought, and continue to fight, for our freedom, I held back until after Remembrance Day.

The Chrissmas Spirit is upon me!

Ahh, it's great to once again be able let go of the religious/oppressive connotations of the season and just sit back and enjoy the feeling. Something struck a chord in me this evening while watching the end of 60 Minutes during the usual Andy Rooney segment of his views on the world (this evening making sense of holidays) when he said, "...but I love Chrissmas [sic]; maybe more commercial than religious, but it's great!"

:)

Easter gone, allergies here
This past winter ... hasn't been. Aside from maybe some snow here and there it was short and sweet, but I miss seeing the white stuff laid out over the yards, houses, roadways. Makes everything look cleaner.

And with the departure of the frost and snow and ice, comes the dreaded allergies. Every year, once the trees start budding, I'm in nasal hell for about a week. Then the grass starts growing like mad and instead of shoveling snow, we're mowing the lawns (we take care of an elderly couple's property next door as well). Yeah, I miss winter alright, even Chrissmas now that I feel better about the way I've begun to approach it in the last couple of years - LOL.

Anyway, I noticed someone linked to this blog and I must say I was delighted, flattered, and happy to see maybe some of what I babbled on about struck a chord with others as well. Thanks!

That's about it for this sporadic entry, I'll be popping in again from time to time :)

Not as bad as I thought

Well, Chrissmas has come and gone again for another year and you know, it wasn't all that bad. Instead of thinking so hard about "getting the meaning" or trying to even have a meaning associated with it this past season, I just stepped back a bit and attempted to just enjoy the festiveness. And it seemed to have worked, too.

Except now - LOL, I can't get some of those Chrissmas tunes out of my head! But wait a second, there are some that aren't technically Chrissmas songs at all!

Here are some that seem to actually be winter songs, as opposed to being "holiday melodies":



Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the Snowman
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal

Frosty the Snowman
Is a fairytale they say
He was made of snow
But the children know
How he came to life one day

There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around

Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say
He could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me

Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let's run
And we'll have some fun
Now before I melt away

Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying catch me if you can

He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler stop

Frosty the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye
Saying don't you cry
I'll be back again some day

Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow

*****

Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
Through the fields we go
Laughing all the way.
Bells on bob-tail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh,
O Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot,
We ran into a drifted bank
And there we got upsot.

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh,
O Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago
The story I must tell
I went out on the snow
And on my back I fell;
A gent was riding by
In a one-horse open sleigh
He laughed at me as
I there sprawling laid
But quickly drove away.

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh,
O Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

Now the ground is white,
Go it while you're young,
Take the girls along
And sing this sleighing song.
Just bet a bob-tailed bay,
Two-forty as his speed,
Hitch him to an open sleigh
and crack! You'll take the lead.

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh,
O Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

*****

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight
Oh how I'll hate going out in the storm
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm.

The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still good-bying
But as long as you love me so
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

*****

Sleigh Ride
Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing
Ring ting tingle-ing too
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling "You Hoo"
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

Giddy-yap giddy-yap giddy-yap let's go
Let's look at the snow
We're riding in a wonderland of snow

Giddy-yap giddy-yap giddy-yap it's grand
Just holding your hand
We're gliding along with the song
Of a wintry fairy land

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two
Birds of a feather would be

Let's take the road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending of a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop
At the fireplace while we watch the chestnuts pop
Pop! Pop! Pop!

There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy
When they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives

*****

(Walking in a) Winter Wonderland
Sleigh bells ring
Are you listening
In the lane
Snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song
As we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say: Are you married?
we'll say: No man
But you can do the job
When you're in town

Later on
We'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman
Until the alligators knock him down

When it snows
Ain't it thrilling
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play
The Eskimo way
Walking in a winter wonderland

Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland

Still on the fence
Not sure if it's because there hasn't been one snowflake yet this year but I could NOT care less about this season that's quickly approaching.

No inspiration to do diddly to even present to my family this year my version of any decor that I might have come up with.

Chrissmas 2006, so far, just sucks. Maybe I won't celebrate it at all this year. What a joke.

One idea
I'm always complaining of not creating "Chrissmassy" stuff for and during the holidays. Last year I actually made a decorated wooden tree with lights and pressies, and I think I did a good job, it's pretty cute. Only now with my added angst over how (let alone what) to celebrate the season, I'm thinking I might start making some Chrissmas decorations. I'd either incorporate the word "Chrissmas" or even go back to some pagan Winter Solstice symbols of things like a yule log, mistletoe, candles, pine cones...either way a much more simplistic and sincere way of honouring the turning of the seasons, as opposed to the gift-grabbing of this age.

