Snowmagedden and the flakes

January 23, 2016January 23, 2016 ~ gracelessnessover40 ~ 1 Comment

Much like the rest of the country, the snow fell yesterday in Alabama. I am sure in some parts it’s still snowing on and off.

It was somewhat surprising in that it came sooner than projected, but the temperature yesterday morning was 51where I reside in central Alabama. It dropped about 11 degrees in 3 hours and folks lost their minds. I had pulled up school closings on my phone when I got up around 6 AM to keep a look at. Around 11 the schools were posting they were closing at 1. I was planning on working but Mother Nature and Murphy had other plans for me and many other folks.

Most of the morning was just misty and rainy. The temps were dropping but nothing to be concerned with. Yet I saw people driving erratically and the stores were packed. Around here, other than a bit of icy patches, there isn’t anything to worry about. I wonder if all those folks ate all their food yet. I am so amused that people feel the need to go buy extras for the “storm” that is going to last, at most, 2 days before we are back to a bit warmer weather.

Some areas actually had reason to be concerned and get home. However the area where I live was, as projected, spotty as to even getting mere dusting. Some areas got an inch or so while others got barely dusted. My neighborhood got about an inch and since it was wet, icy spots. The boy got to play in the snow on the porch. He was hoping to wake to snow to play in today but I’m afraid he will be sadly disappointed as it is just going to be ice and slush in our area. And really freaking cold! But by Monday we should be back in the 50’s again. Gotta love Alabama weather! I may get to wear flip flops next weekend!

I hope wherever you are that you are safe, warm and happy. If you got snow, I hope you get to enjoy the beauty of it without the ick.

Always remember to keep hope alive! The boy is trying in hopes of getting lots of snow to play in. Preferably on a school day!

Have a fabulous day!

The potential for Snowmagedden in Alabama and the maos of it all

January 22, 2016January 22, 2016 ~ gracelessnessover40 ~ Leave a comment

A snowflake threatens to fall in Alabama and the markets runs out of milk and bread. Seriously. After moving around the country and living in a state where snow and ice were “just another part of winter”, I get why people here lose their mind when the word snow is mentioned.

2 years ago, parts of Alabama were hit by a crippling snow storm as was parts of Georgia. People were stranded in their car from 2 hours up to nearly 24 hours. My family was scattered around the city and only my brother made it home that night 6 hours after he left his office usually a 20 minute ride. My parents got a room at the hospital and my then-pregnant sister-in-law spent the night at the school. I can’t even imagine.

A large part of the problem is the state is not prepared for a winter storm of that magnitude. Not only are they not prepared for a storm of that magnitude, but they don’t have the equipment to treat the roads nor the human power. Another part is no one is God, so predicting the weather can be tricky.

Being a weather geek, I have been closely watching the weather and according to all sites, we are due for a bit of bad weather here. Although, in my local area, there is only maybe an estimated inch of snow that we will have and it should all be gone by Saturday. Probably. However, models and projections say it could impact the state on a larger scale if certain weather patterns collide. This would bring Alabama Snowpocalypse 2016 to central Alabama. We will be screwed. Hence the run on bread, milk and water. Personally, I already had milk as the kid drinks gallons of it, but picked up more bottled water, we go through it anyway, and a few bottles of wine. I will stop again today to deal with the mob because we are out of freaking broccoli and pomegranate juice. Don’t judge I am weird about my juice and the kid is weird about his vegetables! I also need to pickup icecream which is also weird but I was planning to do it before I learned of the complete maos that will be tomorrow due to the potential snow storm. Blessed sweet Pete I just love it when folks lose their minds over what-ifs! They obviously weren’t paying attention to ground temperatures before and models and projections for after said event either or they wouldn’t buy up all the groceries some of us just need but they bought for the next month… they can always use the excess for Super Bowl parties I guess!

I am hoping to take the boy to the science center tomorrow, however the worst is supposed to hit tonight and early in the morning. I had to let him know that we may not be able to go but he was comforted with the fact we will play in the snow if we can’t go out. He still remembers living in Tennessee and getting iced in where we lived. He’s only bummed because it won’t happen on a school day but if we get snow, it will be fun no matter what day it is. Ah the flexibility of the young! Finding the joy in the small things that make some adults flip out and often over-react!

