1. Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking.
Christmas stockings were something everyone got; my brother and I had the really big ones that Mom made and everyone else got smaller ones. Mom filed the stockings with everything from lip balm and tic-tacs to socks ad scarves to perfume and nice jewelry. I filled hers and had so much fun working on duplicating that same style of contents but very personal for her, like she did for all of us.
The first Christmas without Mom was hard; she was the Christmas Spirit in our family. I tried to do her job, to fill the stockings, even my own because Tori and Rina weren’t elves yet and Santa had to be properly represented; I had NOT been bad, and create the over spilling tree. I think I did okay. I remember that my meditation time after putting Baby Jesus in the manger on my nativity was long that year with lots of tears. I think I let out everything I’d held in since September that year. But I finally felt closure and a great peace on Christmas morning.
2004 was a little easier because Rina and Tori had become elves. They transitioned from believing, to telling me that Santa didn’t really travel on Christmas Eve; he just told parents what to buy if the kids were good, to embracing that magic joy of giving when you grow up to be a Santa yourself. Alter having gone from kid to elf in one brutal day at school, I was so happy they had such a neat view on that transition!
David and I started with the rule that we only exchanged what fit in our stockings on Christmas morning, but somewhere between gifts that were too big that we really wanted to give and Mom’s influence showing as I put so many packages of candy and fun little things to fill the stocking that even a package of Ferrero Rochers didn’t fit and were under the tree one year, that we’ve opened that up and added a couple gifts when we find them. I like that a few gifts under the tree make the tree look better. Last year when Rina was with us on Christmas day was the best because I got to fill 2 stockings and do a lot of the other old family traditions.
2. How many hours of sleep do you average at night? Is it enough?
5-7 depending on the night. Yes, it’s usually enough. I learned self-hypnosis quite a few years ago, it’s a lot of why I am an EX smoker 22-1/2 years later. Being able to quickly get into a deep sleep was helpful when I finished my degree going to school full time and working 3 part time jobs!
3. If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be?
Pain! The question didn’t say it had yo br something I liked I was giving up!
4. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals?
Um, ahem… If I lived in Kansas City I’d probably follow the Royals, but Toledo is perfect for me because we get the FOX Sports channels for the Reds AND the Tigers!
5. For me, the sound of childhood is__________________.
It’s also one of my favorite springtime sounds; the sound of childhood is the sound of laughing outdoors when a group of kids are at the playground.
6. Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit?
Depends on the fruit cake. Ridley’s Café in Rochester Michigan makes an awesome tea cake with fruit called “It’s A Wonderful Loaf.” Celebration Generation made the BEST Fruit Cake cookies. You can’t order them anymore, but the recipe is here:Fruitcake Cookies
7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end?
Get my baking done. I’m physically having a hard time this year. Before next year I really need a taller kitchen work chair and a stand-up mixer. My arms are just not doing so well with the reaching up or the mixing anymore. The thing is my Christmas baking is my greatest joy at this time of the year and I’ll still do it even if it wears me totally out.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I woke up with an ear-worm and I don’t know WHAT I was dreaming about to but it’s there. I can’t get the old Fritos jingle out of my head!
Munchabuncha munchabuncha munchabuncha munchabuncha Fritos go with lunch…
11 comments:
Going to school and 3 part time jobs!!! Sounds uber crazy!
Well...looks like I'll be singing that jingle all day long in my head, too! Have a terrific Wednesday!
Love that commercial. I had forgotten all about it.
Laughing is what I put for childhood memories too.
Every one should give up "pain". Wouldn't it be wonderful if pain didn't exist.
I love the laughter of children too. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry about your pain. ((HUGS))
Holidays are always bittersweet without the ones we love. Today marks 20 years since my dad passed away. Sometimes it feels like yesterday. I don't know if we ever stop missing our parents.
I haven't heard that jingle in forever so thanks for sharing : )
#4-Ha!
My grandmother made a good fruitcake. She called it a Japanese fruitcake and I liked it much better than the other kind. Love the Christmas transition story---wish I had thought of that years ago. I would love to share it with the lovelies now, if you don't mind!
One of the things I miss about Christmas past - when my kids were small, they would bring their pillows and blankets to wherever the tree was and after much wide-eyed oohing, they would crawl in between the gifts under the tree and go to sleep. Sadly, I never thought to take a photo.
If I could give up one thing it would be mucho pounds. Oh, that would be nice. sighhhhh.
You have a wonderful night, hugs, Edna b.
Holidays are always hard after losing a loved one. This is my family's second Christmas without Granddad, and we all still picture him in a chair, waiting to open presents.
I love, love, LOVE your answer about 'following the Royals'! Of course, I'm a baseball fan. Go figure. And your Stocking answer was so poignant.
I sure hope Katie never becomes an elf. We're having to much fun with the elf on the shelf and breakfast with Santa this coming saturday.
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