I just love when the Christmas Cactus blooms.  I used to have a few different colors but this is the only one that remains.  For years I babied these things, covered ’em up to give them the needed darkness from October to Christmas… and they’d never bloom.  I gave up, set the pot in the yard and completely ignore the thing…. blooms beautifully now. 

I am amazed that it is just 10 days before Christmas and I am relatively calm (where Christmas is concerned).  Because of our circumstances I really didn’t want to do all the decorating, baking, etc.  So, we didn’t.  I haven’t even been listening to Christmas music.  (I get overloaded on that stuff then don’t enjoy it when the holiday actually gets here).  We tried a new approach this year… buying gifts off the internet.  I think this has been a huge help in keeping my focus and not getting discouraged. 

Sometimes I wonder if I’m just being a bit bah humbug about the whole holiday.  But… I don’t think I am.  I am just trying to be realistic and I’ve given up the idea of having this "ideal" Christmas.  Who knows… maybe letting go of that may help me to have a truly great Christmas.   We shall see.