New Schedules Are Not for Christmas

Starting a new routine right around Christmas time is probably not the best idea in the world.

It's almost impossible to try to work, while preparing for a major holiday.  There have been so many other things pulling at me, and taking up my time.  Fun, joyful things that I would so much rather be doing.

It's important to take this time to be building memories with the family, instead of being tied to my computer, or a piece of paper and pencil.  

This year, I had a hard time trying to find the Christmas spirit.  It's been really warm and raining a lot, which is kind of odd for this area.  I kind of feel like if stuff is falling out of the sky this time of year, it should be white, and turning the world into a winter wonderland, not a gray, soggy mess.  I'm sure we'll get snow sometime soon.  And then I'll be freaking out, trying keep the driveway shoveled, and the house warm.  

I long for some sunshine, though.  

The kids enjoyed Christmas, and they are continuing to enjoy their presents, and getting to see family.  And isn't family what the season is really all about?  Getting to see those loved ones we don't get to see on a regular basis.  That's where the real joy is.  When I'm with my family, we spend a lot of time laughing, which makes everything better.  

I long for a routine, though.  Changes in routines are upsetting to me.  I don't deal well with being thrown curve balls, and just about everything around the holidays are curve balls.  I'm a planner.  I like to plan stuff out.  If it's not on my calendar or schedule, I feel it shouldn't be happening.  I don't like last minute things.  I try to plan stuff out far in advance, so I have time to wrap my brain around it, find the best way to fit things in, and plan around appointments and things like that.  It's the way I am.  

I don't necessarily like being that way.  And I know that life always throws us unexpected things.  It's the imperfect part of my world, and I have to adjust to it.  I'm going to keep trying.  Maybe, at some point down the road, I'll figure out a way to handle all the little things that life throws at me.  What's the old expression?  "If you want God to laugh at you, tell Him your plans."  It's all just part of living in the imperfect world.  

Until next time, keep it perfectly imperfect.

Holiday Traditions: Easter

"Easter is coming... The goose is getting fat...Please to put a penny in the old man's hat...."
Wait.  That's not right... Sorry.  Lost my head in the holiday confusion again.
I love Easter.  I love the fact that spring weather is right around the corner, that everything is just starting to turn green, the weather is starting to warm up.  It's just awesome.
Holidays always make me think of traditions, and how they are carried forward from generation to generation, and how each generation changes or adds to holiday traditions.
Here at the Landow house, we will start tonight by dying the requisite Easter Eggs, a messy and fun tradition.  We don't go crazy and color with food coloring, or all natural dyes, or anything like that.  I'm a traditionalist.  I like the PAAS egg dying kits that I grew up with, and now my kids are growing up with.  We still manage to get pretty creative with them.

When Sunday morning rolls around this year, the Easter Egg hunt at our house will probably be pretty small.  I'll be having to take pictures of both boys searching and finding eggs, since my husband couldn't get the day off from work.  Their Easter baskets will be the same baskets that they have used for the last eight Easters.  Small, yes, but so very precious to us, because they were made by my dad.  This year, instead of using the highly annoying plastic Easter grass that winds up getting everywhere, (who's still finding pine needles from their Christmas tree in weird spots?  Be honest....)  I'm going to line the baskets with a bright, cheery piece of fabric. 
See?  A new tradition will be born.

After the egg hunt at our house, we will meet my mom at church, for Easter Mass, another tradition that dates back generations.  The parish we attend might change, but the ritual of dressing up and celebrating Easter at Mass doesn't.  After Mass there will be another egg hunt, with all the children from the parish.  They do this every year, rain or shine, and it gives the kids the opportunity to burn off a little of the sugar they have consumed. 
Then it's over to my mom's house.  This year, we're probably having brisket for dinner, instead of the usual (dare I say, traditional?) ham. And that's okay.  It might not be perfect for some, but for us?  It is perfect.  Perfectly wonderful.

I hope this Easter brings you all lots of blessings, lots of peace, and lots of joy.  And lots of perfection that is perfect JUST FOR YOU!

St. Patrick's Day: Wearin' of the Brown?

It's St Patrick's Day.  A day of celebration, green beer, corned beef and cabbage.  Wearing green.  Partying hard, right?
Well, not so much.
See, I was born and raised Catholic, and weirdos that we are, we look at St Patrick's Day a tiny bit differently.  St. Patrick's Day is actually Feast Day.  The Feast Day of Saint Patrick, which is actually not his birthday, but the day he died, and is considered a day of solemnity and holy obligation in his honor.
So, while the rest of the country celebrates with parties, wearing a lot of green, and chasing leprechauns, we spend it quietly, and saying some extra prayers.
Tonight we'll eschew corned beef and cabbage, because corned beef is fairly expensive, and my kids don't really like cooked cabbage.  (I'm sure they will grow into liking it, just like me, but I'm not going to force it.)  We'll probably have pizza for dinner, because that is our treat when my husband works late.
So we spend a quiet day, concentrating on the spirituality of the day, instead of the partying.  It's another peaceful day here (well, as peaceful as it can be), and it is lovely.  Spring is in the air, and we are all feeling so very blessed.

Have a blessed Saint Podraig's Day.