Thoughts on the Holidays....

My last days off (friday and saturday) I went skiing with a good friend of mine, and then I went shopping for last minute things for our Christmas Snowshoe Trip. We went to a very popular store its called REI (recreational equipment inc.) All i wanted to get was a new primer wick  (and some snow baskets for my trekking poles)for my Whisperlite Stove- here's a pic of it

If you dont know what the priming wick is its the rope looking piece on the bottom of the stove. REI didnt have any available so the good woman who was helping me (Terry-you are awesome) took one off their display stove and said i could have it.

When we usually go into REI we are asked if we need assistance immediately every time. But this time was different...it was a mad house...people crowded the walkways, cut people off in the parking lot taking every available space there was. The checkout line wrapped around the store. This was the 22nd of December. We had a power outage on this same road next to the store and all the traffic lights were out. It was miserable to say the least. It got me thinking about why people aren't at home enjoying their family, relaxing. We put so much emphasis on presents (myself included) that we forget about each other. I should have been at home drinking some mulled cider and maybe reading a good book, or go on a walk with my dog. Every year we relate this holiday to stress and presents because we are going crazy at some store. Presents are nice but not a neccessity, and i think next year i will try my best and remember this. 

Tomorrow I will be heading out of town and snowshoeing with my awesome boyfriend to a cabin, and spending Christmas eating spicy freeze dried red beans and rice, nuts, and i'll be swaddled in my sleeping bag with my Nook, next to my family- Niko and Sherpa.

 What will you be doing for Christmas?