A Gift.

[merimask]

Well, for some reason, half my f-list is having a dumpy grumpy Christmas.  I am of course including myself in this subgroup of LJ users.    It's been a character-building week.

But!  It's Christmas and we all need a smile.  So please enjoy this; my little sister Nancy's first novel;  "Raggedy Ann and Andy Go Visit Nice Mr. Policeman and Have an Adventure Where They Eat Cookies"

The EAb.

Love you all...happy holidays, people.
 

Comments

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

*snerk* Very cute. Too bad Nancy ('Nanci'?) didn't stay on LJ long, she was funny then, too. I'm sure she's older than me but in personality she reminds me of my own baby sister, who is a total ham, very witty and funny. (Though my lil sis is probably snarkier and more dramatic than yours...not sure about that one.)

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

PS: Even though I think Xmas is very pretty (it's mostly the tree and the lights that I mourn over, plus I've always loved wrapping paper and boxes...) I'm kind of happy I don't celebrate Xmas. I actually have people ENVYING me when I say I don't. Just on Monday someone asked me why I seemed so relaxed, and if I already had all my Xmas preparations done, and I said I didn't celebrate it, or any other xmas-time holiday...and they replied with 'LUCKY YOU!'

I don't get it. If it's so stressful for people, why don't they wind it down? SO few celebrate for the actual religious reason (even on Xmas specials they always say that the 'true meaning' of Christmas is 'family'...and it's NOT, it was originally...not including the Pagan celebration of the sun...supposed to be about...yes, there's a clue...'Christ'. Not family.) so it's not like they're committing sacrilege by choosing either not to celebrate, or at least to dial it back a little.

I seriously don't get the stress. My parents anni is on Dec 27, and it's the biggest thing we celebrate...my sister and her hubby and other relatives come over, and there is a big dinner and usually some presents...so not that different from Xmas in some ways...and yet, there is NO stress.

Baffling!

[merimask.livejournal.com]

It IS a bit much for most people. I have to say my discontent has less to do with Christmas & more to do with humanity in general, but the Etsy business kept me hopping so lack of rest is a factor too.

Enjoy your relaxing un-christmas day! ;-)

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

Well, as someone who celebrates and this year I confess I had a pretty stressful time building up to the holidays itself, it's complicated.

The religious element is there, though less so the last few years then when I was growing up, mostly because both my parents and my husband and I are between churches and my sis-in-law is at best ambivalent about churches--though not the religion per se, more the organized aspect.

Christmas time for us is primarily these days about celebrating with family and friends, many of both of which come in from out of state and it's one time of the year we're sure to see everyone. This is a very good thing--I am blessed in that I love and get along and even like the majority of my family, so I enjoy spending time with them. The preparations--getting the food ready, buying/making/wrapping presents, and so forth, can be pretty stressful, like it was this year, but the reward--spending time with people I love and don't get to see very often, eating special foods we don't often get to eat and watching people get excited about presents that they received (I love giving gifts), getting cool stuff myself, stuff I often want but can't justify getting for myself--it's all a lot of fun. My family tells a lot of jokes, a lot of stories, and there's always a lot of music, and pretty decorations and lights--and it's a lot of work getting it set up but it's a lot of fun once the day arrives, and the day itself is filled with laughter, not stress.

Why do we do so much? Because we like the atmosphere but also because we feel it is expected of us and we don't want to disappoint people. I'm worried--more than maybe i should be--that people are going to be unhappy because I didn't send out Christmas cards. I just didn't have time. I might send a few late, but mostly--sorry, no cards. But I hate disappointing people, and cards are a way to stay in touch with people I don't get to see any more.

One thing that helps with stress management for me is that we spread the holiday out. Christmas day is mostly about family, though this week is also busy with seeing out of state friends who are only in town for the holidays. We celebrate and exchange gifts with friends the weekend of 12th night instead, and some friends will be getting their gifts just late (hopefully everyone will be understanding!)

I could do with less stress, but I don't want to give up the positive aspects of the season.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Nancy is very funny & we crack eachother up all the time. She's the youngest so she's really outgoing & full of fun. Sometimes there is drama (but not so much anymore; life is too short & we are getting OLD).

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

Not me! I'm having an awesome Christmas. :-)

And you have one, too.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

You go girl! :-)

I'd feel better except for that camera thing.

But hey, I got your card (thank you!) and it made me laugh. I'm pretty sure the sock monkey's name was Christmas after all.

[kls-eloise.livejournal.com]

Having a generally neutral one here. Next year will be better.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

It's been a big year for you! Did you get my package?

[kls-eloise.livejournal.com]

Doh! I'm sorry - I *meant* to send you a note. I did - the blocks are so cool! As soon as she can grip, I'm sure that she'll be bashing herself in the head with them. The edges and corners have all been smoothed down with that in mind, I see. They're beautifully made.

The omamori was incredibly thoughtful, and quite lovely. I've got it hanging on my purse. I debated between my purse and the crib, and decided that it was *my* gift, so the purse won. :-)

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Awesome! I knew you'd appreciate the work that went into those blocks...another thoughtfully made cottage workshop item from Etsy. :-) Gotta love the Etsy.

May the omamori bring you good health (they work for me!).

Merry Christmas to you and Bob and little Charlotte.

[ramblinsuze.livejournal.com]

*giggle* I should TOTALLY scan in my Christmas "book" from when I was about seven or eight years old. Hee.

I'm having an okay Christmas. Just really rushed. I think because Thanksgiving was so late this year, I've been completely thrown off.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

The books we wrote as kids are a constant unfailing source of amusement to us now. John wrote a book called "Tigers", which he read to Res and I when we were there visiting (in his best Sean Connery voice) and we screamed for an hour...it was that funny.

Totally scan your book! Now I want to read it! ^_^

[zipis1.livejournal.com]

I'll have to read it later, as my family is all, "Get off the computer!" but it sounds cute! :D

Oh! I gave my friend that mask today. She LOVED it. She seriously almost cried, and she even noticed that it was in her house color scheme. She wanted me to tell you that you're amazing and thank you very much. She's amazed at you!

Thank you again for making it posible to make her so happy *hugs*

Happy holidays to you, too ^____________^

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Her "novel is technically a front cover and a back cover with two pages inbetween. It is epic. ;-)

Yay, I'm really glad your gift was a hit. ^_^ Happy to do it hon.

[tricia612.livejournal.com]

Laughed out loud at the book. Winding down from the weird week - want no more flat tires in my future.

Happy Festivus everyone.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Isn't that book great?? I think she wrote that when she was 4...I taught her to spell & read when she was 2(I didn't have a dog so basically, I taught my baby sister to do things instead)...Fun!

No more flat tires & no more toothless smelly flat tire changers! ;-)

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

I hope that your Christmas improves--*Hugs*

The novel is adorable.