Get Your Calendars Ready!
Happy December, everyone! Are we all starting Advent calendars today? I have my usual dogs-in-Santa-hats puzzle calendar ready to go, but after last year’s extreme disappointment over a much-coveted After Eight calendar, I decided not to buy myself one. Instead, I opted to purchase a few bags of treats that I love – Lindts, mostly, but also York peppermint patties – and I’m going to choose one daily. It’s like my own low-effort, high-rewards calendar.
I did buy three actual Lindt calendars from Costco for the guys at least six weeks ago, and while I was browsing I came across this:
Please notice the stack of Godiva chocolates for scale. This Lindt calendar was over five feet tall, and on sale for a mere $249.99. To be fair, each day in the calendar contains an entire bag of Lindts or a full-sized Lindt bear, and that is probably a decent price for that volume of quality chocolate. And I will say that I did have a moment when I wondered if I could fit it in the car, and then I had another such moment last week when I saw it again, and it was discounted by $50. However. That really is a lot of chocolate. I think it would be an incredible addition to, say, an office break room, if one had a lot of staff. Which I do not.
Am I still thinking about it? Am I wondering how discounted it would be now? Am I considering asking my husband to bring his truck to Costco? Yes to all of those questions. However, his truck is currently full of leaves, ready to be taken to the organic waste section of the landfill, so I guess that is a no for me.
It’s Really The Twenty-Fifth Night of December
My sons both loathe December by Earth, Wind, and Fire, citing it as the stupidest Christmas song ever written. They changed one word and then called it a Christmas song, they say, which is true. I still like it though, as well as Taking Care of Christmas, which I probably shouldn’t mention in the same sentence as December. After all, there are festive lyrics in there, not just a swap of “December” for “September.”
The song I really loathe is Wonderful Christmastime. The second I hear the opening bars, my shoulders creep right up to my ears and I do whatever I need to not to listen to that tuneless tripe. However, my friend Hannah (HI HANNAH) sent me this as a coping mechanism:
Reframe the narrative, as they say. I cannot always control hearing Wonderful Christmastime, but I CAN control my thoughts about it, and now I will constantly think of it as masking witchcraft.
It’s Mariah’s Time To Shine
The truth is I love most holiday music and will bop along to anything. I will also, as per Buddy the Elf, sing out loud for all to hear, although I admit I don’t do this consciously. It just sort of happens. Sometimes I will see someone else singing quietly in Superstore, and our eyes will meet with great understanding.
And let’s not forget about my all-time favourite!
I swear, the first person to hurt my feelings about Whamaggedon will get buried in my floorboards. Emotionally.
First Sob of the Year
Back in October, we were having breakfast in Morocco with our new Australian friends, and somehow I volunteered the information that one of my favourite songs of the season is White Wine in the Sun. How or why this topic presented itself, I cannot say, but I got into an involved conversation with one of the Australian men. He told me that Tim Minchin wrote it when he was 25 and far from home. And when he gets home, everyone is waiting for him drinking white wine…I started to say before choking up, waving my hands in front of my eyes. It’s too much! I said, welling up, which made the Australian man also well up, while our respective spouses looked on, dry-eyed.
It’s my go-to Christmas Cry song, along with River and, if I’m in a certain mood, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Recently, my friend Suzanne (HI SUZANNE) asked what was the last book that made you cry and I had to sheepishly answer that it was Of Mice and Men, when I was 19. I am very often moved, sometimes vastly, but I never cry while reading. I just stare off into space for a while, sometimes with my hand on my throat. Am I made of stone? No, because even thinking about and you won’t understand, but you will learn someday brings tears to my eyes, and if I go further than that, heaving sobs are guaranteed. Am I crying RIGHT NOW, just thinking about it? Yes. Did I listen to that song on Friday and go hug my son tearfully, who asked Mom, are you listening to that stupid song again? Yes.
For the record, if I have to tell anyone the ending of Of Mice and Men, I will also start with the heaving sobs.
