Cool Yule

I'm still bleeding, granted, not heavily, but bleeding nonetheless. Today is the first day of the no-pill week. I don't know what is supposed to happen: will I start withdrawal bleeding soon? I am trying to keep reminding myself to take my prenatal pills still so I will maintain my iron stores. I wonder what my doctor meant when he said I needed to have 3 "good periods" before I could stop taking the pill.

The Denver blizzard of 2006 has kept me trapped inside the house for the last 3 days. Wednesday we got about 24" of snow, totally crapping out any idea of receiving any gifts in time for the over-hyped holiday. Thursday I bundled the Manling up in his winter jacket, hat, and attempted mittens for the 30067th time to no avail. for lack of snowpants (this is Denver: we never need them), I improvised a stay-dry outer layer of 2 garbage bags over his pants and shoes. We made it out the backdoor so I could measure the final snowfall levels and as I was taking the reading, I heard a loud cry behind me; the Manling fell hands- and face-first into a huge snowbank almost as tall as he was. He hated it and so we went inside, not to go back out until today when I made Mark take me to the library and then drive me around the neighborhood so I could get some stimulation.

I have had absolutely no holiday spirit whatsoever this year. I am not a Christian, nor, for that matter, a member of any religion, and I think that the mass-consumerism of the christmas-centric holiday is pretty sick. I do like to celebrate the winter solstice, and I find it very interesting how many cultures celebrate the return of the longer days. I want the Manling to grow up with faith in something, and to feel joy in the celebration of things that are important. This all is a bit of disjointed thought, but bear with me.

Mark and I will put up what is commonly called a Christmas tree, to celebrate the renewal of life. I will not, despite family pressures, allow the Manling, or more to the point, force him, to believe in Santa Claus. I dod not think it is right to tell a child that some omniscient person/figure is watching over their behavior all year, and will reward good actions with tangible gifts. Epecially since most people only emphasize that Santa will not bring gifts to bad kids, and that the threat of no loot is only brought out around December. However, if I could figure out a way to incorporate more of the original source of St Nicholas and his charity into the story, I might consider it. A great post on Ask Moxie recently discussed what to do about the prevalence of Sants for non-christian families. My favorite solution is explaining that Santa is part of a game that Christians play around this time of year.

Today is indeed the solstice, or Yule, and I'm going to try to put on a happy face and enjoy knowing that tomorrow I will see incrementally more sunlight and revel in my husband being off work the next 2 days and try to internalize the joy my wonderful toddler feels when he looks at the lights and ornaments on the tree.

And I will sing, over and over my favorite wintry-themed song:
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling, too
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling, "Yoo-hoo!"
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, let's go
Let's look at the show
We're riding in a wonderland of snow
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, it's grand
Just holding your hand
We're gliding along with bad a song of a wintery fairyland
Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy-cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending of a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop
At the fireplace while we watch the chestnuts pop
Pop, pop, pop!
There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy
When they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling, too
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling, "Yoo-hoo!"
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, let's go
Let's look at the show
We're riding in a wonderland of snow
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, it's grand
Just holding your hand
We're gliding along with a song of a wintery fairyland
Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy-cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you