Hope at Christmas

This was a post I wrote just before Christmas and of course I didn't post it in the rush of everything. Here it is for your enjoyment.

It's Christmas in just a few days. December has rushed by and I'm not sure where it went. The gifts are wrapped up and ready for Santa to deliver. The treats have all been cooked (and eaten, yum!)and the halls have all been decked for the holiday.

The bulbs are on the tree.

The nativity is displayed.

The house looks like Sugar Plum Fairies have done their magic. (And the best part is it only took $5 and a trip to the DI!)

And a small decoration has a place of honor.
Yes, I know it's a toy tree. It was given to me two Season's ago from a special "Santa." They knew I needed cheering up and this tree, complete with a Polly Pocket, found it's way to my home. Who would have thought that this tree could bring such hope to me. Every year I put up this tree and hope that I can find someone to help in the way that the "santa" and other friends helped me.

Over the years, I find that I fall into ruts and lose faith that people are good and loving with positive intentions. I forget to trust in people and then I pull out a small plastic tree and it helps me to remember that there is love and hope.

On this Christmas holiday, I'm so thankful to be spending time with our families and friends. But more so for loving and caring people who weren't afraid to reach out when I needed it most. I hope to live up to their example.

Happy Holidays to all of you!

The Holiday Season

Well, the semester is finally over. It's been done for almost a week. It ended with a bit of frustration, Is it too much to ask for professors to give you actual feedback on projects and papers that have been slaved over and perfected? I'm trying not to be mad about it.

Heb and I still seem to be just as busy but instead of homework it's dancing (for me), video games (for him), Christmas shopping and holiday gatherings. Ahh, Christmas time is finally here. It is my favorite time of the year.


(We love the slightly Charlie Brown real trees.)

We've been decorating the house (more pictures to come) and trying to get ready for Christmas. It seems like the older I get the more there is to do. More gifts to buy, more things to cook, more things to attend. I can't complain though, there is nothing better than sitting at a table with good friends, eating a beautiful meal and laughing together. I hope for many more of those times to come.

Fair Weather.

I ran onto this on our school website. This is how cold it is right now.

What about six degrees is fair? I mean really?

Geez it's cold.

Christmas Movies

I have been loving cheesy old Christmas movies this week. Not the classic ones like It's a Wonderful Life but the really bad made for TV ones.

Did you ever watch A Mom For Christmas? So great. Manequins coming to life, over the top acting, and Olivia Newton John. I like it. I wonder if I can find a version of it this year. Hmm.


What's your favorite cheesy Christmas movie?

School.

If it seems like I've dropped off the face of the earth,

I have.

Look for me in the library, it is now my permanent address (or seriously feels like it).

I'm going to need some real fun next week to make up.

Gratitude.

The one thing I have really been thinking since Thanksgiving is how much there is to be thankful for. We have jobs, school and a nice place to live. There are so many people out there who don't have these things. These are tough economic times and you can't always count on having a job. I know how it feels to not have one. I am just so thankful.

What brought this all on? Well, are there dates in your life that when that day comes, a moment of sadness comes too because of what happened on that day in the past? I realized this morning that for the first time, in a long time, that day passed without a thought. I didn't feel the sadness. In fact I didn't even think of it until weeks later.

I need to post pictures and such from our holiday with Heb's family and the 12 pies that mom and I made but for now I'm just going to be grateful.

Even in the bleakest of times, it will suprise you the blessings and joy that can be found. What are you thankful for? Is there a date that makes you feel the same way?