The countdown begins...

Or it did a while back, but now it's starting to really bug me. :P

Yes. It's almost Christmas. Almost as in "it's really time to panic if you aren't at least halfway done". Which, I am. Ha! (Glance nervously at list...) I think.

Secretly, I'm hoping the time will fly between now and Christmas Eve -- the last shopping day possible. Why??? Because if I have too many more days left, I'll keep buying... stuff. Yeah, stuff that no one really needs, but it's so darn 'cute' or 'cool' or 'um...whatever'.

Stuff. Heaven knows we have enough of that to go around, and then some. But from what I hear, we are actually very frugal Christmas-gift-givers. Fine, that's a nice way of saying "cheap", but I don't really care. In my not-so-humble opinion, gifts don't have to be expensive or come in huge piles to make people happy. Honestly, you do that too often and you wind up missing the point of the holiday entirely.

That's my two cents, take it or leave it. Actually... just leave it on the table. I'm sure I can at least find a red kettle to drop it into. ;)

~~Meg

Christmas Eve

The stockings are hung by the chimney. The gifts are wrapped and ready, but still in their hiding places. The ham and turkey are in the fridge, and the oven sits quietly in anticipation.

The children are all happy, excited and antsy -- they know the Big Kahuna (aka S. Claus) is coming tonight. They have visions of toys dancing in their heads and long for the dinner that is to come. Their mouths water at the thought of warm cinnamon rolls and bacon they know we'll have for breakfast tomorrow ... a meal that will come exceptionally early at our house. ;)

And through it all, I feel this sense of peace... a twinge of satisfaction, knowing another Christmas will be a success. They'll get some of what they wanted -- some things they never thought of, as well. But they'll be happy. They will do the present dance and sing Christmas carols.

Then the letdown happens. And though we know to expect it, that sneaky, blue feeling will settle over me like a fog. It's all part and parcel of the event.

But we have more to look forward to: A New Year. New goals to reach for ... new experiences to share ... new stories to tell ... new opportunities to grow and celebrate.

Life is an amazing adventure. May you all enjoy every day of it. Have a blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

Contest!

Beyond the Veil

How much do you know?

You Know a Lot About Christmas

You got 7/10 correct You know tons about the history and traditions surrounding Christmas. When you celebrate the holidays, you never forget their true meaning - or all the little fun details. Random Christmas fact: Most Christmas trees are edible. The needles are a good source of Vitamin C.

How Much Do You Know About Christmas?

Christmas Movie Quiz

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Christmas Story

Loving, fun, and totally crazy. Don't shoot your eye out!

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?