Thankful
It had been such a long gap in my posts last time that I didn't get to say a whole lot for all that went on in the three weeks between posts.
Most of all I wanted to count my blessings from the holidays that were full if friends, family and fun. Despite the weather, we got out to see my sweetie's family and a little bit of mine as well. We don't see them enough. How wonderful front wheel drive is with chains! My little car got us just about everywhere :D
We got to see a lot of our out of state friends the weekend after Christmas at the belated annual party at Admiral Dave's house. How nice it is to keep up with some of my oldest and dearest friends. Games, food and conversation where excellent as usual.The post Christmas date let me take advantage of the post holiday sales and so I was able to provide presents for everyone within my very tiny budget. There was quite a gift exchange this year that ranged from awesome gag gifts to super cool toys!
Hmm...let me take a moment to dive into some idle thoughts that have floated around in my head the last few years. Christmas was so magical when we were kids. The excitement! The family! The TOYS!!! After all the hub bub of the holiday we were left with at least a few (if not a whole pile) of new things to play with and do. After Christmas Brunch, we went back to a quite house for the rest of the day, and the rest of vacation. I would dive into a new book, paints, games or other toys. Oh the exquisite joy of those new toys.
As an adult, little has changed in the excitement and joy of friends and family. I also get much enjoyment out of giving gifts and preparing the foods that are so exuberantly eaten at the social gatherings :) Gifts I have received have always been excellent in their generosity, utility and tastiness. Still, something seems to be missing in the adult Christmas season, and this year I think I finally figured out what this missing piece is.
We have grow up, and in that our tastes have changed. So the presents we get are no longer the same of course! So when we return to our quiet homes...there are no new and exciting toys to play with. Maybe a movie to watch or even an engrossing book, but that element of play is not there. By no means am I complaining about the gifts I have received! They have always been pretty much what I wanted and more generous than I could wish for!
AND this year brought back a little bit of that play back into Christmas. With two families to visit, our quiet time doesn't start till the day after Christmas now. With a fist full of gift cards and a little cash I was able to engage in the game of shopping the deep cut sales and find some real bargains on board games, a few things on line and hand pick some songs from itunes. The games where then toted over to friends (or enjoyed at home with the hubby) for that wonderful post Christmas play excitement!
New years saw a smaller belated family gathering. Thanks dad for the exercise class! Thanks mom for the ability to get another coveted game! All in all, I kind of liked the drawn out way Christmas played out this year :) Then there are all the things to be thankful for from my birthday, but I should leave that to another post. This one is quite long enough!!!
Most of all I wanted to count my blessings from the holidays that were full if friends, family and fun. Despite the weather, we got out to see my sweetie's family and a little bit of mine as well. We don't see them enough. How wonderful front wheel drive is with chains! My little car got us just about everywhere :D
We got to see a lot of our out of state friends the weekend after Christmas at the belated annual party at Admiral Dave's house. How nice it is to keep up with some of my oldest and dearest friends. Games, food and conversation where excellent as usual.The post Christmas date let me take advantage of the post holiday sales and so I was able to provide presents for everyone within my very tiny budget. There was quite a gift exchange this year that ranged from awesome gag gifts to super cool toys!
Hmm...let me take a moment to dive into some idle thoughts that have floated around in my head the last few years. Christmas was so magical when we were kids. The excitement! The family! The TOYS!!! After all the hub bub of the holiday we were left with at least a few (if not a whole pile) of new things to play with and do. After Christmas Brunch, we went back to a quite house for the rest of the day, and the rest of vacation. I would dive into a new book, paints, games or other toys. Oh the exquisite joy of those new toys.
As an adult, little has changed in the excitement and joy of friends and family. I also get much enjoyment out of giving gifts and preparing the foods that are so exuberantly eaten at the social gatherings :) Gifts I have received have always been excellent in their generosity, utility and tastiness. Still, something seems to be missing in the adult Christmas season, and this year I think I finally figured out what this missing piece is.
We have grow up, and in that our tastes have changed. So the presents we get are no longer the same of course! So when we return to our quiet homes...there are no new and exciting toys to play with. Maybe a movie to watch or even an engrossing book, but that element of play is not there. By no means am I complaining about the gifts I have received! They have always been pretty much what I wanted and more generous than I could wish for!
AND this year brought back a little bit of that play back into Christmas. With two families to visit, our quiet time doesn't start till the day after Christmas now. With a fist full of gift cards and a little cash I was able to engage in the game of shopping the deep cut sales and find some real bargains on board games, a few things on line and hand pick some songs from itunes. The games where then toted over to friends (or enjoyed at home with the hubby) for that wonderful post Christmas play excitement!
New years saw a smaller belated family gathering. Thanks dad for the exercise class! Thanks mom for the ability to get another coveted game! All in all, I kind of liked the drawn out way Christmas played out this year :) Then there are all the things to be thankful for from my birthday, but I should leave that to another post. This one is quite long enough!!!