I made a video of one of our ridiculous endeavors yesterday and thought I would share it with you- but I wanted to say a few things first. Happy Birthday, Boozy, I love you, I miss you, you’re having a blast in Taiwan. I hope your day is absolutely amazing.

The second issue is this whole Christmas deal. I want everyone to mean it when I say, do not. Get me. Anything. Anything at all. I do not support the consumerism of Christmas. I do not want you to feel the need to go shopping, to get your “Christmas shopping” done, it’s a lot of anxiety and stress that’s put on you, and I don’t want to be a part of that stress. I am making scarves this year for a lot of people, but please do not mistake my intentions- I am making these scarves because it was a new thing for me, I got some yarn, I tried making a scarf and I had a ton of fun doing it, and it is cheap on the expenses. The only thing it really takes is time, which I have a lot of, I know. : ) And it’s cold, so I’m giving them away as I go along, as I would any other gift I’ve picked up. Save for a certain pair of slippers.

But I’m serious. I know of few of you have mentioned already getting something, and some keep saying, “No, really, what do you want?”
I want a gift to be about something more than an incessant need to, “fit in”. It’s one of the biggest forms of peer pressure America’s society has ever created, well, soda but that’s kind of different, and over half the population falls into it. When you see something that reminds you of someone, and you feel inspired to get it for them- then do it. That is a gift. Thought, feeling, emotion goes in to it. I’m not saying that when a lot of you Christmas shop you start months ahead and you put a lot of time and effort into it. (I’m talking to you, Kelly.) But again- I’m still a name on a list to complete and spend money on and shopping outings become individualized hunts. I know you love me; and I love you to, you don’t have to prove it that way. We can do something else like play a board game, (Kelly, you and your Scrabble) or cards. We could sit by a fire and poke each other. Make cookies. Shop. Share egg nog. Toast. Whatever the case may be.

Now, I love Christmas time. Aside from all the decorations, the music, the shopping… it’s great. It’s a good time to wrap up in your scarf and sweaters and snuggle on the couch with hot cocoa. Most people are in a trance-like state of happiness, there’s time off work, and for once America idolizes an overweight senior citizen. There’s egg nog, pumpkin pie, family and friends. So make your shopping list, check it twice, but make sure I’m at the bottom where it says, “Call or visit.”

Okay, with that said and done, I want to quick thank those of you that commented yesterday [I’ve been saying that a lot lately.] about chopping off my hair. Smooches and hugs for you. Enjoy the family video.