A Woman's Work – Brooke Basically Blogging

Are you ready for Christmas? Do you have Christmas spirit? Or are you stressing about not having enough money to buy gifts? I was like that in the past. After my divorce it took a long time for me to find the Christmas spirit again.

I am glad that I bought the kid’s gifts online and wrapped everything a few weeks ago.  Most of my Christmas cards were mailed.  The rest will be mailed on Tuesday and I am fine with that.  Being sick and working up until December 22nd was rough. I didn’t have time to get all of Sydney’s teachers a gift.  So, they received our Christmas card and note that they will receive a Happy New Year gift card.  Ghetto?  No, that’s called being smart and thinking outside of the box.

Not everyone is feeling joyful today. This may be the first holiday without a loved one. The first time you won’t be near your family and you may not feel joyful at all.

You have the right to grieve and process the day as you need. Just remember that you still have people who love, care and support you. So if you need them please reach out to them. You can always reach out to me.

Yesterday, I had a chance to spend four hours with my mommy and sissy shopping. This was something we hadn’t done in years. We were shopping for last-minute stocking stuffers and food! We laughed and talked with people. We enjoyed the moment. We started out at 7:30 am and were back by 11:45. Poppa was watching Harrison and Syd for me.

I went to the New Castle Farmers Market for the first time. And I immediately thought I was back in Detroit at the Eastern Market. But it was crowded, even for a city girl like me. But the sights, smells, sounds and cheerful people were a sight to see. Everyone was focused, sharing recipe ideas and not fighting over parking spots. I was there to buy Sydney a ribeye steak. Yes, that was on her Christmas List. But I ended up spending my time in the bakery.

I have Christmas spirit and it doesn’t have anything to do with gifts. My kids didn’t get everything they asked for. But they will be happy. I am actually going to put their gifts out later today under the tree. It will be interesting to see how Sydney responds and if she asks about Santa Claus.

Yesterday, I watched Elf for the first time. And apparently I should be on the naughty list for not watching that movie. Well the kids and I enjoyed it. Harrison had already seen the movie before. The movie made us laugh and sing carols. This will be a new tradition for us each year.

Our plan for today is to attend church this afternoon. Our birthday cake for Jesus has gone from cupcakes last year. To this year we are baking sugar cookies for Jesus. Tonight the kids and I will be at our home. Just the three of us. Tomorrow we will go to my parents for brunch and celebrate with them.

The Christmas spirit that I feel is love, happiness, peace, kindness, Jesus and giving all praise to God. I am wishing all of my family and friends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Love,

Brooke