Ohhhhhhhhhh, The Weather Outside is Frightful
If any of you have been reading my ridiculous blog on a regular basis, then you might know how I feel about Christmas. I like it, but I get irritated when it induces guilt for Christians who accidentally think there’s almost a biblical mandate to celebrate the birth of Christ (like communion or baptism) and then end up feeling like a failure for enjoying the non-religious aspects of it, like Rudolph, Frosty, Elf, etc. And this makes me somewhat of a Scrooge. And I enjoy that, especially because it tweaks so many of my Abundantly Overly Christmas Fanatical loved ones (like Jess). None-the-less. To prove I have a Warm Christmassy Heart Made of Hot Chocolate and North Pole Snow, here is a survey that my friend Shay sent. And I actually filled out all the answers. Feel free to use it and let me know so I can come and smirk at, I mean read thru, your answers.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Toilet paper, tin foil, paper towels or anything else on hand that doesn’t require an extra purchase.
2. Real tree or Artificial? If we must have a tree, then I’d rather it be artificial. Trees are an entire ecosystem of unwanted living organisms. Sadly, I’m always out voted and we end up with a live one
3. When do you put up the tree? If we must put up the tree, it generally goes up right after Thanksgiving. But we have a family tradition where on Christmas day after all the presents are open everybody takes a nap, and then while they are sleeping I throw the tree off the back deck.
5. Do you like eggnog? No. Stuff that thick should not be pawned off as a liquid
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A game system called a Vtrx or something. That thing was cool. It was lost in one of our moves.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Everybody I know
8. Easiest person to buy for? Coie. Because anything I get her, she will like, and she always shares with me (clothes, books, cds, candy etc).
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, but all of the pieces are busted
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Bah humbug. But now Ryann has taken over and mails out three-minute Christmas DVDs of our family doing ridiculous things set to music
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Geoff the Great got me a Buns-of-Steel work out video for our first Christmas. But after several months, it turned out to be a pretty good gift. That was one heavy duty work out
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf. But I also accidentally get sentimental over It’s a Wonderful Life.
13. When do you start shopping? We never really officially ‘shop’ except for buying tons of candy to stuff in the stockings. And that generally happens the day before Christmas
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I recycle almost all of them. It’s true. So think twice if you are ever tempted to get me anything.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Sugar cookies with icing. And snickers. And whatever candy we get for the kids. I steal 40% of whatever we put in their stockings. This is how I teach my kids about Democratic tax policies.
16. Lights on the tree? We always end up with ‘em
17. Favorite Christmas song? I have a new favorite. It’s “I heard the Bells on Christmas Day”. The words are most excellent
18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Lately we have stayed home. Glorious.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? No. And keep them away from Coie because she would probably shoot one and carve it up for Christmas dinner. That’s no joke.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have an old beat up angel that always always always stays crooked thru-out its entire career at the top
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One on Christmas Eve and then the rest on Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year Diamond commercials.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Blue and white
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Something I didn’t cook
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? 30 thousand dollars.
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November 20th, 2008 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 37 Comments 37 Responses to ' Ohhhhhhhhhh, The Weather Outside is Frightful 'Leave a reply |
on November 20th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Oh my, I think if I posted this on my blog…my family might faint! You see, we don’t celebrate most holiday’s because they are pagan, and this one I don’t do any of the pagan traditions (the tree) so it would leave my family in a shock because I usually use the excuse that I don’t decorate to show ‘American’s’ you can celebrate this holiday without becoming Clark Griswold!
So I am going to ponder coming out of the closet so to speak. Well they don’t know about this blog so for starters I might come out over here first, yeah I will do that. You know what I am not usually that much of a chicken about this stuff but since we still do this holiday primarily because others seem to need it, so it makes it hard to say well we don’t celebrate this holiday for Jesus’ birth but we will sure take your gift…that is not why we do it, but I fear that is how they will see it, ya know?
Latte
on November 20th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
How are you Mom’s child?? I don’t know whether to chuck a sugar cookie at you, or just ignore your scrooge-like sentiments altogether. No “special” candy balls for you this year.
on November 20th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
You guys are the MOST fun family. I bet there is tons of laughing and jokes and JESUS in your home.
And it must be delicious to have a teen (young adult…sorry)daughter to share stuff with. My 13 year old and my husband both wear size 9 shoes. It’s like a weird turning point in their relationship!