At times like these I'm thankful I was not "blessed" with children, as I see how some of the kids (note, not all, only some) of friends of ours are so spoiled they whine when they don't get the exact colour of iPod they wanted or brand of shoe. It's disgusting in my opinion, and yes, a large part of that rests on the parents. However, I think people these days have so much more pressure on them in this competitive world they regard their home life (family, children) as their only sanctuary from the rat-race and may have difficulty with just saying no or simply bow down and buy the crap just to keep some semblance of peace in the home. I know I'd try to be the peace-keeper if I did have kids.

Yes, trinkets with simplistic symbols, maybe not just decorations for the tree, but for the tabletop, maybe even a centrepiece. Time to get back to basics. Although I never had a "basic" Chrissmas, my parents always went over the top. I was a spoiled child myself (not by whining, I was just the youngest of three and being the baby got most anything and everything I wanted when I was little). Always a big to-do with the tree decorating and "unveiling" on Christmas Eve, tons of food, presents. It wasn't all that bad. In fact I think my dad tried his best to get away from the religious connotations himself because he and my mother had grown up Catholic, converted to Lutheranism int heir adult years, then gave up on religion altogether when the usual Christian paradoxes got too much for them. This is perhaps why I have such a hard time finding my Chrissmas spirit, it floundered when my parents passed away and I was never able to recreate that sense of wonder on my own.

Time for a change. This weekend I will work on designs, mediums, and maybe even craft a couple of things.

Halloween come and gone
Here it comes, that dreaded "festive" season. It came around so fast AGAIN this year that I haven't had any time to think of a new way to celebrate this time to accommodate those who observe it as a hyperday of gift giving and stuffing-of-faces.

Strange, too, this year with one person missing from our lives. He was also "anti-Christmas" but right to the point where in his house they did decorate and eat, but they never exchanged gifts. This year his surviving family plan on going all out, his daughter is so excited. Let them have their fun, I say. Just because I resent the commercialism doesn't mean I want to spoil it for others, hence my trying to figure out a compromise.

My brother's family have already hinted for us to go up there, but this year hubby's family is coming up from the States to celebrate, so I think we know which one we'll be spending it with this year. So, there's another setback to my "ultimate plan" of celebrating the way I wish to. But, you never know, we could sit around afterwards and find out all of us are fed up with how things have gotten totally blown out of proportion to keep the economy going this time of year.

Here's hoping. As the dates get closer, I'll be racking my brain for ideas and posting them as I think of them.

Ho ho ho indeed ;-)

No title

This is our second and last week off this summer, but a rather sad one. A friend of ours decided life became too unbearable for him and took it away from himself this past weekend.

Rest in Peace, Mike, you will be missed.

Lazy summer daze ahead
Woohoo - vacation week in one week's time!

'Think I'll do a mini-tour of day trips, keep the cost of overnight stays to a minimum. I miss the days of school holidays, I swear as a kid I never knew how good we had it, having 2+ months off the way we did. Eh, I actually don't mind working for a living, keeps me active, and puts food on the table.

I would opt for being wealthy where I could easily afford to take EVERYday off, and then also be able to travel. But even so, perhaps I would get bored? Oh well, I'll probably never know, not at least until retirement, and who knows if I'll even be fit enough to do much then. Which makes me sad. I know of so many people who toiled everyday of their life only to retire and fall ill. Some due to lack of inactivity, some due to health issues they had all along. Which is why one needs to make time for themselves and enjoy everyday, because one never knows when one will have the next chance to enjoy themselves.

Almost quitting time as I sit here at my desk at work, answering the telephone and shuffling paper around my desk; at the verge of celebrating the first official weekend of the summer - YAY!

No pictures this time
Wow, another long weekend come and gone, bummer. Up for my annual physical this upcoming Monday afternoon, so I might be able to have a bit of time off afterwards depending how long it takes, if only to lie alone in a darkened room - LOL!

Waiting for the buds on the fruit trees and the lilac bush to bloom, it should be any day now. With an unusually warm winter this past year, I'm surprised the plants even know what to do. I just hope it doesn't snow now.

Hm, what's next, oh yeah, Victoria Day. Yay, more noisy firecracker stuff, and another excuse to get pissed and endure the hangover on the very next day at work, Victoria Day always falling on Mondays. What's up with that? Oh well, I don't drink much these days anymore anyway, so I should be okay...

Happy...Thursday, everyone!

Happy Easter
OMG, yet another farce of a "holiday", this time more bastardized by the confectionary companies than anyone else...but that would be another blog.

Daylight Savings has kicked in and although I do admit it's nice to have the light hours longer into the evening, I am rather dopey for a couple of days while my internal clock adjusts. Ah, but that's another blog as well - LOL!

