Christmas 2010

Even before the season began, I knew it would be different. New people, new traditions - nothing wrong with that! In fact, I was actually excited to be trying new things this year. And although a few things were different, there were still some things that remained the same. For example, my grandfather reading Twas the Night Before Christmas to the family on Christmas Eve. He may be getting older and his legs may not be "as good as they once were", but he will be down on the floor reading it by candlelight to the little ones as long as he possibly can. It was special.

Christmas day finally came - not as early in the day as it used to, which was fine with me. Let's just say we were all pretty beat last night and were ready for a good night's rest. I still get so excited when I come down the stairs and see the fire crackling in the fireplace, the tree all lit up and the gifts creating that final touch to a perfect Christmas scene. I gave what I could, received much more than I could have hoped or dreamed for, was completely humbled and blessed, and thanked God over and over again for His gifts and the amazing people He has placed in my life. And for continuing to show His mercy on His children.......I love Christmas.

The signature gift of the season: a Keurig. An amazing invention that brews one cup of coffee/tea at a time. You pick the flavor, it does the rest! Even now as I write to you all, I am anxiously awaiting the first sip of the Hazelnut coffee. I'm only waiting because it is searing hot and I'd rather not burn my tongue when I'm already having such a good day.

I hope you all are having a very Merry Christmas celebrating the day with your loved ones.

Many blessings as you go about the season!

Victoria

P.S. the Hazelnut coffee is pure bliss

Why?

I tried.

Not as hard as you wanted me to.

I saw.

Not what you wanted me to.

I understand.

But not the way you do.

I hear.

Everything.

I speak.

Words fall on deaf ears.

I beg.

The truth reveals my fears.

I cry.

You feel my tears.

Yet you do...

Nothing.

It's been half.

You've done Nothing.

I've felt Everything.

And here we are.

Wondering.

Why?

A little bit of Miss Austen

How quick come the reasons for approving what we like! - Persuasion

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. - Pride and Prejudice

"'A man would always wish to give a woman a better home than the one he takes her from; and he who can do it, where there is no doubt of her regard, must, I think, be the happiest of mortals.'"

- Emma

To look almost pretty is an acquisition of higher delight to a girl who has been looking plain the first fifteen years of her life than a beauty from her cradle can ever receive. - Northanger Abbey

When the romantic refinements of a young mind are obliged to give way, how frequently are they succeeded by such opinions as are but too common and too dangerous!

- Sense and Sensibility

These are just a few of my many favorite quotes as written by Jane Austen. No one speaks or writes words like these anymore. It's almost like a lost art whose only means of survival is through these classic stories written ages ago. And it will live on if I have anything to say about it.....

Dream on

I love Christmas. You remember how when you were a little kid and everything about the season just seemed so magical? Everything was lit up, everyone was smiling and the house never ever ran out of goodies to eat - it was all so beautiful! Well, bloggers, call me crazy - but I still think there's magic in this season and I always will.

I don't know why, but lately, I've been trying to be realistic about life and everything in it. I thought that maybe by keeping a realistic point of view, and stifling the dreamer inside me, that maybe I wouldn't get my hopes up so often.

But I don't always like being a realist! Shoot dang, I want to dream! And I want to believe that in anything, even the Christmas season, things can change. After all, God can do whatever the heck He wants - including making the seemingly-impossible, possible.

So dream on bloggers, dream on!

P.S... (pure coincidence) perhaps you could listen to Aerosmith for inspiration