Honestly my biggest concern is if we do get snow and ice, the people that rely on others to come in and care for them may not have anyone that can get to them or that would be willing to stay with them. I thought about making sure they were somewhere safe. I considered finding chains for the Blue Bunny, my Jeep, but she isn’t in the best shape and that Murphy dude and his laws seem to race to change my plans… probably not the best plan but my heart is there! I’m sure I will be knee deep in making sure folks are taken care of once I get into the office.

Like I said, we aren’t prepared for snow and ice. People here don’t drive well in bad weather. *ahem* I have had people call out when it is raining hard and I can only imagine what the phones will be like this afternoon and tomorrow. Y’all send up a prayer I am not on call this weekend ‘cause I am not sure I could take the stress!

For those of y’all really getting pounded by Winter Storm Jonas (I just learned they named winter storms and I am a geek so there’s my info for today kids) my thoughts and prayers that you get through safe and warm! For those facing it, brace yourselves, stock up on necessities and booze (if you like or whatever gets you though!) and ride it out with those you love. Pay attention to your local news stations and for the love of Pete don’t go out in the madness unless you have to!

Enjoy that nature is saying, “Just stop and slow down”. And don’t forget to check on friends and neighbors, especially those who may live alone, are elderly, frail or just need to know that someone cares!

Keep hope alive for a fabulous Friday!

Lady Maos

I write…

January 21, 2016January 21, 2016 ~ gracelessnessover40 ~ 9 Comments

I have been writing since I was 3. I was around 5 when I started writing in journals, so for about 40 years I have been writing down my feelings. Even when my feelings consisted of getting Barbie’s dream house and flying a rocket ship while being a veterinarian. What?! I had big dreams. I may not have gotten the Barbie dream home, rocket ship or become a vet, however, I have never stopped writing. I have written some pretty crazy things… short stories, love notes, articles, poems, letters, papers. I still have journals from when I was a child.

People ask me what I was thinking about or if I was talking about so & so. Sometimes I have a specific subject in mind but other times I pull from so many sources – mine, friends, family and those that I have heard or read about.

Since starting my blog it has proven to be a challenge to write daily. Add to it when I write on a personal level or say something and some people thinks it’s about them, someone else or that something is “wrong”.

It can get quite irritating to get the “I know this was about me” or “Why would you write about that? It’s too personal.”

I write so much from my soul. I can write about almost anything. I can’t Not write. Now that I have my blog it gives me an avenue to let it out. Sometimes I think if I don’t get it out, then I will blow up or lose my mind even further!

There are times I feel that no matter what I write, I will get some sort of negative feedback. I am realizing I can’t please everyone. I can’t even come close to trying. This, I am learning, is where I stop apologizing and keep writing how I feel.

For the most part, I write after I hear, experience, or learn about things. Sometimes, though, I write during an experience to get through it. I may use it in my blogs. I do have pieces that may or may not get posted and others that I wrote to keep my sanity. Those pieces may never be read by anyone but I had to write them in order to get past something or get my feelings out.

I have been asked why I don’t just publish or post certain pieces. Just because I write and have a blog doesn’t mean I share every part of who I am and every thought that goes through my head. Honestly I think I would be committed if every thought, every word I wrote was put out there to be read and scrutinized and picked apart. I could use a few days at a spa, one with padded cells in not what I am going for!

Everyone has their own way of dealing with things and mine happens to be writing. Just because I put it in my journal doesn’t mean I wrote it for everyone. My journals are mine. They are private. Everyone who knows me knows that. It isn’t for anyone but me. I get so much out of going back and re-reading how I was thinking or feeling in my life. It’s like I downloaded my thoughts and emotions and I can go back and remember exactly how I felt. I may share a part of it, but for anyone to go open my journal and read it would be like me walking into someone’s home and going through their things without permission. I have seriously flipped on the 2 occasions it’s happened in my life.

