You're not alone in your thoughts CC, and I don't think there is anything wrong with us longing for those simpler, less materialistic times. I still do the backyard birthday party for my son. He and his friends all played baseball, football, and flashlight tag in the backyard and I served hotdogs, chips and s'mores. They were all laughing, and not a one of them looked bored. His friends all did very similar things for their birthdays, so I don't have to compete with anything elaborate from anyone else either, actually I think I set the trend. Also, practically everywhere I went yesterday people were discussing all the bad behaviors from Friday. Tragic as it all was, maybe it won't be in vain, maybe people will take a step back and think a little more kindly of others and take a hard look at their own behaviors.
Black Friday is becoming black for a different reason. The black mood, the black manners, it's sad. I didn't even go out this year because there wasn't anything I needed or wanted that bad. I'm really trying to simplify things and get back to the true heart and spirit of things. Everything has become so commercial. Kids birthday parties used to be backyard, cake-and-ice-cream gatherings, school Christmas parties used to be $2 grab bag presents and cookies-and-punch. Maybe I'm just falling into the "In my day...." phase of life but it sure seemed that kids were happier, grown ups were more 'grown up' and people in general were more polite and friendly.
It isn't too late. We still have it in us. It's just going to take a dedicated group of people leading by example.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
Well, winter has officially arrived here in Iowa: snow, ice, bone-chilling temps, and a wicked north wind! I made hot cocoa last night and dinner tonight is beef and noodles over mashed potatoes. Nice starchy comfort food!
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and a safe Black Friday! I think there were some folks who forgot the true meaning of Christmas as they hit the stores on Friday. People trampled to death, shootings... what is happening to our society? My son even got cussed at by another child because he got the last one of a video game. The other child had 10 games in his arms and became infuriated at missing this one game. My son said if it would have been the only game the boy was looking for and he would have been sad about it, he would have given it to him, but with the way the situation was, my guy just walked away and didn't look back. It was a valuable lesson.
Hubby and #2 just made an apple pie; #1 just made a chocolate pie, and number 4 and I made little pumpkin pies. Who knew this would be easy with everyone helping.
Have a great holiday everyone. We'll be heading down to a local church to cook up a big pancake breakfast to help some of the less fortunate in Fredericksburg and then home for our dinner and hopefully a greater appreciation of all we have to be thankful for!
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That sounds very nice, CC! We'll be headed to my parent's house, where we will be treated to my mom's amazing Thanksgiving dinner, eat too much, and fall asleep in the living room while football games run on the TV. The typical American Thanksgiving!
I am adding a new twist this year. I always get my kids a new Christmas ornament, and this year I am extending that to my nieces. Hope they like them-they are funky reindeer dressed in festive teenage girl fashion-mini skirts, tights, sweater, scarf, little hats.
