Christmas?

Oh no, I think Dale is starting to rub off on me. I'm not grinch-like yet, but just can't get into the spirit of the season. I've almost finished the shopping, but since I opted to not put my tree and decorations up, I'm not SEEING Christmas really anywhere here. I did get out my card holder, as we are getting cards, but it's not the same. I did my cards and letter and mailed them out, but it just doesn't feel like Christmas. I just read Jen's blog and she's feeling the mood as well and says Jodi is, too. Hmm wonder what it is? We've had it pretty stressful with Dale's dad passing away and two of my friends have had rough times with their spouses, but that was never something I couldn't overcome. One of my friends, Susan, has the most beautiful Christmas tree I've ever seen and I want so badly to find one like it, only a little bit smaller. It is a pre-lit and has multi-colored lights and is nice and full. She said it looks like someone threw up lights on it, but that's how I like my trees - nice and sparkly. I don't think I'll do this again - not decorate, I mean. It sure makes a difference. Dale is home this week as well, which I am thankful for. Today, Sat., the temperature barely got up to -24C with a windchill (-35 brrrr), so we stayed in and Dale cleaned house and I did the laundry. He cleans the way he likes - down on his hands and knees. I can't do that, so generally give it a "lick and a promise". It's so nice when he does this for me. I know it is mostly because he can't stand it anymore, but I appreciate it so much. And when he is home like this, he can drive if we have to go out and I don't have to freeze to death in my car. It just doesn't want to warm up enough for me. I have a dentist appointement Tuesday morning, so he can drive me there and we can get the last couple of things we need to get for Christmas while we are out. I don't have to drive Bethie to school that day, as Steve is the helper, so that helps a lot. Her program is on Thursday afternoon and Lucas' is in the evening, so we'll be able to take both in. I hope this bitterly cold stuff goes away soon. It is supposed to get closer to 0C as the week goes by. The Christmas movies are starting to be shown on TV and I'm a real sucker for most of them. I have "It's a Wonderful Life", "White Christmas", "Holiday Inn", "A Christmas Carol" and all three "Santa Clause" movies, so I'm set if nothing else is on. That helps a lot to put me in more of a mood for Christmas. Last year I got a DVD of a crackling fireplace with Christmas carols, so it is in my DVD player as well. I got my Focus on the Family magazine today and all the articles were very good and made me think a lot. One told about someone feeling down at Christmas and feeling everything was going wrong. She said she realized that God had a hard time that first Christmas, too, as He watched His only Son leave heaven and go to earth to start His earthly ministry. So, no matter how we feel, our Father has felt it, too and can be a great comfort and strength to us. All we have to do is ask for it. Jen said she had gotten her first "gift" - a traffic ticket. I'm sorry for her, but I got my first gift as well. Actually, I got two. The first was from Susan - a gorgeous ornament (that I hung on the door of my china cabinet) hand-blown glass, hand-painted! The second was from Dale. Well, I ordered it and paid for it, but it's from him. It's a cuttlebug and I love it! It is a little machine that embosses paper for making cards or for scrapbooking. I love playing with it. It's such a neat thing. (Should I start making next year's Christmas cards??) Oh well, I guess I'll wash my hair and get ready to watch another Christmas movie.