Retail has ruined Christmas time for me. I become so stressed out at work that I come home and take it out on my husband and cat. I get so upset that people are so selfish. I know that the economy is bad and that everyone is pinching pennies. However, people still aren't satisfied when they are saving more than they're spending. They expect everything to be free and will kick and scream and throw a tantrum in the store just to make it so. They don't realize that when they purchase our products they are helping us get money so I can still have a paycheck in the morning. Gosh. People are so selfish. Now I'm freaking out on my husband over the simplest of things like decorating the Christmas tree. Something that I enjoy so much and I love spending that time with him. However, I sit here and I think about the entire day's events and can't help but wonder where my blood pressure is at. I need to just take the time to sit back and relax but it seems like that won't happen until the last day of finals. Sadly, that is two days before Christmas itself. Maybe some day I will be able to work and come home and enjoy the time with my family like I used to. I have no idea when though. I am incredibly exhausted as it is without all these added annoyances. I guess I will sit back and assess my temper and hopefully be able to come out a better person because of it. But please, anyone who's shopping this holiday season please be nice to the people behind the counter. They're trying their hardest to make things go by quickly for you while saving money in a way that's still legal. The employees may be having a hard time or just dealt with a customer who threw a tantrum in the store. Please forgive them and be patient. If you do that I can guarantee that this Christmas season will go by much more smooth. Thank you.

God bless.

Today my husband and I put up our Christmas tree. I can honestly say that I absolutely love the Christmas time. I get to spend time with family and friends. Eat lots of food and give lots of presents. I know growing up I was always excited for the reverse. I wanted to receive presents and when I didn't get what I wanted I was always so upset. Now when I make something for my family or get something for them that I know they'll really like I am always so excited to give it to them and see their faces when they open it. I love being able to sit around the table with my family cracking jokes and playing cards until midnight or one in the morning. I love traveling across the country to visit Cliff's family. We sit around and play board games. The guys go and compete with each other on who's the strongest while the girls and I sit around the kitchen and they tell me stories of their family growing up. I love how wherever you drive everyone's yards look so beautiful lit up with lights. I think everyone does that because the snow is white and so dull and sad. But when the lights reflect off of it, it glows and is absolutely gorgeous.

Think of all those wonderful memories. God bless.

Officially the Holiday Season

Now that it's after Thanksgiving I can't help but think of what's ahead. There's only a few weeks left in this semester. I know I need to buckle down and get as much work done as possible. It's just hard since it's right before Christmas. All I can think about is buying the perfect Christmas gifts and spending time with family. Sometimes I need to slow down and just remember what this whole season is about.

God gave His son to us so we may be saved from the worst torture imaginable. I am so happy that He did that for me. It's just so hard to remember that when all of these other stresses consume our lives. I love my husband and am so blessed to have him in my life. It's just hard to enjoy time together when bills and expenses are always coming up. We always wonder what we're going to do to try and save money when we are living from paycheck to paycheck. All these random, unplanned expenses come up. Mostly car problems. So it seems like as soon as some money comes in it's right out the window again. It's always for necessities, but it's still hard nonetheless.

Which brings me back around to school. I know that when I graduate and get into a career of my own I will become the main source of income. All I need to do now is get through school. Which makes me work harder. Not because I want the money, directly. I want it so that Cliff and I won't be struggling every few months every time something goes wrong. So even when something does go wrong and we need to fix a part of the car, we don't have to think twice about it. So when someone says I'm an overachiever or compliments me on working hard, I'll let them know that I am like that because I have to be for my husband and I.

Thank you, God for your Son. Please keep reminding me that You're the reason for the season. But please forgive me if I become consumed in my school work. I want to make a better life for my husband and I as well as our future family. Thank you for everything, Lord.

Please think about these things as well as your own distractions. Why do they distract you? Keep focused on Christ and His love for us. He is the reason for the season. God bless.

Thanksgiving Day

Good evening, everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I had a very nice one with Cliff. This morning I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast and we ate leftovers for lunch. I took a nap and then we had a nice dinner. Nothing too exciting. A day like today just makes me realize what all I'm thankful for. I love my husband and my family. I miss them so much but I am always so happy whenever I get to see them. I look around and I see the home I live in and I am so grateful that we have it. Thank you, God for everything.

I do need to get to sleep though. I have to work Black Friday. I'm not looking forward to it. But I have a ride so I'm still thankful. Night, all. God bless!

Thanksgiving Eve

I suppose you could call it that. I am relaxing on the couch with my husband. Nothing too much to report but that. We have both been incredibly busy. I am now second assistant manager at Yankee Candle and have been working incredibly hard at school. For as much as I have been doing I just can't seem to catch up. Oh well. The semester is almost over and I am very much so looking forward to Christmas break. It will be much needed. I am working quite a bit but that's amazing. That's just what I need as well.

Cliff and I will be celebrating our second Thanksgiving together. That's nice. We don't have any family in the area so we won't be with anyone else. Sad yes, but since I work retail I have to work Black Friday. I am just not looking forward to parking that day. The people and the shoppers don't bother me as much. It's just the parking. Well, I suppose I should get to sleep. I have to get caught up on that before Black Friday rolls around. Scary!

God Bless everyone and have a Happy Thanksgiving!