It feels like Christmas

It feels like Christmas today! Although I broke three bones in my hand while bravely fighting evil or something, and cannot put my hair in a ponytail or clasp my own bra, I received wonderful news from the orthopedic specialist today. It will not require surgery. I’m beyond relieved. Also, I got this very pretty new cast. Its green! Like an M&M! I like green M&Ms!

I know, you’re jealous. Don’t be though, as not being able to touch your thumb to your finger is less cool than it sounds and basically removes half of the whole opposable thumb advantage that I have over kittens and other wild animals.

Know why else it feels like Christmas?  Look!

Notice Tucker’s WOW face?  The gorgeous book he’s holding?

The fabulous Jessica and Stephanie included my (never-before seen) words in their amazing new book on friendship. Each essay shares a deeply personal story about friendship – the bonds, memories, heartbreaks, and complexities. Here’s a brief excerpt from mine, which talks about how Tucker’s special needs changed a friendship:

“During younger, more extroverted and needy years, I was a really good friend. While I admit that I’ve never been the type to actively remember to call any of you each and every day, just to check in, I’ve been the one who is always there. I’ve been the one that you likely called during a crisis. I’m the friend who leaves work at 1:00 in the afternoon after dashing out a quick excuse to my boss because I know that you need me.

I’m the friend who drives an hour and 15 minutes to travel 15 minutes away through a tornado warning, flooded roads, detours, and angry people, while bawling, with you, also bawling, on the phone, so that I can be there when it’s time for you to say your last horrifying forever-goodbye to your dog. I am the friend who is there, even though we haven’t spoken in weeks.

I’m the friend who has…”

Intrigued? Well happy news! You can buy the book by clicking right here!  The HerStories Project: Women Explore the Joy, Pain, and Power of Female Friendship. Learn more about the project and other contributors on The Her Stories Project website.

While you’re shopping on Amazon, I hope you’ll also pick up this fab other book I’m in, either for yourself or as a gift for somebody who can use a reminder that even seemingly Super Moms lose their shit occasionally.

 

Thinking about the holidays makes me think about presents, Santa Claus, and Baby Jesus. Then, I remember how sick of holiday music I get by the day after Thanksgiving. I actually enjoy holiday favorites when I first hear them again after a year. This Snoopy and Red Barron one was my brother’s and my favorite Christmas song as kids. We played it over and over until my mom had to drink, which is pretty much a total kid success. As a mom myself now, I get how our tenacity may have been more tolerable to her while tipsy.

I like this song, but suspect that it’s mostly because the tune Greensleeves made me cry in music class when I was eight years old and heard it for the first time. To avoid shaming myself, I pretended that this kid Darryl stepped on my finger rather than admit that music made little-me emotional. You see, the kid who told me what a blowjob (forcing my young and inquisitive self to ask my poor dad about it later) was was also in that class, and there was no way I was anything but tough in front of that hooligan.

And, no holiday music collection would be complete without this gorgeous classic:

What about you? Do you love holiday music? Hate it and wish you could pull off your ears while trolling the malls each season? Do you have favorites?

Linking up with my pal Jen at My Skewed View for Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday!