A Welcoming Quiet Christmas
I was thinking about how different Christmas means to me now, as opposed to my childhood. We had many traditions, including when and how the tree was decorated, what day and time we went to Mass, and staying up until midnight to open one gift. My grandmother would come stay with us for a week, and we would go skating most every day. (I grew up on lakefront property in Southern NH. My parents bought the house in '68 and sold it in '92.) Funny, even though my parents are devout French Catholics, the religous meaning of the holiday never sticks out in my memories of that time. Sure, we went to Christmas eve Mass and had a manger scene as part of our decorations, but we talked about how Santa Claus was coming and we had to behave ourselves, rather than talk about baby Jesus. Maybe since we heard enough about baby Jesus in Catholic school, Mom and Dad didn't want to bring it up at home.
Today, I would classify myself as a superstitious atheist. At work, you will hear me both thanking the goddess and asking St Anthony to help me find what ever it was that I lost.
Sorry, tangent. Telling you all about my Christmas this year. After 20+ years in retail, mostly what Xmas means to me is a paid day off from work. One of the three days that my store is actually closed. A day that I don't spend with my immediate bio family as it is way out of my budget to fly into Texas Xmas eve and fly back to Boston Xmas day to work the day after. I've been spending holidays with my family of choice since I graduated college so I don't really see it as a loss. I'm going to see Mom in three weeks and my younger sister will drive down so we will have a Xmas of sorts then.
This year, Mattison shook me out of my anti social pity party and insisted I come hang out after I got out of work Xmas eve. There was a small gathering with Ash, Columbine, Adria, and a few people that I didn't know. Of course, I ended up sitting next to someone that I could Doctor Who geek out with. I brought baby pita bread and spinich dip and hummus from Trader Joes and we ordered Chinese food and watched Louis Black and then V for Vendetta. I left at 11:30 since I had to take the subway home. Of coure, I had to stay up and watch BBC America until 3:00AM.
Xmas day was spent calling and texting people and watching the Dr Who season 6 marathon leading up to the Xmas special. I liked the special well enough, but was really happy with the ending. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet, but there's commentary on doctorwho for those who feel like reading it. Dinner was a bit of pot luck between my two roommates and myself. I'm no cook, but I can make stuff and most of the time it's edible. I prepared the stove top stuffing mix from Trader Joes and baked potatoes and steamed vegetables. eurogael shared some of his food that he got at the deli the night before. As usuall, we had enough food for 5 people so it will be leftovers for the next three days, LOL!
Today is a rare day off, then I work the next 4 days straight. Tonight is Ceremony's Snowball in Hell. Yes, there will be photos. I hope that everyone's holiday was relaxing and stress free.
Today, I would classify myself as a superstitious atheist. At work, you will hear me both thanking the goddess and asking St Anthony to help me find what ever it was that I lost.
Sorry, tangent. Telling you all about my Christmas this year. After 20+ years in retail, mostly what Xmas means to me is a paid day off from work. One of the three days that my store is actually closed. A day that I don't spend with my immediate bio family as it is way out of my budget to fly into Texas Xmas eve and fly back to Boston Xmas day to work the day after. I've been spending holidays with my family of choice since I graduated college so I don't really see it as a loss. I'm going to see Mom in three weeks and my younger sister will drive down so we will have a Xmas of sorts then.
This year, Mattison shook me out of my anti social pity party and insisted I come hang out after I got out of work Xmas eve. There was a small gathering with Ash, Columbine, Adria, and a few people that I didn't know. Of course, I ended up sitting next to someone that I could Doctor Who geek out with. I brought baby pita bread and spinich dip and hummus from Trader Joes and we ordered Chinese food and watched Louis Black and then V for Vendetta. I left at 11:30 since I had to take the subway home. Of coure, I had to stay up and watch BBC America until 3:00AM.
Xmas day was spent calling and texting people and watching the Dr Who season 6 marathon leading up to the Xmas special. I liked the special well enough, but was really happy with the ending. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet, but there's commentary on doctorwho for those who feel like reading it. Dinner was a bit of pot luck between my two roommates and myself. I'm no cook, but I can make stuff and most of the time it's edible. I prepared the stove top stuffing mix from Trader Joes and baked potatoes and steamed vegetables. eurogael shared some of his food that he got at the deli the night before. As usuall, we had enough food for 5 people so it will be leftovers for the next three days, LOL!
Today is a rare day off, then I work the next 4 days straight. Tonight is Ceremony's Snowball in Hell. Yes, there will be photos. I hope that everyone's holiday was relaxing and stress free.