Lists.....Lists....I have lists for lists...
I have decided to make my 15 yr. old son go christmas shopping with me instead of my hubby. Andy can be easily bribed for a cup of coffee.
I need to go to the mall, I need to go to the dollar tree, and wallmart. I need to find a willing soul to wrap gifts while I clean my house...hence bribing the teenager.
At least the laundry is done. My wonderful hubby went out and did it yesterday for me, since I am all gimpy and stuff. He's the best!
Friend is having a baby, just about as we speak, such a blessing. Hope to hear soon that all has gone well.
In other news.........wait I don't really have any other news.
o-well, kbye

Well I know I said that unless you were under 18 yrs. old you would only get handmade gifts from Joe and I this year.  Well I made that decision a bit late for this year.
Soooooo
handmade gifts all around and a small store bought goody too.

I wanted to stay away from the department stores as much as possible.  So allot of the gifts will be purchased online.  So at least I wont have to be bombarded by advertising and pushy crowds while I try to shop.
And has anyone else noticed that EVERY commercial on TV is someone wanting you to buy there stuff for christmas......like if I don't buy that razor for Joe he wont love me anymore*rolling my eyes*
ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH
So I fail for this year, I will do better next year......I hope.

Not only is it more cost effective to handmake (especialy for Joe and I right now) But I feel like the gift means more.  But what do I know. I have bought some lovely gifts for people out of stores that were heartfelt and special. Maybe it's not the hand making so much as my christmas spirit is just being beaten into the ground by all the christmas advertisement.
Maybe  it is so bad this year b/c of the economy, people are really pushin the goods. Or maybe I am getting sour and crotchety in my old age.

I still want to drink egg nog and put up the lights and cook a turkey and listen to Bing Crosby croon me a toon.  My christmas wish is to see the world the way I saw it when I was 8. Like the kid in a Christmas Carol looking through the glass at the red rider BB gun in the store display. I want to be rosey cheeked and innocent again. Instead I just feel jaded and cynical. Maybe I need an attitude adjustment. Take what is and make it what I want it to be and stop all the whining about it.
celebrate Christmas or don't ......enjoy it or not.... and just stop waxing poetic about my feelings and blah blah blah. Maybe you can never really be a kid again, not even at Christmas.

BAAAAAAAHUMBUG!
My coworkers have been reminding me that Christmas is coming, it's just around the corner........BULLSHIT
I walked into evil Walmart Saturday and the Christmas decorations are up? WTF
I know that Christmas is no longer about Love and Family and Sharing, but about money and buying and bottom line. 
I am taking back MY Christmas!!!!!
1) I will only buy store gifts if you are under 18 ( since money is tight anyway with Joe sick and all, this is a double bonus)
2) Everyone will get a homemade gift carefully considered and crafted just for them.
3) I will not buy the pre-cut Christmas Cookies Or the pre spiced wine.  I will make the extra effort to do it myself.
4) I will listen to Christmas music b/c I want to not b/c I am having it forced down my throat......in November!
5) I will not count how good my Christmas was by how much loot I got. But by how much time I was able to spend with the people I love.
6)I will NOT budget hundreds of dollars for presents, while leaving bills short paid or not paid at all. 
7) I will NOT stress over did I buy enough for one so the other doesn't feel slighted...I will not stress at all! 

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE to shop and I LOVE to give and receive gifts.
And I know that store bought gifts can be just as wonderful and thoughtful as handmade. (and more convenient) 
But, I just feel like this year, just for Christmas, I want to try to get the warm fuzzy feeling again. I want to try not to fall into the trap. The one that makes me stress out to the point that my head explodes, that's just messy and no fun for anyone.