I love how my tree is dressed in lame-O ornaments that the kids have made through the years. Half of them I'd love to ditch, but they hold deep feelings for each and every one of them. Sure, there are some cute ones, but there are far too many pathetic creations that would be best left in the box....in the attic.Every year, Em waits for this angel to come out and there is all kinds of fanfare and loud exclamations of delight when she appears. Made in preschool, it's supposed to be an angel with your kid's picture on it. Notice how Em's "angel" wings are slightly askew. Gees, if that isn't telling you something.....
You know she's gonna kill me for laughing at that thing.
Isn't it crazy these days? It's like the world is gearing up for Christmas at a frenzied pace. The streets are crowded, the stores--madness. Lines are horrible and the shelves are ransacked. I hunkered down on Sunday to just catch up on things and to catch my breath a bit.
And in the midst of chaos, the regular drones of everyday life continue in spite of the season. My fish from the pond is sick and I don't think it's gonna make it to see Santa. Shampoo and toilet paper have run out and we are all but drawing straws to see who has to run to Walmart. Bills need to be paid and laundry is forever calling now that we have an extra body back in the house.
The red-spotted fish stuck to the filter intake is a reminder that true life goes on, even if we all want to be merry and bright. And for some, getting through the holidays is like my sick fish--barely holding on. It's hard to remember that some are struggling while we are all having parties at work and nibbling on Christmas cookies.
LJ posted this the other day. It is a nice reminder of what it's all about, Charlie Brown. Take the 3 minutes and 53 seconds to enjoy. (I love the star)
20 comments:
It's hard to believe it's only 5 sleeps until Christmas morning! By next week at this time it will all be over. And life will be back to 'normal' for another year.
Enjoy your week Lin!
xo Catherine
Those kid-made ornaments will yet be on the tree thirty years from now. I know this how? a) you are a softie, and b) my kids are in their fifties, and their ornaments are still...
That video is a major production! Great fun. Thanks.
I love the angel ornament! I hope the fishie can hang on and get better.
We have many of the homemade ornaments as well. Every year, the kids jockey to get their handmade artwork placed in front. My husband and his sister do the same thing. Apparently, it goes on forever.
I hope the fish recovers. I am sending healing thoughts his way.
Have a good week, darlin'
Australians are so awesome!!! That reminds me big time of Where the Wild Things Are and how that was shot...
Like Vanilla said, those childhood creations of our children only seem to accumulate value as the years go by. Loved that video. That star is great. I particularly liked the angel. Good to see someone understands that angels are more than mild messengers. Hence the two swords. My favorite was the sheeps.
I love her angel. Alex is po'd we don't have a star on top and our ornaments basically suck ever since he saw a picture of someone else's tree.
I am sorry about your fish. I hope it passes peacefully.
All your running around is making ME exhausted! You need a break. I hope you get one. ;)
She may have crooked wings, but that's a mighty big halo. :D
Merry Christmas!
It most definitely has been a nutty season. But, your right. It always seems to be.
Yep, I still have your beautiful handmade ornaments on my tree--a bit crispy, but still very special! The video was really cute, the sheep and star were my favorites--and the donkey--what a guy!! Phyl
I have 2 snowflakes with my kids faces on that hang on my tree every year. Those are the only 2 they made and they have their place of honor every year :)
Ornaments like those are what Christmas is all about. Lame-o stuff on the Christmas tree is fun. My mom always insists on stuff like that while everyone else groans about it. But Christmas just wouldn't be the same without it.
A tender and touching post, Lin. Adorable, even, if I say so myself, and I do.
Christmas simply wouldn't be Christmas without at least a couple of ratty, poorly made ornaments to hang on the tree. And a drunk uncle to leer uncomfortably at your teenage daughter and watch you bend over to take the turkey out of the oven.
You know I'm right.
Merry Christmas!
Catherine--No kidding! I think I'm ready. Maybe for those 5 sleeps if nothing else.
Vanilla--You know I'm gonna have that wacky angel for years to come, don't you? Em's gonna want it for her tree and I'm gonna fight her for it. Sigh. This is me.
Daisy--Daisy, he is swimming a bit tonight and eating. Let's hope it is a good sign.
Anne--That's what my family does too! Em rushed to make sure that silly angel was right in front. Sheesh. The fish is actually eating and swimming a bit. Keep your fingers crossed.
Grace--You too, pally! I sure hope you are feeling better now.
Nancy--Isn't that cute? The star totally cracked me up. I like the kids voices too--sort of like Charlie Brown.
Chuck--My mom liked the sheep too. I like how simple, yet deep that video is. The star just made me laugh.
Helen--Uh oh. Maybe he needs to make some bad ornaments for your tree! ;)
Pricilla--Fish and hamsters never go quickly. It's like they must linger for dramatic points or something. Ugh. He is swimming around a bit and eating tonight. I think it may be a good sign....or a last meal.
Rebecca--Hahaha! Don't tell Em that she has a big halo--we'll NEVER hear the end of it!
Ben--Every single year it is the same--crazytown. You'd think we'd figure out how to make it less so by now. Sigh. Can't wait for Christmas morning and all the new video games to get unwrapped!
Phyl--Now THOSE ornaments are beautiful!! No wonder you hung on to them. :) I like the star when it "twinkles" over the nativity.
Ann--That's all you have?! Criminy, it seems like every teacher and scout leader has loaded us up with ornaments. Ugh. I'll send you a few of mine. ;)
Ratty--You are sooo right. What fun are the perfect store-bought ornaments?? They are lovely, but they lack "character". Em's angel is chock full of character!
MikeWJ--MIKEWJ!! WHAT THE???! What are you doing here???! Criminy. I've got to clean the place up and stir some cocktails or something! I personally do not have a lecherous uncle, but my husband has made a few comments about the cheerleader's outfits at the high school football games. And while he has never stared at me while I opened the oven, he has offered to touch my oven mitt. I just realized that might be innuendo. Gasp! Thanks for heads-up, MikeWJ.
I like Em's crooked winged angel! This week is crazy but hopefully it'll all be a distant memory when Christmas is actually here. Then after that most people can relax and enjoy life but us CPAs have 3 1/2 months to go before we can enjoy anything. I really need to switch careers!
Favorite line, hands down: "And she was like, "Oh my gosh, I'm gonna have the son of God."
I think the angel ornament is adorable--much nicer than the butterfly I made in Kindergarten from construction paper and a clothespin that I put on the tree.
Loved this video! Am going to share it on Facebook and Twitter. It reminds me of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."
Beaded Tail--I can't even begin to imagine the life of CPA's come January. Ugh! I think we need some accounting songs for those few months, don't you?
CG--It's subliminally wonderful, isn't it? I love Joseph's face when Mary tells him she's going to have a baby and it's the son of god. The whole thing is just well done. I still love the star the best.
Karen--It is done just right--not too sweet, not too serious. I keep forgetting to mention how much the innkeepers crack me up too.
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