Buble, King of the World
My husband watches The Voice, and, by the powers of osmosis, so do I. Technically I read on the couch while he watches, but I look up often enough to reflect that it is one of the nicest shows I have ever seen. Remember the days of American Idol? Perhaps those days still exist, I don’t know. What I do know is that there is no nastiness on The Voice, all of the judges are kind to the contestants and to each other, and their appreciation of the music is unmatched.
Michael Buble is one of the judges, and wow, do I love him. What’s not to love? He’s a proud Canadian, by all accounts he is a great husband and father, we never hear anything bad about him, and he gently makes fun of himself while advertising for Bubly, which I ALSO love. Not to mention that he created the single greatest Christmas album of all time! I love all versions of Santa Baby, but I love his best of all.
Blue Jays fans: did anyone else think his name was spelled Boba Shett?
All of this is to say I love holiday music and at any given time these days I’m grooving along to it.
Weekly Reading
This was a VERY fun week for reading!
All The Other Mothers Hate Me. This was a ride and I loved it! It’s a fast-paced, weird and funny book about a former girl band singer who is a hot hot mess, and whose only reason for getting out of bed in the morning is her quirky 10-year-old son. When her son’s nemesis – an heir to a frozen food fortune – goes missing on a field trip, she springs into action…to make sure her son isn’t accused. I don’t know how to describe this book. A thriller? A comedy? A thrill-com? It’s just FUN. A good time, quick read. Fun fact: the author wanted to create a main character who was as awful as can be while still being a very loving mother, and DID SHE EVER.
The Love Haters. What I love about Katherine Center is that while her books are warm-hearted, light, and so much fun, they also deal with deeper issues. For this book, that deeper issue is body image and, in the words of Whitney Houston, learning to love yourself. It is the GREATEST LOVE OF ALLLLL. The body image issues that the protagonist has certainly resonated with me, even if she is of my children’s generation, rather than mine. In fact, the love interest mentioned his mother’s year of birth, which is the same as my husband’s. Nevertheless! I really loved this book, even if at times the story was a bit silly and far-fetched. WHO CARES. It was a delight! It had it all: a handsome rescue swimmer with the Coast Guard, a group of old ladies known as The Gals whose ringleader was named Rue, a Great Dane named George Bailey. It was just a perfect romp with a great message about loving your body because it’s your body, and not wasting time and energy trying to live up to some stupid societal standards. My one quibble was the title. I did not get the feeling that any of the characters hated love. But that is such a minor quibble – I really loved this.
It’s that time of year again! Now that the madness of November and NaBloPoMo is over, I am going to do an Ask Me Anything. Do you have questions for me? Just fill out this form and I will be happy to answer them in the upcoming weeks. I am, as you know, willing to talk about almost anything. Happy December, friends. I hope you have lots of light and chocolate and music and all the good things. xo
Oh, a giant Lindt calendar in the office break room!
I can totally picture the morning chaos: battles over who gets to open the door, negotiations (or outright disputes) over sharing the daily treats, especially if it’s a Lindt bear that needs to be split. And the heartbreak if one day Kevin opens a door with eager anticipation… only to find it mysteriously empty. The drama! 😂
I love your version, though. Just one little treat for yourself each day, stress-free, and no trucks full of leaves to worry about!
POOR KEVIN!! He was waiting all MONTH for his giant chocolate Teddy and now he has to settle for a measly chocolate doled out by one of his generous co-workers, who nonetheless had eaten 90% of the bag before realizing that Kevin was empty handed.
😂🤣
I’m trying to think of the last time a book made me cry and I can’t come up with one. And yet, a tender movie, a song, or even a sappy commercial can make my eyes well up. I love Katherine Center’s books, and chocolate and many, but not all, Christmas songs.
I really like Katherine Center, (did you automatically write Centre? I did!) but I’ve only read two of her books. I THINK. I am actually not sure! But she is a really good writer…wait, I think she also wrote The Bodyguard, which I LOVED. So make that three!
