Blue Christmas without you

My favorite time of year, as I know it is for most of you, is Christmas. There's a certain smell that floats in the air when Christmas is approaching. The air seems to hug you in a different way and blasts you with its bitter cold, forcing you into your nearest starbucks for an Eggnog Latte or caramel apple cider. I love it! I was actually excited to get to work at the Mission Inn for Christmas time, but that idea is out the window since God genourously placed a heavy plate of Enchiladas on my toe, ensuring my christmas time at the Mission Inn would be spent how it always has. . .as a guest. Going to the Mission Inn the day after Thanksgiving for the lighting has always been a favorite pastime and tradition for my family and this year. Chris will make his first appearance. Chris has become one of my favorite Christmas traditions. He loves Christmas, maybe even more then I do. He made me start listening to Christmas music in July last year. I got to spend a crazy Christmas with his family last year. Crazy being that we traveled our way through six houses for six Christmas'. I loved it, but my only complaint was that I was missing my Christmas nap. This year Chris and I will not get to spend every day together blaring Christmas music in our cars and watching old Christmas cartoons together. Long distance seems to trample on a lot of my dreams for Chris and I. Instead, we will enjoy some brief weekends together that will be magical.
So far, on my own, I have already downloaded Linda Eder's Christmas album. I had no idea who she was when Coco introduced me to her. I thought she just sang Christmas music, but she does so much more. In the musical theatre world she is known as "The Voice" and for good reason. You should hear her sing "Man of La mancha" and then listen to me try. It is not an easy song. She sings my favorite version of Silent Night, as if it needed improving. What she does to that song leaves me speechless. You should check it out. I finally have the rest of her album. I also bought Judy Garland's "Have yourself a Merry little Christmas". I am determined to see the movie where she sings that song and make it my new Christmas tradition. What makes it Christmas time for me is watching "White Christmas". Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney are fantastic and they really get me in the mood. . .for Christmas. I have something to admit that might lower your opinion of me, but I HATE "A Christmas Story". Yes, there are are some classicly, hillarious moments in that film, but it traumatized me as a kid just as the BB Gun was traumatizing for the boy. Everyone loves that movie and I want no part of it. It frightens me a little and Christmas is not meant to be scary. I know that's probably the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard, but there's always two sides to everything and I am the other side.
I am getting so ancy for Christmas time to begin. This Christmas season is also bringing me the opportunity to see Wicked with my family on Dec. 2nd. I would love to make that a tradition. Maybe not just seeing Wicked, but a show that I can enjoy with my whole family. We are taking Abby for her very first show. I tried to explain it to her, but she really has no idea what is to come. This should be a life changing experience for her just as seeing "The Phantom of the Opera" was for Coco when she was five. I am just easing her to her broadway adventures. Next year, it's Mary Poppins. It's an expensive addiction to get hooked on and I am going to try my hardest to fund Abby's broadway excursions. I have a feeling she is going to get hooked. I might be creating a monster. Look out world, Abby is going to dominate with her singing and you will be forced to hear her sing "Popular" as if its the first time you've heard it.
I have a lot of things to look forward to this Christmas season and I cannot wait for it to begin!