Christmas 2012

I can't believe it has already come and gone.  I was so looking forward to Christmas this year, looking forward to relaxing with my family, but I have come to deeply (and sadly) understand that a relaxing Christmas is a rare one.  And Jim and I don't even have kids to drag from their tree to go to the next house to open MORE presents.  We have two wonderful families and two dogs; it really should not be that complicated or stressful, but, for some reason, it just felt...(I am really having a hard time coming up with one word, as not all moments were forced or boring or invigorating or fun)...  I don't know, less than what I had hoped for or expected (HA! perhaps I have identified the problem).

Jim and I exchanged gifts at our house.  He got me a sweet new camera (I have hated my Sony since going against advice I should have taken over a year ago), and I got him a car stereo for the Subaru (soon he can stop rocking the cassette tapes).  I love my new camera!

On Christmas Eve day I had a hankering to see some big mountains and a liquor store, so we headed over to the Whites via my parents to drop off gifts and a bunch of food (I was on sweets: one pumpkin pie, one butterscotch pie, two batches of cowboy cookies, a bunch of fresh fruit and the ingredients for chocolate fondue).  From there we headed to the Berlin Liquor Store for a money-saving booze trip.  We went for a nice walk in Moose Creek State Park (really sweet mountain biking in the summer) and then headed for the Thurston Compound.

We have a tradition on Christmas Eve that we hang out with Grampa (he was SO happy we were there - seriously, that man, I love him - his face reflected pure delight that he was not alone - his girlfriend goes with her family for Christmas, so the house seems pretty empty without her - he was so thankful we were there).  From that visit, we load up the backpacks with eggnog and rum and head out on foot with the dogs.  We go to Jim's siblings' houses and help wrap gifts, share eggnog and play Santa (well, Jim does that).  

My brother-in-law: wondering why...

The moon and being outside was the best part. 

Just over the temporary bridge and into the big field...so nice.

We ended up at Cheri's last (until 2am - yikes!).  This is where Jim plays Santa.  He writes back to the kids and eats all the treats (which is why I think he does it).  He puts a lot of thought into these letters from Santa; it's pretty cool.

Dixie hates nearly every minute of Christmas - too many excited children, too many strangers in her space, too much moving from one place to the next.  Can you see the "WTF?" on her face?

New dog to the compound (Cheri and Randy) - he is CUTE!  He and Phoenix loved each other.  They are both cattle dogs, I think (I mean, he is, but I THINK P is too).

Jack (another Jack to add to dogs I love)

On Christmas Day, we get up and sit with Grampa (Bailey's in coffee) and talk with him.  This year, we were doing that on about four hours of sleep - ouch.  At 10am I went for an hour walk in the woods with the dogs.  We loved it.  I was feeling a little shaky to start, but the fresh air helped.

On the trail, a beech leaf and pine needles.

Happy Dog.

From Grampa's we headed to Jim's parent's for hanging out, gifts and a little food.  Around 3pm we headed up the Andro to my parents where we again, ate, opened gifts and visited.

Kylie snapped this one of Phoenix by the tree.

Just before fondue (we have a long-standing Christmas tradition of beef and cheese fondue at Christmas), Jim and I headed out with the dogs for a walk.  We passed my grandfather's (it is my uncle's now) and saw my kinda-cousin out feeding her horses - that was nice.  In the cold, we continued on down the road until we got to Champ's field; from there, we took the snowmobile trail out into the big field.  Cold and refreshing, the dogs and I win again.

A rare occasion when Mumma sits.  She LOVES her grand-dogs.  And she is loving the book she is reading.  I loved it too.  It is a great view into Rumford/Mexico when they boomed - a really touching memoir.  I gave a copy to both my sister and my brother.  So much of who we are is reflected in those pages: the mill, the town, the people, Lithuanian immigrants.  When We Were the Kennedys by Monica Wood - check it out.

Day after Christmas Girls' Walk in the woods of "the" logging road.  Nice walk with mom, Julie, Kylie and the blonde bombshells (sorry Phoenix).

Kylie sent me this one - Phoenix and Mia.

At the base of White Cap there is an old, large field in the middle of the woods.  We walked there and the dogs ran and chased.

Overall it was a good Christmas, but I do need something (or more than one thing) to be different next year to make it more...I don't know...relaxing, less rushed, more focused on what matters...  I had hoped to feel connected, but I feel less so than I did.  

But I also know, there sure is a lesson in there - one I need to learn.