Advent Conspiracy

I have seen the video, I have heard the sermons and I have even seen the Facebook group. But let me tell you, seeing the Advent Conspiracy on the front page of Yahoo this morning was a real shock to my system.

"Christian Group Launches New Attack on Christmas Commercialism"

I cannot say for sure what point of view the journalist is taking, but if it makes people read up on the mission or convinces some people to soend their shopping money on clean water for others, then I say it is a Christmas miracle indeed.

Be part of the miracle:
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
http://www.water.cc/

Traditions

I have been thinking a lot about family traditions, specifically holiday traditions. Centsational Girl has a post up this morning that really brought it into the forefront of my mind.

This is mine and Brad's first Christmas in our new house, and only our second as a family, so we do not have a long list of traditions for the holidays. That is something I would like to develop over the years. Often, when people tell me their holiday traditions, they involve their children, so I imagine more will come with time. So far, here is what we have, either individually or as a couple.
**For the past few years (and upon Lauren's suggestion), I have read Lessons For Life, a Christmas-themed Harry Potter fan-fiction.
**I try to watch "The Holiday" and "Love, Actually" every Christmas. Now Brad gets to watch them, too! (Lucky Brad...)
**Morning relaxation. On Thanksgiving, we enjoyed a leisurely morning of coffee and snuggling, interspersed with Macy's Day Parade. We look forward to repeating this for Christmas, and for years to come.

We have been slowly acquiring decorations for the season, as our 600 sq ft apartment didnt require much. It is amazing how big this house feels when I'm trying to fill empty walls! I cannot say that, as of yet, putting up decorations is a tradition, but I do hope to follow in the idea that putting up the tree is a day-after-Thanksgiving classic.

Oh, I almost forgot the best one! Every year we find one ornament that represents that year on our tree. Sure, we often get more than one new one a year, but each year must have a representative. I was worried sick last week, as I could not find our sentimental Christmas stuff (embroidered stockings, yearly ornaments, etc). I was SO relievfed to find and empty that box! So far our yearly ornaments consist of:
2007: a white snowflake that says "Our first Christmas", even though we got married four days later.
2008: a gold "Just Married" ornament we bought in Walt Disney World on our fix-it honeymoon.
2009: a red front door that says "First Home" on it.

We are so thankful for friends with good taste, too, as my friend Susan bought us two of those three! We havent been able to find another "First House" ornament, so I am especially thankful for Susan's gift!

I am really looking forward to forming a lifetime of traditions with my family. What things do you treasure year after year?

Perfect Gift

I found the perfect Christmas gift. If there is anyone in your life that loves Disney and Walt Disney World (ahem), then this gift is perfect.




This calendar by Barrie Brewer is made up of photos of "the World". They are are so bright and energetic and stunning. Not only that, bu tthe proceeds from the calendar sales go to sponsor Deb Wills in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Do you need a better cause? You have to buy new calendars every year, people, either for yourself or for others. This is the perfect one.



http://www.lulu.com/content/lulustudio-calendar/2010-focus-on-disney-world/7795905

STAND Fast

Today is STAND Fast!
This is it: a day when people all over the world will be giving up luxury items and with the money they saved, giving it STAND Fast. Three dollars will protect one Darfuri woman from being raped for a month. Five dollars will protect a whole family in Eastern Burma. What better way to celebrate Beedle the Bard coming out tomorrow than by participating an event as part of a Dumbledore's Army for the real world?! For questions please email http://us.mc555.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=standfast@thehpalliance.org
Oftentimes, it feels like a huge barrier separates us and those who are most vulnerable. Let's treat such a barrier as if it were no more than the barrier at Platform Nine and Three Quarters when Wizards tread before it. Let's walk through that barrier and connect with people across the world who need our support. People who need to know that their plight is being witnessed. And that we won't stop fighting for them.
Let us send our love through this barrier today and fund the protection of these people's lives. Please give today at thehpalliance.org/civilianprotection
Also, if you buy a copy of the Wizard Rock comp Jingle Spells today all the proceeds are going to STAND Fast.
Click here if you want to listen to the podcasts on STAND Fast. Click here to watch a video on what others are giving up.
Thank you so deeply. Let's renew our spirits and the spirit of this world. Let's do what we can for STAND Fast. Thank you and may the Fawkes Be With You,
Andrew SlackHarry Potter Alliance

Holiday Wish List

I posted a blog last August with a random wish list. I was reading it, and it really made me smile. Mainly because one of the things on this list was tickets to Disney World, because I missed it. I posted that on August 10, 2007, and on August 10, 2008 Brad and I arrived in Orlando for the trip of our lives! How fun is that?!?

Now, onto more current matters. People, mostly family, have been passing around "wish lists" for Christmas, so I decided I would post a few things here for fun. Here goes:
*Mini Fridge
*Gift Cards (Disney, Express, Pappas, iTunes, Amazon, Best Buy, World Market, Chipotle, Red Robin, etc)
*House DVDs - we owned Season 4, but it was stolen when my folks' house was robbed. So any season of House, really...
*Harry Potter movies - I only own "Order of the Phoenix" (5)
*Beedle the Bard
*"We Are Wizards" documentary DVD (find here)

Or things that make me laugh.

Wanna know what makes me happy?

http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/2008/11/walt_disney_world_vacation_pac.html

Yeah, that's right. Did you read it? NO? Ugh, you lazy.

The new year will bring new ways for guests to celebrate their special occasions with family and friends at Walt Disney World Resort – and special savings that make a Disney vacation even more affordable.
Guests who buy a four-night/four-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Co. Magic Your Way hotel and ticket package for stays most nights from Jan. 4 to April 4, 2009, and April 19 to June 27, 2009, will receive three extra nights of hotel accommodations and three more days added to their theme park tickets for free.
As a bonus, guests traveling on this package from Jan. 4 to March 29, 2009, will also receive a free $200 Disney Gift Card to splurge on merchandise, dining or other Disney fun.

Now, unfortunately I do not see us getting to do this; not that soon anyway. But OH MY LANDS that looks like such a great deal! And a $200 gift card?!?

(Yeah, I say "Oh my lands"... what about it? My Mamie says it... and it is better than swearing...)

So, for those who have not heard my speech about a "Wish List" this year (birthday/Christmas), the top thing on my list is Disney Gift Cards. I'm sure we will want/need to save for a while planning our next trip. That way we can upgrade to a better resort (although the All Star Sports was fun). The third thing on my Wish List is travel vouchers - basically gift cards to airlines and such. Brad and I have so much stuff - far more than we need. And while there are things we need, most of them are not material (or easily afforded). Right now we are trying to focus on saving for things like, oh I don't know, a HOUSE. My point is that memories are higher on our priority list than things right now. We want to go to new York [if only we could get up there while Binkie is still on Broadway] by next summer, but that it a lot of saving in little time. We wouldn't need to pay for a hotel, but travel alone would be steep. Plus, with plays, food and shopping...pretty penny. So I don't know... if you are likely to send me a gift this year (BTW, thank you in advance) those are my wishes.

Oh, and the second thing is a mini fridge. Just for the curious...