Hahaha, well it’s that time of year where we disagree about Christmas songs! Let’s leave Last Christmas alone (for now) – I LIKE Wonderful Christmastime!!! And, let me guess- you like John Lennon’s Christmas song. I can’t stand that one!!!! By the way, we can definitely still be friends. My sister and I disagree on these very songs, and in every other way we get along so well.
I would love to know who purchases that giant advent calendar! I can also see how it’s so fascinating, you kind of want it. I’m laughing at you getting your husband to bring his truck to Costco for it. On the other end of the spectrum- yes I do have an advent calendar- for the cats. Cat treats every day of December!
Lalalala I can’t hear you! What did you say? You realize that Last Christmas is amazing and now you love it?
Happy Christmas War is Over? I like it! THEY WERE CALLING FOR THE END OF THE WAR, JENNY! How can you hate that???
Well, we shall agree to disagree, as we always do!
I cried at the latest TJ Newman book. I didn’t even like it as much as her other books BUT I cried like a baby at the ending. I feel like I need to channel my inner Seinfeld and mutter “Newman.” She got the better of me.
I don’t have a chocolate Advent calendar for me, but I do have them for my kiddos, including a SMALL Lindt one. Please don’t let me son know there is a giant version. He would lose his mind and beg for it immediately.
I do have an Advent CANDLE, though, and it is delightful and burning right this minute. I will explain more later as it will definitely make my Happy Things Friday list.
Wait…TJ Newman is a lady? SHE IS!!! I have been resisting because of the dudeness, but she’s NOT A DUDE.
Hahaha, Engie, that is me literally all the time. IS IT BY A MAN, THEN I AM NOT READING IT (I did read the one about the plane crash, by non-man TJ, and it was really good)
Oooh is the latest one Worst Case Scenario? I’ve only read Falling but I liked it. WHAT A SICK MIND SHE HAS. I’m here for it! Hmm, well, NOW I need to put that on hold, even though I have so many books to get through.
The guys have the regular version of Lindt calendars, the ones that have like one chocolate a day. Probably it’s the same one! Wait, wait. Actually theirs are Lindt TEDDY calendars, so I guess that’s that.
An Advent candle! Does it have a little trinket in it? I feel like I have seen those in my past but can’t put my finger on it exactly.
Yes, that’s the new one. It was… fine. I liked her first two better. I think Falling was my fave, but Drowning was good, too.
Yes, @Engie: she is a woman!!! And she was a flight attendant and WROTE THE FIRST BOOK WHILE WORKING ON A PLANE.
Alas, no trinket in the candle. Actually, that’s a good thing. I get to enjoy the candle and don’t have any little thing to store (and eventually throw away)!
Falling was great!!!
That take on “Wonderful Christmastime” certainly improves it. I have had that exact same thought about “All I Want for Christmas.” It’s kind of a sick burn if you look at it that way.
We are not doing an Advent calendar this year. When we do, we share it, with every family member taking a chocolate every fourth day.
My kids hate “Santa Baby” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and any song that sexualizes Santa. They think it’s gross.
Hahaha well I feel like that for I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, but all bets are OFF when it comes to Santa Baby. I wish I could do holiday karaoke just to sing it in the sexiest, sluttiest way possible. Your kids could join J in horror.
It IS a sick burn! “You’re not a lot.” Lolololol it’s too good.
I would be a happy woman if I never heard “Santa Baby” again, for the same reason that StephLove’s kids hate it, also SO materialistic. I will go on to say that I dislike MOST pop Christmas songs, the ones I like are the religious ones, which is funny because I’m an atheist, but Minchin gets it right about that too. His is a song that will always bring me to tears. My husband had a friend who hated “Wonderful Christmastime” and Ted (my husband) put together a funny recording where the song kept popping up, just to bug him. I wonder if there’s a way to post it on my blog for you. Time will tell.
Lol, well, I am a Material Girl so I love it! It’s just so fun. I love singing it in a super-slutty way, which is probably not the healthiest way to think of Santa, but here we are. I AM WHO I AM.
