Christmas is for shopping....

And the shopping God is everywhere.
Well not really but it is one of those lyrics that tend to stick once you've heard it. Another gem by Matthew Good .

Anyway.. it has been awhile and I do apologies. I have had such a busy few weeks, I have barely even seen my own home. Between work and play it has been a mad crunch.. And here we are Dec 24th and ones thoughts tend to go to Family and tradition and all that 'brewhaha'.

I will be spending yet another year in Holland for the holidays.. it is not that is is terrible, it is just these are not my traditions and even though I have not lived there in many many years not my home.

So many people around me talk about how terrible Christmas is with their families, in-laws cousins etc. So much stress and how terrible spending time is for them. I wish I could spend more time with my family and friends back "home". It would be a treat and a great memory even with all the stress and things happening I love it and would not want it any other way.

Tonight I will be celebrating some kind of tradition that started a few years back, where we have dinner at Jacco's place and maybe play some board games and of course drink. A nice tradition that I look forward to. Tomorrow is the obligatory family gathering, where I have volunteered once again to cook. Which in all honestly keeps the small talk to a minimum, and myself busy in the kitchen and thus time goes much quicker. My extended family are not at all terrible people, mean nasty or otherwise crazed by the holidays, they are just trying so hard to keep everyone happy and I find it quite stressful watching them serve and all that I myself prefer a free for all kind of attitude.
At my parents house tonight in Canada. They will have their traditional open house, and their close friends will drop by, Mom might have baked short bread and maybe Christmas Stoll, if she got around to it, or will do it as people are walking in the door. Dad will have made vats of mulled wine and everyone will squeeze into the living room or hang around the kitchen and be Merry. It is just so relaxed and laid back compared to every other place I have spent Christmas.
The next day, there will be preparations for the dinner as well as stocking opening depending on which kids are home at the time, still a tradition that we love despite the fact that our ages are 29-35. Dinner is the immediate family and perhaps as many cousins, aunts, uncles, adopted children and Scott's that might be in the neighborhood. It always amazes me just how many people can squeeze around our table. Much wine and such will be drunk by all and of course comes the presents.

The last time I was home 4 years ago I had gotten up early (jet lag again) and took the dog for a walk through the clear-cut behind our house... and despite seeing for the first time the destruction of my old playground I saw deer, fresh frost and even new growth coming back through. It was great and I felt blessed to be there. For those of you who will actually get a card from me this year, you will get one with a photo of that morning on it.

So with that. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas no matter where you are in the world. And I hope that 2005 brings at least 1 dream to life that you have always wished for.
All the best!