Ignorant Historian

I love January.  Everything’s so fresh and new.  Christmas decorations, though beautiful, are rather cluttery.  I always make an effort to clean through my things in January, too, after being abundantly blessed at Christmas and my birthday.   Though I haven’t completely tackled my desk and its stack of papers (which I saved for last), I feel much more comfortable in my apartment now that almost everything is in it’s place.

January also comes with a fresh start.  Sure, it’s rather arbitrary what time of year we decide is the start of a new year, but I like having it in the dead of winter, the season I naturally have the least motivation.   I think if we celebrated New Year’s some other time, I’d likely fall into a funk after Christmas.  I look forward to having longer days (actually seeing more than the 20 minutes of sunlight I drive in to work) and more natural energy that comes with it.

I suppose I should talk about my lofty goals for this year, if this was a proper New Year’s post.  But of course it’s not, being 4 days late, and I don’t have major goals for this year.  While I have a hunger to learn and grow, I don’t necessarily have resolutions tied to those ambitions.   Really, the only thing I have laid out as plans for this year is my book goals, of which I have a few.  The only other two resolutions/goals I could come up with is to exercise three times a week (which was my goal anyway) and to wear a skirt/dress once a week (since I’ve gotten rather lazy, and really do love to wear a skirt).

More than anything, I want this to be a year where I grow closer to God and more obedient to His word.  For me, one of the hardest things about living for Christ is the living for others.  As my book goals can attest, I’m a bit of a loner. Like every other fallen human being, I tend to live for myself, seeking my own desires and pleasures.  May God show me the needs of the people around me…and may I open my eyes to them and make it a priority to meet those needs.

Photo by Ryan McD

I’m back.  Primarily to tell you that I’m extending this bloggy break until January 4th.  I’m just enjoying a break from the ordinary too much not too.  I promise some trip- and holiday-inspired highlights when I get back.

The trip back from Kansas was rather lacking in anything to make it special.  As far as air travel goes, that’s always a good thing!  I’m back safe and sound and looking forward to a day of catching up at work and a few days of cleaning, organizing, and all-around preparing for a month of weddings and a season of tax-induced craziness.   I hope you had a blessed Christmas and will have a safe and fun New Year’s!

Being that my brain’s all birthday-fied this week (thanks for the birthday wishes, BTW), I’ve been thinking about how there seems to be something special about people who have December birthdays.

I mean, I don’t think we’re something special just because our birthdays fall into a certain period of time (I mean, that time period is arbitrary anyway), but that we share a special bond.  Perhaps others who share birthday months have this, too, but I doubt it.  Or at least it’s not the same.

People with December birthdays share a special camaraderie because we know what it’s like to have our birthdays overshadowed by Christmas.  Presents wrapped in Christmas paper (or combined with Christmas presents or not given at all).  Parties with low attendance as schedules are already overcrowded.  Excitement over the coming holiday greater than your own day.

I’m not trying to complain…I’ve been more than blessed.  But those of us who are in this club simply “get” it.  We tend to make more of a fuss over each others birthdays.  We’re more likely to remember other December birthdayists even though we forget our closer friend’s birthdays.

So, to all my December Birthday Club members, happy birthday!  Thanks for understanding!

Photo by D Sharon Pruitt

Christmas is filled with fun times with the friends you care the most about.

This is not Christmas.

Christmas is cozing up with your family by the fire.

This is not Christmas.

Christmas is finally being free of the bonds of schoolwork.

This is not Christmas.

Christmas is a home decorated in tinsel and green.

This is not Christmas.

Christmas is a mailbox full of Christmas cards.

This is not Christmas.

Christmas is the celebration of God humbling himself, taking on the flesh of sinful man, being born a baby.  The greatest gift I could ask for on this or any holiday.  The incarnation that made our salvation possible.

Indeed, this is Christmas.

Photo by funkyshapes

I can’t believe it’s December.  Like, really.  Last night I thought, “I’ll get a haircut in November or December” thinking that was a long time away.  Now that it IS December, I have no idea when I’d have time for a haircut!

December is always my favorite month, probably because my birthday (the 15th…you still have time to buy me a gift and stick it in the mail ;) ).  I’ve always been a huge Christmas fan, but I haven’t really felt the Christmas spirit this year.  I’ve been dutiful in planning Christmas presents (ordered the first ones in the wee hours when I was avoiding going to bed), but not in writing Christmas cards or decorating.  Still not sure either of those are going to happen.  We’ll see.

I’ve been struggling with a cough since a couple of days before Turkey, and finally decided enough was enough.  I could tolerate it enough for a while, but it’s starting to head south, and the last time I let it, I ended up with bronchitis.  I know something is wrong when I can hear myself breathing in my headphones and they’re not attached to a stethoscope.  (on a totally random note, I don’t think I’ve ever written that word…it’s kinda funny looking!)  I have an appointment to see a PA this afternoon and feel incredibly grownup…usually I have to go to urgent care because I don’t know where else to go (and I’ve always had insurance, it’s just my patheticness).  I’m determined to find a primary care doctor now, though.  I’ll see if I like the office I’m visiting today.

So, to complete this randomness, what are you looking forward to most this much?

Well I made it through NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) this November, which seemed like the shortest month ever.  I suppose it helps when you spend have of it away from home, huh?

Looking back, it was a good month.  I got to spend time in the country I love and with people that I love.  Sure, I saw emotions deeper than I’ve ever felt, and through some hard personal times, but I believe I’ve grown through those times and am better prepared for adversity in the future.  Through it all, there WERE blessings upon blessings, and I’m incredibly thankful.

So now we can look forward to December.  Only a couple of weeks until my birthday, and then after that there’s Phantom, a few days with a good friend in Texas, and then some great time with the family.  It’s bound to be another fast month!

Christmas isn’t about presents.

No need to get frustrated at the traffic or the fact that they store is out of the only item you wanted.

No need to worry about not being able to give your family as much as you have in years past.

The greatest gift you can give is your time and attention.  Don’t lose that in all the “packages, boxes, and bags!”

Photo by lechampiondumonde.com

I thank God He’s given me food on my table in abundance.

I thank God that He’s given me family and friends who love me and show me more grace than I deserve.

I thank God for giving us quick travel that I may visit my family who’s over 1,000 miles away on this day.

I thank God for giving me not only a well-paying job in these times, but a job that I like.

I thank God for allowing me to be part of a church who, though not perfect, is seeking to grow together towards christlikeness.

Most of all, I thank God for giving His Son to save a wretch like me.

So happy Thanksgiving, and remember to thank God for the many blessings he’s given you…no matter how many or how few, they’re more than we deserve.

Photos by CarbonNYC, Julie McLeod,  aka Kath, me, Phillie Casablanca, and DrGBB

Thanksgiving meal with people I love

(though I could say the same thing when I have Thanksgiving with my family later this week!)