A Bah Humbug

I have major issues with Christmas this year. Mainly the gift-giving part. Either my husband is rubbing off on me or I am turning into my mother, but I think Christmas turns into this little game of having to make sure you get gifts for all these people because they might or will give you gifts. I have to think (I have done no research) that gift giving actually started with someone who just wanted to show another person that they cared about them. So this person got someone a special, tiny gift to say, "Merry Christmas" and don't forget what Christmas actually is about.

Now, it is this ridiculous game. Making sure you get your coworkers and bosses something, then your family, and maybe some friends. But your family grows so large that there is no possible way to get gifts for everyone and it ends up stressing you out so much that you just get somebody something and don't even care if they like it, just so you can be done with the shopping. THEN, you sit at home two weeks later and wonder why you didn't receive a thank you note and complain that you got them something at all.

So in actuality, the gift giving was all about YOU and not about THEM. Hmmm. Doesn't sound very "Christmas-like" to me.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love opening presents on Christmas Day and I love buying a gift for people that I love. I would give up all sorts of stuff to buy all the people I love exactly what they want or need for Christmas. But I feel like we (in general, not specifically) have taken it too far and make it about ourselves.

For instance, if you are hoping your gift is the best one the person receives that year, you are thinking about yourself. If you are wondering if you spent the most on that person, you are thinking about yourself. If you are counting on a thank you note to congratulate yourself on the awesome gift buying, you are thinking about yourself.

Because, is Christmas really supposed to be about presents? Or you? (Side note: And should we really decorate for Christmas before Halloween?)

In my opinion, and I will probably enforce this with my children someday, we should make Christmas less about us and what we will get or give. Instead, make birthdays big and huge and special. Buy the big gifts and make it a big deal - that's a day for you. Christmas is not.

You're thinking I'm a regular bah humbug this year, huh? It's true that I am debating over whether to decorate the house for Christmas, but you would be surprised at how excited I am about getting some of my gift ideas this year for those people I love!

Results

Hubs and I recently completed the P90X workout. We did a full 90 days of excercising 6 days each week. Phew.

We now have memorized most of all the work-outs. We now find ourselves quoting Tony Horton in conversation. We now can say that we completed it. And we now we are taking a week off to figure out what is next.

But they have you take a fit test before and after to see if you improved and it was interesting to see our results.

Pull-ups: Hubs increased by 64%. My results don't really mean anything; I started at doing 1/4 of a pull-up and ended doing 3/4 of one.

Vertical leap: Hubs increased by 47%; I increased by 56%

Push-ups: Hubs increased by 47%. I increased by 104%. (Since I could not even do a regular push-up prior to this program, I recorded my results on my knees to be consistent.)

Toe touch: Hubs increased his flexibility by 6.5 inches! I increased by 3.5 inches, but we ended at about the same flexibility.

Wall Squat: Hubs increased by 69-seconds; I increased by 90-seconds.

Bicep Curls: Hubs increased by 50%; I increased by 60%.

In & Outs (ab exercise): Hubs increased by 50%; I increased by 248%.

You may notice that my numbers increased more drastically than Hubs's. One reason could be because Hubs was more in-shape when we began that I was. He definitely worked harder during the past 90 days, but I had more areas in which to improve.

Another reason could be that I wimped-out on the first fit test. I was not someone who pushed myself when working out. During P90X, however, I learned to push myself and work harder - another benefit of the program and that was seen in the final test. If I would have pushed myself at the beginning, I probably would have gotten higher scores, making the end scores not so drastic. I think Hubs' scores of about a 50% increase, are what people should expect.

Basically, P90X gave us a steady workout for 90-days. No matter what, if you work out consistently for 90 days, there will be results. I can obviously see results in my fit test and am happy that I did it. And especially excited that I can do over 20 regular push-ups today!

Notice I did not post final pictures or weights. I think the fit test says more than those ever would - believe me.

The Graduate

Today, I am a proud momma owner.

