Ambiance

I'm supposed to be writing my Christmas letter, at this moment.  I packed the kids up and sent them out in the yard so I could watch them ice skate while I listen to my James Taylor Christmas CD, in hopes of gaining some inspiration.  It just doesn't seem to be working, instead I have checked my email for the 10th time today and am now rambling away on here. 

My life no matter how hard I try is not a picture post card.  I have spent decades creating ambiance in order to set the tone for a perfect life.  Although the ambiance is often remarkable, really people actually have been known to make remarks, it seems to provide nothing more than a bit of background noise to the life we are trying to live around it.

It's funny but my ice skaters never seem to stay out side for more than five minutes, pre lit trees burn out in random spots, pillows get smooshed, whimsical light fixtures get made fun of, delicate touches go unnoticed and rooms more often than not are rearranged to best execute the latest Nerf battle.

I am constantly telling myself that post cards are silly and unrealistic. Something that no one would really want, if it wasn't for the artistic eye of a talented photographer telling them otherwise.  However, my mind wanders to another thought that makes me stop and say, "But, I love receiving post cards!"  Especially ones that for a moment take me away from my life into places that speak a language this ordinary housewife most likely will never learn. So, I say bring on the ambiance!  After all, who doesn't head to their mailbox each day harboring a secret desire for some fun mail?  I mean in a day and age where paper trails are now nonexistent, we somehow have still held onto this ancient tradition of Christmas cards.  I, in fact, heard of a person today that despite her exhaustion will send them out again this year out of fear that she will be removed from others' lists if she doesn't.

In my own crazy way, I have yet again brought my ramblings full circle back to my own avoidance of writing the dreaded Christmas letter.  This year I will once more muster up the strength to share with 40 semi strangers the ins and outs of our year, in the hopes that a little ambiance in the form of holiday postcards will soon find a place in my mailbox.