My Honey Do Christmas

"Joyful" by Jill Ankrom 

Life is awesome!  I have today (Saturday), tomorrow (Sunday), and the day after (Monday) off .... life is good.

I had a little sleep in, which I had planned to be oh, about noon, because I can.  Instead, my dog Buddy decided it was way past my up-time.  Which made me realize, I had Christmas to do.

Click the links as you read along to this blog so that you can enjoy along with me:

The one, the only, Nat King Cole, 1950


Not surprising, I put my collection of iTunes music on, with Canadian Johnny Reid, the first to burst forth, singing:  "Angels we have Heard on High".  Gloria, indeed.  Then the masterful Michael Blube, another Canadian, melodic genius singing about good cheer.

Okay, I'm all set.  My to do list floating in my head.  What about that part about writing it all down lest we forget?  Well, I've been anxiously anticipating this weekend off all week.  The whiners, the complainers, the demanders, fading with each strum of a guitar.  

The main thing I have to do this weekend is a Gingerbread House to represent my team at work, to be unveiled at our team celebration on Thursday.  There goes Bob Dylan with "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" (I've never thought he had much of a voice, but I guess the raspy wordsmith is a bit of a legend.) 

  I picked up the "some assembly required" Gingerbread House along with adornments on Wednesday.  Last year, my house, was chosen as the winner for our floor, to go on to challenge the building, then off to our downtown tower.  Unfortunately, the spirit of Christmas can sometimes flutter in competative spirit.  It got disqualified by the rules, 100% edible products only .... when the soldier wrapped with tinfoil became the culprit in what I dubbed "Tinselgate".  Even three team fellows offered to eat them to demonstrate they were, in fact, edible.   Well, not this year.  Everything is 100% edible as the label states.  Even though as most of it is 85% sugar, makes that debatable.

Gingerbread House to represent my team at work, to be unveiled at our team celebration on Thursday.  There goes Bob Dylan with "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" (I've never thought he had much of a voice, but I guess the raspy wordsmith is a bit of a legend.) 

  I picked up the "some assembly required" Gingerbread House along with adornments on Wednesday.  Last year, my house, was chosen as the winner for our floor, to go on to challenge the building, then off to our downtown tower.  Unfortunately, the spirit of Christmas can sometimes flutter in competitive spirit.  It got disqualified by the rules, 100% edible products only .... when the soldier wrapped with tinfoil became the culprit in what I dubbed "Tinselgate".  Even three team fellows offered to eat them to demonstrate they were, in fact, edible.   Well, not this year.  Everything is 100% edible as the label states.  Even though most of it is 85% sugar making that debatable.

My husband just walked into the kitchen where my armor of Christmas music is playing, when the Chipmunks holiday song just happened to play.  Reinforcing in his mind that I'm a corny Christmas sucker, who loves to get in the mood of giving.  I may not have the money to dole out randomly, but more enough spirit and giving than most.

Why am I so caught up in the holiday spirit?  Well, definitely because of my "Honey Do" list, which happens to be minus the Christmas shopping -- I finished that a couple of weeks ago.  I'm intent to put a dent in the wrapping this weekend, to avoid the glasses of wine to keep me awake and pushing on to wrapping the heap of Christmas bootie for others to happily unwrap.

The funner side of Christmas with this Kelly Clarkson melody: "4 carats"

I've had to adapt my expectations.  I no longer have wide-eyed children at home, giddy with excitement decorating the Christmas tree's meaning:  Santa is on track.  Yet traditions evolve, instead of making lopsided Gingerbread houses, one each, for their own creativity to unfold, I am making one for my work team.  

The Christmas music is playing .... a tradition that I will keep on for all the years I'm allowed to be around to enjoy it, even if the songs change with the times.  The classics like "White Christmas" by Bing Cosby, will never dim or cease to lift the harmony of spirits in good cheer.

My husband will continue to lift his eyebrows at the choice of music, when he'd choose "Thunder" by ACDC instead.  He never complains.  Content in the air of preparation one associates with happy memories, from childhood to parenthood to husbandhood to blending familydom to empty nest dom. 

Our adult children, aged 24 to 27, will be coming over tomorrow to join in the festivities to celebrate his birthday.  I don't know if he expects anything except his daughter's visit.  My youngest is off in Vancouver creating her future, yet a bit despondent I'd guess because I had always created the Christmas atmosphere.  Not about the gifts, about the spirit, the anticipation, the decorating, and whatever inspiration popped out.  My elder daughter is off to Los Angelos this weekend, the city of Angels.  Yes, the holidays' spirit reaches everyone in a unique way.  