Even the boy knows those are off limits. It wasn’t even something he went back to and asked again. I told him once, “No, those are mommy’s and you are welcome to have your own journal or diary to write your feelings in. I promise I won’t read it.” Of course he’s 5 and he shows me every little thing so it isn’t private for him. Oh if only it would stay that way! But he has not yet asked again if he could look at them or write in them.

I guess I write because it’s such a part of me. I write because I feel compelled to do so. I write to share, entertain and try to keep a bit of myself sane.

I write and I keep hope alive. Always.

Genderless toy aisles, George Carlin and raising my boy

January 13, 2016January 13, 2016 ~ gracelessnessover40 ~ Leave a comment

It seems lately George Carlin is running back through my head again. I like remembering George and all of his rants and insights.

I loved his creativity of being able to convey and articulate his thoughts and views into monologues that were not only hysterically funny, but also made you think.

So often now we have everyone being politically correct so they don’t “offend” groups of people. I understand that some PC is needed; however it really gets out of hand for some things.

A perfect example, in my humble opinion, is the “genderless” toy aisles at Target. No more pink and blue to” jump” out at you as to make you go to one aisle or the other. Now you just wander up and down the aisles looking for that certain toy. I do wonder if they are going to just put a bland background as I still see all the pink Barbie stuff and the My Little Pony sets aren’t exactly oozing with “gender neutral” colors. Neither are the Ninja Turtles or Jurassic World toys. I have to wonder does it really matter?

My son who is 5 and very much a boy will sometimes, when I let him in the toy department, cruise up and down all of the isles of toys as he wants to see what there is. He often stops at the Doc McStuffins section as he loves the show and I have no problem with him imagining being a vet or doctor. It does not matter to me that Doc McStuffins is a girl or that the majority of the toys are pink and it doesn’t matter to him either. We look at everything including the little kid toys. We talk about what he likes and what you

We wander down most of the aisles when I allow him to go into that department. Seriously, when we go to a super Target or if I have to go to Walmart instead of the local grocer, there is no going to check out the toy department unless there is extra time, and there is an agreement sealed in blood that he will not ask for Anything. Period, nothing, nada.

Life is challenging enough and he has to learn you don’t get a treat just for going into a store that sells toys. I don’t get a treat for going to get the basics.

Not to say we don’t have fun or I don’t give him a “treat”,

Here, hold your go-gurt and be happy! Oh look, the good string cheese! You can totally hold that whilst we cruise the store to get the things we need.

We have wants and we have needs.

We do not need a toy. We need milk and cheese. Sometimes we need ice cream so we have that stocked too. It doesn’t mean that he gets ice cream all the time either, or popcorn. Yes we have it if needed, sometimes as a dessert and sometimes just because we want it.

Maybe I see things differently now because of him. I have always tried to be aware of how others are and be considerate of others without leaving out who I am. I admit I now tone myself down a bit. Just a tish, but not too much.

He watches me and studies how I react and view things. It’s kind of freaky and I am still in shock they just let me take him home after I had him. “Here you go! Have fun with him and try not to screw him up too bad!” No manual or instructions. It isn’t easy but it’s worth every second.

I guess that’s why teaching him empathy and compassion are top priority for me. Along with a dash of sarcasm and how to handle it when life isn’t as fabulous as we would like it to be. And always about love. No matter what.

As far as being PC, we will just have to see what the situation is.

And for me, I am always keeping hope alive!

Monday memories and the national championship game… Roll Tide

January 11, 2016January 11, 2016 ~ gracelessnessover40 ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to a fabulous Monday!

I made it through a fabulous weekend and I got to visit with my family/friends over in Georgia and road trip with the boy. We used to road trip all the time but it seems as he gets older I haven’t done as many trips and we have really missed it. The shorter trips are much easier than the 4 plus hour trips and quite entertaining.

I was also on call for work, which of course I got more calls than expected so things were a bit off, but part of the joy of road tripping and visiting with this part of our “family” as there isn’t any schedule.

If I had to take a call, someone else was instantly mouthing, “I will watch the boy” so I could safely walk away and take care of work. It was refreshing as I never knew what I would walk back into!

