A Good Christmas
Now is the time to bask in the afterglow.
We had a couple of lovely holiday days. Christmas Eve, we went to see the movie AVATAR, and I was completely, totally dazzled. The story itself was very predictable. I knew exactly what was going to happen, but honestly, I didn’t care one iota. In some movies, when this happens, it annoys the snot out of me. In this movie, I was so enraptured by my immersion in this new world that I didn’t care. I enjoyed the characters (even though they were all pretty standard–dumb-but-lovable hero; feisty heroine; smart-and-smarmy scientist; bloodthirsty army dude; etc.) and the story itself. Most of all, I enjoyed the beauty of the movie. James Cameron has created the most lush, evocative, and incredible movie I’ve ever seen. Make sure you see it in 3D. I think it might lose a little something without the 3D, and you don’t want to miss the absolutely breathtaking environment as it spins around you. There is also a spiritual component to the movie that really resonated with me: the idea of all living things in a world being interconnected and bound to each other, responsible for each other, and honoring each other. Overall, this was the best movie experience I’ve had in a long, long time. Two thumbs WAY up for AVATAR.
After seeing the movie, we went to my husband’s sister’s house to celebrate Christmas with his family. It was a lovely night, although my niece didn’t get off work until late, so we were there for quite some time, waiting for her to arrive. No worries. My husband’s older brother is getting married in September of next year, and it was nice to spend some time with his new fiancee. My oldest niece also has a new boyfriend after spending several years with her troubled ex, so I was happy to meet him and see what their energy together is like. I wish them both well. We always pick names on that side of the family for our gift exchange, and my sister-in-law got me this cool Tarot deck to add to my collection:
It’s a really cool circular deck with loads of great imagery. My younger nieces, especially the youngest, seemed very interested when I received it, so we spent some time looking through the cards and talking about their meanings–a short, simple introduction to Tarot for them. It was fun, although I’m sure I would’ve made more sense if I hadn’t had 2 glasses of wine by that time. Oh, well. No matter what, I always enjoy spending time with my husband’s family, and this year was no exception. As we drove home, my husband mentioned that we should try to get together with them more often, and I totally agree.
On Christmas morning, we got up to find both of our boys already eating breakfast, so we waited until they were finished to start our Christmas cheer. They emptied their stockings first, which were filled with a stainless steel water bottle, a wooden brainteaser puzzle, a winter hat, and video tapes for the movie camera they constantly use to film their stop-motion animation movies. They also received a gym bag (filled with underwear, LOL!); handkerchiefs; heavy hoodies to wear during these colder temperatures; several Lego sets; and the game DJ HERO for the Wii. They received iTunes gift cards and the new Lego Indiana Jones Wii game from their cousins, and another Lego set from their aunt, so they seemed to be very pleased with their Christmas acquisitions. It’s always so much fun for me to watch them open their gifts–quite a gift in itself.
I was pleasantly surprised to receive from my husband an iPod Nano (purple!) and an iTunes gift card, which I wasn’t expecting at all. I’ve been tossing around the idea of buying an iPod for a while now, especially because I’d like to be able to create playlists of music for my work environment and not have to rely on my old, cranky CD player. I just hated committing to the purchase, so Keith made it easy for me. That was very sweet of him. I also received Tori Amos’ new Midwinter Graces CD, as well as volume 2 of the GLEE soundtrack. The boys got me HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE on DVD, too. Keith and I bought each other the Wii EA Sports Active game set so that we can try a new way of getting in shape (which kicked my thighs this morning, thank you very much!). I think my favorite present from my husband was this, however:
The one Keith got for me isn’t pictured, here or on her SOLD pages, but I love it! It’s perfect for me, containing an Edward Gorey image of a woman in the prow of a boat, with the message “prophetic voyages” on the back. It is strung with gorgeous black crystal beads and accented with clear and aquamarine crystals. I have been wanting one of Lunaea’s magnificent creations for a long time, and I was certainly happy to receive this one. I feel like it was made just for me!
After presents yesterday, Keith and I got to work, preparing the meal we served to my family. My older brother, his wife, and his daughter came for dinner, along with my father. I always enjoy my family as well. My brother and I have grown closer over the last 10 years or so, and I do love spending time with him and my sister-in-law. It was great to see our niece, too, who lives with her mom near Columbus and doesn’t get down to visit too often. My brother brought an ENORMOUS bottle of riesling with him, which we laughed about but ended up drinking most of throughout the day. We enjoyed a nice meal with plenty of desserts (which is why I’m glad we go the new Wii workout game!), and my father gave us a very generous Christmas gift, and we’ll have to figure out what we’d like to spend it on. It was an extremely enjoyable Christmas day, and I’m glad my whole family (small as it is) was able to be together.
So today, I’m catching up on chores, straightening up the house, and putting new things in their places.
I hope you all had a marvelous Christmas, if you celebrate it, and that your weekend is filled with beauty and blessings. Thanks for spending some time with me today.
Uncategorized | Rose | 
December 26, 2009 8:19 am
4 Comments
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By Loran, December 26, 2009 @ 10:40 am
Hi, I saw your comments on facebook to Lunea and followed the links to your blog (I wanted to see the picture of your new rosary!) I completely agree with your review on Avatar. I didn’t see it in 3D and still loved the world that was created.
By Rose, December 26, 2009 @ 10:50 am
Hi Loran. It’s nice to meet you! Thank you for stopping by!
I’m sorry I don’t have a good picture posted of Lunaea’s rosary–I was hoping it would be posted on her SOLD page. But it is lovely. Did I see that you bought one for your daughter? Which one did you decide on? They’re all so beautiful, but I am very glad that my husband chose the Edward Gorey for me. It’s perfect!
Wishing you a very happy day!
By Maria, January 3, 2010 @ 9:54 am
We saw Avatar too. Bing adored it, me…not so much. I thought it was sort of a like a green Terminator. We also saw Up in the Air and Sherlock Holmes and I think I liked Up in the Air the best.
By Rose, January 3, 2010 @ 12:25 pm
I think Bing and I would like the same movies, Maria–but I also think you and I like the same movies, too. I tend to love lots and lots of different kinds. I do love a good action flick, which I know you’ve said Bing enjoys, but I also like cerebral films as well. Just depends on my mood.
I’d really like to see UP IN THE AIR, although I have to admit it probably won’t happen. With two almost-14-year-old boys in the house and a husband who loves action, I’m more inclined to predict a trip to see SHERLOCK HOLMES next.