Masterful talented duo Mary J. Blige with Andrea Bocelli

The kids and their fiance will be charged with putting up the tree, decorating it, while I will reward them with dinner.  The hubby may even get into the act, who knows.  The peaceful contentment of our lives does not force him to do anything he doesn't want to.  However, he is the man of the house and hides his enjoyment of being in the thick of things.  Doling out jokes at my son, who flourishes in the attention that is not harsh or sarcastic like his father tends to do.  The epitamy of stepparrentdom can be enjoyable.  Our daughter is the first one in line to absorb our traditions of decorating and embracing Christmas.







I'm excited for Christmas this year.  Hell, (I mean heck) I am every year.  Yet, as your children age and grow with character you are so proud of, instilled in family values that they instinctively know they own.  They move on to relationships (one engaged), journeys (one in LA), adventures (one in Vancouver) and peaceful safety of what home means (one who stays close to home).

Yes, I would like more money, who wouldn't?  But one knows that being content with what you have is the most wise definition we can exude.  Regardless of religion, this is a time of reflection.  Our values.  Rejoicing in peace, family and loved ones is what it should be about.

So, it's time to lift my fingers from the magnetic keyboard that exhausts my brain from stress and levels into enjoyment of what my weekend has in store.  I just may get one or two presents wrapped without the aid of wine, and a good night sleep instead.




Peace, harmony, love and the spirit of the Holidays are yours to be inspired by.

Shaken' Stevens "Echoes of Merry Christmas"

Music source:   The UK's Telegraph  asking what are the all time favorite Christmas songs of all time with my top favorites:

The self-described "Queen of Christmas" Mariah Carey

Can you even remember this one?  If not, you're too young and I'll have one for you in a minute:

The first real HIPSTERS: WHAM!

A timeless classic by Bing Crosby: White Christmas

What newcomers will bring forward this season's good tidings:

Justin Bieber's take on Christmas with "Mistletoe" came out in 2011.

"Mistletoe" by Justin Bieber came out in 2011.

This just came out this year (music only) "Home this Christmas"

TGIF Friday can sometimes be lonely on a dark snow covered road

I love Fridays, and actually, I get to experience

one again tomorrow. You see, I've been working

shift work for the first time in my life, going on

two years .......

One who works any 7 day of the week and any 

morning, afternoon or evening or a combination

of any of them all. There is nothing more

wholesome and rewarding as Friday.

A tradition we start in our teens, move into our

dating years, into our children's lives and all 

back again. Most important, in all of those 

memories are the friends we hold dear. 

Yes, I mean you. One who thinks to reach out

every single day. Perhaps for some that is their

brightness for their day. You bring that to

people, the world, and so much more. If you

don't. You should.

I drove along the lonely road

exhaust falling behind as hazy residue

The snow covering winter's total darkness

from light

The city behind with failing from sight

I had a talk with myself in my mind asking: 

are you living the life you designed?

Well, no, my honest voice spoke

Not out loud, for others to vote

It shows in your face when looking down

A slight crease, warding off forming a frown

The music in the background drowned out by the

whop whop whop of the wipers

You realize you've been gripping the wheel so

tightly as though fleeing vipers

Suddenly your grip loosens up ad your chin rises

Your eyes open wider in rejoicements to see

you've arrived at you journey's end without

hitting a tree

The radio's music tempo on the radio reacts

with an upbeat change -even if it is only

snow within eye's range.

You wanted to drive to dispell the worry and conquer the fear

To master the feelings that linger near

So take a drive in sleet and rain

Out of the city lights to clear your brain

Not realizing it as the symbol it was

Daily we face limitations clouded in fuzz

The gift that you strive forward to is 

a new appreciation of facing your fears

Like the miles on the snow ridden highway 

with music's melodic soothing

To hip hop lyrics, guitar strings beats it brings.

Startling us back to the light we should focus on

Appreciate life even on abandoned roads

Forget about work, life's worries, those fears

Instead, reflect upon nice acts of kindness

There is always someone not waiting, nor hoping

for a kind hand to reach out

That may be who you needed to remember as,

for and being about.

 

Your gift is wrapped, even with a bow,

Who it is waiting for, may never know

 

While the whole world may wonder

how you found the calmness you glow

It is for you, about you, the forgiving you,

the worries bursting with warm memories

How odd that it is. All day long, every day, we

see those we know, meet and care about 

Not ones we end up staking our lives, intentions

clouded by being part of a crew.