Of course the boy can charm them all, and he thinks he knows all the tricks, but he is our “later in life” kid in the group so everyone treats them like their own but has a bit more patience and tends to indulge him. You want to eat that candy or those chips? Here ya go. You want to watch alien videos until your eyes bleed? Here’s an iPad enjoy dude. Bedtime? Nothing close to our normal “schedule.” Sometimes you really just have to let it go and have fun. Being loved on and licked by puppies is not too bad at all and watching the boy and the dogs play was just funny!

He had the time of his life and can’t wait to go back. It isn’t just the presents either! HA though the tiny toys and the at least 3-people-can-fit-inside space module cardboard was a hit, he loved just being around people like his mama who he can pretty much say anything he is thinking and won’t get “in trouble” if it’s out of line. He will be told how to properly say things and context but not scolded unless he has a full on fit as he’s too big for that madness now. When he did have a “moment’ he quickly changed his attitude as he loves being around everyone so much and playing with all the dogs, being alien/zombie hunters and musicians.

But today it’s back to work for me and school for him.

Then tonight, it is game on. Yes, I am one of “those” people. I love football and my college team, the Alabama Crimson Tide is playing the Clemson Tigers tonight for the National Championships! I am a wee bit excited!

I am of the ilk as the one who plays the best will win. I don’t get into all of the predictions and that madness. I do have a few items of clothing I wear and little “keep hope alive! We’re gonna win” mantras I do and say but I try not to be too out there! Any more than I already am out there!

Think happy, creative thoughts and Keep Hope Alive!

And if you feel like it, send a few good vibes and Roll Tides our way! You can never have too much hope nor too many good thoughts!

ROLL TIDE!

What a fabulously strange trip it is!

January 9, 2016January 8, 2016 ~ gracelessnessover40 ~ 1 Comment

Sometimes you just need a road trip on this journey of life.

For me, I need to recharge and refuel and I love taking the boy with me when I can. Something about driving and the sound of the tires on the pavement, sometimes conversation or not, maybe a bit of music or at times even the silence just soothes us both. I love that he shares this with me as sometimes I need to just go. As he is an extension of me, I do love taking him and seeing life through his eyes.

This weekend the boy and I are taking a mini road trip to visit my hos his aunties and the boy is beyond excited.

I mean the kid had a pretty fabulous Christmas break with family, fun, gifts, food, late nights, Star Wars and all kinds of great things that he has talked non-stop about since the holidays.

However, Monday I told him we were going to visit the aunties in the ATL and he about lost his mind! He has literally counted down the days and asked if tomorrow is the day. He is so geeked to go that Wednesday night when he went back to karate and they asked him what was one of the best things that happened over the holidays or what gift did you love or family time, etc. my child responds. “I’m going to see my auntie Juuuuudiiiii in Atlanta and it’s always a ParTeeeeee!!!!!” Parents looked over at me and I just smiled as I am trying to explain, in whispers, to his other grandmother what he was talking about.

In his excitement of going he shares bits and pieces of his thoughts with others. Like his mother, he may sound a little crazy. (Hey, I admit my crazy!)

Case in point, “Auntie Juuuuuudi’s house is like Disneyland. I never been there, to Disneyland, before but I know it’s way awesome so her house is like that! With lots of dogs and drums and movies and toys and food! They always play with me there. They like me over there. Yeah, it’s cause I’m cute too, but I love them and they love me. Plus Auntie Rex always gets me gifts and I love her and we stay at her house cause there’s too many puppies, like that song you sing mommy, at auntie Juuuudiiii’s and auntie Jodi will die if we stay there cause I may be stinky or like that phoid mary lady that brings death if the wind blows wrong. Auntie Rex has cute puppies but only 2 and she has tiny little things she lets me Touch!” That is all pretty much said in about 2 breaths and he’s grinning from ear to ear. It also makes it sound a bit bizarre to anyone not knowing our friends. The boy talking about being in the Dark Army. Yeah, good times! Just not as easy to explain to some people who have no humor or maybe morals, I don’t know. Hasn’t messed him up yet!

