What I Learned in December 2012

Monthly reviews are one of my favourite traditions. Here’s how it works – every month I come up with some things I learned, and not always the easy way. Then, I ask you all to join in with some recent revelations of your own. And we all learn and grow and what-not. Or at least share a laugh at our own expense, because some of these lessons are both hard-fought and funny. Sound good?

So, without further ado, here is what I learned in December – or some of it, anyway.

What I Learned This Month

1. I discovered the joy of having a dedicated sewing area – and craft shelf – once again. My hope is that this will lead to lots of finished projects in 2013.

2. I re-learned the universal truth of knitting for other people at Christmas time, which is that it’s going to take you longer than expected, when I found myself putting the finishing touches on a couple of hats in the car as my husband drove to my in-laws’ house.

3. I managed to wear a pair of high heels for more than 45 minutes at a stretch. I even danced, and while there was some minor wincing, I didn’t even get any blisters.

4. I fell in love with my new iPad Mini (a Christmas gift from my husband), and discovered the joy of e-books. While I definitely have a soft spot for paper, I have to admit the electronic version is much lighter and more portable.

5. I learned that no snow day is complete for my kids until we’ve built a snow person.

6. I re-discovered the intense feeling of powerlessness that comes with having a sick child, when my son took ill with a violent stomach bug. It only lasted for 48 hours, but those were 48 long hours.

7. I felt immense parental pride when both of my kids knocked their spoken parts in the Christmas pageant out of the park. It seems my inner ham lives on in my offspring.

8. I discovered that Chipotle opened in Vancouver, and when I was downtown I made a point of eating there. I do adore guacamole, in pretty much any shape or form that I can get it.

9. I helped children make reindeer headbands at a local Breakfast with Santa event, and got back in touch with my inner Brownie leader. I do great work with scissors and glue, yo.

10. As I sat in front of the Christmas tree, candles flickering in the fireplace, reading Christmas stories to my children on Christmas Eve, I felt that magical feeling wash over me. That moment made up for the rest of the holiday-related agony.

I’ve shared what I learned – what did you learn in December? I want to know! If you’d like to play along by writing a review post of your own, link to it in the comments. Since we’re just finishing off a year, you can link to your year-in-review post instead, if you have one of those. And please feel free to grab the button from the top of this post.

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