HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!

Cloudbringer · 12-14-2001, 10:53 PM

Yes, I'm a sentimental person, it's true. I love Christmas time. From my religious standpoint, the reason is obvious! And of course, for me, Christ's birth and the message of peace it brings is my biggest reason for adoring the season.

But here are some other reasons!

I love the smell of pine and balsam boughs and wreaths. Gonna go buy my wreath for the front door this week. [img]smile.gif[/img] And the lighted trees and even the Hannukah minorahs lit in windows.. a sense of festivity and joy is in the air. Oh, yes, frantic shopping and short tempers abound.. but it's the SPIRIT of the time that I like to capture for myself... I watch families out together and smile, see children's eyes grow wide with excitement at the lighted tree or snow falling and remember a time when the world was full of excitement and NEWNESS for me too! ;D

I love wrapping presents and giggling as I do, thinking how the person receiving it will feel and hoping they know a gift is a simple way of saying "I like/love you and hope to bring that smile to your face when you see this". Yes, bows and bangles and ribbons... bring em all on!

I love to bake for friends at the office. The smell of pumpkin pie and poppy seed bread is tantalizing and so reminiscent of days at my grandmother's house when I was younger. She loves to bake too. Shares everything she makes with neighbors and family and friends... what a lovely way to express your feelings for others... to create something and share.

I love to talk to friends and family about our plans and what's decorated and have we all sent our cards yet?! No, mine are in my living room near my recliner.. but I will fill them out.. yes indeed! I'll play Christmas carols and sing along, sending my cats scurrying to quieter corners of my house.. but I'll feel great and smile and think of each person as I address his or her card. And I'll say a little prayer or think a nice thought for each.. and feel so very much a part of LIFE! The connection to others.. what a joyous gift we have there!!!

I love to light up some of my foundation shrubs outside.... the colored lights are a cheery way to come home after a long day at work. They remind me that it may be cold and dreary out, but in my heart it can be warm and happy... I just need to believe!

I wish you all a very happy season, no matter your beliefs, because you are a special bunch of people, my friends and don't ever forget that!

Merry Christmas to all and if you say bah humbug, do it quietly in the night, so the Spirit of Joy can find and fill you before the next day dawns....

Cloudy, feeling nostalgic and warm n' fuzzy

Sazerac · 12-14-2001, 11:10 PM

Bless you for posting this, Cloudy! I was so despondent at all the "Christmas Nazi" posts I've seen here at IW...part of the reason I haven't posted anything here; it's depressing to think that you're the only one who feels a certain way anymore. Maybe it's fashionable among modern circles to "bash Christmas" but I certainly don't feel that way at all, and I'm glad to see others don't as well.

I do enjoy the holiday a lot. I could do without some of the commercialism, of course, but, not having small kids (my wife and I are childless and plan on being so ad infinitum) I haven't had to brave the "mauls" and fight over the latest Harry Potter toy fad, or wrestle with old ladies over the latest bargain. I get the better end of everything about the holiday...the decorations, the excitement, the beauty of the season.

I put up my tree last week. It's a ridiculous old thing; 40 years if it's a day, one of those 1960's space-age aluminum Christmas trees that people used to put under a "color wheel" to illuminate. I have ornaments and lights hung all over it, and it looks somewhat akin to the "Crystalline Entity" from the old Star Trek episodes, but I like it. It brings me joy to see it, and, as gaudy as it is, it still is bright and festive looking.

I enjoy getting little surprises from my colleagues, and giving in return. Next week I'm making a Skor bar cake for them; no one is expecting it. That should go over well for them!

And I love seeing the decorations that others have put out. Last week, my wife and I went to look at the decorations others have done here in Denton. There's one house on the west side of town that has something so neat...an entire Christmas layout with a small working merry-go-round and ferris wheel that seats dolls and teddy bears. These people, who are clearly not rich, find it in their hearts to do something so wonderful like this for others to enjoy. They don't fear vandals or thieves, and others here respect their property and appreciate that wonderful gesture of beauty and love they have rendered in their front lawn. I don't know who these people are, but I got their address and I'm going to send them a postcard telling them how much it meant to my wife and I to see that. People need to know that their efforts are appreciated and loved.

Tomorrow night, my wife and I are going down to Dallas to see the lights there. I expect to see some beautiful ones, but nothing quite as special as that Christmas scene provided for us by those kind people here in Denton.

To close, Yes, I love this season. It may be annoying and tawdry to some, but it brings me and others a great deal of pleasure. To quote Charles Dickens,

"There are a many things from which I may have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say ... Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time when it has come round -- apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that -- as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound to other journeys. And therefore ... though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!"

