"Maybe Christmas", he thought, "doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more." ~ The Grinch

Since some of you out there have been understandably a bit frustrated with The Christmas Spirit, I thought I would spread a little Christmas cheer - things that have made me actually enjoy this holiday. For the past several years, I have pretty much been a Grinch. I even had the Grinch theme song as my ring tone on my cell phone. I would leave the room when my co-workers loudly played their annoying Christmas music. (ESPECIALLY, that stupid "jingle bell rock" song - I think it had something to do with a bunch of elementary school teachers forcing us to "dance" with icky boys to these lame songs in front of parents and classmates alike.) This year, though, even though life is far from how I pictured it being in my thirties, I am much more enjoying this Christmas.

For starters, I have great neighbors (Corbie, you can borrow one of mine - they're all pretty much like Claudia's Lee). Below is a picture of what I get to look at out my window every day this holiday. (She has equally charming things in her yard for all holidays). I won't post a picture of what this poor woman has to look back at, uh-hum.


Second, I have only spent one evening Christmas shopping outside my home. I made a list, then sat in front of my laptop and shopped online. No ornery employees, no ridiculous lines, no going from store to store because the first, and second, store were out of what you wanted. I would have to say I have done 90% of my shopping online. I know this takes all the fun out of it - especially if you are like my sister and really enjoy all the hustle and bustle and going from store to store. (By the way, sis, I love going with you shopping - I just enjoy it more when I am not shopping for my Christmas stuff! :> ) But for me, I have loved hearing the "thump" and then the big engine of the UPS truck driving off at about 11:30 am and knowing magically my Christmas gifts are here on my front porch. I love the internet.

Thirdly, I have the most wonderful husband. A couple of weeks ago, our ever so curious son saw opportunity and grabbed it like he would grab mommy's camera strap and pull it off the kitchen island. Oh wait - that is exactly what he grabbed and pulled off the kitchen island resulting in a wonderful and loud crash on our tile floor. Yes, my poor camera lens has gone the way of other digital toys when faced with a curious toddler. My husband saw the look of devastation on my face (no anger at my son, of course, I'M the idiot that left such a tantalizing strap hanging over the island) and decided to fix it since that's what men do - they fix things. I got an early Christmas present yesterday. The "thump" on the porch really was for me this time and my husband let me open it early (as in 20 minutes after the package came when he came home for lunch!). I not only got a replacement lens - I got an incredibly upgraded lens! A fancy new lens really wasn't in our Christmas budget this year so my husband used the white envelope that carried his bonuses and extra money he had been saving for a rainy day - or a gun, for my Christmas surprise. "It's just money, I"ll make more", he said. But he's my husband, best friend, and "fixer" of all things needing fixed. I love you, hon, I hope the Old Navy sweater and scarf I got you will somehow make up for that gun you'll have to wait a bit longer for...