I know that those girls love me no matter what is going on. That they love my boy I have no question. They went through so many of my life challenges with me and they know what a miracle he is. Because 2 out of 4, now 5 plus, have one boy each and those “babies” are now considered “adults” and it still throws me because you think they will be young forever and then it seems like overnight they are grown and making adult decisions and sometimes it is overwhelming! One day you’re playing with their kids and you blink and their 6’ “kid” is playing with your baby and it just throws me. For my bebe shower they made me a cake that said “Better you than me!” and that meant the world to me! They meant every word with emphasis and feeling!

We have shared so much together that raising my kid now, even thought I am a state away, just seems normal to me.

Plus like me, the boy loves a road trip! Short, long, it doesn’t matter I’ve been taking him on road trips since he was a month old.

It’s been too long and it is time.

Take the chances while you can and live your life!

You never know what tomorrow will bring so enjoy what you have while you can.

Always, keep hope alive!

Bring back the capes!

January 7, 2016January 7, 2016 ~ gracelessnessover40 ~ 2 Comments

superhero capes

The boy and I were discussing superheroes the other morning on the way to school. It seems that “Carley”, one of the “older” kids being 6, told the boy that superheroes aren’t real because no one really wears a cape. Therefore, no one could be a real superhero.

Little man was a bit upset by this revelation and I informed him that just because Carley was in school, that certainly did not make her an expert on superheroes. In fact, I bet she got a bit of coal in her stocking for telling kids a big fat story! How dare she say there were no superheroes?

We began the obvious list of superheroes: police officers, soldiers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, caregivers and the like. We named people we knew and pointed out others we didn’t. The man that let us get in front of him became a hero so we could make it to school on time. The older kid at school who stuck up for the younger kids that some other kids were being mean to. Every day superheroes.

“But mommy,” the boy began, “no one wears a cape! What about superheroes with capes like Batman and Superman? Even Super Girl has a cape! You even have a red cape mommy and you’re my superhero!” Yes, at this point I would have bought the kid a 5 pound bag of Skittles as he knows the way to my heart!

I realized he had a point. Most superheroes wear capes. At least in his 5 year old boy mind in order to be a “real” superhero you have to wear a cape.

Although, it is hard to be a doctor, nurse, soldier, police officer or fire fighter and wear a cape. There could be hazards to wearing a cape in say, a fire. Of course, if the cape is fire resistant then that could work, but it still wasn’t something worn daily.

The bad guys could grab the policeman’s cape unless they sprayed it with magic spray and when they grabbed at it, the cape would wrap around the bad guys arms like cuffs. That idea was actually pretty cool once you get past the magic spray that binds it together.

He still isn’t convinced that doctors and nurses couldn’t wear capes on a regular basis. Again with the magic spray so it doesn’t get in the way.

When he asked me if he could be a superhero when he grows up and wear a cape I told him, “Absolutely!” I mean, why not? I want him to do whatever makes him happy and where he doesn’t end up in jail or on drugs. Although wearing a cape as an adult may make folks think he is on drugs but that is an issue for later. For now, he wants to be a Batman/Ninja Turtle/Power Ranger/Jedi Knight type of superhero who helps people and kicks bad guy booty. He wants mommy to make his cape from magic and love so that it will “defeat anything”. He believes with all of his 5 year old little boy heart that this is possible. As his mommy I will let him believe it and achieve it. I mean there are worse dreams to have!

Keep Hope Alive!

I say bring back the capes, Superheroes! We could all use a cape now and then!

Life can always be crazier so just smell someone’s eyeball

January 6, 2016January 6, 2016 ~ gracelessnessover40 ~ 1 Comment

Lesson 1: Never question how much crazier can life get. 98% of the time, in my world, it gets that much crazier.

This is a basic rule of life that I know. I know not to ask, “What next?” or “How much more?” because there will always be something next and definitely more or whatever maos is happening in my land. Life doesn’t stop. It changes, but it doesn’t stop.

Of course, in my world, there is Murphy as in Murphy’s Law. Murphy makes sure I keep it real or better yet I remember I have no choice to keep it real.

It seems lately I keep seeing a side of humanity I wish I could forget. The side that makes promises and maybe even says all of the right things but then doesn’t deliver on their promises. It is quite irritating.

