Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Here Comes Christmas

The first snow of the season has me thinking about Christmas and how far away it isn't. In less than a couple of weeks, I'll be ready to begin celebrating. I have this weird pet peeve: celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving. Of course, I think we should celebrate what Christmas means all year long, but I'm talking about the music, the lights, the decorations, and the cookies. I love it all, but it seems more special when it only goes on for a month. Plus, it just doesn't seem right to break out all the decor before sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner. Part of the anticipation of Christmas is knowing that you have to wait until Thanksgiving has past. It symbolizes the true end of fall, the beginning of winter, and the start of the Christmas season.

This year I'm on a budget. This is hard for me. Especially around Christmas. Usually the month before Christmas is the best time for sales and really cute stuff you can't not buy. Every year I end up spending more money on myself than I do on other people. I go out to buy a gift for someone and come home with two gifts for myself. Christmastime is the worst when it comes to self-control. You get in such a habit of swiping the debit card, you just can't stop. But I don't want to buy myself anything this year . . anything! I'm on a mission to pay off my last credit card and buying myself stuff I don't need will only put it off. It will feel so good to be debt-free! and I'm so close. I've decided I need to know what I'm getting people before I even head to the stores. Perhaps if I'm on a mission, it will prevent me from running across so many temptations. I can hope!


Today is just awful! Not only is it snowing, but it's cold slushy snow and the wind is blowing so much that it pelts your face with wet sleet. I had to get gas and the pump was wet and freezing cold with slush. I was 12 minutes late to work because I didn't realize it had snowed until I walked outside. I popped my trunk in hopes of finding my scraper/brush and had to reach so far into the back that my feet were no longer touching the ground and I the front of my pants was all wet. I'm a bit nervous to drive home tonight because one of my co-workers said it's getting worse . . so slick and so windy. And to think it got up to 75 last week and people were wearing short-sleeved shirts the the game! Why can't we just ease into this whole winter thing?

5 comments:

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k said...

I agree. Let's stick with one holiday at a time! Good luck resisting the urge to buy yourself presents. This year I am planning to indulge my crafty side and make a lot of gifts. Somehow I don't feel as guilty if I am spending my money in a craft store instead of the mall.

L said...

K - That's a good idea. Last year I bought a big frame from Pottery Barn and used some vellum and rub-on letters from the scrapbook store to personalize it for my best friend. It was a lot of fun! It definitely makes gift-giving more special.

Unknown said...

Wow! So cold! I'm actually jealous, because I LOVE cold weather- it's so festive! It's 80 something here today.

Sarah said...

Good luck resisting the temptation to splurge Laura. I definitely think planning ahead will help.

And as far as the snow goes, today was better. I'm only hoping it stays that way...at least until after Thanksgiving!

After that, bring on the snow days UNO!