Blessings,

Cloudbringer · 12-14-2001, 11:18 PM

Hey Saz! Lovely.. sigh.. oh and you reminded me.. I see this house on my way home from work every day.. LOL.. well it's a PINK house set off the highway and they have set it up with lights to look like the end of the house is one HUGE smiling face! LOL.. Blue lights in clusters form the eyes in two upstairs windows, outside they have red lights for a nose and a huge set of clear light strings form a smiley style mouth! LOL Makes ME smile every time I see it... and I think those people have a sense of humor and share it with all of us weary commuters! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Cloudy

Aelia Jusa · 12-14-2001, 11:28 PM

Cloudy, I know exactly how you feel! I love Christmas - the tree, the presents, the family time, carols I've heard a hundred times, even Christmas shopping crowds! And it is depressing to see all these anti-Christmas posts, isn't it Saz? I mean, I see where some people are coming from - the commercialism, the mad buying on credit cards, but Christmas is so much more than that if you just look!

My friends and I went to see the Christmas lights a couple of years ago - the trouble some people go to to make other people happy! And it's funny how Christmas can make you remember your friends - these same friends I went to see the lights with that Christmas I have since seen hardly at all - but then I received a card from one a couple of days ago - now we have plans to catch up after New Year.

Our family will be one less this year - my dad's father, Pop, as we called him, passed away last night, but it's still a special time to get together and remember and share and love.

I can't wait for Christmas - I've put the tree up, Mum and I are wrapping presents on Tuesday, though I still have to get something special for my poodle

Merry Christmas to everyone [img]smile.gif[/img]

Sazerac · 12-14-2001, 11:48 PM

Dear Aelia Jusa,

HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for that!

Cloudbringer · 12-15-2001, 12:03 AM

Aeila! BIG OL' HOLIDAY GREETINGS and a hug for good measure!

The family things oh yes...traditions we grew up with or new things we have started but at any rate they involve others and I think that's wonderful!

That's so nice about your friend sending the card! Reminiscing and enjoying the company of friends.. yes!
THAT is part of the meaning of the holiday for me! Giving thanks for what I have and truly appreciating the little things!

Oh and how do I keep Merlin from climbing the artificial Christmas tree? The age old.. well.. four yr old question! LOL! Merlin being one of my cats.

[img]graemlins/kittynow.gif[/img]

I hope you have a fantastic holiday! Thanks for posting!

Cloudy

Aelia Jusa · 12-15-2001, 12:09 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Cloudbringer:

Oh and how do I keep Merlin from climbing the artificial Christmas tree? The age old.. well.. four yr old question! LOL! Merlin being one of my cats. [img]graemlins/kittynow.gif[/img]

LOL! It's Tuppence's first Christmas this year, she was most surprised when I got out the tree and decorations. She 'helped' of course, and has since run back and forth underneath smacking the one bauble I left at paw-level, lol! [img]graemlins/nicekitty.gif[/img]

Cloudbringer · 12-15-2001, 12:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Aelia Jusa:

LOL! It's Tuppence's first Christmas this year, she was most surprised when I got out the tree and decorations. She 'helped' of course, and has since run back and forth underneath smacking the one bauble I left at paw-level, lol! [img]graemlins/nicekitty.gif[/img]

HAHAHA.. oh yes.. I know that feeling! And it is a smile-maker too! Nothing like a kitty all comfy on the tree skirt whapping the ornaments down! LOL [img]graemlins/kittynow.gif[/img]

Merlin likes to take the whole tree down for a few days so I oblige him and don't decorate it for a while! [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img]

Cloudy

Sazerac · 12-15-2001, 12:14 AM

Oh, man! Cats and Christmas trees! Now dogs don't seem to be affected by the presence of a tree, but a cat...man! LOL

My family had cats all my life. Every Christmas, they'd be so hyper about all the decorations and stuff, even the older ones would start playing with the boxes and bags like they were still kittens. I guess they just love change, you know. We always hang the wooden ornaments on the lower branches, so if they get "batted", no breakage. We have yet to have a cat try to climb the tree, though!

Cheers,

Sazerac · 12-15-2001, 12:18 AM

Cloudy: if you have some essence of ginger-root, you may try sprinkling some around the tree. There's nothing quite like the smell of Ginger at Christmas, and for some reason, it's a cat repellent! [img]graemlins/laugh2.gif[/img]