I will think I have things in order and organized for the day to flow. Then Murphy or irritating human steps in and things go to the proverbial hell in a hand basket in the blink of an eye. While it would be so easy for me to get angry or even flip out on said person or situation, I have learned to go with the flow and even find the humor.

For example, I had several appointments yesterday and for the most part, everyone showed up. There were a few who called and had to cancel for various reasons. But I still had 4 that didn’t call or show up. This would be adults who are cognitive and allegedly intelligent. In fact, there was a pre-screen prior to the appointments made to cut back on the no call/no shows because it really chafes my booty. 2 of them were being hired, as in getting a job they said they “desperately needed.” Those two had already been through the interview process and background check. It was filling out the paperwork and then they could start working! It wasn’t as if they had been waiting months! And I had spoken to them both the previous day to confirm they would be there as there is more for me to do so that they can start working. I have enough to do without doing 30 extra minutes of work to set someone up who all but begged me to work.

About the point I was seriously about to start dropping the F bombs, I remembered 2 things. One is how my word of the year is Creative. I immediately thought of about 10 different ways to use the F bomb creatively!

Then I thought about the boy. I started laughing. I couldn’t stop laughing because I was thinking about him telling me to, “smell his eyeball”. He says my eyeballs smell like playdoh. Really, how can you lose you cool when you are laughing about your eyeballs smelling like playdoh?!

I had found a way to creatively defuse my anger by making myself recall a comical conversation that I had with my boy. I am sure I didn’t seem sane to my boss… I most likely dropped a few colorful phrases prior to my finding a way to calm me down. After the day I had I know he understood my frustrations. I am not so sure he sees me as sane after the laughing fit though!

I know it isn’t always that easy to calm yourself, but every time I felt myself getting angry, I used the “your eyeballs smell like playdoh” moment in my mind and I couldn’t help but smile.

So I guess I am saying always find the positive.

Always remember to keep hope alive!

And see if you can smell someone’s eyeball, I am curious if anyone else thinks they smell like playdoh!

Have a fabulous day!

Recovering the Saturday after Christmas

December 26, 2015December 26, 2015 ~ gracelessnessover40 ~ 1 Comment

Recovery from the holidays, specifically Christmas, can be a challenge. It seems so much goes into the planning and presentation. After every one oohhhhs and ahhhhhs it appears to get devoured within minutes. Everything that was so pretty and organized is demolished within such a short period of time. I always mean to take before and after photos but forget.

I am usually helping make part of it and I always seem to be cleaning up.

Of course I am also all up in it with the boy, a big kid myself. I cut back on the Santa as well as what I was giving him, but he still had so much! Of course family and friends add to the bounty he receives so he is not wanting for anything. It’s funny to see him tear through gifts, say a brief thank you to the givers and rip into another gift. It’s funnier as he’s soooo excited because, hey let’s be real, it’s usually toys.

Then it’s happens… clothes. My sister-in-law and I laughed so hard because he went in for the grab with excitement on his face and he just stopped. He was instantly perplexed. Why would he get clothes? Grant it cool looking clothes but yet not toys? It’s Christmas who gives toys besides parents and grandparents? Well, aunts, uncles and friends but it always throws him!

The joys of being young and saying what you are thinking. “Mommy this food is nasty! I am so not eating this!” Not the discretion I have been working with him on, but at a table with 7 adults and his cousin. Did I mention his aunt, bless her as she teaches kids and she knows how they can be but still, is the one who’s food he deemed “nasty”?! She and I were trying to not laugh while another cousin and new spouse looked mortified.

They have no experience with children, as was evident throughout the night! Or shall I say smaller children. The boy is 5 and his cousin, whom he calls his little brother, is not quite 2. It was asked, how we “make them eat.” Words like behavioral and eating habits were used to ask about our children. Also, when they offered to play with the boys, they quickly learned rules changed and organization and order were not on the schedule! Seriously, give a five-year-old Lincoln Logs and a remote control car and things are going to be demolished. Your “follow the directions” log cabin you built for him? Maybe you understand when I said it’s like your favorite character on the “Walking Dead” or “Game of Thrones”, it will die so don’t get attached! Yeah, I meant that! It wasn’t just pretty words or me being nice.

