Holiday Greetings Post(al)

Whoa! It's holiday time again. And it's going to get away from me if I don't get my arse in gear. Our second in Seattle. The fifth for Dexy. And this year, her daddy is here with us, so I actually get to include his name on the cards & gifts for OUR family/friends. How is it possible that my greatest wish has finally come true? Lucky me, lucky Dexy!

For most of my adult life, I've faithfully sent out holiday cards each year by the dozens, if not hundreds. I enjoy receiving them too of course, but mostly I just really like the idea of letting the people I love most know that I'm thinking of them, even if it's only once a year. 

Since becoming a mom, I've done photo cards on-line at Shutterfly.com because it's a great way to let everyone see how much my daughter has grown (from pudgy baby, to toddler and now preschooler) ...and this year will be no exception because as usual, they have the best selection of photo cards, calendars, etc. to choose from. IMMHO.

Anyhoo, the biggest dilemma I always have, other than picking the perfect photo/s, is which card style to order. 5x7, 4x8, flat or folded, pix of Dexy only, or all of us together, matte or glossy, etc.? Making things even more complicated is finding a card that is cool (since I'm not a very traditional kinda gal) and also one that is holiday neutral (since I'm Jew-ish but most of the folks I send cards to aren't).

Here is the card I sent Dexy's first year:

I'm really excited by all the available choices Shutterfly has this year! I've got it narrowed it down to these three styles; Mod Ornaments, Love and Laughter or Fa LaLa Christmas. 

Which card do YOU like?

I need to make my decision toute de suite if I'm going to get them to the post in time. 

Help!

This post is sponsored by Shutterfly. Click here for more information on how to win 50 FREE holiday cards at Shutterfly. Please be sure to reference Clever Girls 1000 (see original post on Greeblemonkey). Thanks!

Illuminate the Candles

Just sitting here watching the sun sink into Puget Sound, and I'm thinking about Hanukkah... wondering what all this still means to me, if anything. Of course, I believe in G-d. I'm more spiritually connected now than I've been in my entire life. And I'm grateful for that. I'm just not sure if I believe in religion anymore.

I'd like my daughter to experience the holiday traditions I grew up with (Lutheran), as well as the ones I chose as an adult (Jewish). Traditions, rituals, decorations, food, love, and most of all family... they all go hand in hand. That's not a bad thing to celebrate, right?

I will totally miss stopping at my brother's this year on Xmas morning. The kids ripping through presents. Mom & dad sitting on the couch watching it all unfold. Bri wearing khaki shorts & maybe some slippers (more likely flip flops). Elicia serving piping hot coffee w/ vanilla creamer and chatting with her over sausages on the stove. Maybe a fire going in the fireplace, even if it isn't cold (which it rarely is in Southern CA), just b/c it seems like the right thing to do on Christmas morning.

I'll miss stopping in at my best friend's on Xmas Eve. And having dinner at my childhood friends on Christmas afternoon. I'll miss lighting the Hanukkah candles at mom & dad's old house, that isn't ours anymore, in a neighborhood that isn't mine anymore either. I'll miss waving to the neighbors, exchanging cookies & cards w/ them, seeing their kids and grandkids running around the block on new bikes and skateboards.

It doesn't have to be a melancholy time, the holidays. I have so much to be grateful for. I love my new house, my new neighborhood is chock full of awesome people who will help create similar childhood memories for my daughter, I can have a tree AND a menorah if I want, I've put up lights around the eaves, it's cold, and hells bells, it MAY even snow! I can have the exact experience I desire, to the level at which I'm willing to participate. Some days I'm just not sure how much I want to participate. That's where I'm feeling stuck I guess.

But... tonight, I'll light the candles. And I'll think of those I love. That's the best I can do for today. It's enough, yo.

With the Jingle Bells & The Toys...

I should be lighting the candles this week... but wouldn't ya know it? I can't find my menorah. I'm sure it's packed away in one of my many boxes o'stuff stacked in the garage, but for the life of me I can't find the energy to go dig it out. However, my lack of energy & organizational skills are another story for another day.

So, to get me (and all y'all) in the mood for The Festival of Lights, here's a song by one of my favorite bands, the Barenaked Ladies. Forgive the "video", it's all I could find on YouTube.

Happy Hanukkah!