When I was out walking around for Halloween I had the feeling we had just done this.  It seems like a cliche to say that but it really hit me.  Just the day before I could have sworn, under oath, that Halloween wasn't for at least another week.

Christmas feels the same way.  I keep finding my self saying "Didn't we just do this".  I'm not sure what aspect of my life makes it that way.  I don't think it's just getting older.  I think it has more to do with responsibilities, worries, or the repetitive nature of work.  Though my work day is hardly ever the same as the next, just the act of going to work and coming home is repetitive enough.  I have a hard enough time keeping track of what day of the week it is working four, ten hour days.  It makes it even worse when my days off rotate every four weeks.

 Of course Thanksgiving is before that.  Luckily there isn't a lot of preparation needed for that holiday.  Thanksgiving day is always busy but it's not an continuous buildup leading to it.

Christmas has a large buildup.  Though I loved it as a kid, the holiday has become too commercialized.  If you go to www.howstuffworks.com you will find out exactly how that happened.  If you look at the origins of some of the traditions it is rather ridiculous.  If we stick with what St. Nicholas did, the gifts should be able to fit in a sock and not crammed under a tree (or around it).  On Christmas day the kids excitement is well worth the stresses of shopping and attempting to hide the gifts.  I should note that P does the shopping and most of the wrapping.  I help where I can but mostly I stay out of her way.  It's safer that way .

Going to church is always nice for Christmas.  The songs and the themes are uplifting and relaxing.  P and I try to keep a good amount of 'holiday cheer' with us but it is hard some times. 

"Find some joy."  P heard some one say this to her kids and now it's used in our house when things are spinning out of control.  This year I will attempt to find some joy and have holiday cheer.

Then New Years will be here and everything starts over again.  Too bad Thanksgiving couldn't happen in the summer some time.  Though the crops wouldn't have been ready for harvest at that time.