December Confessions

When in the world did 2015 decided to practically up and leave? How is it already the middle of December? (For the record, it is 75+ degrees here - which is far from normal - so mentally, I am still in enjoying late-summer / early-Fall.)

As I sat in my dark, dark batcave this morning - see picture above of our room at Nana’s house, in the middle of the afternoon, when it was bright and sunny OUTSIDE - I was simply in awe of the fact that it really is December. Christmas is less than two weeks away! TWO WEEKS! I have just a couple decorations out, Christmas Vacation hasn’t been watched more than twice, there are presents to wrap and still a couple more to buy!

Which got me thinking… maybe instead of a “Five on Friday” this week, I needed to do some sort of December Confessional. Partially because it’s Monday and not Friday. But also because let me be frank - I cannot be the only one who does the following:

Confession: I try to send out my Christmas cards really early. Why? Only partially to be ahead of the game. More so because I LOVE receiving Christmas cards and I figure, if I beat you to it, maybe you will remember to include me on your mailing list. Selfish? Yes, definitely. (Who doesn’t like getting real mail that isn’t a bill??) However, this year, since we are in such transition, I wanted to be sure to include all of our mailing address(es) too… So selfish, yeah… but I’m also trying to help you from getting a “Return To Sender” card next month.

Confession: I purchased “Ugly Christmas Sweaters” for my dogs. Yup. I’m that girl. But quite frankly, they love dressing up. While they may look terribly silly, these two border collies are thrilled to be so dressed up, festive or not.

Confession: I wait until after Thanksgiving for all things Christmas, except music and movies. I start playing Christmas music, except for the occasional Nsync “Merry Christmas” that is allowed to play all year long, in early-November. I typically kick off the cheesy holiday flicks as soon as Hallmark Channel starts playing them! But everything else (decorations, cookies, cards, etc) waits until December. #RespectThanksgiving.

Confession: Last week I went to my first real business holiday party. As someone who works from home, runs my own businesses and rarely sees other human beings - it was nice to dress up, drag my husband along and attend the holiday party for one of my biggest clients. Even if we had to drive 4 hours there and 4 hours back in one night!

Confession: I am beyond devastated that we will not be “Home for the Holidays” this year. Considering that we began packing up our home in Newport News, VA last January - I really did hope, deep down, that we would be in our new home by the end of the year. As my dad, our builder, told me last month - “Suz, it’s just not happening!” And then I cried, like any self-respecting, 6 months pregnant woman should do…

Confession: Even though it isn’t easy, sometimes you just have to put the drama, home building crap and life aside… It took quite a bit of coordinating, but yesterday my family put our busyness aside and spent some quality time at Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town. (Nana didn’t join us because she preferred to watch the Duggars…) If you are in Virginia, I highly recommend you trek it to Williamsburg for a festive night of lights and entertainment at Busch Gardens! So much fun. So many twinkle lights!

Confession: I feel like every year the holidays come and go, quicker and quicker. As I get older, I find myself fighting to not get “lost in the motions” of the season. Am I alone in this? I cannot wait until Lorelei is here with us for Christmas next year. Will the magic return when there is a child in the house? What do you do to stay in touch with the reason for the season?

Do you have any December Confessions you need to get off your chest? Leave them in the comment section below!