a theory

As I got in my car after work tonight, and I put in one of the three discs in my "Bath and Body Works Perfect Christmas Collection", a thought crossed my mind: Why am I not sick of these songs? I've listened to them every year from probably Halloween till Christmas since 2005 when I worked at Bath and Body Works. It's not that I've expected to eventually get tired of listening to What Child Is This or Winter Wonderland, but specifically the version Destiny's Child sings of What Child Is This and specifically the version Liz Phair sings of Winter Wonderland.

I sat at the red light outside my work, waiting for it to turn green, and thought about this. I think it's because we assign various Christmas songs to different memories that are specific to gatherings with family and friends during the holidays. Those songs that are correlated with our memories give us the feeling of glee and contentment. Therefore, we don't get sick of the songs we hear every holiday season!

I believe it's not the songs exactly, but the version of the songs and who sings them. I would like to share some of my "song memories" with you:

White Christmas by The Drifters- Two words: Home Alone! This is when Kevin is "shaving" in the beginning of the movie and singing into a comb. This whole movie brings me back to being little and watching this ALL year round with my little brother.

Silent Night, the hymn- This song reminds me of the midnight Christmas Eve service at my church in South Windsor. We sing this song as the second to last song of the night. The lights are turned off and the choir is lining the perimeter of the chapel, all holding lit candles, and the candles in the windows also light the room. I don't remember what Christmas Eve it was, but I was standing next to my Papa and I could hear him singing loudly during this song. As his hands firmly gripped the back of the pew in front of him to help his weak arms support his weight, my grandmother placed her hand upon his, and they continued singing.

Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms- My parents had a briefcase filled with cassettes in our hall closet, which was also where they kept the cassette player. Justin and I would always go grab the player and the briefcase and take out the cassette labeled CHRISTMAS. This song was one of my favorites, and I specifically remember playing this song while decorating the tree as a family. We had one of the chairs from the kitchen in the family room so my dad could stand on it to put the star on top of the tree.

Santa Baby by The Pussycat Dolls- This song is on my Bath and Body Works CD, and the CD would play over the speakers at Bath and Body Works when I worked there during the holiday season in 2005. This specific song reminds me of working late with Michelle the night of Black Friday. I was an idiot and wore heals, and my feet hurt so bad! Michelle and I had to stay until I think it was 3 a.m. or something crazy like that.

What are some of your "song memories"?

updates

1. I'm officially feeling 100% like myself again after the accident.
2. I'm now terrified of driving, and seriously considering investing in a bike or some really good walking shoes.
3. I am obsessed with Kardashians. Thank you instant Netflix.
4. One more week until I am done student teaching! Yayy, celebration for me.
5. I don't know if anyone knows, but that means I graduate in a week. Yayy, another celebration for me.
6. I'm not pregnant. Just thought I'd throw that out there, since a certain sister-in-law of mine will be disappointed when reading this.
7. I'm pretty sure I haven't worn make-up in so long that I've forgotten how to apply it.
8. Every year, I put extra effort into my Christmas Eve outfit, since that is my favorite holiday. I have the shoes. Now I need to build my outfit around the shoes. Isn't that how it works, ladies? Back me up here.
9. Confession: I'm nervous that when I move back east, I'll take my family for granted just like I did before I moved out here over 3 years ago.
10. Currently on my mind: Would I rather have absolutely no butt? Or an enormous butt? Not that I want either... I'm just thinking which scenario would suck the most.

...aaaaand, i'm back

Ryan picked me up from the airport Thursday evening around 5. We said our hello's, I got in the car, and we started our short drive to my house. As I looked around at the beautiful New England sunset, at my wonderful husband next to me, and at all the familiar Connecticut license plates on that familiar I-84, I began to cry. "Why are you crying, babes?" he asked me. I told him I didn't want to go back to Utah. Seriously? I JUST got there, and I was already thinking about how I had to leave!

Besides dreading the trip back west the entire weekend, I had a fabulous time with my husband. Thursday night I got to go out to dinner with my family (parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle, and in-laws), and then we headed to Quincy where I got to finally meet my new home. The next day, we ran errands (Ryan was thrilled to do this...cough cough) and he showed me around. The traffic is absolutely crazy, and the roads make no sense to me! Two way streets turn into one way streets without signs letting you know! There are stop lights that point in all different directions! And the people who live in Massachusetts are called Mass-holes for a reason! AHHHHH I am scared to drive there. I told him to anticipate an accident shortly after I move there. I thought it would be nice to give him a heads-up, so maybe he wouldn't be too mad at me when it actually happened.

He took me to Nut Island which is a part of Hough's Neck. It overlooks the Boston skyline and is absolutely beautiful. This will definitely be a place I go often to escape and relax. Here are some pictures from Hough's Neck! Bev and Ricky came over Friday night as I discovered how to use a gas stove. Thanks you guys for being understanding :) And then we introduced them to Arrested Development! And I rediscovered my love for Jason Bateman.

Saturday we went into Boston (literally 10 minute drive from our apartment!) where Ryan got asked to help out a street performer at Faneuil Hall do some escape thing upside down. Then we ate at an AMAZING seafood restaurant and walked down to Long Wharf. The weather was beautiful and it was a perfect day.
And then it was Sunday. The day I had been dreading ever since my plane landed. We drove home to Connecticut and had lunch at my house after I visited Justin at work. Now that he is the only manager of Brookestone, he works so much! I have the best parents in the world because my mom made Thanksgiving dinner! ON HALLOWEEN! Since I wasn't going to be home for Thanksgiving, she took the time to make my favorite stuffing (vegetarian) and cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes (also vegetarian) and sweet potatoes with marshmallows! It was wonderful and I appreciate everything my family does for me and Ryan.

Just 5 weeks until Utah is over and I am finally back with the people I love. But I most of all can't wait to see Ryan.