25 Days: February 2023

So This year, finally we were able to return to a live in person face to face party. So much planning and plotting to host this year's bacanalia of festiveness. Once again I went way to far with the theme and decorations.

I had this vision of Christmas at Tiffanys - a play on the Truman Capote classic Breakfast at Tiffanys. As usual I went down some serious rabbit holes to find ways to reference the OG story, the movie, Capote's black and white ball, facts about his life, and his classic 'A Christmas Memory.'

Well, see for yourself.

More Day drinking and crafting

Because we had so much with the first one, we came back for more.

This time I asked the hard hitting question - What song is not a christmas song, but you feel should be. I am sure you are expecting Hard Candy Christmas, or Cohen’s Hallelujah. But we do are best to defy and confound expectations.

So here you go!

Crafting with Amy

I did manage to do some fun holiday crafting this year. I also managed to persuade Matthew to film it. I even invited my friend Amy to join me.

Please bear in mind Amy is a craft novice. So let’s make allowances. I mean you are already making allowances for me so is it that much farther to go?

This first video is a fun one, where we make a festive christmas wreath. Plus I share some crafting scandal, and Amy discusses the importance of compound words.

Managing expectations

I think part of my issue, overall, is that I don’t do the greatest job of managing expectations. Mostly my own. I think I am sort of known for it. I have these pretty big visions of how I want Christmas to be and then I can’t quite get my dreams to reconcile with reality, and that leads to post holiday blues. Also, something I am really sort of known for. January Blues, February Teals, March Aquas…

I know how to plan so that it doesn’t happen, I really do. Under schedule yourself, lower the bar, plan small, schedule me time, prioritize mental health. I know this, and yet…

In early December I was trying to explain this Paul, that I have a hard time managing my own expectations during the holidays, and then I end up feeling let down, by myself. His wise response is that he was under the impression that I do this all the time. Not just at the holidays. Maybe so. Maybe so.

So, maybe just go do some stuff you enjoy?

Hold up!

So here we are January 6th, the day that typically celebrates the arrival of the three wisemen to see the baby Jesus. Also known as the day I dive myself to wind up things here at this 25 days of Christmas with Judson.

How did I do? Another year of falling far short of 25. Honestly it isn’t that I don’t have thoughts, I have them, or that I can’t express them,I really do just fine once I sit down and do it, but the problem is I always think I have more time than I really do. Or I get busy doing other stuff and don’t get around to it.

But I truly want to share all the christmasy things with you. This year was a good one. So if you will give me a few days of grace, I’ll dump all them on you now?

The gift of the magi.

I’ve been sitting on this O. Henry-esque story for a year. Obviously last Christmas was lacking for our family. For all of the reasons. One bright spot was having Matthew back at home. Even though his work schedule, and Paul’s work schedule were not lining up for lots of quality brother time, or over all family time it was nice to have everyone around.

I tried, but could get no commitment from the boys on helping me decorate the house. Paul assured me that probably no one was decorating because it just didn’t feel like christmas. Matthew said he was working so much all he wanted to do was rest. When I suggested maybe a holiday movie, I got shot down again. Ok fine.

Then about a week before Christmas the schedules aligned and both boys were off on the same day. They decided to go do some holiday shopping together away from prying parental eyes. I suggested to Kathleen that clearly they were choosing that option to avoid spending time with me. She suggested I stop pouting and over myself.

As the day approached, Matthew shared with Kathleen and I that he knew Paul was not really feeling the Christmas spirit, and that was not like his brother. His plan for their day together was just to really go and do it up, and do the fun holiday things to really cheer his brother up, and that was really the best gift he could give to his brother. Oh, my heart! I just wanted to grab him and hug him, but he already thinks I am a weirdo so I refrained.

Paul works overnight so I had to go pick him up the next morning and as we were on the way home, he shared that he was looking forward to spending some quality bro time with Matthew. I agreed that it sounded like a good idea. Then he said, you know Matthew has had a really hard year. My plan for today is just to really have a good time, and do all the fun holiday stuff with him, to try and put him in the holiday mood.

Someday’s I might be Santa, and other days I’m the grinch. And, yet, however, every single day I am blessed to be the father of those boys.

Zuzu’s petals y’all, Zuzu’s petals.