Christmasy Random Dozen

Go see Linda @ 2nd Cup to join in the fun!


1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss.

I have never eaten gingerbread, and have only seen it used as a tree ornament. They look cute, so I guess I'll say I'm for them.

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family?
In an ideal world, yes I'd love to be really close to my parents, all my siblings and their families. We live close to Jay's parents because Jay and his dad farm together. I'm hoping that as my kids graduate from college, they will find jobs close by, but...it'll depend on the economy.

3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed?

I'd have to say the Grinch's dog "Max". I can remember when I was younger, I would get so mad that this poor tiny dog had to try to pull that giant sleigh, while the Grinch snapped the whip. I wanted to jump into the tv and save him. Guess that should have been a sign of things to come for me, since I now have rescue dogs. LOL

4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life?

I don't know that there is one about a pre-menopausal woman who also has what they call "Fibro Fog", which means she doesn't remember to write down any gifts she buys and therefore buys more...and when she goes to wrap gifts, she can't remember who she got certain items for...and who is so excited for Christmas to come because she already can't remember what's wrapped under the tree, so it's going to be a surprise on Christmas morning for her too. I don't know if there is a movie like that, but I'm sure it'd be Oscar worthy if there were.

5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of?

Oh Holy Night (Josh Grobin)
My Grown Up Christmas List (Natalie Cole)
A Baby Changes Everything (Faith Hill)
those are my top favorites right now. My Bottom 3 are:
Any classic Christmas song that has been "rocked out"
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
Christmas In Iowa
This last one is really a great song, about why they like being in Iowa over Christmas time, but since I am in Iowa, they play it all - the - time. I get to the point where am like 'Seriously, give it a rest already'.

6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime?

We always adopt a family at Christmas time. One year on Christmas Eve we drove to town and quietly put the boxes outside the front door at the family's house. Ashley & Chelsea knocked on the door really loudly and then ran as fast as they could to where we were parked about a block away. Thankfully it was dark out, and we couldn't be seen because we got to see the Mother open the door and see the boxes. She yelled and the kids came running. All were so excited and the kids were jumping up and down. You could have heard a pin drop in our van, not one of our kids moved a muscle or said a word. I'm so glad they got to actually see what a difference they made.

7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?"

If it's a small space, I can understand that it can be hard to fit the word "Christmas" there, so seeing Xmas there doesn't bother me. However, it makes my daughters C-R-A-Z-Y! lol I just recently saw a local commercial and at the end the owners said "Happy Hannukah" and it didn't offend me at all, just as my saying Merry Christmas shouldn't be seen as offensive.

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month?

Two - one at our Church and my son's school concert (this Friday evening).

9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality?

NO! However, since we have over a foot of that yucky stuff on the ground, I'm guessing it's a pretty good reality. :-/

10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice.

It's really hard for me to remember back and know if what I got was for Christmas, or for my birthday since they are close together. I remember getting a "Peggy Pen Pal" doll one year and loved her. A bar attached her pencil to your pencil and therefore she'd write or draw whatever you did. I still have that doll. :)

11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month?

Other than family get-togethers, and 2 birthday parties, we won't be attending any other parties this month.

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas?

We have a couple of traditions that help with that. Each year we make a birthday cake for Jesus and we eat it on Christmas day. When we set the table for our meal, we set an extra table setting for Jesus. That is His special spot on His special day, and we set a piece of birthday cake there while we eat. We also sing "Happy Birthday" to Him. I think my collection of Nativity sets helps us all as well. Every room you go into there is a Nativity set to remind you of the real reason for the season.

Great questions Linda...as always!