Forging Christmas Traditions

1) I get all giddy around Thanksgiving time because I know I get to decorate for Christmas. I always take advatage of the day after Thanksgiving to get my house all gussied up. I love decorating the tree. I think I go a little crazy, and make sure my color scheme is coordinated, and ornaments are balanced. I love a mix of textures and finishes. Satin, luster, sparkles, polished, shiney, glitter, you name it. I love whites, silver, bright red, deep scarlette, and shades of green from chartruese to deep green. I love color!! Yes, I am quite a nut I admit. Candles galore. Stockings. Fresh wreathes, and huge poinsetta to welcome you in. I love it. I haven't graduated to a real tree, mostly 'cause the fake ones are just so darm convienent. I'm lookin' for a partner in crime to be my tree buddy. Any takers? ;)

2) Christmas music and Christmas hymns. I never get enough of singing the hymns at church, and well I don't think my roomie will humor me for regular evening sing-a-longs so I will have to savour every opportunity I get. A friend made an amazing Christmas mix CD back in 2005 and that has been a staple and a model for other Christmas mixes. Another friend always

3) I have a Christmas kick off dinner party with friends. I hope to keep that going when I am married.

4) I want to be able to read the 25 days of Christmas about Christ's life on this earth in the old world as recorded in the Bible, and the americas as recorded in the Book of Mormon.

5) There must be a night of caroling, driving around to see Christmas lights, hot chocolate, and other yummy treats.

6) Cookie exchange party.

7)Christmas eve we read and act out the Christmas story as recorded in Luke. A great Christmas eve dinner, and opening one gift (always Christmas PJ's or new PJ's). That night as kids go to bed, Christmas stockings are filled, and more gifts added.

8) Christmas morning we have a Christmas brunch, open gifts, sing carols, play with new gadgets.

9) Christmas movies are watched. Classics, and new.

10) Anything else we come up with.

I am interested to see how this progresses or changes as time shoes on.

First day of a 60 day juice fast...btw it's been a while...

So I am at a weight I never thought I would ever get to...ugh...do I have to mention it?!??!!! Well I got to this point, and I have to deal with it and take responsibility for it. Ahem...308 lbs. Wow. I remember when I was 33 and I reached 266 and that was devastating. Well after this juice fast I will be happy to be under that. This is gonna be a tough road. Oh well. It is what it is. I need to loose this weight for my health, happiness, get active again, and have babies. I got married this past year, and my husband and I have been through anything but a honeymoon year. David has been out of work for over a year. He finally got a job only to find out the contract is up in one month. There is a possibility that he can get hired on directly with the VA hospital as opposed to the contract through the temp agency. We are in big debt. I have not been in debt since the last time I was married 13 yrs ago. Not fun. Not fun at all. I don't want to go through this trial, but unfortunately it is out of my control. I have been struggling with much anger, resentment, frustration, through all the change I have faced and the sacrifices that I have made to get married, and thing only getting worse. I have been resentful toward my husband and angry at God. I know I shouldn't. I know I need to face it with faith and be happy. I haven't. It isn't easy. I don't want to stay this way. I hate Las Vegas. I miss Southern California. I have given up so much to be with David, and I am angry about it. I have eaten my feelings and let the stress take over. I am not happy with myself. I am uncomfortable. I hate the way I look and the way I feel. I need to make drastic changes. This is my motivation for this 60 day juice fast. I know the first week is going to be the hardest. My sweet husband is supporting me by making the meals for him and Damien. He wants me to stick with it. I just want these trials to melt away with the pounds I am hoping to shed. I hope David gets a secure job. I want to get out of debt. I want to have babies. I am almost 37 and the fact that it isn't possible after waiting to get married for so long is hard for me to accept. I don't understand the why. I know I shouldn't need to know but have faith it will only be to my benefit in the end. I hope to be able to start running, hiking, exercising like I used to again. Sadly ever since David and I started dating I have stopped my exercising because he fought it. I still have to forgive him for that...as well as the financial part. I need to go back to my daily scripture study, keeping the sabbath day holy, prayers, temple attendance, and fulfilling my calling t get the help, strength, and blessings I need.  Here goes nothing!