12-14-2001, 10:53 PM	#1
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	Yes, I'm a sentimental person, it's true. I love Christmas time. From my religious standpoint, the reason is obvious! And of course, for me, Christ's birth and the message of peace it brings is my biggest reason for adoring the season. But here are some other reasons! I love the smell of pine and balsam boughs and wreaths. Gonna go buy my wreath for the front door this week. [img]smile.gif[/img] And the lighted trees and even the Hannukah minorahs lit in windows.. a sense of festivity and joy is in the air. Oh, yes, frantic shopping and short tempers abound.. but it's the SPIRIT of the time that I like to capture for myself... I watch families out together and smile, see children's eyes grow wide with excitement at the lighted tree or snow falling and remember a time when the world was full of excitement and NEWNESS for me too! ;D I love wrapping presents and giggling as I do, thinking how the person receiving it will feel and hoping they know a gift is a simple way of saying "I like/love you and hope to bring that smile to your face when you see this". Yes, bows and bangles and ribbons... bring em all on! I love to bake for friends at the office. The smell of pumpkin pie and poppy seed bread is tantalizing and so reminiscent of days at my grandmother's house when I was younger. She loves to bake too. Shares everything she makes with neighbors and family and friends... what a lovely way to express your feelings for others... to create something and share. I love to talk to friends and family about our plans and what's decorated and have we all sent our cards yet?! No, mine are in my living room near my recliner.. but I will fill them out.. yes indeed! I'll play Christmas carols and sing along, sending my cats scurrying to quieter corners of my house.. but I'll feel great and smile and think of each person as I address his or her card. And I'll say a little prayer or think a nice thought for each.. and feel so very much a part of LIFE! The connection to others.. what a joyous gift we have there!!! I love to light up some of my foundation shrubs outside.... the colored lights are a cheery way to come home after a long day at work. They remind me that it may be cold and dreary out, but in my heart it can be warm and happy... I just need to believe! I wish you all a very happy season, no matter your beliefs, because you are a special bunch of people, my friends and don't ever forget that! Merry Christmas to all and if you say bah humbug, do it quietly in the night, so the Spirit of Joy can find and fill you before the next day dawns.... Cloudy, feeling nostalgic and warm n' fuzzy __________________ "Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace)

12-14-2001, 11:10 PM	#2
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 60 Posts: 7,387	Bless you for posting this, Cloudy! I was so despondent at all the "Christmas Nazi" posts I've seen here at IW...part of the reason I haven't posted anything here; it's depressing to think that you're the only one who feels a certain way anymore. Maybe it's fashionable among modern circles to "bash Christmas" but I certainly don't feel that way at all, and I'm glad to see others don't as well. I do enjoy the holiday a lot. I could do without some of the commercialism, of course, but, not having small kids (my wife and I are childless and plan on being so ad infinitum) I haven't had to brave the "mauls" and fight over the latest Harry Potter toy fad, or wrestle with old ladies over the latest bargain. I get the better end of everything about the holiday...the decorations, the excitement, the beauty of the season. I put up my tree last week. It's a ridiculous old thing; 40 years if it's a day, one of those 1960's space-age aluminum Christmas trees that people used to put under a "color wheel" to illuminate. I have ornaments and lights hung all over it, and it looks somewhat akin to the "Crystalline Entity" from the old Star Trek episodes, but I like it. It brings me joy to see it, and, as gaudy as it is, it still is bright and festive looking. I enjoy getting little surprises from my colleagues, and giving in return. Next week I'm making a Skor bar cake for them; no one is expecting it. That should go over well for them! And I love seeing the decorations that others have put out. Last week, my wife and I went to look at the decorations others have done here in Denton. There's one house on the west side of town that has something so neat...an entire Christmas layout with a small working merry-go-round and ferris wheel that seats dolls and teddy bears. These people, who are clearly not rich, find it in their hearts to do something so wonderful like this for others to enjoy. They don't fear vandals or thieves, and others here respect their property and appreciate that wonderful gesture of beauty and love they have rendered in their front lawn. I don't know who these people are, but I got their address and I'm going to send them a postcard telling them how much it meant to my wife and I to see that. People need to know that their efforts are appreciated and loved. Tomorrow night, my wife and I are going down to Dallas to see the lights there. I expect to see some beautiful ones, but nothing quite as special as that Christmas scene provided for us by those kind people here in Denton. To close, Yes, I love this season. It may be annoying and tawdry to some, but it brings me and others a great deal of pleasure. To quote Charles Dickens, "There are a many things from which I may have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say ... Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time when it has come round -- apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that -- as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound to other journeys. And therefore ... though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!" Blessings, __________________ "And all my days are trances, and all my nightly dreams, Are where thy grey eye glances, and where thy footstep gleams, In what ethereal dances, by what eternal streams..."

