"thinking positively"

Feeling an extraordinary attitude change and thinking positively about the holidays. I have also begun mental & residential preparations for an impending Chicago winter. It's really hard to tell what it was that put me in such a positive place of mind. Could it have been the little nostalgic conversations I have been having with the kids lately. It's possible it could have been all of the Christmas music I've been listening to in the kitchen while drinking my pumpkin pie spiced coffees. Well anything is possible, so I now push forward to plan my little Thanksgiving feast and start to fuel the children's excitement with all of my baking habits.

It's funny how certain things can swiftly bring you back to your own place of comfort. Like when I hear people say, "think of a place that brings you peace", I immediately think of sitting on my mom's homemade couch in my living room around the holidays. The next visual I get is some black and white movie with the beautiful melodic sound of Bing Crosby. I'll never forget how I was able to turn my head to look outside and either anxiously watch for snow or blissfully enjoy a blanket of snow through our glass patio doors. I especially loved sprawling on the floor by the coffee table my mom used as a tree stand. I would lie with my hands clasped behind my head just staring up at the flashing lights of the Christmas tree. I find it funny now that I use to look over each and every ornament, just feeling the memory imprinted on each gift to the tree. Oh how I loved this time of year and the great feelings it can bring.

I heard "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" yesterday and had a lovely chuckle once again. Man oh man how that song can make me laugh, horrible, yet delightfully silly! Since I am feeling upbeat I will now seek out when my favorite movies will be on to make note of.

"Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings" ♥

 " 'No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!'-Ralphie; 'You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid!'-Santa" ♥


Thanksgiving day is so very close and of course as our tradition will continue we will put up all the holiday decorations the day after giving thanks, we'll do a few simple holiday crafts, get heavily involved in baking preparations, some Christmas movie watching and Santa list making... Although traditions are the best thing to fall back on, I really look forward to doing something new with the family and finally going to see the magical window displays downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue. I remember a trip to see the lights and window displays once as a kid with an Aunt and Uncle, it was amazing to see back then so I can only imagine what is in store for us now!

Do I dare say....... "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"..!