Friday, December 11, 2015

How to Worry Less About Christmas Decorating and other Thankfuls, TToT 130

We don't have a Christmas tree. We have an Advent tree. No, that's not a Catholic thing. I made it up. It's for all those families who have three Christmas programs and basketball practices and parties and shopping and volunteering and working and other things happening to prevent them from decorating the tree in one fell swoop. Decorate the tree and the house over time. The anticipation, just like Advent, is quite beneficial. For example the tree went up on Monday. The next day I worked on Christmas cards. Then another day, the lights. The next day, I dug out the Santa hats, because the kids dressed up for school, and that's a Christmas decoration, so it counts Each step is important, and we have the chance to focus on it.

It is amazing how the human mind can rationalize and make up excuses, isn't it?

:)

On to the point of the post...

THE THANKFULS!!!

1. My Christmas cards are written and stuffed and stamped. They'll be going out tomorrow.

2. I was working at the Christmas store again this week, and Bryan and I were able to have lunch together when I was done. We went to a fabulous, local, authentic German place. Delicious! And we were able to simply sit and talk for a while, which we haven't done in quite a while.

3. We have had some seriously warm December weather. Every day I don't have to shovel the walk, scrape my windshield, or bundle up in 5 layers makes me happier.

4. My dad had his birthday this week. I'm so thankful that not only is he still with us, but that he is healthy. I know two people who have lost their fathers just this week, so it makes me appreciate my dad's health even more.

The photo I posted on his FB wall on his birthday. That's me when I was one, and my dad when he was an undercover narcotics agent. 


5. As I mentioned, we have a tree. The process of getting that tree was the most frustrating experience I've had for a long while. When we bought it, they asked if we wanted it delivered. It's free, and it will be at our house in 2-3 hours. Heck ya, deliver it. Tying it to the top of a 12-passenger van is a pain in the rear end. 3 hours later, no tree. Bryan had already left with Star for his game, and I was supposed to meet them once the tree got there. 3 and a half hours later, I call. They say, "Sorry, we got a rush. It will be there between 7:30 and 8:00." OK. That means I miss the game AND dinner we were going to go out for. I get a call a bit later saying it wouldn't happen until 10-10:30 the next morning. I was annoyed, seeing as how I was supposed to leave the house bright and early to get a long list of errands done, but they had my tree hostage. Not much choice. Guess what happened...Yup. 10:30 came and left. No tree. No call. I called them at 11:00. "I'm sorry. It is on the truck, but I don't know where in line you are. I'll try to find out and call back." Our tree finally arrived at 12:10. So, I'm thankful we have our tree. I'm thankful I was able to voice my displeasure without losing my cool. I'm thankful we have our tree. What is Advent without an Advent tree? :)

6. While shopping for my mom and niece, I walked into a little boutique I'd never ventured into before. Seriously, I heard music when I entered and forgot all about my mom and niece. I wanted to buy almost everything in the store. Luckily, I had gotten money from my dad for my birthday, so was able to come out of there with a few new things for me. I wonder if they have a gift registry. I can just send Bryan there for every holiday and birthday and Mother's Day and Sweetest Day and Valentine's Day and I-Want-to-Do-Something-Nice-for-My-Wife Day.

7. Cuckoo isn't feeling so hot. He says his ears hurt, and he even fell asleep after school. The boy hasn't fallen asleep in the middle of the day since he was 2 unless he was sick. When he awoke, he was on my lap the rest of the evening. He's not miserable, but just sick enough that he just wants his mommy. He never wants his mommy these days, so I ate it up.

8. There is a woman from our school who lives near us. Her son is in Star's class, and her daughter drove my kids to school last year. I wouldn't say we were friends, just acquaintances we see simply because we go to the same church and our kids are in the same schools. Odd thing, though, we run into each other at Meijer All. the. Time. I'm there often enough, that it's not unusual for me to run into people I know. Almost every time. But this woman in particular, at least once a week. Now keep in mind, Meijer is a GIGANTIC box store. Groceries and toys and clothes and pharmacy and garden center and home improvements and homemaking and electronics and who knows how many other departments. Last week, when it happened yet again, in a part of the store neither one of us frequents, we decided that God wanted us to talk. We scheduled lunch together. Two days before the lunch, we had a text conversation:

Me: I'm about to head into Meijer. In case I don't see you, are you still up for lunch on Wednesday?
Her: Yes! And guess where I am.