I am not an atheist and I also love the religious songs. Michelle mentioned O Holy Night and that is always a full-body chill when I hear it.
I thought I could not love you more, but I was wrong. I love you more knowing you love signing it in a slutty way. You may change my mind about that song…
Maybe I should record myself! Lol!
Holy Cannoli. That Lindt calendar is really something else! I am glad you explained the scale/size because that is NOT what I was picturing when I saw the photo! That is just kind of insane! A workplace would be a good place for it, though.
I listened to the Earth, Wind, and Fire song while reading this, and then listened to “White Wine in the Sun” which I had never heard of! My favorite sad Christmas song is “The River” by Joni Mitchell. It might be my favorite Christmas song period because it’s so melancholy and I kind of like that vibe? I swear I am a fun and festive person.
Like you, I am not a crier. Like this fall, the one time I’ve cried about what happened was in my therapist’s office when we discussed the news stories with security camera footage form the event. I actually wish I cried more easily. I used to but something changed and I’m not sure when or why. But being on lexapro also really evens things out. But sometimes I feel bad that I don’t cry over things – like dropping my kids off on their first day of daycare or Paul’s first day of Kindergarten. They had a “tears and cheers” donut celebration for parents on the first day and so many moms (and some dads) were crying and I was just happy he was starting school where I knew he would thrive… I’m working on not judging myself for being such a stoic. It’s how I am built.
Oh I LOVE River. I have a few different versions on my playlist. Blue Rodeo also has a nice one.
I mean, I should be clear. I’m not a BOOK crier. I will cry at the drop of a hat with certain songs or even certain commercials!
Ok I misinterpreted and thought you weren’t a crier in general! I am not a crier – full stop! I used to be, but something turned off the spigot…
Ok I’m never hearing “Wonderful Christmastime” the same way. Also, I thought I had read that Katherine Center book, but then read your description and realized I haven’t, so that’s a delightful surprise. I think maybe I confused the Rom-Commers and The Love Haters.
Hahaha that happens to me all the time! I have Rom-Commers on my list!
Look, even if you don’t get the massive Lindt calendar there is no harm in tracking How Low Can It Go. As they say, quantity has a quality all of its own.
Birchie, I am ON IT. I will be at Costco again soon I’m sure, and I shall REPORT BACK.
I’ve read the Katherine Center book, but not the other so I just put it on hold at the library.
I am not a Christmas music person (besides my love of the BNL Christmas CD) BUT the one song that I love and makes me cry every.single.time is Do They Know It’s Christmas. Between the lyrics and the nostalgia for that time of my life when it was released, it gets me every damn time!
Oooh I love BNL!! As you know!
I hope you like that book, it was a wild ride. The main character is pretty sus, as the kids say, but it is SUCH a well-written story.
Someone pointed out a few weeks ago that “different president” and “hippopotamus” had the same number of syllables (as well as the same cadence) and this puts an entirely different spin on what was already probably my favorite non-religious Christmas song (although I *do* have a soft spot for White Wine in the Sun and also Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, as well as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” which is also a tearjerker if you consider the context).
I do like some of the religious Advent/Christmas songs better than the above, esp. when sung in person (O Come O Come Emmanuel; Joy to the World; O Come All Ye Faithful; and the outlier I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day because look, how often do you *get* a song that both says “hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men” *and* that says that hate won’t ultimately win? And also the other possibly-now-subversive verses of Christmas carols, where “chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother; and in His name all oppression shall cease” and “and ye beneath life’s weary load” and such.). But, in the field of Grocery Store Christmas Music, I would love those first four “secular” songs running on a loop rather than ever running into “Rocking Around The Christmas Tree” again. I also have an unreasonable level of annoyance with Feliz Navidad; I really *like* the concept of multilingual Christmas songs, but it earwormed itself into my head one year and played itself on endless loop; the chorus; the verse; the chorus; the verse; over and over again; and I could not get it out for *weeks* and therefore: would prefer Never Again. And I would not be sad if all recordings of “Christmas Shoes” somehow vanished from the world, or at least the bit where the children’s choir sings the chorus vanished out of the song somehow due to a weird solar storm technical glitch or something…
But! Different people have different preferences and emotional experiences!
