The Stockings Were Hung....

by the chimney with care. I grew up in one of the snowiest places in the country. And yet, we didn't have a fireplace. It wasn't until I moved to the far south (Texas) that we had one. Then again in California and Virginia. And so, as a child the stockings were just laid at the foot of the tree. Stockings at our house now are hung from the mantle, with a variety of stocking hangers. We often have six or more. One for each of us (yes, adults included) and leftovers for the cats or whoever might be visiting. Santa fills the stockings when he comes by on Christmas Eve. He usually leaves little gifts and sometimes candy. After they're filled, he leaves them on the hearth. Kyle and Katie are allowed to peak in stockings when they first wake up. They usually get Harvey and I before they get down to the serious opening.

Just a few things left to do

Wrap the Gifts
Pack the suitcases
Get the cat sitter
Get a ride to the airport
Eat up the leftovers
Enjoy!

We interrupt this regularly scheduled Christmas programming for...

Hannukah!

Didn't See That Coming

I received a Christmas card from my uncle Jimmy. This is my mom's sister's (Francis) husband. Francis passed a few years ago. And I never really heard much from my mom about Uncle Jimmy. As a kid, Aunt Francis kind of scared me, but Jimmy was always big and friendly and cuddly. He always had a great garden. That's what I remember about him. I didn't know my cousins, Robert and Paul, very well. They were older and, well, boys. So, I was quite suprised to get a Christmas card from him. He's had some health problems, but is on the mend and in an adult care facility. Overall, sounds like he's doing okay.

Dear Santa,

It's been forever since I wrote you a note. I guess I thought that after a certain age, we either a)weren't supposed to or b)didn't need to. How silly.

So, here goes:

I would like time to slow down. My children are growing up too fast, and I need several more years with them before they go out into the world.

I would like at least one more day a week. Preferably mid week. This would be the day where I can play hookey, but not really, because it would be called Myday.

I would like a couple of new friends. I like the ones I have, but could always use a few more.

I would like to enjoy more time with my husband.

I would like to not worry about the future.

I would like our mothers to get/stay healthy.

I would like peace and prosperity for the world.

And if that is asking too much, the usual scented candle, cozy socks, scrapbook supplies and maybe another bird feeder will do.

Thanks Santa,

Love Heather

P.S. I'll keep an eye out for you on Christmas Eve, just like I always do.

The Perfect Gift

Have I ever received the perfect gift?

Honestly, nothing is jumping right out at me. I've received some very nice gifts over the years, from crayoned pictures to sparkly gems, but not one stands out right now as the perfect one.

Have I given the perfect gift?

Again, nothing is jumping. I've given heartfelt gifts, and homemade gifts and gifts that I thought were perfect, only to receive a lukewarm reception. As of yet, I havent' heard an "oh, that's so perfect."

When you're husband is Jewish, pretty much all the Christmas traditions fall on you. Gift giving is no exception. And while Harvey is a talented gift giver, he only gives to me, leaving the rest of the purchasing a aquistions to me.

When the children were little, with not much in the line of preferences, things were easy. But I tended to go overboard. I'd start early, having a good bit done by early December, then coninue to shop during the final weeks. I'd buy everything I thought they might like. (Was I really buying things for me? Of course.) Christmas day would come, and I'd see the piles of toys, and it would make me a little nauseous. Who needs all that? Lately, I try just to buy what they really want. It's still "thing" driven and "wish list" driven. Not a lot of creativity.

I've gone down the homemade gift path. Scrapbooking and quilting being top hobbies, they were also my choice for handmade gifts. I've learned the hard way that people can't possibly appreciate the 50 or so hours that goes into making a quilt. The gifts that I thought would evoke tears and profusive praise, got perfunctory lookd throughs and "oh, did you make that out of old shirts?" Now, if I decide to do a homemade gift, it's small, quick, and I have no emotion attached to it. I do it because I enjoy the process, not because I expect it to be treasured.

I've tried to remember any perfect gifts I received growing up. I look at photos from Chistmases past. Chatty Cathy, baby dolls and Barbies. Later, clothes, a hairdryer. When we became adults, my parents gave up and just started sending money. They did there best.

This Christmas, I've wrapped a few things that I think will be very much enjoyed. Are they perfect? Who can say. Is what's perfect for the giver perfect for the receiver? Or vice versa?

As for me, what would be the perfect gift? Probably the gift of time. A date with my daughter. A date with my son. A trip with my husband. A trip with my family. If these gift aren't under the tree, then perhaps they'll be a gift I give to me.

Grateful

So much to be grateful for this season. Some big, some little. Some serious, some silly. Here's a few that come to mind:

*Getting together with my family for Christmas. The last time was seven years ago. Dad was with us then.

*Having a job that I enjoy, that someone came and offered to me, and that I'm good at.

*The feeling that this is possilby the most creative time of my life.

*Having projects that I'm excited about.

*Making time to blog today!

*Good coffee.

*A book sale to go to later today.

*I get to start Twilight today!

*A stack of magazines for the plane ride to California.

*Katie's excitement about our trip.

*When Paws has "good days".

*My new blog project for 2009.