Morning Meanderings… The Scrooge Fog Has Lifted!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)

 

Good morning! 

*BIG gulp from COFFEE Cup*

If you have followed me down this crazy count down to Christmas through the Morning Meanderings you may have noticed a few anti- Christmas bread crumbs…

I had not purchased any gifts.  Lost in a “I don’t know what to buy” mode… I struggled with the fact that College Son wanted car tires (too big to go under a tree) and hubby has always been difficult in the gift department being more of the “just being together” family he has never fully understood my annual frenzy with gift giving.

I had not put up the tree.  Yes, for the first time in my entire life…. we were close to going treeless.  College son and I usually do this honor Thanksgiving weekend, but a hectic schedule at that time made it impossible and he returned to College and even though the tree sits in storage… I just never worked up the gumption to put it up.  Then…. I justified this thinking my gift was already on the table from hubby – The Cricut which I picked out myself, tires for College son, and Navy son will not be here until the second week of January…. why bother?  There will be nothing under it.

I am not the best Christmas person anyway.  Holidays are hard for me.  We have had a lot of loss in our family at early ages and honestly – doing the holidays without parents on either side, or siblings… can be downright depressing. 

 

AND then…. after many Christmas parties these last couple of weeks, and baking for our office party…. slowly (ever so slowly…) I started to feel it.  Earlier this week… I went shopping and accomplished all of it in the matter of a few hours.  Justin (College son) had lunch with me yesterday and then we went and bought our groceries for the weekend, planning out movies we want to watch, board games we wanted to play.  We actually went to Target looking for a new game but so many needed 4 or more players we started laughing and saying “stupid small family!” as there will be just the three of us and board games are not always Al (hubby’s) thing so it is usually just Justin and I.

The fact is though…. I was laughing and starting to plan.  We went back to the Christmas department and I picked up a little three foot tree… lights already on it.  We had decided this late in the game we were not going to put up the big 6 footer, decorate it to the hilt and then take it down in the next couple of days, so I went small.  And it is a tree.  😀

 

So all that said – in honor of Alyce’s Saturday Snapshot, here are my pictures I present today. 

Zak Doud

 

Last night my friend Heidi and I went to the Last Turn and heard a local musician play some great music.

Purchasing the tree.....

We had some time to spare in the checkout line at Wal-Mart so we decorated our tree with all our purchases while we waited.  😛

 

…and yes this morning I wrapped my gifts and put them under the tree which I threw on a few of our ornaments. 

 

In a couple of hours Justin will be here for the weekend.  SSSQQUUUEEEEE!!!!   Today we will bake and hang out…. I have forewarned him we may listen to a little of Ready Player One on audio because I think he will love it.  (I finally got him to read Hunger Games. 

I need to put the finishing touches on a review I meant to go live yesterday but it did not happen!  😀 Then I am going to take a quick run to the store (I know.. I know) and just be sure we are ready.

 

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!!

51 thoughts on “Morning Meanderings… The Scrooge Fog Has Lifted!”

  3. Sheila, I’m so glad that you are feeling better without that “old Scrooge” on your shoulder. I totally get your feelings. We had a very small tree for several years and not even one at all last year when we were house renovating. A small tree can be delightful. Sounds like you’ve got your plans made and are ready to move into the Christmas joyfulness.

    My wish is that you and your family have a peaceful, happy, joyful Christmas tomorrow. We’ll remember the “reason for the season” and give thanks for our loved ones that have gone on before us. Have a very happy rest of 2011 and lots of wonderful times (and books) for 2012. Hugs to you!!!

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  5. Yes, sometimes it seems like more trouble than it’s worth…decorating. I decided when I moved to this smaller space that I wouldn’t keep the huge tree. Instead I have three miniature (already decorated) trees. One has photo ornaments of grandchildren.

    This year, I only brought out two of them and about half the stuff I usually drag out. It’s a lot of trouble, and I usually go to other people’s homes over the holidays.