And also people have different exposure levels to songs that are fine when occasionally encountered but morph into just “Aaaaugh get me out of here” when they pop up one too many times; apparently people who have worked retail for Christmas often have an aversion to every recording that was in their store’s loop, with hearing the songs over and over again with no recourse *while* the store was chaotic and customers were unusually rude. And some people have specific personal positive associations to songs and others have specific negative associations to songs, and some people get migraines from certain frequencies within music, so it’s all a mixed bag.
Anyway! I am glad you are a secret elf! 🙂 Or possibly a specialized Christmas Gnome substitute?
OMG I love the hippopotamus song and now I will be thinking about it the other way too. “A hippopotamus would like me too!”
I love – or at least like – every song you mention, even the two you don’t care for, although the truth is Rocking Around The Christmas Tree is only really tolerated by me because it’s short and then it’s on to the next one. Like, it’s not GREAT in any capacity. But I’ll still sing along.
Your second-to-last paragraph reminds me of when I worked as a waitress in university, and for some reason they played Werewolves of London CONSTANTLY. I still feel like I’m forgetting someone’s drink when I hear it come on. Also, one year we were in Disney World in early December and I swear they had a Christmas playlist of five songs, one of which is Little Saint Nick, which is an AWFUL song to get stuck in your head.
Some years I get out my fabric advent calendar and some years I don’t. I actually bought a yarn advent calendar this year, where you get a mini skein of yarn a day, but it came at the end of October and I simply Could Not Wait to see all the colors, so I opened it Nov 1 through 25 instead. No regrets! I like your version as well. And I second Birchie, no harm to see how low that massive one goes, it’s not like the chocolate wouldn’t be good in January, and it might end up being quite the bargain.
Right? It could be a real deal! Right now at $199 it’s a pretty decent deal for 24 giant things of chocolate. So…I will keep you posted!
What are you making with all the yarn? Something big or a lot of smaller things?
Probably a shawl: plenty of designers have patterns that are meant for advents, or similar little skeins of yarn. I have a few other things to finish first, so I am resisting looking at patterns for now!
Oh that’s so smart! Eee! Can’t wait to see what you do!
My sister gifts me a Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar, a digital, interactive daily calendar that includes games, music and activities. Each day a new surprise is added and a little history is provided about Christmas traditions. There is a daily elf to find in the Christmas scene and when you click on it, it dances a little jig. Sets the tone for my day!
I love Christmas music, but agree with you about Wonderful Christmastime. I also don’t appreciate Bruce Springsteen SCREAMING, Santa Claus is Coming to Town!!
I misread this at first, in that your sister gave you a personalized Jacquie calendar and I was like, how did she do that? But now I see it’s Jacquie Lawson, which is still really great! That sounds super fun!
I also seriously considered that calendar, and now that you are mentioning discounts, I am seriously considering it agian.
Right? I mean. Now that December has started…the discounts MUST be getting bigger!
Wow, that Advent calendar is huge! It would be interesting to see if the price gets lower as we get further into December. What will happen to the extras after Christmas? What a terrible waste of chocolate! Or does it last until next Christmas? Maybe they put it in the freezer? Well, I seem to have many questions about that, and I don’t expect you to answer them. The Christmas song that always gets me is Oh Holy Night. When they sing, “Fall on your knees” I start to cry! By the time they hit that really high note, and I’m a blubbering mess. I opened the first drawer of my Advent calendar this morning, and I loved the little gifty that was inside. I’ll post about it in a week or so.
I mean…I don’t know! I didn’t think about any of those situations BUT NOW I MUST KNOW. Maybe they take out all the chocolate and sell it for parts, like an old car? Who can say.
Oh MICHELLE. Fall on your knees – gets me every time too. Woooo boy. That one is MOVING.
There’s a song called “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” by Travis Tritt and I like it – it reminds me of driving by myself in college – but I read a theory that it’s Tritt admitting he’s a werewolf and now I like that song even more.
Yes! I don’t cry a lot at books, but songs. DUDE. You introduces me to White Wine in the Sun and now it’s on our holiday playlist and it does make me cry if I listen hard. ALSO. Tanya Tucker did a remake of a Miranda Lambert song called “The House That Built Me” and there’s a line about how when the kids left the house was too big and I SOB EVERY SINGLE TIME. Also, can we talk about the entire Jason Isbell oeuvre? “Elephant” kills me with the “no dies with dignity” line – it is not okay. Basically, the reason I don’t listen to music much is because I just become a mushy mess.
No advent calendar for us, but for the third year we are doing our jigsaw advent. First 40 pieces tonight!
Okay, Engie, I know you like country music so here is the one that kills me EVERY TIME EVERY SINGLE TIME: Buy Dirt. Jesus H, I’m crying right now just typing this. “And watch their pencil marks and the grass in the yard all grow up” – wahhhhhh.
Whew. I had to take a minute there. I feel like you will get this. I am NOT going to look up that Miranda Lambert song. I AM NOT. (yes I will) (and then I’ll cry)
OH MY GOD ENGIE THERE IS A DOG BURIED UNDER THE OAK TREE
WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE
(I’m crying)
When Tanya Tucker’s voice breaks on “live oak,” it’s GAME OVER.
NO IT’S TOO MUCH!!!
Okay, I have a lot to say, and should probably just wait two hours until I can say it to your face, but we will probably have OTHER pressing things to discuss so: I love all the memes you shared; that Poe one is fantastic, and I cannot wait to giggle about witchcraft next time I hear Paulie M. singing that repetitive drivel I mean festive tune.
The Love Haters IS a terrible name! And now I am thinking about glove compartments and Death Cab.
Since today is December 1, my moratorium on Christmas music lifts, and in honor of this occasion, my daughter played Christmas music in the car on the way to school. We heard Mariah and many others, but ALSO we heard Wham. I love that song, and I said something off hand about how the song is kind of a dis and then had to explain to my kid that last year, the singer fell in love with someone who didn’t reciprocate, and my kid said I had RUINED the song for her?!? What did she think it was about?!?!
Hahahaha oh poor Carla! I mean, it IS a really happy tune! But not to fear because this year, to save him from tears, he’s giving his heart to someone special, not like that non-special person who gave away his heart last year!
Isn’t the Poe funny? I think of it YEAR ROUND but only pull it out at this time of year.
I came back here because today we listened to White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes, which I adore, and my kid pointed out to me that it’s about someone dying in and subsequently bleeding all over the snow. Which I had not realized. So. We’re even????
Wait. Maybe it’s not about that, maybe it’s about Michael’s scarf turning the snow red? I don’t even know.
I do not know that song and I must look it up immediately!!!
The one thing I love about reading your blog, is it not only makes me smile but laugh out loud. Funnies aside, I’m glad at least one other person on the planet still loves Wham and sings along. I can’t help myself in big box stores if they’re playing any kind of music. I sing. I’m surprised I’ve never been thrown out … yet!
Alex, imagine if we were shopping together! It could be our own personal karaoke party, in the aisles of Superstore or what have you. I would LOVE that. Ooh! We could do a duet! Baby It’s Cold Outside!
My Dad used to sing (enthusiastically) to the Muzak in the grocery store and I would just die of embarrassment! During my teenage years I refused to go shopping with him unless he promised in advance to not sing. Then he would whistle or hum instead. (Just as mortifying to teenage me) If he was still around these days I’d be singing along with him!
Hahaha oh dads. So embarrassing to their teen daughters! I love this story – “I’m not singing, I’m HUMMING.” Lol!
Oh, now wouldn’t that be a hoot, doing karaoke in Best Buy testing out their equipment! I would love that too.