I'm telling you. All The Flippin' Time.

We had lunch on Wednesday. We sat and talked and laughed and talked some more for two and a half hours. The only reason we left was because we had to pick our kids up at school. I'm pretty sure we'll be doing it again.

9. Travel volleyball starts up this weekend! As much time as it takes up, I do love watching boys' volleyball. It's so exciting. As an added bonus, the three cities we travel to each year just happens to be in places where we get to see friends and family. This week it's in Louisville, KY, where my siblings and mom live. Next week, Columbus, OH, where my cousin lives. (And if Chris Carter is reading...)

10. I love that we go to a school and church with people who bring this to the school pick up line:


Just in case you don't know why this makes me laugh, today, the very same day this vehicle was parked in front of me at school, Phoenix wore this T-shirt to school:

Only one of the best Christmas movies ever made.

So, if you have a tree, is yours a Christmas tree or an Advent tree?

What fun or happy things have happened to you this week?

Have a lovely day!





Ten Things of Thankful


 Your hosts

Join the Ten Things of Thankful Facebook Group

31 comments:

  1. I guess ours is a Christmas tree/Hanukkah bush. It's up, and it's pretty.
    I like that you took your chance meetings as a sign that you needed a lunch date. Perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahaha!!! Did you watch the Goldbergs this week? I'm glad yours is done. I must say, I'm not surprised. You are good at starting and actually finishing projects. :)

      It was perfect. And it was fun. :)

      Delete
  2. we have Christmas tree and it is is up in all it's wonderful we also have a very ornate advent wreath that Amelia made in religion two or three years ago - this year we took the candles off ( not safe to light it) and is using it as a wreath that I hung on our the gate...

    omg i became all choked up about your luncheon with your neighbor isn't it strange when things come together like that.

    happy bday to your dad - hope your little one is feeling better ...love the tee shirt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How wonderful that you can keep using her wreath, even if it's not as an Advent wreath. The things my kids make rarely last more than that one year.
      Things like that certainly make one stop and think!
      Thanks. Cuckoo was feeling much better in the morning.

      Delete
  3. I was going to forego the tree this year then my brother showed up with a charlie Browner...happy birthday to dad...you were such a cutie...and feel better ,Cuckoo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A good Charlie Browner is a great way to decorate. (Would this be the brother with the stuffed chicken?)
      Thanks!
      Cuckoo is back to his normal, non-cuddly self.

      Delete
  4. Ours is supposed to be going up today, but it won't be until the kids are dressed and the room is tidy. I guess ours is a late chaos tree.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! I can confidently say that yours is not the only late chaos tree in the world. :)

      Delete
  5. I have a very small Christmas tree (artificial) which is actually the top bit from a much larger four-section tree. I hate the task of decorating and dismantling the things afterwards so the first year I used it it was carefully put away in a cupboard still fully decorated, and it comes out each year looking just as good.

    A belated happy birthday to your dad, and I hope Cuckoo is soon feeling better.

    My big thankful this week? - That I've been able to get through a very busy and problematic week at work plus one night with less than two hours sleep without getting stressed and still able to smile :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is a great idea!!! I have no doubt, someday, we'll be going the artificial route, but it won't be for many years yet. I will keep your idea in mind, for sure. It's way better than my dad's. He just leaves the decorated tree up all year long. :)

      Thanks! Cuckoo is back to healthy!

      Have mercy! Sounds like you had a rough week! I was thinking about you, wondering what you were up to. Now I know. :)

      Delete
  6. I love the #8. And as your friendship develops, you'll know the reason you were meant to learn from each other. I love those "God" things. Enjoy the season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Regardless of how long it takes to find out the purpose of this, it will be fun making a new friend. :)

      Delete
  7. I always love your thankful posts. Always.

    Glad you're having lunch with the gal you kept running into at the store. There was a reason for that and you don't really even know why yet. You will at some point.

