Joyful Times

Christmas was pretty good this year. I am so lucky to have the family that I have, and I really was glad to get my gifts. I've decided to write some of them down here so that I can remember everything and look back if needed.

From Santa: Mario Kart Wii!!!

From Mom and Dad: Hot Rollers! And they're pink!
Slippers!
Some nice clothes!
Pink SPARKLY Converse!

From Benellen: Guitar Strap/Picks/Tuner!
Scentbug!

Yay!! I'm so grateful for these things that I got. This Scentbug thing is an airfreshner, and I am excited to see how it works/try it out. I'm sure that it'll make me a super duper cool person.

And then, after opening presents and a delicious breakfast of waffles and bacon, we go to the movies. My mother, Ellen and I went to see It's Complicated. It was really cute. And then we go to TGIFriday's for some yummy dinner and it was lots of fun. Of course, we also spent lots of time playing Mario Kart Wii and other Wii games and with our new "toys."

I hope that everyone had a truly joyful Christmas spent with family and friends. Here's to a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

25 Days of Christmas...

ABCFamily's 25 days of Christmas is indeed here. And I'm listening to StlChristmas music. Which, I'll have to admit is pretty awesome. I really enjoy Christmas music. And movies, etc.
What I don't enjoy so much is how I remember feeling on Christmas last year. I mean, it's silly of me to dislike Christmas I guess, but it's really not a great time of the year for me. I enjoy getting/more giving gifts and all, but the joy is hard for me to find. I was struggling with this earlier today, and while I'm excited right now, this morning I wanted nothing to do with it. I was quite cranky last year around Christmas, and I hope that isn't the case this year.

It seems that I struggle a lot with the holidays. I've been trying to take steps (i.e. talking to people, etc.) but I'm just not good at sharing my feelings. This blog has given me an odd feeling to like put things out there. I really have been blessed this year with everything, and I'm uber thankful and all, but it's just hard for me to pull out that spirit every now and then. Is this such a bad thing? Christmas can't be everyone's favorite holiday.

And then there's the whole issue of the materialism of Christmas. The joyfulness that surrounds Christmas seems to disappear when placed next to huge blow-up Santa's and everyone trying to have bettter lights than their neighbors. Maybe that's what upsets me, the fact that people forget the real meaning (God, this sounds cliche!).

Maybe it's that I know that out in the world there are people who are missing others at Christmas time whether it's just from distance or for other reasons. I wish I could still celebrate with my best friend and Grandma. This sounds ultra selfish, but I really don't mean to come off that way. I miss them a lot, and I know that out there gobs of more [deserving] people are missing thier loved ones. I don't know...I feel like I'm raving here, but I don't know how else to say this stuffs. I feel like I should add Bah-Humbug here? (j/k)

Anyways...my goal for this week is to try and focus on the preparedness of Advent. I am supposed to be anxiously waiting for Christmas...I think focusing on this will be good for me.