My dishwasher's possessed

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it’s Beginning to Sound a lot like Christmas

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It's beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas
In six short days, a war is going to break out in my otherwise (somewhat) peaceful household.

November 1 starts the annual “War of the Christmas Music.”

Each year, it’s me against my husband and the three little darlings that I brought into this world, I should add after a collective 36 hours of labor and three C-sections.

This year, I’m taking a proactive stand. I’m taking my case to the people (or at least the few wonderful souls who take time out of their day to read my blog).

Mommy wants to listen to “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” without the groans and moans from the back seat of the minivan. I would like to enjoy all 55 versions from 55 different artists of, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” without hearing Joe call me a “Lame-o.”

I’m listing 10 reasons why my family shouldn’t give me a hard time listening to the holiday music that gives little old me such joy:

1.  I don’t play the, I-carried-each-of-you-for-9-(actually 10)-extremely-long-months-card very often, but this year I will. Remember that without me, three of you would not be here on this earth and one of you would not be a father. I think that deserves a few Fa-la-la-la’s for a few weeks.

2. Contrary to what some 14-year-olds claim, listening to large amounts of holiday music will not cause permanent damage to anyone’s psyche or cause anyone to turn to a life of crime.

3. Hearing “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” puts me in a much more peaceful mood and makes my head less likely to explode when a certain eight-year-old asks me fifty-five times if we could have mushrooms, then asks another fifty-five times if the  mushrooms are ready, then looks at them and with a straight face tells me he doesn’t like mushrooms.

4. If I could listen to Elmo singing the alphabet, Steve from Blues Clues sing, “We just got a letter,” and Dora the Explorer singing her Backpack song  for the rough equivalent of two full years of my life, surely you can listen to Karen Carpenter sing, “Merry Christmas Darling,” for a few weeks without bursting into tears.

5. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen have done Christmas songs. If it’s good enough for them, surely it’s good enough for us.

6. There comes a time every Christmas when Santa needs some extra elves to help with all the seasonal preparations. Who do you think he is going to ask for help? Yes, you are right, me! Happy elves spread holiday cheer, and nothing brings more cheer than a few choruses of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

7. What holiday season is complete without hearing, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” at least a few times?

8. There really was a part in our wedding vows that said, in sickness, health, and listening to holiday music every year. I’m not sure why you don’t remember that? Weren’t you paying attention on the most important day of your life? Don’t you love me enough to remember the vow you made to me 20 years ago in front of our family, friends and God? DOESN’T OUR MARRIAGE MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?

9. When Mom is happy, everyone is happy. When Mom is not happy, well you know what happens.

10. Some of my most precious holiday memories are of nursing a two-week-old Tom, or trying to decorate the Christmas tree while nine months pregnant and holding the hand of a three-year-old, or watching three of the sweetest children squeal with delight over what Santa has brought them snuggled on the couch with the one I love, all with the sounds of the season playing in the background.

Truth be told, there is something that just warms my heart every time I hear a Christmas song.  They trigger all the best memories of holidays past.  And, if that doesn’t move you, remember your survival sort of depends on, well me.

 

Special thanks to the amazing Lisa and Ashley of The Dose of Reality for re-running this piece on their amazing site!! I love these ladies even MORE than I do Christmas music! If you are visiting from there welcome, it’s great to have you here!!

 

Comments

  1. holly says

    Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer – now that’s a true Christmas classic! I love it, and truth be told, all the Christmas music, but I grew up in the midwest and I recognize my family in that particular song. I’ll be humming it the rest of the morning now. Thank you for the memory and laugh!
    holly recently posted…Five Ways to Make Your Holidays HellishMy Profile

  3. Jen says

    Haha! So glad the dose gals directed me here! Your site is awesome 🙂 We have a radio station in town that only plays Christmas music up until Christmas. My kids enforce that this is the only station during the holidays. I am wondering how many times I can hear Chestnuts Roasting in various versions before I loose my mind!
    Jen recently posted…The What No One Wants For Christmas Gift ListMy Profile

  6. Julie Moore says

    The Dose Gals sent me your way. I must say, reason #1 is enough alone to grant you Christmas music freedom. This is the only time of year that both my hubby and I can agree to a radio being on in the car (I just don’t like the radio, especially in the car – sorry), and we all agree that Christmas music makes us all a little bit happier. 🙂 If nothing else, boycott something if they refuse you the music or make a deal. Tell them 30 minutes of Christmas music WITHOUT complaint gets them 30 minutes of extra TV time or free time or whatever. Maybe offer them a favorite meal or treat if they don’t complain for a full week? I dunno. Get creative! 🙂 Either way, I’m totally with you! You should totally get your Christmas music!
    Julie Moore recently posted…Monthly Milestones {12}My Profile

  7. Mo at Mocadeaux says

    I’m completely in your camp on this one, Kathy. Sometimes I make up errands just so I can listen to non-stop Christmas music in the car. And my favorite Christmas ornament is one that my children got for me years ago as a joke. It is a musical *N SYNC ornament which plays snippets of songs from their Christmas album. I love it! Hahaha, kids, joke’s on you!
    Mo at Mocadeaux recently posted…Hanukkah PocketsMy Profile

  9. Eli@coachdaddy says

    I just wish there was some variety. You know, like on Pandora, where you can hear Bon Jovi Christmas songs (there are some). “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” on repeat is like waterboarding for my eardrums. For men and kids everywhere, really.

    Our not insignificant gift this season, as dads and kids, should be to tolerate the glad tidings and be glad we have mamas in our lives to help feed us.
    Eli@coachdaddy recently posted…On the Road Again: This Time, at Just TypikelMy Profile

  10. Liz says

    LOL–visiting from the Dose Girls. I’ll have to remember the Dora and Elmo ones when my daughter’s older. Right now she’s 4 so she’s fine as long as I don’t sing. But my husband hates xmas music. I’ll probably never listen to the Muppet Xmas album again as he esp. hates that one. I know it’s cheesy but I grew up with it so I deserve to listen to John Denver and Rolf singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Xmas” at least once, don’t I?

Much thanks to Joseph Radigan, who besides being a great husband and father, also uses his talents to gently and ever so tactfully edit my blog. Joe is a business editor at Thomson Reuters in NY.
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