Along with the new spring my allergies are flaring up, this time even worse since we didn't have much of a winter and all of the dormant allergens are all over the place already. Not that I'm really complaining, but it is rather difficult to sneeze, sniffle, blow my nose AND type at the same time.

sniffle...achoo

Time Sure Flies
February did not depress as much as I thought it would, but I suspect the nice weather we've been having may have had something to do with that. And the Birthday "ordeal" turned out pretty benign as I chose to take the day off and pamper myself at the local salon. Good call on my part, it was one of those rare times I could just kick back and do everything for ME for a change.

Looks like Chrissmas really could just well around the corner before I know it. I can hardly wait, but with a little amount of reservation, if only to be able to approach this year's "holiday season" with my newfound reverance for it. I am looking forward to testing the waters while I wish all a Happy or Merry Chrissmas and might even be so bold as to address my personal Chrissmas cards in that manner, but that might be pushing it a little. All I am interested in, really, is to be able to deal with the season in a way that I am able to incorporate all that I know and understand about it and have no wish to impose it upon others.

But again, here I am getting ahead of myself. Plenty of time for sugar plums and all that [wink]

Dreary January
January's finally over, now for the February blues...hey, less than 11 months until Chrissmas 2006!

My parents were both born in February, as was I, and so was my husband. And then there's Valentine's Day in there, too. And yet, I still manage to feel depressed every February, perhaps because, let's face it, it's not Chrissmas.

There's no build-up for our birthdays, no fanfare, just the usual, "Happy Birthday", rah rah, but in general none of the pomp and elation of Chrissmas. I wish I could change that, but then Chrissmas wouldn't be so "special" if we did that for every celebration, now, would it?

Nonetheless, Happy Black History Month to all.

Happy New Year
There's a lot of talk recently, I've seen, about people wanting to put "Christ" back into "Christ-Mas". I'm not sure where this is coming from, but I suspect there was a decree from the Vatican or something to have all churches preach about this to their congregations at least last year during the days leading up to the last holiday season.

I've seen it in newspaper articles, on banners, and on the news. Strange that these are the same individuals that aren't even celebrating Christmas on the correct date, let alone (LOL) the correct month that Jesus was born in.

From a website I came across, "Info Ukes", Orthodox Ukrainians are some who still celebrate Christmas on the original date set by the Old Christians, and it only changed to coincide with the calendar the Romans were using:

WHY DO UKRAINIANS CELEBRATE Christmas on January 7th rather than December 25th? Many people wonder why the Ukrainian date is thirteen days later and only a few people are aware that it is related to a change from the calendar which was in use two thousand years ago. Tradition plays a great part in the lives of people of Ukrainian origin and it is for this reason that they have continued to celebrate Christmas on the old date that would have been observed by all Christians. The Roman calendar that had been in use since the eighth century B.C. originally started the year on March 1 and had 10 months as the names of the months themselves indicate, September (7), October (8), November (9) and December (10). Eventually two months were added, Januarius and Februarius, and the year was started on January. However, it was only 355 days long so it had over ten days error and the seasons and the calendar over the years continued to lose their correct relationship.

And this from ChristmasMagazine dot com:

