How two couples I introduced to each other are getting married.. At least I got their love lives right LOL

How one is my ex and her gf. And the other is a little gay boy at work. His boyfriend just proposed to him on his birthday the other day....

How Im looking forward to having dinner with my ex's gf Tuesday night and having some "guy time" I never get

How I hope this week goes by quickly.. Long long hours..

Coming back on Wednesday night to my ex and her gf's house and dog sitting til the next Tuesday...

How much fun I have just to get away from the house for a few days

Planning an upcoming adventure abroad!

I wrote this several years ago (I think in 2007?)... thinking about my nieces and the time I want to spend with them, made me think of the "list" I wrote "way back when".... most, almost all, of the following still applies for me. (I did crop a few pieces, that don't apply to my current feelings....)
Every year at this time, my mind wonders and dreams about the “perfect” Christmas day.............

What is your idea of a perfect Christmas day? (or other celebrated Holiday according to your beliefs and traditions?)

My mother and I got into a heated discussion the other day. I’ve had a hard year; lost loved ones, been faced with “life’s lessons” while losing my home, and said good bye to dear friends. I made the mistake of telling Mom I wanted a quiet holiday and didn’t have anything on my “wish list” (for gifts that is.) She was very insulted and angry. “Well, what am I supposed to do? Take everything back that I bought for you!” She spends money ALL year preparing for this holiday. She was so upset that I didn’t wish (or want) for any “material” item. I wish I hadn’t upset her so much, but I truly don’t want or need any “material” gift. She thought I was being ungrateful.

Mom, I promise, I meant no harm. And no, I’m not a Scrooge like you called me.

I simply enjoy the “simple things”.

I’m also not a Scrooge for thinking that this time of year has turned into Commercialism and Competition. I don’t care for the stores all competing and stressing you out with commercials. Makes me feel overwhelmed.

These are a few things I love on Christmas morning: (no gifts to open, only the simple things…please know, I don't think I am "better than" anyone else, I'm just burned out from having a few hard years and want to focus on a few simple things rather than stressing out...)

o Having my son home where he’s warm and safe. Wrapping my arms around him, giving him a peck on the cheek & saying “Merry Christmas Baby.” Watching him wipe the sleep out of his eyes and wish me Happy Birthday.
o Making my AWSOME stuffed french toast to give breakfast in bed for my special someone.
o Taking a bundle of new blankets and sweaters to a group of elderly.
o Spending the three days before Christmas baking all kinds of goodies and delivering them to a nursing home while wearing a Santa hat. Giving one on one time to many of the residents without family. You should see their faces light up!! That’s a true gift!! And their warm hugs are so inviting, a gift I cherish.
o Enjoying a cup of hot cocoa on the back deck while watching the sunrise glisten off the new snow. (Don’t we all love a White Christmas?)
o Listening to jingle bells and thinking “that is the sound of Angels singing while they say a prayer for you.”
o The smell of warm sugar cookies and pumpkin cheese cake…while enjoying the smiles and giggles of the kids in the back ground.
o Offering for someone in the Armed Forces, who can’t go home for Christmas, to enjoy Christmas Dinner with us. Giving them a temporary home-away-from-home and making them feel really special. You couldn’t give a more special gift.
o Delivering homemade fruit baskets and stockings stuffed to the brim (anonymously) to families that have had a hard year. Maybe delivering to a homeless shelter or woman’s shelter. (remember, Gramma used to tell me that an orange and an apple was all they’d get in their stockings.)
o Taking a close friend to the local township Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and enjoying hot cider & cookies, good laughs and watching them glow with happiness. That glow can really fill your heart.
o Watching those really old Rudolph and Santa cartoons while snuggled in your blankets on the couch after Christmas Dinner with the fireplace giving you that warm fuzzy feeling.
o Volunteering at a local soup kitchen.
o To watch the kids catch snow flakes with their tongues and make snow angels. Their giggles can make the meanest Scrooge a happy person.
o To have my own home to invite friends to, while I dote on them hand and foot making the most awesome meal. I dearly love to hear friends laugh and have fun. Such a sound can fill your heart and erase tears.

I could carry on all day about my list of simple things… why don’t you elaborate by adding your own items, then pass this on. This is a Sweet original and my small gift to you, so you can cherish the simple things after the “stress” of the holidays. I've done everything on the list above and this is my idea of a perfect Christmas Day. Who needs Birthdays when you can have all that's simple?

(Mom, am I still a Scrooge?)

Merry Christmas Happy Holidays... may your heart be filled with warmth & love, may your lives be filled with joy & friendship and may you find your Star on Christmas Morning.

TLC
Sweet
************************************************** *******

This year..... I'd trade all my Christmas'es to spend time with my nieces. I can't WAIT to make snow angels with them!!

Christmas with my CHOSEN family, instead of my given one... I'm so happy about going, about being somewhere I feel safe and loved!

That I love being here with great family but also a reminder that I so don't belong in the city. The street noise outside is quite alarming!

I wonder why most everyone says "snowman." It's just a matter of packing a little more snow on the chest and you'd have a snow butch or femme.:)

life
love
language

distance
closeness

complications
simplicity

life
love

truths.

[/FONT]

Pssst....I dont think the snow butches would be packing on the chest.

:jester: