Merry Christmas!!!!

Story of my life: I'm always late.  What is my evidence?  Well, I'm about 1.5 weeks behind in posting to el blog-o (that isn't Spanish for blog, but most things sound more Spanish sounding when you put an "O" on the end of the word).

So, what has been happening?  Well, I have had to work, the Husbinator has had to work and I met my cousin's girlfriend!  I was happy to meet K.  She is a really cool person and I couldn't have picked a better person for J.

Oh, wait, there was a holiday in there too wasn't there?  That's right.  Christmas.

How did our Christmas go?

Well, this was mine and the Husbinator's first Christmas as a married couple.  It was special and I'm glad that he and I got the chance to spend actual Christmas Day together.  We had agreed to not get any presents for each other, but Husbinator being who he is decided to buy presents for me.  Well, guess who had not gotten anything because we had agreed and I took it seriously.  If you said me, then that would be the right answer.  Well, I ran out on the night before Christmas Eve (seriously, I can't understand some people and how crazy they get when shopping) with J & K and I got all of Husbinator's presents:  3 T-Shirts (Transformers, Angry Birds, and Thundercats), Moravian Spice Cookies, Meyer Lemon Moravian Cookies, Eclairs, and I made the Husbinator Stuffed Chicken Marsala, Smashed Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans and a Creamy Marsala Wine Sauce.  Can you tell the Husbinator loves food?  Well, he does and I love cooking for him.  

What did he get me?  A bunch of awesome stuff:  An electric wine opener, a collapsible collander, some kitchen knives, 2 bottles of my favorite wine (it's kind of pricey, but oh, so good), a membership to the local winery wine club, a star wars book (yes, I am a geek), and makeup mirror.  My Christmas was a great Christmas and it has been quite awhile since I had one of those.  I married a wonderful man and I'm so happy and blessed.

So, during this season, I saw so many signs about keep "Christ" in "Christmas," and how "Jesus is the reason for the season,"  and other signs of that nature.  That irritated me.  Below, my irritation is explained.

*I have no problem with churches, religion, and people who go to church.  My problem arises, in that people use their religion as an excuse to judge others.  If you don't fit their narrow-minded perspective of what you should be, then they have no use for you.  Christians are some of the most judgemental and hateful people that I have come across.  If being a Christian means using your religion to hurt, hate, and judge others, then I don't know if I want to be a Christian.  I have seen so many Christians use their religion to justify their hatefulness and they problem is that they KNOW they are completely twisting and perverting what being a Christian is all about. I have been a victim of this and the problem is, it was by people who I was the closest to.  This is what weighs on my mind and I can't stop it.  I think the message of love - true agape love - and acceptance is far more effective and does more to heal old hurts than does beating someone over the head of how horrible they are, how they are going to hell, and how they are worthless because they might be gay, bi-sexual, fat, blind, or because they have lived with someone before marriage, had sex before marriage, or because they don't fit a stereotype.  I can't condone that as a Christian.  Too many people have said "That's not what being a Christian is about."  "Being a Christian is about carrying Jesus' message and love."  Those are some of the worse offenders.  They use the banner of Christianity and carrying Jesus' message as a smoke screen for their hate and vitriol.  Are all Christians like this?  No...absolutely not.  I have come across some of the most caring, kind, and loving people that happened to be Christian.  Was that a natural personality for them or did it stem from their faith?  I don't know.*

Does this mean my faith is weak and I am an atheist/agnostic?  No.  My personal faith is strong and deep.  I believe very much in the message of Jesus and I do believe he is my Savior.  However, while my faith can be rocked and strengthened, my opinions are just that, opinions.  They stem from things that have happened to me and to friends of mine, both in my youth and as an adult.  I don't claim to be perfect, far from it.  I do strive to be caring, loving, and accepting as this goes farther than fire and brimstone.  

I end with this word of warning:  Christians wonder why people regard the ones under this banner as being hate-mongers, it is because that is what they have been shown.  Too many people have had interactions with Christians that are hateful and angry because of the actions of the Christians.  Think about things before you act upon them.  When people look at you, do they see the love of Jesus shining in your eyes?  

"The single greatest cause of atheism is Christians.  Who walk in the doors of the church and acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the doors and deny him with their lifestyle.  That is what an unbelieving world simply finds, unbelievable." - Brennan Manning

Some people you just have to let walk out of your life...

I'm not one for the cheesy, feel-good sayings about how people walk into your life and leave crap...blah blah blah.... I have always been of the mindset that if you don't want to be my friend, if you don't want me in your life, then I don't need you in mine.  I'm not going to force anyone to be my friend, it doesn't work that way.  Recently, that point was driven home.  While the details will be kept private, I wish this person and their family nothing but the best (no, really, I do), and I pray for their happiness. Sometimes you have to get that out there and get it out of your mind, much like the use of the Pensieve in the "Harry Potter" stories.

MOVING ON.........

Update on the 101 list:

#17 - I have gotten the rest of the pictures for the 365 day photo challenge done (the ones that I was behind on) and I feel like I have climbed a mountain (and for us chubsters, that's a really odd feeling).

#120 - Cook at home for a whole week - no takeout:
 Mark this off the To Do list and put it on the "To Done" list.  I must admit, when I started, I was worried I couldn't do it. I didn't know if the Husbinator would like what I cooked and I honestly didn't know if we would have the self-discipline to do it.  Well, we did.  It is a pretty awesome feeling to sit down to a meal that you have cooked, even it if it is just soup, and hear The Husbinator say: "Wow, this is really good!"  Not to mention that we have saved money just by getting leftovers out of the night before (sometimes 2-3 days worth of leftovers) and we have had food to freeze for the nights when we don't want to cook.

While the 101 list is moving at a snail's pace, it is moving.  And for that, I am pretty proud.

I do have a few worries and concerns that keep eating my mind and they will resolve themselves on their own.  I just hope it happens soon because being stagnant like this is for the birds.

Remember: Treat everyone you meet with kindness.  It won't hurt you to have compassion and empathy for your fellow man.  Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle inside, be it small or large.

I remember the 80's and I miss them

Numbers make me happy.  Lists make me happy.  Together, they make me feel as though all is right in my little world.  I decided to make a list of the corresponding numbers of my 101 list.  In addition, I completed another task.  I'm feeling pretty snazzy. 

Here goes the finished:

#49 - Have professional photos taken (I am counting our wedding pictures since the family is me and the Hubs)
#69 - Learn to shoot (The Husbinator taught me)
#70 - Drive the tractor (I did this all by myself and I'm pretty darn proud)
#84 - Find Harry's name on the AIDS quilt (I can't find the words to describe this experience)

Here is what I am working on:

#17 - Complete a 365 day pohoto challenge ( I am a few days behind posting the pics, but I have taken them)
#126 - Blog at least once a week. (I have missed a few days, but I am better than I was)

So you see, while I haven't absolutely just blown this out, but I am getting things done and I am proud of myself.

Hopefully, the next time I post (which, in accordance with my 101 list, will be next week sometime), I will have more stuff done.