I’ll happily share my shoes with my daughter when the time comes, as long as she shares with me! ha
on November 20th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
oh Jess… please send them. i can’t live without them. i’ll pretend to be as jolly as you’d like. just make sure i get my box of homemade rum balls.
And Emily, i hope you are lucky and get a generous daughter who shares. I don’t know what i’m gonna do if Coie ever gets married and moves out. I’ll lose well over half my wardrobe
on November 20th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
You are hilarious! I agree with what you wrote at the top of the survey. I think we can celebrate Jesus and enjoy Christmas. If you are not over the top anyway then it shouldn’t be that big of a deal. I am pretty easy when it comes to gifts because I will buy some household thing like a Swiffer mop and say, “Honey, this is my Christmas present.” My husband is so off the hook! 🙂
on November 20th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Oh my. This was so delightfully scrooge-y that maybe everyone will read it and scorn you and no longer want you for a friend, in which case I will will be your one and only friend.
bwahahahahahahahaha
If that does indeed happen, I would give you my cookie recipe out of pity. Hey, wouldn’t that be the bestest present ever?
~Annemarie
on November 20th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Wow. You ARE scrooge-y, no lie. Yeah, Jess, keep her firmly planted in Sugar Plum Fairy Land! :)Someone has to do it. I am LOL at the Buns of Ateel reference (I had that one too) and also Elf. I love Elf. These surveys are funny–you find out so much about people this way. Come on over here to Germany, and I will take you around to the Christmas markets, feed you Christmas cookies and wassail and I swear there shall be nary a trace of scrooge left. 🙂 I think I will do this survey now just for kicks and grins.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
on November 20th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
good gosh. I should proof read. Buns of STEEL.
on November 20th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
actually, jen, some of my best memories are Christmas in Germany. I remember Jessica was a baby at that time and she had these little diapers that somebody had painted with mistletoe and holly. Christmas is *beautiful* in Germany. And I remember once I got a gingerbread heart that said, “Iche Liebe Diche” in white icing. I probably spelled that wrong. Thanks for the cozy memories.
on November 21st, 2008 at 12:18 am
I didn’t know you were such a scrooge. So..are you still coming to our party? I promise to not serve egg nog.. HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT IT COSTS!!!
on November 21st, 2008 at 6:11 am
hey, where is your post on holidays and enjoying all aspects and not feeling guilty? I want to link to it, cuz I love that post.
on November 21st, 2008 at 10:02 am
Hi Annemarie! that post can be found here:
http://jeneralities.com/?p=250401#respond
on November 21st, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I just noticed your “days until I’m an auntie” clock. I’ve gotta steal that since I’ll be a first time auntie in Feb. Yay!! A chance to love, hug and then give back to momma for the hard stuff.
And I do love that post your wrote before about the guilt factor. That really helped me get over it all. LOL on the diamond commercials. I hate the ones for cars, usually a Lexus. They’ve got the huge red bow on top and the spouse is utterly shocked to see it there, which says they have soooo much money, that one of them could go and buy a $70,000+ vehicle and the other wouldn’t have a clue. Gross. Thankfully, we don’t watch much tv. I’ll also join you in the wish for $30,000. Heck, I’d be thrilled with a measly $20,000.
on November 21st, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I have met Ryan’s match :). You both make a couple of Ebenezer Scrooge’s. In our five years of marriage, this year will be our third tree. It took me two years to manipu…I mean…talk him into getting one. No santa in our house, and this year I actually got him to allow me to put up stockings, though he suggested some of our old hanes ones :(. Question: Is Geoff as much as a Scrooge as you are? Just wondered. It always ends up that we are the opposite of other couples. Ryan is more like the wives and I am more like the husbands. I guess we are still perfect for one another.
on November 21st, 2008 at 3:58 pm
nope, Megan. Geoff is just like Jess and Charley. They all three belong in a little Elf Commune. I’m the only Scrooge in the house. Glad to know I have a fellow bah-humbugger.
: )
Crystal… “measly $20,000” LOL
on November 21st, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I just filled out a similar one from someone else. I’ll do yours, too. Give me a minute and then you can come over and smirk – I mean – visit and ENJOY! 0:-)
Fledder from Ohio…
on November 21st, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Well, Jenig…it sounds like you’ve been outed as a scrooge! Man, I thought your post was cool not scrooge-ish-like but, more like a girl version of the Fonz (Happy Day’s) saying “hey dudets, if you like that Christmas sort of thing…that is fine. And to show you people I am not too scrooge-ish I will play nice and do a survey showing some stuff I sort of dig”
Well that is what I got out of it…lol!