Ransom graduated from an 8-week obedience course. Hubs came along to watch his graduation and to take some pictures. Of course on graduation day, he acted as though he learned nothing.

He was the only dog in his class to win the perfect attendance award. He loved his award.

Good thing he won that contest, because he lost Simon Says due to his owner forgetting how to play. He was the first dog out on the "who can sit the longest" contest and came 2nd to last on the "fastest recall." Those little dogs can run fast!

We had a good time, though. His classmates included a mastiff, a blue heeler, a daschund, a boston terrier, and two shelties.

When it was time to receive his diploma, Ransom lost interest. Something behind him looked way cooler.

I think he was proud of his accomplishment, though. We still have some areas to work on, but at least we have a good foundation.

The Big Sis

I have two brothers, both younger; which makes me the Big Sister. And, as a big sister, I had to develop traits and skills that allowed me to survive life in the basement.

As most older sisters, I was am bossy. I have always, and still sometimes, feel that it is my job to tell others what to do. When left alone, I assumed the "boss" role with excitement. My brothers, however, seemed to have trouble accepting my leadership position. Usually their response was, "You're not the boss of me, Feather!" Physical force, yelling, and phone calls to mom usually followed. I still can be bossy today - especially when placed in some sort of planning committee or group.

Opinionated would be another necessary skill of a big sister. One that I also embraced fully. Like, when my brother wanted to play the tuba, I had a strong argument against him (mainly for my sleeping benefit). Or, when my brother was deciding between cross-country and soccer, I also tried to influence the process. Whatever is going on in their lives, they know to count on me to speak my thoughts. Actually, everyone can expect me to share my thoughts but usually I do wait until asked.

I also have to fix things. I feel like everything must be fixed and I must be the one to fix it in the way that I think it should be fixed. Little brothers don't always appreciate the meddling, but I will always want to do it. I hate it when things aren't fixed and always work to fix everyone's problems.

Probably the trait that has carried on the strongest and the one that I cherish the most, however, is an overwhelming desire to make sure everything goes just perfect for my brothers. I want them to be happy, successful, doing everything right, and walking with God. If something is wrong in either of my brother's lives, whether small or large, I feel it just like it was my own. I agonize. I worry. I pray. And when things are going well for my brothers, I feel it just like it was my own. I smile. I rejoice. I pray.

Whether they are 10 and 8 or 22 and 20, I'm the one who is supposed to look after my little bros; and I always will.

Are you a big or little sibling? How has it influenced your life?

Twenty-six, schmix

At Ransom's obedience class last night, we somehow I mentioned that my husband was a dentist while we talked about one of the girl's braces.

Later that evening, the same girl told her mom that she thought I was in high school and couldn't believe I was old enough to be married.

So there, twenty-six.

Halloween

For years I disliked Halloween. Mainly because it diverted attention away from me my birthday. Then I went through a stage where I loved Halloween - the pumpkins, the weather, the food, and the novelty of having a birthday on a not-so-important holiday.

This year, I was once again reminded why I sometimes dislike Halloween. Hubs and I ended up at the Wichita mall right in the midst of trick-or-treating time. Most of the costumes were cute and tasteful. However, the part that I dislike are the gross, scary costumes. The grotesque masks and face paint - not my thing. Dressing up as a giraffe, football player, or puppy - that's cute and fun. Dressing up as a scary thing with a yucky mask or fake blood - I don't get it.

My ideal Halloween includes spicy chili, warm gooey cinnamon rolls, hot coffee, and caramel apples. Maybe some carved pumpkins and fun games, like bobbing for apples or eating a donut off a string, too.

Nothin' scary 'bout that.

The start of my 26th year

Beautiful flowers.

A chance to sleep while Ransom went for his morning walk.

Breakfast out.

A trip to Wichita.

Two new pans.

Cold weather gear.

A Husker win.

And a beautiful day.

Not much more you can ask for on the last day of October - and your 26th birthday.

Hubs planned it all; which made my birthday (the first birthday without a test the next day) a great day.