In your family, who does the shopping? Who wraps? Who is the BEST gift-buyer? Who is the worst? (Ok, rhetorical, do not list them here.) In my family, I shop, I wrap...(beautifully, I LOVE wrapping!) And I make: cards, crafts, ornaments, and food gifts. I sense an imbalance in the Christmas atmosphere. I am also the family diplomat, photographer, counselor, chef, and pastor. It seems like a lot of responsibility for a cynical, sarcastic, ex-potty-mouthed, ex-wrestling bartender.
Ok, so I do love and serve Jesus. Ok, so I am a bit creative, culinary, and love CHRIST-mas. Ok, so I am a big sentimental sap about Christmas. I'm sure you could conclude that I invite these yearly responsibilities.
Ok, nothing brilliant to say to that. You'd be right. So, that be said, these are a few of my favorite AND (no ILYLD blog would be complete without) my UN-favorite things....
Favorite gift: Many, many to choose from...Clown Marionette from my dad the last Christmas we were together. Beautiful. Fun. He knew what I love. And I freakin' LOVE my sweet clown puppet. Do not DARE say anything....I will shank you.
Worst gift: Matching Elephant candleholders and clock. (Have you MET me?) However, my worst gift, not THE worst gift. My friend "Annabelle" (not her real name) once got a gift of Garage Sale underwear for Christmas with the 25 cent stickers still on them. Winner.
Best gift I ever gave: Hand drawn portrait of my father at age 20 in his dress blues on the Washington DCPD. He had the photo I drew it from made for my mom when they were dating. He cried. (I never saw him cry before.) This was the last Christmas we were together. God knew. I didn't know. (Miss you JR, SO much.)
Worst gift I ever gave: None. I rock at gifts.
Best Christmas story, recent: Rex discovered his love for gifts. Tree set up, presents under, several days before Christmas. Rex "opens" all presents under the tree in gift bags. John thanks me for the new batch of socks, I scold John for "peeking", John informs me that he got home from work and new socks were strewn all over the living room, tissue paper and bags everywhere.
Best Christmas story, past: Johnny, "Mommy, won't Santa get tired of all those cookies? We should make him a big sandwich!" Good thinking, little J! Runner-up in this catagory: my first Christmas at Saddleback! Awesome!!!
Favorite Christmas CD: Charlie Brown Christmas, Vince Guaraldi Trio.
Christmas Music hate: All the crappy Muzak in stores.
Favorite Christmas food: Mom's cashew brittle. (Mom? Do you even read my blog?)
Worst Christmas food: Goose. JK, never had it or would have it. Just sounds funny. Universal worst Christmas food is obviously Meat Pops from Hickory Farms.
Favorite Christmas decoration, year after year: There are so many, but the hands down winner is my stocking. My mom made it for me when I was about 7. It is beautiful. She has made LOTS since then, but mine is the best! (Mom, seriously, you need to read my blog....) In case my brother is reading, MY STOCKING IS THE BEST.
Respond with your favorites and UN-favorites. Misch and I wish you a blessed and Merry Christmas. May the Lord revive and invigorate your generosity, grace, and humor this Christmas season!
Happy Birthday Jesus!
just Dawn
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I do have to share my favorite Christmas comic strip: Calvin & Hobbes, with Calvin talking about leaving out milk and cookies and his father saying, "What Santa would really like is a cold beer." Hard to top the Vince Guaraldi Trio, but I have to say a word for a bluegrass number, Bill Monroe's "Christmas Time's A-Comin'," and, more prominently, Bing Crosby singing "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Also check out Tom Lehrer's Christmas song for a great take on what's wrong with so many people.
ReplyDeleteHeh heh. "Meat pops."
ReplyDeleteAnd you know my feelings on marionettes (unexplainable fascination with them), but others may not be so understanding. Especially the fact that it's a clown. Creepy?
Here is where I included our conversation about this post:
Michelle: EX-potty mouth?
Dawn: Well, it's more like a restroom mouth now.
Michelle: Yeah, like a bidet mouth. More sophisticated.
I happen to be a fan of meat pops. They bring back childhood memories.
ReplyDelete