It begins

[brightlotusmoon]

We've been helping Charlotte prepare food and gifts for her family since this morning. Charlotte and I went to the mall so Charlotte could buy gifts for her young cousins. I got a gift for my husband to share with me. Or for me to use when he's not around. It's very pretty, with a blue marble color pattern. Charlotte and I got separated for about twenty minutes, and since she doesn't have a cell phone, she called me from a pay phone so we could meet at the food court. I still hate malls. However, I always love shopping with a girlfriend.
Tomorrow, Adam and I will be here at Charlotte and Billy's again, to hang out with their cousins and aunts and uncles for a while.
I just found out that Billy loves "A Christmas Story." You know, the classic movie that goes on and on and on in marathons from tonight until tomorrow night. But he'll only watch it once on Christmas Eve. Which is good, because that's about all anyone can take. So that's what we're watching. Pizza should be here soon. We ordered from Pizza Boli's: Extra large thin crust, half black olives ad green olives, half pepperoni and fresh tomatoes. And mozzarella sticks. I'm drinking a bottle of Bom Dia Acai Berry With Pomegranate Juice.
My attitude toward the $winter holiday$ has gotten so casual. I refuse to participate in the rampant commercialism, so I mostly stay at home, or at a friend's home, doing non-holiday things. When we buy stuff for each other, it's simple and sentimental and usually we let the person pick what they want.

I enjoy meditating on the spiritual aspects of the season and not the commercial aspects. I love being with friends and family more than I love buying gifts, honestly.

Comments

[ronin-lethe.livejournal.com]

I refuse to participate in the rampant commercialism

but...weren't you at the mall?

look, not for nothing, but being all "boo hiss buying stuff" is just as silly as ignoring the meaning of the season in favor of buying stuff. in both cases, you completely dismiss the fact that spending time with your loved ones should supersede anything else. my christmas highlight was watching my kitten's eye's light up when i opened her greenies for her. be glad to be with people you care about, and that you are happy and healthy. let the rest of it fall away. it doesn't matter if you participate in the commercialism or not. you got booze, cats, and a husband who loves you.
what more could anyone need?

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

I went to the mall to help Charlotte find gifts for the kids. I just enjoyed being with my friends. I didn't care about presents -- in fact, the only things Adam and I got each other were small, personal things that weren't wrapped. I'm sorry if the entry suggested that I didn't care about spending time with my loved ones, because that wasn't what I meanr. I meant that spending time with my loved ones means more than buying stuff.

[ronin-lethe.livejournal.com]

no, it did. it just made you sound snotty and full of yourself.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

*frowns* Okay, you're right. I looked it over and it did sound snotty. I didn't realize.
I apologize.

[ronin-lethe.livejournal.com]

no need...i wasn't mad. just keeping with my habit of calling people out when they sound that way and i know they are NOT that way.

merry christmas, doll.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Sometimes I DON'T realize what I say. I found that out the hard way last week, anyway. I love you for making sure.
I changed my wording around a wee bit, for clarification -- because as you know, I may not like the craziness of retail hell, etc... but that can all fade away compared to what actually matters.

[ronin-lethe.livejournal.com]

yeah. that's why i posted what i posted, from mollygood, because i thought cord said it best without coming off in a way i would come off if i said it myself.

if that makes sense. (i have been drinking)

what happened last week?

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Oh, I made a comment that caused someone to look at me funny and remark that it didn't sound like me; it sounded callous.

[ronin-lethe.livejournal.com]

it's the time of year. everyone is exhausted. things come out all wrong and messed up.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I figured. But it also made me stop and think about when I blurt stuff out without really listening to myself. I've been working on that. Ever since that day that Adam had that insane nic fit and was saying horrible things that were both true and false, I've been actively hearing myself speak.

[ronin-lethe.livejournal.com]

it's hard. i try really hard to do it (for myself) and i try really hard to choose my words carefully (even when they are calculated to cut)--but especially when i am tired, or distracted, it is difficult to keep track.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I understand very well.