This is easily one of the strangest Decembers that I can remember. While I'm sure most of the strange feeling can be attributed to growing up and seeing the holidays in a different light, the strangest part of all is knowing I won't be with my parents and sister on December 25. There's only one other Christmas day I can remember not being with them and that was 2005 when I was visiting Australia. That year was strange in its own ways, but being as far away on the globe as is possible gave the experience its own sort of importance, especially as I was just coming into my own as an adult. Now, they are just in Florida and I in Wisconsin, so it feels so strange to know that even though they are not that far away that they are still out of reach.
Shopping was also an interesting experience. We are typically very good at setting budgets and sticking to them, but I suddenly found myself with a much smaller income than planned. A couple weeks ago I got quite sick and could not go to work lest I pass it on to the kids. I was extremely fortunate that Rivers was still in town and covered for me, and I know she didn't mind the extra income, but it left me scrambling to slash my gift and grocery budgets to fit my adjusted income. The adjusted budget actually helped me return to one of my loves - thrift shopping! I managed to find perfect gifts for four people on my list that way, including a certain board game that had never been played for just $2 versus buying from a big box for $25.
I am still excited to spend the holidays with my in-laws, and we've already had a wonderful time with Dankos' family and our annual Candy Cane Lane tradition. Yet I think I will be at least a little less stressed when we arrive in Cedar Mountain post-Christmas to see my grandmother, Mamu, and many of my extended family. I'm spending today wrapping, laundering, packing, and last minute gift creating. Back to the grind!
