Before the end of 2012 I thought I'd try and squeeze in a SECOND blog entry during the year. My excuse for lack of more blog entries is the usual: having four sons. I am constantly in search of new holiday traditions for their sake, to make their Christmas memories more meaningful. Take my own traditions, for instance. "Traditional"? Maybe not. "Meaningful"? Absolutely.
I wear tights. And I don't mean leggings (though my friend had an awkward situation where a woman she saw at the bank was wearing tights as if they were leggings, short shirt and all - but that's a different conversation all together). I mean tights. I used to wear stockings all the time when I was in sales and had to wear a suit, but that was 11 years and four children ago. Now I just reserve the opportunity to once a year to treat my thighs and legs like ground pork and force them into cotton/polyester casings that make them look sausage-like. All for the holidays. This year I attempted to wear the patterned-type of tights, but seeing as it was ribbed I realized too late that the lines are supposed to go STRAIGHT down my legs, not all curvy around the thick parts. Oh well, live and learn (as in "learn to wear a longer skirt next year").
Justin and I watch "While You Were Sleeping". Yes, other more traditional Christmas movies are on the list, but we've been fans of this movie since we were dating. The funny thing is, most people don't know about this Sandra Bullock film from 1995. But its loveable main character and message about the importance of family actually make it our favorite movie of all time. It's because of this movie that I want Justin to take me to Chicago someday. It's also the reason that the words "Mary mashed them" always crack me up.
I call one of my brothers, or he calls me, not even on Christmas, and not even to greet each other. We try to be the first to call the other upon legitimately hearing "Do They Know It's Christmas?" or "Last Christmas" (and by "legitimately" I mean hearing most of the song and actually paying attention to it). We're both big fans of the 80s and we can't even let it go during the holidays. I think we've been doing this since, well, the 80s. The call goes something like:
"I heard the song."
"Cool. Where are you?"
"At the bank." or "In the car."
... and that's pretty much it. This might be one of my favorite Christmas traditions, but don't tell my brother I said that.
Although I am sure these three nontraditional traditions will still top the list of 2013, there are a handful of things I hope NOT to add to that list. Like "blogged just two times". Or "can't do without 'Home Alone'". Or "became fruitcake's #1 fan".
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
