I decided a couple of days ago to do a "bright side of December" thing for Facebook. Last year, so many people did 30 days (or however many days there were until Thanksgiving) of thankfulness. No one I knew did that this year, and I realized I kind of missed it. So I figured I, who am often optimistic, would put my own spin on something.
On Monday, I had to get my windshield replaced. This was the second time in five years (almost to the day), and in between I had some cracks/nicks replaced. Having to spend $100 (deductible) on something like that so close to Christmas does not make me happy. But the shop ended up doing it in only 20 minutes, and it cost $80 instead. So I decided to think of it as saving $20, not spending $80. Bright side! Oh, and I no longer have to look at the cracks in my windshield.
Yesterday, even though I left work 10 minutes early, it took me longer than usual to get home. But I decided that morning to put in a CD of my music ministry's Lessons and Carols service we did a couple of years ago. Listening to that in the morning really calmed my usual cranky-because-I-am-in-traffic self down, and it had the same effect on me last evening.
One of the things I like most about the holidays (and I am considering the holidays as beginning on Thanksgiving and ending New Year's Day night, with my birthday in between!) is the music. I am a singer (not a great one, but I can hold my own), and I can plunk a few songs out on the piano. And there is just something about a lot of the Christmas songs, particularly some of the slower ones.
I also very much enjoy lights and decorations. Some of my best (but briefest) childhood holiday memories are of our tree and looking at the decorations of others around our neighborhood. Every evening when I look out our back window and see houses below us with their lights, I can't help but smile.
And I will soon be headed to Phipps to experience their Winter Flower Show. I was so mesmerized by it last year that I joined a week later. I have been there at least eight times since. It was the best $85 I spent this year. I have to imagine even the most anti-holiday, hardened person would be moved by what they see there.
For today's bright side of December, I am thinking it is the fact that I am home taking a sick day. I woke up with an upset stomach and for the second night in a row got about 5 hours of sleep. But being home allowed me to take a long nap this morning, get in a load of laundry, and not put on any makeup or do my hair. Bright side!
Here is hoping you can find a bright side to things. I am pretty sure I am going to have to look long and hard when I get my tires replaced this week. My guess is that my brakes will also need to be replaced and something else will come up when I get my car inspected on Monday. So I better really take this to heart. :-)
On Monday, I had to get my windshield replaced. This was the second time in five years (almost to the day), and in between I had some cracks/nicks replaced. Having to spend $100 (deductible) on something like that so close to Christmas does not make me happy. But the shop ended up doing it in only 20 minutes, and it cost $80 instead. So I decided to think of it as saving $20, not spending $80. Bright side! Oh, and I no longer have to look at the cracks in my windshield.
Yesterday, even though I left work 10 minutes early, it took me longer than usual to get home. But I decided that morning to put in a CD of my music ministry's Lessons and Carols service we did a couple of years ago. Listening to that in the morning really calmed my usual cranky-because-I-am-in-traffic self down, and it had the same effect on me last evening.
One of the things I like most about the holidays (and I am considering the holidays as beginning on Thanksgiving and ending New Year's Day night, with my birthday in between!) is the music. I am a singer (not a great one, but I can hold my own), and I can plunk a few songs out on the piano. And there is just something about a lot of the Christmas songs, particularly some of the slower ones.
I also very much enjoy lights and decorations. Some of my best (but briefest) childhood holiday memories are of our tree and looking at the decorations of others around our neighborhood. Every evening when I look out our back window and see houses below us with their lights, I can't help but smile.
And I will soon be headed to Phipps to experience their Winter Flower Show. I was so mesmerized by it last year that I joined a week later. I have been there at least eight times since. It was the best $85 I spent this year. I have to imagine even the most anti-holiday, hardened person would be moved by what they see there.
For today's bright side of December, I am thinking it is the fact that I am home taking a sick day. I woke up with an upset stomach and for the second night in a row got about 5 hours of sleep. But being home allowed me to take a long nap this morning, get in a load of laundry, and not put on any makeup or do my hair. Bright side!
Here is hoping you can find a bright side to things. I am pretty sure I am going to have to look long and hard when I get my tires replaced this week. My guess is that my brakes will also need to be replaced and something else will come up when I get my car inspected on Monday. So I better really take this to heart. :-)
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