A New Era

The tree is up and decorations are scattered about. We have a new tree this year thanks to my sister and mom. I was ready to put old Hareld (My daughter named the tree) up but I guess my descriptions of a tree held together with tie straps and kilt pins was more than my family could take. I was looking forward to seeing how many more lights I could get on the old tree. The new one is a georgeous fibre optic. Normally I don't like the fibre optic but this one, the more I stood looking at it the more I really liked it. It has very pretty lines and frosting on the tips. My sister accused me of choosing it for the price and not the tree. (it was a really good deal)

In a rather strange way it feels like an old era is gone. The house has changed looks going from florals to rich deep dark colours and less clutter. Even the tree has less ornaments on it than normal. For the first time the house is done with a little bit of thought rather than mish-mash thrown around because dear old Aunty Whojamicky gave me that stuffed whatjamicallit. I was ruthless and threw out one ornament because it was broken. Hubby was nicely surprised coming home to a house that was not wall to wall Christmas stuff all over. Daughter wasn't too happy with it. Her first comment was the tree needed more ornaments. All in all change has happened and for the better.

Daughter is turning twenty and still wants a chocolate advent calendar. I'm wondering if there is going to be a letter and cookies for Santa sitting out by the fake fire on the tv screen on Christmas Eve next. (We don't have a fireplace and the DVD works quite nicely even if she thinks I'm a dork) She is going through the pains of the threshold of adulthood and searching for her own identity along the way. Its been rough. I am watching as life removes the innocence from her eyes and wishing there was someway I can protect her from losing it. This part of motherhood really sucks.

Normally by now I would have the baking, cards and gifts finished by now. I have never left things so late before. My mother is already stressing over the fact my older sister is having Christmas Eve at her place. I can't be bothered to stress. It takes up way too much energy. It all part of that AF thing. It will all be done...eventually.

Hubby is a little miffed that I won't go up North with him to his parents for Christmas. I just can't see how much fun it would be for me to be handling five dogs with about thirty people around. Not only that, it is the last Christmas with my daughter before she leaves the country as there is no guarentee she will be home again and our budget is not alloting plane tickets abroad at high season prices. Besides, truth be told, I really don't want to go and leave our pretty house behind. I love the warm feeling this house now has.

I got the coolest surprise yesterday. Artist popped by with a card from Scribble. I was so delighted. I have been checking Scribble's site and (I must admit) was very covetess of a nude she is working on. Normally I am not one for nudes but there is something about this one that draws you in and you want to know the story behind the woman. I like the softness of it.

I couldn't believe when I recieved this wonderful card. It's made my week. I showed Hubby the minute he walked through the door I was so excited about. Daughter on the other hand gave me one of her looks and said "Yeah that's cool, but Mom, it's a card." Nothing like children to bring you back to earth. I very patiently explained that it may only be a card to her but to me, somebody was sharing their talents with others and that I given a piece of that talent. Then there was a comment about I was never as excited about the cards she made me. At this point I said, "You were in Grade One and you coloured a snowflake then glued it on to construction paper with the teacher's printing. Some how it just doesn't seem to be the same." This led the conversation to other Christmas delights the teachers tortured the parents with.

It was perfect. The snow gently fell adding to the already white blanket covering our little town. Inside the Christmas tree twinkled while Daughter and I were laughing as more coffee brewed on the stove. The dogs lazed as the sound of a crackling fire warmed the air. So thank you Scribble. Your card will always be treasured as it brought a wonderful gift, precious rare time spent laughing with my daughter and watching her innocence return for that brief moment.