Christmas in Russia
By Lyudmilla
First of all I would like to give you some history. Christianity was introduced in Russia in 998 and since then new year had started in March. Sometimes it started on Easter Day. In 1492 it was the first year when both the civil and the church new year started on September 1. It was the day when everyone was supposed to render tribute and pay other debts. To create a festive atmosphere, the Tzar used to pay a visit to the Kremlin and anybody could come to visit him for any reason - to ask for something, to seek for the truth and the Tzar's mercy. An especially gorgeous and luxurious New Year's Day was on September 1, 1698, under Peter the Great. Peter the Great named everyone a brother, gave out apples to everybody, and wished a happy New Year and a lot of happiness. A volley of 25 guns accompanied each toast of His Majesty! In 1699 Peter the Great changed the New Year's Day to January 1. His name is connected with the custom to decorate houses with branches of the evergreen trees, mostly from the coniferous trees. In the 30s of the 19th century only the Germans, living in St. Petersburg (Russia), decorated their houses with New Year Trees. Since1852, they had started putting the New Year Trees in the squares of St. Petersburg. Only by the end of the 19-century people started putting them in the houses. In 1918, the New Year Tree was banned because it was a reminder of Christmas. And as you know, during those years Russia was ruled under the Bolsheviks (Communists). They were atheists. More and more Christmas was forced out and New Year's Day became the most important, beloved and favorite holiday for the Russians. But at first, it was prohibited to celebrate this holiday with the New Year Tree. Only in 1935 Stalin, "the best friend of children and all the peoples", gave his permission to make the New Year Tree the center of New Year's parties. In the former Soviet Union we did not celebrate Christmas so openly as it is celebrated again now. Though sometimes somewhere people did mention this great holiday in their private talks and even celebrated it at home. Only after the so-called perestroika people started celebrating Christmas again. Do you know that we actually have two Christmases? One is celebrated based on the Gregorian calendar - December 25, and this celebration is not official. That is the date when people in pre-Revolutionary Russia celebrated Christmas. The other one is an official Christmas and celebrated by our Orthodox Church January 7. This is a holiday now and it quickly becoming one of the most popular celebrations of the year. So we celebrate New Year's Day on January 1, and later -- January 7 -- is our Christmas Day. But if you are in Russia, you will be amazed at our traditions. Some people celebrate both Christmases with the same great enthusiasm! Isn't it funny? Besides, we have the so-called Old New Year's Day! It is celebrated on January 13 and 14, but it is not an official holiday. Still nowadays, New Year's Day is the most popular holiday and celebrated nationwide. We put up a New Year Tree (usually it is a fir-tree, or in Russian it is "yolka") decorate it just the way people do in the USA, and presents for our relatives and children are usually set under the tree. At midnight, a bottle of champagne is opened and people wish each other, "Happy New Year!" Some residents wish their neighbors and friends a Happy New Year dressed as Grandpa Frost. There are huge trees in our main city and town squares, with ice towers and snow-towns and other stuff made of ice: horses, wolves, rabbits and other animals and fairy tale characters: Grandpa Frost (sort of Santa Clause, but his history is different!) and his Granddaughter Snow Maiden. Schools are closed for the holidays and lots of children are out in parks and squares, playing in the winter frosty weather and enjoying the ice world. There are circuses, performances at all Palaces of Culture and play houses and other theatrical presentations as well as traditional outdoor parties with troika (three-horse sleigh), rids, folk games, and dancing around New Year Trees. Then comes January 7, our Christmas Day. Cathedrals and churches are especially enchanting and visitors are welcome. Some of them go to worship, the others - to observe. The mass starts at midnight and lasts till dawn. There are no seats in Orthodox Churches, but even non-believers are likely to stay longer than they have planned.

I find it interesting that so many different traditions are celebrated around the world at generally the same time of the year :-)

Just need a name for it
I'm leaning towards some sort of a "Winter/Year End Celebration". Like a summer BBQ with a pool, friends and family, except in this celebration it's with snow (sometimes), a decorated evergreen tree )symbolizing the eternal spirit of life), friends, family, each other and gifts to give/exchange. Much like wedding gifts are given to a newly wedded couple to take into their new life, we give gifts to our friends (family is very few and far between) to be carried into the new year.

Ah, I'm still workin' on it...but I think I'm getting close to finally capturing the essence of the Christmas Spirit to suit my lifestyle and beliefs :-)

Hmmm...I may just call it "Chrissmas"...no one would know I'd be calling it anything different out loud, and then there's no need to explain what I mean and why - LOL! Chrissmas suits me! ;-D

Living a Christmas Lie
Does anyone else feel guilty about celebrating Christmas? Maybe not guilty, but perhaps confused? Life was much simpler when I was a kid, we celebrated Christmas at face value, it was a time for the family to get together and be merry, eat lots of food, exchange gifts and remember Christ our Saviour. Then, as I got older I became more agnostic, and then of course found out that Jesus who was considered the real reason for Christmas in the first place wasn't even born in December, but more likely in May, and that the whole "Christmas thing" was just a ruse to get pagans to be more "Christian". There are, also, other celebrations such as Kwanzaa and Hanukkah/Chanukkah/Hanukkah taking place around the same time, not to forget the original pagan festivities of Lenaea and Saturnalia/Brumalia, to name a couple. The are also the recent developments of Festivus and Solstmas. This is the first year I have really felt empty, in spite of being able to partake and rejoice in the happiness of others with gifts I've given or from food I've prepared. Today, having WAY too much time on my hands of course, I am finding myself reflecting on this conundrum and trying to figure out how I can fit into my life what I call the "Christmas Lie" I've been living the past number of years. Sometimes it really sux knowing too much...ignorance IS really bliss, as they say :( Anyone having any workable suggestions is welcome to post in this blog (registration is free). And, please, nothing like, "shut yer yap, stop complaining, count yer blessings, you are loved," I've already tried all of those approaches and thensome. What I'm interested in finding is a way to celebrate without feeling like I'm just doing it to appear like I'm into Christmas. I mean I am, but my heart has trouble more and more every year with living this lie. I need a truth I can live with, that doesn't involve any religious or "supreme being(s)" connotation. A foundation that can work with a non-Christian, non-Pagan, agnostic individual.

 

 

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