My entry for Christmas 2006

I was so overwhelmed about this Christmas. Jeff and I seem to be the only couple, on both of our sides, who has all the family in the same state. So we were scheduled to go to 4 celebrations today. A total of 6 all together. Now I’m sitting at home alone, missing the first Christmas I can remember. I’m wondering if the powers that be are teaching me a lesson. I know that I shouldn’t have looked on this day with such dread. I really wish I were there.

Anyway. Enough of that! I know that I’m never given more than I can handle, and that everything comes together for good in the end. I won’t mope any longer!

My mom told me a story about how she and her sister and brother all had the mumps on Christmas one year. There’s a picture of them all together in their pajamas by the tree looking absolutely sad and pathetic. You always remember the Christmas that you’re sick, she told me. It happens to the best of us.

I received many lovely things so far, including a knife set, an outdoor compost bin (AHHA! SO excited about it), awesome art which i will post pictures of, a 2007 peace calendar, a twinkies cookbook (my dad is soo weird, he loves to give me kitsch), honey made by franciscan monks, and more! I am so grateful for my family and the fact that I have the privilege of spending every holiday laughing and eating and enjoying everyone. I’ll use this experience as a reminder. It seems to me that most bad things that happen are just reminders of how grateful you really are for everything. It’s all just a matter of perspective.

 
Art on the left (in case you weren’t sure…). The tablecloth is amazingly beautiful and hand woven. I can’t bring myself to use it on the table, but I will hang it up as a tapestry in our bedroom. Lovely. The picture to the right is Maya’s presents from my dad. She’s spoiled by him 😉
 
My little sister made me these awesome earrings. I think she’s incredibly talented. She’s been talking about going to college for jewelry design etc, and I think it’d be fabulous. The monkey is really awesome. It’s little hands fit on your fingers, you pull him back like a slingshot, and weeeeeeeeeeeee! He flies through the air (he can go surprisingly far) and lets out an unsettling squeal when he hits. Yay!