Forgetting to realize how important we are too.

Wanting to be close to that important crew

It is with caring and optimism that allows gratitude to renew

Written by Jeannette Marshall

BLING it on ....

Diamonds are a girls best friend.

Ok fellas, soon it will be Christmas and are you going to be one of those sheepish men out on its eve, madly swirling around the cosmetic counters, prey to the stylish babes who are ready to squirt perfume on you, shellshock you with all the choices, then twirl some ribbon around your gift? ... then voila!  You're good to go for another year.

Allow me to be bold for the babe in your life and give you a big hint:  ladies love bling.   Now, not many, and not even a few could afford this diamond but in her eyes, any bling says to her, from you, that you GET her.  Well, you've got her and likely a diamond is nestled on her finger with the band that signifies LIFE together, forever.

Before you start groaning.  Don't be so stubborn.  You have almost 20 whole days to startle your lady with something that reflects the sparkles in her eyes when you buy her something that shines, saying:  "I love you" every time she wears her new gift.  Right?

Don't start sweating and start running away.  I'm not going to drill you on whether your last minute purchase is really about the beautiful hotness convincing you that this is the perfume that your lady would love.  Just remember, she'll love it because it is from YOU, her man, her main squeeze, the hunkster husband.  A perfume ensemble is going to set you forward $150-$200.

You probably grumble that she has wayyyyy to many purses, you couldn't possible choose one that she would adore.  Think again.   How could she possible think anything but love (especially if you know the "IN" names in bags these days):

Voeevodd Reg.$277 Sale $80.88 (71% off)

Deck her out in style with a complete ensemble that will warm her up in more ways than one.  This can be found with the right name on it:  COACH.  The latest "shearling look" will communicate to the world that lady is in touch with the latest trends.

IF you do consider

going with COACH crossover, these boots are so adorable when enhanced by the "shearling" cuff.

Before you have a heart attack when Tiffany comes up, remember, there's a staple necklace, that anyone would adore, at around $392. Cdn, it won't set you back as much as you think.

If on the day of Christmas you want her to sing: "my true love gave to me" think this amazing set of tanzanite which is the NEW diamond every gal should have in a collection:

The Seleste Collection will set you back more than a pretty penny.  The pendant is $5,500, the earrings $8,800 and the ring $4,100.  

For almost $20,000 it SHOULD be a gal's dream come true.

Now that you've had a mild stroke and the sweat is pooling off your brow, it is time to settle down and consider some lovely fashion jewellery that can cause a stir with your good taste.

I found a great location in a Farmer's Market locally that was selling genuine Blue Topaz pendants. Forget about hinting at Tiffany's first.   There are plenty of reputable jewellers like People's Jewellers in Canada who had this moderately priced at  $229.  Not really my style, but I wouldn't complain ... if there were matching earrings.  Just kidding ...... um sort of.

Their enticing words

were:

Offer her your heart and say, "I love you." A gracefully looping 10K white gold ribbon gently suspends the heart-shaped 12.0mm blue topaz featured in this charming pendant. The soft and serene blue hues sparkle beautifully with six brilliant diamond accents. Delicately suspended, the pendant rests on a rope chain 17.0 inches in length with a spring-ring clasp. Make her December birthday unforgettable with the gift of blue topaz birthstone jewellery.

There are lots of pretty and funky jewellery around 

to suit versatile tastes.  

Some fellows may have a greater

challenge to impress with 

those having ladies that don't

usually wear jewellery.  I'd

suggest a dainty gold one in

that case.

You can't go wrong with an extra long one either.  They're popular with the young or older set, adding charm to a casual ensemble or a business blouse.

Not everyone inherits their grandmother's pearls, so you could start your own heritage.

Well, that should kick start things for you.  There is plenty of time still to buy online and most places will ship for free.  If not, there are enough choices out there that you can bypass the ones that don't.  Don't underestimate sites like Amazon.com to have everything that you can dream up all in the same place.  Think of a bestselling book -- or even an adult coloring book.    You could always ask if they provide gift wrapping and you'd have it made .... long before Christmas Eve with all the other schmucks who haven't realized that online shopping is a time saver with a lot of ideas, even if they're not diamonds, at your fingertips.  Just DON'T fall for buying her a gadget -- that is what YOU like.