Next time I’m in a big box (probably this weekend) and start singing, I’ll think of you. HaHa!
WELL NOW THAT YOU SAY THAT! Testing out the Best Buy equipment! I WANT TO DO THIS!
I’m laughing about Wonderful Christmastime and witchcraft. I love stuff like this. I never liked the song, but my dad did -which always surprised me because it didn’t seem like a song he would like. I do love Last Christmas-it’s my favorite Christmas song. 💜
I KNEW YOU LOVED IT TOO!!!! It’s just SUCH a happy-making song.
I’ll never not think of the “Wonderful Christmastime” reframe… HAHAHA. That’s so awesome!
What a Christmassy post with the songs, and chocy, and fun reads!
I used to teach Of Mice and Men. Let me tell you, it was not easy to deal with the reactions of the students AT ALL.
But my favourite OMaM story is when my son had to read it as an incoming freshman for his honours English class. We were driving to visit friends in Maryland, and he was reading in the back seat. All of a sudden, I heard a very choked voice say, “Oh, Mom.” I looked into the back and there was my Jared, tears running down his face. Did I climb into the back seat immediately even though we were on a major highway? Damn right I did.
Nance! Nance! I TOO READ OF MICE AND MEN IN THE BACK OF MY PARENTS’ CAR. We were heading to visit family, and let me tell you, no one was sympathetic to my sobbing. Clearly I needed you to (time travel, teleport) and climb into my back seat to sooth me.
Omg, I love that you keep thinking of the 250 dollar Lindt calendar. And “our respective spouses looked on, dry-eyed.” Apparently my anti-depressants make me less likely to tear up – well, obviously the hope is that they do, but I mean maybe in a physical sense? Anyway, I used to cry at the drop of a hat – the last time I remember actually tearing up was at the end of a beautiful science-fiction/fantasy story called Professor Gottesman and the Indian Rhinoceros, by Peter S. Beagle, I think.
I’ve never watched The Voice, but I saw a video of the judges singing Take It Easy and I was briefly obsessed and watched it on repeat. I’m glad it’s a nice show and doesn’t feel the need to have a nasty judge just for ratings.
Allison, it is SO nice. I can’t help but remember the days of American Idol, where they would make fun of the contestants and then the judges would yell at each other…this show is just all about grooving to the music and being friendly. IT IS NICOLE-CODED.
I love your posts! They are mega-entries and I always seem to get to them after a lively comments section has started. The best. I know you’re reconsidering the advent calendar and gotta say, the dog also looks like it wants the calendar. Which is weird since isn’t chocolate poison for dogs?
I really appreciate the Christmas Carol reframes.
Finally, I’m not much of a crier but not ashamed to admit that Little Life got me. It was awhile ago but god, could that one character not catch a break.
Awww thank you Tierney! You’re very kind!
Little Life, what is Little Life? Brb, googling.
Ooooh I am back. Wow. That looks like a VERY intense read!
Nicole, is it possible you have not read A Little Life? I don’t even know if I should recommend it to you — I mean, if you are not a book crier, you should be fine, but also… that book DEVASTATED me, I have not been the same, I think of Jude all the time. But also also it is a gorgeous book with magnificent character development. But also also ALSO I believe people have referred to it as a “trauma porn” so there’s that.
I haven’t read it and I just looked it up and realized why. I…don’t think I could manage it! I think that it was brought up to me before – maybe by you? – and when I read the description I backed away like that octopus meme. NOPE NOPE NOPE
I can’t remember the last time, or if I ever have, cried when reading a book, but I did tear up watching Les Mis on the plane one time. Luckily it was sleep time, so I don’t think anyone saw me. I have put up my Christmas tree yesterday and updated my Christmas playlist, but I don’t like many secular Christmas songs and so keep it to religious ones for that. I think I would love to be on a group tour with you—the conversation would never by dull.
Hahaha no, the conversation would NOT be dull, and there would definitely be a whole lot of TMI in there too!
