I'm Really Trying Not To Be Scrooge...

but, I'm so glad that Halloween doesn't require awkward gift giving situations.

First of all, I STRESS over finding nice gifts for everyone. I hate that the season has put so much pressure into the "bigger, better" gifts, but I also hate giving someone a box of prepackaged summer sausages...bleh.

Then, my list grows, and grows, and grows... because I don't want to leave anyone out. Funny thing about a growing shopping list, it causes the bank account to shrink and shrink and shrink ;)

Then, there's the awkward work/"holiday" situation. It's all a matter of being politically correct and blah, blah, blah. I celebrate Christmas, but I would in no way be offended if someone wished me a happy Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Yule or anything else that is celebrated this time of year. I'd look at it as an oppurtunity to learn more about the different celebrations.

And FINALLY... there's the work gift giving situation. About 5 presents were left on my desk yesterday, three without names, one with just a first name and thankfully one with a first and last name. I though that the one with just the first name, was from a co-woker, that is in the cubical next to me. When I thanked him for the gift, he gave me a very confused and embarassed look and said, "What?".... apparently, it's from another co-work with the same name that I don't work as closely with and didn't expect a gift from...awkward!!!

TOO MUCH STRESS!

I miss Halloween =)

Knowledge

I'm very excited today, because a book that I ordered should be waiting for me, in the mail, when I get home. To get a better understanding of my beloved holiday, I've been digging around on the internet, reading about the ancient traditions, from which Halloween was born. After reading various articles about the festival, Samhain, I became very intrigued by the over-all concept of the traditions that the Celts followed throughout the year.

I'm not going to even pretend to be an expert on the subject, but just from what I've read so far, their beliefs and traditions seem to be so... orgainic... if that makes sense. They lived off of the natural world and their festivals/celebrations and their calender reflected that.

It all just seems to make sense, the way that everything that they did followed the natural flow of Earth. Uncomplicated and pure. Reading about it relaxes my mind.

In anycase, I think that the knowledge that I'll gain from reading more about Samhain, will give me a deeper, more complete understanding and passion (if that's at all possible =) ) for Halloween =)

You've Never Heard of...

The Christmas Jack O' Lantern?

Ok, what about Skelety Clause?

Don't worry, neither has my husband... or the neighbors... but mark my words, they'll be asking about them come next Christmas =) People just can't resist something out of the ordinary =)

All is Right With My World Again =)

The blogs I'm following are back. Yikes, that was scary!

What Happened!?!

I lost all of the blogs that I was following... what happened!?!