XMAS....CAN BE FUN

I am always hesitant to be too honest about what I feel about some things because I know my family and friends are reading this.  When you actually put it into words either by blog or mouth it tends to make your opinions much stronger and fixed than maybe it is.

The other day I reacted to an article I was reading. It was about the fact that the powers that be are building safe places to take drugs...just in case of an overdose.  As I have made very clear every which way my sympathies do lie with junkies and the addicted.  No sympathy for the partier taking chances.  But when I read that even more money and time and energy are going into that mess downtown eastside I got a little ticked off and made a comment to that effect.  And, of course, it came out way stronger and not even really what I thought about junkies safety.  I just wish they would solve the homeless problem, put some energy time and money into that.  But Monte heard what I said and took umbrance with it and wouldn't listen when I tried to explain what I really meant.  Lesson learned...don't say crap to begin with.  But I am going to here right now.  LOL!!

I love Christmas...the tree, the gifts, the shopping, the excitement and of course the awesome food.  But I have discovered as I get older that there is a downside to it all...especially if you are the mom in the event.  Unless you are a master delegator, which I am definitely not, the work load becomes pretty heavy.  The one part though that I exempt from this is any cooking.  That part I can never get enough of.  And I love the gift shopping...the more the better!

But I hate wrapping.  I used to like it but I don't anymore.  If I had my way I would haul out all those stupid plastic grocery shopping bags you keep because, well they're bags and could be reused, that you have stuffed into every available space in the back of your cupboards and throw a gift into one and tape it up.  That would solve the bag overload problem and it would be so easy...no ripped paper, no mistaking the size of the paper you cut, no little dainty pieces of tape, NO GARBAGE!!!!

House cleaning....those corners you don't clean until your house is going to fill with company.  I know...all you out there don't have this problem because you keep your place perfect year round.  Unfortunately I don't.  So around this time of the year I start to frantically haul out boxes from under the guest bed, empty the seldomly used bathroom's garbage can, clear off the washer/dryer of casserole dishes, roasters, slow cookers etc..that never made it to the garage, clean the garage yet again, decorate the tree...finally, clean my private bathroom (which, other than the toilet and sink, I never clean), organize the hall closet so guests can hang their coats, blah blah blah...(shovel list).

And decorating.  Oh jeez.....I have a hundred giant boxes down in my hell hole full of beautiful appropriate christmas decorations.  But I really hate decorating.  I love the look of greenery boughs draped along the mantle, full of twinkling little lights.  But my greenery is stiff and unbending and just won't frigging stay there.  And I string lovely little lights all through the wee branches and then string a bright giant orange extension cord off the end and it looks like sh*t.

I have a beautiful giant wreath, a fake one with battery operated lights wound around and through it.  Beautiful.  But....the damned thing bounces every time the door opens and shuts, and when that happens little crap falls off the wreath.  Little red berries, the odd pine cone, little tiny green branches...etc...and within one day the four double AA's are toast.

I have a beautiful tall cone shaped gorgeous pretend artistic christmas tree.  Its white and glittery and has little lights....and its lopsided.  It is really pretty but when people walk into the room they all say....oh, hahaha that tree is going to fall over.  No its not.  Its just stupid.

I could go on but I won't.  I just know that by the 24th I am cranky, tired and ready to throw the towel in.  Then something magic happens.  Christmas eve.  I have never had a bad one.  The family, guests, food, laughter, chocolate, fireplace, soft  christmas tree lights, excited children....makes it all worth it...til the next day, after dinner and that mountain of dishes....LOL!!!  TTYL