Tuesday, November 17, 2015

I'm back!

Let me start by saying I haven't blogged in a long time...a long long time. So if this is no good...well...deal with it. :) I hope to blog more often (which you either like or dread seeing) since I usually get super sentimental during the holidays...so: my normal sentimental and quirky self + pregnancy emotions = you're guess is as good as mine!

Ahh, Cities 97 Sampler release day...thank you for finally being here!

This day is one my my personal holidays. I take the day off to wake up by 5:45am to sit in the cold/wind/rain/snow near the side of a Target building all for a cd. I've learned a lot over the years about how to prep for this day. My first Sampler morning I got out to the Eden Prairie Target store about 45 minutes before the store opened deciding to go on a whim. Other than wearing maybe another layer and a hat I didn't prep any more than a usual work morning. The line was long and I was freezing (How come my adorable Mary Jane shoes were not keeping me warm?! But thank God I looked great...). Phf, I was cursing myself for being such an idiot and thinking, 'I'm in line now, I'm not getting out. This cd had better be good.' And it was. I've gone back every year (now in Shakopee) with many more layers, being overly prepared (you'd think I was preparing for the Hunger Games...) and being generally quite comfortable.

But the cd is not the only thing that I go for...in fact in all reality it's not even the main thing. It is the perfect reflection time for me. I'm an extrovert and enjoy being with others, but not always socializing with others. If you leave me at home I am usually snuggling my cats, creating and then dominating a task list, or going out of my mind wondering what I should do and how I can make an excuse to go to a store just to be with other people. I don't relax well alone. The Sampler mornings force me to just sit and be. I have nothing else to do while sitting there - it's too cold to do anything else! And while I'm not alone, I'm not really focused on socializing and am more focused on my own thoughts. I reflect on the past year: the joys, the heartache, the hope. I pray. I thank God for all of the people I have in my life. I think about my loved ones in heaven and miss them so terribly. ...and I occasionally think about how crazy I am for waking up early for a cd. But all in all, the time prepares my heart/spirit/soul for the holidays, and this sacred time calms me so completely. It's one of the days of the year that I am the most at peace.

I have a collection of seven cd's now from my consecutive years of participating in the Sampler release mornings. Every time I listen to them I feel the peace. Peace. Something that is often hard to find in a busy life.

Best thing is my day isn't over yet. I have a freaking awesome day off planned. I write this as I am curled up in a warm blanket in my basement with the fireplace on listening to my Sampler 27 cd while drinking a small non-fat mocha half the chocolate and light whip. I plan to then take a nap then my Pops is coming down for lunch a lunch date with me! After that who knows where the day will take me! Maybe I'll be snuggling my cats, creating and then dominating a task list, or going out of my mind wondering what I should do and how I can make an excuse to go to a store just to be with other people... :)

Wishing you feelings of peace at the start of this holiday season!

Until next time,
Coffee, Cats, and Wine (Dr. Pepper (gotta love pregnancy cravings!) :)