Pep Talk

Self pep talk for an overcast December day:

You don't have any pressing tasks today -- Well, you're at work, but you took care of everything you had to do here, and now, if anything, you have to look like you are doing something productive and important. So quit going over in your head things that need to be done. Biggest thing you got to do when you get home? Wrap a couple of presents. Woahh, someone give that girl a Klondike bar.
Despite your critical looks in the mirror this morning, your eye make-up doesn't make you look stupid. It's not that smeared. You probably could have gone a little more natural and let up on the eye liner, but whatever. Who's looking at your eyes? The Fed-Ex guy doesn't care that you slapped on make-up or that your complexion is a little redder than normal today.
And who says you have to be merry just because it's Christmas? The Muppets and clay-mation characters don't count. It's not a holiday to be used as an excuse to walk on eggshells for other people so that you feel warm and fuzzy inside. You care about people, right? So show them. Do it in the name of the love Christ has filled you with, not in the name of a commercialized occasion.
And He does love you. You hardly have an idea who He is, but the fact that you haven't turned from faith all together speaks volumes. Part of you acknowledges that He is the only means of your recovery. And that's what this is. It's recovery. From an affliction that you have been able to suppress until now. You're in a rehab of sorts, so start acting that way. Let yourself heal.

Now quit blogging to yourself, ya crazy.

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Our tree is up, indoor decorations are set, and outdoor lighting is a go, although I had nothing to do with the setting up process of either of the three. I absolutely hate Christmas decorating. So shoot me. I just abhor pulling all the crap out and setting it up for a few days, only to take it down soon after. However, I love having the tree in the living room because when it's lit up, it warms the room. Figuratively, anyway. And I like driving past people's lit up houses. Just don't like doing the dirty work, I guess.
I just realized that I am wearing an Alabama Snuggie. I told myself I'd never buy a Snuggie, and I've upheld that part of the deal, but I don't know how I feel about wearing one. It's my little sister's, so I guess since it's freakin' cold outside (and a little bit inside), I can break my prejudice against these things, no matter how brain shattering their commercials are.
Back to Christmas. So, I love roasting marshmallows over fires. Love, love, love it. I like to let them burn a little too. So tasty. My mom bought some logs for our fire place, and I asked her to buy me some big marshmallows so I could roast some. She was skeptical, but she probably bought them thinking I'd give up my intentions after realizing how ridiculous they were.



Me and the sister roasting 'mallows. She looks a little apprehensive..

 

I couldn't find wire hangers to roast the 'mallows with, so I went for the next best thing. Metal knitting needles make wonderful 'mallow roasters (until the flaming 'mallow begins to slide down the needle toward your uncovered hand). I had a good time, and the marshmallows tasted pretty great. I'm sure the health department won't be including indoor knitting needle 'mallow roasting in their holiday safety brochures anytime soon, but it can't be much worse than roasting them out side with a dirty stick.

I generally enjoy Christmas time, but it also makes me a little depressed. It's such a consumer-driven holiday, and I know it's always been that way, but I'm becoming more and more aware of it as I get older. And when light sheds on the darker side of things, it scares away the positives of the holiday as well. It makes charitable endeavors subject to ambiguous financial gains. And it conditions us to limit showing affection for those we love to one day of the year. Today, you have to get along with your family...because it's Christmas! So grit your teeth and bear it. Then you can go on ignoring the broken dynamics for the rest of the year.

And don't get me started on New Years Resolutions.. well, I'm sure I'll touch on that when New Years comes. Pass up a good opportunity to whine about something? No sir. :]

Anyway, I hope you all are enjoying your festivities leading up to this holiday, even if I just bashed it. All in all, I truly do wish that people would make the most of the time they have with their families and, God willing, remember why it is celebrated in the first place.

Peace, love, and hugs,

Dani