holiday ohh holiday, the best time of the year...

Christmas has come and gone this year without fanfare and without much joy for me and the people around me. For me, Christmas is at it's most meaningful when you add in tradition. I am always interested in friends who say, "We always go to Grandma's in Southern Illinois. We make pies and my uncle roasts a duck." I'm sitting there wondering, really? Always? Doesn't life get in the way some years? Grandma gets sick, say. Or your Uncle Carl has a new wife and goes to her house now. Or your cousin has the first grandchild and now every year is spent standing around oohhing and awwing over this alien sticking crayons in his mouth? Life goes on and you can't "always" do something. We didn't get to go to dh's side of the family for Christmas Eve like we "always" do. I had to work.

Yes folks, I worked on Christmas Eve. I helped dumb department store shoppers navigate their way to the bathrooms, or to "the place where I can take back this here giant underwear I don't want". For jebus sake people, there is a sign every few feet directing you to Customer Service. They are huge and red. They say "Holiday Return Center" with a BIG ARROW POINTING THE WAY.

And you know what? I still had a nice Christmas. My dh got a raise and a bonus. And not the jelly of the month club kind, so that is very much appreciated. He works so hard. I got to ride on a snowmobile

and attempt to go sledding on one of those old fashioned metal rail sleds. (epic and hilarious attempt.) I got a laptop and an adorable vintage dress from my hubby

that I can't wait to wear. Yes frequently my back hurts and my feet are swollen from checking people out all day. No I haven't been to Curves in weeks (that one stings a little). But it has to get better from here.

I wish everyone in my life a Happy Christmas (a la Harry Potter) and I encourage you to take stock in what you do have and appreciate it. You never know what 2011 will bring.