Recovery is a nice word for it. Today we recover from the maos of the Christmas holidays! I hope you all do have a fantastically, fabulous Saturday and get to relax.

As always, keep hope alive!

Merry Christmas from Fabulous Gracelessness!

December 25, 2015December 24, 2015 ~ gracelessnessover40 ~ 1 Comment

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

I hope that everyone gets to enjoy this day in some way. Near or far it doesn’t matter, just that you find some happiness, some peace just for a moment.

I hope that those children that believe in Santa wake up to find that Santa came! I hope the children that don’t do Santa wake up happy and healthy.

I hope that everyone who takes the time out to read my blog will stop, just for a moment, and find a memory, or reflect on this holiday season, and find just one memory that makes you smile. The warm, fuzzy inside kind of smile. The kind of smile that lights up your whole being! Keep Hope Alive! It’s Christmas! Miracles happen!

I realize and understand that not everyone celebrates or even enjoys Christmas. Some don’t even recognize it. I am perfectly okay with that.I am sharing how Fabulous Gracelessness does Christmas.

Here in Sweet Home Alabama it is a holiday that the majority of folks Celebrate!

It’s a day we get together with family and friends. Often times we see folks we don’t see throughout the year for whatever reason. People sometimes put away their differences to enjoy time with family and friends. Some make new traditions and others blend the old with the new.

Before I had my son, I always got together with my family, but I also would get together throughout the holiday season and visit with friends that I didn’t get to see as much. Several of us agreed that gift giving was way overrated, in fact we call it Giftsmas, due to those that tend to over give and expect the same in return. We decided that we would always buy for the kids, but for us, just all getting together, eating good food and having a few spirits were all that we needed.

Since the boy came into my world, I still try to get together with friends, though it isn’t as easy or frequent as I would like. I do still enjoy the festivities but it has changed a bit. I have made more traditions that I did in my own childhood with him. I have created new traditions with him too. We love finding new things to do. Apparently, we are now adding make a gingerbread house to our things to do! We also drive around and look at the lights. Not necessarily on Christmas night but close to Christmas. Even in the rain we go. It is so much fun to see the joy of lights and decorations through the eyes of a child.

It is also bittersweet. There are so many that are no longer with us. It can be so damn hard to put on a happy face when the tears are falling like rivers inside. You don’t want to make everyone else sad or put a damper on the festive times. But I can’t help but think about how much my Daddy would enjoy his grandsons. How much my Grandparents would love to play with their great-grandsons. How truly amazing it would be to have everyone home for Christmas. How much it hurts knowing that can’t happen. How much we still love and miss them and always will.

It’s why I love making new memories. To bridge the past with the present and look forward to the future.

This year I haven’t felt the Christmas spirit like I have in the past. I am so thankful for the boy as he pulls me from the abyss just knowing how much joy he has and his love for the holiday. I love that he has an elf named Jerry that magically found us and how he watches throughout the year and shows up after Thanksgiving. He comes with a letter and a tiny gift and moves about the house during the season. He doesn’t make messes or sit on a shelf. He is a different kind of elf. I love that we call Santa every year and he talks to him on the phone. We make reindeer treats as well as treats for Santa. I love the pure joy and glee in his eyes when he sees that Santa came. It isn’t the volume of the gifts it’s the magic of Christmas. It’s everyone getting along for the day when he goes from Mommy’s to Daddy’s house knowing he is loved by so many and it is a day where everyone is present. No distractions just the enjoyment of those around him.

Through the eyes of a child is how I wish everyone could see Christmas.

Keep Hope Alive my fabulous friends!

And may all of your Christmas’ be bright!

*Fabulous Gracelessness does not want to offend those who do not celebrate this holiday. I hope you enjoyed reading how me and mine celebrate Christmas. I hope you understand that for us, Christmas isn’t just gifts and decorations. It is a time for us to come together. It is a time when we feel everyone should share their joy and their compassion for others. Be kind. Be patient. Remember everyone does not get to enjoy it like we do. Even if some years it isn’t as “lavish” as you would like it to be, but that you may be blessed with peace and joy.

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