Latte
on November 21st, 2008 at 5:51 pm
latte, when i was seven i could do a dead-on Fonz impersonation that was truly spectacular
on November 21st, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Well, that was so much fun to read, I did it on my blog as well. I’m certainly not a scrooge, but I am too lazy to go completely nuts at this time of year. 🙂
on November 21st, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Love the survey. You actually inspired me to blog for the first time since July. Cut and paste is the way to go 🙂
-Judi
P.S. I received the Buns of Steel video, too! Did you wear cool leg warmers while working out?
on November 21st, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I LOVE YOU, JEN!!! Seriously, that was the most fun post I have read in a long long time 🙂 I love that you always keep it real 🙂
And the part about your tradition of tossing the tree off the back deck got me laughing out loud for real.
Love ya!
Jen
on November 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 am
OK, I couldn’t resist doing it. I copied you a lot though, so be ready for the plaigiarism should you choose to come over and see “my” answers.
on November 22nd, 2008 at 4:24 am
Just a comment on your page – I am a homeschool administrator to a small Calvary Chapel in Upland, Ca. My own little learners are 5, 6, and 9…
Loads of fun! We love getting funny/fresh ideas from your page periodically. We are really praying that the Lord is leading us out of this state – kind of done with it truly. We desire to follow God’s good and perfect will. Our prayer is that He may move us far, far, away to a lovely town like yours – I know your church has phenomenal teaching, and everyone seems so genuine and kind. We are so ready for that. My husbands job situation is looking grim. After 18 years of working for his dad – the shop may be closing because of finances. What is the job market out there? As bad as here? He has a BA degree abd so many years of experience. Man, sometimes you just feel helpless right? We serve a Big God, who can do all things. Well, nice chatting – sorry this was so long and maybe TMI, but if you can offer any info. or encouragement – it would be great. Blessings, Lisa
on November 22nd, 2008 at 8:33 am
You are a scrooge! But thanks for the laugh. I especially appreciate your justification of stealing your kids’ candy. Too funny.
on November 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 am
$30 k? Is that all? hahaha
on November 22nd, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Hey. I’m going to the holiday gift and food festival today.. wanna come with me and pick out little cutsie knickknacks and stuff for decorating our house for Christmas??? Santa will be there… 😉
on November 22nd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
sure. i’ll meet you in front of your house in 20 minutes
on November 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Hahaha. Emily & I laughed out loud at several of your answers. Emily would be right there carving up the reindeer with Coie! 🙂
on November 22nd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Oh, and SMILING IS MY FAVORITE! 🙂
on November 23rd, 2008 at 8:28 am
Hey! This post made me laugh out loud! You are so crazy….tell Jess to send me some rum balls too! I’ll eat her share since she’s with child.
P.S. I use the comic pages to wrap some gifts..you could add that to your wrapping station in your special closet designed for gift preparation. smirk. I actually saw that on a HGTV show the other night.
on November 23rd, 2008 at 9:02 am
Hi-Five, Stacey.
on November 24th, 2008 at 3:10 am
ROFL!! As always you just make me laugh, girl! I have to say, though, that I agreed with a lot of your answers. What does this say about me? Hmmmmm – maybe we shouldn’t go there!
Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!!!
Love in Christ ~ Julie
on November 24th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Oh my word, I am laughing my head off! I would do this on my blog but I think I really would offend people. We just don’t do Christmas at all. Abbie likes the music, Ben likes the cookies, but we ignore the rest. Last year we ripped out the carpet and painted the living room on Christmas Day. It was great fun when folks asked how our Christmas was.
on November 24th, 2008 at 10:10 am
ok I did the survey too. and I used festive colors. your answers are funnier.
on November 24th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I’d hate to hear your answers if you didn’t like Christmas. I hope you all have a terrific Thanksgiving. I, too, am looking forward to having my wayward child home, if only for 5 days. Come Dec.14th, though, I get her for 5 weeks!! Yay!
on November 25th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Baby courtesy of Charley and Jessica Preston…..
alkgjadf;lgkjdfgkl
I love that!
~A
on November 25th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I didn’t read thru the other comments because I can’t get down here fast enough to say:
FINALLY, someone who shares my Christmas Scroogness. FINALLY!!!!
thankyouverymuch and now i will commence reading comments.