We used to do advent calendar for the girls and I’d hide something everyday, small or big. It’s a lot of work but I had fun doing it. Somehow they decided not wanting it this year anymore, instead they want all the gifts on Christmas even so we are doing that this year as we are not flying out until 12/25.
we never listened to Christmas songs when growing up, maybe this will be the first year, do you have a Spotify playlist? I’d like to listen to your favorites.
Coco, I just tried to email you the link to my spotify playlist – I hope it worked!!
You are SUCH a fun mom! That is just a lovely memory that your girls will treasure.
I really really want that giant Lindt advent calendar. Thanks goodness I haven’t been to Costco lately!! It wouldn’t fit in my car though either. I have NEVER heard December and I hope I never do as it would ruin September for me – and that’s a song that evokes sweet memories of a car ride with my sons when they were visiting from Calgary. I cannot have that memory ruined.
Pat, I can guarantee it would not ruin September for you. You might not even NOTICE it was a different song. Literally it is exactly the same except that December is swapped for September.
Your post cracked me up! I, too, would contemplate that much chocolate! I love that you kind of made up your own calendar with the treats you love. I bought a bag of truffles and hid it last week, I’m sure I’ll find it soon..lol. Who doesn’t love Christmas music? This year I have been stuck on James Taylor Holiday channel on Pandora. It’s pretty low key and calming. I have a crush on Michael Buble. He’s dreamy…
Oooh the James Taylor Holiday channel? That sounds right up my alley!
Ever since I saw that meme about Wonderful Christmastime, I just love hearing the song. The witchiness! My least favorite Christmas song is The Christmas Shoes, ughhhh. What a horrible song!
A $250 chocolate Advent calendar is… something. I’m sure it’s delicious, but I’d need more than myself to share it with, lest I want my blood sugar numbers to skyrocket, lol.
The last book that made me cry was Atlas of the Heart, haha. There was a story about a girl celebrating her quinceañera, and it had been just a few years since her mom passed away from cancer. And the girl’s father gave her a letter that her mom wrote before she died for her to open before her quinceañera. UGHHH. It just killed me.
Oh lordy I forgot about the Christmas Shoes. That IS a terrible song!!
I also forgot that story in Atlas of the Heart – aieeeeee! That’s very touching!
Woah, a $250 Lindt Advent Calendar…. that is…. kinda crazy! Who actually buys this? I mean, I don’t know, but for some people $250 is their entire Christmas budget, if you know what I mean. Lindt Chocolate is good though. (I am going to Costco tomorrow – pray for me, it’s a Saturday – and I’ll look if they still have it and how much it is discounted ;)).
Haha, I heard on NPR (National Public Radio) last week that people hate “Wonderful Christmas Time” with a vengeance LOL and I instantly thought of you.
Hahaha I am glad my loathing is making people think of me! It’s SO tuneless! I cannot EVEN with it!
I know, the calendar IS crazy. But maybe if a person ran an office or had a giant family…I don’t know. It’s huge! I wondered more how to get it home!
I saw that Lindt giant Advent calendar at Costco too….and I had a moment of contemplation before I walked away, empty-handed. That’s considered an investment, and I wasn’t ready for it. “low-effort, high-rewards calendar.”—you are a genius!
I’m dying at the Wonderful Christmastime turn around. This makes SO much sense!
White wine in the sun. I’d never heard of this until you mentioned it. (last year?) I re-listened and teared up. Beautiful!!
Michael Buble is a gem, has always been a gem, and will forever go down in history as a gem.
I know, he is SO great.
Lol I love that we were both thinking about that calendar. I mean…it’s pretty amazing!
KC just made my entire month with the substitute for “hippopotamus”.
Also, I am desperate to know – did anyone ever purchase the advent calendar? Is it now on post-Christmas markdown? How low did it go??? (And also, did Sarah cave??)
Also also, York peppermint patties have special meaning to me and are far superior to Andes mints. No argument could convince me otherwise.
I don’t THINK anyone bought it! I did go to Costco the week before Christmas and it wasn’t there anymore, so I have no idea!