Giving Thanks, wrappin' presents...

Nov 28, 2008 07:39

As I alluded to earlier, I got a head start on Christmas this year. Since my last post, I've completed gifts for my mother and for some unnamed individual (made some stuff that could be given to anyone, just in case). I also constructed a santa suit for Patrick (who will be playing Santa for our Christmas doll meetup) and dress forms for Penelope and Bronwyn. This will make it oh so much easier to construct clothes for my dolls. In Penelope's case, because dress forms don't have knees that give out while I'm draping muslin on them to make a pattern. In the case of Bronwyn, the poor little orphan doesn't exist yet, but, when the doll enters the storyline at Harlech, she's going to need to have a suitcase full of belongings. So, another crafting win! On the agenda for the rest of the week (my weeks start on Wed and end on Tuesday because of my work schedule) is finishing up the dress I'm working on for a Puki doll, churning out a Colonel Brandon outfit for the same customer (or at least getting the mockup in the mail so that she can try it on), cutting out the stuffed animals I'm making for my godchildren, and doing all the machine and hand embroidery for the remaining gifts.

I started boxing up gifts yesterday while I waited for the next turkey basting, so once we put our tree up, it'll look fairly festive and plentiful. At least until mid-December, when we'll ship all but a few boxes away. Speaking of turkey, it is an amazing food. Why don't we eat turkey all year? It's so much better than chicken.

Nathan and I skipped both the east coast and Northern Indiana Thanksgiving celebrations this year, because of work schedules. I was a little worried a few weeks ago that we'd have a terrible holiday alone, and suffer weeks of leftovers (it's hard for two people to devour a 12 pound bird). But Linda and Siobhan came to our rescue, and we divided up the turkey day responsibilities. And most importantly, the leftovers. Everything fit into my refrigerator afterwards! Plus, we had a fantastic meal, and good conversation, and a fun evening. It was not the same as gathering with family, and in some ways that's quite positive (no passive aggressive in-fighting, no temper tantrums...), and I'm happy to report that we are capable of hosting a holiday meal. I've worried for a long time about that--am I capable, after years of taking holiday dinners from family in exchange for a dessert, of staging my very own holiday dinner? Yes, yes I am.

I have a lot to be thankful for this year, including this newfound holiday readiness. And after attending a slew of thanksgiving services (I got roped into joining the choir and now feel guilty if I miss church), I feel compelled to say thank you...
...for all my friends, who cheer me from hours and days away, who keep in touch despite the distance, and who inspire me
...for the fact that I actually have a job and a home in this rotten economy. It may be part-time, but it's something.

...for my husband, for nearly two years (!) of happy marriage and for the family that supports us both.

...for the hope and inspiration many of us find in our president-elect

...and for all the missteps, failures, and losses of 2008--I think I've had some of the most stressful moments of my life this year, losing a huge promotion and all the plans that accompanied the increase in income and responisibility, a promising new friendship, and a reliable vehicle.
As much as I wanted to grow professionally and take on real responsibilities, the job would have tied us to this city, with a long commute for Nathan and few new opportunities nearer to home. In the end, it is probably best that we suffer financial hardship for a while and find it simpler to sever ties with this city and move on to greater things in the future. So, I'm thankful for the freedom to move when the time is right.
And though I mourn the loss of any friend, especially one so unlike myself (it's from wildly different friends that I glean the most life lessons), I am very thankful to have found the strength to give up--I learned the limits of my ability to overcome negativity and rather than stupidly considering that a challenge and seeking to effect change in others, I was graced with the foresight to know that I had reached a dead end. Though I will likely continue to hope for change, forgiveness, and mutual reconciliation, I am a bit relieved by my certainty that it's a lost cause. To be honest, I do not want to confront the situation again, because in spite of having given forgiveness freely, I am unable to forget and to trust. Oh, character flaws...perhaps I can tackle that one in 2009. It's a shame I had to end a friendship to get that little bit of introspection, but nevertheless, I am thankful for knowing myself a little better.
And, in spite of the tears and panic and credit reporting agency nightmares, Mr. Harding was replaced by an even more reliable and fuel efficient car, one that will not cost us thousands of dollars a month on repairs, since it's still under warranty. Who isn't thankful for fuel-efficiency? Plus, Mr. Harding is being repaired by a family member who lives close to my mother and I can give even more thanks that he'll be replacing my her has-over-300,000-miles Buick, actually starting in the morning and getting her safely and warmly to work and school, so that she can become a college graduate and home owner after years and years of "maybe next year."

I know it's not over yet, but I'm going to pronounce 2008 a success.
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