Tag: December

Merry Christmas!

I really do love Christmas. I love the lights, songs, movies, attitudes, and stores. Yeah, really, I love going to the store during Christmas time – maybe not anywhere close to the 25th (I had to go buy groceries today – the 23rd). But I love watching people smile, and shop – I even like watching people frown while shopping because it makes me wonder what has popped their holiday bubble. Are they having trouble shopping for the seven year old nephew that they haven’t seen in three years? Did their spouse ask for something that they really cannot afford, but they really want to see the smile on their face Christmas morning so they buy it anyway and hope for the best? Or are they deliberating whether or not they want to propose to their significant other on Christmas, or wait until a chiller day?

I remember growing up and walking around our small town looking at all of the Christmas lights. It was one of the things I looked forward to. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized people don’t decorate much anymore. I understand that prices have gone up, and it can be a pain to put them up, just to have to take them down a couple months later. But during – everyone has to admit how beautiful they are. I also understand that a lot of people stop decorating the outside once their children move out. But what does that say for the people who have no children that like to decorate outside – like me? But before you ask, no, I didn’t decorate outside. But my reason is simple. I bought a house this year, and with the house came two large pot bellied pigs, who will eat any and everything they can find. I refuse to decorate my yard to get upset when they are destroyed. So I just didn’t.

A lot of people… no… everyone is always telling me how they hate the music and cringe every time they hear it on the radio. I used to sing it at work, for the fun of it, during July. Christmas in July! It’s a thing – not at my job – but somewhere. I’m always told the same thing: I have to wait until AFTER Thanksgiving before I can start in on Christmas music. So every year, I wait. The day after Thanksgiving, you better believe I’m listening to Jingle Bells and Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer.

Movies – I don’t wait. I’m watching Christmas movies throughout the year. It’s my secret addiction, but DUDE! When Christmas time rolls around they quadruple the movies and I’m set for a month. I ALMOST purchased the Hallmark channel app. I didn’t, but almost. I may still do it – who knows, maybe their movies will stay on there after Christmas and into July &&& I can feed my addiction.

Attitudes change a lot during the holiday season. I don’t know if it’s because it’s the holiday season, or if it’s because it’s cooler outside. All I know is people seem happier. Except the Grinches, bah hum bug-er’s, and people who just can’t find reasons to smile. (You know the ones. You smile at them and they give you a look like you’re about to steal their wallet. You say good morning to them and they grind their teeth like you just told them to go to hell. Those people! Nothing you can do will make them smile, be jolly, or even happy – So I have given up. No cracker crumbs on my Gucci jacket just because you’re a miserable old coot. Wait. Does Gucci make jackets?)

Christmas is my season. My part of the year. My comfort zone. I’m the MVP and I’m not passing the award. However, even with that in mind, the most Christmassy people can be in a bah hum bug bubble and right now – that’s where I reside. It’s normally called a funk, but that word is gross, so I passed on it. I have been trying all month to get out of this mood, I just haven’t been able to. However, for the family and the boyfriend I will put on my cheery smile, cook dinner, and watch them open their gifts.

I supposed that is better than canceling Christmas all together, taking the gifts back to the store, and burning my Christmas tree to the ground.

On that note, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I may or may not write again before then so that needs to be said. Don’t forget to eat, rub, dance with, polish, hug, or scream to your good luck charm. (Black Eyed Peas Here) Enjoy your days and your families. Enjoy the laughter, and love. Enjoy life and I’ll be back.

Don’t be a jerk! It’s Christmas!

It is the fourth of December.

December – a month where you’re supposed to be happy.  It’s beginning to get cold – if it isn’t already cold.  (I live in Southern Oklahoma – it’s just beginning to get cold.)  Go out in public with a smile and help people as much as possible.  Sometimes I forget that I don’t live in a pink world with cotton candy trees where people just break out in a musical number at the drop of a dime.  (We can only wish.)

I was slapped in the face tonight with how much of a moron I really am.  I went up to Family Dollar in hopes of finding a cheaper set of headphones because mine aren’t working anymore and I love listening to music when I write.  I parked, wobbled in, and began searching.  Once I found everything I needed (about eight things) I headed to the register.  There were two people in front of me so I just stood to the side a little because they knew I was there, including the cashier.

Apparently, when I’m standing somewhere I tend to bob my head so I was doing that.  (I noticed and stopped.)  Waiting.  I’m a patient person.  Always have been even when I was a child.  I figured if someone is in a bigger hurry than me there is a reason behind it.  I’m never in a hurry.  When I get into a hurry I tend to get flustered and never regain my composure.  It’s easier for everyone in my life if I just take my time.

There I stand in line with my few items waiting.  People get in line and go before me.  Now I’d like to point out, I am 5’3″ but I’m as wide as a barn – you can see me.  I promise.  People were acting as if they couldn’t see me.  They’d look at me and continue on.  Finally it is back down to two people in front of me, I get a little excited because I’m about to leave.  A boy in his teens gets in line, he glances at me, I do my normal “smile and nod my head.”  Nothing.  I shrug it off.  Maybe he thought I like them younger and now totally want to attack him in the store.  Who knows really?

A couple minutes flash by, the lady in front of him had a basket full, overflowing.  I glance around a lot when I’m waiting in line.  I take in the scenery, if you will.  I glanced back over at the kid and now an older woman, possibly in her 40’s, is now standing with him.  Her eyes never leave me.  Yes, she is watching me like a hawk.  I shrug that off.  (I seriously am just that mellow.)

The woman is finishing up her payment and the teen looks over at his mom and gestures toward me.  The mother (remember, she’s in her 40’s talking to her teenager) turns her back to me and proudly exclaims, “If the bitch was in line she would be next.”  Then the mother pushes her son forward, almost bumping into the woman in front of them, and begins putting their stuff on the counter.

First, I’d like to say that I have very good hearing.  I can honestly hear people whispering in a loud room.

Two, it takes a lot to piss me off.  I just don’t see the point in being angry, at anything.

Three, that 40 year old mother of a teenager is a prime example of why teenagers now days need a good swift kick to the teeth.  Because their parents, who they look up to, don’t teach them right & wrong.

Four, that mother angered me.  I cussed to myself all the way to my car.  Through the drive home.  To my sister-in-law as I was dropping off the stuff for her.  All the way across the street.  To updating my Facebook status.  And now, I’m still complaining.

You’re supposed to teach your children how to be respectful.  If you have a basket full of stuff, someone has eight, you’re supposed to teach them that it’s okay to let them go first.  But no.  This woman will raise that teenager to be the type of person who is walking through Wal-Mart, someone ACCIDENTALLY bumps into him, and he punches them in the eye followed by some horrible language and a screaming match where he is eventually arrested.

Good luck in the world, young man.  I wish you luck.

(Side note, this was written by a 26 year old.  Goes to show just how much parents have changed in a few years.)