12-14-2001, 11:18 PM	#3
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	Hey Saz! Lovely.. sigh.. oh and you reminded me.. I see this house on my way home from work every day.. LOL.. well it's a PINK house set off the highway and they have set it up with lights to look like the end of the house is one HUGE smiling face! LOL.. Blue lights in clusters form the eyes in two upstairs windows, outside they have red lights for a nose and a huge set of clear light strings form a smiley style mouth! LOL Makes ME smile every time I see it... and I think those people have a sense of humor and share it with all of us weary commuters! [img]smile.gif[/img] Cloudy __________________ "Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace)

12-14-2001, 11:28 PM	#4
Aelia Jusa Iron Throne Cult Join Date: August 23, 2001 Location: Brisbane, Australia Age: 42 Posts: 4,867	Cloudy, I know exactly how you feel! I love Christmas - the tree, the presents, the family time, carols I've heard a hundred times, even Christmas shopping crowds! And it is depressing to see all these anti-Christmas posts, isn't it Saz? I mean, I see where some people are coming from - the commercialism, the mad buying on credit cards, but Christmas is so much more than that if you just look! My friends and I went to see the Christmas lights a couple of years ago - the trouble some people go to to make other people happy! And it's funny how Christmas can make you remember your friends - these same friends I went to see the lights with that Christmas I have since seen hardly at all - but then I received a card from one a couple of days ago - now we have plans to catch up after New Year. Our family will be one less this year - my dad's father, Pop, as we called him, passed away last night, but it's still a special time to get together and remember and share and love. I can't wait for Christmas - I've put the tree up, Mum and I are wrapping presents on Tuesday, though I still have to get something special for my poodle Merry Christmas to everyone [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________

12-14-2001, 11:48 PM	#5
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 60 Posts: 7,387	Dear Aelia Jusa, HUGS!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for that! __________________ "And all my days are trances, and all my nightly dreams, Are where thy grey eye glances, and where thy footstep gleams, In what ethereal dances, by what eternal streams..."

12-15-2001, 12:03 AM	#6
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	Aeila! BIG OL' HOLIDAY GREETINGS and a hug for good measure! The family things oh yes...traditions we grew up with or new things we have started but at any rate they involve others and I think that's wonderful! That's so nice about your friend sending the card! Reminiscing and enjoying the company of friends.. yes! THAT is part of the meaning of the holiday for me! Giving thanks for what I have and truly appreciating the little things! Oh and how do I keep Merlin from climbing the artificial Christmas tree? The age old.. well.. four yr old question! LOL! Merlin being one of my cats. [img]graemlins/kittynow.gif[/img] I hope you have a fantastic holiday! Thanks for posting! Cloudy __________________ "Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace)

12-15-2001, 12:09 AM	#7
Aelia Jusa Iron Throne Cult Join Date: August 23, 2001 Location: Brisbane, Australia Age: 42 Posts: 4,867	quote: Originally posted by Cloudbringer: Oh and how do I keep Merlin from climbing the artificial Christmas tree? The age old.. well.. four yr old question! LOL! Merlin being one of my cats. [img]graemlins/kittynow.gif[/img] LOL! It's Tuppence's first Christmas this year, she was most surprised when I got out the tree and decorations. She 'helped' of course, and has since run back and forth underneath smacking the one bauble I left at paw-level, lol! [img]graemlins/nicekitty.gif[/img] __________________

12-15-2001, 12:12 AM	#8
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	quote: Originally posted by Aelia Jusa: LOL! It's Tuppence's first Christmas this year, she was most surprised when I got out the tree and decorations. She 'helped' of course, and has since run back and forth underneath smacking the one bauble I left at paw-level, lol! [img]graemlins/nicekitty.gif[/img] HAHAHA.. oh yes.. I know that feeling! And it is a smile-maker too! Nothing like a kitty all comfy on the tree skirt whapping the ornaments down! LOL [img]graemlins/kittynow.gif[/img] Merlin likes to take the whole tree down for a few days so I oblige him and don't decorate it for a while! [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img] Cloudy __________________ "Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace)

12-15-2001, 12:14 AM	#9
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 60 Posts: 7,387	Oh, man! Cats and Christmas trees! Now dogs don't seem to be affected by the presence of a tree, but a cat...man! LOL My family had cats all my life. Every Christmas, they'd be so hyper about all the decorations and stuff, even the older ones would start playing with the boxes and bags like they were still kittens. I guess they just love change, you know. We always hang the wooden ornaments on the lower branches, so if they get "batted", no breakage. We have yet to have a cat try to climb the tree, though! Cheers, __________________ "And all my days are trances, and all my nightly dreams, Are where thy grey eye glances, and where thy footstep gleams, In what ethereal dances, by what eternal streams..."

12-15-2001, 12:18 AM	#10
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 60 Posts: 7,387	Cloudy: if you have some essence of ginger-root, you may try sprinkling some around the tree. There's nothing quite like the smell of Ginger at Christmas, and for some reason, it's a cat repellent! [img]graemlins/laugh2.gif[/img] __________________ "And all my days are trances, and all my nightly dreams, Are where thy grey eye glances, and where thy footstep gleams, In what ethereal dances, by what eternal streams..."

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