    So your smaller tree makes perfect sense, and it sounds like a very special weekend. I love board games!

    Have fun! Enjoy your family time.

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  6. Glad to hear the Christmas spirit finally penetrated the Scrooge Fog just in the nick of time!

    This is the best Christmas season I’ve enjoyed in a few years, but I kind of hit the Christmas spirit wall this week coming down with a cold and having a hard week at work, but it came back to me this morning after I slept in and then finished up my wrapping to Christmas music compliments of Pandora.

    Merry Christmas, Sheila! =D

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  8. Even during those Scrooge moments, you always made me smile. You’re one of a kind, Sheila … always so honest and REAL! Big old Southern style hugs to you. Wishing you and yours a lovely holiday! xxx

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  9. Have a lovely Christmas, Sheila…movies, family and friends all help to lift a Scroogey mood or two…you are normally such an ebullient person that feeling a bit sad really seems like a downer…but you feel better now and that is what counts…

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  10. I’m glad you found a happy medium. A little celebrating and decorating makes the holiday more cheerful.

    I’m a family, food, and get together person rather than doing the gifts, tree and decorating. For years I was totally stressed out from Thanksgiving until Christmas trying to “do” instead of “enjoy”. Now I have a little ceramic tree with built in lights, takes 5 minutes to set up. Gifts are now simple and fun and much more enjoyable.

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    1. The more I look at the tree Leslie – the more I like it It sat nicely on the long coffee table in the corner and we put the gifts around it. 😀 I do like our big tree and all the memories of the ornaments – but this one will do nicely 😀

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  11. Ha! I love the photo of your tree and all your Wal-Mart purchases. Nothing can test your Christmas spirit like a trip to Wal-Mart;; you made the best of a frustrating situation 🙂 I think you have more Christmas spirit than you think :):) Merry Christmas!!

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  13. That is such a cute little tree! My in-laws got new car tires for my husband when he was in his teens and they wrapped up toy tires so that there would be something under the tree.

    If it wasn’t for my kids I’m sure I’d be more of a scrooge. Most years I’d rather forgo the commercial side of it and hibernate in my house.

    I’m glad you’ve found the Christmas spirit though. Have a wonderful holiday!

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    1. I like the toy tire idea Alyce – that’s cute!!!

      I agree Alyce, I love the time together.. but the shopping nuttiness…. GAH. I really do not know why i get so worked up though, once I went it did not take me long 😀

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  15. Lol – too fun, I’m so glad you shared. Sorry about all the bumps, but I’m glad some excitement bubbled up. In time, too. Lol.

    I tried so hard to not overspend this year that I ended up cramming too much shopping in one day just to catch up, which means, I know I spent more than I planned, but how much more?! I’m pre-planning a panic when the dust settles. Or better yet, praying for snow to hide it all ’til later. (Entirely figuratively, credit is not an option!!)

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  17. Our son and nephew got here on Thursday. Carl and I didn’t feel any Christmas spirit until Wednesday when we started baking cookies and getting ready for the “boys.” Now that they’re here, we have plenty of spirit. Merry Christmas, Sheila!

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  18. Boy, can I relate to this post. After my parents passed away in the late 1980’s the Christmas holidays have never been the same. We do have the kids over for Christmas, but I hate decorating (no tree here, just a mantle and some village pieces). Take care Sheila – Happy Holidays to you and Yours.

    (I LOVE THE TREE!)

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  23. We decided not to have a tree this year and work has been so crazy that neither one of us is in the Christmas spirit, so totally understand the Scrooge Fog! Love the small tree, as it seems stress-free.

    Happy Christmas to you and your family!

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  25. Sheila, Merry Christmas, Ia m glad to see the scrooge fog has lifted. It was here for me also-I cannot tell you the tears I shed this past week-so much so I was still crying as I was checking in at the airport. Now that I am home with my parents it has lifted-but my house has three decorations up-not that my husband cares-he will probably put up the stockings for me when I return but it just was not there this year.

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