Sunday, December 25, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree
O' Christmas Tree, how do I love thee? Well, I love thee more than any other tree that I have had at Christmas time. You would think that over the years I really wouldn't have a favorite, even though every year I love my tree more than the last year. BUT this year is my all time favorite. Why you ask? My favorite youngest son, Franz and I went out to cut down our big ol' tree yesterday afternoon. The sun was out, the air was brisk, our lab was steady by our side. A beautiful scene, if only I would of had the video camera to capture the moment that my Franz turned into Paul Bunyon. He had his red plaid hat with the floppy ears on , his nike shoes, jr hawk sweat pants-yes all decked out in logger attire! He started with the bow saw, 5 minutes in he exclaimed "the survivor shows make this look so easy". Oh, how I wish I had my video camera. Another 5 minutes in, a break on the driveway with the lab, and another question arose "where is the chainsaw?". Off he went to get the saw, he was going to use the full power for this tree. 5 minutes more, and this is told to me " google 'how to start a chainsaw', I'm serious Mom, google it". So, in spite of my laughter I was able to google said question on my phone and we struck it rich, lo and behold a 1 minute video comes up on "how to start a chainsaw". The light shone into my baby's eyes with the excitement of getting that saw alive. Well, hmmm, the video ends with us looking at each other and Franz saying about the logger who is pulling and pulling on his chainsaw cord for nothing "looks like he has the same problem I have". Again, I am laughing to tears, and bless his heart so is my baby boy. Back to the bow saw, adding another cut into our beautiful tree. Wish I had my video camera. Another break, and another attempt at the power. I say, " hey, you know what, when Dad uses the saw he always pushes some button" yep, there it is on top of the saw and wouldn't you just know it, that does the trick-WE HAVE POWER!! TIIIMMMBBBEERRRR, down come our tree and CRACKKKKK goes the branches! Wish I had my video camera. We now have a 12' tree with no branches in the middle on one side and no branches at the top of the other, my favorite tree to date cut by my favorite youngest son in his very first Paul Bunyon moment.
( I will post a picture as soon as I get one, and can figure out how to add it here!)
( I will post a picture as soon as I get one, and can figure out how to add it here!)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Christmas Season begins....
....or did it begin weeks ago when the stores started piling their stuff on the shelves, tempting us to buy?
My friend over at yadayadah talks about the things she likes at Christmas and some of the meanings and it got me to thinking a little more about decorations. I love, love, love seeing all of the night time lights that people decorate with, but now I am wondering if they do it because they love it or because the want to be better than their neighbor? As you drive through some neighborhoods, you definitely know where the competitors live, the Griswold look! I am actually glad for it because it gives me something to look at.
With the time that my Mom and I have spent (and are still spending) out at my Gma F's place, it has really made me think about Christmas in a different way this year. As each year comes, I feel less and less in the spirit, I don't know why exactly but I think I am starting to figure it out. Gma F was all about the giving, all year long, and now she isn't here to help all of those people (and all of the retailers bottom line!). She was the last of my grandparents to pass and I think I am realizing that all of those 'people' are what made Christmas for me. 'Those' people (gma f and the gparents m) were such strong Christians and such givers in their own way, that I am wondering if they are up above pushing me to be more like them.
Why do we let the commercialism get to us? When did we let the commercialism get to us? I am one of the worst too, I don't have to have expensive stuff under the tree, but I like lots of things under the tree for everyone, what is wrong with me? (of course my boys will be saying, sounds like a good thing to us!) I can remember going to the gparents at this time of year from my first memory to my last, it wasn't about gifts-they really didn't give them. It was about family and Jesus and they had a tree and maybe a few decorations but that house felt like Christmas. That is what is wrong, the feeling of Christmas is so lost. My yadayadah friend is slowly decorating her tree this year so that they can feel Christmas each day, little do most know, last year I only put lights on my tree. I did it because I didn't want to hassle with taking ornaments off, the tree was so tall I knew it would take forever . Well guess what, I loved our tree last year. I loved looking at the beauty of the tree with lights and no other distractions and that, folks, is the problem-the distractions of the season that detract from the season.
So after the season I will let you know how distracted I became this year.
My friend over at yadayadah talks about the things she likes at Christmas and some of the meanings and it got me to thinking a little more about decorations. I love, love, love seeing all of the night time lights that people decorate with, but now I am wondering if they do it because they love it or because the want to be better than their neighbor? As you drive through some neighborhoods, you definitely know where the competitors live, the Griswold look! I am actually glad for it because it gives me something to look at.
With the time that my Mom and I have spent (and are still spending) out at my Gma F's place, it has really made me think about Christmas in a different way this year. As each year comes, I feel less and less in the spirit, I don't know why exactly but I think I am starting to figure it out. Gma F was all about the giving, all year long, and now she isn't here to help all of those people (and all of the retailers bottom line!). She was the last of my grandparents to pass and I think I am realizing that all of those 'people' are what made Christmas for me. 'Those' people (gma f and the gparents m) were such strong Christians and such givers in their own way, that I am wondering if they are up above pushing me to be more like them.
Why do we let the commercialism get to us? When did we let the commercialism get to us? I am one of the worst too, I don't have to have expensive stuff under the tree, but I like lots of things under the tree for everyone, what is wrong with me? (of course my boys will be saying, sounds like a good thing to us!) I can remember going to the gparents at this time of year from my first memory to my last, it wasn't about gifts-they really didn't give them. It was about family and Jesus and they had a tree and maybe a few decorations but that house felt like Christmas. That is what is wrong, the feeling of Christmas is so lost. My yadayadah friend is slowly decorating her tree this year so that they can feel Christmas each day, little do most know, last year I only put lights on my tree. I did it because I didn't want to hassle with taking ornaments off, the tree was so tall I knew it would take forever . Well guess what, I loved our tree last year. I loved looking at the beauty of the tree with lights and no other distractions and that, folks, is the problem-the distractions of the season that detract from the season.
So after the season I will let you know how distracted I became this year.
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