    We don't decorate anymore. Back in the day it took a week to decorate. Three trees and all the trimmings. Ladders are not something we need to be on anymore, so we gave all the decorations away.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me, too. :) I'm glad I'm not alone.

      I have no idea why, but I'm happy to find out!

      My decorating is about as minimal as I can get with 6 kids. I used to do more when we would have a Christmas party, but since it's just our family who will ever see it, I don't do it so much. Sad, as I should probably decorate for my family more than anyone.

      Delete
  8. Well look at that. We decorate advent style too. Little here . little there. We got maggie a tree for her room one day. Several days later we got our rosemary tree. Either this weekend or next weekend we will get a tree for the living room. I put up the door sign yesterday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Good for you! Advent decorating is the best way.

      Delete
  9. totally co-celebrating #3! the weather today (Saturday) in. the. 60s.
    Phyllis is the tree-getter, decorator-ooh/ahh (er) I do get to drag the tree from the car to the living room and cut the trunk off so it fits in the stand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was 70 here! I can't get over it! The animals are almost as happy as we are.

      Ha! Good husband you are. :)

      Delete
  10. Your comment about tying the tree to the top of your van reminded me of seeing a motorcycle with a tree strapped to the back today.

    I put my tree up last weekend and it still only has candy canes on it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha!! I would have loved to see that!!

      Sounds lovely. :)

      Delete
  11. Does anyone actually get a tree set up and decorated all in the same day? I guess that question answers yours. I never realized, but we must have an Advent tree. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dangit, this thing ate my comment last night! I LOVE the idea of an advent tree, and things building up naturally as time goes by. That's a really cool way of managing the decorations rather than having to do them all at once. Hope Cuckoo's feeling better but glad you got snuggles with him. And THAT PHOTO! Ohmigosh your EXPRESSION! So adorable :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hate it when that happens! Thanks for coming back to rewrite it. :)
      It works for us this year. No one seems to mind. Cuckoo had a great time hanging ornaments on Saturday morning before the other kids woke up. (He was back to normal by morning.)
      I love that photo. I look like I've never seen myself before.

      Delete
  13. I love that you have called it an Advent tree! Now I can call mine the same thing, rather than looking at it as the unfinished project that I'm having trouble getting my heart into.
    Love the pic of you and your dad. Your eyes! When we moved into a new house the summer before I was in 7th grade, our neighbor across the street was an undercover narc and was infiltrating a motorcycle gang. He made your dad's 'do look like a Ken doll :) I remember my parents were very glad to find out his real occupation!
    I'm jealous. I want to be able to run into you at Meijer and have lunch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Always look for the positive ways to spin things. :)

      Ha! Yes, for being undercover, those guys certainly could draw a lot of attention. :)

      Me, too. That would be awesome.

      Delete
  14. I AM HERE!!!! Let me know if we can hook up while you are in town!!! Message me the days you are in town and I would LOVE to hug you and GO ALL CHRISSY ON YOU!!! LOLOL

    And on a serious note- I just love this list sooooo much. My favorite is you meeting with the woman you kept running into. I love how God keeps trying, over and over again sometimes... until we get it. I'm going to be all prophetic and claim that your friendship was absolutely ordained and will surely be a HUGE blessing in both your lives!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Chris!!! We will be downtown all day Saturday and Sunday. We're even staying in a hotel across the street from the convention center so we never have to get in our car. Any chance you will be downtown next weekend? :)

      It certainly does take quite a few hints before we get the message, doesn't it? I'm thinking the same thing. :)

      Delete
  15. Advent Tree-- Brilliant.

    We don't have a tree at all this year.. I think it's in a barn somewhere, along with the extra checkbooks, that sweater I've been looking for everywhere, and all the extension cords. Proof that I'm the worst packer in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  16. We haven't had a Christmas tree in a few years. We decorate the piano. With the nativity set. I put evergreen clippings and lights on the piano top then nestle the figurines all around. It's really pretty, and so much simpler to set up/take down than a tree. I love it. So, I'm on board with your advent tree. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ooh, German food. Yum.
    And that store sounds like it has a lot of wonderful items.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to tell me what you're thinking!