Middle Child Syndrome, 2.0

Well, well, well. If it isn't that time of year again...

In the past few days I have found myself giving my Thanksgiving-middle child rant to a lot of people. Last night when I watched Brittany decorate her black christmas tree, the line was drawn. While her tree is extremely bad ass, IT ISN'T TIME FOR IT YET. Shame on you, shame on all of you who are even thinking of decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving.

In leu of writing yet another rant, I'm just going to refrence you back to a post I wrote last year.

Here's the jist:

"Do you know how badly Thanksgivings feelings have been hurt? I mean, he's the middle child which is hard enough for anybody, but then theres all the other things. No one puts out thanksgiving deorations, or gives thanksgiving presents or thanksgiving candy to children in thanksgiving cotumes. Thanksgiving really has only got two things; family and food. But, Christmas does that, too. Thanksgiving tries to stay calm about the whole situation, trying to think about all the things he greatful for. The wonderful bounty of food that is brought forth, uniting families in laughter and happiness. He even thinks he was put in the middle for a reason - to let everyone take a rest between his older and younger siblings events. Usually, this is enough to keep him from feeling like the blacksheep of the family, but recently, it's been harder and harder to keep this positive attitude, but this year? This year Chritsmas has crossed the line!Halloween excitment grew for a month. Houses were decorated, parties were thrown. Thanksgiving waited paitinently and now it's his month. Christmas, you're already the prettiest and most adored holiday, so just back off for a few weeks! Your time will come, it always does!
How would you like it if we started sending valentines and dying easter eggs in december?
Didn't think so."

So please, be good for goodness sakes. Give Thanksgiving a chance.

Cheaper than botox, quicker results!

I gave my blog a face lift...which means I just changed the template and it took me approximately 45 seconds.

Just returned from the out-of-state extended-family thanksgiving weekend and I've decided that I will opt out of these from now on. I understand why my brother hasn't gone to the big thanksgivings or Christmases in about 5 years. I love seeing my parents and my sister, and there are one or two other family members I enjoy seeing, but that's out of about 30 people. Hardly seems worth it.
I see these people once a year, at best. I know people that I would barely consider acquaintances that I see more often than that, and yet I'm supposed to have some intimate connection with strangers because we share 1/4 of the same blood? It doesn't happen. It's awkward and forced...but since we're strangers that have known each other for a life time, we all seem to expect something out of everyone else, which is always a disappointment.
I find that when I'm around my family, I'm always hurting peoples feelings and people are always hurting mine. Every body lets every body down. It happens just as much around my extended family, but without the balancing out of joy that you get from being around people you truly care about.

At least I got to be with my sister two weekends in a row! She makes me happier than a...um...I don't know what. Something that's really happy.(even if she is always threatening to punch me)

Oh, OH! The club house in my neighborhood is all decked out in Christmas tacky-ness! You know those inflatable Christmas decorations? There is six of them! On top of random colored lights everywhere! I LOVE IT!

It is only November 11th, right?

So, why did the mall by my house have their tree lighting ceremony yesterday?

And why has one of the local radio stations already started playing christmas music?

And why has ABC family, who always does "The 25 days of Christmas" programing in December, started "The Countdown to the 25 days of Christmas"? ISN'T THAT WHAT THE 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IS?!? A COUNTDOWN?!

I expect to already see christmas decorations for sale at target, walmart and the likes but seriously, a tree lighting ceremony two weeks before thanksgiving?! Thats just not right.

Don't get me wrong, I love christmas to an above average extent. My neighborhood is having a christmas decorating contest and in my mind, I've already won. Not to mention the fact that from the day after thanksgiving until the day after Christmas I exclusively listen to Christmas music (I even set my alarm clock to it. Can you think of a better way to start your day?) But part of the love of christmas is the build up. First Halloween, then Thanksgiving and then Christmas.
Do you know how badly Thanksgivings feelings have been hurt? I mean, he's the middle child which is hard enough for anybody, but then theres all the other things. No one puts out thanksgiving deorations, or gives thanksgiving presents or thanksgiving candy to children in thanksgiving cotumes. Thanksgiving really has only got two things; family and food. But, Christmas does that, too. Thanksgiving tries to stay calm about the whole situation, trying to think about all the things he greatful for. The wonderful bounty of food that is brought forth, uniting families in laughter and happiness. He even thinks he was put in the middle for a reason - to let everyone take a rest between his older and youner siblings events. Usually, this is enough to keep him from feeling like the blacksheep of the family, but recently, it's been harder and harder to keep this positive attitude, but this year? This year Chritsmas has crossed the line!

Halloween excitment grew for a month. Houses were decorated, parties were thrown. Thanksgiving waited paitinently and now it's his month. Christmas, you're already the prettiest and most adored holiday, so just back off for a few weeks! Your time will come, it always does!
How would you like it if we started sending valentines and dying easter eggs in december?

Didn't think so.