Skip to main content

Christmas memories

My Mom loved Christmas.  She loved Halloween and Easter too, but not for any religious reason.  Halloween because it was the same month as her birthday and of the cool decoration possibilities, and Easter because of the get together s with family and the baskets.

But today I'm talking of Christmas.

I did not understand, as a child of the 80's when on the news people would speak of not being able to afford a Christams tree.  I lived and live in Oregon.  When I was little, trees were as little as $5 or free.  My parents, loving the Grand Nobles, spent more in the area of $15.  But until my Dad explained to me that Christmas trees in other parts of our country were actually expensive did I grasp my fortune.

We would get our tree.  And than the waiting and whining would start.  My Mom would take what felt like forever but was probably no more than a day, do put on the lights.  Plastic flower petaled ensconced plastic lights that she meticulously put on, making sure each branch was represented.

Once that was done, the decorating would begin. Supervised by Mom. Making sure we didn't put all the ornaments on the front and equally distributed the bling.  There would also me the the cardboard Christmas village set up on white glittered batting to give the effect of snow.

We opened our presents from Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve, saving the Santa gifts for Christmas morning.  Christmas Eve was the big haul.   I don't actually remember believe in Santa.  Maybe it was because I was deathly afraid of Santa.  That carries forward to today.  I still do not understand why we ask our kids to go and ask a perfect stranger in a stupid costume for presents for Jesus's birthday??  Why?

But of course I digress, because this wouldn't be my blog if I didn't get off track.

Now where was I...oh ya presents!

Now as an adult, and after reviewing all the financial records from my parents, I have no bloody idea how they afforded the Christmas gifts they gave us, as well as the rest of the year.  It wasn't on credit cards, so I can only assume they sacrificed all y ear long.  Which makes sense because I don't remember either of the parents ever buying themselves much if anything.  They gave Steve and I their all.   Looking back we were both dressed and afforded a lifestyle that only our more wealthy friends had, even though our parents, a truck driver and custodian worked dearly for it.  I think that's why now I am willing to sacrifice so much for Iron Man and Pinky.

Aaaand now again back to my point.  What was my point ??????

Oh ya it was Christmas memories.  After the Christmas Eve dinner and present opening we would go to sleep.  Hoping that on Christmas morning whatever Christmas wish we had, that hadn't been satisfied would be filled.  And usually it was.

Than after Christmas morning presents we would load in the car and head to Centralia for the extended family celebration.  Where food would abound and more presents would appear.  Essentially it was a cousin fillled mad house.

For all of us cousins to be together, was and still is a case of beautiful chaos.  Lots of love, tiny bit of rule and a whole lot of fun.  Not so different from now.  Except now, it seems we only see each other and funerals and weddings.  Which frankly sucks!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Today's list of what is on my mind

1: Will our society survive ourselves 2: Do we even deserve to survive; why are we, as a country, society, still not understanding why hate has no place in our hearts. 3: Protesting doesn't include riots 4. Protesting doesn't include looting/rioting 5: Free persons protest; criminals loot/riot 6: Protesters are not criminals because they protest; two different groups of people; not to be judged as one 7: My mom scolded me harshly for ever using the word "hate" said about a person or group. 8: Many of us are tired; exhausted; tired of anxiety about illness and exhausted by grief. 9: I want to go to the forest 10: I want to go to the ocean 11: I want people to value other people; you don't have to like everyone or agree with them, just accept they are equal. 12: Black Lives Matter.

Perfect WFH Shoes!

When I turned 40, 7 years ago, I promised myself I would stop wearing shoes that hurt my feet.  That was difficult at first because the kids were still kids and the budget was tighter, so buying a decent pair of Dansko or Cob Hill sandals or heels for work meant I had to choose very wisely.  Now that the budget is a bit roomier and I have had seven years; I have amassed a nice selection of comfortable shoes for work and for hime.   These past three weeks of working from home presented different challenges.  My slippers do not work because it is springtime in Oregon, so while it is chilly in the morning and evening, during the day in the house, the lined slippers where just too much. I tried my Furoshiki wrap shoes, which I usually wear post gym or workout.  Those worked well for temperature but the Vibram soles were not conducive to my habit of working with a leg tucked under me.  It just felt weird.   Since I am an avowed shoe whore and DSW has had so many lovely coupons a

Protein Brownies Review

First of all I am not trying or wanting to be a blogger that is touting their idealistic lifestyle nor do I want to be an influencer.  I am just a person who likes to blog and share a small glimpse of my imperfect life.   I am saying all of that because I am posting unedited pictures of my cooking.  Most of my pictures are un-edited.  I crop to keep certain details out of pictures.  Like I cropped a couple of these photos so you cannot see the chipped countertop on the edge of my stove.  Come to think of it I shouldn't have cropped that.  I cannot be the only person who has a chipped countertop.  Oh well Onward! I did some online shopping at Target.  I miss Target.  I mean I really really miss Target, it is one of my very favorite stores.  When we are not in a pandemic I love that I can order online and walk in a pick it up.  It keeps me from experiencing the bloated cart that comes from cruising Target aisles. I wanted some baked goods but I did not want to waddle after the